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Tech NewsGadgetsIn a Past Life Domino’s Delivery Bot Was a Rolling Practice Target for the Military
Their new gigs might not pay any better, but the robots powering Domino’s pizza delivery bots must be happy about their recent promotions. Because in a past life, they served as moving practice targets for military smart-shooters using live ammunition. To help make deliveries, the robots, developed by a company called Marathon Targets, have been … Continued
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Tech NewsA Sommelier Tells Us How to Make Our Tap Water Taste Better
We depend on our tap water for almost everything, but what do you do when the taste of it doesn’t quite suit you? We talked to a water sommelier about the taste of tap water—and also got a recipe for a water cocktail. Welcome to Gizmodo’s Happy Hour. Substance abuse for nerds. The first thing … Continued
By Ria Misra -
Tech News
NASA Is Going to Light a ‘Large Fire’ on a Spaceship
On a press call this afternoon, NASA and its research partners discussed several science experiments headed to orbit with the next ISS resupply mission. The space agency covered a host of interesting topics, including 3D printing, micrometeorite studies, and robotic grippers for hoisting objects onto walls. And then, the bombshell: NASA would like to light … Continued
By Maddie Stone -
Tech News
South Korea Will Try to Save Itself From the Inevitable Robot Takeover by Investing $860 Million in AI
South Korea appears to be taking a “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” approach to the forthcoming machine revolution. On Thursday, president Park Geun-hye announced plans to invest roughly $860 million in the country’s artificial intelligence industry by 2020, largely as a response to the recent shellacking of countryman Lee Sedol at the hands … Continued
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Tech News
There’s Lead In the Water of 350 US Schools, And That’s Probably Only the Beginning
After Flint, it’s been disheartening to discover that lead contamination is far more widespread than originally thought. A new investigative report by USA Today claims that 350 schools and day cares across the country have tested above the EPA’s “action level” for lead content in water. But the problem is much bigger than that report … Continued
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Tech News
America’s Public Transit Is Broken—And It’s All Your Fault
When was the last time you rode a bus? Maybe you took the bus to save money, or for environmental reasons. In a few instances here in the US, you might have taken the bus because it’s more convenient than driving. But the important thing to recognize is that you probably had a choice. And … Continued
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Tech NewsSploidYou’ve Never Seen Skateboard Tricks Like This
Thrasher Magazine recently posted this incredible compilation of New Zealand skateboarder Richie Jackson performing tricks you’ve probably never seen anyone do before. Jackson is just as skilled on four wheels as he is at turning random everyday objects into makeshift decks, and random places into potential skateparks. SPLOID is delicious brain candy. Follow us on … Continued
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Tech News
Your Neighbors Will Love an 11-Feet Tall Inflatable Pink Flamingo Perched on Your Lawn
If you’re looking for an easy way to troll your neighbors (besides leaving your Christmas lights up until June) you’re not going to do much better than an 11-feet tall inflatable neon pink flamingo perched in the middle of your front lawn. Everyone knows the best way to deal with an annoying neighbor is to … Continued
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Tech News
Did Uber Just Order 100,000 Mercedes?
Uber’s just plunked down a load of cash on the future of self-driving car tech. The company just ordered 100,000 Mercedes S-Class vehicles, according to German business magazine Manager Magazin. Update: Reuters reports that other anonymous sources are refuting the claim yet the original report cites sources within both companies. Either way, it seems Uber … Continued
By Darren Orf -
Tech News
Ancient Warrior Found Buried With Ritualistic Spears Stabbed Into His Body
Archaeologists working at the Pocklington burial site in Yorkshire have discovered the 2,500-year-old skeletal remains of a high ranking warrior who was buried alongside his sword—and who had a half-dozen spears thrust into him in ritualistic fashion. The “speared burial” figure was discovered among 75 burial chambers, also known as barrows, containing over 160 iron … Continued
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Tech NewsWatching a Male Seahorse Birth 2,000 Babies is Horrifying and Awesome at the Same Time
Childbirth is an enormous responsibility that nearly always falls on females—but a few brave males shoulder the burden too. And as a female who has vaguely contemplated the possibility of having children, I don’t envy them for a second. Seahorses are one of two groups of animals (along with pipefish) where the male carries babies … Continued
By Maddie Stone -
Tech News
All the Fucked Up Things Comcast Is Doing to Compete With Google Fiber
Comcast is notorious for being a bunch of raging dickholes that we’d like cleave from our lives. But the company is also, you know, the largest internet service provider in the United States, one that has strong stranglehold on a big chunk of us and that loves to cap the crap out of the one … Continued
By Alex Cranz -
Tech NewsEverything We Think We Know About Apple’s New 4-Inch iPhone [UPDATE]
“I like the new iPhone, but it’s just too big!” is something I’ve heard regularly since Apple bumped up its iPhone’s screen size from 4 inches to 4.7 inches in 2014. And as time passed on, iPhone 5s has unexpectedly become the last great, truly small smartphone. [Note: This story originally published on March 7. … Continued
By Darren Orf -
Tech News
Most Americans Now Oppose Nuclear Energy
For the first time ever, a majority of Americans say they’re opposed to nuclear energy. Revealingly, the declining attitudes towards nuclear has less to do with the perceived risks, and more to do with falling gas prices. According to a new Gallup poll, 54 percent of Americans now oppose nuclear energy. This is up a … Continued
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Tech NewsGadgets
10 Tips To Make You a Slack Wizard
Slack continues to creep into offices and organizations worldwide, bringing a new and intuitive approach to old group chat model. If you’ve been signed up for the service at your workplace, then here are ten ways to wow your fellow workers with your Slack skills. 1. Put up a Do Not Disturb sign It’s easy … Continued
By David Nield -
Tech NewsLego and Sharpies Take All the Mess Out of Decorating Easter Eggs
Easter is almost upon us which means it’s time to decorate some hard-boiled eggs for no apparent reason. To keep the mess to a minimum you can buy an Egg Bot machine that automates the process, but if you’ve already got a Lego Mindstorms EV3 kit at home, you can just build one yourself. Jason … Continued
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Tech NewsFlying Drone Can Hide Underwater For Months Like a Nuclear Submarine
A submarine’s periscope is a useful reconnaissance tool, but it puts the vessel at risk since it can only be used when the sub surfaces. As an alternative, researchers at Johns Hopkins University have created a waterproof drone that can float up from the murky depths and then take to the skies to provide an … Continued
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Tech NewsSploid23 Things That Weren’t Actually in Star Wars
George Lucas is a toy-maker as much as he is a director, which explains why we know what to call half the things in the Star Wars universe. AT-ATs, the Sith, A-Wings, and Ewoks. We know what they are—through the prequels, the toys, and the extended universe—but they’re absolutely never called those things by name … Continued
By Avery Ellis -
Tech News
Domino’s Is Testing An Adorable Pizza Delivery Robot
We all like pizza. We all like robots, most of the time. But we definitely, absolutely, undeniably love pizza-delivering robots. Fortunately, Domino’s has built one. Domino’s has been working with Marathon Robotics to build this pizza ‘bot, reports Lifehacker Australia. Weighing about 450 pounds and measuring 3 feet in height, the robot—known as DRU—has storage … Continued