Latest news with #DrSeuss
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Netflix hit dominates charts with 10.7 million views in 3 days
Struggling to find something to watch for your next movie night? Look no further - here are the films dominating Netflix's charts this week. From documentaries to horror films, this week has it all. Fear Street: Prom Queen Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Nonnas Untold: The Fall of Favre Instant Family Havoc A Deadly American Marriage Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds With 3.8 million views this week, Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds secures the ninth spot on Netflix's global charts. Released on May 23, this documentary gives an inside look at the U.S. Air Force's Thunderbirds flight squadron. If you're looking for a new documentary, this could be an excellent pick. The Wild Robot
The Star
6 days ago
- Science
- The Star
Leaf it to tech: Are AI-powered apps giving plants a voice?
The idea of conversing with greenery has long captured the human imagination, from the giant talking trees popularised in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings to the whimsically poetic The Lorax from Dr Seuss. And with advances in technology, the possibility of that happening in real life might not be so far off. The artificial intelligence (AI) boom that kicked off near the end of 2022 gave rise to countless mobile apps purporting to act as gardening assistants capable of identifying the exact species of plants from just a photo and 'speaking' on their behalf. While not quite at the level of 'I speak for the trees' à la the fictional Lorax character, such apps can be quite handy in a pinch for novices who can't tell grass from unwanted weeds, with many having been installed millions of times with largely positive ratings on app stores. According to Prof Vinesh Thiruchelvam, chief innovation and enterprise officer at Asia Pacific University (APU), these apps typically use AI-based Computer Vision and Image Processing to identify plant types. Prof Vinesh points out that these apps struggle in recognising less common species, citing only a 60% accuracy when it comes to unique lettuce varieties, while at the same time also losing out on local context. — VINESH THIRUCHELVAM 'The AI imagery database is trained, and a Convolutional Neural Network is utilised for analysing images. It works by breaking the image into small pieces and looking for patterns. 'These patterns help it recognise things in the image, like edges or shapes of different plants,' he says, adding that apps then use this information to provide real-time basic care advice. Growing a green thumb From Dr Nallammai Singaram's perspective, such apps make it much easier for those just starting with their home garden. A senior lecturer at the School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences at Taylor's University, she finds that 'these apps have made plant care less intimidating'. 'If I were putting a plant in my house for the first time, I wouldn't know what sort of soil to use, how to pot my plant, or how to make a potting mix. 'I might not know these things, but these apps would give you that kind of guide,' Nallammai says, adding that in the case of a rose plant, for example, an app may suggest the ideal soil mix ratio and recommend planting it about six inches below the surface. Prof Alan Dorin from the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash University shares similar thoughts, noting these apps put a wealth of information at the fingertips of those first getting started, making gardening more accessible and removing the need for extensive prior knowledge. 'For interested and engaged people, this knowledge was previously accessible via traditional means – talking to friends and neighbours, the staff at the local plant nursery, or reading gardening books, magazines, watching TV or listening to gardening radio programmes. 'The immediacy of access to information related to a specific plant is what makes these apps a stand-out method for increasing engagement with gardens,' he says. Prof Dorin notes that these apps put a wealth of information at the fingertips of those first getting started, making gardening more accessible and removing the need for extensive prior knowledge. — ALAN DORIN Nallammai says this kind of guidance can boost beginners' confidence, help avoid common mistakes, and turn gardening into a more enjoyable and therapeutic experience. 'If you truly enjoy gardening, you naturally become curious and eager to learn more about your 'green babies', exploring every way to help your plants thrive. 'This curiosity, supported by apps and digital tools, can positively influence gardening habits,' she says. Back to earth However, Nallammai also stresses that while they are a good starting point, it is 'important to remember that apps alone cannot make you an expert; real learning also requires hands-on experience and personal observation'. 'For some, the apps spark long-term interest and lasting gardening habits and bring joy. For others, they are novelty tools that provide convenience at the beginning but don't replace the need to develop real gardening knowledge,' she says. Prof Vinesh agrees, saying that 'apps are a wonderful digital support tool. But at times, it does not consider local conditions like real-time weather, soil, or heat'. 'That's why they can't replace real hands-on gardening experience, especially for serious gardeners or farmers who have to deal with the volatile climate change issues or the growing new patterns of pest attacks.' Nallammai believes the takeaway shouldn't be to entirely avoid using these apps, but rather to not rely solely upon them. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star Apps still do have a place, from Nallammai's experience, having observed her students using these kinds of apps to quickly identify plant species and receive recommendations for improving the growth of the test plants they are working with in class. She says apps like PictureThis , PlantNet , and Seek By iNaturalist are reliable for plant identification, while Planta is helpful for watering schedules, and care reminders. Plantora , on the other hand, not only detects nutrient deficiencies and signs of plant disease but also provides possible solutions to address them. It is worth noting though that most of these apps require a paid subscription to unlock their full functionality. Meanwhile, Prof Dorin says he 'was recently working with a group of primary school children who had started using apps to identify plants in their school yard'. 'Their goal was to learn whether the plants provided good resources for native bees. Their excitement and interest were infectious, heart-warming to see. 'Likewise, I know some retirees who are using these AI tools on their daily walks in local parks and gardens to identify plants and flowers they encounter. The apps provide a virtual 'guide' that is easy to appreciate,' he says. Barking up the wrong tree However, like other AI tools, these apps aren't always entirely accurate, so it's important to be cautious when receiving suggestions. Prof Vinesh points out that these apps struggle in recognising less common species, citing only a 60% accuracy when it comes to unique lettuce varieties, while at the same time also losing out on local context. From Nallammai's testing, this appears to be true. She highlights that the datasets used to train these AI apps may come from different parts of the world, which means they may not be entirely relevant or accurate for local plant species and conditions. 'I tested a yellow-green philodendron with multiple apps: PictureThis identified it as a lemon lime philodendron, another app called it a giant philodendron, while in PlantIn , they already had an existing lemon lime philodendron with different features. 'Different apps have different capabilities. Some of the rarer species may not be included in their databases, so the app might not be able to detect them. That's one of the limitations,' she says. These differences may seem minor, but Nallammai says they can indicate what specific kind of care a plant needs. The artificial intelligence (AI) boom that kicked off near the end of 2022 gave rise to countless mobile apps purporting to act as gardening assistants capable of identifying the exact species of plants from just a photo and 'speaking' on their behalf. — Image by freepik 'The darker green ones can capture better sun and may need more sunlight, the lighter ones would prefer to be a little bit on the shadier side. 'The amount of water you put might differ. The thickness of the plant, leaf thickness will also change; therefore, if it is exposed to too much sun, it will get burnt, so maybe less sun. 'They're from the same species but different variations, which could be a random mutation, or from people intentionally breeding them,' she says. Nallammai believes the takeaway shouldn't be to entirely avoid using these apps, but rather to not rely solely upon them. She encourages budding gardeners to start reading up and building their knowledge while engaging with the gardening community, especially more experienced gardeners who can offer advice from their experience. Prof Dorin similarly says: 'If there's a shortcoming, it probably lies in people's over-reliance and over-confidence in the technology. 'The ability of an AI tool to make an informed recommendation will always be limited by the amount and quality of data it receives in training, and the data it is given when asked to analyse a specific situation. 'For example, it would be tricky for AI software to give reliable and specific care information regarding a plant it hasn't been exposed to before. 'But the AI may nevertheless mislead a human by confidently offering advice based on poor evidence,' he adds. Speaking for the trees While no one should expect their sunflowers to suddenly start calling them by name or demanding more water and sunlight, the way Nallammai sees it, plants are 'talking' in their own way, though, in a language that humans don't quite understand. This is the gap that projects like the Avanade Intelligent Garden in the United Kingdom aim to bridge, allowing people to learn about the individual needs of each tree through one-on-one interactions powered by smart sensors and AI technology. From smart sensors to AI apps, technology is giving green thumbs deeper insight into what their plants need to thrive. — Image by freepik According to Nallammai, similar sensors have been deployed at Taylor's Urban Farm to monitor soil electrical conductivity and pH levels (acidity and alkalinity), helping ensure that the hydroponic system delivers the right amount of water and nutrients for healthy plant growth. A hydroponic system is a method of growing plants without soil that delivers water, oxygen, and nutrients directly to the plants. She says such systems are available at significantly smaller scales for home gardening use for as low as RM50 for a system with basic monitoring capabilities via an app, and can rise to the RM500 range for more sophisticated options with more sensors and more detailed monitoring. For casual gardeners just starting out, simple apps paired with an online kit can provide basic monitoring and easy-to-follow guidance. An app that sends reminders for watering or fertilising would also be helpful for beginners in caring for their plants without overwhelming them. Meanwhile, those looking for a challenge and wanting to explore might want more comprehensive sensor and irrigation systems to cultivate rarer species or achieve greater yields and productivity. 'The moment the plant is stressed, it's telling you what it needs in its own language,' Nammallai says. 'A very simple example: when you go home today and see that your plant is wilted. You know your plant is crying out for water. 'So if I have an app that can sense the turgidity of the leaves, it can capture that information and tell you the leaves aren't turgid, meaning they're lacking moisture. That's the plant indirectly telling you it needs water,' she says. Nammallai adds that this is already happening today with the wide array of sensors that can detect compounds in the plants, growth regulators, proteins, light, and other elements. If the right sensors are in place, each one can provide a piece of the overall picture. Nallammai explains that by combining sensor data with visual observations and other morphological indicators, it becomes possible to link them together and begin forming a kind of language that translates plant signals into meaningful insights for growers. 'Using these chemicals in the plant, we can decipher what it is 'saying'. 'The plant might just turn around and tell you, 'you know what, I'm ready, I'm heading towards maturity, I'm going to bear fruits, just hang in there',' she says.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ANZ's subtle branch change infuriates customers: 'Siding with Boomers on this one'
ANZ has sparked fury amongst hundreds of Australians after it erected a new sign outside one of its branches. Instead of showing the branch's opening and closing hours, passersby have to scan a QR code to find the information. A poll of more than 2,400 Yahoo Finance readers showed the majority (54 per cent) don't like using QR codes because they don't trust them. Chris Grice, National Seniors Australia CEO, told Yahoo Finance this type of tech can alienate older Aussies and others who might not be able to or know how QR codes work. "You wonder whether someone has actually thought it through in terms of, 'Is this really good customer service?'" he said. Major cashless warning over new scam conning Aussies out of thousands of dollars ATO's $24,097 tax blow for every Aussie worker Commonwealth Bank makes huge RBA interest rate cut call: 'Done deal' He likened it to a Dr Seuss puzzle because the QR code doesn't actually provide information about that specific branch's opening hours. Instead, it takes you to ANZ's 'Find Us' page, which you then have to search for the branch you're standing in front of, which will then give you the numbers you're looking for. Many Aussies were fuming that essential information like operating hours would be buried within a code rather than just printed for all to see."I'm siding with Boomers on this one, what the f**k?" said one concerned Aussie. "The people who need to know the most are probably the same people who are not tech savvy enough to know what QR codes are," added another. A third wrote: "Even for tech-savvy people, this is infuriating. The QR code doesn't take you straight to a page that shows you the opening hours... It's absolutely user hostile." Another commented: "This is completely moronic. Why complicate something simple? Why should anyone go through multiple steps to find out info that SHOULD BE THERE???" Many people pointed out that the branches could have just printed out their opening hours and no one would get upset. However, an ANZ spokesperson told Yahoo Finance that there is a method to the madness. "ANZ introduced QR codes so customers can access the most up to date information about our trading hours," they said. "From time to time we may change our branch opening hours, as we wish to ensure our staff can be available when they're needed most – helping customers achieve their financial goals, whether it's owning a home, growing a business, or managing their everyday banking needs." The spokesperson added that the bank understands the "importance of accessibility" and insisted branch staff are available to talk about opening hours if a customer asks. Grice said older Aussies aren't the most tech-savvy compared to other generations and they might not have a phone that can operate QR codes. But he also said some seniors are worried about where these codes will take them and if they're a scam. He's concerned about this slow transition away from just giving you information upfront. "It's certainly happening where there's this push to make everything digital, and the human touch being removed from the process of banking and transactions," he told Yahoo Finance. But he said it's not just in the banking world. "During COVID, where we were forced to use them, there was a legitimate reason for their use," he said. "But we've seen a deterioration in service in the community because of QR codes. "When you want to go down to the local cafe, there's no table service anymore, is there? "You've got to scan a QR code to be able to order something. And you're paying for the privilege of basically ordering or serving yourself."
Miami Herald
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Quirky house for sale has features that are... off. ‘I'm genuinely perplexed'
'In a sea of sameness, it takes real courage to break the mold,' the listing of a house for sale in Cambridge, Massachusetts, starts with — and while that's correct, there may be a tad too much courage going on with its architecture. 'That's this Riverside home in a nutshell—bold, and unapologetically different—and it's a creative blank canvas, freshly painted and ready for your style to shine!' the listing on Zillow continues. While the exterior of the two-bedroom, two-bathroom, 1,366-square-foot home might be … a choice (looking at you, crooked windows) … the inside is a chic, alabaster dream (with, what seems to be, a floating end table?) throughout. It's listed for $1.195 million. 'Inside, you'll discover five spacious rooms spread across three levels. On the first floor, you'll find a generous bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, along with a spacious living room featuring French doors that open to the patio,' the listing says. 'The second floor boasts vaulted ceilings, an open-concept living/dining/kitchen area, and a large bedroom with a charming south-facing balcony. The third floor offers endless possibilities!' The home was featured on Zillow Gone Wild, a Facebook page that highlights unique house listings all over the country, and people were … well … impressed? 'This home proves that you can just do things,' the page's creator said. 'I always wanted windows that you can't cover in any way. So great,' another joked. 'It's both too much and not enough,' someone said. 'Like if they were going quirky then they needed to really commit to it.' 'Me in tech class learning how to use google sketch up,' one person commented. 'What in the Dr Seuss architectural shenanigans is going on here?' another asked. 'I'm genuinely perplexed,' someone expressed. 'Love some of this, and not others. But I really enjoy the creativity,' one person noted.
