All Technology
- First LookWhy NASA is sending humanoids to college
NASA is particularly interested in humanoid robots because they can either assist, or act as a precursor to, astronauts working in space – but first they're off to MIT and Northeastern.
- What drones could do for farmers
Research universities and investors are pouring resources into agriculture drones. A new study suggests drones will change the way agriculture works.
- Why India is about to overtake US in online presence
Rural usage and the accessibility of smartphones in the world's largest democracy account for much of the Internet expansion in the Southeast Asian country.
- Lawmakers argue the FCC has gone too far
With the regulators tackling 'net neutrality,' regulation on set-top boxes, and an auction for unused broadband Internet spectrum, some Republican lawmakers argued the agency was overstepping its authority.
- Chromebit – Google's computer on a stick – transforms TVs into PCs
Google and Asus are rolling out the Chromebit, an $85 computer-on-a-stick that plugs into an HDMI port. The Chromebit, and other devices like it, can transform a TV or other screen into a full-featured, though very basic, computer.
- Michigan Tech's new 'makerspace' will give patent rights to young inventors
Students, faculty, and staff are collaborating to design a creative space that will let university affiliates design and build prototypes of new inventions.
- As mobile payments lag in US, Apple Pay expands into Canada and Australia
The year-old service is expanding to support more credit cards in the US and types of businesses. Internationally, it's become more accepted as an alternative to cash, making it a lucrative market for Apple.
- How sharing police data can improve relationships with communities
Panelists at an event at Harvard's Kennedy School argued that data on officer-involved shootings and body cameras could help improve citizens relationships with the police. But the technology should be used in conjunction with a larger conversation on race, class, and policing, they said.
- Critics say Facebook’s Safety Check reveals a double standard
Facebook's Safety Check feature lets people in areas affected by disaster or tragedy quickly let family and friends know that they're safe. Why did the company activate Safety Check after the Paris terror attacks, but not after bombings in Beirut the day before?
- How Google will reward you for reviewing restaurants
The online search engine is attempting to build a network of local reviews that will compete with TripAdvisor and Yelp.
- Quick charge battery could charge smartphone 10 times faster
The Chinese company Huawei has demonstrated two new battery prototypes that offer quick charges for smartphones.
- What is the future of driverless cars?
Ford is now testing fully autonomous cars in a fake city in Michigan. Meanwhile, one of Google's driverless cars was pulled over in Mountain View, Calif., last week for impeding traffic. What can we expect from the imminent flock of self-driving cars?
- Dubai outfits firefighters with jetpacks: How firefighting has changed
Firefighters in Dubai may soon use jetpacks to fight fires among the city’s record-high skyscrapers.
- How Facebook and Twitter helped mitigate fear in Paris
Features like Facebook's Safety Check have enabled people to confirm their well-being for loved ones.
- To test self-driving tech, automakers built a fake city in Michigan
Mcity, a 32-acre town in Ann Arbor, Mich., has plenty of streets and storefronts – but no permanent residents. Mcity is a testing ground where automakers can refine software and hardware for self-driving cars to get them ready for public roadways.
- Facebook has launched its own Snapchat-like service in France
Ephemeral messaging is now available though Facebook in France.
- What happens when a police officer pulls over a robotic car?
An interaction between an autonomous vehicle and police officer incites an interesting discussion as to how policing of self-driving cars will be handled in the future.
- Governments around the world demand more user data from Facebook
On Wednesday, Facebook released a new report tracking government requests showing that the US, India, and the UK lead in requests for user information.
- Carpool ride-sharing apps are catching on
Hailing rides from drivers who own their own vehicles has become the norm. Will sharing the back seat with a stranger catch on, too?
- New 'About Me' pages show exactly what Google knows about you
The 'About Me' page lets Google users change or delete personal info, opt out of being shown ads based on collected data, and more.