Google’s self-driving cars are leaving the test track
The automated cars will be hitting REAL roads in Mountain View, Calif. this summer…with a few caveats. First, there will safety drivers in the cars and second, they’re “capped at a neighborhood-friendly 25mph.” Google points out that they’ll be using the same system used in their Lexus fleet that has been “self-driving about 10,000 a week.” Translation: don’t panic!
Living concrete heals itself
A professor from the University of Technology in the Netherlands, named Henk Jonkers, has invented something super amazing: concrete that can heal its own cracks. No, for real! He’s developed “bioconcrete” with bacteria in it, When the concrete gets wet, the bacteria is able to uses materials in his special mix to restore the damaged areas. Seriously, how cool is THAT? CNN has a video.
Geek news: Tron lightcycle sells for $77K
This isn’t an actual REAL lightcycle we’re talking about. It’s a full scale replica of a Tron lightcycle. Although it works as a motorcycle (sorry, it doesn’t emit a beam of solid light), but it’s never been out on the road…and it sold this week at Sotheby’s for $77,000. You’ve gotta admit, it looks awesome!
Garmin’s latest wearable finally includes heart tracking
Late to the party Garmin has finally added a tracker with heart-rate monitoring. The Forerunner 225 running watch has a sensor built in, plus step counting, data sharing with your smartphone and an accelerometer. Engadget says it should ship no later than June for $300.
The Genie turns ingredient pods into real food
It’s being likened to a StarTrek food replicator that can serve up dinner in seconds. The Genie is about the same size as a coffee machine. But, instead of brewing your favorite beverage, the Genie makes meals using pods of dehydrated ingredients. You select the pod you want to make, put it in the Genie, use the app to control it, and viola! Food comes out 30 seconds later. There are no preservatives in the pods but they have a shelf life of 1-2 years. Reuters has a video and you can see it in action!
Get your Candy Crush on with Windows 10
The news is that Microsoft is going to automatically install your favorite game with is new operating system. Candy Crush Saga will join Solitare, Minesweeper and Hearts if you switch to Windows 10 during the launch. Some are loving this, some are horrified and calling it “crapware.”
Startup of the week: the Lily, world’s first throwable, drone camera
Okay, if you watch this video, even if you’re not a fan of drones, you’ll want one. For $499 special early pricing, you can have a Lily of your very own.
Facebook rolls out Instant Articles
The stories will come from nine major publications but they’ll be hosted on Facebook servers so they load fast. Facebook says it takes about 8 seconds for an article to load, but Instant Articles will be instant. The stories will come from The New York Times, BuzzFeed, The Atlantic, National Geographic, NBC News, The Guardian, BBC News, and two German publications, Bild and Der Spiegel. This will roll out to iOS users first, with Android coming soon.
Tweet these emojis, save endangered animals
If you sign up by retweeting, money will go to saving endangered animals.
United paying to find security flaws
Like other major companies, United has started a bounty program to pay techy folks who find security flaws in their systems. Only they’re not paying cash money—they’re paying miles. In fact they’ll pay out one million miles if you can find and prove a remote code execution. The question is whether there will be lots of blackout days to use them :-).
Spaceship graveyard in the middle of the ocean
Ever wonder where space station bits and satellite pieces go to die? It ends up, many – as in 161—are on the ocean floor. They’re all in one spot that’s furthest from any land (Antarctica is a mere 2,700 miles away). Gizmodo has the interesting story about the cemetery and what all is down there sleeping amongst the fishes.
