Latest news with #Osmo
Fast Company
6 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
He helped kids be creative. Now, he wants to do the same for CEOs
More than a decade ago, Pramod Sharma set out to make learning more engaging. Through AI and computer vision, his startup Osmo transformed iPad apps into hands-on experiences, letting kids use puzzle pieces and other physical objects to solve spelling and math problems on screen. It was a lot of fun—until Osmo grew, and Sharma's role shifted from inventing to managing. Meetings, PowerPoint decks, endless email threads took over. 'At some point, you become a manager, and you spend a lot of time in communication,' Sharma tells Fast Company. 'We realized a lot of our communication wasn't fun.' When Sharma and a few colleagues left Osmo four years ago, they decided to tackle that problem. The result is Napkin, a web app that uses generative AI to turn text and numbers into flow charts, diagrams, and other visuals. 'You don't need to be a graphic designer, you don't need to be a visual thinker,' Sharma says. 'Our vision is to democratize visuals for everyone.' One year into its open beta, Napkin has surpassed five million registered users. Now, the company is preparing to monetize while staying true to the lessons learned from Osmo—chief among them: keep things light and approachable. 'Our users really love the fact that it's playful,' Sharma says. From Text to Visuals, with the Help of AI Napkin's experience starts with a screen that resembles a page from a school notebook. Users paste or write text, highlight the key parts, hit a magic button, and the app generates several draft visuals to help communicate the core ideas and numbers. These visuals can be edited to highlight specific phrases or match a company's branding. 'When we started, we had this mindset that we wanted to push for a certain style,' Sharma says. 'Now, we think of Napkin as a tool. Editing is a big part of that.' Just as important is keeping the interface fun. 'Traditionally, business products don't tend to be fun,' Sharma says. 'I used to think [that's] because the boring stuff sells.' With Napkin, Sharma wanted to try something different, starting with a frictionless onboarding experience. It's a lesson drawn directly from Osmo. Kids, Sharma points out, won't tolerate complexity. 'If they don't intuitively get it, they don't want to play,' he says. Like Osmo, Napkin encourages learning by doing. 'We have no tutorial,' Sharma says. 'That thinking comes from games.' This hands-on approach also supports global adoption. Sixty percent of Napkin's users don't speak English, and the service supports dozens of languages. 'South Korea is a big market for us,' Sharma says. 'Japan is a huge market for us.' Until now, Napkin has been free to use during its open beta. Soon, the company will introduce two paid subscription tiers, alongside a free plan. It has also started previewing API access for developers and companies looking to integrate the tool. More Than Just a PowerPoint Replacement The rise of generative AI has been a major advantage for Napkin. Sharma calls large language models a 'huge accelerator.' But with that comes higher expectations, especially for visuals. 'Users have a high bar for AI,' Sharma says. 'You can't get away with 70 percent.' People may settle for rough graphics when making them on their own, but expect professional-grade output from AI. 'An Apple keynote, or a TED talk: They want AI to get to that level,' he says. Sharma doesn't see Napkin as just a better slide tool. 'It's not just to build a better slide deck,' he says. He wants marketers, executives, and creators to tap into their visual creativity—something he compares to learning a new language. 'Before I went to college, I did not speak English at all,' says Sharma, who was born in India. 'My family didn't speak. I was in a small town. But once I went to college and started learning English, it opened my world in a very significant way.' The same, he argues, can happen with visual communication. 'What you think about new ideas changes,' he says.
Edinburgh Reporter
24-06-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
How to Maintain Wood in Your Home: Tips for Lasting Beauty
Wood infuses warmth, character, and natural elegance into any home. From oak hardwood floors and walnut kitchen counters to pine furniture and intricate architectural details, wooden elements are a valuable investment that can endure for generations with proper care. As a living material, wood requires consistent attention to preserve its aesthetic appeal and structural integrity. Whether you're maintaining cedar panelling, maple cabinetry, or exotic teak flooring, mastering wood care ensures your home features remain breathtaking for decades. Photo by Andrey Haimin on Unsplash Understanding Your Wood Type Before embarking on maintenance routines, identify the wood species and their existing finishes. Each wood type possesses distinct properties that influence its care requirements. Hardwoods like oak, cherry, or walnut are generally more resistant to scratches and dents than softwoods such as pine or spruce. Nevertheless, all wood benefits from regular upkeep to maintain its durability and beauty. The finish—whether polyurethane, natural oil, wax, or lacquer—is equally critical, as it determines the appropriate maintenance approach. Different finishes demand tailored care methods, so research or consult professionals to pinpoint the best strategies for your specific wood surfaces. Daily and Weekly Maintenance Effective wood care begins with simple, consistent habits. Dust is a primary adversary, as it can scratch surfaces and dull finishes over time. Use a soft, lint-free cloth or microfiber duster to gently remove dust from wooden surfaces daily, always following the direction of the grain to avoid micro-abrasions. Weekly, engage in more thorough cleaning. For sealed wood, use a slightly damp cloth with a mild soap solution, ensuring excess water is wrung out to prevent moisture damage. Unsealed wood requires dry dusting or minimal use of specialised wood cleaners. After cleaning, immediately dry the surface with a clean, dry cloth to protect the finish. Shield wooden surfaces from direct sunlight, which can cause fading, cracking, or discolouration. Employ curtains, blinds, or UV-filtering window films, and periodically rotate furniture to promote even light exposure across surfaces. Deep Cleaning and Conditioning Monthly deep cleaning preserves wood's natural lustre and prevents the accumulation of grime that can permanently stain or degrade surfaces. Opt for products formulated specifically for wood, as general household cleaners often contain harsh chemicals that can strip finishes or alter wood's colour. Certain wood surfaces, particularly those with natural oil finishes, benefit from occasional conditioning. For example, an Osmo oil finish penetrates deeply into wood fibres and can be reapplied when surfaces appear dry or worn, maintaining a natural aesthetic and simplifying upkeep. This finish is favoured for its ease of maintenance and eco-friendly properties. Always test conditioners on an inconspicuous area first. Apply them sparingly, working along the grain, and allow sufficient drying time between coats. Ensure proper ventilation during application to promote safe and effective results. Preventing Common Wood Issues Prevention is far more effective than repair in wood care. Use coasters under beverages, placemats under hot dishes, and protective pads under decorative items to prevent water rings, heat marks, or scratches. Address spills promptly by blotting, not wiping, to avoid spreading liquid and driving it deeper into the wood's pores. Maintain indoor humidity levels between 30 and 50%, as wood expands and contracts with moisture fluctuations, which can lead to cracking, warping, or joint separation. Use humidifiers during dry winter months and dehumidifiers in humid summer periods to stabilize environmental conditions. Regularly inspect wooden surfaces for signs of wear, discolouration, loose joints, or finish deterioration. Early intervention for minor issues prevents them from escalating into major, costly repairs. Seasonal Care Considerations Each season presents unique challenges for wood maintenance. Winter's dry air, often exacerbated by heating systems, can cause wood to shrink and crack. Increase humidity levels and apply conditioning treatments more frequently during this period to counteract dryness. Summer's elevated humidity may cause wood to swell, resulting in sticking drawers or doors. Ensure adequate air circulation around wooden furniture and use dehumidifiers in damp areas like basements or bathrooms to mitigate moisture buildup. Spring and autumn offer ideal opportunities for comprehensive wood care, including deep cleaning, conditioning, and minor repairs, preparing surfaces for the more extreme conditions of summer and winter. Professional Care and When to Seek Help While diligent home maintenance keeps wood looking vibrant, certain issues warrant professional expertise. Deep scratches, severe water damage, structural instability, or finish failure require skilled craftspeople who can assess and restore wood without compromising its integrity or appearance. For high-traffic areas like hardwood floors or heavily used furniture, consider professional refinishing every few years. Expert services can rejuvenate even severely worn wood, often proving more cost-effective than replacement while preserving the material's original charm. By adhering to these comprehensive care guidelines, your home's wooden elements will continue to exude beauty, warmth, and enduring value for decades. Consistent, gentle maintenance proves far more effective than sporadic intensive treatments, making wood care a rewarding and integral part of homeownership. Like this: Like Related
The Verge
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Verge
How AI infiltrated perfume
At a pristine, multimillion-dollar lab on the Manhattan waterfront, just down the street from a men's homeless shelter and the medical examiner's office, a slice of summer plum is being converted into fragrance code. This is the work of Osmo, a fragrance tech startup claiming to build artificial olfactory intelligence. Osmo has parlayed this innovation into offering turnkey fragrance compounding that promises a 48-hour sample turnaround from initial client prompt. In the time it takes your Amazon Prime order to arrive, you may now order a custom perfume. Traditionally, creating a fragrance isn't fast. After a client provides a brief — usually a mood, memory, or concept — a perfumer begins weeks or months of formulation trials, compounding and revising dozens of modifications, or 'mods.' Each must settle before it can be evaluated for balance, projection, and drydown. Raw materials often need years of cultivation. Bottling, regulatory reviews, packaging, and testing follow. From concept to shelf, a single perfume can take six to 18 months — even longer in luxury. And like fine wines, fragrance materials vary with climate concerns. One year's yield will not smell like the next one, or the one before. Osmo built its shiny new empire, hoping to disrupt the fragrance market, on its digitization of a plum and the speed with which it can analyze and transport odor molecules. Its goal: to disrupt the fragrance market with AI-powered scent creation. I first encountered the smell of this 'digitized plum' at a scent conference, handed to me by an independent perfumer like contraband. A group gathered around the blotter, whispering: it was too medicinal, too clean. 'Where's the bruising, the rot — the heat?' someone asked. 'Where's the craftsmanship? Where's the perfumer?' I've judged hundreds of perfumes blindly for international fragrance awards and worked on machine learning systems at tech startups. I know the pull of scent well formulated — and the allure of tech's frictionless promises. To me, the plum smelled real, if strangely large and genetically modified. I could smell it from yards away — James and the Giant Plum, rolling toward me from a Roald Dahl retelling. But the question hanging in the air was larger than a fruit: as AI enters perfumery, are we expanding access to beauty — or automating the soul out of it? AI isn't coming to fragrance — it's already here, and in most things that the average consumer smells. The four fragrance conglomerates responsible for most of what the world smells — DSM-Firmenich, Givaudan, IFF, and Symrise — all integrate AI into their pipelines. Givaudan's Carto system helps perfumers refine formulas. DSM-Firmenich's EmotiON claims to produce scents that improve well-being. These systems are used not just in product labs but in fragrance education worldwide. The hairsprays and soaps and cleaning products and luxury fragrances that line your shelves — all of these have been touched by these four powerhouses of perfume and, so too, the AI involved in their processes. The principal perfumer at DSM-Firmenich, Frank Voelkl, who is behind the fragrances that make up so much of our current odor aura — Le Labo's Santal 33, Glossier's You, Tom Ford's Tuscan Leather — uses AI on a daily basis as part of his creative process. 'When I began as a perfumer, there were no emails — we were still communicating with fax machines, you know. I started by handwriting my formulas. The beauty of AI is that it manages regulatory concerns, issues around stability, phasing, performance. These tools are tremendously helpful in resolving technical issues so I can focus much more on the creative part, which requires my imagination, emotions, intuition, and the human factor. It's like a clerk.' Heather, a perfumer-in-training in France, tells me AI use is now standard among her peers. 'Most, if not all my classmates, have used AI for every project or question. Gen Z uses it like an operating tool — older generations use it like a browser.' When Heather says Gen Z uses AI 'like an operating tool,' she means they rely on it as a functional extension of the creative process — from selecting materials to refining accords. Older generations, meanwhile, still treat it as a secondary resource, like a search engine or inspiration board. For new creators, AI isn't just assistance — it's infrastructure, taking over essential parts of the perfumery processes. Pierre Vouard, a professor at FIT, sees both opportunity and loss: 'Compounding by hand, knowing the exact amount of each material, weighing it yourself — that's going to disappear. But is it crucial?' He knows AI is used in his own classroom. 'Perhaps this will be true democratization of fragrance because it drastically reduces the cost of creating one. But it does make you ask: Where's the craftsmanship? Where's the perfumer?' 'There've only been about 100,000 fragrances ever made. I want there to be millions.' That question concerns perfumer Michael Nordstrand, too. 'AI-based fragrance companies are circumventing professionals and targeting people who don't know how to assess a scent beyond 'yes or no.' And they won't say what datasets or formulas they're using.' He adds that Osmo, despite repeated requests, has declined to clarify what metrics or creative works are behind its models. Osmo declined to answer these questions with specific metrics when I asked, too, stating only that it is 'still currently developing the system.' While Osmo champions the work of its head perfumer, Christophe Laudamiel, it has declined to provide names of any other perfumers within its ecosystem. In 1995, just under 400 new fragrances launched globally. In 2023, the number exceeded 3,000. Osmo's founder, Alex Wiltschko, wants that number to grow exponentially. 'There've only been about 100,000 fragrances ever made. I want there to be millions,' he tells me. 'New tools are an important part of increasing the amount of beauty in the world.' But growth comes at a cost — especially an environmental one. When I ask about energy use, Wiltschko says Osmo's graph neural networks consume far less power than models like ChatGPT. 'It's vanishingly small,' he says. 'We don't need data centers. Our graph neural network model takes under an hour to train, compared to months for the world's largest LLMs right now.' Yet he also says Osmo doesn't track the energy consumption of its systems at all, and the company declined to share life cycle assessment tests to compare to traditional fragrance house reports. So which is it — low enough to ignore, or too opaque to report? The reality is: most consumers have no idea how much AI is already embedded in their beauty products, or the energy it is costing us all. And the mystery around it is growing. Some indie brands, like House of Bo, are even using deepfake AI videos to simulate founder messages to customers — without disclosing it. 'I feel condescended to,' says LC James, a fragrance consultant. 'It hides the labor — and the environmental cost.' Some online retailers go further still. Perfumer Teddy Haugen has had his likeness used without his consent in multiple advertisements for perfumes he wasn't involved in. He shows me videos he never filmed, where his voice patterns were replaced with someone else's, the words coming out of his artificially smoothed face — things he's never spoken, for perfumes he's never smelled. The number of unauthorized videos continues to grow. Perfume's origins lie far from data centers. Orris root takes years to cure before it's ready for formulation. Sandalwood also takes years to be ready for cultivation. Natural materials must be harvested, aged, blended. AI compounding labs like Osmo can ship a custom sample within two days. That frictionless speed, while exciting, risks further detachment from the raw, physical world beauty emerges from. Stéle, a New York City fragrance retailer, sees that tension firsthand. 'We're often being misled,' says Matt Belanger, co-owner of the stores. 'Some brands say they're perfumer-led but are really using generators to copy existing work. What we love about fragrance is that it takes time, courage, and power to decide on your journey. That's different from pushing a button and getting something quickly.' Jake Levy, his partner in life and at Stéle, adds, 'So many people work with companies that are just a robot and a receptionist. If brands were simply transparent about the usage, we'd respect it far more.' The Stéle team regularly audits the backgrounds of every brand they stock. 'If we don't take the reins and start having a conversation about the place of AI in perfumery,' warns Nordstrand, 'then it's going to get away from us … It's like Jurassic Park. We were so busy thinking about whether we could, no one stopped to ask if we should.'
Times
22-06-2025
- General
- Times
How to treat your floors to prevent slipping
I have an industrial steel and concrete staircase in my house and I am replacing it with one made from tulipwood. It needs to be completely non-slip as I am a 73-year-old widow living alone and cannot risk falling on it. The staircase comes with a minimum finish, but the rest is up to me. I don't want to paint the staircase because I'd like the colour and grain of the wood to show. I have tried to find a seriously non-slip varnish but they do not seem to exist. The option I've been given is to use a clear varnish (I've bought Blackfriar Quick Drying Floor Varnish) and then spray it with a non-slip finish such as Rust-Oleum SuperGrip. Is there one product that would do the whole job? I have a limited budget and I don't want to pay twice for the two finishes if I don't need to. Many thanks for your French Your new tulipwood staircase sounds great, and I completely understand your concern. The good news is that there are products designed exactly for your situation. One we often recommend is Osmo Polyx-Oil Anti-Slip, which is a clear hardwax oil that protects the wood while allowing the natural grain and tone to shine through. It comes in two grades of slip resistance and is used widely on interior wooden stairs and floors. It's easy to apply, long-lasting and doesn't require a second product, so it should suit your budget better than the two-step option you mention. If you're looking for something even grippier, there's an industrial-grade product called Tuff Grip. However, it has a more textured finish and may obscure some of the wood's natural beauty, so it's a bit of a trade-off. I hope this helps, and I'd love to hear how the staircase turns out. • Read more expert advice on property, interiors and home improvement We have had the idea of covering our patio and part of the adjoining wall with blue and white tiles to give a bit of a Spanish feel. We're worried about slipping. What type of tile would be recommended?George Luke This sounds like a great plan. Look for textured porcelain tiles with an anti-slip rating of R11 or higher. Porcelain is tough, weather-resistant and ideal for outdoor use; ceramic tiles, while more affordable, are generally better suited to walls or sheltered areas because they're less durable in frost and heavy rain. Many tile suppliers sell decorative porcelain ranges inspired by Spanish or Mediterranean patterns, often with non-slip finishes. Natural stone can be a lovely option, but it's rare to find it in those vivid colours. A word of warning on installation: patios need proper sub-base preparation, a fall for drainage (to keep water away from the house) and a frost-proof adhesive. Getting this wrong leads to cracked or loose tiles, which can be costly to fix. It's well worth getting a professional to do the groundwork. I hope your patio turns out beautifully — and is Birch Reynardson is the co-founder of Adda Home Solutions • Are these bed bugs? Pest expert 'Bugman' Jones answers your questions What is the best way to clean the rubber seal on the washing machine door?Jean Mathieson Spray on a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar, leave for a few minutes, then clean off with a soft brush and wipe with a Taylor, Sussex Adding a handful of washing soda crystals to the 'drum clean' programme of my washing machine (Bosch) completely cleared the black staining on the rubber door seal. Good as new!Barby Witt I spray HG Mould Remover on some kitchen roll until it is soaked, then press the wad into the affected bits of the seal. Leave overnight. Ellie Wilson I wipe the seal with Dettol and dry it after each use. If you're not already doing so, leave the laundry drawer and door open after each wash to avoid trapping warm water, which encourages bacteria and mould growth. And keep the machine clean and disinfected with a hot (min 60C), empty maintenance wash every month and Dr Beckmann Washing Machine Cleaner to keep mould at bay and ensure the machine is running My washing machine engineer told me never to use liquid fabric Burrows What is the best way to remove fly dirt (poo) from my lovely white window frames? I can get the main spot off but it leaves a pale Challacombe How can I clean the inside of the 12ft high lantern light in our kitchen? Liz Graham Send tips and questions to homehelp@ Advice given without responsibility
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
DJI Presents Best-In-Class Creator Tools at 2025 NAB Show
Leading Pioneer in Creative Camera Technology Displays Latest Osmo and Ronin Products for Creators and Professional Filmmakers LAS VEGAS, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DJI, the world's leader in creative camera technology, is returning to NAB, showcasing its integrated ecosystem of cameras, stabilizers, gimbals, microphones, and power solutions for creators of all levels. DJI's commitment to innovation and creativity will be on display from April 6-9, and attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to experience DJI's best-in-class product lineup through hands-on demos, interactive workshops, and first looks at the latest releases. "DJI remains committed to empowering filmmakers and creators, and we are thrilled to return to NAB this year. With the newest additions to our Osmo and Ronin product lines, we continue to revolutionize their work through innovative technology solutions," said Christina Zhang, Senior Director of Corporate Strategy and Communication at DJI. "With DJI's showcase at this event, we aim to showcase how innovation meets creativity throughout the DJI ecosystem to transform storytelling for a new generation. " Experience Ronin: The Ultimate Tools for Cinematic Storytelling With features tailored to meet the evolving needs of filmmakers, DJI's tools empower creators to unleash their creativity like never before. DJI's technology provides the essential tools to transform creative visions into cinematic reality. Attendees visiting the DJI booth at this year's NAB Show can experience the latest advancements in filmmaking technology with hands-on access to the Oscar and Emmy award-winning Ronin series. The booth will feature a professional grade film set, allowing guests to try the recently-launched RS 4 Mini compact gimbal for cameras and smartphones with intelligent subject tracking. The DJI SDR Transmission will especially appeal to filmmakers on small- and medium-sized productions looking for a reliable and accessible video transmission system. Other Ronin products to be showcased include the groundbreaking Ronin 4D, Ronin 2, RS 4 Pro, RS 4, DJI Transmission, and DJI Focus Pro. Filmmakers' creativity knows no bounds with DJI's car solutions, bringing movement, speed, and unique points of view to on-the-move shots. The booth will feature a car outfitted with DJI's diverse creative car shooting solutions: Ronin 2 Russian Arm Solution Ronin 4D Internal Remote Head Solution Ronin 4D External Suction Cup Mount Solution RS 4 Pro External Suction Cup Mount Solution Discover Osmo: Making Storytelling Possible for Everyone Visual storytelling has become more accessible thanks to DJI's versatile and intuitive Osmo product ecosystem with solutions for every level of creator. DJI Osmo recently introduced the Osmo Mobile 7 Series, DJI's feature-packed flagship gimbal that elevates smartphone photography with 3-axis stabilization and intelligent subject tracking. NAB attendees will be among the first to be able to experience the cinema-quality footage that the Osmo Mobile 7P and Osmo Mobile 7 can deliver. Other Osmo products on display include the popular Osmo Pocket 3 - the versatile pocket-sized gimbal camera with a 1-inch CMOS sensor - and the ultimate action cameras for adventurers with excellent low-light image quality - Osmo Action 5 Pro and Osmo Action 4. Additionally, DJI will spotlight its pro audio recording solutions, DJI Mic Mini and DJI Mic 2. Keep the Cameras Rolling with Reliable DJI Power Launched in 2024, DJI's portable power stations and renewable energy solutions provide filmmakers and content creators with reliable power for their productions and film sets, improving their efficiency and workflows. Attendees can test the charging limits of the DJI Power 1000, DJI Power 500, DJI Power Expansion Battery 2000, and DJI Power Super Fast Car Chargers. Learn, Create, and Share To foster creativity and skill development, DJI will host a series of workshops with filmmaking experts and talented content creators. Full Time Filmmaker, MAKE. ART. NOW., Drex Lee, and Jeven Dovey will share their expert insights into how DJI's suite of creative tools bolster visual storytelling. These workshops are open to all NAB visitors. See You at NAB Show NAB Show will open its doors at the Las Vegas Convention Center from April 6-9, 2025. Visitors can find DJI at North Hall, Booth Number N1959. About DJI Since 2006, DJI has led the world with civilian drone innovations that have empowered individuals to take flight for the first time, visionaries to turn their imagination into reality, and professionals to transform their work entirely. Today, DJI serves to build a better world by continuously promoting human advancement. With a solution-oriented mindset and genuine curiosity, DJI has expanded its ambitions into areas such as cycling, renewable energy, agriculture, public safety, surveying and mapping, and infrastructure inspection. In every application, DJI products deliver experiences that add value to lives around the world in more profound ways than ever before. For more information, visit our:DJI Ronin Website: Ronin Instagram: Ronin YouTube: Ronin Facebook: Please also visit our official DJI channels:Website: Store: LinkedIn: to our YouTube Channel: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE DJI
