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Mint
09-07-2025
- Mint
I pitted an AI robot massage against the real thing
The spa attendant ticked off a few instructions ahead of my 11:15 a.m. massage. Change into this wetsuit-like outfit. Pull your hair back. Hit the start button whenever you're ready. 'It'll do a couple onboarding things,'' she said, 'and then you're good to go.'' Onboarding? Was this a new-hire orientation or a hotel-spa appointment? I had signed up for a new robot massage at the W Scottsdale. The 241-room hotel in the city's downtown entertainment district recently added Aescape, an AI-powered machine touted as the next generation of massage. Robots aren't new to hotels. You've probably seen them cleaning, delivering room service or gliding through the lobby. Now they're coming for the spa. Aescape (the A is silent) has massage tables at a handful of hotels, including the Four Seasons Resort Orlando in Florida and the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara, Calif. They are also popping up in other cities at fitness centers and day spas. There are no deepfake concerns with AI massages. You can see the massage table and the giant white arms with fat paws ready to pound your back. The question for spa guests: How does the robot compare to a professional spa massage therapist and is the value there? That's where your trusty travel columnist comes in. I tried both at the same W Hotel Away spa, 24 hours apart. The Aescape massage, 60 minutes, was $120. My 50-minute de-stress massage was $190, $228 with service charge. Both did the trick in their own ways. But let's just say Erik, my real massage therapist, doesn't have to worry about job security. Maybe you've plopped into one of those Sharper Image massage recliners or high-tech massage chairs at an airport lounge or mall. Get those images out of your head. The Aescape robot massage at the W was set up like a traditional spa appointment. There was a treatment room, table and background music. Except there's no massage therapist and you disrobe not to your undies but the tight-fitting loungewear Aescape provides. The company says it's designed to limit things getting bunched up during the automated massage. It also helps the robot read your body during body scans. (Mine told me my left foot was out of position at one point.) Customers start the massage face down on a wide massage table, peering through the traditional face pillow to an iPad-like screen below. 'Welcome, Dawn," mine said, and noted I was there for the 60-minute total back, glutes and hamstring massage. The device is the massage control center. It's where you adjust the pressure, pick the music, move on from a particular body part and heart any robot move you particularly like. I found this all pretty distracting. But that's probably because it was my first time and I was taking mental and voice notes for this column. (The company says there's a way to set it and forget it and simply enjoy the massage. It's called immerse mode.) I'll admit to taking a few deep breaths during the first minutes the robot was pressing deep into my back. Yes, I was thinking about the online comments from naysayers who feared getting crushed. The worries went away after I reduced the pressure level. The robot can't reach two areas that are most enjoyable for me, the head and neck. And, in this particular case, I had a wicked stiff neck that needed attention. So I was more than done with the back section 30 minutes in when the robot turned to my sore glutes and hamstrings. (You don't turn over on these massages, either; the entire time is spent face down.) The glutes-and-hamstring section was the best part of the massage. A bonus: I rocked out to AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck" as the robot worked out the kinks. You don't find that soundtrack diversity during traditional spa massages. I even turned up the pressure past the halfway mark. When it was done, I wouldn't say I was in that dreamy, postmassage haze—but I was more relaxed. Another plus: My hair wasn't a greasy mess and I didn't have to shower off any oils or lotions. I didn't even have to check out because it was prepaid through Aescape. Given the areas it doesn't reach, though, 60 minutes was too long for me, even on the company dime. And I don't think the value proposition is there, either. (Two young guests checking out spa treatments that same day asked if the robot massage was free!) An Aescape spokeswoman says the price includes extras like access to the hotel's popular pool. David Cronin, general manager of the W Scottsdale, said a comparison between traditional massages and a robot massage misses the point. The robot massage isn't designed to replace humans, he says. They are for people who maybe don't want the personal touch of a massage therapist or just need a 30-minute recovery after a hard workout. The shorter massages have been popular, he says, with guests and locals. He's a cyclist and says that's the sweet spot. For an extra 70 bucks plus tip, I'll take all the extras that came with my traditional massage. That one started with robe, slippers and a hand-delivered elixir made with three juices, spearmint tea and prickly pear syrup while I waited for my appointment. The biggest extra, of course: Erik. The hulking message therapist has worked at the W for three years. He won me over as soon as the clock started in treatment-room six. His hands and elbows dug into everything that hurt ('It's going to feel worse before it feels better,'' he warned early on) and the head and foot massages were the treats they always are. I was just a few doors down from the robot's home at the hotel, but miles away, mentally and physically. When time was up, Erik was waiting outside my door with a glass of cold water. The robot only asked me to rate the massage (4 out of 5) and simply told me to remove my belongings from the table to make way for the next guest. Write to Dawn Gilbertson at
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
iPhone 17 Air likely to debut alongside iPad-like smart hub later this year
While the iPhone 17 series, including the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, is expected to dominate headlines later this year, Apple is also preparing to launch a new smart home device aimed at challenging Amazon and Google's dominance in the space. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a smart home hub, codenamed J490, featuring a 7-inch display with a square iPad-like design. The device will include a front-facing camera, internal speakers, and potentially a built-in battery, allowing for flexible placement around the home. The smart hub will reportedly support Apple Intelligence, the company's AI system designed to power next-generation contextual interactions across devices. It will allow users to control smart home devices, make video calls, and access personal assistant features using both touch and voice commands. The device is expected to function similarly to Amazon's Echo Show or Google's Nest Hub, but with deeper integration into Apple's ecosystem. This includes compatibility with watchOS-style widgets and the iPhone's Standby mode. A new operating system, potentially named homeOS, may be introduced to power the user interface. The J490 hub is Apple's first serious entry into the smart home display market after years of limited success with HomePod and Apple TV as control points. The move aligns with Apple's broader strategy to expand into Matter-supported smart home automation, enhancing compatibility with third-party accessories. Gurman notes that Apple is also developing a more advanced smart home product, codenamed J595, which includes a robotic arm that can reposition the display to follow users around a room. However, that device isn't expected for another one to two years. With AI capabilities becoming increasingly central to smart home platforms, Apple is betting that integrated intelligence and a privacy-first approach will appeal to users wary of always-on microphones and third-party data sharing. The J490 hub, expected to debut later this year, marks a renewed push by Apple to become a meaningful player in home automation and AI-driven assistance. The product could be formally introduced at a fall event alongside the iPhone 17 line-up. Pricing and availability details are yet to be confirmed.
Engadget
09-05-2025
- Engadget
Surface Pro 12-inch review: A downgrade, but it sure is cute
The 12-inch Surface Pro is the most iPad-like hybrid tablet Microsoft has made yet, but to get there the company had to make plenty of compromises. Clocking in at 1.5 pounds, it weighs almost the same as the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and its 7.8mm thickness also makes it the thinnest Surface ever. But it's also running a slower processor than last year's 13-inch Surface Pro, and is stuck with a far worse screen. Its keyboard, which is once again sold separately for $149, also doesn't angle up for ergonomic typing. So was that all worth it for a more compact $800 Surface Pro? It depends on what you're looking for. If you've been hankering for an incredibly light Windows tablet that can occasionally transform into an adorable 12-inch laptop, the Surface Pro is a success. Just don't expect too much from it. Much like the ASUS ZenBook A14, its weight and thinness is notable, yet it's also chock full of compromises. The Surface Pro is light, thin and can handle basic work just fine. It's also as cute as a button, so you probably won't mind that it has sub-par performance and a lesser screen than the 13-inch model. $800 at Microsoft The Surface Pro 12-inch is basically a shrunken version of the 13-inch model: It's a half-pound lighter and 1.5mm thinner. Hence, the iPad comparison. In your hands it feels a lot more like a genuine tablet, whereas previous Surface devices have always felt a bit clunky, as if they were laptops shoved into a slate-like case (which, admittedly, they were). Devindra Hardawar for Engadget Qualcomm's eight-core Snapdragon X Plus is the major driving force behind this redesign. As a low-power Arm chip, it allowed Microsoft to build a more compact tablet, rather than sticking with its older cases which had to support hotter Intel chips. Even last year's 13-inch Surface Pro, which was also powered by Qualcomm hardware (the 10-core Snapdragon X Plus and 12-core X Elite), wasn't a huge departure from earlier Intel models. Similar to the MacBook Air, the Surface Pro 12-inch is also fan-less, which could be an issue if you're working in warm environments. Sure, it also means the device is completely silent, but honestly I haven't had many issues with fan noise in other modern ultraportables. It mainly becomes a problem in gaming systems and high-end workstations, but those devices also run hot, so fan noise is inescapable. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget Since the goal was to make the 12-inch Surface Pro smaller and cheaper, Microsoft also downgraded its screen a bit. There's no OLED option like there is with the 13-inch Surface Pro, and its LCD maxes out at a 90Hz refresh rate, instead of 120Hz. The resolution is also scaled down to 2,196 by 1,464 (3.2 million pixels, 220 pixels per inch), which is a far cry from the 2,880 by 1,920 (5.5 million pixels, 267ppi) screen on the larger model. While the smaller Surface Pro's screen is nowhere near as sharp as the 264 ppi Retina Display on the iPad Pro and iPad Air, it doesn't look like a cheap LCD either. Colors pop, and it's still decently bright in the sun. But it's not ideal if you're doing serious photo or video editing, both for its size and its merely adequate resolution. Another surprising step down? This Surface Pro doesn't have a magnetic Surface Connect charging port. Instead, you'll have to charge it over one of its two USB-C ports. Oh, and speaking of charging, Microsoft only includes a USB-C cable in the box — you'll have to supply your own AC adapter. You could pick up the over-priced 45W Surface USB-C charger for $70, but I'd recommend looking at one of the many cheaper and more powerful offerings in our fast charging guide instead. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget Last, but not least, Microsoft also designed a new 12-inch Surface Pro keyboard. Even though it should just be bundled with the Surface Pro (who the hell is going to buy it without a keyboard?!), Microsoft once again says it's offering consumers a "choice" by making you pay an extra $150 for this accessory. Obviously, the company wants to market an $800 Surface Pro, which would be impossible if the keyboard were actually bundled. But it's still a deceptive practice by Microsoft, one that's inherently anti-consumer and ultimately continues to hurt hurt the credibility of the Surface lineup. It would be another story if other companies were building their own keyboards that could magnetically latch onto the Surface — Microsoft wouldn't comment when I asked if that was a possibility. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget The 12-inch Surface Pro didn't surprise me with the zippiness I saw in the Snapdragon X Ultra-powered 13-inch model. And it certainly didn't blow my mind like the Apple M1-powered MacBook Pro. Instead, the smaller Surface is simply... fine. It handled my typical workflow — juggling a few dozen browser tabs, Evernote, Spotify and light image editing — without much issue. But I could tell from its benchmarking performance that I couldn't really stress it much. Honestly, though, slow performance has always plagued 12-inch laptops, like Apple's last MacBook. You're not buying a tiny laptop for speed, you're buying it because it's cute and super portable. And in that respect, the 12-inch Surface Pro succeeds. Together with the 0.3 pound Surface Keyboard, the entire Surface Pro package weighs around 1.8 pounds. That's still around 0.2 pounds less than the 13-inch Surface Pro on its own, without a keyboard! Needless to say, it was easy to throw the 12-inch Surface Pro into my messenger bag to get work done around town. After a while, I completely forgot I was carrying it. And while I didn't expect much from the new Surface Keyboard, I found it to be pleasant and responsive to type on. I was worried that the keys would feel more cramped than the 13-inch model, but my fingers couldn't tell much of a difference. I definitely miss having a larger trackpad, but the 12-inch keyboard is still smooth and accurate. If you want a bit of stylus action, you can also snag the $130 Surface Slim Pen, which magnetically mounts to the top of the tablet. I've personally fallen out of love with tablet styluses in general, but the Surface Pen worked fine for doodling and hand-writing notes on the 12-inch Surface Pro. As a standalone tablet, the Surface Pro is once again adequate, but it's held back by Windows' small touch targets and general inaccessibility to slates. It's not a tablet that I'll casually browse like an iPad, instead I typically use the Surface Pro in laptop form and then yank off the keyboard to read longer articles. PCMark 10 Geekbench 6 CPU 3DMark Wildlife Extreme Cinebench 2024 Microsoft Surface Pro 12-inch (2025, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus) 12,300 (Applications) 2,315/10,915 3,140 108/530 Microsoft Surface Pro 13-inch (2024, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite) 12,615 (Applications) 2,769/13,842 6,430 120/770 ASUS Zenbook A14 (Qualcomm Snapdragon X) 12,127 (Applications) 2,113/10,316 3,287 96/540 Microsoft Surface Pro 10 for Business (Intel Core Ultra 5 135U, Intel graphics) 5,772 2,085/8,827 2,546 90/524 Back to those benchmarks: Much like the Zenbook A14, which practically mirrored the Surface's results, the 12-inch tablet is a true lightweight. But at least it comes in a bit cheaper than the A14, even including the additional Surface Keyboard. Both systems scored around the same on the Geekbench 6 CPU and GPU tests, though the Surface Pro was a bit faster for single-threaded performance. They're also both poor 3D performers, with some of the lowest 3DMark Wildlife Extreme scores we've seen in years. Given its size and weak hardware, though, I don't think anyone will have any gaming expectations for the 12-inch Surface Pro. Cloud streaming would be the best option for a system like this — I was able to launch Halo Infinite via the Xbox app in about 15 seconds, and the campaign streamed smoothly over Wi-Fi with no hiccups. You may find a handful of light games that work on the Surface Pro, but due to its Arm architecture, popular titles like Fortnite and Overwatch 2 won't even launch. (Not that I expected them to perform very well, either.) Unfortunately, as I was trying to test the Surface Pro's battery in PCMark 10, I kept running into strange software errors. I'll keep trying to complete that test, but for now I can say its battery reached 53 percent after around eight hours of benchmarking. As for real-world performance, it had about 30 percent of battery life left after I used it for an entire workday. Microsoft claims the 12-inch Surface Pro should last 16 hours. In our testing, the 13-inch model ran for 12 hours and 15 minutes in PCMark 10. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget The 12-inch Surface Pro is something you buy with your heart, not your brain.I could tell you that the 13-inch Surface Pro is a far faster and more capable computer. I could tell you that the larger Surface is a steal while it's on sale for $800 at Best Buy, which is $200 less than its typical base price. But none of that really matters if you just want a cute Windows PC you can take anywhere. I wouldn't blame you for being confused about Microsoft's pricing strategy, though. The company recently removed its cheapest 13-inch Surface Pros from its online store, which led to reports that the company actually increased Surface prices. For now, we're in a strange situation where both the 12-inch and 13-inch models are selling for $800. One outcome to all of this? Microsoft might just be selling through its existing stock of base 13-inch models, so eventually your cheapest option is the $1,400 configuration (which is currently on sale for $1,030). Devindra Hardawar for Engadget The Surface Pro is light, thin and will keep up with most of your basic productivity tasks. It's also incredibly adorable, so much so that you probably won't mind that it has sub-par performance and a lesser screen than the 13-inch model. Microsoft has finally designed a Surface PC that actually feels like an iPad, and for some people, that alone is a reason to buy it.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Apple (AAPL) Robotics Vision Takes Shape-Here's What We Know So Far
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is exploring both humanoid and non-humanoid robots as part of its future smart home ecosystem, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo noted that while the industry debates humanoid vs. non-humanoid designs, Apple is focusing on how users interact with robots rather than their appearance. This suggests that sensing hardware and software will be the core technologies driving its robotics strategy. A full-fledged Apple-branded robot is still a long way off, with mass production unlikely before 2028. However, Apple has been more open about its robotics research recently, including a paper describing a robot reminiscent of the iconic Pixar lamp. The company is also said to be developing a smart home tabletop robot featuring an iPad-like display and a robotic arm, hinting at Apple's vision for AI-powered home automation. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Apple (AAPL) Robotics Vision Takes Shape-Here's What We Know So Far
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is exploring both humanoid and non-humanoid robots as part of its future smart home ecosystem, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo noted that while the industry debates humanoid vs. non-humanoid designs, Apple is focusing on how users interact with robots rather than their appearance. This suggests that sensing hardware and software will be the core technologies driving its robotics strategy. A full-fledged Apple-branded robot is still a long way off, with mass production unlikely before 2028. However, Apple has been more open about its robotics research recently, including a paper describing a robot reminiscent of the iconic Pixar lamp. The company is also said to be developing a smart home tabletop robot featuring an iPad-like display and a robotic arm, hinting at Apple's vision for AI-powered home automation. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
