Wearable arm muscles could help overcome upper body injuries

Many medical exosuits are built to improve walking, but researchers at ETH Zurich might have a solution to improve your arm strength. They’ve developed the Myoshirt, a wearable arm exomuscle that can compensate for conditions and injuries affecting the upper body. The combination of vest and cuff uses sensors to detect your intended movements and cue a motor that shortens a cable running alongside your muscles. Effectively, you’re getting a supplemental tendon that provides additional power and endurance for whatever you’re doing.

Early tests have been positive. A dozen volunteers could perform exercises for much longer than usual, with endurance increasing 60 percent for a person with muscular dystrophy and a whopping three times for someone with a spinal cord injury. Even uninjured people lasted 30 percent longer, scientists said.

You aren’t about to wear one. The Myoshirt’s actuator and bulky external control box weigh about 8.8lbs. The team plans to narrow the focus to shoulder support to make the design small and light enough to wear under clothing. This won’t give you exceptional strength or support like some full-fledged exoskeletons.

ETH is working with the spinoff company MyoSwiss to refine the exomuscle, though, and the practical applications are clear. Hospitals could supply Myoshirts to patients who need to perform exercises at home without ungainly (not to mention costly) therapy devices. The technology could also be useful for making day-to-day tasks noticeably easier.

LG’s latest flagship Atmos soundbar is now available for $1,799

LG has finally released the 2022 soundbars it introduced in January, and it won’t surprise you to hear that you’ll pay a hefty price for the attention-getting flagship model. The 9.1.5-channel S95QR (pictured above) costs $1,799 (already on sale for $1,499 at Amazon and LG) and stands out with an up-firing center channel as well as similarly vertical wireless rear speakers. A subwoofer is included, too. In theory, you’ll have a better “perspective” with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio as well as clearer dialog. You can also expect HDMI 2.1 passthrough (with variable refresh rate and auto low-latency mode for gamers) as well as larger woofers and greater distances between speakers than previous models.

You don’t need to spend that much to get some of the benefits. The 3.1.3-channel S80QY ($899) and 5.1.3-channel S90QY ($1,199) also pack the upward-firing center speaker, and you can tack on a $200 SPQ8 kit if you want rear speakers. The $599, 3.1.2-channel S75Q is available if you’re fine with a more conventional up-firing speaker layout, and you can pay a relatively modest $399 for the S65Q ($250 at Amazon and LG) if you’re willing to skip vertical audio entirely.

Every soundbar offers Meridian Audio tuning, and most are compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. WiFi-connected models (from the S80QY up) also support a Wowcast audio dongle that provides wireless uncompressed 7.1.4-channel sound.

These aren’t the most affordable options at their official prices. On sale, though, they should compete well against some of the best soundbars in their respective categories. Just think carefully about the S95QR. While LG does have a center vertical speaker in its favor, Samsung’s comparable HW-Q950A packs an 11.1.4-channel setup at a similar price.

Microsoft Edge update brings Xbox streaming ‘Clarity Boost’ to everyone

Microsoft is hoping to make Edge the browser of choice for gamers. The company is rolling out a host of gaming-related updates to most users, including perks for game streaming. A new (if long in development) Clarity Boost feature improves the visual quality of console titles when you’re using Xbox Cloud Gaming on a Windows 10 or 11 PC. The spatial upscaling technology won’t make you forget that it’s a stream, but the sample Microsoft offered suggests it will reduce the muddy look that sometimes plagues remote games.

You won’t need an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for the other improvements. Windows 10 and 11 users will also see a toggle in Efficiency mode that automatically reduces Edge’s resource use when you start a PC game. You might not have to close your browser to wring every last drop of performance out of your system.

Regardless of platform, there’s an optional gaming-oriented homepage that points you to news, livestreams, new releases and quick access to the Xbox Cloud Gaming catalog. You can also visit a dedicated games menu that offers free-to-play arcade and casual titles to keep you entertained during uneventful meetings.

This isn’t the first browser built for gamers. Opera GX launched three years ago with similar features, such as lower resource usage and quick access to livestreams. Microsoft features like Clarity Boost might be more appealing in some cases, though, and Edge’s ubiquity on Windows systems gives it better odds of widespread adoption.

Blackmagic’s second-gen Pocket Cinema Camera 6K has a larger battery and a lower price

Blackmagic is finally updating the base Pocket Cinema Camera 6K with some welcome (if not earth-shattering) refinements. The company has introduced the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2 with features borrowed from the Pro model, including its larger battery, swivelling touchscreen and support for a 1,280 x 960 OLED viewfinder. You can record video for longer while improving the composition of your shots, to put it simply.

The G2 otherwise sports the same capabilities as the original Pocket Cinema Camera 6K. You’ll find its namesake 6,144 x 3,456 Super 35 image sensor with 13 stops of dynamic range and a peak dual native ISO of 25,600. A Canon EF mount gives you a wide selection of potential lenses, while mini XLR inputs provide high-quality audio. PetaPixelnotes you won’t get the Pro’s ND filters, however, and the conservative update means you won’t find continuous autofocusing or in-body stabilization.

The 6K G2 is available now for $1,995, or $500 less than its predecessor cost when new. You’ll also get the full DaVinci Resolve Studio to edit your work. This is clearly a better bargain if you’re looking for a reasonably compact video-focused mirrorless camera, although you may still want to look at competition like the Sony A7 IV (with continuous autofocus and built-in stabilization) if you’re equally interested in taking photos.

Montblanc leads the next wave of Wear OS 3 watches with the $1,290 Summit 3

As teased at I/O, you no longer need to get Wear OS 3 smartwatches from Samsung — though you will pay for the privilege. The Vergenotes Montblanc has introduced the Summit 3, a significant upgrade to the German brand’s luxury timepieces. The improved Google software (including better performance) is the most noticeable update, but you’ll also get a much-needed leap from the Summit 2’s 2018-era Snapdragon Wear 3100 chip to the (still somewhat old) Wear 4100+. Expect more responsive wristwear that lasts longer on a charge.

The standout feature remains the upscale design. The conventionally styled case is made from light-but-strong titanium, and you’ll get both leather and rubber straps to suit various occasions. Some watch faces also mimic Montblanc mechanical models like the 1858 Geosphere. You can otherwise expect typical high-end smartwatch features like blood oxygen monitoring, sleep tracking and Google Pay support.

The Summit 3 will be available worldwide on July 15th. Like with earlier Montblanc smartwatches, though, you’re paying for the combination of classic watchmaking expertise with modern technology — the new model will sell for $1,290. That’s a bargain compared to the $1,800 TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 and the $3,400 Louis Vuitton Tambour Horizon Light Up, but it’s a sharp jump from the $300 you’ll currently pay for a 42mm Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. This is for well-off enthusiasts who want a tech accessory for formal galas — and won’t balk at the cost of upgrading a few years later.

More affordable Wear OS 3 watches are coming from brands like Fossil, Mobvoi, Samsung and Google itself. For now, though, you’ll still have few choices.

‘Hyenas’ is a team shooter from the creators of ‘Alien: Isolation’

Creative Assembly is best known for deliberately-paced games like Alien: Isolation and the Total War series, but it’s about jump headlong into the multiplayer action realm. The developer is partnering with Sega to introduceHyenas, a team-based shooter coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PCs in 2023. The title takes its cue from tech headlines, but also doesn’t take itself (or its gameplay mechanics) too seriously.

You join three-person teams to raid spaceship shopping malls for the coveted merch left behind by Mars billionaires. You’ll have to compete against four other loot-seeking teams while simultaneously dealing with security systems, hired goons and zero-gravity. You can not only flip gravity on and off, but use bridge-making goo and other special abilities to claim the upper hand. And yes, it’s pretty silly — you can expect appearances from Richard Nixon masks, Sonic the Hedgehog merch and Pez dispensers.

The creators are currently accepting sign-ups for a closed alpha test on PCs. They’ve also made clear there will be no “pay to win” systems. While that suggests you might have the option of buying cosmetic items, your success should depend solely on talent. It’s just a question of whether Hyenas will be good enough to pry gamers away from multiplayer shooter mainstays like the Call of Duty series or Fortnite.

Acast subscribers will soon get access to exclusive podcast groups on Facebook

Your favorite podcast might soon have an official, easy-to-find forum. Meta has teamed up with podcast giant Acast to offer exclusive Facebook Groups for podcasts using Acast+ paid subscriptions. Link your membership to your Facebook account and you’ll have a ready-made place to discuss the latest episode with fellow fans — you won’t have to hunt for a message board or use social network hashtags. You’ll also get exclusives like livestreams and Q&A sessions with show hosts.

The two companies didn’t say when subscriber groups would be available. Several podcasts are involved in a testing period, including the beauty show Fat Mascara. The price you’ll pay will likely vary, but podcasters can enable Acast+ for free. 

Meta has struggled to compete in the podcasting realm, and began shutting down services in early June. The deal keeps the company involved in the category, however. The social media company can benefit from the rise of paid podcasts (through increased use of its services) without having to pour resources into creating or distributing content. This is the first time a podcast company is using Facebook’s new platform for Interoperable Subscriber Groups, but it might not be the last if Acast’s partnership proves successful.

Polestar adds Apple CarPlay support to its EVs

Polestar promised Apple CarPlay support for its EVs two years ago, and it’s finally delivering. As The Vergeexplains, the car brand has released an over-the-air update for the Polestar 2 that makes CarPlay available on the Android Automotive-based sedan. If you’d rather use Apple Maps instead of Google Maps or prefer to talk to Siri in lieu of Google Assistant, you now have that choice as long as you connect your iPhone.

In 2020, the automaker expected to deliver a CarPlay update in January 2021. It’s not clear what prompted the delay (Polestar cited “various factors” last fall), but the wait isn’t completely surprising. Android Automotive is built around Google’s operating system, and often its services. iPhone support was always going to be a lower priority, particularly when you don’t need an Android phone to use Polestar’s built-in functionality.

You still can’t find CarPlay on numerous other Android Automotive cars, including newer Volvo models as well as Rivian’s R1T. You won’t have to wait long in some cases, though. Volvo expects to add the interface within weeks, and it will eventually support iOS 16’s next-gen CarPlay interface. In that sense, Polestar is just a vanguard for its sibling brand.

Brave’s new tool lets you create and share your own search rankings

If you’re concerned that the usual web search engines might be biased, don’t worry — Brave thinks it can help. The company has introduced a beta Goggles feature for Brave Search (itself no longer a beta) that lets anyone set their own criteria for search rankings. You can refine a “politics” query to shift the focus to blogs instead of major news outlets, for instance.

You can create, modify or use others’ rankings just by running a search and tapping the “Goggles” button. You won’t necessarily have to spend time fine-tuning your results, then. A community could also share Goggles to more consistently surface the sites it uses most often.

Brave is pitching the tool as a foil to the algorithms Google and Microsoft’s Bing use to prioritize some search results while downplaying others. Those more dominant search providers say they’re focusing on trustworthy sources of information and otherwise helping users find useful content, but Brave contends that Goggles can help counter biases inherent to its larger competitors’ technology.

The feature may have both positives and pitfalls as a result. While this could help you more easily find smaller sites or differing opinions that frequently get buried in conventional search results, it might also reinforce thought bubbles where you only see content that agrees with your existing views. As with the rest of the internet, you may have to use Goggles judiciously to avoid creating an echo chamber.

You can pay for your Lyft ride with cash now

Ridesharing isn’t typically viable in the US if you want to pay with cash, but that won’t be a problem now that Lyft has introduced an option to pay for rides using cash. Visit 35,000-plus stores like Walmart, ACE Cash Express and Kroger and you can present a barcode or ID number to turn physical money into a balance accessible through the Lyft app or website. You’ll have to scan approved identification after requesting your first ride.

You’ll need to add at least $30 whenever you contribute to the balance. Your transportation options will also be limited if you go cash-only. You have to attach a credit card or another payment option to your account if you want to hire a bike or scooter.

Lyft pitches the feature as a way to democratize rideshare services. About 7.1 million US households either had no bank accounts or only limited access to conventional financial services as of 2019, according to FDIC data, and that frequently affected communities of color. The cash option lets those unbanked people request on-demand rides without paying for cabs. We’d add that this could help if you’re uncomfortable with linking payment cards to transportation services like this.

The move might give Lyft an edge in the country. Its rival Uber lets American riders use a balance to pay for trips, but they currently have to load funds using payment cards, PayPal and Venmo. For now, Lyft is your only major choice if you’d rather pay with paper.