Tech
Do You Really Need An AI-Powered Toothbrush?
Published
5 years agoon
By
Jack KocsisNever doubt the power of technology to make simple things complicated. As we examine trends likely to define the year 2020 in tech, a few commonalities stand out to us. One such indicator points to an upcoming boom in “AI-powered toothbrushes.” Out with your regular old electric toothbrush and in with its “machine learning” successor. Why anyone needs such a thing remains to be seen.
Multiple brands are attempting to either create or co-opt this advancement in oral hygiene technology. At CES in Las Vegas earlier this month, Oral-B made the biggest splash. Turns out Oral-B already makes an AI-powered toothbrush, called the Genius X, which hit the market in late 2019. In Vegas, Oral-B unveiled a new model, the iO, which claims to improve the mapping of the interior your mouth, so it can give you a numerical answer to the question of what areas you are skimping on. Like the Genius X before it, Oral-B’s iO has received fawning coverage by tech bloggers. Still, we can’t imagine spending upward of $200 for a toothbrush, since you can get a toothbrush at CVS for all of $4 (and even an electric one on Amazon for about $50).
Oral hygiene is important, and it is almost certainly true that most of us do not do a good enough job taking care of our teeth and gums. But if I had to venture a guess, I’d say the people most likely to pay $200 for a toothbrush are the ones who do already care about their oral health, making them the least likely to need such a product. This in turn makes the iO and other AI advancements in the industry naught more than a gimmick. You don’t need an AI toothbrush any more than you need Charmin’s new toilet paper robot.
Whether you get Oral-B’s new iO toothbrush when it is released later this year depends on if you have $200 burning a hole in your pocket. If you do, then go for it; it’s not as if it is going to make your brushing experience any worse. Just do not expect some sort of savior in toothbrush form. Like a dollar store toothbrush, an AI-powered toothbrush requires you to use it and use it right. At the end of the day, that is up to you and you alone.
Neck pain can be a very serious issue. If your neck starts to hurt, it is important that you don’t simply ignore it. Pay attention to the signs and symptoms that may make the matter more serious. For example, holding your neck in place for a long period of time can exacerbate neck pain. This can be particularly troublesome, because all sorts of activities central to modern life, such as driving and working at a computer, require such a position. Other indications of severe neck pain include muscle tightness and spasms, as well as headaches. If your neck pain is bad enough, it is possible you are not even able to move your head.
Although the above symptoms may not apply to you, it is still prudent to examine your life for potential future causes of neck pain. Doing a self-audit can save you a lot of headaches (literally) down the line, not to mention medical expenses. Start by examining your posture: Poor posture is one of the primary causes of neck pain. Repetitive motions and bad sleep habits are similarly avoidable origins. Neck pain can also result from a different medical issue, such as muscle strains or pinched nerves, or injuries from exercising or other physical activity. Fibromyalgia is another common culprit.
If you start experiencing neck pain, you do not have to immediately seek out a doctor. As long as your neck pain remains mild, there are quite a few self-care remedies you can employ. Alternating the application of ice and heat can help, using the ice to reduce swelling and pain as the heat relaxes muscles and improves blood flow. You can also try correcting the problem at its source: Fix your posture, or sleep in a better position, and your neck pain may very well go away on its own. If your job does require you to hold your neck in position, be sure to take frequent breaks for short walks and gentle stretches. In addition to these solutions, you can be sure to relieve pain and improve comfort by giving yourself a massage.
Unless you happen to have a live-in massage therapist, you will need a massage device to properly work on your neck. Luckily, there are several effective and affordable such machines available from NAIPO. A prime example is the classic 150DC, the most popular massager in the company’s history. This Shoulder & Neck Massager with Shiatsu Kneading Massage and Heat uses a U-shape design to envelop your neck as its nodes simulate the feel of a professional’s fingertips. Another good choice is the innovative oPillow, which attaches to your office chair to help you work out any kinks while you’re on the job. Both of these NAIPO massagers—the 150DC and the oPillow—can relieve neck pain, allowing NAIPO users to find well-being.
Tech
NAIPO Joins Massage Gun Craze With New Model
Published
1 year agoon
April 25, 2023By
Jack KocsisNAIPO, one of the world’s leading massager companies, continues its hot start to the year by releasing its third new product of 2023. On the heels of its foot spa and handheld percussion massager comes its most anticipated launch yet—the NP-MG01 massage gun.
In recent years, massage guns have become the crown jewel of the at-home massager market. Vibration therapy not only relieves muscle soreness generally but offers specialized benefits during post-workout recovery. Massage guns are a favorite of professional athletes, as well as weekend warriors and fitness freaks. Anyone who takes their physical health seriously needs a massage gun in their gym bag.
Now, they can make it the NP-MG01 massage gun. Smaller and more compact than similarly designed products, this exciting new massager weighs just 390g (under 1 pound), which means anyone can carry it around in their pocket no problem. It also boasts a sleek design, with attractive and durable UV black paint making it smooth to the touch and easy to clean.
A common complaint with most massage guns previously available for purchase is their annoyingly loud noise output. To solve this issue for its users, NAIPO’s R&D team designed this massage gun with a proprietary brushless motor with Quiet Technology™. Combined with an internal lithium-ion battery with convenient USB-C charging, this provides up to 180 minutes of continuous whisper-quiet massage treatment.
From its many years of experience in the field, NAIPO knows that massages are not “one-size-fits-all.” Every person is different, and every person deserves a specialized massage to meet their individualized needs. To that end, the NP-MG01 massage gun features 5 speed levels and 4 interchangeable massage head attachments. That degree of customization is sure to provide advanced levels of relief and relaxation to anyone who gets their hands on it.
The NP-MG01 massage gun is available now via NAIPO’s own website.
Tech
With Daylight Savings Time Ending, It May Be Time For A SAD Lamp
Published
2 years agoon
November 4, 2022By
Jack KocsisI am not a licensed psychiatrist, so I am not going to weigh in on whether Seasonal Affective Disorder is a legitimate mood disorder, as opposed to a normal human response to a change in seasons. But I will say that whoever named it obviously thought it was a joke – there is no way you can tall someone you are “SAD” and expect the sympathy that traditionally accompanies revelations of mental illness.
Whether you actually suffer from clinical depression or just would prefer more sunlit hours in a day, now is the time of year to start preparing for the winter blues. Daylight Savings Time is ending this weekend, which is the government’s way of telling you it does not want you to be happy when you get off work in the evenings.
In theory, SAD lamps can help. Contrary to their name, SAD lamps are not designed to bring you further down into the dumps but instead to make you happy. Maybe they should call them HAPPY lamps. I’ll let the professionals to come up with some appropriate backronym for that like they obviously did with Season Affective Disorder all those years ago.
SAD lamps are useful for so-called “light therapy.” Again, I’m not a doctor, so I do not know exactly how they work, besides the crucial fact that they are meant to mimic daylight while filtering out UV rays. Putting one in your home can help you combat the effects of earlier and earlier sunsets, and maybe even trick your brain into thinking you live in Florida. SAD lamps aren’t very expensive, so if your mood ever starts to sag (especially going into the holidays without being surrounded by family), you might as well give it a go.