Kia Is Joining the EV Pickup Segment With a Truck Coming to the US

Kia is bringing a new electric pickup truck to North America.

HP’s New AI-Powered 3D Conferencing With Google Beam: Here’s What Stands Out

Would you pay $25,000 to feel like you’re sitting across from a coworker who’s halfway around the world?

HP has partnered with Google for a new virtual conferencing solution that doesn’t need VR headsets or other wearables, called HP Dimension with Google Beam. Instead of glasses, it’s a giant 3D-enabled display that sits on a conference desk in front of you and mimics the feeling of interacting with someone just a few feet away. It also costs $25,000.

Previously called Project Starline, HP’s Dimension with Google Beam promises to be «AI-powered,» which refers to algorithms in charge of adjusting the size, depth, color and even eye contact of the participants. The technology works via six cameras placed around a curved «light field» display. We previously explored these Google Beam AI models, which Google has likened to a «magic window.»

Currently, the advanced 3D technology only works with Zoom Rooms and Google Meet. HP says its testing has shown that HP Dimension with Google Beam has led to a 28% increase in memory recall and at least a 14% increase in focus in participants.

But the virtual interaction is only part of what the conferencing setup can do. It can also switch to a mode for 2D traditional group meetings, or support viewing with standard third-party meeting apps like Teams and Webex.

Companies interested in getting one of these powerful displays will be able to order one later in 2025, as long as they’re willing to pay that $25,000 price. That’s quite steep for conferencing technology primarily designed for two people, but maybe some businesses really want that lifelike eye contact with their business partners.

HP did not immediately respond to CNET’s request for comment.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for June 12, #732

Here are some hints and the answers for Connections for June 12, #732.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle is full of words ending with -ing, but beyond that, they have different things in common. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Nestling.

Green group hint: Talking behind someone’s back.

Blue group hint: Sharp objects are involved.

Purple group hint: Words begin with similar words.

Answers for today’s Connections groups

Yellow group: Getting cozy.

Green group: Gossiping.

Blue group: Engaging in an activity with pins or needles.

Purple group: Starting with titles.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is getting cozy. The four answers are cuddling, hugging, snuggling and spooning.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is gossiping. The four answers are buzzing, dishing, spilling and whispering.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is engaging in an activity with pins or needles. The four answers are acupuncturing, bowling, sewing and wrestling.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is starting with titles. The four answers are doctoring, lording, missing and siring.

Technologies

Today’s Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for June 12, #1454

Here are hints — and the answer — for today’s Wordle No. 1,454 for June 12.

Looking for the most recent Wordle answer? Click here for today’s Wordle hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

We’re six months from Christmas, but today’s Wordle puzzle answer relates to a Christmas carol. If you need a new starter word, check out our list of which letters show up the most in English words. If you need hints and the answer, read on.