Techstination

In a first for Asus, it has partnered with GoPro for the ProArt GoPro laptop. It is designed to be a creator's dream machine. How? Product Manager Eric Krondak chats with Techstination's Fred Fishkin.

How to reduce your risks behind the wheel? GM Distracted Driving engineer Dan Glaser tackles that and more in this Techstination interview.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear. I’m Fred Fishkin. This is part 2 of a four part series with Genyro co-founder Dr. Adrian Woolfson, author of a new book arriving this month from MIT Press…titled On the Future of Speciies: Authoring Life by Means of Artificial Biological Intelligence. His cofounder was the developer of Sidewinder at Caltech…a tool that allows new life forms to be built…with help from AI.

“What might these new capabilities mean to us?” “Well that’s a great question and the answer to that is, a lot. If we can understand the grammar of biology, it means that biology basically becomes a programmable material. From information storage to energy generation or be able to make new bio-materials which could be used for almost anything.”

We’re talking about living things that can be dreamed up. The issues and ethics? More in my next report.

You can find us at Techstination.com. I’m Fred Fishkin.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear. I’m Fred Fishkin. Technology to create new life forms is here today. This is the first report in a four part series. A company called Genyro using an exclusive license of Sidewinder, developed at CalTech…has done it. It was a new type of virus….that opens the door. Co-founder and CEO Dr. Adrian Woolfson is also the author of a new book arriving this month.. On the Future of Species: Authoring Life by Means of Artificial Biological Intelligence. He tells us this is different than Gene editing using a tool like CRISPR..

“We start with nothing, like a blank piece of paper. And that’s what Sidewinder helps you to do. It’s like a typewriter if you like, a DNA typewriter that types DNA narratives from nothing.”

Such as? More on that in my next report.

You can find us at Techstination.com. I’m Fred Fishkin.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear. I’m Fred Fishkin. They are the biggest upgrades in more than a decade to Google Maps. In our last report we outlined the new Ask Maps feature, which uses Gemini AI to let you converse with Maps…making it easier to find just what you are looking for. And when it comes to using Maps to get where you are going, there is now Immersive Navigation. Product Director Amanda Leicht Moore says it brings photorealistic, AI powered driving guidance…

“With redesigned visuals, fresh real world information and more intuitive voice guidance that gives you confidence in even the trickiest of real world maneuvers. And so we’re really excited about these updates and we think they’ll be really helpful in everyday situations.”

Just search for a destination in Maps and tap the Immersive View option. It’s on iOS and Android now with desktop to come.

You can find us at Techstination.com. I’m Fred Fishkin.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear. I’m Fred Fishkin. There is some new magic in Google Maps. Ask Maps is a new feature rolling out on Android and iOS devices…with desktop on the way. It uses Gemini AI to allow you to converse with Maps. Product Director Amanda Leicht Moore..

“Ask Maps is again a new way to ask maps, just more conversational queries, like you might ask a friend. Let’s say, one of my favorite cases for using it is finding a last minute date night reservation. So I can ask for cozy date night spots with a reservation tonight at 7pm within a fifteen minute drive. And that would have taken me a whole bunch of time in the past to find different places, find places with ability.”

And with a quick tap…Maps can make the reservation for you. There’s another big update too. More on that in my next report.

You can find us at Techstination.com. I’m Fred Fishkin.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear. I’m Fred Fishkin. The Soundcore brand from Anker is back again with a portable Bluetooth peaker that is perfect for spring and summer fun. The Boom Go 3i is rugged, water resistant and can even strap to your bike handle or maybe your backpack. It has plenty of sound output…at 15 watts…and the Soundcore app lets you adjust the sound to taste. There is RGB lighting on the speaker that can sync to the beat of your music or just give you fun effects. What many may appreciate even more is that the Boom Go 3i can charge your phone….doubling as a power bank when needed. There’s a digital display to indicate the charge level. Keep in mind there is no mic for speakerphone capability and no aux input. You can find the Boom Go 3i for under eighty dollars and learn more at Soundcore.com.

You can find us at Techstination.com. I’m Fred Fishkin

Ford unveils the 30th Anniversary Edition of the Expedition. What's special? Expedition Brand Manager Stephanie Simon chats with Techstination's Fred Fishkin.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear. I’m Fred Fishkin. She is an extraordinary writer…who has headed publications for AARP, Ladies Home Journal and written for many more. Today, Myrna Blyth is reaching readers through her Editor’s Journal on Substack. And she has lots to say on topics ranging from online personalities pushing ways to live longer, to love and loss. On the What’s Next Living Longer Better Smarter podcast, Blyth told us about studying for a doctorate degree in liberal studies at age 86…using the latest tech to help..

“And I do think now it will be easier now to do a dissertation today than it once was. Not because AI is going to write it, but because AI is going to lead you to the kinds of research you have to do much more easily.”

Watch the full interview at MaryFurlong.com/podcasts.

You can find us at Techstination.com. I’m Fred Fishkin.