Skip to main content
Les Shu

Les Shu

Former Digital Trends Contributor

I am formerly a senior editor at Digital Trends. I bring with me more than a decade of tech and lifestyle journalism experience. I have written for a variety publications that include Laptop, Men's Fitness, Computer Shopper, More, Best Life, and Men's Journal. My approach to tech is simple: Highlighting the best products that are easy to use with the most bang for your buck. On the side, I am an airline nerd (I also covered travel-related articles) who enjoys building Lego sets. Find me on Twitter or Instagram.

The best laptop backpacks and briefcases for traveling

Getting through airport security is a drag, but your laptop bag shouldn’t be. These are the best laptop bags for traveling in style while passing through fast.
best gifts for travelers travels last minute bose feature

22 last-minute gifts for last-minute travelers (or maybe for your wishlist)

From headphones to portable batteries and bags, here are the 22 best gifts for travelers on your holiday wish list.
David Mandelbrot, CEO of Indiegogo

Indiegogo’s CEO on how crowdfunding is going beyond fundraising

Digital Trends Senior Editor Les Shu was joined by David Mandelbrot, CEO of Indiegogo, on DT Daily to talk about changes at Indiegogo and the crowdfunding industry in general, and how his company is better supporting entrepreneurs from start to finish. He also tells us his favorite Indiegogo campaigns.
xpo logistics will add 5000 smart robots to help speed up deliveries robot deployment

To speed up operations, XPO Logistics will hire 5,000 smart robots to workforce

XPO Logistics, a tech-focused company specializing in last-mile deliveries, says it will add 5,000 intelligent robots in its warehouses to help speed up deliveries. The robots are designed to assist XPO's human workforce, and not replace them.
lifeprint harry potter printer adds fun elements from the wizzarding world 1

Lifeprint’s Harry Potter printer adds motion magic to photos

Harry Potter fans can now print moving photos and declare their Hogwarts House loyalty with Lifeprint's Harry Potter Magic Photo and Video Printer and App. The instant photo printer adds AR motion elements from the Wizarding World, which you can bring to life with a smartphone.
Nikon Z7 camera with 24-70mm lens

Nikon gives full frame mirrorless its due with the new Z7 and Z6

Nikon's long-awaited mirrorless camera is finally here -- and there are two of them. The Z7 and Z6 are the first of the new Z-series, which also introduces a new lens mount that can accommodate wider apertures. The Z7 is the more detailed 45-megapixel camera, while the Z6 is the faster camera. Both cameras are now available.
ricoh theta v partner program announced ces2018 17

Ricoh Theta V plug-in marketplace helps expand 360 camera features

The new Ricoh Theta V Partner Program opens up the company's flagship 360 camera to new features designed by third-party developers. The Theta V Marketplace is now open, allowing owners of the 360 camera to expand the features using plug-in software, such as adding Google Cloud capabilities.
brother launches j995dw printer with inkvestment tank system

Brother’s new INKvestment Tank printer is made for people who hate buying ink cartridges

With a new ink cartridge design, Brother's new INKvestment Tank printer can run for up to a year before the cartridges need replacing -- ideal for users who want convenience and cost-savings.

Here are the best Amazon Prime Day photography deals (updated)

Digital cameras and related accessories may not have a starring role in Amazon's Prime Day deals, but if you look hard enough, there are plenty of savings to be found for photographers. From action cameras to storage, here is a list of our favorite Prime Day photography deals.
how to take best pet photography photograph pets 4

How to take the best pet photos

Want to take professional-looking portraits of your pets? Follow these simple steps for professional-quality images.
Digital camera dial: Auto mode

How to take better pictures with your camera’s automatic mode

Don’t understand ISO, aperture and exposure length? No problem. Here’s how to take great photographs using your camera’s automatic mode.
ricoh announces availability pricing hd pentax d fa 50mm f14 sdm aw dfa f1 4 lens featured

Ricoh’s latest Pentax Star-series 50mm is its most advanced lens yet

Ricoh has revealed full details about its newest Pentax lens, a 50mm f/1.4 in the next-generation Star-series. Designed for enthusiasts and pros, the weather-sealed lens has advanced motors and coatings to capture the sharpest images.
nestle xpo logistics digital warehouse leicestershire robotic arm

Nestlé, XPO Logistics building ‘digital warehouse’ with robotics, autonomous vehicles

Nestlé, the world's largest food and drink company, plans to build a "digital warehouse of the future," staffed with robots, autonomous vehicles, and A.I. In partnership with XPO Logistics, the warehouse will deliver goods to consumers faster and more efficiently.
best vacation travel gadgets casper nap pillow

10 travel gear to make the most of your summer jaunts

With the school year coming to an end and summer ramping up, you and millions of others are gearing up for travel. While you’re supposed to disconnect on vacations, we know geeks can’t leave the tech at home. Whether you’re traveling by air, train, bus, or car, here are a few of our must-pack gadgets to bring along.

Less is more: How to pack your gadgets for travel, quickly and easily

When traveling with gadgets, it's best to streamline the number of things you bring. We'll guide you through the essentials, and what you can leave at home.
incase proconnected 4 wheel hubless roller smart luggage blends high design with large capacity battery lifestyle 0300

Incase’s ProConnected smart carry-on is a rolling power station for hungry devices

Incase has a new smart luggage series, called ProConnected. At launch is the 4 Wheel Hubless Roller, a carry-on with a large-capacity battery that can recharge a USB-C laptop. It also has Bluetooth tracking.
Polaroid Originals OneStep 2

Snap to it: 9 last-minute photography gift ideas for Mother’s Day

If mom is a fan of photography or a photographer herself, we have some recommendations for gift ideas this Mother's Day, including a portable printer, camera strap, leather bag, and smartphone lens, and more.
8 ways to handle long airport security lines this summer now boarding 060716

More people are flying than ever, and here’s how the TSA is dealing with surges at airports

As a record number of passengers are expected to fly every year, the TSA has put forth plans on dealing with the increase. Also, we have eight ways to deal with ever-longer security lines.
2016 BMW 3 Series

UShip’s 2018 report highlights what we’re shipping and where it’s traveling

According to UShip's 2018 report, Americas shipped a lot of cars, motorcycles, and household goods. They also shipped dogs, antique pianos, a giant mining truck, and a retail store-sized Lego Yoda.
adidas am4nyc shoes are designed with big data made by robots sole

Adidas AM4NYC runners are templates for shoe design in the future

Fresh from Adidas' automated Speedfactory comes the AM4NYC. The shoes are design for urban running, using research data and made in Atlanta by robots. Is this the future of custom shoe manufacturing?
microsoft store stem summer camps 2018

Summer school is a drag, so enroll your kids in Microsoft’s Summer Camps

At Microsoft Store locations this summer, the company will hold a new series of STEM-based education courses for kids. The courses focus on coding, game development, robotics, 3D moviemaking, and philanthropy. All classes are free.
southwest airlines engine failure one fatality april 17 2018 boeing 737 700 shark week

Southwest plane suffers in-flight engine failure, 1 fatality confirmed

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 flying from New York to Dallas suffered an engine failure, forcing an emergency landing in Philadelphia. Although the plane landed safely, one passenger was killed and damage is significant. A preliminary report by the NTSB indicated that the engine showed metal fatigue.
Ricoh Theta V

Ricoh Theta V review

Ricoh hasn’t changed the slim, easy to use profile of the Theta V, but it upgraded the guts to deliver great image quality, 4K video, spatial audio, and faster performance.
royal caribbean launches perfect day private island collection using ar vr 10

Royal Caribbean turns to AR, VR to help visualize its new private island project

How do you get people excited about something that doesn't yet exist? For its new private island collection, Perfect Day, Royal Caribbean turned to augmented reality and virtual reality to give a scope of what the project would look and feel like.
best travel accessories you must pack flipbelt zipper

From weird to practical, 18 small travel essentials you’ll actually want to pack

These small but essential travel accessories could help make your journey a smooth one. Here are 18 of our favorites, from a weird travel pillow to a portable washing bag.
Air France Premiium Economy

9 premium economy classes that let you stretch your legs and your dollar

When first class is out of reach, and coach just looks dismal, these premium economy seats may offer just enough perks to let you kick back and relax without pinching your wallet.
Air New Zealand Fantastical Journey Safety Video

11 best pre-flight safety videos worth switching your iPad off for

To keep flyers' attention, some airlines have created amusing safety videos that are both entertaining and informative.
longest flights in the world qantas a380 inflight sydney featured

The longest flights in the world

Thanks to advanced planes, airlines are flying to farther destinations. We look at five of the world’s longest ultra-long-haul flights, and what’s offered on board to help you while away the time.
Fujifilm FinePix XP130

Fujifilm FinePix XP130 waterproof camera has Bluetooth for instant photo transfers

The new rugged FinePix XP130 compact camera from Fujifilm isn't radically different from its predecessor, but it adds Bluetooth for instant transfers of social media-ready photos.
Ripple

Former Tinder love gurus introduce Ripple, a swipe-based professional network

Swiping right isn't exclusive to dating apps -- that's the idea behind Ripple, a professional network led by the former TInder CTO.
best camera of the year 2017 sony a9 feature

Best camera of 2017

With an insanely fast burst mode and other cutting-edge tech, Sony's A9 full-frame mirrorless camera is one of our 2017 products of the year.
snapchat emoji meanings friends

What do emojis mean in Snapchat? Here is a guide to what’s what

What do emojis mean in Snapchat? Each has a specific meaning that is based on your messaging habits. Here's what to know.
now boarding united retires boeing 747 look back forward

United’s Boeing 747s have flown into the sunset, here’s why ‘Jumbo’ fans are sad

United's Boeing 747s have all retired. Here's why fans of the iconic plane are sad to see it go, and what the future has in store.
Livestream Mevo Plus review

Livestream Mevo Plus hands-on review

The Mevo Plus is an improved camera from Livestream that addresses the issues of the original and adds support for new devices and new streaming platforms.