Technology
The latest in technology news, from advanced robotics to smartphones, digital cameras and home entertainment gear.
Britain's Dragonfire laser weapon engages first aerial targets
January 21, 2024
Britain has fired its Dragonfire high-powered laser weapon at aerial targets for the first time. The test of the Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) on the Ministry of Defence's Hebrides Range was designed to demonstrate its power and accuracy.
Photography
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Gallery: Rare glimpses of nature from far-flung isle
July 16, 2024In its eighth year, the Beaker Street Festival's Science Photography Prize tells the story of one of the more remote places on Earth, Australia's southern island state of Tasmania. The 12 finalists capture the beauty and diversity of this stunning land. -
Fascinating photographs highlight the beauty found in daily life
July 06, 2024The six winners of the Hasselblad Masters 2023 photography competition highlight the extraordinary beauty that can be found in every day life, from humble homes to train journeys, and even small insects posing for close-ups. -
The 2024 Astronomy Photographer of the Year shortlist
July 04, 2024From a dragon-shaped aurora to the Milky Way framing the Isaac Newton Telescope, these incredible images are shortlisted in this annual contest that celebrates the diverse, wild beauty of space. See if you can pick the winner, announced September 12.
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Military
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Tempest 6th-gen fighter jet concept features next-gen power and aeros
July 21, 2024At this year's Farnborough International Airshow, Britain, Italy and Japan are showing off the latest concept model of the sixth-generation fighter being developed by the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), highlighting its advanced aerodynamics. -
Light-speed radar can track multiple Mach-20 missiles
July 12, 2024China has just made another move on the hypersonic missile war game board. An incredibly accurate laser-based radar system has been announced that would be able to track objects ripping through the sky at over four miles per second. -
Remembering FLIP, the US Navy’s self-sinking research ship
July 12, 2024There are few things in this world that are literally unique. One of these, in the true sense of the word, is the FLoating Instrument Platform (FLIP), which was a floating barge built for the US Navy that regularly sank itself on end for science.
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Mobile Technology
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Retro Apple Watch case turns your device into an iPod with scroll wheel
July 20, 2024The Apple iPod may no longer be with us, after it was retired for good in 2022, but if you're feeling a little nostalgic, you can turn your Watch into a mini retro device that is more a secondary 'dumb phone' than just a music player. -
Review: Productivity in eye-friendly color with the PocketBook Eo e-note
July 12, 2024The PocketBook Eo color E Ink e-note announced back in April is now available. We've spent the last few weeks being kinder to our eyes while makes notes, reading and planning – and have even taken the odd photo. Let's have a closer look. -
Thin and lightweight e-note embraces productivity on the Go
June 24, 2024Onyx International has launched a new series of lightweight E Ink devices as part of its Boox line, starting with an ultra-thin monochrome 10.3-inch ePaper notepad that saves paper (and your eyes) plus a color e-reader.
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Drones
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Electrostatic propulsion powers all-day flight for solar drone
July 19, 2024Scientists have engineered a micro-aerial vehicle that has the potential to fly indefinitely in sunlight, using an electrostatic motor to power its ultra-lightweight unit. Until now, these tiny drones have been limited to around 30 minutes of airtime. -
Record-setting drone utilizes ant-inspired smarts to make its way home
July 18, 2024Tiny aerial drones have many potential uses, but their ability to navigate is severely limited by their minuscule amount of onboard processing power. Scientists have now set about addressing that limitation, taking a cue from foraging insects such as ants. -
Curve-nosed UAV crashes into trees, then wraps its wings around to perch
July 16, 2024Taking cues from geckos, EPFL researchers have developed an unmanned aerial vehicle with an upturned nose that crashes into vertical poles, and then wraps its wings around to perch. The PercHug could find use in inspection and surveillance tasks.
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Home Entertainment
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Low-lag laser projectors bring on big-screen 4K gaming day or night
July 02, 2024When you're immersed in the game, you don't want to have to pause to adjust the blinds. With BenQ new casual gaming projectors you may not need to, as they each sport a laser light source that puts out 3,200 ANSI lumens, as well as a low input lag. -
Portable 1080p projector rocks JBL sound for all-in-one entertainment
June 25, 2024Yaber has just launched a new all-in-one portable entertainment hub to provide audiovisuals at camp, in the living room, or anywhere in between. The T2/T2 Plus combines a Full HD projector for movie watching and built-in JBL speakers for the soundtrack. -
Philips aims for wall or desk with portable UST projector
June 11, 2024Following successful crowdfunding campaigns for the U4 and U5 laser projectors, Philips Projection has returned to Indiegogo for the launch of its first portable UST triple-laser projector – the Screeneo UL5 Smart.
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Deals
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Get Microsoft Visio on sale for only $19.97
July 22, 2024TL;DR: Turn complex data into pro quality visuals with Microsoft Visio's library of templates and customizable tools, and it's only $19.97 (reg. $249). -
Get 1TB of lifetime cloud storage with Koofr's unbeatable deal
July 21, 2024Have you ever run out of storage on your device? With 1TB of cloud storage from Koofr, those days are over. This deal not only provides ample storage for all your files, but also offers a seamless, secure, and accessible experience. -
Elevate your space with immersive art experiences
July 18, 2024Ready to turn your living room into a stunning art gallery? Showcase masterpieces in 4K resolution with Dreamscreens. Transform your TV into a digital canvas, displaying art in breathtaking detail that you might miss in a traditional gallery setting.
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3D Printing
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Smart 3D printer tunes itself to build with unfamiliar materials
April 08, 2024A recently developed system could revolutionize the world of 3D printing, by streamlining the adoption of new print media. Such materials could include ones made from all-renewable ingredients, or that are more recyclable than current options. -
In a world-first, wooden items get 3D-printed out of wood-only ingredients
March 20, 2024Scientists have developed a new "ink" that allows objects to be 3D-printed out of wood. The material could reduce the amount of wood that gets wasted in the manufacturing of various products, plus it could utilize existing wood waste. -
New 3D-printing ink changes color for different parts of one print job
February 20, 2024Scientists have created a 3D-printing media that can take on different colors in different parts of a single print job. The secret lies in utilizing ultraviolet light to selectively alter the surface structure of the material as it's being dispensed.
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Computers
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Ryzen-powered mini-PC goes all-in-one with flip-up 7-inch touchscreen
July 15, 2024Not everyone has the room for a bulky desktop computer at home, which makes a mini-PC a desirable option. Startup Miniproca has launched a model on Kickstarter that features octa-core processing brains, Radeon graphics, and a multi-touch display. -
Living brain-cell biocomputers are now training on dopamine
May 28, 2024Current AI training methods burn colossal amounts of energy to learn, but the human brain sips just 20 W. Swiss startup FinalSpark is now selling access to cyborg biocomputers, running up to four living human brain organoids wired into silicon chips. -
World's first microcomputer is up for auction right now
May 23, 2024The Q1 desktop microcomputer, the world's first microcomputer that was uncovered in storage boxes by accident by cleaners at Kingston University in London, is going on the auction block at Heritage Auctions, along with a later version and a printer.
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Games
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5 video games we wanna smell, now that it's kinda possible with GameScent
March 19, 2024Have you ever wondered what all 1,000+ Pokémon smell like? Because we have. With the news of a weird AI smell-o-vision device called GameScent, we’ve rounded up a list of which game worlds we’re most curious to get a whiff of – for better or worse. -
Dawn of the arcade game: Three pivotal video games from the early 70s
March 12, 2024Atari's first three video arcade games tell a fascinating story of rapid evolution: the first ("Computer Space" - 1971), the game it inspired ("Pong" - 1972) and the sequel to Pong ("Space Race" - 1973) which introduced the arcade world to the joystick. -
AI robot buddy aims to teach gamers social skills
January 10, 2024This charmingly Japanese robot acts as a gaming buddy, taking the other controller and playing against you while chatting about what's happening on screen. It's designed to stave off loneliness, and teach increasingly isolated gamers to be social.
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Laptops
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AR laptop puts 100-inch virtual screen in front of your eyes
June 07, 2024Around this time last year, tech startup Sightful invited a thousand productivity pioneers to be the first to experience the Spacetop system, a laptop that uses AR glasses for a display. Now the updated and refined Gen 1 product has gone up for sale. -
2024 Macbook Air gets M3 chip – and serious performance upgrades
March 04, 2024Apple has treated its most popular portable workstation to a significant performance boost thanks to building the new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air laptops around its latest silicon, the M3 chip announced last year. -
First transparent laptop shows Lenovo's clear vision for future working
March 03, 2024Lenovo has unveiled a ThinkBook concept that boasts a futuristic transparent display and combined touch keyboard/drawing pad. The concept is part of the company's new tech offerings announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week.
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Music
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The Stratocaster turns 70: An ode to the world's greatest guitar design
July 10, 2024Join us on a trip through Fender's factory, Custom Shop, Master Builder department and head office, in celebration of a radically innovative instrument that continues to find new ways to move music forward, even seven decades after its launch. -
Toy-like music maker gets future producers in the groove
April 25, 2024A portable music production studio previewed at NAMM 2022 is now crowdfunding on Kickstarter. Playtime Engineering's Blipblox myTracks is designed to give young creators all the tools they need to start making music. -
John Lennon's long-lost Help! acoustic expected to break auction records
April 23, 2024John Lennon's 1964 Framus 5/024 Hootenanny famously played on the title track of The Beatles' 1965 album Help! – and believed lost for more than 50 years – is heading to auction next month, where it's expected to break records.
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Robotics
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Disney brings beauty and personality into robot movements
July 22, 2024Disney Research Hub has different priorities to other robot developers; its robots need to move effectively and efficiently – but also with a ton of style and personality. This super-cute biped, based on the BD-1 droid, is a perfect example. -
Watch: Vacuum-footed robot dog cleans up the beach
July 20, 2024This nifty little quadruped robot has been trained to seek and eliminate litter by researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology, using a vacuum cleaner backpack with nozzles strapped to its ankles. -
World's fastest brick-laying construction robot lands on American shores
July 16, 2024A robotic truck equipped with a mighty telescopic boom arm has just journeyed from Australia to Florida. Now the construction robot will get busy churning out up to 10 houses in a bid to become the employee of choice for building entire communities.
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Smartwatches
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Coros PACE 2 review: A lightweight, long-lasting smartwatch
July 04, 2021If you want a wearable to track workouts, runs, sleep and plenty more, then there's no shortage of devices to pick from – and after a couple of weeks of testing we can tell you that the Coros PACE 2 has a few features that might make you choose it. -
The budget TicWatch E3 shows off Wear OS at its best
June 16, 2021Google has promised big improvements for its Wear OS wearable platform later this year, but in the meantime Mobvoi has launched a new device that could be the best value smartwatch on the market right now: the TicWatch E3. -
The newest Casio G-Shock smartwatch is the first to run Wear OS
April 01, 2021Google's Wear OS platform could certainly use some more actual smartwatches to run on, and Casio has obliged with the GSW-H1000 – the first G-Shock smartwatch from the brand to come with Wear OS on board.
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Telecommunications
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FCC bans AI-voiced robocalls in wake of ‘Biden’ calls to NH residents
February 08, 2024The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on February 8th that robocalls made using AI-generated voices are illegal, effective immediately. The announcement gives law enforcement agencies greater powers to deal with scammers. -
Lightweight woven antenna could replace field-deployed dishes
January 22, 2024Ordinarily, in order to establish communications at disaster sites, rescuers have to transport and set up relatively bulky, costly satellite dishes. Soon, however, a simple tubular antenna made of woven strips of material may get the job done. -
Record-breaking fiber transmits 20x global internet traffic per second
December 03, 2023Everybody wants a faster internet connection, and now engineers in Japan have shattered the record for data transmission. The team managed to transmit more than 20 times the global internet traffic per second through a single optical fiber.
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Wearables
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Screw-drive titanium watch tells time in straight lines
July 22, 2024If you're looking for a weird watch, you'd be hard pressed to find anything more unique than the MS1001-Ti. Currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, it uses two auger-like screws to tell time. -
'Air curtain' hard hat works like an invisible face mask
July 10, 2024A new device has been shown to protect wearers from airborne viruses while leaving their face mask-free. It blocks microbes via a curtain of air which has itself been pretreated to kill any viruses present within it. -
Samsung finally puts a health tracker on your finger with the Galaxy Ring
July 10, 2024Samsung has finally pulled back the official curtain on possibly its worst kept secret – the Galaxy Ring. Though there have been a number of similar wearables available from smaller companies for a while, this is the first from a major brand.
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Virtual Reality
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Electric "treadmill shoes" set to boost the world of VR gaming
July 08, 2024Shoes with motorized wheels could revolutionize the manner in which gamers walk through VR worlds. Currently being developed by UK/US startup Freeaim, the clever kicks are essentially little wearable treadmills. -
C-Infinity VR platform designed to keep gamers from losing their lunch
February 01, 2024Realistic and immersive as VR gaming may be, it produces feelings of motion sickness in many people. The C-Infinity platform is claimed to keep that from happening, by better engaging the user's body in their avatar's actions. -
Phantom VR glove delivers a sense of touch, but leaves fingers free
January 29, 2024There are now a number of gloves that deliver tactile sensations to VR users' fingertips when they touch virtual objects. The Phantom glove is unique, however, in that it doesn't cover the fingers, leaving them free for real-world interactions.
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