CBS Texas unveils new augmented/virtual reality immersive studio
CBS Texas is proud to announce the launch of its state-of-the-art Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) broadcast studio, making it the only station in the region to offer this groundbreaking technology. We recognize the importance of staying current with the latest technology and advancements to enhance the storytelling experience.
The new AR/VR set launched June 23, introducing an exciting way to deliver weather and news, immersing audiences in the story instead of just viewing it.
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With the ever-changing and often unpredictable weather across North Texas, meteorologists will be able to use the entire studio as a blank canvas to create realistic 3D weather elements such as clouds, wind streamlines and storm systems.
CBS Texas is committed to providing audiences with quality newscasts that contain valuable information, and the AR/VR studio will help continue that mission.
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CBS Bay Area created the proprietary blueprint of the cutting-edge AR/VR technology that's now being implemented across CBS Stations, in CBS News national broadcasts, and streaming on CBS News 24/7.
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CNET
26 minutes ago
- CNET
Should You Buy an Induction or Electric Stove? Here's How to Make the Right Choice
Even if you enjoy cooking, waiting for a pot of water to boil is probably one of the things you'd rather not have to deal with. And yes, the more you watch it, the slower it boils -- that's just science. But did you know that some ways of heating a pot are quicker than others? They can be better for other reasons, too. Using an electric stove can take longer than you'd like, making a gas range the preferred choice -- not to mention they usually heat your pots and pans more evenly, too. And with summer very much here, you've better things to do than stand and wait for water to boil. So gas is the way to go, right? Well, it's complicated. As quick as they are, gas ranges have their own problems, including the potential health hazards that come with setting a fossil fuel alight just so you can make some noodles. Thankfully, for those looking to go electric with their cooking, there are choices. Induction stoves are a popular option nowadays, and they don't have many of the problems that you get with traditional electric ranges. They also heat more quickly and evenly while being more energy-efficient. The trick is magnets. Here's a look at how induction cooktops compare to electric ranges. The mechanics of induction and electric heat Electric and induction cooktops produce the same outcome -- dinner -- but the way they actually get there is quite different. The burners on electric cooktops heat up and transfer that energy to your pots and pans through what's called conduction. The burners consist of metal coils, which may be exposed or covered by a cooktop made of glass or ceramic, that are heated with an electric current. The LG Signature Smart InstaView microwave mounts above the company's induction stove, and a camera mounted on the bottom of the microwave allows you to watch your food cook on the range from across the room. James Martin/CNET That heat then transfers either directly to the cookware, in the case of exposed coils, or into the conductive surface and then onto your pots and pans. Induction cooktops, meanwhile, use magnetic elements to energize your metal pots and pans, heating up the cookware itself instead of heating up the surface it sits on. This means the whole pan is being heated up evenly and less energy is wasted in heating up the air around the stove or the surrounding surface. Read more: The Cooktop Burner That Saved Us During a Kitchen Remodel The pros and cons of an induction cooktop Induction cooking is faster and safer, but that doesn't mean it's the easiest switch. There are some key differences to know. Induction cooktop pros Cooking on an induction cooktop has plenty of benefits. Primary among them is the fact that they require far less energy to heat. Because they transfer heat directly to cookware, considerably less energy is lost through the cooking process. By some estimates, induction cooktops are capable of delivering as much as 90% of the electromagnetic energy generated to the food in the pan, compared to as little as 38% of the energy generated in gas ranges. Another benefit of induction cooktops is the speedy cooking times. Induction surfaces can boil water in about half the time it takes for gas to do so, for instance. At CES 2025, we saw the Copper Charlie induction stove bring water to a boil in about 30 seconds. That induction stove and oven is expensive -- about $6,000 -- but it also comes with a 5 kilowatt-hour battery, allowing it to run during a power outage. Because of how induction cooktops transfer heat, the surface itself does not actually get as hot, except for the residual heat of having a hot pan on it. That means it's much safer if you touch it by accident. Spill food? You won't have to scrape it off after you're done, because it won't cook onto the stovetop. That's safer, and it makes cleanup a breeze. Another advantage is that induction cooktops generally aren't heating anything up unless there's a metal pan on top of an element, so you can worry less about the myriad hazards of leaving the stove on. Induction cooktop cons The main downside of an induction range is the cost. If you're on a budget, it may be difficult to find an induction cooktop that's the size you want and meets your preferred price. Copper's stove is particularly pricey at $6,000, but induction range and ovens from other brands typically start around $1,000 and go up from there. There are also some hidden costs: Most induction stoves require a 240-volt outlet to run. If you already have an electric stove, you may already have one of those in your kitchen. If you're switching from gas, you might need to call an electrician to get the right outlet installed -- and you need to have the space for it in your electrical panel. Those costs add up. (The Copper stove we saw at CES can plug into a standard 120-volt outlet because of its battery, but it also costs $6,000 to begin with.) On top of the product and installation costs, you may need to buy new pots and pans. Induction stoves only work with cookware made of ferromagnetic material. Specifically, that means stainless steel, cast iron and carbon steel. Pots and pans made from aluminum and copper aren't compatible. Adding to the confusion, some cookware uses a combination of materials in its construction, so its induction status isn't always obvious. To know for sure, give your pan the magnet test. If the magnet sticks, you're good to go. If not, then you may have to swap it for another one. Worse, you might have to change out all your existing cookware before your kitchen will be ready for induction. When you buy cookware, look on the label for information saying it's "induction ready" or something like it. Of course, if you're just wanting to take induction cooking for a spin, you can save on a lot of cost by picking up a portable induction burner, like a magnetic hot plate, for around $100 or less. Read more: The Best Way to Clean Your Cast-Iron Skillet is With This Kitchen Staple The Copper Charlie induction stove comes with a 5kWh battery, so it can plug into a standard outlet and keep running during a power outage. Jon Reed/CNET The pros and cons of electric cooktops Resistive electric cooktops -- the ones you're probably used to -- are far more common than induction for a reason, but there are some major hangups. Electric cooktop pros Electric cooktops aren't quite as hip as induction cooktops, but that's okay. They've been around for a while, and they're still quite popular for good reason: They get the job done. Simplicity and reliability are among the primary selling points of an electric cooktop, and installation should be easy and straightforward, too. Don't concern yourself with special equipment or particularly steep price tags. Electric cooktops are common and functional, so there's no learning curve. Another benefit of the electric cooktop is the ability to make use of residual heat. You may notice that the stovetop stays warm even after you turn it off. You can use this to help keep food warm or use those final minutes of excess heat to finish off the cooking process before serving your finished dish. Electric cooktop cons Electric ranges are not without their downsides. Residual heat can lead to unfortunate situations if you happen to place your hand on the surface or spill something on it while it's still warm. They can also take longer to heat up, and the coils can sometimes provide uneven heat or waste lots of energy if you're using a pan that's smaller than the surface being heated. There are still plenty of things to consider when deciding on the perfect cooktop for you, including your budget, the size of your kitchen, and how much you plan on actually using it. You might want to experience these cooktops for yourself before you decide, if possible. See how each one works and if you might like to cook on it. There are plenty of great cooktops that use both electric and induction heating mechanisms, so if you do some searching, you're likely to find one that fits your needs. A thoughtful approach will also help you produce great meals every time you use them. Though remember: A stove only provides the heat. You have to do the rest.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Analysis-Why Tesla's robotaxi launch was the easy part
By Rachael Levy, Norihiko Shirouzu and Abhirup Roy (Reuters) -Tesla finally has a robotaxi. Now comes the hard part. The electric-vehicle maker deployed its first-ever driverless cabs in Austin, Texas, on Sunday in a small-scale test of carefully monitored Model Y vehicles. Next, the company faces the steep challenge of executing on CEO Elon Musk's ambition to refine the software and upload it to millions of Teslas within a year or so. Such a rapid expansion will prove extremely difficult, about a dozen industry analysts and autonomous-vehicle technology experts told Reuters. These observers expressed a range of views about Tesla's prospects but all cautioned against assuming a light-speed robotaxi rollout. Some pointed to advantages Tesla might exploit to overtake rivals including Alphabet's Waymo and a host of Chinese auto and tech companies. Tesla has mass-manufacturing capacity, and it pioneered remote software updates it can use for self-driving upgrades. 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Before the Austin test, Musk posted on his social-media platform, X, that the robotaxis' technology would differ little from any Tesla, aside from a software update: 'These are unmodified Tesla cars coming straight from the factory, meaning that every Tesla,' he wrote, 'is capable of unsupervised self-driving!' The automaker invited Tesla-friendly influencers to take its first robotaxi rides, and they generally cheered the experience. One social-media video posted by a robotaxi passenger, however, showed the vehicle proceeding through a four-lane intersection with a traffic light – and into the wrong lane, for about six seconds. No oncoming traffic was in the lane at the time. 'Obviously we're on the wrong side of the double-yellow line here,' said the passenger, Rob Maurer, in a video narration of the experience he posted on X, noting that he felt safe but that the car behind him honked at the 'confusing maneuver." Maurer did not respond to requests for comment. 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Forbes
33 minutes ago
- Forbes
Millions More Windows Users Get Microsoft's Free Upgrade Offer
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