Throughout 2024, though, all of Apple’s laptops (except the MacBook Air) will move to the M4 chip that the company just gave the iPad Pro, Gurman writes. Amusingly, this herky-jerky chip upgrade cycle means that the iPad Pro is currently the single-core performance champ of Apple’s lineup — and it will continue to be for about another year, when compared to the Mac Studio and Mac Pro.

This is a silly comparison, of course — The current crop of Mac Studios and Mac Pros are incredible computers that hold more RAM, have more ports, and won’t throttle as quickly as the iPad Pro, even with that heat-conducting Apple logo. They also don’t have an operating system that stands squarely in the way of pushing their hardware. And high-end Mac users should be used to waiting a while between revisions. Still, I’m sure more than a few people will appreciate the upgrade when it comes.

As the world celebrated #InternationalDanceDay, a unique duo took the stage, or rather, the screen, to showcase a different kind of choreography. 

Spot, the quadruped robot developed by Boston Dynamics, found a new friend in Sparkles, a dazzlingly dressed counterpart designed to explore the fusion of robotics, art and entertainment.

A cartoon come to life

At first glance, the video in question seems like a whimsical animation straight out of a children’s show. Yet, this is no fiction. The footage is a testament to how far robotics has come, featuring Spot adorned in a blue, sparkly, albeit slightly creepy costume, performing a dance routine that could rival any animated character.

Sparkles and spot canine robots dance  (Boston Dynamics)

GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE

Meet Sparkles

“Spot is meeting another strange dog and making friends through the power of dance. Meet Sparkles!” Boston Dynamics announced. The video features two Spots — one in the recognizable black and yellow, and the other, Sparkles, in the blue, sparkly dog costume — engaging in a robotic dance-off that culminates in a mechanical kiss.

ASK ANY TECH QUESTION, AND GET KURT’S FREE CYBERGUY REPORT NEWSLETTER HERE

Sparkles and spot canine robots kiss  (Boston Dynamics)

This display of robotic affection and agility has sparked conversations about the potential applications of such technology in entertainment venues like theme parks, where robots could add a layer of realism to character interactions.

Social media’s mixed moves

The reception on social media was as varied as the dance moves displayed. Some viewers were enchanted, praising the mobility and innovation, while others expressed discomfort, humorously suggesting that the cute facade could well be the stuff of nightmares.

CLICK TO GET KURT’S FREE NEWSLETTER, THE CYBERGUY REPORT

Sparkles and spot canine robots dance (Boston Dynamics)

HUMANOID ROBOTS ARE NOW DOING THE WORK OF HUMANS IN A SPANX WAREHOUSE 

Kurt’s key takeaways

After watching Spot and Sparkles bust a move together, it’s pretty wild to think about where robotics is heading. It’s like we’re watching a live-action cartoon, isn’t it? These robots are not just showing off some fancy footwork; they’re opening our eyes to a whole new world of possibilities. Whether they’re making us smile or giving us the heebie-jeebies, they’re proof that creativity knows no limits.

How do you feel about robots displaying human-like behaviors such as dancing and kissing? Does it concern you for the future of human-robot interactions? 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 Facebook, YouTube and Instagram

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

As video games and movies become more immersive, it may start to become apparent what sensations are missing in the experience. Is there a point in Gran Turismo that you wish you could smell the burning rubber and engine exhaust? Would an experience playing beer pong in Horizon Worlds not be complete unless you could taste the hops?

On this episode of The Vergecast, the latest in our miniseries about the five senses of video games, we’re tackling the topics of smell and taste in video games — and whether either could actually enhance the virtual experience for gamers. In other words: Smellovision is back for a new generation of media.

First, we try out a product (actually available to buy today) called the GameScent, an AI-powered scent machine that syncs with your gaming and movie-watching experience. The GameScent works by listening in on the sound design of the content you’re playing or watching and deploying GameScent-approved fragrances that accompany those sounds. We tried the GameScent with games like Mario Kart and Animal Crossing to see if this is really hinting at a scent-infused gaming future.

On the taste side, we speak to Nimesha Ranasinghe, an assistant professor at the University of Maine working on taste sensations and taste simulation in virtual reality experiences. Ranasinghe walks us through his research on sending electrical pulses to your tongue to manipulate different taste sensations like salty, sweet, sour, and bitter. He also talks about how his research led to experimental gadgets like a “virtual cocktail,” which would allow you to send curated tasting and drinking experiences through digital signals.

If you want to know more about the world of smelling and tasting digital content, here are some links to get you started: