IBM’s drone concept knows when you want a coffee, and flies it to you
Meal-delivery drones have already been tested, but how about a system that delivers a coffee simply because it knows that's what you want? A recently granted patent from IBM describes using A.I. to learn a person's behavior and understand their body language to determine if a coffee is desired.
Lyft wants to drop you off closer to your seat on your next stadium visit
If you've ever been to a stadium gig, you'll know all too well how much time can be wasted trying to hunt down the right ticket gate. It can be particularly problematic if you're running late, which is why Lyft's new idea, launched in partnership with ticket site SeatGeek, may come in handy.
The wheels are coming off this British city’s bikesharing scheme
Bike-sharing giant Mobike is close to pulling its scheme from the English city of Manchester as an increasing number of its two-wheelers are being wrecked, stolen, or thrown into waterways. The service has been running there for a year, but in July alone, 10 percent of its bikes were destroyed or stolen.
Tennis on the International Space Station is as weird as it sounds
Four astronauts made history this week by playing the first game of tennis in space. OK, it was with a squishy ball and tiny rackets, but it was still tennis ... sort of. The event was to show how ISS astronauts spend their leisure time, and to inspire youngsters to take an interest in space exploration.
Apple Store shoppers in California tackle suspects, thwart robbery
Three robbers entered an Apple Store near L.A. last weekend and started grabbing Apple kit from the display tables. But before they could escape, several shoppers tackled them to the ground. Investigators are trying to establish if there's a link with a spate of other Apple Store robberies in the area.
Ford recalls more than 50,000 electric-car charging cords over fire risk
Ford is recalling around 50,000 charging cords sold with some of its electric vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. The concern is that the cord may be used in situations that could potentially lead to a fire. Affected customers will be contacted by mail and asked to visit their local dealer for a replacement.
Amazon is turning its ‘Grand Tour’ car show into a video game
Amazon's "The Grand Tour" is getting its own video game. Linked to the upcoming third season of the car show, the PS4 and Xbox One game will feature "seamless transitions from clips of the show to gameplay" as well as cool motors, challenges, and "hours" of original voice acting by Clarkson and co.
Lyft’s self-driving taxis have made 5,000 trips for paying riders in Las Vegas
Lyft's driverless-taxi service appears to be a hit with riders in Las Vegas. The ridesharing company said its 30 robot cars have now made more than 5,000 trips since joining its fleet in May, with the vast majority of customers saying they'd be happy to choose such a vehicle for their next ride, too.
James Bond 25: Danny Boyle bows out of directing the next 007 movie
Danny Boyle will no longer direct the next James Bond movie following "creative differences" with the producers. The news comes just four months before shooting was due to begin. The movie was slated for release in October 2019, and it's not yet clear if Boyle's exit means we could now be looking at a 2020 release.
PlayStation 4: New DualShock colors will jazz up your gaming sessions
If your current DualShock 4 controller looks a little on the dull side, check out these funky new designs announced by Sony. There are four in all, with Sunset Orange the most likely to brighten up your PlayStation 4 gaming sessions. The new wireless controllers launch next month with a $65 price tag.
The world’s biggest plane now has some rockets to launch
Stratolaunch, the commercial space firm led by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, has unveiled a set of rocket-powered vehicles that will one day travel with the world's largest plane to launch satellites into space. The company said that getting satellites into space "will soon be as easy as booking an airline flight.”
End of the Voyage: Amazon stops selling its $200 Kindle
Amazon has quietly removed its Voyage ebook reader from its online store. The demise of the $200 Kindle leaves the company with its basic $80 Kindle, the $120 Paperwhite, and the $250 Oasis. The Voyage launched in 2014 and at the time received positive reviews for its slimmer build and clear display.
Spectacular twisting tower aims to become Australia’s tallest building
A spectacular twisting structure bedecked with trees and plants is aiming to become Australia's tallest building. The 356-meter-tall "Green Spine" was recently announced as the winner of an international competition and could become the focal point of Melbourne's skyline in the early 2020s.
Netflix removes all customer reviews of shows and movies from its website
Acting on an announcement made in July, Netflix has now removed all customer-contributed reviews of TV shows and movies from its website. Netflix recently stopped its customers from posting reviews, and has now followed up by removing 10 years' worth of such data from its servers.
Watch as a ‘lifeguard drone’ rescues a swimmer struggling at sea
Specially designed drones are finding uses in a myriad of fields. They're saving lives, too, with a growing number of lifeguard organizations making use of the technology's ability to deploy flotation devices at speed, and offer an eye in the sky to survey the scene for incoming human rescuers.
Elon Musk’s Boring Company wants to dig a tunnel to Dodger Stadium
Elon Musk's Boring Company wants to build a high-speed transportation tunnel connecting Dodger Stadium to a nearby Metro station. The so-called "Dugout Loop" aims to cut traffic congestion and would run 150-mph passenger pods between the stadium and a terminus several miles to the west.
Los Angeles subway to become first in the U.S. to use body scanners
Los Angeles is set to become the first U.S. city to use body scanners on its subway. The machines are portable and quick to set up, and can check around 2,000 people an hour without causing lines or delays for passengers. The new security measure will be put in place later this year, according to the city's MTA.
FatCam: Museum of London’s livestream of a rancid hunk of sewage proves popular
The Museum of London put part of a fatberg on display earlier this year, and the rancid filth proved to be a surprising hit with visitors. Evidently keen to share the mutating muck with a wider audience, the museum has just launched a livestream of its fatberg for everyone around the world to enjoy.
Lifeguards in Germany link child drownings to smartphone-distracted parents
Lifeguard organizations in Germany are urging parents to put away their smartphones and keep an eye on their children when visiting the beach of lake. They've suggested that too many parents are buried in their handsets instead of supervising their children while they're playing in the water.
Cotton and corn! Reebok’s newest sneaker is ‘made from things that grow’
Keen to move away from using oil-based materials to make its shoes, Reebok's latest design features a woven upper made from organic cotton, a base originating from industrial-grown corn, and an insole using castor bean oil. No dyes have been used, either, and the packaging is 100 percent recyclable.
Airbnb wants to make it much easier for you to plan a trip with your buddies
Airbnb is planning a bunch of new features that'll make arranging trips with friends and family a much more collaborative experience. It includes a way to add co-travelers to a trip so that each member can add suggestions and comments as you build an itinerary together.
Film-processing lab offers fascinating behind-the-scenes look
With digital cameras now offering excellent results, it's no wonder most photographers have made the switch. But there are still many who swear by film and continue to use it. Keen to see how film is developed, The Silent Camera recently took his vlogging camera inside Richard Photo Lab in California.
Watch how Nikon tests the durability of its D850 professional DSLR
Nikon's professional D850 DSLR won plaudits when it launched in 2017. It was praised not only for producing excellent images, but also for its robust, weather-resistant design. The Japanese camera firm has released a video offering insight into how it tested its camera to make it as durable as possible.
A U.S. comedy that ended in 2004 is now the most-streamed show in the U.K.
It ended 14 years ago, but Netflix has given U.S. comedy Friends a new lease of life in Britain. In fact, it's currently the most-streamed show there, beating the likes of The Grand Tour and Stranger Things. Friends ran from 1994 through 2004, with the streaming rights bought by Netflix in 2014 for $118 million.
Airbus Zephyr solar aircraft breaks record for longest flight
A solar-powered aircraft built by Airbus recently broke the record for the longest continuous flight. The Zephyr S stayed aloft for nearly 25 days, 23 hours, and 57 minutes, taking the aircraft another step closer to becoming a viable alternative to satellite technology.
Smelly shoes? Panasonic’s deodorizer kit promises to waste the whiff
If your shoes always stink and you're yet to find a way to waste the whiff, then Panasonic's new machine may be just the ticket. No one likes funky footwear, but the Japanese tech company claims its unique cleansing system will remove the stench and leave your shoes smelling as fresh as the day you bought them.
Watch this giant ‘Lego’ helicopter drone take to the skies
Adam Woodworth loves to build flying machines. His latest effort is a "Lego" helicopter created from polystyrene foam that comes with a drone attached to help get it airborne. His YouTube channel features an array of cleverly constructed aircraft, and he's happy to help anyone interested in building similar designs.
Airbnb calls off Great Wall sleepover contest after backlash
Airbnb has called off a contest that would've given winners a night's stay in an open-air bedroom on the Great Wall of China. The move followed a backlash that started on Chinese social media, with some fearing the famous landmark could suffer damage as a result of the competition, among other reasons.
Your Uber Eats delivery fee is going up (or maybe down)
Uber Eats has ended its flat-rate $5 delivery fee and now sets it according to how close you are to the restaurant. The meal-delivery service will now charge between $2 and $8, giving customers the chance to save a few bucks by choosing nearby restaurants rather than those on the other side of town.
World’s only revolving glass floor debuts at Space Needle
Observation decks aren’t everyone’s idea a relaxing afternoon out, but if you have a head for heights and find yourself in Seattle, then how about dropping by the Space Needle to enjoy its recent $100 million refit that includes the world’s first all-glass revolving floor as part of its 500-foot-high viewing platform.