Tech Boys

Only a couple weeks removed from seeing a bunch of weird robots at CES , scientists have unveiled a new innovation in the world of creepy robotics — the detachable crawling robotic hand. Of course, one person's creepy is another person's awesome, and it's an impressive little bot that invites an instant comparison to Thing, the sentient, crawling hand from The Addams Family . As published in Nature Communications , a group of scientists, and first author Xiao Gao, recently unveiled the new type of robotic hand. Videos published alongside the paper show how the hand can detach itself from its arm and use its fingers to crawl around like a spider. The detachable robot isn't constrained by the limitations of the human hand. While its six fingers aren't too far off from the five digits on our own hands, everything else about this little creepy crawler is pretty divergent. For instance, the fingers can bend backwards as well as they bend forwards, so the robot can ...

OpenAI is the latest company to hop on the bandwagon of gating access by users' age. The AI business is beginning a global rollout of an age prediction tool to determine whether or not a user is a minor. “The model looks at a combination of behavioral and account-level signals, including how long an account has existed, typical times of day when someone is active, usage patterns over time,and a user’s stated age,” the company’s announcement states. If an individual is incorrectly characterized by ChatGPT as underage, they will need to submit a selfie to correct the mistake through the Persona age verification platform.  Most AI companies have been willing to push new features first and then attempt to layer on a patchwork of protections and safety guards on top of them after they cause harm. OpenAI was implicated in a wrongful death suit for a teen who allegedly used ChatGPT to plan his suicide, and only in the following months began pondering automatic restrictions on content ...

ASUS appears to be shifting its business operations away from smartphones. According to translations of recent quotes from Chairman Jonney Shih, the company does not plan to release new phone models in the future. The chairman did not confirm whether smartphones would be completely phased out, but he did acknowledge that possibility. Whatever direction ASUS takes, its existing phones will continue to receive software updates and warranty assistance. Shih suggested that its future plans may include a shift into AI-related projects such as robotics or smartglasses. Previous reports hinted that ASUS would not introduce any smartphones in 2026, but Shih's recent comments indicate that the pause may stretch longer than a year. We've reached out to ASUS for additional comment and will update if the company shares any further information.  ASUS had plenty of other updates emerging from CES at the start of the month unrelated to smartphones, such as dual-screen laptops and a pair...

Bungie’s long-gestating follow-up project is finally getting a release date. Marathon is set to launch on March 5 for $39.99 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. The game marks Bungie’s first brand-new release since Destiny 2 in 2017, and a modern reimagining of its cult-classic 1990s IP. Set in the year 2850, Marathon casts players as Runners operating in three-person squads, dropping into hostile zones to scavenge loot while fending off both AI enemies and rival players. Unlike 1994’s Marathon , which was a linear, story-driven FPS, this version is firmly positioned as a PvPvE extraction shooter. SEE ALSO: Yes, GTA VI is officially delayed again. Here's what we know. Originally slated for a September release, Marathon was delayed last June following mixed-to-negative feedback from its alpha playtest. Players cited a cluttered UI, unexciting gunplay, and a pace that felt sluggish compared to other extraction shooters already on the market. The delay was framed ...

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you like an even surface. If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you. SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 19, 2026 Where did Wordle come from? Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble , music identification game Heardle , and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once .  Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York ...

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Six years after the announcement of plans to build Atari Hotels in eight cities across the US, including Las Vegas, only one now seems to be moving forward, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Las Vegas deal ultimately "didn't come to fruition," spokesperson Sara Collins told Las Vegas Sun this week, and Atari Hotels is putting its focus into the Phoenix site "for the time being." Phoenix was always meant to be the first site, followed by other hotels in Austin, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Jose and Seattle. But Las Vegas is now apparently off the table, and there haven't been any signs of life around the other planned locations. The FAQ on the Atari Hotels website notes, "Additional sites, including Denver, are being explored under separate development and licensing agreements." The Atari Hotel project was announced in 2020 just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and consequently experienced development delays. Construction on the...

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