Tech Review: New AirPods feature, soft robots from Korea, and more

As part of our weekly column, present a fresh selection of current news from the world of technology. In this new edition, you will learn how AirPods headphones can assist in identifying their owners, the creation of soft robots in Korea, Spotify's plans to increase profitability, and which programming languages had become the most popular in 2023.
 

1. In Korea, researchers have developed soft robots capable of self-destruction, leaving behind only an oily liquid residue.

These highly deformable and completely degradable walking robots can be utilized in surveillance, reconnaissance tasks, as well as search missions in hazardous areas. Korean researchers applied a substance to silicone resin that emits fluoride ions when exposed to ultraviolet light. When operators activate the built-in UV LEDs, the substance heats up, causing the robot to disintegrate. This process takes less than two hours, leaving behind only the oily liquid.
 

2. Python named the most popular programming language of 2023

The IEEE Spectrum, a journal of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, has published its ranking of programming language popularity. The data collection process involved manual searching and data gathering regarding mentions of programming languages on specialized platforms.

The IEEE Spectrum ranking is divided into three categories:

• Languages actively used among typical members of the IEEE community and active engineer-programmers. In this category, the top five languages are Python, Java, C++, C, and JavaScript.
• Languages in demand by employers. SQL occupies the top position in this category, followed by Python and Java.
• Trending languages. In this category, Python, Java, and JavaScript maintain the top three positions in terms of popularity.
   

3. Spotify to limit ad payouts to podcast creators utilizing "White Noise"

The company has announced this change within its Ambassador Ads program, wherein it compensates content creators based on listening statistics. According to Bloomberg, some podcasters are earned up to $18,000 per month through this program.

Starting from October 1st, podcasters featuring "white noise" content (which includes materials containing relaxing sounds like rain, ocean waves, and others) will no longer be eligible for participation in the project. The company has estimated that the removal of "white noise" and the redirection of listeners toward other types of content will generate $38 million in revenue. Nonetheless, podcasters employing "white noise" can still earn on the platform through paid subscribers, listener donations, and automated advertising.
 

4. Apple has patented owner identification technology through AirPods

In this regard, if the headphones fail to recognize the user, they will automatically lock personal information, such as the Siri assistant transmitting text messages.

To identify the user, the system will integrate the headphones with the iPhone and Apple Watch. All three devices will monitor movements and compare the results.

Additionally, the devices will interact via an ultrasonic signal transmitted from the audio output. For instance, the iPhone can emit a signal when the headphones are put on, and they should recognize it.

Thus, Apple envisions that all devices belonging to the same owner should be situated in close proximity to each other. The company has not clarified how the system will operate if the headphones are borrowed or stolen.