A lot can happen in a week when it comes to tech. The constant onslaught of news makes it nigh impossible for mere mortals with real lives to keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve compiled a quick and dirty list of this week’s top 10 tech stories, from how to get your pizza fix on Super Bowl Sunday to an at-home tap system — it’s all here.
Just in time for Super Bowl Sunday, Domino’s bot now offers full-menu ordering
It may just be the easiest food around, and now, it’s also the easiest food to order. Last summer, Domino’s officially launched its Facebook Messenger chatbot that lets you order a pie with just one word: “PIZZA.” Because really, why complicate something so … uncomplicated? And now, just days before the Super Bowl (during which pizza is a strong contender for the national meal), Domino’s has updated its bot to allow customers to place entire order.
Get your Sagan on with these 30 awe-inspiring photos of the final frontier
Researchers build flu detector that can diagnose at a breath, no doctor required
The influenza virus is a sneaky little bugger. In most cases, you have no idea you’re infected with it until you start to show symptoms. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some sort of early-detection device that could tell us who is secretly harboring a virus before it spreads around the entire office? That is precisely what researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington have created with a prototype breathalyzer-style device, capable of detecting flu in its early stages.
Want a new turntable for your old vinyl records? Check out LOVE
Vinyl is making a comeback, and you know what that means — the return of the turntable. After all, what good is a record without a record player? And while we may be harking back to disc formats of old, that doesn’t mean we can’t give those familiar turntables a 21st-century makeover. Meet LOVE, branded as the world’s first intelligent turntable, which has just launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring its technology to the masses.
HTTPS use has finally reached its ‘moment of critical mass’
HTTPS has reached a “moment of critical mass.” That’s according to cybersecurity researcher Troy Hunt this week after he published statistics that showed HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) usage had grown so substantially that it was becoming the “norm” now rather than the exception. HTTPS is a more secure version of the HTTP protocol. It encrypts the data sent between your browser and the sites you are visiting, which ensures that your data is protected while browsing.
How the London Taxi Company is bringing the black cab into the 21st century
Once a common sight in the British capital, the emblematic Hackney carriage — colloquially known as the black cab — has seen its market share erode significantly over the past decade. The London Taxi Company (LTC) is preparing to introduce a brand-new model in a bid to reclaim its spot as the poster child of England’s taxi industry. LTC is owned by Geely, a large China-based automaker whose portfolio of brands also includes Sweden’s Volvo.
Latest Windows 10 Insider Build will get you ready for the February Bug Bash
Microsoft rolled out a new Windows Insider build to users on the Fast Ring on Wednesday, and while this latest version doesn’t bring any blockbuster new features, it does include a ton of bug fixes and a few ease-of-access improvements. The source of many of those bug fixes is also getting a bit of an update — the feedback hub itself will feature some new functionality based on community feedback. Have a look at what you Fast Ring users can look forward to in this update.
Wasted renewable energy a thing of the past as Tesla unveils energy storage center
In less than six months, Tesla’s ambitious new Mira Loma energy station went from the idea stage to broken ground to up and running. Located roughly 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in Ontario, California, the project was developed and built with the help of utility giant Southern California Edison, as well as Ontario’s local government. A blistering pace in terms of conception-to-operation, perhaps Mira Loma’s greatest native feature is the fact its humming energy storage facility boasts the capability to powering roughly 15,000 homes.
‘Pokémon Go’ sprints to $1 billion milestone ahead of generation 2 update
Pokémon Go has grossed $1 billion since its release in July, according to data collected by Sensor Tower, making it the first mobile game to reach that milestone so quickly. Sensor Tower said that while Supercell’s megapopular Clash Royale is currently closing in on $1 billion itself, it only generated $550 million in its first seven months, which means Pokémon Go brought in cash at nearly twice the rate as Clash Royale.
Enjoy beer the way it was meant to be with Growler Chill, the at-home tap system
Why go to a bar when you can just pour a perfect pint at home? You can sure be the host with the most with the Growler Chill, a neat kitchen addition that does exactly what you think it does: Keep your growlers of beer cold and fresh (and ready for the party). The household counter tap allows beer enthusiasts everywhere to recreate their favorite craft beer scene in the comfort of their kitchen.
