Tag: concept
Motorola rizr rollable phone concept hands-on: They see me rollin’
Apple’s Noninvasive Blood Glucose Technology for Future Apple Watch Reaches ‘Proof-of Concept’ Stage
To test glucose levels without blood, Apple is developing a silicon photonics chip that uses optical absorption spectroscopy to shine light from a laser under the skin to determine the concentration of glucose in the body. The technology is in a “proof-of-concept” stage that is viable, but needs to be condensed to a size that can fit into a wearable.
At the current time, the prototype device is sized similarly to an iPhone and can be attached to a person’s arm. That is smaller than a prior version that was big enough that it required a tabletop.
TSMC developed the main chip to power the prototype, but Apple previously worked with Rockley Photonics to create sensors and chips for glucose monitoring. Rockley Photonics in 2021 unveiled a digital sensor system that it said could monitor body temperature, blood pressure, glucose trends, hydration, alcohol, lactate, and more. Rockley Photonics made it clear that Apple was its biggest customer in regulatory filings, but Apple ultimately ended the relationship.
Apple has hundreds of engineers in its Exploratory Design Group (XDG) working on the project, but the technology is still years off. According to Bloomberg, the XDG is akin to Google’s X research and development project, and it is Apple’s most secretive undertaking. Apple has spent hundreds of millions of dollars developing noninvasive glucose monitoring.
Apple initially started work on alternative glucose monitoring after purchasing RareLight in 2010 under the instruction of Steve Jobs. For many years, Apple used a startup called Avolante Health LLC to work quietly on the project in a secret facility before it was transitioned to the XDG.
The under-skin glucose detection technology has been undergoing human trials for the past 10 years, with Apple using a test group of people who have prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, as well as those who have not been diagnosed as diabetic.
Apple wants to be able to warn people if they’re prediabetic, enabling lifestyle changes before full-blown diabetes is developed. Apple’s regulatory team is holding early discussions about getting government approval for the technology.
This article, “Apple’s Noninvasive Blood Glucose Technology for Future Apple Watch Reaches ‘Proof-of Concept’ Stage” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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‘iPhone Ultra’ Concept Envisions Apple’s Rumored Future Top-Tier Smartphone
German industrial designer Jonas Daehnert came up with this impressive-looking concept (pictured) by marrying design elements of the Apple Watch Ultra with a smaller imagined iPhone Pro model, which he describes as “12mm+ thick – the Ultra concept.”
Like Apple’s more rugged Apple Watch, Daehnert’s titanium iPhone chassis features rounded edges with a flat upper rim that sits flush with the display. Elsewhere, there are protruding Side and Volume Up/Down buttons reminiscent of the watch’s crown guard. The extra thickness of the chassis presumes a larger internal battery.
Other aspects of the Ultra design language that have been adopted for Daehnert’s concept include a ruggedized Ring/Silent switch, a programmable Action button on the lower-left side, and a USB-C port located on the bottom with identical “International Orange” accent, sat in between expanded speaker grilles.
“I have no idea about all the leaks,” Daehnert admitted when sharing the concept on Twitter. “It was just an exercise to see if it’s possible to adapt the Watch Ultra design language.”
Apple has discussed selling a new top-of-the-line iPhone alongside the Pro and Pro Max models in 2024 at the earliest, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman. Based on this timeframe, the device would be part of the iPhone 16 lineup or later.
Gurman previously said there was “potential” for an iPhone 15 Ultra that would replace the iPhone 15 Pro Max this year, but he has since revised that prediction, suggesting Apple might release an even higher-end “Ultra” model above both Pro variants by next year at the earliest.
Gurman speculated that the device could feature additional camera improvements, a faster chip, a larger display, and perhaps a portless design without Lightning or USB-C. He also said the device would be “pricier” than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which starts at $1,099.
Separately, rumors suggest that iPhone 15 Pro models could feature thinner, curved bezels in comparison to the iPhone 14 Pro models, producing an Apple Watch-like appearance. Rather than stainless steel, the iPhone 15 Pro models are also rumored to use a titanium frame, like the Apple Watch Ultra. Titanium is lighter and more durable than stainless steel. It is, however, also more expensive.
This article, “‘iPhone Ultra’ Concept Envisions Apple’s Rumored Future Top-Tier Smartphone” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Nissan finally shows off the Max-Out EV convertible concept in IRL
Way back in November 2021, Nissan shared renderings of four electric vehicle concepts with intriguing names like Chill-Out, Surf-Out, Hang-Out and Max-Out as part of its announcement to invest $17.6 billion to develop new EVs and battery technology. Nissan has finally showed a physical version of one of those concepts — the Nissan Max-Out EV […]
Nissan finally shows off the Max-Out EV convertible concept in IRL by Kirsten Korosec originally published on TechCrunch
Nissan shows off a real version of its rad-looking Max-Out electric convertible concept
The Nissan Max-Out is virtual no longer. The automaker rolled out a physical version of its electric convertible concept to celebrate its Nissan Futures event, which is being held at its global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, for the next several weeks.
We’ve seen renderings of the Max-Out, alongside several other futuristic concepts, when Nissan announced its ambitious five-year $17.6 billion electrification strategy in November 2021. Now, the Max-Out has taken physical form and will be on display for the duration of the company’s event, which is expected to last through March.
The Max-Out is a two-seater with a low-slung stance to emphasize speed and performance. Nissan says that it will include dynamic cornering and a steering…
All the Magical Disneyland Concept Art Showcased at the Disney100 Gallery
The Disney100 celebrations have officially begun at the Disneyland Resort, with festivities and new attraction Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway kicking off the experiences. Disney Parks invited io9 to the media preview event to get a first look at the platinum party—so here’s a glimpse into the special installation…
Audi’s Activesphere EV concept is built for off-roading and augmented reality
Audi has finally revealed the Activesphere EV concept it promised last summer. The crossover is built to go off-road, complete with a rugged underbody, a liftable suspension and easy ways to carry your sports gear. The rear can transform into a loading area with enough room for your e-bikes, for instance. It nonetheless features a sedan-like profile and the creature comforts of past concepts, including a spacious, bright interior designed for relaxing while the vehicle is in self-driving mode.
The cabin reflects Audi’s confidence in augmented reality. Occupants wear AR glasses that provide vital performance figures (for the driver) as well as infotainment and virtual assistant controls. You won’t find a conventional row of screens or gauges, and the eyewear can even track your health while you ride an e-bike on a trail. When you’re ready to take control, the dash and steering wheel lift into place. Audi clearly expects you to only occasionally take the helm, such as when you’re venturing beyond asphalt.
Most specifications aren’t available (this is a concept, after all). However, Audi claims a range of more than 372 miles and fast 270kW charging using an 800V architecture. The 100kWh battery pack can charge from 5 percent to 80 percent in 25 minutes, Audi says.
This is the fourth model in Audi’s “sphere” electric concept line. The company kicked off the initiative with the shapeshifting Skysphere roadster in August 2021, and followed that a month later with the upscale Grandsphere sedan. Last year’s Urbansphere was intended as the SUV for future cities, where your car is as much an office (or a refuge from the outside world) as it is transportation.
As with past experiments, the Activesphere isn’t a preview of a production model. It’s Audi’s vision of motoring in the near future, not to mention a demonstration of technical prowess. It’s just a matter of whether or not the concept influences future cars. Audi has played it relatively safe with its existing EV lineup, which largely revolves around familiar-looking SUVs and the Porsche Taycan’s sibling, the e-tron GT. The brand expects to dramatically expand its electric offerings by 2026, though, so we wouldn’t rule out Activesphere-inspired rides.