-
Tech NewsThe Latest Fukushima Leak Was Unreported for Almost a Year
More reports, more mystery leaks, more questions about the complexity of cleaning up a broken nuclear plant. Last weekend, we learned about Fukushima’s latest leak, which led to water with 70 times the normal levels of radiation leaking into the nearby ocean. It seems that Tepco, the company responsible for the maintenance and decommissioning of … Continued
-
Tech NewsGadgets
Use Google Translate to Transform Foreign Signs Before Your Eyes
The best way to get along in a foreign country is to know the local lingo. But if you don’t, your smartphone can help you cheat your way through. The instant picture translation feature rolled into Google Translate last month is only a tap away, though you shouldn’t take everything it says at face value. … Continued
By David Nield -
Reviews
Xiaomi Mi Note: This Chinese Phone Is Great. Too Bad You Can’t Use It.
You’ve probably never heard of the Xiaomi Mi Note. You can’t buy one in the US. You should read this story anyhow. It’s about a smartphone—a really good smartphone—but it’s also about the future of personal electronics. You care about the future, no? Because years from now, we may look back at this phone as … Continued
-
io9The Lazarus Effect Could Make Mad Science Scary Again
Mad scientists have existed since the beginning of cinema, and The Lazarus Effect has zero problem borrowing from earlier films. It also snatches crumbs from The Exorcist and Paranormal Activity, among others. But! It’s got an unusually good cast, fast pacing, and some decent frights. Minor spoilers follow. The obvious comparison here is Joel Schumacher’s … Continued
By Cheryl Eddy -
io9
All These Gifts Were Given To An 8-Year-Old Girl By Crows
Since the age of four, Gabi Mann of Seattle has forged a relationship with the neighborhood crows by offering them food. Then suddenly something unexpected happened — the crows, in an apparent act of reciprocation, started to present various trinkets to Gabi in return. As BBC’s Katy Sewall reports, it all started quite innocently when, … Continued
-
Tech NewsPrivacy & Security
PayPal Canceled Mega’s Account Because of Encryption (But Really Piracy)
Mega is one of the only cloud storage services that offers end-to-end encryption, a great feature for people who value security. However, after political pressure from MPAA-affiliated goons, PayPal recently decided to stop providing payment services to Mega. What gives? This is crazy, but unfortunately, it’s not all that surprising. Mega’s long been in the … Continued
- io9
The Newest Powers Trailer Feels Like A Parody Of Itself
We’ve seen plenty of Powers footage, but the latest trailer for the live-action adaptation of Brian Michael Bendis’ comic book plays more like a fake trailer one would see in a comedy. Behold, and look upon Sharlto Copley grimacing so very hard. The series, which will air on sony’s PlayStation Network next month, is based … Continued
-
SciencePhysics & ChemistryThe Photography at CERN Is Helping Solve the Mysteries of the Universe
Everyone’s favorite mega-machine, the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, is meant to help humans some of the most basic questions about the nature of our world. How it goes about this is—in a word—complex. But part of it involves a bit of good old-fashioned (kind of) photography. This documentary put out by the Carnegie Museum … Continued
-
Tech News
This Vacuum Chamber Is the Easiest Way To Perfectly Apply Decals To Toys
You know what skill kids are never taught in school? How to perfectly apply stickers and decals to their toys. And while it’s hard enough to properly stick them on a flat surface without training, it’s impossible to do so when it’s curved. Or at least it was impossible until Mattel designed a kid-friendly vacuum … Continued
-
io9
Everyone Thinks Breaking The Rules Gets Things Done. They’re Wrong.
If you think that breaking free of the system, disregarding the rules, and thinking outside the box will fix everything, you join a celebrated crowd — 90% of whom are completely wrong. In real life, rules really weren’t made to be broken, and there are significant benefits to those who follow them. A Useful Narrative … Continued
-
Tech News
Rejoice, The New Star Wars Figures Come With A Non-Slave Leia
Star Wars fans, good news – the new 6″-scaled Black Series figures are coming soon. And even better news! With them comes a new Princess Leia at long last, the first figure for the character in the line outside of an appearance in her Slavegirl outfit. The new waves of 6″ Black Series toys come … Continued
-
Tech NewsThis Wildly Nerdy App Gives Android Wear Watches Super Geek Powers
Maybe you’ve heard of Tasker. If so, welcome nerd. If not, it’s a robust but complex Android app that lets power-geeks (like me) program their rooted phones to do just about anything. Now, thanks to a Tasker plug-in called AutoWear, you can extend that sort of ludicrous control to an Android Wear smartwatch. It’s absurd … Continued
By Eric Limer -
io9
The Crow Remake Continues Coming Back To Life To Wreak Its Vengeance
Much like its title character, the long-in-development remake of The Crow never stays dead for long. Now we can add Boardwalk Empire’s Jack Huston to the lengthy list of actors who have been attached to the role of the new Eric Draven. Good choice! Too bad it’ll still probably never get made. I mean, historically, … Continued
By Rob Bricken -
Tech News
You’d Never Know This Stylish Helvetica Watch Is a Fitness Tracker
Athletes were among the first to adopt and wear fitness trackers, which is why they’re all styled to look like an athletic accessory. But since everyone can benefit from a little motivation to stay active, especially those stuck behind a desk, we’re starting to see fitness trackers that look more like classically-styled watches. Withings’ Activité … Continued
-
Tech News
The Lamest Official Reactions Against Net Neutrality
Let’s all agree on one thing: The Federal Communications Commission passing the strongest net neutrality rules in America’s history is a step in the right direction. But that didn’t stop an army of naysayers from crowing about an imaginary government takeover of the internet or how the new plan would slash their profits. Some chose … Continued
-
io9
We’re Having A GIF Party, So Come On In!
Gather up your digital punch bowls and put together your very fanciest party chitchat emoji, because it’s time for a GIF party. Set your party GIFs to mingling in the comments, and be sure to tell us a little something about your week — what you’ve been doing, what’s coming up next, and which GIFs … Continued
By Ria Misra -
Tech News
The Latest Super Sentai Mechs Are Getting Wonderful Toys
The latest in the long line of Super Sentai series, Shuriken Sentai Ninningers, made its début in Japan this week, and Bandai are celebrating with some fantastic toys of the mechs from the series – including these new ‘artisan’ versions of the new mechs. The new figure in the Artisan DX line of Sentai mechs … Continued
-
Tech News
This impressive Marine Corps light show is almost as good as any frame from the movie Tron. What you see is actually an AV-8B Harrier preparing to take off aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2) Wasp-class amphibious assault ship during training off the coast of San Diego, on February 24. [Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos/U.S. Marine Corps]
By Attila Nagy -
io9
This Doctor Taught His Medical Students To Be Body Snatchers
Andreas Vesalius was disappointed with his medical education. He figured out new ways to educate himself — ways that often involved a shovel, a set of duplicate keys to a graveyard, and his own students. Born in Brussels in the early 1500s, Andreas Vesalius was an ambitious young man who wanted the best from his … Continued
