How HP made the new Elite Dragonfly one of the most sustainable laptops ever
As part of its ongoing sustainability efforts, HP is introducing a new laptop that's unlike any other, as it's made of 80% recycled materials. From the speakers, the keyboard, and more, this is a laptop that will make you love the earth.
JBL’s solar-powered headphones could eliminate the need for recharging
If you've ever worried about how long your wireless headphones will last on a charge, or worried about the toll all of that recharging is taking on the planet, JBL's Reflect Eternal Headphones might be what you're looking for. With a solar-collecting headband, JBL claims you might never need to plug-in again.
Twitter stops some images from animating to protect those with epilepsy
The Epilepsy Foundation’s Twitter account was recently bombarded with flashing images designed to trigger a seizure among those with the condition. Twitter this week announced a change to its handling of Animated PNG files aimed at reducing the chances of a similar kind of incident happening again.
IBM’s new battery may outperform lithium-ion, and it doesn’t use conflict minerals
The heavy metals used to make modern batteries are an environmental and humanitarian nightmare. IBM is busy developing a novel battery technology which could eliminate the need for such materials altogether in battery production. And it has some impressive performance boosts, too.
These robots taser weeds to death so farmers don’t need chemical herbicides
A new agricultural robotics startup called the Small Robot Company has come up with a trio of robots that hunt weeds down, kill them with mini blasts of lightning, and then plant crops in their place. Here's what the company has developed -- and what its future plans are.
Siri helped save a teenager after his vehicle crashed into icy river
Apple's digital assistant Siri helped save 18-year old Gael Salcedo, who found himself in a freezing river after losing control of his Jeep. The teenager could not locate his phone after the accident so he asked Siri to call 911, sending firefighters to the scene to carry out the rescue.
The visually impaired can now watch Comcast TV channels on VR goggles
For years, if you were legally blind and wanted to watch TV, your choices were slim. Most people resorted to described video soundtracks as a way to "hear" what was going on. Comcast has joined up with NuEyes to offer a second option: Watching live and on-demand TV on VR goggles for those with visual impairments.
McDonald’s is sending Ford its garbage in the name of sustainability
Ford isn't breaking into the waste disposal business; its researchers found an innovative way to replace plastic with a natural byproduct of the coffee-roasting process. McDonald's will start sending Ford a significant amount of coffee waste, which will be used to make headlight housings for the Ranger.
Schwinn Monroe 250 review: Making me a fan
Schwinn has been a household name for as long as anyone can remember, but it's not one often associated with electric bikes. The Monroe 250 looks to change that, providing ample range and excellent rideability while making compromises that may not matter to the everyday commuter.
Light Phone 2 review: Not the cure for smartphone addiction
Is your smartphone use out of control? Looking for a break? The Light Phone 2 is a basic phone that promises exactly that. Its 4G connectivity means you can place calls and send texts, and you can also set an alarm. More tools like ridesharing apps are on the way, but all of this comes at a high price.
Here’s an A.I. preview of what climate change will do to your neighborhood
Researchers are using machine learning to help the public visualize the impact of climate change and inform policymakers on what to do.
One of Nat Geo’s first female photographers captured stories others ignored
With 40 years of experience, Annie Griffiths started her career as one of the first women photographers at National Geographic. She now runs a nonprofit working to empower women around the globe.
4 women innovators who are using tech to help others live better lives
Meet four female leaders who are not only at the forefront of technology today, but who are also using tech to help others. From robotics and medicine to food and undergarments, see how these four women are using technology to help make the world a better place.
Dr. Cecilia Bitz tracks sea ice as it disappears at unprecedented levels
Dr. Cecilia Bitz is an atmospheric scientist who studies sea ice. She's watched it melt and retreat in the Arctic Ocean and knows the trend is harmful for the planet. Melting ice is part of a climate change feedback loop that's causing big problems for polar bears, Native Alaskans, and others.
Specialized Turbo Como 4.0 Review: Comfortably quick
Specialized's Turbo Como 4.0 is a quick and comfortable ride that's perfect for your commute. It's more agile, and much faster, than you'd expect a commuter bike to be. It lacks the tech wizardry you might want from an ebike, but Specialized's 45 years of experience building bikes is obvious here.
About a third of U.S. households lack broadband internet. 5G may change that
A new report from The NPD Group says that almost a third of U.S. households do not have access to broadband internet, and that many of these households are in rural communities. Broadband is considered to be a minimum of 25Mbps or greater. However, 5G could help bring broadband to underserved communities.
The Mara X and Mara Z smartphones are built almost entirely in Rwanda
Rwanda's Mara Group, the first smartphone manufacturer in Africa, has built a new smartphone assembly plant in which it almost entirely builds two new smartphones: The Mara X and Mara Z phones. Both devices are relatively inexpensive, and offer decently powerful performance for the price point.
Earth has a food waste problem. Can giant, solar-powered refrigerators help?
There’s a problem with food waste in developing countries that can’t be fixed by buying a fridge. Farmer Nnaemeka C. Ikegwuonu created ColdHubs, solar-powered rooms that extend the shelf life of produce. With the potential to reduce food waste worldwide, places in Africa are already reaping the benefits.
Thanks to iris scanning, refugees can get the food they need at a glance
For humanitarian organizations trying to deliver aid to refugees, the lack of identification can be a quagmire. The United Nations' World Food Programme has deployed a technological solution, using iris scanning and Blockchain to help refugees get food quickly and easily.
This virtual grocery store puts real food on the table for refugees
The World Food Programme has been experimenting to find new ways that technology can be used to help refugees and other vulnerable families find the best, most affordable food. The Dalili app has been rolled out successfully in Lebanon, and it's enabling new interactions between stores and customers.
Ubco 2×2 review: Mountain goat
The Ubco 2x2 is a unique electric moped that combines high quality parts, off-road suspension, and lightweight design. The result is an approach, easy-to-ride electric steed that can handle both pavement and off-road terrain with ease. But is it worth its high MSRP?
Team Rubicon revolutionizes disaster response. Microsoft wants to help
Coordinating a network of more than 100,000 volunteers is no easy feat -- Team Rubicon would know. Thankfully, as the disaster response non-profit grows and the toll of Hurricane Dorian continues to grow, Microsoft has a custom solution to make it all manageable.
LifePod believes smart home tech can help facilitate the challenges of eldercare
Boston-based startup LifePod is digging deep into the eldercare market, partnering up with the American Heart Association for a heart failure study to help seniors take better care for themselves and monitor their own health via smart home technology.
The Fairphone 3 places ethics and the planet over specs and greed
The new Fairphone 3 is a smartphone sold not on the specification, but on the sustainable materials inside, ethical production methods and supply chain, and how it can be recycled and reused when you’re finished with it. The mid-range phone is designed to last longer than others too.
The Amazon rainforest is burning, but there’s a way you can help from your desk
In response to the fires in the Amazon, search engine Ecosia is planting even more -- an additional one million trees in the Brazilian rainforest to help make up for the biodiversity lost in the flames. The engine plants a new tree for every 50 searches.
The three largest public EV charging networks are now working together
Electrify America has signed an interoperability agreement with EVgo. This follows agreements between both major electric-car charging networks and ChargePoint. That means drivers can charge at stations on all three networks with one account, making the charging process much easier.
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV rated at 259 miles of range, outpacing most rivals
The 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV will have the longest range of any mass-market electric car, according to a new report. Range is expected to increase from 238 miles to 259 miles per charge. Chevrolet hasn't officially commented on the range increase, which was listed on an EPA website.
Scientists develop implant to restore sight by stimulating the optic nerve
Blindness is difficult to treat, in part because it can be caused by so many different issues in the eye, the brain, or the optic nerve which connects the two. Now, scientists have developed a technology to directly stimulate the optic nerve, which could be used to restore people's sight in the future.
Geoengineering is risky and unproven, but soon it might be necessary
From light-scattering aerosols in Earth’s upper atmosphere to artificial chemical sponges created to suck carbon-dioxide out of the air we breathe, geoengineering aims to purposely change the world's climate using technology. Here's why its proponents think it must happen.
Biologists create an ‘eyeball on a chip’ that actually blinks
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a human eye replica that’s actually capable of tearing up and blinking. Here's why they've created it -- and, no, it isn't because they're building a Terminator-style robot.
The Biotica800 air purifier uses probiotics to clean the air in your home
The BetterAir Biotica800 air purifier disperses probiotics through the air to neutralize harmful bacteria and trap allergens. It aims to be a completely natural solution to home and office air purification. The unique approach of the Biotica800 targets the causes of indoor air pollution at the source.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid gets a solar roof to help recharge its battery pack
The latest Hyundai Sonata Hybrid will get a solar roof that helps recharge its battery pack. While the new Sonata Hybrid will be sold in the United States, Hyundai hasn't yet discussed plans to offer the solar roof here. Hyundai isn't the first automaker to offer solar charging.
Implant restores sight in blind patients by beaming images directly to the brain
Engineers have developed a new neural implant which could help completely blind people by bypassing non-functioning optical nerves and inputting images directly into their brain. It has already resulted in partial sight being restored to six participants in an experimental study.
Japanese researchers are teaching tires how to generate electricity
Japanese tire company Sumitomo teamed up with researchers at Kansai University to develop an experimental tire that generates electricity. It uses an Energy Harvester to convert the friction generated as the car moves into a small amount of electricity used to power accessories like the tire pressure monitoring system.
The Winston Privacy Filter hides your online activities from prying eyes
People are growing more conscious of the footprint they leave behind online and how private data can be leaked, sold, and used by unscrupulous companies. The Winston Privacy Filter is a box that plugs into your router and protects your online activities, making it impossible for anyone to snoop on you.
Adidas has created a running shoe that’s made to be remade
Adidas has unveiled the Futurecraft Loop running shoe that it claims is the first performance footwear to be 100% recyclable. The shoe is part of a growing list of green initiatives by the sportswear company and will be tested over the next 18 months before hitting stores in 2021.
Clever new haptic vest could let rescue dogs take commands from miles away
Researchers in Israel have developed a haptic vest for dogs. It allows owners to communicate instructions to their pooch through specific vibration patterns. In doing so, it could be possible to communicate information to dogs in scenarios when other forms of communication are not available.
HomeStay Intelligent Home platform gives aging loved ones independence, security
The Australian company HomeStay's Intelligent Home smart home platform provides remote monitoring for senior citizens and allows them to continue living on their own. Motion sensors, door sensors, and an emergency pendant let loved ones keep an eye on seniors from a distance.