Friday, February 23, 2024

Hand-ear co-ordination: Interactive glove translates sign language into speech - The National - Translation

Two recent university graduates from Lebanon say their invention, a glove that can help translate sign language, could be a game-changer for millions of people in the deaf community as well as others who have hearing loss or potential speech difficulties.

“This is basically a gesture translator,” said Samir Elias, who, along with his co-founder Wassim Omran, invented the device and started the company they are calling, Infinity Glove.

“The deaf person wears the glove, then after they would sign whatever they want to say, a phrase, a name, or their own personal sign language, a bluetooth signal is sent to the phone application, and then you can see it would say what was signed,” he explained.

The phone app has several options for translation output languages, and also allows for custom gestures to be programmed depending on user preferences, potentially broadening the use cases of the overall device.

Infinity Glove was most recently on display at the Step 2024 technology and entrepreneurial conference in Dubai, one of hundreds of start-ups seeking to leave a mark and potentially receive investment and partnerships.

“We're in the early stage in terms of start-ups,” said Mr Elias, acknowledging the bulky nature of the prototype glove that consists of chips and other computer components.

“It's a very basic prototype and we've been working on it for just a year, but now we're working on something that will be more of a comfortable design and hide the wires,” he added.

As for the company's business model, both Mr Elias and Mr Imran say the potential market is bigger than many might realise, with hundreds of millions of individuals suffering from various hearing loss and speech disorder issues.

“There are children, teens, adults and seniors who could also benefit from assistive communication technologies like this,” said Mr Elias, who noted other potential versions of Infinity Glove.

“Eventually it could be something as small as a smartwatch or a ring that could detect motion, all while keeping the user comfortable.”

Infinity Glove recently received a patent in Lebanon, but the company is actively looking to obtain more patents in other parts of the world.

Mr Elias said Lebanon's continuing and worsening economic crisis, which began in 2019, has proven to be a pain point for the start-up, which is seeking out investors.

Infinity Glove did not give an estimate for when a final product might be available, but did say the start-up is a little more than one year old.

Marketing literature for the company promotes the product as a potential solution for the 'differently abled community', speech therapy centres, hospitals, and individuals with hearing and speech impairments.

“Individuals with hearing difficulties face significant challenges in communicating,” read a pamphlet from the company. “It could lead to isolation and misunderstanding.”

Overall, Infinity Glove falls into what many analysts describe as the assistive technology market.

According to Vantage Market Research, revenue from assistive technology could reach $31 billion by 2030 as technology develops and products are able to scale at a quicker pace.

Updated: February 22, 2024, 9:08 AM

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Jimmy Kimmel Offers A Translation Of Trump's Latest Riff About Melania - HuffPost - Translation

LOADINGERROR LOADING

Donald Trump offered an explanation for Melania Trump’s absence on the campaign trail, and Jimmy Kimmel had a crack at unraveling the spin.

The comedian said Thursday that the former president had been asked about “the notable absence of his future ex-wife Melania” during the second part of his Fox News town hall event that aired Wednesday.

“When I do rallies, I have so many signs [saying] ‘We love our first lady,’” Trump explained.

“People love it,” he continued. “They love the fact that she’s not out there so much. You know, a lot of first ladies ...They want to be everywhere. They get angry at their husband because he’s not introducing them. If I didn’t introduce Melania, she’d be very happy about it.”

“In other words,” Kimmel interpreted, “you will not be seeing Melania any time soon.”

Melania Trump has made few public appearances since leaving the White House and rarely joins her husband on the campaign trail. Donald Trump has suggested several times that this would change. In September, he said she would be joining him on the trail “pretty soon.” And last month, he said, “she’s gonna play, and she always did play a big role” in his campaigns.

Kimmel also responded to a Wednesday Truth Social post from Trump about the late-night host’s possible retirement.

Trump wrote: “They could get a far more talented person, who would also get better Ratings, for 5% of what they are paying this Loser!”

Kimmel was delighted by the shoutout.

“That is a hell of a way to find out you’re not going to be somebody’s running mate,” he said, adding, “I’m gonna try to enjoy it because you know, he probably won’t be able to do this when they take away his phone in prison.”

Watch Kimmel’s monologue on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” below.

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Thursday, February 22, 2024

New dictionary to clear up sticking points over Japanese rice - The Japan Times - Dictionary

It is often said the Inuit have dozens of words to describe types of snow, and in Japan it is the same for rice. Now, a collaborative effort is underway to refine and define the terminology used to describe the nation's dietary staple.

A national research center and a private company have begun working together to think up clever definitions to be used in a rice terminology dictionary in a bid to more accurately and descriptively catalog the myriad words that define rice's taste, aroma and texture in the Japanese language.

Rice producers and distributors are hoping by setting standards for common expressions that are often a little ambiguous, they can more accurately convey the "individuality" of products to consumers, such as "rice that has a sweet aroma, is fluffy yet firm with a strong umami flavor."

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How would you describe rice? New dictionary promises wealth of words - South China Morning Post - Dictionary

In January, at the National Agriculture and Food Research Organisation (Naro) in Tsukuba, Ibaraki prefecture, food researcher Fumiyo Hayakawa and others were engaged in heated discussions over freshly cooked rice.

A collaborative effort is under way to refine and define the terminology used to describe rice. Photo: Getty Image

They tried to define terminology that describes differences in rice firmness or graininess, for instance. Hayakawa’s team is partnering with Itochu Food Sales and Marketing, a subsidiary of major trading house Itochu Corporation, to create the dictionary.

Naro sells an agriculture technical encyclopaedia with terms involving crops, as well as management, distribution and marketing. Its Japanese-language texture terminology describes foods including cooked white rice, shrimp, udon noodles, bread and more.

Rice, rice, maybe? Asia’s middle class seek out low-carb alternatives

In production, distribution and sales, experts conduct “sensory evaluations” in which they judge aroma, taste and texture. The results are used to influence the development of new rice varieties, as well as to promote products.

However, there has been concern that there is no uniformity in the recognition of expressions or that the same words are overused, resulting in less accurate evaluations.

Toshiya Amano, general manager of the rice division at Itochu Food Sales and Marketing, which sells milled rice to convenience stores and other retailers, gave an example of the descriptions of rice that have been confusing to some consumers.

“For example, some people consider ‘fresh rice’ to mean ‘sticky rice’,” Amano says.

A bowl of freshly cooked rice. Photo: Getty Images

However, since it was “unrealistic” to quantify all textures and aromas, the company sought a solution by beginning research with Naro in 2021.

First, a dozen researchers skilled in evaluation tasted 32 rice products and shared their impressions

The taste tests involved trying more than 110 types of rice, such as freshly cooked, rice that had been cooked but left out for some time, convenience store rice balls, and rice from packages for long-term storage.

“Spring in the Rice Fields” (circa 1800) by Katsushika Hokusai. Rice is Japan’s dietary staple. Photo: Getty Images
More than 7,000 terms were gathered. Hayakawa says some of the descriptions are unique, such as “a taste like natto” – fermented soybeans – or “an aroma like boiled eggs”.

“If we put them into a dictionary, we can pick up on characteristics that have been overlooked until now because they could not be contextualised,” says Hayakawa, adding they also verified what processes render such distinct flavours.

They have narrowed down the words – in the four categories of appearance, taste, aroma and texture – to about 100 and are now in the process of defining them. The meaning of even standard terms such as “glossy” and “sweet aroma” are hard to convey, Hayakawa says.

‘Revealing how the killer works’: Chinese team makes hybrid rice breakthrough

Synonyms and antonyms are introduced, and supplements are added to provide context in evaluations.

The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2025 and will later be released on Naro’s website.

Hayakawa is enthusiastic about what the dictionary will have to offer people fond of rice in its various forms.

“I want to make this a tool to convey the attractiveness of rice not only to evaluation experts but also to consumers,” she says.

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Oxford University Press launches bilingual Assamese and mini Bengali dictionary - Hindustan Times - Dictionary

By, New Delhi
Feb 22, 2024 01:00 PM IST

According to a press release by OUP, the aim behind the launch of the dictionaries is to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

On the occasion of International Mother Language Day, observed on 21 February every year, the Oxford University Press (OUP) launched a bilingual English-English-Assamese Dictionary and a new edition of the Oxford Mini English-Bengali Dictionary.

The Oxford University Press (OUP) launched a bilingual English-English-Assamese Dictionary and a new edition of the Oxford Mini English-Bengali Dictionary. (Handout)
The Oxford University Press (OUP) launched a bilingual English-English-Assamese Dictionary and a new edition of the Oxford Mini English-Bengali Dictionary. (Handout)

According to a press release by Oxford University Press, the aim behind the launch of the dictionaries is to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. 34,000 words, phrases, idioms, phrasal verbs, and derivatives along with their detailed translations in Assamese are included in the newly launched bilingual dictionary. In the compact Oxford English-Bengali Dictionary, 20,000 words and derivatives with meanings in Bengali are included.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“Oxford Dictionaries extensively cover new words and derivatives, along with spelling, grammar and pronunciation information, aiding students in mastering English through the support of their mother tongue,” said Sumanta Datta, Managing Director, Oxford University Press India.

OUP India currently publishes dictionaries in 12 Indian languages: Bengali, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and Hindi. Additionally, a 13th language will soon be introduced with the release of a trilingual dictionary in Sanskrit-Hindi-English, mentioned the press release.

Get latest news onEducationalong with updates on Board Examsand Competitive Examsat Hindustan Times. Also get latest Job updates on Employment News.
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Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Galaxy Buds update brings live translation with AI and Android's auto switching for calls - 9to5Google - Translation

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds series has been a go-to for Galaxy users because they simply work better within the ecosystem. Furthering that notion is an AI-based update that brings live translation to the Galaxy Buds series. The Galaxy Buds series is also finally getting Android’s auto-switching feature when using multiple devices.

The overall tone from Samsung in 2024 has been all about AI. The Galaxy S24 series takes that and runs with it, adding a ton of productivity value that makes use of the SoC specifically built to handle on-board artificial processing.

A new update for the Galaxy Buds shifts the earbud lineup into a position that can better match the S24 series. It looks like these features will be Galaxy-only and limited to those that pair their Buds to Samsung’s own phones and tablets, which is something not unexpected.

The biggest feature in the update is Samsung’s interpreter tool. The concept is not too dissimilar from what Samsung did with Live Translate in the Galaxy S24, allowing you to have full-on phone conversations with people who speak a different language. This update with AI-powered interpreter mode on the Galaxy Buds will allow the same, except you’ll need to wear earbuds while the other person listens to your translated speech through your Galaxy phone. Their speech will come through the earbuds, translated into your preferred language.

Samsung also notes that auto switch will be coming to the Galaxy Buds series. The feature essentially allows for an easier experience when using Bluetooth multi-pairing. When connected to two devices at the same time, Android will automatically switch the playing device if there is a phone call. This allows you to grab the call without thinking about stopping media on the other end and messing with whichever device is live at the moment.

Google’s Pixel phone debuted this feature with the Pixel Buds Pro, and it works seamlessly. A notification appears when the audio is switched, and as soon as the call ends, the other device takes over again. This is a huge feature that we’ve been waiting for on Samsung’s own earbud lineup.

The update also includes Samsung’s Auracast feature and 360 audio for immersive listening on TVs, specifically. Auracast allows multiple devices to connect to one audio source, and now Samsung’s phones and tablets will be able to stream to multiple sets of Galaxy Buds. On the other hand, the 360-degree audio feature is now coming to TVs, where users can listen in virtual surround sound through their Galaxy Buds.

According to Samsung, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Buds 2, and Buds FE will get this update in late February, which should be a matter of days.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

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How would you describe rice? New dictionary promises wealth of words - South China Morning Post - Dictionary

In January, at the National Agriculture and Food Research Organisation (Naro) in Tsukuba, Ibaraki prefecture, food researcher Fumiyo Hayakawa and others were engaged in heated discussions over freshly cooked rice.

A collaborative effort is under way to refine and define the terminology used to describe rice. Photo: Getty Image

They tried to define terminology that describes differences in rice firmness or graininess, for instance. Hayakawa’s team is partnering with Itochu Food Sales and Marketing, a subsidiary of major trading house Itochu Corporation, to create the dictionary.

Naro sells an agriculture technical encyclopaedia with terms involving crops, as well as management, distribution and marketing. Its Japanese-language texture terminology describes foods including cooked white rice, shrimp, udon noodles, bread and more.

Rice, rice, maybe? Asia’s middle class seek out low-carb alternatives

In production, distribution and sales, experts conduct “sensory evaluations” in which they judge aroma, taste and texture. The results are used to influence the development of new rice varieties, as well as to promote products.

However, there has been concern that there is no uniformity in the recognition of expressions or that the same words are overused, resulting in less accurate evaluations.

Toshiya Amano, general manager of the rice division at Itochu Food Sales and Marketing, which sells milled rice to convenience stores and other retailers, gave an example of the descriptions of rice that have been confusing to some consumers.

“For example, some people consider ‘fresh rice’ to mean ‘sticky rice’,” Amano says.

A bowl of freshly cooked rice. Photo: Getty Images

However, since it was “unrealistic” to quantify all textures and aromas, the company sought a solution by beginning research with Naro in 2021.

First, a dozen researchers skilled in evaluation tasted 32 rice products and shared their impressions

The taste tests involved trying more than 110 types of rice, such as freshly cooked, rice that had been cooked but left out for some time, convenience store rice balls, and rice from packages for long-term storage.

“Spring in the Rice Fields” (circa 1800) by Katsushika Hokusai. Rice is Japan’s dietary staple. Photo: Getty Images
More than 7,000 terms were gathered. Hayakawa says some of the descriptions are unique, such as “a taste like natto” – fermented soybeans – or “an aroma like boiled eggs”.

“If we put them into a dictionary, we can pick up on characteristics that have been overlooked until now because they could not be contextualised,” says Hayakawa, adding they also verified what processes render such distinct flavours.

They have narrowed down the words – in the four categories of appearance, taste, aroma and texture – to about 100 and are now in the process of defining them. The meaning of even standard terms such as “glossy” and “sweet aroma” are hard to convey, Hayakawa says.

‘Revealing how the killer works’: Chinese team makes hybrid rice breakthrough

Synonyms and antonyms are introduced, and supplements are added to provide context in evaluations.

The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2025 and will later be released on Naro’s website.

Hayakawa is enthusiastic about what the dictionary will have to offer people fond of rice in its various forms.

“I want to make this a tool to convey the attractiveness of rice not only to evaluation experts but also to consumers,” she says.

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