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Floaters that turn ocean waves into renewable energy could power our homes

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Blue metal floaters attached to an old World War II ammo jetty in Gibraltar’s coastline oscillate up and down, converting the moderate rise and fall of waves into renewable electricity. 

The floaters were developed by Eco Wave Power, a business that aims to turn man-made structures like breakwaters and piers into renewable energy sources.

According to the development team, each batch of these floaters is specifically created to accommodate the particular wave conditions where they are deployed. 

For instance, smaller waves require smaller floaters since they are easier to move up and down, whereas larger waves can accommodate larger floaters and hence require fewer of them.

Land-based accumulators that are built into large blue shipping containers are inflated by the movement of the floaters. 

A hydraulic motor is turned by the fluid pressure caused by the rising waves. That then starts a generator, which turns on an inverter to transfer electricity to the power grid.

The hydraulic pressure generated by the floaters is converted into electrical energy for the grid inside one of Eco Wave Power’s land-based containers.

When waves become too high during a storm, the unit automatically locks into an upright position to protect itself, and once the bad weather has gone, it descends back into the sea.

According to Eco Wave Power, its complete system — from floater to grid— is about 50% efficient, which means that roughly 50% of the wave energy that enters the system is successfully transformed into electricity. To put that number into perspective, consider that it is higher than the typical solar panel efficiency of 15% to 20%, the typical wind turbine efficiency of 20% to 40%, and the typical coal power plant efficiency of 33%, according to a CNET report.

There are now a few areas where the company consistently provides grid power, and more are on the way. The company’s first grid-connected station was inaugurated in Gibraltar in 2016 and a second one is presently being built at Jaffa Port in Tel Aviv, Israel. In early 2023, a third is anticipated to open in Los Angeles.

The quantity of energy generated by each floater depends on the local wave conditions. Each of the company’s floaters in Jaffa, according to Inna Braverman, co-founder and CEO of Eco Wave Power, may produce up to 10 kWh, or roughly enough energy for 10 households.

According to Braverman, the business has carried out numerous environmental studies, which have revealed no adverse effects on the environment. Additionally, the fluid used to generate the hydraulic pressure within the system is biodegradable.

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Elon Musk lands in Tel Aviv to meet Israeli president, families of hostages

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Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has begun his wartime visit to Israel as he landed in Tel Aviv on Monday to discuss “rising antisemitism” on social media with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

During his visit to Tel Aviv, the tech billionaire will also meet the relatives of the hostages held by Hamas following their October 7 attack. 

“In their meeting, the president will emphasise the need to act to combat rising antisemitism online,” said President Herzog’s office on Sunday after announcing the meeting with Musk.

His meeting comes after the tech guru was accused by civil rights groups of amplifying anti-Jewish hatred on the microblogging website X, formerly known as Twitter.

The tweet accused Jews of promoting hatred against whites, and Musk’s reply, acknowledging the statement as the “actual truth,” triggered a fierce online backlash.

Musk, later defending himself against accusations of anti-semitism, asserted that such claims were “nothing could be further from the truth.” He clarified his intentions, expressing goodwill towards humanity and a desire for a prosperous future for all.

In an effort to counterbalance the controversy, Musk announced his commitment to donating advertising revenue from his company, X, to hospitals in Israel and Gaza.

Last week, Israeli media reported that Musk would visit Israel this week, with plans to tour Gaza border towns.

According to N12, the Tesla magnate was expected to engage in discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Herzog during his visit.

Additionally, Musk had previously pledged to provide internet satellite connectivity to Gaza’s remaining civilians and humanitarian workers.

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Here’s how WhatsApp plans to enhance display of profile info

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To further enhance user experience, WhatsApp is working on a new update to further enhance the display of profile information by acting on the user feedback and incorporating desired updates into the platform.

The development was discovered via the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.25.11 update available on the Google Play Store, reported WaBetaInfo.

The meta-owned platform is working to allow the displaying of profile information within conversations beneath the contact name.

Once introduced, the feature will provide users with an easier and faster way to interact with profile information when it is made visible in our conversations.

— WaBetaInfo
— WaBetaInfo

Users would be able to easily view the profile information within the chat rather than having to navigate to the chat info screen. 

Furthermore, this enhances visibility in the event that users have recently updated their profile information, guaranteeing that those involved in the conversation are promptly informed of any modifications.

It is significant to remember that the user’s privacy settings will only permit the display of this information.

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OpenAI’s ChatGPT offers human-like voice feature for all regular iOS, Android users

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OpenAI has rolled out a significant update for ChatGPT, enabling regular users on both iOS and Android devices to engage with the chatbot using a human-like voice. 

Initially introduced in September, the voice feature was exclusively available to Plus and Enterprise users until yesterday. This expansion signifies a milestone in ChatGPT’s accessibility, allowing a broader audience to experience conversational capabilities in voice mode.

To activate the voice feature, users will find a headphone icon at the bottom right of the screen upon opening ChatGPT. Clicking on it prompts users to choose from five distinct voice options: Juniper, Ember, Breeze, Cove, and Sky, representing a spectrum from feminine to masculine. Users can easily switch between these options later.

The interaction with the voice assistant is visually engaging, with a grey circle appearing in the centre, transforming into a white cloud-like image while the chatbot processes information. 

The voice assistant, exemplified by options like Sky with a raspy voice, introduces a more human-like element, including pauses during responses, fostering a conversational experience.

Despite the innovative leap, some users noted that the voice function occasionally prompted assistance queries even when the user remained silent, and there was a lack of a clear mechanism to turn off the application. 

However, the flexibility to exit the app while keeping it active in the background enhances multitasking possibilities, catering to scenarios where users may want information while engaged in other activities.

This move towards a voice-centric interaction marks a departure from traditional text-based chatting, offering a more natural and engaging conversational AI experience. 

OpenAI’s decision to make this feature available to a wider user base underscores the evolution of ChatGPT, positioning it as a versatile and accessible tool for diverse interactions.

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