Technology
The latest in technology news, from advanced robotics to smartphones, digital cameras and home entertainment gear.
AI pilots US Air Force Valkyrie combat drone for the first time
August 10, 2023
The US Air Force's XQ-58A Valkyrie experimental combat drone has made its first flight under the control of artificial intelligence. On July 25, 2023, the robotic aircraft completed a three-hour sortie at the Eglin Test and Training Complex in Florida.
Photography
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Mini marvels mesmerize in Nikon Small World photomicrography awards
October 18, 2023From an igniting match to a mouse embryo and a micrometeorite, the winners of the annual Nikon Small World photomicrography competition have been unveiled. As always, this year’s stunning images capture the wonder of the tiny hidden universe around us. -
"Digital film roll" brings analog cameras out of retirement
October 17, 2023Back in 2018, Italy's Samuel Mello Medeiros hit Kickstarter with a big ol' digital back for classic film cameras, followed by the next generation in 2020. Now the team has returned with a slicker proposition, a "high-quality digital film roll." -
Nature calls: The 2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year winners
October 12, 2023It's one of the biggest and most treasured photography contests on the planet, and this year attracted a massive 49,957 entries. But there could be only a handful of winners. We present the standouts, offering a rare glimpse into the natural world.
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Military
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Bolt-on kit turns "dumb" bombs into precision cruise missiles
October 19, 2023Boeing and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a jet-turbine-powered kit that turns a standard 500-lb (228-kg) "dumb" iron bomb into a miniature precision cruise missile. -
IBCS command center defends Washington DC against simulated attack
October 16, 2023A Northrop Grumman command and control system has successfully defended Washington DC and the National Capital Region in a simulated attack. The Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) virtually proved itself against cruise missiles and hijacked aircraft. -
Ramjet-powered artillery shell sets new range record
October 15, 2023Boeing and defense company Nammo partnering with the US Army have set a new range record during an indirect fire test of a ramjet-powered artillery shell when a Ramjet 155-mm round was fired from a 58-caliber Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA).
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Mobile Technology
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Onyx launches eye-friendly color ePaper tablets for work and play
October 20, 2023Onyx International has announced two additions to its 10-inch color ePaper tablet lineup. The Boox Note Air3 C shapes up as an Android reading and writing slate, while the Boox Tab Ultra C Pro is a productivity workhorse that's easy on the eyes. -
First OnePlus foldable flagship confirmed for US release
October 20, 2023OnePlus has announced its first challenger for the flagship foldable phone space, throwing down the gauntlet to more established rivals like Samsung and Google. The Open rocks a durable hinge, 2K 120-Hz OLED displays and Hasselblad-branded cameras. -
Latest Pixel smartphones come with 7 years of Android updates
October 04, 2023After pretty much all of the specs leaked online over the past few weeks, Google has now officially announced the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones, and the Pixel Watch 2 wearable.
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Drones
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Millisign tech guides autonomous drones via battery-less ground tags
October 13, 2023When it comes to locating landing pads or other landmarks, drones rely largely on visual cues. So, what happens if it's dark or foggy, and there's no ground-based power for lights? Well, that's where the Millisign system is intended to come in. -
Wingcopter delivers groceries by drone to remote districts in Germany
October 10, 2023Drone maker Wingcopter has partnered with the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, the REWE Group, Vodafone, Riese & Müller and the city of Michelstadt for a pilot project aimed at delivering groceries to customers in remote regions of Germany. -
AtlasNEST aims to make airports safer, by deploying drones
September 22, 2023Ordinarily, drones flying around airports are thought of as a hazard. The AtlasNEST system, however, utilizes drones to fly over landing areas where problems may be occurring, in order to give control tower workers a bird's eye view.
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Home Entertainment
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Triple-laser 4K projector rocks JBL speakers for all-in-one entertainment
October 20, 2023After appearing alongside the world's first 8K Laser TV and a 3,000-lumen triple-laser Dolby Vision 4K UST projector at CES 2023, the C1 TriChroma 4K laser mini projector has now gone up for sale in the US. -
Hisense nudges home cinema close to the wall with 4K laser projectors
October 12, 2023Back in January, Hisense rolled into CES with an 8K laser projector called the 120LX plus a bunch of 4K ultra-short-throwers. Now the PX2-Pro and PL1 laser cinema models have gone up for sale, so let's have a closer look. -
Pro-Ject celebrates landmark Pink Floyd classic with special turntable
October 06, 2023To mark the 50th anniversary of the release of The Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd, Austrian hi-fi brand Pro-Ject has launched a special Artist Collection turntable – featuring a look designed to mimic the iconic album cover.
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Deals
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Take high-quality aerial footage with this 4K dual-camera drone
October 19, 2023TL;DR: Take your photography to new heights with this dual-camera 4K recreational drone on sale for under $80. -
Keep one, gift one! 2 Lifetime licenses to MS Office 2021 for $60
October 18, 2023With innovative features, enhanced collaboration tools, and accessibility options, MS Office 2021 is an indispensable tool for a wide range of users. Get two lifetime licenses for either Mac or Windows for only $59.97 (reg. $439.98). -
Elevate your security with the Mini Fingerprint Padlock, only $25
October 17, 2023With its fingerprint sensor, memory function, rechargeable capabilities, low power alarm, and durable construction, the Mini Smart Fingerprint Padlock is an ideal security solution for both personal and business use, now on sale for $25 or two for $48.
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3D Printing
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3D printing resin produces single items that are both soft and rigid
September 26, 2023Although an increasing number of devices are being developed for use on or in our bodies, such devices tend not to be very … "body-like." A new 3D printing resin could change that, by allowing for variable stiffness throughout single objects. -
Anker makes high-speed 3D printing even more affordable with the M5C
August 02, 2023Last year, Anker breezed into the desktop 3D printing space with the AnkerMake M5, launching on Kickstarter to test the market and fund production. Now the company has announced a more affordable follow up called the M5C. -
Revolutionary gel allows metal items to be 3D printed at room temperature
July 06, 2023Although there are several methods of 3D-printing metal objects, all of them involve heat – which isn't conducive to producing heat-sensitive electronics, among other things. A new gel, however, can be used to print such items at room temperature.
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Computers
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First mini-PC with solid-state active cooling system launches
October 19, 2023Back in late 2022, Frore Systems emerged from stealth with two solid-state active cooling chips for computers called the AirJet Pro and AirJet Mini. Now Chinese multinational Zotac has announced the rollout of the first mini-PC built around the latter. -
Microsoft's glass data storage system saves terabytes for 10,000 years
October 19, 202310,000 years in the future, explorers could end up getting rickrolled, thanks to a Global Music Vault due to be built in Norway. It features Microsoft’s Project Silica, a tough new data storage medium that’s never gonna give you up. -
HP fuels productivity on the Move with battery-powered Envy AIO PC
October 06, 2023All-in-one desktop computers are a great space-saving solution for folks who work at home. But what if you want to work from a coffee shop? Laptop's just don't offer a big-screen experience, so HP has made the AIO mobile with the Envy Move.
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Games
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Review: Spintronics uses mesmerizing mechanics to teach electronics
October 18, 2023Upper Story's second board game uses a gorgeous array of mechanical gadgets to give kids a physical, visual, fun way to understand electronics – and to give parents the feeling their young genius might be able to get them into a better nursing home. -
Sony slims down PlayStation 5, offers optional attachable Blu-Ray drive
October 10, 2023Right on schedule, Sony has unveiled a mid-generation refresh for the PlayStation 5. The update slims down both models of the console, beefs up the storage space, and adds an optional Blu-Ray drive that can be later fitted to the digital-only console. -
New cloud gaming tech from MIT and Microsoft keeps video and audio in sync
August 31, 2023Researchers have developed a new cloud gaming system that uses low-level white noise to accurately synchronize separated audio and video streams transmitted to multiple devices, ensuring gamers see and hear things at the right time.
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Laptops
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Google aims for a better class of Chromebook with new Plus category
October 02, 2023More than a decade since the first low-powered but fuss-free, easy-to-use, inexpensive laptops running Chrome OS were launched, Google has now announced the Chromebook Plus program – a new performance-focused category with built-in AI. -
Framework goes all in on AMD for modular, user-repairable Laptop 16
July 19, 2023The 16-inch version of the customizable, repairable and upgradeable laptop announced by California tech startup Framework back in March has now gone up for pre-order, with Ryzen silicon and Radeon graphics leading the component charge. -
Spacetop AR laptop puts the screen on your face
May 19, 2023Seeking to free laptop users from small displays that limit functionality, Sightful has unveiled a laptop with no screen. Instead, AR glasses project a 100-inch virtual screen anywhere, transforming any space into a screen-filled portable office.
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Music
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Busker portable PA can rock the street for up to 24 hours
October 18, 2023Alto Professional out of Rhode Island has announced the appropriately named Busker battery powered portable amp/speaker for street musicians, DJs, party performers, and "anyone and everyone who wants to be heard." -
Klos aims low with carbon-fiber baritone and bass ukuleles
October 13, 2023When it comes to portable pickers, a ukulele can make a great travel companion. Wanderers looking for a tough traveler with more bottom end might be interested in the carbon-fiber baritone and bass ukes from Utah's Klos Guitars. -
Fender slims down acoustic design for "stage-ready" Highway Series
October 10, 2023Fender has pulled back the stage curtain on the Highway Series acoustic guitars in dreadnought or parlor guises, each slimmed down for a more comfortable playing experience and "finely tuned for performance on and off the stage."
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Robotics
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Transforming Archax mecha robot could be yours to pilot – for a price
October 20, 2023Japan's giant human-piloted, humanoid Gundam-style robots are neat and everything, but … why walk if you can roll on four wheels? That's what the Archax does, transforming between robot and vehicle configurations. -
Figure's humanoid is already walking and performing autonomous tasks
October 17, 2023After a year of development, Figure has released video footage of its humanoid robot walking – and it's looking pretty sprightly compared to its commercial competition. It's our first look at a prototype that should be doing useful work within months. -
Bricklaying robots can now build tennis-court-sized walls in 4 hours
October 16, 2023The extraordinary Hadrian X bricklaying robot rocks up to a building site looking like a regular truck, then extends a 32-m (105-ft) boom arm and starts precisely laying up to 300 large masonry blocks an hour. It's pretty remarkable to watch.
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Smartwatches
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Coros PACE 2 review: A lightweight, long-lasting smartwatch
July 04, 2021If you want a wearable to track workouts, runs, sleep and plenty more, then there's no shortage of devices to pick from – and after a couple of weeks of testing we can tell you that the Coros PACE 2 has a few features that might make you choose it. -
The budget TicWatch E3 shows off Wear OS at its best
June 16, 2021Google has promised big improvements for its Wear OS wearable platform later this year, but in the meantime Mobvoi has launched a new device that could be the best value smartwatch on the market right now: the TicWatch E3. -
The newest Casio G-Shock smartwatch is the first to run Wear OS
April 01, 2021Google's Wear OS platform could certainly use some more actual smartwatches to run on, and Casio has obliged with the GSW-H1000 – the first G-Shock smartwatch from the brand to come with Wear OS on board.
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Telecommunications
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LG sets new real-world-ready distance record for 6G data transmission
September 26, 2023While 5G feels pretty new and flashy, the industry is already making preparations for the next generation. LG Electronics and the Fraunhofer Institute have now conducted a test that set a new distance record for data transmission using 6G technology. -
Groundbreaking optical fiber blazes new data transmission speed record
June 12, 2023A team of international researchers say they’ve set a new world speed record for an industrial standard optical fiber that’s as thick as a human hair, achieving a data transmission rate of 1.7 Petabits per second over a 41-mile cable. -
Holoportation box is a sign of things to come for ASL learning
April 24, 2023At a teaching symposium earlier this month, the world's only liberal arts university for deaf students explored the potential for remote learning by testing out a life-size holoportation device called the Epic from Proto Inc.
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Wearables
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SpeakerBeam hearing aid tech only amplifies specific people's voices
October 16, 2023Even when using a hearing aid, it can be quite difficult for deaf people to make out specific individuals' voices in noisy environments. The new SpeakerBeam system could help, by automatically recognizing and boosting a select person's voice. -
FeetThrough tech guides walking users ... by shocking their feet?
October 12, 2023In recent years, we've heard about navigational systems which guide pedestrians via vibrating actuators in their shoes. The FeetThrough system takes a different and reportedly better approach, by actually shocking the soles of the feet. -
Polar builds latest premium sportswatch around new sensor suite
October 12, 2023Polar's latest premium smart sportswatch has gone up for pre-order. The Vantage V3 features a sharp, bright AMOLED display, comes with offline maps, and packs a new sensor suite called Elixir that's more capable than any Polar wearable before it.
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Virtual Reality
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Zuckerberg and Fridman show off insane leap in face-to-face VR chat
October 02, 2023"This is really the most incredible thing I've ever seen," said podcast host Lex Fridman, interviewing Mark Zuckerberg in VR using Meta's stunning new photorealistic avatars, coming soon to Quest, so lifelike that they "cross the uncanny valley." -
Sony's Mocopi system takes motion capture mobile
June 30, 2023Late last year, Sony launched a mobile motion-capture system in Japan that worked with a companion app to create a VR avatar for such things as gaming or chat. Now the Mocopi system is up for pre-order in the US. -
Face-worn tech could help bring smell-o-vision to the world of VR
June 06, 2023While we've seen multiple attempts to produce real-world odors in VR environments, many have involved cumbersome wearable devices. Chinese scientists have developed a much more streamlined system, which is applied to the skin below the user's nose.
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