June Oven Review
The June oven has some cool tech inside, like a temperature probe and camera, that promise to take the guesswork out of cooking. It’s not quite there, yet. We found the programs and recipes both overcooked and undercooked, depending on what it was making.
The founding fathers gave us more than just independence. They gave us tech too
The Founding Fathers may have lived hundreds of years ago, but they were all interested in science and technology to some degree or another. Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington all tinkered with new techniques and technologies.
We thought up 17 new fragrances that are just as ridiculous as Xbox body wash
Do you want to smell like a video game console? Sure, we all do. That's the promise of Lynx Xbox, a real product. It's body wash, deodorant, and body spray that smells of citrus, coming to you thanks to Microsoft this July. We thought a few other tech companies should release their own grooming products.
What net neutrality? FCC head Ajit Pai would rather regulate Facebook
In a hearing on May 12, Ajit Pai answered a question about net neutrality by calling Silicon Valley tech companies the biggest threat to internet freedom. That's definitely a conversation to be had, but is he right to dismiss net neutrality concerns?
Facebook will pay to spy on you, but you can make more money elsewhere
Facebook's new Study app will track how you use your phone and provide that data to the social media giant. The company will even pay you for it — but likely not very much, especially compared to the market rate for your personal information.
U.S. border agency says photos of travelers stolen in cyberattack
A subcontractor working for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection was breached by a cyberattack last month. The contractor had traveler photos and license plate images on its network, which was then subjected to a "malicious cyber attack," according to CBP.
Shopping at Amazon’s Go stores feels like a heist. And we love it
The Amazon Go cashier-free grocery store is now open to the public, so we went shopping.
The world is switching to eco-friendlier fridges and A/Cs, leaving the U.S. behind
Refrigerants used in U.S. fridges are terrible for the environment. Many other parts of the world use hydrocarbons instead of HFCs for refrigerants, but bipartisan legislation requiring the switch is stalled, and the Trump administration has yet to sign the Kigali Amendment, which requires similar changes.
How a clever photography trick is bringing Seattle’s shipwrecks to the surface
Photogrammetry uses hundreds of photos that are stitched together to make a realistic model of objects. Members of the Global Underwater Explorers, including Kees Beemster Leverenz, use the technique to make models of ships and planes that are sunk in the waters around Seattle.
Making hard-boiled eggs isn’t hard — here’s how to do it perfectly every time
Making hard-boiled eggs isn't as difficult as making a souffle, but there are lots of gadgets to make it even easier. With the help of science or some kitchen recipes and tools, making hard-boiled eggs can be a little easier. It may not be the hardest task in the world, but a few of these methods are foolproof.
How MIT hacked horticulture to cultivate a hyper-flavorful basil plant
As farmers maximize crop yield, the plants lose flavor and nutrition. MIT researcher Caleb Harper uses his personal food computers to alter indoor climates and influence the taste of basil. He found surprising results when exposing basil to light for 24 hours a day.
Google’s smart home mastermind talks security, A.I., the future of control
Google product lead Mark Spates works on the company’s smart speakers, including Google Home. In an interview with Digital Trends, he talked about the role of voice in the smart home and where the future might lead, including gesture control, proximity sensors, and new smart speaker hardware.
Prime(d) is the podcast Amazon probably doesn’t want you to listen to
KUOW’s Prime(d) podcast debuts Season 2 February 4. Host Joshua McNichols spoke with Digital Trends about the ways in which Amazon waits out its competition while keeping its customers happy. Even a few missteps won’t phase a company this size, so it’s practically guaranteed some amount of success in everything from groceries to fashion.
If you want a pair of Focals smartglasses, be prepared to go through a process
North makes Focals, smart glasses that are customized for your face. The company makes a 3D model of your head and walks you through a demo. But that’s only your first visit. A second fitting is required to make sure the projector, which shows the weather, directions, and more, is crisp and clear for you.
From fridges to fireplaces, the most luxurious home items you can’t afford
All manner of luxury appliances were on display at KBIS 2019. The kitchen and bath show lets builders gawk at high-tech wine fridges, gigantic ranges, gigantic Alexa-controlled gas fireplace installations, and oversize fridges. These items all come with extreme price tags. You may not be able to buy, but you can look.
Global Good wants to rid the world of deadly diseases with lasers and A.I.
Bill Gates and Intellectual Ventures both invest money in Global Good, a program that brings together scientists from various backgrounds to tackle problems in the developing world, especially disease eradication. They try to find high-tech solutions target pneumonia, polio, and malaria.
The Miele appliance lineup features ventless dryers and bagless vacuum cleaners
The Miele TwinDos Washer uses two detergents that it self-doses to clean clothes appropriately, based on the cycle you select.
DS3 Clean water-free swatches could be the future of cleaning products
At CES 2019, we got a look at a few of the DS3 Clean swatches. These little squares fit in your hand and contain cleaning products but no water. Not only is that great for travel, but it could have a positive impact on storage and shipping of these supplies, which include shampoo, face wash, and toilet cleaner.
In search of the fountain of youth, beauty companies turn to tech
Beauty tech finally arrived at CES 2019. Not only were brands such as Olay, L’Oreal, and Neutrogena fully on display, they had interesting and unique gadgets to show off. Many of the brands hoped to deliver a more personalized experience when it comes to skincare.
How to select a wine cooler (and we don’t mean Bartles and Jaymes)
If you've never bought a wine fridge or wine cooler before, we have some tips.
12 absurdly specific kitchen gadgets you definitely don’t need (but probably want)
Lamenting your abundance of kitchen space? These absurdly specific, nominally useful kitchen gadgets might be for you. Because who doesn't need snow cones on demand?
Peace of mind: These 11 smart home devices can secure your place when you’re away
Finding peace of mind when you're away from home isn't always easy. Thankfully, these gadgets will help keep your home secure when you're not there.
12 gadgets that elevate a Super Bowl party from bash to blast
The Super Bowl only comes once a year, so why not prepare for it? These party-centric gadgets and gizmos will help take your celebration to the next level.
Super Bowl recipes you can make in the oven simultaneously
Limit your time in the kitchen this Super Bowl Sunday by baking a bunch of different appetizers in the oven that all cook at the same temperature. Plus, many of these recipes can be made in under 20 minutes.
If your floors are a forest of pet fur, this robot vacuum is ready to help
Pet hair is sometimes a challenge for robot vacuums, but Bobsweep's Bobi Pet is meant to tackle just that problem. The Canadian company launched it today.
Don’t have a maid? You can tell the new Roomba to clean from your smartphone
Have guests coming over but haven't vacuumed in weeks? iRobot just introduced the Roomba 980, which you can control remotely from your smartphone.
Leesa Mattress Review
Finding the perfect mattress is largely about personal preference, so it’s nice that Leesa lets you test it out in the privacy of your own home.
Cordless hair dryers aren’t really a thing but Volo wants to change that
The Volo Go is a cordless hair dryer on display at CES 2019. It uses infrared heat to dry hair and is battery powered instead of needing to be plugged into an outlet. The battery drains fairly quickly, but Volo claims the hair dryer's results are fast and can finish the job in as little as five minutes.
How long does it take for eggnog to go bad? It’s all about the booze
Eggnog is a beloved holiday beverage for some and reviled one for others, but it might actually be safer to drink a few weeks after you make it. If you find yourself with leftovers this holiday season, when should you throw it out? The answer is all in the booze content (hint: the boozier the better!).
Don’t kick it to the curb: 13 ways to recycle your Christmas tree
The holidays are over, and now you've got a sad looking Christmas tree sitting in your living room. Think all you can do with your spruce or pine is wait for the garbage truck? From making mulch to replanting (yes, actually replanting!), here are some creative ways to recycle the evergreen.
How Alexa and Google Home can lend a hand over the holidays
Smart speakers with voice assistants, such as Alexa and Google Home, can be especially helpful during the holiday with these tips and tricks. From setting timers to shopping for deals to playing your favorite festive music and movies, let your Alexa or Google Home device give you a helping hand in life.
Here’s how to keep Thanksgiving leftovers edible for longer
Thanksgiving leftovers can feed you for days, but how long before bacteria and mold make the turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce no longer safe to eat? We asked some experts to get answers and also got tips on when, where, and how to store food.
With Personal Food Computers, nerd farmers are finding the best way to grow
Caleb Harper is an MIT research scientist and head of the OpenAg Initiative. He builds personal food computers that have tons of sensors, cameras, and circuit boards. He thinks they’re the key to growing food designed to combat specific diseases and targeted for each person’s DNA.
The future of food could make kitchens and grocery stores obsolete
Will kitchens eventually be replaced with vending machines? Will we be 3D printing our food in 20 years? The 2018 Smart Kitchen Summit included a lot of wild predictions about the future of cooking, but the most likely scenario seems to be that people will cook and use technology in different ways.
Sensor-studded Kansas City is like a giant smartphone. Now it just needs apps
Though Kansas City didn't win the Smart Cities Challenge, it's using sensors to gather data and make decisions.