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CNET
14 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
Amazon Deals of the Day: Grab Your Kid a Backpack and Fire 8 Kids Tab for $95 Off
Amazon sells a vast array of products, with new ones arriving daily across many categories, including home essentials, tech gear and furniture. As much as the retail giant loves adding new products, Amazon also loves cutting prices. But you don't have to wait for its Prime Day event to find great deals. Deciding what offers are worth grabbing (and which aren't) is a full-time job, our job, specifically. That's why we scope out the top deals for you. Today, we spotted a bundle offer for your kids, a Kids Fire Tab 8 and a matching backpack for just $70. For you, we found the L'Or Barista espresso machine for $100 off and the Shark AI robot vacuum with a grand 50% discount. If you're thinking about getting a tablet for your kids, the Amazon Fire Tab 8 is our favorite option. The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition includes parental controls, a bumper case made of rubber to protect the device, a two-year replacement warranty, because we know how kids are, and a six-months subscription to Amazon Kids Plus. This tab has a higher-resolution screen, faster performance and more storage compared to the previous gen. It usually runs for $140, but right now you can get the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet and a matching backpack to go along with it for just $70. That's an insane savings of 50% on just the tablet alone. But since Amazon is throwing in the backpack too, it bumps the savings up to $95, an unbeatable bargain. There's no better way to start your morning than with a fresh cup of coffee, or espresso if you're feeling fancy. And with the L'Or Barista System coffee and espresso machine combo by Philips, you don't have to spend money every morning at the cafe to get your caffeine fix. The L'Or Barista is a single-serve machine that uses high-pressure brewing to make both coffee and espresso. The system can brew six different sizes of hot or iced coffee and espresso. The machine heats up in just 25 seconds, so you're not waiting super long. Similar to Nespresso, L'Or has their own capsules that come in tons of different flavors, you're sure to find something you love -- just keep in mind that capsules are sold separately. The machine is normally $189, not too bad for a fancy espresso machine. But this 53% discount just dropped the price down to a record low of $89. If you're anything like me, you love to have people over to the house, especially in the summer. Although it's lots of fun, your floors face the consequences. Vacuuming all the time can become tiresome, unless you opt for a robot vacuum. A great option is the Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum. It has voice command, a 60-day capacity, object detection, lidar precision home mapping and even 360-degree sensors so it doesn't knock into items in your home. The HEPA filtration feature helps capture and trap 99.97% of dust and allergens, which helps keep your air clean, too. It works on both carpets or hard floors. A feature that I love is the "Matrix Clean Navigation," which enables the robot vacuum to make multiple passes in a grid to ensure the cleanest floors possible. You can even schedule cleanings from the app. It normally runs for an eye-opening $599 but you can grab it for half off now, bringing it down to a record low of $298. With so many deals on Amazon, deciding which ones are worth your money can be difficult. But CNET's combed through what the world's largest online retailer has to offer and gathered the best deals for you to peruse.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Shark AI uses fossil shark teeth to get middle school kids interested in paleontology and computer vision
Most kids have a natural curiosity about sharks − especially their sharp and abundant teeth. Our team had the idea to use the appeal of this charismatic apex predator to teach how scientists use artificial intelligence. We are researchers in AI literacy and STEM education who helped create a series of lessons that use fossil shark teeth to demonstrate the power and pitfalls of AI. The curriculum guides middle school students and teachers through building and evaluating computer vision models that can reliably classify fossil shark teeth. Computer vision is a type of artificial intelligence that uses algorithms and a lot of image data to classify and identify objects. It's the same technology that enables Google Lens to identify plant species in photographs or self-driving cars to recognize people, cars and bicycles. Our free Shark AI curriculum has five modules, which are aligned with national and state science education standards. These standards outline the key knowledge and skills students should learn at each grade level. The lessons are designed to cultivate students' interest in AI, data science, paleontology and the nature of science. The overall objective of Shark AI is to show that one does not have to be a computer scientist to use, teach or learn AI. We believe all teachers can and should be prepared to teach about AI in order to facilitate the technology's meaningful integration into K-12 education. AI is already transforming our lives at a dizzying pace. To help prepare kids to live and work in an AI world, it is important for them to learn about the technology in school. Most of the resources available to teach AI in K-12 classrooms focus on the technology itself. As a result, these lessons may be offered only in specialty classes such as computer science and engineering, which may not be offered to all students at all schools. Systematic integration of AI in education is relatively new, so many teacher preparation programs are just beginning to incorporate it. There's a need for professional learning opportunities for teachers already working in schools to learn about AI. Our research shows science teachers have a variety of preconceptions about AI. Additionally, many teachers are worried about teaching something they have little experience with. Nearly half of educators told EdWeek in a survey that 'they're uncomfortable with AI technology,' suggesting they are unlikely to add AI lessons to their already packed curriculum. To break down that unfamiliarity, the curriculum starts by introducing the various types of AI, such as natural language processing, automated speech recognition and computer vision. Students then get to work with fossil kits containing 15 real fossil shark teeth and one 3D-printed megalodon tooth. Megalodons were behemoth sharks that roamed the waters starting 20 million years ago and are now extinct. Students sort teeth in any way they want – such as by size, color or shape. Then, they learn how scientists typically classify fossils and practice sorting the teeth by species of shark and by what it eats. After this, students use Google Teachable Machine, a free, online tool that uses the powerful machine learning model trained on millions of images. That creates their own computer vision model to classify fossil shark teeth. The data they use can be pictures they take of the real teeth in their kits or pictures they upload from databases such as the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History paleobiology digital collection or iDigBio. The models occasionally misclassify teeth, which creates an opportunity for teachers to discuss bias and limitations of computer vision, such as why it is important to train AI on lots of high-quality and diverse images. The Shark AI curriculum concludes with students creating, showcasing and discussing their own computer vision models. Through these activities, students learn about AI concepts such as the strengths and weaknesses of AI compared with human intelligence along with paleontology concepts such as the fossil record or the information that can be learned about the history of life on Earth by studying fossils. Teachers have the flexibility to modify the activities, sequence and time they want to spend on the curriculum. This allows them to highlight the aspects that make most sense for their instructional needs and goals. To prepare teachers to use Shark AI, we host a weeklong professional learning session in which teachers learn how AI is used in science. They also practice doing the activities in the curriculum, and we leave plenty of time for discussion to demystify the technology. An important component of the training is to create a community for the teachers. They have opportunities to check in, brainstorm and troubleshoot together throughout the year. The Shark AI staff also checks in frequently with teachers individually to provide personalized support, usually troubleshooting questions about Google Teachable Machine. The teachers meet as a group once every few months to build community. With these supports, we have found that teachers can change their understanding and beliefs about AI, and feel comfortable and prepared to teach science with AI methods. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Christine Wusylko, University of Florida and Pavlo Antonenko, University of Florida Read more: AI can help − and hurt − student creativity What are AI hallucinations? Why AIs sometimes make things up ChatGPT could be an effective and affordable tutor Christine Wusylko works for the University of Florida and receives funding from the NSF. Pavlo Antonenko works for the University of Florida and receives funding from the NSF.
Chicago Tribune
19-02-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Best Shark robotic vacuums
The best time to vacuum is before you can see dirt on the floor. Unfortunately, most of us wait until the floor looks dirty before we consider cleaning it. With a Shark robotic vacuum, you can schedule regular cleanings and never neglect vacuuming again. The best Shark robotic vacuum depends on your cleaning preferences. We like the Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE because it is self-emptying, which allows you to go up to 30 days without even thinking about vacuuming. What to know before you buy a Shark robotic vacuum How a Shark robotic vacuum works A robotic vacuum may look different from an upright vacuum, but it cleans the same way. It uses brushes and rollers to agitate dirt so the unit can suck it up. Where it differs from other types of vacuums is in its automation. A robotic vacuum uses various sensors to detect walls, obstacles, cliff edges and more so it can navigate your home with less chance of needing assistance. A higher-end model uses data collected from its sensors to create a comprehensive map of your home to more efficiently accomplish its task. What to expect from your Shark robotic vacuum If you were driving along a familiar road and came to an impasse, you would have to take a moment to figure out a different route. For a robotic vacuum, an impasse could be a footstool just 12 inches away from where it's usually located. A robotic vacuum will save you a great deal of time and do a great job, but there will be days when it gets hung up. This doesn't mean you purchased a faulty model; it simply means that some conditions have changed since the last cleaning, and your vacuum may require a little assistance. Types of Shark robotic vacuums There are three types of available Shark robotic vacuums: Shark ION, Shark IQ and Shark AI. Shark ION: As the name suggests, a Shark ION vacuum bounces around somewhat randomly to complete its cleaning. This type of robotic vacuum is best for cleaning smaller areas. Shark IQ: A Shark IQ is more intelligent than the Shark ION and will map out a row-by-row path instead of bouncing around to get the job done more efficiently. Shark AI: The Shark AI is the smartest of the three offerings. This type of Shark robotic vacuum will map out a row-by-row cleaning path and detect and avoid any unexpected obstacles. What to look for in a quality Shark robotic vacuum Brushrolls in Shark robotic vacuums Shark robotic vacuums have two advanced brushroll technologies: powerfins and self-cleaning brushrolls. Powerfins: Powerfins are flexible silicone fins located on the brushroll that can dig deep into carpets and clean floors more thoroughly than bristles. Self-cleaning brushrolls: If you have pets, a self-cleaning brushroll is a perfect solution. It keeps your floor clean without becoming a hair wrap victim so that the vacuum can clean more efficiently. Dustbin capacity in Shark robotic vacuums The dustbin is what holds all the dirt and debris that a Shark robotic vacuum picks up. The larger the dustbin, the greater the likelihood your unit will complete cleaning your entire home before needing to be emptied. At the top end of Shark's robotic vacuum price scale, the company has models that can return to their charging base and self empty. With these models, the homeowner only has to empty the base roughly once per month. Mopping capabilities in Shark robotic vacuums If you need to vacuum and mop, Shark makes a robotic vacuum that does both. It is called the Shark AI VACMOP. How much you can expect to spend on a Shark robotic vacuum The price for a Shark robotic vacuum ranges from $250-$600. Lower-end models are more basic. As the price increases, so do desirable features, such as object detection and avoidance and self-emptying. Shark robotic vacuum FAQ How long will it take for my Shark robotic vacuum to learn the layout of my home? A. It can take several cleaning missions before your Shark robotic vacuum learns the layout of your home. Remember that moving your furniture or even leaving your shoes in a different spot each day might cause your vacuum to continually change its cleaning route. When is the best time to schedule a cleaning? A. While many people think nighttime is the best time to schedule a cleaning, the vacuum's noise may cause a lack of sleep. While robotic vacuums have highly advanced sensors, there are some situations where darkness might be misinterpreted by the unit, causing it to get stuck. Choose a time with natural light, perhaps when you are out of the house. What's the best Shark robotic vacuum to buy? Top Shark robotic vacuum Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE What you need to know: This is one of the most intelligent robotic vacuums Shark has to offer. What you'll love: The self-emptying feature means you won't have to think about vacuuming for up to 30 days at a time. It has powerful suction, a self-cleaning brushroll and can be controlled by the SharkClean app. What you should consider: The higher suction power on this model also means a louder operating volume. Top Shark robotic vacuum for the money Shark ION Robot RV720 What you need to know: This solid midrange model offers an hour of cleaning time per charge. What you'll love: There are intelligent sensors in this vacuum that help it to avoid obstacles. Use the remote to set a recurring cleaning schedule. It features dual side brushes for those tricky spots. What you should consider: The setup of this model is somewhat tricky, and only refurbished versions of this model are available. Worth checking out Shark ION Robot Vacuum RV761 What you need to know: If you are looking for a lower-priced Shark robotic vacuum, this model could be a better fit for your budget. What you'll love: This affordable robotic vacuum features a tri-brush cleaning system that employs side brushes, channel brushes and a multi-surface brushroll. It features an extra-large dustbin that can pickup debris for up to 90 minutes. What you should consider: This model is not as adept at avoiding obstacles as the other vacuums on our short list. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
