This small MacBook accessory provides customizable shortcuts for meetings and enhancing productivity.

      Finally, a button that helps you avoid those awkward "You're on mute" scenarios.

      Project Mirage has introduced Dune, a new hardware accessory aimed at alleviating one of the more annoying aspects of using a MacBook: managing various keyboard shortcuts during video calls, productivity software, and development tools.

      Dune is a compact USB-C device that adds three programmable buttons to compatible MacBooks. It automatically adjusts its functions based on the app in use, allowing users to execute common tasks with just one press rather than trying to remember multiple keyboard shortcuts.

      Dune merges context-aware controls with AI-powered customization.

      In contrast to conventional macro keypads, Dune is tailored specifically for MacBooks and designed to fit securely alongside different laptop models. It connects directly to a USB-C port and derives power from the laptop, meaning there's no need for batteries or charging.

      The three programmable buttons change based on the active application. During video calls, they can be set to mute the microphone, toggle the webcam, or bring the meeting window to the forefront. In spreadsheet software, they can become buttons for copy, paste, and undo actions, while developers can designate functions for tools like Visual Studio Code or GitHub.

      Currently, the device is compatible with MacBook Air models equipped with the M2 chip or newer, as well as MacBook Pro models with M1 Pro processors or later, running macOS Sequoia 15 or above.

      Project Mirage also provides Dune with a companion app, which enables users to create shortcuts specific to applications or actions that span the system. Beyond simple keyboard inputs, users can set buttons to launch apps, navigate to websites, or run custom scripts.

      A unique aspect of Dune is its integration with Claude Desktop. Instead of manually coding automation scripts, users can articulate the shortcut they desire in natural language, and Claude will generate the corresponding Python code and assign it to a button. According to TechCrunch, this approach makes crafting custom workflows much easier, even for those without programming knowledge.

      The companion app also syncs with calendars, highlighting upcoming meetings and allowing users to quickly join calls, dismiss reminders, or send a “running late” message with a single tap.

      Pricing and availability

      Dune is currently offered at an introductory price of $119, with a regular retail price set at $149 thereafter.

      As AI-driven productivity tools extend beyond software, devices like Dune indicate that hardware manufacturers are seeking innovative ways to enhance everyday computing interactions, making them faster and more intuitive. The concept’s success will likely hinge on how useful users find its expanding range of customizable shortcuts and automations.

      

      The Australian government cautions medical professionals regarding AI scribing tools amid rising privacy and safety concerns.

      AI medical scribes are under regulatory scrutiny in Australia due to safety issues.

      The Australian government is advising healthcare workers to be cautious with AI-based medical scribing tools, as regulators assess whether stricter safeguards are necessary for one of healthcare's rapidly evolving technologies, according to a report from The Guardian. AI scribes have quickly become popular, transcribing and summarizing doctor-patient discussions into clinical notes, thus easing the administrative workload for healthcare staff. However, officials now express concerns that the swift emergence of this technology has outpaced regulatory oversight, prompting questions about patient privacy, informed consent, and the reliability of medical records.

      The Merlin Bird ID app is aspiring to create a global database for our diminishing avian species.

      Your phone is about to turn into a part-time birdwatcher's assistant.

      The Merlin Bird ID app, one of the most widely used tools for identifying birds, is poised to evolve into an even more significant resource for conservationists. A report by The Guardian states that an upcoming update will enable bird identifications made with the app to directly contribute to eBird, one of the largest biodiversity citizen-science databases globally. This development means that millions of users observing birds in their backyards, local parks, or while hiking could soon provide vital scientific data to help researchers monitor bird populations and changes in biodiversity.

      Researchers unveil a new color-changing tactile sensor that allows robots to ‘see’ touch.

      Most robots excel at vision, but tactile sensing has been considerably more challenging. While humans naturally gauge how tightly they're gripping a coffee mug or pushing a button, robots have typically depended on intricate systems of tiny sensors for similar estimations. Researchers at Queen Mary University of London believe they've discovered a much more straightforward solution: making touch visible by developing a sensor that translates touch into color.