Can you feel it? There’s a slight chill in the air, the Sun is retiring earlier, and the leaves are beginning to change (at least in my Midwestern city). We’re wading right into the time of year when everyone starts posting the vampire Kermit the Frog meme to show how ready they are for Halloween. I’m even starting to eye that Shudder re-subscribe button.
Technology
A flying shopping cart could make your future grocery runs that much easier
Can you imagine cruising through the grocery store without ever dealing with a wonky wheel or struggling to turn corners with those conventional grocery carts?
That scenario might soon become a reality, thanks to an innovative new invention called the Palletrone.
This flying shopping cart could someday revolutionize the way we shop and move cargo around.
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Flying shopping cart (SeoulTech)
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What is the Palletrone?
The Palletrone is essentially a multi-rotor drone enclosed in a protective cage, creating a hovering platform that users can push around at chest height. Developed by researchers at Seoul National University of Science and Technology, this aerial cart features a spacious flat surface for easy loading, a rear-mounted handle similar to traditional shopping carts and advanced flight control systems that keep the platform stable.
Flying shopping cart (SeoulTech)
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How does it work?
Using the Palletrone is surprisingly intuitive. The operator simply grips the handle and applies force in the desired direction. The cart’s smart systems translate those movements into flight trajectories while maintaining a level platform. A porous enclosure protects users from the spinning rotors while still allowing enough airflow for stable flight. The Palletrone can even tackle stairs with ease, making it far more versatile than wheeled carts.
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Flying shopping cart (SeoulTech)
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Current limitations
While the Palletrone shows incredible promise, it does have some drawbacks in its current form. One significant issue is the noise generated by the drone motors, which can be distracting in quieter environments. Additionally, its carrying capacity is limited to about 6½ pounds, which may not be sufficient for larger grocery trips or heavy office supplies. The restricted flight time due to battery life also poses challenges for extended use.
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Flying shopping cart (SeoulTech)
Future applications
Beyond grocery shopping, the Palletrone has potential uses in various fields, such as logistics and warehousing, where it could streamline operations by transporting goods more efficiently. It could also serve as an office supply transporter or even as a flying camera platform for filmmakers seeking flexible shooting angles. The research team is exploring the possibility of developing in-flight recharging systems to extend Palletrone’s operational time.
Flyin shopping cart (SeoulTech)
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Kurt’s key takeaways
While there are still hurdles to overcome, the potential benefits for the Palletrone are are immense. Imagine effortlessly gliding through stores or easily moving items up flights of stairs without breaking a sweat. As technology continues to improve, we may soon see flying carts become a common sight in our daily lives.
What potential challenges or concerns do you foresee with the widespread adoption of flying carts like the Palletrone in public spaces? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23962442/acastro_STK067__03.jpg "Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite service approved for areas hit by Hurricane Helene")
The satellites have already been enabled and started broadcasting emergency alerts to cell phones on all networks in North Carolina. In addition, we may test basic texting (SMS) capabilities for most cell phones on the T-Mobile network in North Carolina.
SpaceX’s direct-to-cell constellation has not been fully deployed, so all services will be delivered on a best-effort basis.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25661290/Screenshot_2024_10_06_at_10.48.36_AM.png "Trailers of the week: Nosferatu, The Franchise, and Squid Game 2")
October has its own vibe at the cinema, and theatrical releases this month include Operation Blood Hunt, a movie about 1944 special forces fighting werewolves in the Pacific theater, and Seven Cemeteries, a Danny Trejo-starring film about a guy who hires a witch to resurrect his posse to save a woman’s ranch. And let’s not forget Rumours, which I’m very excited for.
So I’ve got a couple of this week’s scary movie trailers for you to check out below, along with two streaming series. Enjoy!
1922’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror was a Dracula movie in all but name. So much so that Bram Stoker’s heirs got a court order to have the movie’s copies destroyed, yet some copies survived. Now, over 100 years after its release, Nosferatu is getting a remake starring Bill Skarsgård as the vampire Count Orlok, AKA Nosferatu. Lily Rose-Depp and Willem Dafoe also star.
The newest trailer does a great job setting up the atmosphere of terror that the townsfolk feel toward Count Orlok, but Focus Features isn’t showing us Orlok himself quite yet. Nosferatu hits theaters on December 25th.
Companion
I don’t know what the heck is going on with Warner Bros.’ Companion. The teaser for this Drew Hancock-directed movie starts with a head fake, making you think it’s a love story. Then it quickly devolves into what looks like a thriller about a woman (Sophie Thatcher) being held captive by a man (Jack Quaid).
I think that’s a head fake, too. There’s a bizarre moment, at the end of the trailer, where Thatcher’s character holds an unshaking hand over a candle until her arm catches fire. She’s crying, so she clearly feels pain, but the movie’s classification — it’s a sci-fi thriller — makes me wonder what’s going on underneath.
I hoped that by texting the number in the description on the trailer’s YouTube page I would glean a little more. It involves a questionnaire to “Find Your Companion today” that includes a request for a selfie. I got this at the end:
That didn’t answer any questions for me, but at least I’ll be getting marketing texts now. Anyway, Companion hits theaters on January 10th next year.
Three years after the first hit season of Squid Game ended and spawned a reality show spinoff, the Netflix show is returning with its second season on December 26th. A new teaser this week showed Gong Yoo’s Salesman preparing for work (and probably to do some slapping). It ends with him talking directly to the camera as he asks “Sir, would you like to play a game with me?”
The Franchise, HBO’s new series following the making of a fictional comic book-style movie, looks like a delightful takedown of Hollywood’s ongoing superhero obsession. It’s written by Jon Brown, who also wrote Succession, and stars Himesh Patel and Lolly Adefope as Daniel and Dag, two production workers on the film. Daniel Brühl is in there too — a bit of fun casting, given his role as Zemo in multiple Marvel productions. The Franchise begins streaming tonight at 10PM ET on Max.
I’ve been reviewing Apple AirPods in addition to other wireless earbuds for years now, and I currently use Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 earbuds as my daily driver.
It’s still safe to say that the Apple AirPods Pro series earbuds are a bit better in terms of sound quality than the standard AirPods series; however, with the release of the AirPods 4 in September 2024, the gap has been closed significantly.
If you’ve been shopping around for new earbuds for your iOS devices, you might be deciding which is the better buy for you — the AirPods 4 or the AirPods Pro 2. Today, I’ll do an in-depth comparison of the two Apple offerings to help you decide which one is the better purchase. Let’s get into it.
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A woman holds AirPods (Kurt “The CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Pricing: AirPods 4 vs. AirPods Pro 2
AirPods 4 are cheaper, but you can get a good deal on AirPods Pro 2
If you are shopping for AirPods on a budget, the AirPods 4 standard model is a quality set of earbuds that retails for $129 from Apple. An AirPod 4 model with active noise cancellation is also available, but you’ll need to pay a bit more for it at $179. We’ll unlikely see any price fluctuation on the AirPods 4 until the winter holiday season since they were just released. Still, even that is unlikely outside of bundle deals with the newest iPhone 16.
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The more premium AirPods Pro 2 retails from Apple at an MSRP of $250. However, keep in mind that the AirPods Pro 2 was released in March 2019, meaning they frequently go on sale from third-party stores and websites such as Amazon and BestBuy. At the time of writing, you can pick up a pair of AirPods Pro 2 for $189 from Amazon.
AirPods next to an iPhone (Kurt “The CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Hardware: AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2
The AirPods 4 catch up to the H2 chip
For me, audio quality is the most essential factor in buying new headphones or earbuds. When it comes to the actual hardware inside both of these earbuds, they are pretty on par. The AirPods 4 features the same H2 chip that has been in the Apple AirPods Pro 2 since 2019.
When I first tried the debut Apple AirPods, I found something missing in the overall audio quality. The H2 chip finally converted me to AirPods in 2019 with the Apple AirPod Pro 2, and I’m more than excited to see it finally come to the standard AirPods series. The H2 chip brings many new hardware-based audio features to the AirPods, such as spatial audio, dynamic head tracking, hands-free interaction with Siri and an improved microphone with voice isolation.
For the AirPods 4 with ANC, you’ll also get access to the AirPods Pro 2 ANC settings, which include adaptive audio, conversation awareness and a transparency mode that balances background noise in your earbuds to help you hear a bit of everything. The AirPods 4 feature a force sensor, which allows you to control playback with a simple tap on the AirPods stem, while the AirPods Pro 2 feature a Touch control, which will enable you to turn the volume up or down by swiping on the AirPod Pro 2 while it’s in your ear.
A person holding AirPods (Kurt “The CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Performance: AirPods 4 vs. AirPods Pro 2
Comparable performance, different wearing styles
Thanks to the audio improvements that come with the H2 chip, there really isn’t much to write about the difference in audio quality between the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2, especially if you compare the AirPods 4 with ANC to the AirPods Pro 2. The ultimate difference comes down to whether you find silicone-tipped earbuds comfortable. I personally like the forming-to-size use of silicone tips, and I generally prefer silicone-tipped earbuds over plastic earbuds, which means I prefer the AirPods Pro series over standard AirPods.
However, many people find plastic-tipped earbuds like the one featured on the AirPods to be fine or comfortable. It ultimately comes down to which type of earbud you prefer. This also depends on whether you want or need ANC. I like ANC, especially when traveling by plane or on a train, to block out background noise. However, some people find that ANC, especially when paired with a silicone-tipped earbud, can cause headaches or an uncomfortable layer of pressure between the earbud and ear.
If this describes you, I recommend getting the AirPods 4 without ANC and avoiding the AirPods Pro series. At the same time, if you enjoy the plastic construction of the earbuds but also want ANC, you can pick up the AirPods 4 with ANC, which is a better bargain than the AirPods Pro 2.
A set of Apple AirPods (Apple)
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Now is a great time to pick up any AirPods, as the new AirPods 4 release has brought prices down. Thanks to the inclusion of the H2 chip into the AirPods 4 lineup, especially the AirPods 4 with ANC, you are essentially getting the same audio quality in the AirPods Pro 2, just with a different earbud tip style. If you prefer the silicone-tip earbud style of the AirPods Pro 2, I would suggest keeping an eye on prices at stores such as Amazon. That way, you can keep track of any sales on the AirPods Pro 2 as we approach the holiday shopping season.
Are you planning on buying any new headphones or earbuds as the holiday shopping season approaches? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter
Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover
Follow Kurt on his social channels
Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:
New from Kurt:
Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
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