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.
Alexa’s oddball ‘Away Mode’ skill aims to keep burglars at bay
A new Alexa skill plays spoken conversations when you’re out — useful for deterring potential house burglars. Designed more as a bit of fun and to prompt people to review their home security setup, “Away Mode” offers a choice of quirky conversation topics written by SNL comedy writers, among others.
This wacky foot-long macro lens lets you probe deep into the insect world
Have you ever seen such an odd-looking lens? Venus Optics’ Laowa Macro Probe lens has a long, slim barrel that’s designed to let you get into the spaces conventional macro designs can’t easily access. If you’re a photographer interested in the bug world, the Laowa Macro Probe could be just the ticket.
Mavic 2 leaked specs reveal two versions, one with a Hasselblad camera
When DJI released the nifty little Mavic Air at the start of the year, there seemed few reasons to fork out for the older Mavic Pro. But a leak from a British retail store suggests DJI is prepping two new versions, one with a better quality camera and one with a zoom lens, among other new features.
Start the week with this amusing video of a dog stealing a GoPro
If you leave your GoPro camera lying around, don’t be surprised if a curious dog snatches it and runs off. That’s what appears to happen in a video posted recently online. Filming the dog’s face the whole time, the footage is a comedy masterclass, with the mutt’s face and well-timed pauses providing lots of laughs.
Check out these cheesy TV ads for tech stuff from yesteryear
These days, tech firms spend millions of dollars on complex, multi-layered ad campaigns to market their latest wares. But just a few decades ago, such campaigns were as basic as the products they proffered. We've tracked down some of the best ads from yesteryear, many of them as cheesy as a fully loaded pizza.
It’s curtains for Kuri: Work ceased on robot companion project
Eighteen months after it made its debut at CES 2017, Mayfield Robotics announced this week that it’s ending development of Kuri, its robotic companion. The wheel-based bot was described as an “intelligent pet” and acted as an interactive and mobile videographer, capturing everyday moments around the home.