September 26, 2023

IN THIS ISSUE

🗣 Spotify using AI to clone and translate podcasters' voices

🏃🏾‍♀️ New marathon record reignites debate over sneaker tech

📱 Does the iPhone 15 have an overheating problem?

UP FIRST

Spotify using AI to clone and translate podcasters' voices

It's the latest example of how generative AI is impacting the creative industries

Spotify has launched a new feature powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that translates a podcast into multiple languages using the same voices of those in the show, CNBC reported.

It’s been made possible partly by OpenAI’s just-released voice generation technology that needs only a few seconds of listening to replicate a voice.

Spotify said the feature makes for “a more authentic listening experience that sounds more personal and natural than traditional dubbing,” comments that will cause concern for voice actors if the TV and movie industries deploy the technology in a big way.

Starting today, Spotify is making available voice-translated episodes from select creators, with shows translated from English to Spanish. In the coming days, French and German episodes will also be added.

Podcasts using the technology can be found in the Voice Translation hub in Spotify’s app, with new shows arriving in the weeks and months to come ...

SNEAKER TECH

New marathon record reignites debate over sneaker tech in pro sports

Adidas and Nike are competing to make the best shoes for optimal performance

Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa smashed the women’s marathon record on Sunday by more than two minutes.

Assefa attributed her performance to extensive training. But she also praised her Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 sneakers for helping her achieve the record-breaking performance, reigniting the debate about shoe technology in the world of professional sports.

Made by Adidas and costing $500, the shoes weigh just 4.9 ounces (138 grams). They feature a liquid rubber outsole along with a “first-of-its-kind” forefoot rocker to improve running efficiency.

Adidas has been competing with Nike to make the best shoes for optimal sports performance. Nike-sponsored athletes have tended to lead in marathon running, though in April the first four finishers in the men’s Boston marathon all wore Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 sneakers, the Guardian reported. While the runner does all the work, refinements in shoe design can certainly offer an edge at the top level ...

APPLE

Does the iPhone 15 have an overheating problem?

A number of people with the new iPhone 15 are claiming the device is heating up more than expected

Apple’s new iPhone 15 handsets launched last Friday, giving those who picked it up early a bit of time to take their new gadget for a spin.

But it’s emerged that some owners are unhappy with the extent to which their new iPhone is heating up, with some taking to online forums to share their concerns.

It’s too early to say if it’s a real or widespread issue, and no doubt engineers at Apple will be looking into it, but many of those voicing alarm suggest their iPhone 15 (the Pro and Pro Max devices seem to be showing up more in online comments) is heating up more than their previous iPhone when performing the same or similar tasks.

There are some measures that you can take to reduce the amount by which your device heats up, so if you’re an iPhone 15 owner with concerns, it’s worth trying these first ...

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