Gadgets
Google Glass might distract you from driving
Google Glass has been called many things, from innovative new gadget to obnoxious and creepy device that is meant for people to spy on each other. Google Glass is a wearable device made up of a pair of glasses that have a prism incorporated which can project images directly on your retina. Google Glass is meant to be worn all day so that it can help you enjoy features close to augmented reality and to use the features of your smartphone without having to take it out. The main idea behind Google Glass is that it offers multimedia and connectivity right in front of your eyes. Even though many say that Google Glass is an affront to privacy because of the built-in camera, we have to admit that the gadget itself is a piece of advanced technology which will certainly end up being useful. There are other similar devices on the market already, and other currently in development, so Google Glass is not a unique device, albeit it is the most popular one.
Wearable devices like the Epson Moverio BT-200 glasses are a perfect example of a different approach to smart glasses. Whilst Google Glass aims to be a Siri- or Cortana like companion which can help you navigate, place calls, check messages, send messages and take photos and videos, the Epson Moverio BT-200 glasses focus more on augmented reality and are meant for special situations like gaming, controlling drones, reviewing engineering projects, navigating and checking product information. Another good example of smart glasses are the Funiki smart glasses, although they aren’t as advanced as Google Glass or the Epson Moverio glasses. The Funiki glasses only feature LED lights which alert you when you get notifications on your smartphone. Samsung is working on the Gear Blink smart glasses and Sony has been rumored to have smart glasses in development too, so we’re curious how the market will evolve in the future.
Google Glass has been ostracized by many because of its design and because of its $1500 price tag. We must keep in mind that the glasses are still in development, with timely updates rolling out a few times a year. Even though Google Glass has been developed for daily use and as a personal assistant, it seems that you won’t be able to wear them when you drive because they might be as distracting as using your phone. Many believed that Google Glass would have been an excellent driving companion if a navigation system were correctly developed and if you could use it instead of a Bluetooth headset in order to enjoy voice calls while you drive, but new information has revealed that the glasses might not work that way.
It turns out that even though you use voice commands in order to text with Google Glass, your brain is just as distracted as if it were using a smartphone. That’s because you still need to multitask while driving, so your brain might not be able to keep up with both driving and talking to Google Glass. The level of distraction with Google Glass impacts you the same way the level of distraction on a smartphone would when texting, so this means that you would be slower to react to traffic incidents or unexpected events ahead or behind you. With Google Glass, you would follow the cars in front of you more carefully, but you would still be slower to react than without the wearable device on your head.
Ultimately, even though Google Glass had the ambition of being a non-distractive device you could use while driving, one still shouldn’t use it, especially in urban areas. Even though some of you might be endowed with great multi-tasking capabilities, using smartphones or wearables whilst driving is still not a good idea. I’m sure you can agree that we all have a limited attention span and focus capabilities, and when those are being strained by multi-tasking, our reactions tend to slow down. For example, when you are typing a story or playing a game, and somebody starts talking to you, you hear them and acknowledge them, but your reaction time is much slower – you respond to them after a longer time than you would if you were just chilling out on your couch.
In conclusion. driving is a dangerous activity which requires your full concentration because you’re never alone on the road and even if you were, you never know when something might pop in front of your car. Since cars are comprised of many of the most dangerous materials to man such as gasoline, electricity, glass and metal, and run at high speeds, the probability of you getting hurt when driving is quite high. That’s why most advise the use of a Bluetooth headset for important calls while driving, and no texting whatsoever – no matter what device or what medium you are using to do it.
Do you think that you would be distracted if you were using Google Glass while driving or do you think you could handle it?
Gadgets
Amazon DJI Store in Germany hacked? DJI NEO Fly More Combo reveals it
We wanted to check all DJI Stores across the world on Amazon and found out an interesting probable hack on there store in Germany.
See below Screenshot
Some might even buy the Fly More package without regards to the Title –
KuyuqudGVg 6 x 12 Inch Summer Sushi Printed License Plate Frame for Car, Car Tag, Car Tag –What?????
So when you buy it and than realize you receive a pack of Car Tags instead of DJI NEO Fly More Combo and want to ask a refund will Amazon Germany give it back to you or will the buyers remain with a minus 293 Euro in there account.
What are you thougts about this?
Gadgets
Spotify is providing refunds for Car Thing as it confronts a lawsuit regarding the malfunctioning of the streaming device
Spotify is receiving ongoing criticism for its choice to terminate support for Car Thing, its in-car streaming device, which was announced in May. According to the company, the device will become inoperable after December 9, 2024. Gen Z users on TikTok are sharing videos to express their dissatisfaction with Spotify’s decision and its suggested measures, such as transitioning to Android Auto or CarPlay. The users point out that they often lacked access to integrated infotainment systems in their cars, which makes them a prime target market for a specialized player like Car Thing.
The streaming service’s in-car device hadn’t been on the market long enough to become outdated. The product was introduced in February 2022 but was subsequently discontinued within the same year. However, the company assured customers who had already purchased units that it would continue to provide support and maintenance. Prior to its release, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek indicated that there was a significant consumer interest in this product. During an earnings call with investors, Ek reported that over 2 million users had registered on the Car Thing waitlist in anticipation of its launch.
While Spotify did not disclose official figures, it is probable that Car Thing did not meet expectations or did not justify further investment in the current challenging economic climate. Spotify, on the other hand, terminated approximately 1,500 employees towards the end of last year. This followed previous rounds of layoffs earlier in the year that impacted hundreds of employees.
Car Thing users, on the other hand, are not concerned with the company’s financial issues; their primary concern is the functionality of the device or, at the very least, receiving a refund for the $90 cost.
As a result, some individuals have attempted to lodge their complaints directly with Spotify by sending direct messages on the X platform using the handle @SpotifyCares or by utilizing different email addresses associated with Spotify that have been shared on Reddit. As a result, certain users have reported that Spotify provided them with multiple months of a premium subscription as compensation for their inconvenience, whereas others have stated that they inquired with customer service and were informed that no reimbursements were being offered.
According to Spotify, they have recently implemented a refund procedure for Car Thing. However, the user must present evidence of purchase in order to be eligible for the refund.
Car Thing users were officially informed about the availability of customer support through a second email sent on Friday of last week, in response to the increasing criticism and dissatisfaction caused by the discontinuation of Car Thing. Within the message, Spotify provides users with the appropriate customer support link to contact the company. The email does not guarantee any reimbursements but states that users can contact us for inquiries.
Although a refund might appease a certain segment of the user population who are dissatisfied with Car Thing, numerous individuals are earnestly imploring the company through TikTok videos and comments on Spotify’s TikTok posts to refrain from rendering their device inoperable. (Indeed, grievances regarding the Car Thing have become so prevalent on Spotify’s videos that the algorithmically generated search recommendation on certain videos is “what is the spotify car thing.”)
“Spotify, I kindly request that you refrain from subjecting me to any further distress.” “I have a strong affection for my automobile,” expressed Carla, a TikTok user known as @carlititica on the platform.
“Depressed,” expressed another user, @nikkilovestech. “They seem to encourage people to use their phone, which is a source of distraction,” she stated in the video description while demonstrating a Car Thing mounted on her dashboard. In her video, she also addressed the issue of electronic waste resulting from the discontinuation of a fully functional product.
Spotify is still facing challenges regarding the discontinuation of Car Thing, despite the introduction of a refund process that has not been widely publicized. According to Billboard, Spotify is currently dealing with a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit alleges that Spotify deceived customers by selling them a product that would soon become outdated, and then failing to provide refunds. The lawsuit was initiated on May 28th.
While Spotify is unable to provide a comment regarding the lawsuit, a representative did share the following statement regarding Car Thing:
The objective of our Car Thing investigation in the United States was to gain further insights into individuals’ auditory habits while driving. In July 2022, we made a public statement declaring our decision to cease any future manufacturing activities, and now we must bid farewell to the devices altogether. The deactivation of all Car Thing devices will occur on December 9, 2024, giving users until that date to continue using them. To gain further knowledge about the various methods available for listening to Spotify in your car, please refer to the For The Record section. Car Thing users can contact Customer Support for any inquiries by visiting: https://support.spotify.com/us/contact-spotify-support/
While the issues surrounding Car Thing may not impact all of Spotify’s user base, this development coincides with a period when users are already dissatisfied with being required to pay additional fees for features they consider essential to a music service, such as access to lyrics, a feature that Spotify recently made available only to paying subscribers. Furthermore, users are expressing dissatisfaction with Car Thing and are issuing ultimatums to discontinue their subscription to Spotify due to the introduction of paid access to lyrics.
Furthermore, Spotify raised its subscription fees last year, and Bloomberg has reported that another price hike is imminent in 2024.
Mobile Devices
3 Video Games About Women’s Health
Video games have transcended entertainment to become powerful tools for promoting health and wellness. One notable genre in this realm is fitness gaming, exemplified by titles like Hatsune Miku Fit Boxing, which motivates players to engage in physical activity to enhance their fitness levels. Building on this foundation, developers have ventured into women’s health with games designed to raise awareness and empower players to take control of their well-being. Here are 3 video games on women’s health that provide valuable health information and foster a sense of agency to uplift women around the world.
Tampon Run – Menstrual health
Created by Girls Who Code alumnae Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser in 2014, Tampon Run is an old-school 8-bit online game where the main character, Luna, lobs tampons to destroy enemies, who will confiscate the tampons if she lets them pass by. Interestingly, the concept of weaponized tampons is based on a real incident that occurred in 2013, where Texas state troopers confiscated tampons as potential projectiles, but not guns, from visitors observing a vote on abortion restrictions at the Texas State Capitol. The goal of Tampon Run is to destigmatize periods and menstrual products, which, up until recently, have not been properly studied to measure their absorbency, which underscores the need to address menstrual health so that women can get better care.
In between tossing tampons, Luna shares empowering messages about how periods are a natural part of women’s lives and should not be a source of shame or embarrassment. The game is available to play on the Tampon Run website and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store for iOS users.
PCOS Vitality – PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex hormonal condition and the leading cause of female infertility that affects approximately 5 to 6 million women in the US, according to the Endocrine Society. Common features of the condition include having irregular menstrual periods, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Additionally, some studies estimate that up to 88% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. While there are weight loss programs helping women tackle PCOS, focusing on aspects like lifestyle, symptom management, diet, and other tips for how to lose weight with PCOS, the condition itself remains grossly under-researched. For some women, it may take years to confirm that they have PCOS, as there are other disorders that mimic PCOS signs and symptoms that must be excluded.
The lack of research has extended to a lack of awareness among the general population and is what clinicians from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland are trying to address with the 2023 game PCOS Vitality. Essentially a learning tool, the game takes users through a simple obstacle course. As you click toward the finish line, you are asked simple trivia questions about PCOS. The game is free to play on Focus Games’ website.
Bound by Blood – Period poverty
Period poverty refers to the lack of regular access to period products, painkillers, or underwear during a menstrual cycle. In the US, where 16.9 million menstruating women live in poverty, two-thirds cannot afford basic menstrual products. Period poverty has also been associated with mental health issues and urinary tract infections.
Available to play on the itch.io website, Bound by Blood was created by Jessica Gates in 2017 and aims to educate players about the reality of period poverty. Users take the character of Beth, a homeless woman who wakes up in her car and realizes that she’s started her period. Players then make a series of choices to try to stay as hygienic as possible in spite of lacking resources such as menstrual products and clean restrooms. There isn’t really a way to “win” the game, and it is instead a peek into the reality of life where period products are inaccessible and how this affects women’s quality of life.
Through these games, players not only gain valuable insights into various aspects of women’s health but also find themselves actively engaged in their own well-being. As developers continue to explore this emerging field, the potential for video games to serve as educational tools and catalysts for change in healthcare remains promising
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