Top-5 digital news #12: Robots that can reproduce themselves, Smart Mirror, Google’s first own smartwatch & Co ????

As you’ve probably noticed, I’ve implemented some changes to my blog. Your favorite top-3 digital news rubric wasn’t left behind. From now, I will share the 5 best news from the world of technologies every Saturday! ??

Let me begin!

1. Xenobots, first living robots that can reproduce

Xenobots were first created in 2020. To be more specific, they were made up of almost 3,000 frog cells. New research shows that Xenobots can biologically replicate themselves. The question “How?” automatically appears!

I would say there are three stages: the tiny robots swim to find or gather new single cells around them; then, parent Xenobots assemble the baby robots inside their mouths; and the new robots soon grow up to look and move like their parent robots!

Xenobots have a frog genome, but they replicate totally different from frogs or any other living species on Earth.?

2. Thin Cast Smart Mirror by Capstone Connected

Thin Cast Smart Mirror is an 18.5-inch touchscreen display with Android compatibility, dual speakers, and two ways to interact with them.?

There are two types of smart mirrors: the standard model, which is 32.5 x 22.5 x 1.25-inches in size and is suitable to be used in an entryway, kitchen, or behind a vanity; and the Fitness/Lifestyle model, which is 60 x 22.5 x 1.25-inches in size and is perfect for bedrooms or even home gyms.

Both mirrors have a sleek and straightforward frameless design that can fit any home. Go here to find out more information about the invention and how it can be installed.

3. Google’s first own smartwatch

Google will likely launch its first in-house smartwatch in 2022. It will be based on Google Pixel hardware, which is separate from Fitbit and is expected to cost more than a Fitbit. The ambition is to compete with Apple Watch.

The watch will serve much the same role as the Pixel phones do for Android: an example for both consumers and hardware partners of what Google’s software is truly capable of when given the proper hardware.

Google is currently in the middle of the latest reinvention of its smartwatch platform with Wear OS 3. It is said that “Rohan” is a codename for the upcoming Google smartwatch.?

To find more predictions and reports on that, click on the link. Although there is not much information yet, I will keep you updated!

4. Microsoft Teams Essentials, a real Zoom competitor for small businesses

Microsoft Teams Essentials is a standalone Microsoft Teams version for small businesses. It will cost $4 per user per month and provide access to the core meeting features of Teams without the typical Office app bundling that requires a more expensive Microsoft 365 plan ($6 per month).

What’s the main difference between Microsoft Teams Essentials and Microsoft 365 Business Basic plans??

Essentials only offers 10GB of OneDrive storage, compared to the 1TB available on Business Basic. Then, Essentials won’t have meeting recording and transcripts functionality, real-time translation, breakout rooms, and whiteboard integration. The chat interface will be simplified, and the main focus will be on meetings and video calls.?

Why is it beneficial for small businesses? Weigh the cost of Zoom, Google Workspace, Slack, and other tools. Microsoft Teams Essentials can kind of “replace” them all just for $4 per user per month (a Zoom Pro license costs $14.99 per month!)

5. New Google search features: need to find a doctor abroad?

On December 2, Google announced a new feature in search that will allow doctors to list which languages they can speak at their offices.?

Besides this, features that address challenges patients face with the health system, including the ability to see what insurance networks are accepted by providers listed in a search, have been recently added as well.

How do you like the new format? Did you enjoy reading the top-5 digital news of the week? Please, share your overall feedback on the latest posts in my blog. That would be very helpful.?

In case you have any additional questions, ask them in the comments section or send them to [email protected].

See you soon! ??