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Amazon hits sellers with ‘fuel surcharge’ as Iran war roils global energy markets | TechCrunch

Amazon hits sellers with ‘fuel surcharge’ as Iran war roils global energy markets | TechCrunch

The war in Iran has hammered global oil markets, with gas prices in the U.S. spiking significantly. Amid the rise in transportation costs, Amazon has instituted a new 3.5% fuel surcharge for sellers that use its distribution network. The policy has the potential to inflict significant new costs on the untold merchants that rely on the e-commerce giant to sell their products.

Amazon told TechCrunch that the surcharge would be in place for the foreseeable future, although the company said it will continue to evaluate a potential policy shift as market conditions evolve. The news was originally reported by Bloomberg.

“Elevated costs in fuel and logistics have increased the cost of operating across the industry,” a spokesperson said. “We have absorbed these increases so far, but similar to other major carriers, when costs remain elevated we implement temporary surcharges to partially recover these costs.” The spokesperson added that the surcharge was “meaningfully lower than surcharges applied by other major carriers.”

The new policy will take effect on April 17 and will impact sellers who use the company’s Fulfillment by Amazon service, Bloomberg writes. Fulfillment by Amazon, commonly known as FBA, allows companies to send their products to Amazon’s warehouses, where they are packed and shipped to buyers. Amazon doesn’t disclose how many merchants use FBA, but the program underpins the vast majority of third-party sales on its platform.

Amazon first instituted this type of surcharge in 2022 — which, not so coincidentally, was the last time crude oil traded over $100 a barrel. What was happening in 2022? Russia had just invaded Ukraine, sending energy markets haywire. Today, the war in Iran — spurred by the Trump administration and the Israeli government’s assassination of the nation’s Supreme Leader — has similarly rocked markets.

Iran is strategically located along the northern border of the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow but critical shipping lane for global oil supplies through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes — and the country has sought to block shipping lanes there, a move that has majorly impacted energy prices throughout the world.

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iKairos is designed to understand both its user and their surroundings, allowing it to offer proactive assistance instead of simply responding to prompts.

iKairos Wants to Be More Than Another AI Wearable

Jibo’s Spiritual Successor Is Here: Lingverse Unveils AI Wearable iKairos
	
If you remember Jibo, you’ll probably also remember its emotional farewell. The social robot, once named one of TIME’s Best Inventions, shut down in 2019 with a message asking owners to “say hello” to future robots. Singapore-based AI hardware startup Lingverse, the team behind the original visoon, has announced  million in Pre-A funding to develop iKairos, a wearable AI companion that the company describes as the spiritual successor to Jibo. Unlike existing AI wearables, iKairos is designed to understand both its user and their surroundings, allowing it to offer proactive assistance instead of simply responding to prompts.



iKairos Wants to Be More Than Another AI Wearable







AI wearables have gained momentum over the past year, but most products still rely on a single camera or microphone to interpret the world from the wearer’s perspective. Lingverse believes that’s only half the picture. The company says iKairos is the first dual-perspective AI wearable, featuring a modular design that can be worn on the body or used as a desktop device. Users can switch its field of view between themselves and their surroundings, allowing the AI to build context about both the person wearing it and the environment around them.



The goal is to make the device less reactive and more proactive. Instead of waiting for voice commands, iKairos is designed to recognize situations where reminders, suggestions, or questions might be useful based on what it observes over time.



Beyond that, the company says iKairos includes a physical camera shutter that completely blocks visual recording whenever users want additional privacy. It also claims that personal data is either processed locally on the device or encrypted during transmission, and that user data won’t be used to train its AI models.



Speaking on the matter, Jiawei Gu, Founder and CEO of Lingverse, said:




Today, with iKairos, we can finally pick up where the Jibo team left off and deliver on the promise. iKairos continuously observes both you and your surroundings, creating the context that today’s AI lacks. Once the AI understands your life instead of just your prompts, iKairos can begin to act as a personal AI guardian, which is capable of unlocking entirely new experiences and proactively adapts to and works around your lifestyle.”


#Jibos #Spiritual #Successor #Lingverse #Unveils #Wearable #iKairosAI

AI wearables have gained momentum over the past year, but most products still rely on a single camera or microphone to interpret the world from the wearer’s perspective. Lingverse believes that’s only half the picture. The company says iKairos is the first dual-perspective AI wearable, featuring a modular design that can be worn on the body or used as a desktop device. Users can switch its field of view between themselves and their surroundings, allowing the AI to build context about both the person wearing it and the environment around them.

The goal is to make the device less reactive and more proactive. Instead of waiting for voice commands, iKairos is designed to recognize situations where reminders, suggestions, or questions might be useful based on what it observes over time.

Beyond that, the company says iKairos includes a physical camera shutter that completely blocks visual recording whenever users want additional privacy. It also claims that personal data is either processed locally on the device or encrypted during transmission, and that user data won’t be used to train its AI models.

Speaking on the matter, Jiawei Gu, Founder and CEO of Lingverse, said:

Today, with iKairos, we can finally pick up where the Jibo team left off and deliver on the promise. iKairos continuously observes both you and your surroundings, creating the context that today’s AI lacks. Once the AI understands your life instead of just your prompts, iKairos can begin to act as a personal AI guardian, which is capable of unlocking entirely new experiences and proactively adapts to and works around your lifestyle.”

#Jibos #Spiritual #Successor #Lingverse #Unveils #Wearable #iKairosAI">Jibo’s Spiritual Successor Is Here: Lingverse Unveils AI Wearable iKairos
	
If you remember Jibo, you’ll probably also remember its emotional farewell. The social robot, once named one of TIME’s Best Inventions, shut down in 2019 with a message asking owners to “say hello” to future robots. Singapore-based AI hardware startup Lingverse, the team behind the original visoon, has announced  million in Pre-A funding to develop iKairos, a wearable AI companion that the company describes as the spiritual successor to Jibo. Unlike existing AI wearables, iKairos is designed to understand both its user and their surroundings, allowing it to offer proactive assistance instead of simply responding to prompts.



iKairos Wants to Be More Than Another AI Wearable







AI wearables have gained momentum over the past year, but most products still rely on a single camera or microphone to interpret the world from the wearer’s perspective. Lingverse believes that’s only half the picture. The company says iKairos is the first dual-perspective AI wearable, featuring a modular design that can be worn on the body or used as a desktop device. Users can switch its field of view between themselves and their surroundings, allowing the AI to build context about both the person wearing it and the environment around them.



The goal is to make the device less reactive and more proactive. Instead of waiting for voice commands, iKairos is designed to recognize situations where reminders, suggestions, or questions might be useful based on what it observes over time.



Beyond that, the company says iKairos includes a physical camera shutter that completely blocks visual recording whenever users want additional privacy. It also claims that personal data is either processed locally on the device or encrypted during transmission, and that user data won’t be used to train its AI models.



Speaking on the matter, Jiawei Gu, Founder and CEO of Lingverse, said:




Today, with iKairos, we can finally pick up where the Jibo team left off and deliver on the promise. iKairos continuously observes both you and your surroundings, creating the context that today’s AI lacks. Once the AI understands your life instead of just your prompts, iKairos can begin to act as a personal AI guardian, which is capable of unlocking entirely new experiences and proactively adapts to and works around your lifestyle.”


#Jibos #Spiritual #Successor #Lingverse #Unveils #Wearable #iKairosAI

is designed to understand both its user and their surroundings, allowing it to offer proactive assistance instead of simply responding to prompts.

iKairos Wants to Be More Than Another AI Wearable

Jibo’s Spiritual Successor Is Here: Lingverse Unveils AI Wearable iKairos
	
If you remember Jibo, you’ll probably also remember its emotional farewell. The social robot, once named one of TIME’s Best Inventions, shut down in 2019 with a message asking owners to “say hello” to future robots. Singapore-based AI hardware startup Lingverse, the team behind the original visoon, has announced  million in Pre-A funding to develop iKairos, a wearable AI companion that the company describes as the spiritual successor to Jibo. Unlike existing AI wearables, iKairos is designed to understand both its user and their surroundings, allowing it to offer proactive assistance instead of simply responding to prompts.



iKairos Wants to Be More Than Another AI Wearable







AI wearables have gained momentum over the past year, but most products still rely on a single camera or microphone to interpret the world from the wearer’s perspective. Lingverse believes that’s only half the picture. The company says iKairos is the first dual-perspective AI wearable, featuring a modular design that can be worn on the body or used as a desktop device. Users can switch its field of view between themselves and their surroundings, allowing the AI to build context about both the person wearing it and the environment around them.



The goal is to make the device less reactive and more proactive. Instead of waiting for voice commands, iKairos is designed to recognize situations where reminders, suggestions, or questions might be useful based on what it observes over time.



Beyond that, the company says iKairos includes a physical camera shutter that completely blocks visual recording whenever users want additional privacy. It also claims that personal data is either processed locally on the device or encrypted during transmission, and that user data won’t be used to train its AI models.



Speaking on the matter, Jiawei Gu, Founder and CEO of Lingverse, said:




Today, with iKairos, we can finally pick up where the Jibo team left off and deliver on the promise. iKairos continuously observes both you and your surroundings, creating the context that today’s AI lacks. Once the AI understands your life instead of just your prompts, iKairos can begin to act as a personal AI guardian, which is capable of unlocking entirely new experiences and proactively adapts to and works around your lifestyle.”


#Jibos #Spiritual #Successor #Lingverse #Unveils #Wearable #iKairosAI

AI wearables have gained momentum over the past year, but most products still rely on a single camera or microphone to interpret the world from the wearer’s perspective. Lingverse believes that’s only half the picture. The company says iKairos is the first dual-perspective AI wearable, featuring a modular design that can be worn on the body or used as a desktop device. Users can switch its field of view between themselves and their surroundings, allowing the AI to build context about both the person wearing it and the environment around them.

The goal is to make the device less reactive and more proactive. Instead of waiting for voice commands, iKairos is designed to recognize situations where reminders, suggestions, or questions might be useful based on what it observes over time.

Beyond that, the company says iKairos includes a physical camera shutter that completely blocks visual recording whenever users want additional privacy. It also claims that personal data is either processed locally on the device or encrypted during transmission, and that user data won’t be used to train its AI models.

Speaking on the matter, Jiawei Gu, Founder and CEO of Lingverse, said:

Today, with iKairos, we can finally pick up where the Jibo team left off and deliver on the promise. iKairos continuously observes both you and your surroundings, creating the context that today’s AI lacks. Once the AI understands your life instead of just your prompts, iKairos can begin to act as a personal AI guardian, which is capable of unlocking entirely new experiences and proactively adapts to and works around your lifestyle.”

#Jibos #Spiritual #Successor #Lingverse #Unveils #Wearable #iKairosAI">Jibo’s Spiritual Successor Is Here: Lingverse Unveils AI Wearable iKairos

If you remember Jibo, you’ll probably also remember its emotional farewell. The social robot, once named one of TIME’s Best Inventions, shut down in 2019 with a message asking owners to “say hello” to future robots. Singapore-based AI hardware startup Lingverse, the team behind the original visoon, has announced $29 million in Pre-A funding to develop iKairos, a wearable AI companion that the company describes as the spiritual successor to Jibo. Unlike existing AI wearables, iKairos is designed to understand both its user and their surroundings, allowing it to offer proactive assistance instead of simply responding to prompts.

iKairos Wants to Be More Than Another AI Wearable

Jibo’s Spiritual Successor Is Here: Lingverse Unveils AI Wearable iKairos
	
If you remember Jibo, you’ll probably also remember its emotional farewell. The social robot, once named one of TIME’s Best Inventions, shut down in 2019 with a message asking owners to “say hello” to future robots. Singapore-based AI hardware startup Lingverse, the team behind the original visoon, has announced  million in Pre-A funding to develop iKairos, a wearable AI companion that the company describes as the spiritual successor to Jibo. Unlike existing AI wearables, iKairos is designed to understand both its user and their surroundings, allowing it to offer proactive assistance instead of simply responding to prompts.



iKairos Wants to Be More Than Another AI Wearable







AI wearables have gained momentum over the past year, but most products still rely on a single camera or microphone to interpret the world from the wearer’s perspective. Lingverse believes that’s only half the picture. The company says iKairos is the first dual-perspective AI wearable, featuring a modular design that can be worn on the body or used as a desktop device. Users can switch its field of view between themselves and their surroundings, allowing the AI to build context about both the person wearing it and the environment around them.



The goal is to make the device less reactive and more proactive. Instead of waiting for voice commands, iKairos is designed to recognize situations where reminders, suggestions, or questions might be useful based on what it observes over time.



Beyond that, the company says iKairos includes a physical camera shutter that completely blocks visual recording whenever users want additional privacy. It also claims that personal data is either processed locally on the device or encrypted during transmission, and that user data won’t be used to train its AI models.



Speaking on the matter, Jiawei Gu, Founder and CEO of Lingverse, said:




Today, with iKairos, we can finally pick up where the Jibo team left off and deliver on the promise. iKairos continuously observes both you and your surroundings, creating the context that today’s AI lacks. Once the AI understands your life instead of just your prompts, iKairos can begin to act as a personal AI guardian, which is capable of unlocking entirely new experiences and proactively adapts to and works around your lifestyle.”


#Jibos #Spiritual #Successor #Lingverse #Unveils #Wearable #iKairosAI

AI wearables have gained momentum over the past year, but most products still rely on a single camera or microphone to interpret the world from the wearer’s perspective. Lingverse believes that’s only half the picture. The company says iKairos is the first dual-perspective AI wearable, featuring a modular design that can be worn on the body or used as a desktop device. Users can switch its field of view between themselves and their surroundings, allowing the AI to build context about both the person wearing it and the environment around them.

The goal is to make the device less reactive and more proactive. Instead of waiting for voice commands, iKairos is designed to recognize situations where reminders, suggestions, or questions might be useful based on what it observes over time.

Beyond that, the company says iKairos includes a physical camera shutter that completely blocks visual recording whenever users want additional privacy. It also claims that personal data is either processed locally on the device or encrypted during transmission, and that user data won’t be used to train its AI models.

Speaking on the matter, Jiawei Gu, Founder and CEO of Lingverse, said:

Today, with iKairos, we can finally pick up where the Jibo team left off and deliver on the promise. iKairos continuously observes both you and your surroundings, creating the context that today’s AI lacks. Once the AI understands your life instead of just your prompts, iKairos can begin to act as a personal AI guardian, which is capable of unlocking entirely new experiences and proactively adapts to and works around your lifestyle.”

#Jibos #Spiritual #Successor #Lingverse #Unveils #Wearable #iKairosAI

At its San Diego Comic-Con panel today, Apple TV dropped the surprise debut of the first teaser trailer for its upcoming sci-fi series Neuromancer. It’s our best look yet at the show, which is based on the 1984 novel of the same name by William Gibson. Gibson’s novel is a cornerstone of the cyberpunk genre, but it has never before been adapted for the big or small screen.

Check out the teaser below.

Neuromancer stars Callum Turner, Briana Middleton, Mark Strong, Joseph Lee, Peter Sarsgaard and Clémence Poésy. According to its official description, “Neuromancer follows a damaged, top-rung super-hacker named Case (Turner) who is thrust into a web of digital espionage and high-stakes crime with his partner Molly (Middleton), a razor-girl assassin, as they pull off a heist on a corporate dynasty with untold secrets.”

The teaser clocks in at just over a minute, but it’s enough to give us a sense of the show’s visual identity. It looks like Apple has really put in the work of accurately replicating Gibson’s world. Given the streamer’s burgeoning reputation for quality sci-fi TV series, it seemed from the beginning that it would be a good home for Neuromancer, and based on this very early look, that still seems to be the case.

Neuromancer was created for television by Graham Roland (Dark Winds) and JD Dillard (Utopia, The Twilight Zone), with Roland serving as showrunner. The show’s supporting cast includes Max Irons, Dane DeHaan, Junia Rees, Jordan Kouamé, Emma Laird, Marc Menchaca, André De Shields and Isabella Pappas.

Neuromancer premieres January 22, 2027, on Apple TV. The first two episodes will premiere on the same day, with the remaining eight episodes releasing weekly after that.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Neuromancer #Teaser #Trailer #Brings #William #Gibsons #LifeApple TV,Neuromancer,San Diego Comic-Con">‘Neuromancer’ Teaser Trailer Brings William Gibson’s Novel to Life
                At its San Diego Comic-Con panel today, Apple TV dropped the surprise debut of the first teaser trailer for its upcoming sci-fi series Neuromancer. It’s our best look yet at the show, which is based on the 1984 novel of the same name by William Gibson. Gibson’s novel is a cornerstone of the cyberpunk genre, but it has never before been adapted for the big or small screen.

 Check out the teaser below. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g79GPZSQHBk[/embed] Neuromancer stars Callum Turner, Briana Middleton, Mark Strong, Joseph Lee, Peter Sarsgaard and Clémence Poésy. According to its official description, “Neuromancer follows a damaged, top-rung super-hacker named Case (Turner) who is thrust into a web of digital espionage and high-stakes crime with his partner Molly (Middleton), a razor-girl assassin, as they pull off a heist on a corporate dynasty with untold secrets.” The teaser clocks in at just over a minute, but it’s enough to give us a sense of the show’s visual identity. It looks like Apple has really put in the work of accurately replicating Gibson’s world. Given the streamer’s burgeoning reputation for quality sci-fi TV series, it seemed from the beginning that it would be a good home for Neuromancer, and based on this very early look, that still seems to be the case. Neuromancer was created for television by Graham Roland (Dark Winds) and JD Dillard (Utopia, The Twilight Zone), with Roland serving as showrunner. The show’s supporting cast includes Max Irons, Dane DeHaan, Junia Rees, Jordan Kouamé, Emma Laird, Marc Menchaca, André De Shields and Isabella Pappas.

 Neuromancer premieres January 22, 2027, on Apple TV. The first two episodes will premiere on the same day, with the remaining eight episodes releasing weekly after that.  Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.      #Neuromancer #Teaser #Trailer #Brings #William #Gibsons #LifeApple TV,Neuromancer,San Diego Comic-Con

San Diego Comic-Con panel today, Apple TV dropped the surprise debut of the first teaser trailer for its upcoming sci-fi series Neuromancer. It’s our best look yet at the show, which is based on the 1984 novel of the same name by William Gibson. Gibson’s novel is a cornerstone of the cyberpunk genre, but it has never before been adapted for the big or small screen.

Check out the teaser below.

Neuromancer stars Callum Turner, Briana Middleton, Mark Strong, Joseph Lee, Peter Sarsgaard and Clémence Poésy. According to its official description, “Neuromancer follows a damaged, top-rung super-hacker named Case (Turner) who is thrust into a web of digital espionage and high-stakes crime with his partner Molly (Middleton), a razor-girl assassin, as they pull off a heist on a corporate dynasty with untold secrets.”

The teaser clocks in at just over a minute, but it’s enough to give us a sense of the show’s visual identity. It looks like Apple has really put in the work of accurately replicating Gibson’s world. Given the streamer’s burgeoning reputation for quality sci-fi TV series, it seemed from the beginning that it would be a good home for Neuromancer, and based on this very early look, that still seems to be the case.

Neuromancer was created for television by Graham Roland (Dark Winds) and JD Dillard (Utopia, The Twilight Zone), with Roland serving as showrunner. The show’s supporting cast includes Max Irons, Dane DeHaan, Junia Rees, Jordan Kouamé, Emma Laird, Marc Menchaca, André De Shields and Isabella Pappas.

Neuromancer premieres January 22, 2027, on Apple TV. The first two episodes will premiere on the same day, with the remaining eight episodes releasing weekly after that.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Neuromancer #Teaser #Trailer #Brings #William #Gibsons #LifeApple TV,Neuromancer,San Diego Comic-Con">‘Neuromancer’ Teaser Trailer Brings William Gibson’s Novel to Life‘Neuromancer’ Teaser Trailer Brings William Gibson’s Novel to Life
                At its San Diego Comic-Con panel today, Apple TV dropped the surprise debut of the first teaser trailer for its upcoming sci-fi series Neuromancer. It’s our best look yet at the show, which is based on the 1984 novel of the same name by William Gibson. Gibson’s novel is a cornerstone of the cyberpunk genre, but it has never before been adapted for the big or small screen.

 Check out the teaser below. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g79GPZSQHBk[/embed] Neuromancer stars Callum Turner, Briana Middleton, Mark Strong, Joseph Lee, Peter Sarsgaard and Clémence Poésy. According to its official description, “Neuromancer follows a damaged, top-rung super-hacker named Case (Turner) who is thrust into a web of digital espionage and high-stakes crime with his partner Molly (Middleton), a razor-girl assassin, as they pull off a heist on a corporate dynasty with untold secrets.” The teaser clocks in at just over a minute, but it’s enough to give us a sense of the show’s visual identity. It looks like Apple has really put in the work of accurately replicating Gibson’s world. Given the streamer’s burgeoning reputation for quality sci-fi TV series, it seemed from the beginning that it would be a good home for Neuromancer, and based on this very early look, that still seems to be the case. Neuromancer was created for television by Graham Roland (Dark Winds) and JD Dillard (Utopia, The Twilight Zone), with Roland serving as showrunner. The show’s supporting cast includes Max Irons, Dane DeHaan, Junia Rees, Jordan Kouamé, Emma Laird, Marc Menchaca, André De Shields and Isabella Pappas.

 Neuromancer premieres January 22, 2027, on Apple TV. The first two episodes will premiere on the same day, with the remaining eight episodes releasing weekly after that.  Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.      #Neuromancer #Teaser #Trailer #Brings #William #Gibsons #LifeApple TV,Neuromancer,San Diego Comic-Con

At its San Diego Comic-Con panel today, Apple TV dropped the surprise debut of the first teaser trailer for its upcoming sci-fi series Neuromancer. It’s our best look yet at the show, which is based on the 1984 novel of the same name by William Gibson. Gibson’s novel is a cornerstone of the cyberpunk genre, but it has never before been adapted for the big or small screen.

Check out the teaser below.

Neuromancer stars Callum Turner, Briana Middleton, Mark Strong, Joseph Lee, Peter Sarsgaard and Clémence Poésy. According to its official description, “Neuromancer follows a damaged, top-rung super-hacker named Case (Turner) who is thrust into a web of digital espionage and high-stakes crime with his partner Molly (Middleton), a razor-girl assassin, as they pull off a heist on a corporate dynasty with untold secrets.”

The teaser clocks in at just over a minute, but it’s enough to give us a sense of the show’s visual identity. It looks like Apple has really put in the work of accurately replicating Gibson’s world. Given the streamer’s burgeoning reputation for quality sci-fi TV series, it seemed from the beginning that it would be a good home for Neuromancer, and based on this very early look, that still seems to be the case.

Neuromancer was created for television by Graham Roland (Dark Winds) and JD Dillard (Utopia, The Twilight Zone), with Roland serving as showrunner. The show’s supporting cast includes Max Irons, Dane DeHaan, Junia Rees, Jordan Kouamé, Emma Laird, Marc Menchaca, André De Shields and Isabella Pappas.

Neuromancer premieres January 22, 2027, on Apple TV. The first two episodes will premiere on the same day, with the remaining eight episodes releasing weekly after that.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Neuromancer #Teaser #Trailer #Brings #William #Gibsons #LifeApple TV,Neuromancer,San Diego Comic-Con

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