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OnePlus Watch 2 Nordic Blue is the Wear OS dive watch I’ve been waiting for

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OnePlus has revealed the OnePlus Watch 2 Nordic Blue, a special edition of its OnePlus Watch 2 which offers a classic dive watch-style dial, new strap and other touches. 

The OnePlus Watch 2 Nordic Blue shares the same internal specs as the regular OnePlus Watch 2, including its 100-hour battery life (made possible by its crafty use of dual chipsets) and Wear OS 4. No new workout profiles or other internal features have been added to this edition of the watch: it’s all external changes to this contender for one of this year’s best smartwatches for Wear OS users.

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I dive for fish in the longest freshwater lake in the world

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Person at centre wearing head torch looking down at hands holding object. Camera on tripod to left.

Carolin Sommer-Trembo at Lake Tanganyika.Credit: Simon Hornung

Carolin Sommer-Trembo’s first foray into studying fish behaviour was during her PhD at the University of Frankfurt in Germany, which she completed in 2017. The following year, she moved to Basel, Switzerland, to launch a postdoctoral project that focused on the cichlid fishes of Lake Tanganyika in Africa, the world’s longest freshwater lake. Now, she’s continuing this work as a postdoc at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Sommer-Trembo spoke to Nature about her research, her science-outreach efforts and why she wants to continue her career in Switzerland.

What do you study?

My research focuses on how animal behaviour can affect evolutionary processes. Specifically, I focus on adaptive radiation — the way in which many species rapidly evolve from a common ancestor. This process is a huge contributor to biodiversity. As a postdoc, I’ve studied how behaviour might have contributed to the adaptive radiation of cichlid fishes in Lake Tanganyika.

How many cichlid species exist?

There are about 240 species of cichlid fishes, all in Lake Tanganyika, that evolved from one ancestor, and they aren’t found anywhere else in the world. The lake is more than 600 kilometres long and 1,400 metres deep. All these cichlid fish species can coexist because they are each adapted to their own ecological niche and feed on different food items. The first time I visited the lake was in August 2018, when I started my first postdoc at the University of Basel. I subsequently went back to do fieldwork.

What fish behaviours do you study?

For my first postdoc, I studied curiosity, by looking at exploratory behaviour. My hypothesis was that, for a new species to arise, a fish has to be curious enough to disperse to a new location and explore a different food resource. I found an important gene that drives differences in cichlid curiosity, which might have contributed to the adaptive-radiation event that occurred. Now, as a postdoc at the University of Zurich, I’m exploring how domestication affects evolution in cichlids. Specifically, I’m doing an experiment to see how selecting for fish that are less fearful of unknown objects and human handling affects the animals’ brain anatomy. Brain anatomy differences are some of the most common traits associated with domestication in mammals and chickens, but scientists don’t know whether it occurs across vertebrate species.

How did you get started in science outreach?

When I was PhD student in Frankfurt, I had a chance to explain my research programme to children at an event organized by the university. It was a great experience that inspired me to continue engaging in outreach. I started a blog about my fieldwork in Africa and, in 2022, I participated in a Swiss programme called FameLab, in which you explain your research to judges and a broad audience in just 3 minutes. Even though it takes time away from my research, I feel it’s worth it. The main problem is that you often don’t get credit or funding for it, so you have to do it in your free time.

What makes Switzerland a good place to do science?

Science is a big priority in Switzerland; I feel I’m doing something meaningful when I talk to my peers and the public. That value is also expressed in the financial situation. For my project with cichlids, my team and I were able to buy diving equipment and 16 action cameras, for example. It was also expensive for me to do fieldwork in Africa, so having a large budget is liberating. During my PhD, I taught bachelor’s and master’s students to finance myself and worked as a dance instructor in the evenings. I’m grateful I had that experience, but I’m also grateful to have more financial freedom. You don’t have to stop your scientific thinking to ask whether you can afford a camera or not.

Is academia competitive in Switzerland?

The competition for senior positions is insane worldwide, but especially in countries such as Switzerland, where the conditions are attractive. I think a lot of the competition is driven by researchers from other countries who want to come here, including me. That being said, my laboratory environment isn’t competitive. I’m friends with my lab mates and we go out at the weekend. I’ve always tried to choose bosses who don’t enforce competition in the research group, because that negatively affects my mental health.

Why do you want to stay in Switzerland?

The conditions for doing science here are nice, but that’s just one factor. I did my bachelor’s, master’s and PhD at different universities; I’m tired of changing locations. I still live in Basel, even though my current position is at the University of Zurich. I have friends here and I love the city, so I’d really like to stay.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

This article is part of Nature Spotlight: Switzerland, an editorially independent supplement. Advertisers have no influence over the content.

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FOLIOT Scubanaut 200m dive watch range on Kickstarter

Scubanaut 200m dive watches

The latest addition to the realm of divers watch is the FOLIOT Scubanaut Dive Watch Collection. This new series of timepieces is crafted for those who have a passion for exploration, whether they’re navigating the depths of the ocean or traversing across time zones. The collection, which follows the acclaimed ‘Traveler Trilogy,’ includes two standout models: the Scubanaut 200 and the Scubanaut World Diver. These watches are now available for enthusiasts and adventurers alike through a Kickstarter campaign, offering a fresh take on the classic dive watch.

Scubanaut Dive Watch

The Scubanaut 200 is a marvel of design, featuring an independently adjustable hour hand that simplifies the process of tracking a second time zone. This feature is particularly useful for travelers who frequently cross time zones and need to keep an accurate measure of time without the added complexity of a GMT hand or a date display. On the other hand, the Scubanaut World Diver caters to those who prefer the traditional GMT functionality. It boasts an innovative GMT Mirror Hand, which allows for an effortless switch between 24-hour and 12-hour time formats, making it a versatile companion for international travel.

Early bird pricing are now available for the recently launched project from roughly $549 or £433 (depending on current exchange rates). Both models are housed in a robust 41mm 316L stainless steel case with a bead-blasted finish, ensuring durability and a sleek, modern look. The case is designed to withstand water pressure up to 200 meters, making these watches suitable for diving and other water-related activities. The bezel of each watch features a 120-click dual-scale, which is an invaluable tool for divers who need to time their dives accurately or for anyone who needs to keep track of elapsed time.

200m Divers Watch

At the heart of these watches lies the Miyota 9075 movement, a testament to precision and reliability. This movement is regulated to maintain an accuracy of -/+ 6 seconds per day, so wearers can trust the timekeeping capabilities of their watch, no matter where their adventures take them.

Scubanaut 200m Divers Watch

Comfort is a crucial aspect of any wearable item, and the Scubanaut Dive Watch Collection does not disappoint. The watches come with a seamless bracelet that includes a push-button folding clasp and a microadjustment feature, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit on the wrist. The caseback is adorned with a distinctive polar bear design, adding a touch of personality to each timepiece.

Assuming that the FOLIOT Scubanaut 200m funding campaign successfully raises its required pledge goal and the project completion progresses smoothly, worldwide shipping is expected to take place sometime around August 2024. To learn more about the FOLIOT Scubanaut 200m divers watch project review the promotional video below.

The collection also introduces the MarineSport elastic nylon strap, which comes with a proprietary clasp designed for exceptional comfort and ease of adjustment, especially during active use. Wearers can customize their watch with a variety of MarineSport straps available in different colors to suit their style.

Visibility in low-light conditions is crucial for divers and travelers alike. The watches feature Super-LumiNova C3-coated Arabic and triangle hour markers, providing excellent legibility in the dark. The sapphire crystal, treated with an anti-reflective coating on the underside, ensures that the watch face remains clear and readable, even in bright sunlight or underwater.

Safety is paramount, and the Scubanaut Dive Watch Collection includes a screw-down crown with a red warning ring. This visual alert indicates when the crown is unscrewed, helping to prevent water from entering the watch and causing damage. The Scubanaut 200 is available with either a black or white dial, offering aesthetic choices for personal preference. The World Diver stands out with its bicolor 24-hour ring and a date window, adding extra functionality for those who need it.

The FOLIOT Scubanaut Dive Watch Collection is more than just a set of watches; it represents the brand’s dedication to meeting the demands of divers and travelers. With cutting-edge features encased in a sturdy design, these watches are equipped to handle the rigors of underwater exploration as well as the wear and tear of daily life. Whether facing the challenges of travel or embarking on a diving adventure, the Scubanaut Collection provides a reliable and stylish timekeeping solution.

For a complete list of all available special pledges, stretch goals, extra media and product specifications for the divers watch, jump over to the official FOLIOT Scubanaut 200m crowd funding campaign page by checking out the link below.

Source : Kickstarter

Disclaimer: Participating in Kickstarter campaigns involves inherent risks. While many projects successfully meet their goals, others may fail to deliver due to numerous challenges. Always conduct thorough research and exercise caution when pledging your hard-earned money.

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Google Imagen 2 text-to-image AI art generator deep dive

Google Imagen 2 text-to-image AI art generator

Google has has opened the doors to its new Imagen 2, an advanced text-to-image AI art generator that can transform written descriptions into highly realistic pictures. Competing with the likes of Midjourney, DallE 3, Stable Diffusion and others. This innovative tool is now part of Google’s suite of services, providing exciting new capabilities for both everyday users and software developers.

Imagen 2 represents an improvement in diffusion technology, which is known for generating images that closely resemble real-life photographs. It’s integrated with several Google offerings, such as the Bard search engine, the generative platform SGE, and ImageFX, an experimental project from Google Labs. Additionally, it plays a role in Google Arts and Culture, where it helps to recreate images of historical figures. Google explains more about its new text-to-image AI.

Text-to-Image AI

Imagen 2 is our most advanced text-to-image diffusion technology, delivering high-quality, photorealistic outputs that are closely aligned and consistent with the user’s prompt. It can generate more lifelike images by using the natural distribution of its training data, instead of adopting a pre-programmed style.

Imagen 2’s powerful text-to-image technology is available in Bard, Search Generative Experience and and a Google Labs experiment called ImageFX. This offers an innovative interface that allows users to quickly explore alternative prompts and expand the bounds of their creativity. The Google Arts and Culture team is also deploying our Imagen 2 technology in their Cultural Icons experiment, allowing users to explore, learn and test their cultural knowledge with the help of Google AI. Developers and Cloud customers can access it via the Imagen API in Google Cloud Vertex AI.”

One of the most notable features of Imagen 2 is its enhanced ability to interpret and refine image captions, ensuring that the resulting images are more closely matched to the accompanying text. The AI has been trained on a variety of complex prompts and literary texts, allowing it to produce visuals that are in sync with the input it receives.

There have been significant improvements in the quality of the images it generates, particularly when it comes to rendering human hands and faces with greater accuracy and fewer flaws. Google has also developed an image aesthetics model that takes into account human preferences for aspects like lighting, composition, and image sharpness.

How to use Imagen 2

Users have the option to influence the style of the images created by Imagen 2. This is done through a process called fluid style conditioning, which merges reference images with text prompts to produce a unified visual result. The AI also boasts advanced inpainting and outpainting features, which give users the freedom to modify or expand images in creative ways.

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A major emphasis for Imagen 2 is ensuring that the images it creates adhere to content policies, avoiding the generation of offensive or misleading visuals. The technology includes features that allow for rapid style changes and the regeneration of images based on user input.

While Imagen 2 represents a significant step forward, it’s important to note that the technology is still being refined. There are certain limitations in place, such as content policy restrictions and challenges in accurately specifying characteristics like ethnicity when generating images of characters.

For the business sector, Google’s Vertex AI platform leverages Imagen 2 to help companies create high-quality visuals, such as logos and product photographs. The platform offers copyright indemnification, which provides legal protection for the images generated. Imagen 2 is also capable of enhancing images for high-resolution displays and can generate text captions in more than 300 languages, making it a tool with global reach.

Google’s Imagen 2 is poised to make a significant impact across various fields, including e-commerce and marketing. It offers a way to create detailed and lifelike images that can be tailored to specific needs. Although there are some early-stage challenges to overcome, the technology is on a path toward widespread adoption and continuous enhancement. You can read more about Google’s AI art generator in its official research paper.

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DiveDrive jet propelled underwater dive scooter

DiveDrive underwater scooter Kickstarter

DiveDrive is an innovative underwater scooter that’s set to transform how we explore the ocean’s depths. This state-of-the-art diving propulsion system features a powerful motor that can adjust its speed dynamically while underwater. This unique feature allows you to control your speed and direction single-handedly, offering an unmatched level of control and flexibility during your underwater adventures.

The powerful motor of DiveDrive is not just about speed. It’s a high-performance engine that delivers robust performance without creating excessive noise or vibration. This quiet and smooth operation allows you to observe marine life without causing any disturbance, ensuring your exploration is as respectful to the underwater environment as possible.

Introductory early bird pledges are now available for the unique project from roughly $699 or £543 (depending on current exchange rates), offering a considerable discount of approximately 50% off the average retail price, while the Kickstarter crowd funding is under way.

Underwater Dive Scooter

Speed control is crucial for any underwater scooter, and DiveDrive excels in this aspect. The scooter uses a magnetic switch to control speed, reducing the risk of damage and improving usability. This magnetic control system ensures you can adjust your speed smoothly and efficiently, enhancing your overall underwater experience.

underwater scooter

But DiveDrive isn’t just about performance; it’s also about sustainability. The scooter is made from RoHS-certified materials, making it an eco-friendly product. These materials ensure that your underwater exploration doesn’t harm the environment, aligning your adventurous spirit with a commitment to preserving our planet.

The scooter uses a single spiral motor, also known as a single-coil engine, to provide powerful propulsion. Despite its power, the scooter remains lightweight and portable due to its compact design. This combination of power and portability makes DiveDrive an ideal companion for all your underwater adventures, whether you’re an experienced diver or a novice.

Water Propulsion System

DiveDrive’s propulsion system is another standout feature. It uses a thrust mechanism that draws in water from 19 inlets and converts it into linear motion. This innovative system ensures swift operation, allowing the scooter to reach a maximum speed of 4.7 mph, making it a powerful tool for underwater exploration.

If the DiveDrive campaign successfully raises its required pledge goal and the project progresses smoothly, worldwide shipping is expected to take place sometime around January 2024. To learn more about the DiveDrive underwater scooter project peek the promotional video below.

Despite its high-speed operation, DiveDrive is designed to resist damage from floating debris or other objects. This debris resistance feature ensures that your scooter remains reliable, even in challenging underwater conditions, providing you with peace of mind as you explore the depths. DiveDrive also features an LED light indicator that allows you to monitor the battery status. This feature ensures that you’re always aware of your scooter’s power status, allowing you to plan your underwater exploration accordingly and avoid being stranded due to a drained battery.

The scooter also includes an action camera mount, allowing you to document your underwater adventures. This feature ensures that you can share your experiences with others, making your adventures even more memorable. For those seeking more speed and excitement, DiveDrive offers a dual mode underwater scooter operation. By using a connector, you can link two DiveDrives together, effectively doubling your speed and excitement, and turning your solo exploration into a thrilling tandem adventure.

underwater scooter Kickstarter

DiveDrive is a cutting-edge underwater scooter that combines advanced technology, a powerful motor, speed control, direction control, quiet operation, magnetic control, eco-friendly materials, a single spiral motor, lightweight and portable design, innovative propulsion system, high-speed operation, debris resistance, LED light indicator, action camera mount, and dual mode operation into one compact and efficient package. DiveDrive takes your underwater exploration to new heights, making every dive an unforgettable adventure.

For a complete list of all available pledge options, stretch goals, extra media and product capabilities for the underwater scooter, jump over to the official DiveDrive crowd funding campaign page by inspecting the link below.

Source : Kickstarter

Disclaimer: Participating in Kickstarter campaigns involves inherent risks. While many projects successfully meet their goals, others may fail to deliver due to numerous challenges. Always conduct thorough research and exercise caution when pledging your hard-earned money.

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DIVEROID transforms your phone into a dive computer and more

DIVEROID transforms your phone into a dive computer

Divers looking for a safe way to take their smart phone under the waves might be interested in DIVEROID. A unique product that transforms your smartphone into a multifunctional dive computer, an underwater camera, and a synchronized photo logbook. This innovative diving accessory is designed to work with a broad range of popular smartphones, although it’s worth noting that it doesn’t support certain brands such as Huawei, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

dive computer features

The DIVEROID system cleverly combines a dive computer, a compass, and a logbook into one compact package. The device is carefully designed with a double O-ring structure, a key waterproofing technology that ensures 60M/200ft waterproof functionality. This impressive feature allows you to take your smartphone to depths previously thought impossible, opening up a new world of underwater exploration and documentation. Early bird opportunities are now available for the imaginative project from roughly $299 or £243 (depending on current exchange rates).

For freediving enthusiasts, DIVEROID provides a wealth of crucial information to ensure a safe and informed dive. This includes important data such as depth, dive time, water temperature, and surface time reach, all of which are essential for effective environmental monitoring. The system also supports a free diving mode with specialized features like a depth alarm and a stopwatch for static apnea. A unique boat calling function is also included, providing a critical communication feature for divers.

Transform your phone into a dive computer

The DIVEROID app displays all the necessary diving information in a bright, high-contrast format, ensuring it remains easy to read even in the most challenging underwater conditions. Safety is a top priority, and the app includes alerts for depth stop and ascending speed, effectively acting as a digital guardian during your dive.

The DIVEROID system also offers additional features such as a tilt compensated 3D compass, a basic navigation tool that ensures you always maintain your orientation underwater. The real-time diving profile feature provides live tracking of your dive, offering a comprehensive overview of your underwater journey.

Assuming that the DIVEROID funding campaign successfully raises its required pledge goal and production progresses smoothly, worldwide shipping is expected to take place sometime around December 2023. To learn more about the DIVEROID phone diving case and computer project check out the promotional video below.

One of the standout features of DIVEROID is its ability to capture high-quality photos and videos of your dive. This underwater imaging capability, combined with a real-time color correction function, allows you to document your dive with an unparalleled level of clarity and vibrancy. The app also meticulously records your entire dive and auto-syncs the photos and videos taken, creating a digital record of your underwater adventures.

Diving phone case

In conclusion, DIVEROID is a pioneering product that leverages mobile computing technology to transform your smartphone into a comprehensive dive monitoring system. With its wide range of features, from underwater imaging to digital record keeping, it offers a new level of convenience and functionality for divers. Whether you’re an experienced professional or a recreational diver, DIVEROID provides the tools you need to explore, document, and navigate the underwater world with confidence and ease. It is a testament to the power of technology and its ability to enhance our experiences and interactions with the natural world.

For a complete list of all available project pledges, stretch goals, extra media and key features for the phone diving case and computer, jump over to the official DIVEROID crowd funding campaign page by proceeding to the link below.

Source : Kickstarter

Disclaimer: Participating in Kickstarter campaigns involves inherent risks. While many projects successfully meet their goals, others may fail to deliver due to numerous challenges. Always conduct thorough research and exercise caution when pledging your hard-earned money.

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The Hidden World of Playground Learning: A Deep Dive into the Benefits of Outdoor Play Equipment

Ah, playgrounds—a place where children’s laughter fills the air, and parents enjoy a moment of respite on a sunny bench. On the surface, it seems like just another spot for children to expend some pent-up energy. But what if we told you that the simple act of playing on a climbing frame or swinging back and forth is shaping the future adults our children will become? From honing motor skills to nurturing creativity, playgrounds are secret classrooms in disguise. In this discussion, we’ll delve into the multiple dimensions of child development that are unknowingly being nurtured during a day at the park.

A Playground for Physical Development

Gross Motor Skills: The Building Blocks

When we talk about swings, slides, and climbing frames, it’s more than just a fun day at the park. These apparatuses help develop gross motor skills like running, jumping, and climbing. Think of it as a full-body workout geared for kids, activating different muscle groups and boosting their overall physical development.

Fine Motor Skills and Exercise: The Nitty-Gritty

Besides the large muscle groups, the playground also hones in on fine motor skills. The act of gripping ropes, holding onto swing chains, or carefully moving sand around helps refine the smaller muscles in hands and fingers. This eventually aids in tasks requiring dexterity like writing, tying shoelaces, and using utensils.

Cognitive Skills: More than Child’s Play

Creativity: Imagination Unleashed

A sandbox isn’t just a sandbox; it can become a treasure island or a construction site. A slide can serve as an entrance to a secret lair or a way to escape from a make-believe villain. These narratives don’t just keep children entertained; they stimulate imagination and creativity, crucial components of cognitive development.

Language and Rule-based Learning: Laying Foundations

Ever overhear the complex rules children come up with during playtime? It’s not just fun and games; it’s rule-based learning. Whether it’s making up the rules of a new game or following existing ones, this is an early exercise in understanding structures and systems, while simultaneously improving vocabulary and language skills.

Learning the Social Ladder

Navigating social situations is a lifelong skill, one that often starts in the sandbox and on the climbing frames. From waiting for their turn on the slide to the delicate art of sharing a sandbox, children learn crucial social skills in these seemingly simple interactions. Here’s a closer look at how playground activities become life lessons in teamwork, patience, and sharing.

Teamwork: A Lesson in Cooperation

The Basics of Collaboration

It might look like just a couple of kids trying to make a swing fly high, but this simple activity teaches so much more. One pushes while the other swings, creating a rhythm that requires mutual understanding and cooperation. This back-and-forth establishes the basic principles of collaboration—each person has a role to play for the greater good.

Problem-Solving in Groups

Playground activities like building a sandcastle offer kids a natural setting to work out problems collaboratively. Questions like “How do we make the walls sturdy?” or “Who will fetch the water?” are opportunities for children to solve problems as a team. These moments lay the groundwork for future situations in school, work, and personal relationships where teamwork is key.

Patience and Sharing: Social Skills 101

The Art of Waiting

We’ve all been there—the anticipation of finally getting to slide down that bright, winding slide or take a whirl on the merry-go-round. These moments teach children the vital skill of delayed gratification. The wait not only builds excitement but also imparts the understanding that good things come to those who wait.

Sharing is Caring

What happens when two kids want to use the same swing or dig in the same corner of the sandbox? Well, it’s a diplomacy lesson in miniature. Children learn to negotiate, share, and sometimes even compromise. They come to realise that if they give a little, they can also gain a lot—like a new friend or a more enjoyable playtime experience.

Emotional Intelligence: Reading the Room

While observing from the sidelines, children also learn to read social cues and emotions. Is someone sad because they have to wait? Are they happy they got their turn? Recognising these emotions in others is the beginning of empathy, a vital social skill for making and maintaining relationships in the future.

So, when you see children playing on outdoor equipment, remember that they’re doing more than just having fun. They’re learning how to function in a social setting, setting the stage for a lifetime of interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.

Emotional Well-Being: The Hidden Gem

Stress-Relief: More than Just Fun

Children also face stress, though it may look different than adult stress. The action of swinging, sliding, and running releases endorphins, alleviating feelings of stress and anxiety. What seems like play is actually a form of emotional regulation.

Mindfulness: The Unseen Advantage

Though they may not articulate it, children benefit from the mindfulness aspect of being outdoors. The sensory experience of feeling the wind, hearing the birds, and touching the natural elements contributes to a grounding experience, offering them a break from screens and indoor activities.

There you have it—a more detailed look into why outdoor play equipment is a linchpin for comprehensive child development. It’s not just about burning off energy; it’s about nurturing physical prowess, cognitive abilities, social skills, and emotional well-being in a holistic manner.