Untitled Goose Game studio to donate 1% of income, forever. Others should follow.
Untitled Goose Game's developer, House House, will donate 1% of its income to Australia's indigenous people in perpetuity. This long-lasting effort sets a model for giving that other, larger game studios could, and should, follow.
Filter by positivity: This new A.I. could detoxify online comment threads
Internet comments frequently descend into toxic hate speech. Could an algorithm that instead focuses on highlighting 'help speech' be the answer? A.I. researchers from Carnegie Mellon University believe it could. Here's what they've developed -- and why they believe it may be so useful.
Join the fight against Australia’s bushfires with these gaming offers
Several video game companies are currently assisting in relief efforts for Australia during its massive bushfires. Activities range from fundraising through shirts and in-game items to direct donations. We'll let you know the steps you can take to donate to the country during its time of need.
Exclusive: Google reveals 2,000-person diversity and inclusion product team
Google has built a 2,000-person strong team of what it calls Inclusion Champions over the last three years to help test out prototypes of new devices and services to ensure that everything the company releases is built from the ground up to address people of all shapes, sizes, and colors.
LG not only wants to keep your leafy greens fresh, but help you grow them too
Indoor gardens may feel like an idea past its prime, but LG thinks our increasing desire to eat healthier might sell this modern take. The garden would attach to and complement your existing LG refrigerator, and have enough space to grow two dozen plants at once, feeding a family of four.
At CES 2020, technology is still the hero
Is technology a hero or a villain? Technology seems like public enemy No. 1 on the streets, but in Las Vegas for CES 2020, entrepreneurs still believe technology has the capacity to improve life, and maybe even fix some of the problems it has caused. Count us among the optimists.
How HP made the new Elite Dragonfly one of the most sustainable laptops ever
As part of its ongoing sustainability efforts, HP is introducing a new laptop that's unlike any other, as it's made of 80% recycled materials. From the speakers, the keyboard, and more, this is a laptop that will make you love the earth.
Twitter stops some images from animating to protect those with epilepsy
The Epilepsy Foundation’s Twitter account was recently bombarded with flashing images designed to trigger a seizure among those with the condition. Twitter this week announced a change to its handling of Animated PNG files aimed at reducing the chances of a similar kind of incident happening again.
IBM’s new battery may outperform lithium-ion, and it doesn’t use conflict minerals
The heavy metals used to make modern batteries are an environmental and humanitarian nightmare. IBM is busy developing a novel battery technology which could eliminate the need for such materials altogether in battery production. And it has some impressive performance boosts, too.
JBL’s solar-powered headphones could eliminate the need for recharging
If you've ever worried about how long your wireless headphones will last on a charge, or worried about the toll all of that recharging is taking on the planet, JBL's Reflect Eternal Headphones might be what you're looking for. With a solar-collecting headband, JBL claims you might never need to plug-in again.
Siri helped save a teenager after his vehicle crashed into icy river
Apple's digital assistant Siri helped save 18-year old Gael Salcedo, who found himself in a freezing river after losing control of his Jeep. The teenager could not locate his phone after the accident so he asked Siri to call 911, sending firefighters to the scene to carry out the rescue.
These robots taser weeds to death so farmers don’t need chemical herbicides
A new agricultural robotics startup called the Small Robot Company has come up with a trio of robots that hunt weeds down, kill them with mini blasts of lightning, and then plant crops in their place. Here's what the company has developed -- and what its future plans are.
The visually impaired can now watch Comcast TV channels on VR goggles
For years, if you were legally blind and wanted to watch TV, your choices were slim. Most people resorted to described video soundtracks as a way to "hear" what was going on. Comcast has joined up with NuEyes to offer a second option: Watching live and on-demand TV on VR goggles for those with visual impairments.
McDonald’s is sending Ford its garbage in the name of sustainability
Ford isn't breaking into the waste disposal business; its researchers found an innovative way to replace plastic with a natural byproduct of the coffee-roasting process. McDonald's will start sending Ford a significant amount of coffee waste, which will be used to make headlight housings for the Ranger.
The cardboard, all-mechanical Jollylook camera is a great gift for photographers
After a successful crowdfunding campaign two years ago, the Jollylook instant camera is now shipping. As a toy camera or a novelty, it makes a great gift for the photographer on your list. It shoots widely available Instax Mini film, produces a print in a just a couple of minutes, and costs just $69.
Light Phone 2 review: Not the cure for smartphone addiction
Is your smartphone use out of control? Looking for a break? The Light Phone 2 is a basic phone that promises exactly that. Its 4G connectivity means you can place calls and send texts, and you can also set an alarm. More tools like ridesharing apps are on the way, but all of this comes at a high price.
Dr. Cecilia Bitz tracks sea ice as it disappears at unprecedented levels
Dr. Cecilia Bitz is an atmospheric scientist who studies sea ice. She's watched it melt and retreat in the Arctic Ocean and knows the trend is harmful for the planet. Melting ice is part of a climate change feedback loop that's causing big problems for polar bears, Native Alaskans, and others.
Gamers in the U.S. create as much carbon dioxide as 5 million cars, study says
A new study puts the spotlight on gaming's power consumption, and it's not good news. It finds that gaming energy use in the United States puts out carbon dioxide equal to 5 million cars, more than all freezers nationwide.
This monstrous, 826-ton wave buoy turns rough seas into renewable energy
Ocean Energy has spent the better part of the past decade perfecting a wave power generator that’s not only tough enough to survive the seas, but also capable of capturing huge amounts of energy from them. The result? A hulking, 826-ton marvel of modern engineering known as the OE Buoy.
Schwinn Monroe 250 review: Making me a fan
Schwinn has been a household name for as long as anyone can remember, but it's not one often associated with electric bikes. The Monroe 250 looks to change that, providing ample range and excellent rideability while making compromises that may not matter to the everyday commuter.
Specialized Turbo Como 4.0 Review: Comfortably quick
Specialized's Turbo Como 4.0 is a quick and comfortable ride that's perfect for your commute. It's more agile, and much faster, than you'd expect a commuter bike to be. It lacks the tech wizardry you might want from an ebike, but Specialized's 45 years of experience building bikes is obvious here.
IBM contest winners answer call by developing lifesaving tech for firefighters
Could smart sensor technology help make firefighters’ jobs a bit less dangerous? That’s the hope of Prometeo, a Spanish team that was announced as the winners of IBM’s Call for Code 2019 competition. Here's what the team has developed -- and how it promises to help.
The Mara X and Mara Z smartphones are built almost entirely in Rwanda
Rwanda's Mara Group, the first smartphone manufacturer in Africa, has built a new smartphone assembly plant in which it almost entirely builds two new smartphones: The Mara X and Mara Z phones. Both devices are relatively inexpensive, and offer decently powerful performance for the price point.
How facial recognition is helping astronomers reveal the secrets of dark matter
Could the same A.I. technology that is used to unlock people’s smartphones also help unlock the potential secrets of the universe? It sounds crazy, but that’s exactly what researchers from ETH Zurich in Switzerland are working to achieve. Here's what they have developed.
Earth has a food waste problem. Can giant, solar-powered refrigerators help?
There’s a problem with food waste in developing countries that can’t be fixed by buying a fridge. Farmer Nnaemeka C. Ikegwuonu created ColdHubs, solar-powered rooms that extend the shelf life of produce. With the potential to reduce food waste worldwide, places in Africa are already reaping the benefits.
Thanks to iris scanning, refugees can get the food they need at a glance
For humanitarian organizations trying to deliver aid to refugees, the lack of identification can be a quagmire. The United Nations' World Food Programme has deployed a technological solution, using iris scanning and Blockchain to help refugees get food quickly and easily.
Waiting in the wings: How drones are revolutionizing the battle against hunger
How do you use drones to save lives following a disaster? The World Food Programme, the food-assistance branch of the United Nations, is doing its bit to use drone technology to help humanity. Here are some of the ways that it is using unmanned aerial vehicles right now.
Fighting world hunger with a trivia game? It’s not as crazy as it sounds
Freerice is a quiz game from the United Nations' World Food Programme. It lets players donate the equivalent of 10 grains of rice for every correct answer. The recently revamped version of the game featurre a variety of categories, including languages, math, literature, and more.
This virtual grocery store puts real food on the table for refugees
The World Food Programme has been experimenting to find new ways that technology can be used to help refugees and other vulnerable families find the best, most affordable food. The Dalili app has been rolled out successfully in Lebanon, and it's enabling new interactions between stores and customers.
No soil? No problem. H2Grow can cultivate crops practically anywhere
Through tailor-made hydroponic systems, H2Grow aims to solve hunger in arid regions and help vulnerable communities become more self-reliant by securing food resources. H2Grow, a project from the United Nations World Food Programme, is helping crops flourish in unexpected places.
Ubco 2×2 review: Mountain goat
The Ubco 2x2 is a unique electric moped that combines high quality parts, off-road suspension, and lightweight design. The result is an approach, easy-to-ride electric steed that can handle both pavement and off-road terrain with ease. But is it worth its high MSRP?
Team Rubicon revolutionizes disaster response. Microsoft wants to help
Coordinating a network of more than 100,000 volunteers is no easy feat -- Team Rubicon would know. Thankfully, as the disaster response non-profit grows and the toll of Hurricane Dorian continues to grow, Microsoft has a custom solution to make it all manageable.
LifePod believes smart home tech can help facilitate the challenges of eldercare
Boston-based startup LifePod is digging deep into the eldercare market, partnering up with the American Heart Association for a heart failure study to help seniors take better care for themselves and monitor their own health via smart home technology.