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Rick Stella

Rick Stella

Former Associate Editor, Outdoor
Author/Co-Author of 582 articles

Rick became enamored with technology the moment his parents got him an original NES for Christmas in 1991. And as they say, the rest is history. When Rick isn't creating content for Digital Trends, he spends his free time consuming any and all sports, filling his ears with music, and in a constant search for the best IPA the NW has to offer.

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New pedal-assisted ebike from Specialized lets you work up a sweat or ease your commute

The latest Turbo-outfitted electric bike from Specialized, dubbed the Vado, makes commuting a breeze and, if you can believe it, a blast.
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Electric mountain bikes are turning purist scoffs into smiles

Electric mountain bikes get a bad rap among loyal mountain bikers, but brands like BMC Switzerland can’t afford to look away. While test riding BMC’s new Speedfox amp, we realized there’s much more to electric mountain bikes than what ornery traditionalists let on.
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Spy Ace EC electronic ski goggles change tints with the tap of a button

With the simple press of a button, Spy's new Ace EC goggles transition between sunny, mixed, and flat weather conditions, giving riders complete control over their visibility.
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Best outdoor product of 2017

We hiked, biked, camped, and backpacked our way through 2017, toting an array of outdoor gear along the way. Here is our Best Outdoor Product of the Year.
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How Vicis developed Zero1, the high-tech helmet that could save the NFL

Vicis hopes to drastically reduce concussions in football with its helmet, the Zero1. We went behind the scenes to see innovation in action.
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Most Innovative Gear: 2017 Digital Trends Outdoor Awards

For the Digital Trends Outdoor Awards, we searched for true outdoor innovation geared toward making time spent outside more enjoyable.
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Best Gear for Unwinding: 2017 Digital Trends Outdoor Awards

Unwinding at the end of a long day is a necessity while camping. For the Digital Trends Outdoor Awards, we searched for the best way to do it.
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Best Recreation Gear: 2017 Digital Trends Outdoor Awards

Recreation and summer go hand-in-hand and for our first annual Digital Trends Outdoor Awards, we crown our choice for best recreation gear.
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Best Sleeping Gear: 2017 Digital Trends Outdoor Awards

A proper tent and sleeping bag comprise the foundation of any camping trip so for our Outdoor Awards, we crown the best sleeping gear.
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Best Cooking Gear: 2017 Digital Trends Outdoor Awards

Proper cooking gear is vital to any camping trip and for the Digital Trends Outdoor Awards, our best cooking gear is the definition of essential.
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Best Trekking Gear: 2017 Digital Trends Outdoor Awards

Hitting the trail without the right equipment is a drag, so for the Digital Trends Outdoor Awards, we crowned our best trekking gear.
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Will vertical farming continue to grow, or has it hit the greenhouse ceiling?

As the world's population continues to balloon, the growing need for an advanced form of food production is needed now more than ever.
Samsung POWERbot Turbo

Samsung steps to Dyson with a $1,200 robovac it claims can outsuck anything

Touted as featuring industry best cleaning power and suction, Samsung's latest robotic vacuum — the Powerbot Turbo — is a sleek, compact powerhouse cleaner.
NASA Journey to Mars event

NASA describes its plan for reaching Mars, but timing could be challenging

After publishing a 36-page report last year on its ambitious Journey to Mars, NASA shared more of its work during a recent two-day event in New Orleans.
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Plant, wait, eat: The Nanofarm lets anyone grow fresh produce indoors

Forget buying lettuce at New Seasons -- Replantable's innovative Nanofarm machine makes it easy to grow produce from the comfort of your own home.
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The world’s largest Nerf gun is all your childhood dreams come true

Capable of firing darts at speeds of up to 40 mph, ex-NASA engineer Mark Rober's latest contraption is the world's largest Nerf gun.
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From cyberwarfare to drones, the future of conflict is electronic

More than 10 years fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan have radically reshaped our armed forces, and technology like drones, sensors and even more advanced fighter jets will make the next 10 years full of even more surprises.
Horizon Hobby Chroma

Horizon Hobby Chroma 4K review

For budding aerial photographers and videographers searching for an entry-level UAV, it doesn’t get much better than Horizon Hobby’s Chroma 4K drone.
GeoOrbital wheel transforms regular bikes into eBikes

Easily transform your boring bike into an ebike with the GeoOrbital Wheel

Transform your regular bike into an eBike in under 60 seconds with the GeoOrbital wheel, an electric modification that snaps on in place of the front wheel.
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Astronomers detect atmosphere of a distant, diamond-like super-Earth for first time

For the first time, a team of astronomers have successfully detected the atmosphere of a super-Earth located roughly 40 light years away.
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DARPA’s 130-foot submarine-hunting drone will take to the sea in April

With construction now complete on DARPA's ambitious ACTUV submarine-hunting surface vessel, the agency says it will officially christen the rig on April 7.
Yuneek Q500 Typhoon 4K

Yuneec Typhoon Q500 4K review

Outfitted with an industry-best camera and some of the smoothest controls seen on a drone, Yuneec’s Typhoon Q500 4K is at the top of its class.
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NASA confirms that the ‘impossible’ EmDrive thruster really works, after new tests

Researchers at NASA's Eagleworks Lab just conducted careful testing of the controversial EmDrive and reported signs of thrust -- despite stricter testing procedures
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The world’s largest 3D printer towers 40 feet, will print clay houses

The World's Advanced Saving Project just announced it plans to officially unveil the world's largest delta 3D printer — dubbed Big Delta — this Friday.
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Thanks to Kickstarter, New York is getting an underground park with real sunlight

A group of New York City-based inventors want to use solar energy to turn the old Williamsburg Bridge Trolley Terminal into a foliage-rich underground park.
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Awesome tech you can’t buy yet: Smartwatch gesture controls, portable kegerators

Check out our roundup of the coolest crowdfunding projects and product announcements that hit the Web this week. You can't buy this stuff yet, but it sure is fun to gawk!
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How to create slo-mo video on your iPhone 6 and 6 Plus

Slow motion makes everything better and with Apple's new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus you can create your own dramatic slow motion sequences with ease.
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The 10 best trailers unveiled at E3 2014

A trailer can make or break a game. However, our roundup of the best trailers from E3 2014 provides only the best of them, whether from Bungie or Playdead.
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Nintendo announces Link isn’t alone when Hyrule Warriors ships this fall

Nintendo recently detailed the upcoming 'Hyrule Warriors' during its event at E3 2014, along with a notable cast of playable characters from the franchise.
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Every major game EA showed off at E3 2014

Electronic Arts has a lot planned for E3 2014, and we've got everything you need to stay on top of the big game reveals.
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Two top astronomers say they’ve found evidence of life on comet 67P

Just three weeks after the Philae spacecraft's awakening, two top astronomers say comet 67P could be home to an abundance of microbial alien life.
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NASA wants to terraform the moon with a fleet of autonomous robots

NASA wants a band of robots to build a hospitable oasis on the moon, and just gave $500k to a project which intends to make this dream a reality.
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This interactive 3D map of every object orbiting Earth is absolutely engrossing

An incoming college freshman just created a website showing off everything currently orbiting Earth, and the finished product is astounding.
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Russian billionaire plans to spend $100 million on a search for extraterrestrial life

With Stephen Hawking in tow, venture capitalist Yuri Milner just outlined plans for a revolutionary new program aimed at locating traces of alien life.