Though the visions laid out by the developers of new electric vertical-lift aircraft have been fairly mundane so far—air taxis, cargo delivery—it was a matter of time before someone started sexing up those flying car fantasies. How soon before they appear in a Bond film? When will the military get its mitts on them? Though…
Category: Technology
Is Your Data Being Collected? These Signs Will Tell You Where
As cities incorporate digital technologies into their landscapes, they face the challenge of informing people of the many sensors, cameras, and other smart technologies that surround them. Few people have the patience to read through the lengthy privacy notice on a website or smartphone app. So how can a city let them know how they’re…
The US-China Feud Makes It Harder to Fight Coronavirus
The novel coronavirus does not respect borders, but they loom large for heads of state and CEOs responding to the global health crisis. Geopolitics as much as public health will determine how the pandemic proceeds and its lasting effects on people and business. Ian Bremmer, president and founder of political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, says…
Anthony Levandowski Pleads Guilty to Stealing Waymo Secrets
Anthony Levandowski, the once-lauded engineer who cofounded Google’s self-driving car project and helped spark interest in autonomous vehicles, pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing a confidential Google document shortly before leaving the company. In the agreement, Levandowski agreed to a maximum fine of $250,000 and a maximum prison term of 10 years, though prosecutors expect to…
The Right to Repair Will Help Us Endure Outbreaks
I’ve been thinking a lot about resilience lately. Coronavirus is sweeping the globe, carrying with it supply chain disruptions and fear. My iFixit purchasing team has been trapped in Taiwan since January, waiting for the all clear to go back to work in our Chinese supply chain. The S&P 500 just suffered its quickest correction…
Outdoor Research MicroGravity Jacket Review: A Soft Hard-Shell
When it comes to outdoor expeditions, layering properly isn’t fashion—it’s a matter of life or death, or at least of avoiding extreme discomfort. Traditionally, you’d select an impermeable hard-shell jacket for rain or snow, while a breathable, insulated, but less water-resistant soft-shell is good for virtually any activity in other conditions.Because I live in the…
Samsung’s Galaxy S20 lineup is first to get USB certification for new fast charging tech
Samsung’s Galaxy S20 device lineup has become the first to receive USB certification for their support of the Programmable Power Supply (PPS) and USB Power Delivery (USB PD) 3.0 standards, the USB Implementers Forum announced today. It means that the phones should have no problem working with third-party fast chargers, so long as they’re also…
Bill Gates steps down from Microsoft board
Bill Gates, co-founder and former CEO of Microsoft, is stepping down from the board of the company. Gates previously served as CEO of Microsoft until 2000 when he stepped down from the position in order to spend more time on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2008, Gates left his full-time role at Microsoft…
Apple to close US retail stores and all others outside China until March 27th
Apple is temporary closing all of its retail stores “outside of Greater China” until March 27th, CEO Tim Cook announced in a letter posted on the company’s website late Friday night. “The most effective way to minimize risk of the virus’s transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance,” Cook wrote. “We are committed…
This website lets you relive Apollo 13 in real time through historical transcripts, footage, and audio
The 50th anniversary of NASA’s infamous Apollo 13 mission is almost here, and a new website just went live today that will let you relive the heart-wrenching journey as if it were happening live. The website, called Apollo 13 in Real Time, provides transcripts, video footage, and audio recordings surrounding the historical flight, posting the…