learning

Google's Ray Kurzweil hire could yield some good returns

Google has brought on futurist and artificial-intelligence expert Ray Kurzweil as director of engineering, and there could be some real returns on the company's high-profile hire.

In a statement, Kurzweil confirmed that he'd be joining Google. He noted that his interest in reading-technology, artificial intelligence, self-driving cars, and other such "Jetsons"-like things line up nicely with Google's efforts.

He said:

Google has demonstrated self-driving cars, and people are indeed asking questions of their Android phones. It's easy to shrug our collective shoulders as if these technologies have always been around, but we're … Read more

Duolingo brings free language learning to the iPhone

In June, Duolingo introduced its model for combining language learning with translating Web pages and documents into a variety of languages. The startup developed a free, "gamified" application that lets users acquire languages (English, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese are supported currently) by progressing though a set of skill exercises, with virtual rewards to make the learning experience more engaging and effective.

Embedded in the game mechanics are exercises that ask users to translate part of documents and web pages. These translations underlie Duolingo's crowdsourcing business model, which charges customers for the … Read more

Image- and audio-based language learning systems

Language Learning Center is a tool to help you learn new languages using an audio-visual approach. The theory is to learn the basics, then expand on them. Language Learning Center is designed for Mac OS X and installs quickly.

The Language Learning Center interface looks like a chalkboard. From there you can go to learn basic nouns by looking at images and getting the translations for those objects. The interface lets you hear the correct pronunciation and see the written version. By using native speakers, the program lets you hear the correct pronunciations, and almost all words or phrases are … Read more

Quick learning curve for the Mac using Learn

Learn Mac Edition is, not surprisingly, a port of the Learn tool to the Mac platform. A video training course app, Learn Mac Edition installs easily and launches with more than 5 hours (approximately 90 different lessons) of high-resolution training videos included. Of course, if you like the approach Learn Mac Edition takes, you can buy additional videos online for $1.99 each.

The basic lessons included with Learn Mac Edition cover basic aspects of using OS X (including eight videos on new Mountain Lion features). There's a set of videos on basic desktop and Finder use, and a … Read more

Singing Skype's praises for delivering music lessons (video)

Skype has done wonders for connecting people around the world. We see it in schools, where a class in California chats with kids in Chile. Of course we see it in the home, where grandparents and grandchildren can catch up on the day's events over a meal together. And now we're increasingly seeing music instructors use the videoconferencing technology to offer lessons to students around the world.

Our video team at CNET connected with a Nashville, Tenn., based guitar teacher named Lance Allen. We observed a lesson he gave to Jeff Feldman, a San-Francisco based instructor at Creative Spark Guitar. … Read more

iPad Mini rumors ramp up

Tuesday's CNET Update turns up the heat:

More rumors about the iPad Mini are cropping up. We've previously heard that the iPad Mini may be unveiled in October, but a source tells Fortune that Apple will send press invites next week for an October announcement. In addition, a Japanese Apple blog says a Brazilian factory has begun production of the iPad Mini, and other blogs have been showing purported images of parts, including rear casings and screen covers.

The "sexy" thermostat is back. Nest 2.0, the second generation of the learning thermostat, is 20 percent … Read more

Nest 2.0: Slimmer, sleeker thermostat smarter than ever

When the "Father of the iPod" Tony Fadell unveiled Nest, the "learning thermostat" last fall, it was likely the first time anyone had ever thought of a thermostat as sexy.

Now, less than a year after the first version of the product arrived, bringing Apple style design and user interfaces to what had traditionally been one of the most staid home appliances, Fadell's Palo Alto, Calif.-based company today announced Nest 2.0, a slimmer version of the thermostat that was built to work in more homes and brings new flexibility and features to the … Read more

Machine learning system can ID cities via pics

What makes Paris look like Paris? Hint: it ain't the Eiffel Tower.

It is instead the details woven into the urban fabric that form a pattern, according to a machine learning system that's part of a U.S.-French visual data mining project. Yes, computers are learning to ID your city just by looking at random photos.

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and INRIA/Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris had the system look at 40,000 Google Street View images of Paris, London, New York, and Barcelona, as well as eight other cities to find frequent and unique elements. … Read more

Google scientists find evidence of machine learning

Google scientists working in the company's secretive X Labs have made great strides in using computers to simulate the human brain.

Best known for inventing self-driving cars and augmented-reality eyewear, the lab created a neural network for machine learning by connecting 16,000 computer processors and then unleashed it on the Internet. Along the way, the network taught itself to recognize cats.

While the act of finding cats on the Internet doesn't sound all that challenging, the network's performance exceeded researchers' expectations, doubling its accuracy rate in identifying objects from a list of 20,000 items, according … Read more

Nest Learning Thermostat lands on Amazon

You can now add Amazon to your list of shopping choices for Nest's thermostat/gadget.

Initially only available through home installers, the $249 climate control device has started appearing at retailers such as Lowes and Apple. It can also be purchased through Nest's online store.

CNET Editor-in-Chief/Nest reviewer Lindsey Turrentine gave it an enthusiastic five-star review, as do 30 of the 50 customer reviews on Amazon. Price seems to be the main sticking point for the less positive reviews.

(Via The Verge)