Skip to main content

Latest by Bruce Brown

embargoed acer chromebook 15 14

No more Apples for the teacher? Schools now more likely to use Chromebooks

Apple's lead in the U.S. education market has faded. In 2015 Chromebooks had 51 percent of the K-12 market, Windows 25 percent, and Apple OS's 21 percent.
uber rider driver ratings

Uber changes mean drivers can choose destinations and take bathroom breaks

Six new features in the Uber drivers' app may help drivers manage their business. The Driver Destinations feature may help drivers choose profitable routes.
mitsubishi outlander hybrid wifi breach

Security expert buys a Mitsubishi Outlander Hybrid to confirm Wi-Fi vulnerability

A British security expert found a disturbing vulnerability in the Mitsubishi Outlander Hybrid that could allow a hacker to turn off the car alarm.
faraday future roadtest driverless michigan ff vpa 1200x799

Faraday Future to join the crowd in testing self-driving cars in Michigan

Focused on electric-powered cars with the latest technology, Faraday Future has applied for plates to test self-driving cars in Michigan.
norway ban gas car sales 2025 volvo electric 2 900x601

Norway may become the first country to ban sales of gas-powered cars

Pending legislation in Norway may halt new car sales with gasoline engines in 2025 and require that all new cars have zero emission, electric powertrains.
Tesla Model S 1

Elon Musk’s version of Tesla history is filled with anecdotes and business lessons

At Tesla's 2016 annual shareholder meeting Chief Executive Elon Musk recounted the company's history and why the first model was "doom on a stick".
mit pay tesla owners 1000 lex

MIT wants to pay Tesla owners $1,000 to watch them drive

In research project to understand how people learn and use autonomous car features, MIT's AgeLab is seeking Tesla owners. They'll pay to watch you drive.
muhammad ali dies 74 muhammed from twitter

Muhammad Ali dies at the age of 74

Muhammad Ali, three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer, poet, and social activist died in Scottsdale, Arizona. Ali was mourned around the world.
fortified invincible theft resistant city bike

Designed by MIT entrepreneurs, Invincible is the ultimate city-proof bike

Fed up with trying to keep a bike in the city from being picked apart or stolen by thieves, MIT entrepreneurs designed Invincible, the city-proof bike.
Tesla Model 3

Perfect storm of factors speeding electric vehicle development

Technology developments and environmental concerns together are hastening the development and availability of electric cars.
smartslab smart kitchen table wired

Versatile SmartSlab tile table cooks and cools food, and seats six

Swedish design firm Kram/Weisshaar have produced a swipe-controlled kitchen table with a thin ceramic top that cooks and cools while seating six diners.
Google self-driving car

Google's self-driving cars are being tested in four cities. Is one near you?

Google's Self-Driving Car Project report is now available. Find out how many cars are in the program, where they are, and how many miles they've traveled.
walmart uber lyft grocery delivery online pickup bringing orders to vehicle1

Order groceries online at Walmart, and Uber or Lyft will deliver them to your door

Walmart is going to test using Uber and Lyft to deliver online grocery orders directly to homes. Free curbside delivery is expanding.
lyft ride sharing

Lyft and other international ride-share firms teaming up to take on Uber

Southeast Asia ride-share company Grab has a cross-booking alliance with Lyft. Now Lyft, Grab, China's Didi, and India's Ola can better compete with Uber.
uber settles driver background check case man driving in car the city ride share lyft getaround zipcar

SF Bay Area Uber drivers want attorney to step down and the city to tax Uber

Associations representing 5,000-plus San Francisco Bay Area Uber drivers rallied Thursday against a $100 million settlement offer and a city tax.
fensens license frame backup sensor and blind spot

FenSens license plate frame sensor offers backup sensing to any car

Add a wireless backup parking sensor to your car with FenSens. License plate frame sensor signals your smartphone when objects are one to ten feet away.
facebook ai screen offensive computer male facing dark background

Facebook increasingly using AI to scan for offensive content

Facebook's AI systems are getting better at moderating offensive visual content, protecting human workers the grim task, but there's still more to learn.
audi connect sim card germany europe a3 saloon virtual cockpit 1500x999

To help control roaming costs in Europe, Audi offers permanent in-car SIM cards

Wireless roaming charges can add up fast for connected cars. Audi is now offering an unlimited data plan in Germany with permanent in-car SIM cards.
skateboard electric drill power powered 900x599

Give your skateboard a boost by hooking it up to a battery-operated drill

You already have a skateboard. If you want to boost it, add electric drive with a battery-powered drill. It might look odd, but you're the one having fun.
uplamp smartphone gesture alarm controlled lamp 1200x803

It’s all in the hands: smartphone-powered UpLamp responds to your gestures

Ready to work with select iPhones and Samsung smartphones, UpLamp provides gesture-controlled bedroom lighting. The lamp is also a convenient charger.
tesla ludicrous 100 challenge bill model s 1200x798

Grab this $100 bill in an accelerating Tesla Model S P90D with Ludicrous mode

A dad bet that his son couldn't reach a $100 bill hanging from the mirror when he accelerated from 0 to 60 in a Tesla Model S P90D with Ludicrous mode.
tesla-ceo-elon-musk

To get the straight skinny on all things Tesla, livestream today's annual meeting

Telsa's 2016 annual shareholders meeting livestreams from the Computer History Museum today. CEO Elon Musk's Q&A should be the most entertaining part.
Self Driving Car

Volvo predicts it will have fully autonomous cars for sale by 2020

Stepping up its game in the driverless car world arena, Volvo says it will move ahead of other carmakers and not require driver attention by 2020.
dad invent gokart lawnmowers son lawn mowers pulled by go kart

Science teacher sits back while son cuts the grass with clever go-kart lawnmower

Inventor, engineer, and science teacher Jacob Strickling rigged three lawnmowers behind his son's solar go-kart then sat and watched the yard get mowed.
abnormally normal driving the tesla model s p90d 1406

Tesla gains one million miles of self-driving data every 10 hours

With constant cellular connectivity, Tesla gathers data continuously and tests new features in cars sold to the public, but drivers always are in control.
Google self-driving Lexus RX 450h in Kirkland, Washington

Michigan takes the lead in the race to support driverless cars on public roads

Bills to let driverless cars travel Michigan roads are backed by both political parties and supported by the DOT and economic development officials.
shaddai superyacht 125 foot high master 1 16x9

Ready for a buyer, 492-foot superyacht has beach club and elevated master

Italian designer Gabrielle Teruzzi's Shaddai superyacht is 492 feet long with a master suite, and an infinity pool 125 feet above the water.
Mercedes-Benz energy storage units

Mercedes-Benz home battery systems pricing is now public

With plans to start selling the Mercedes home battery in other European countries, the company has announced installed system pricing.
2017 ford fusion energi 610miles 1500x1002

Topping all other US plug-in hybrids, 2017 Ford Fusion Energi has a 610-mile range

With powertrain and regenerative braking tweaks, the 2017 Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid now has a 610 range, the longest in America.
homes with their own shark tanks villa deep blue 13 copy

Allstate extends a hand to Airbnb hosts with home-sharing insurance

Home-sharing may not cover hosts if temporary renters break or steal your property. Allstate is going to test HostAdvantage rider for home-share hosts.
human inc sound multipurpose audio ear 1500x1000

Human’s Sound ear covers aimed at meeting all of your audio needs

Human has announced the core features of its audio wearable, Sound. The ear covers will control ambient sound, as well as aid communications and entertainment.
tesla autopilot examined dutch regulators model s updates profile

Confusing! North Carolina bans Tesla sales in Charlotte, allows them in Raleigh

While Tesla can sell cars in its Raleigh, North Carolina store, the DMV has ruled it cannot sell from a Charlotte showroom. People can look, but not buy.
delphi mild hybrid cheaper faster cleaner hybrids

Turbodiesel engines assisted by mild hybrid tech are an answer to dirty diesels

Delphi's testing with 48V mild hybrid systems has achieved most of the fuel economy and environmental advantages of full hybrids at a fraction of the cost.
simplehuman sensor mirror pro smarthome simple human st3007 1497x1000

Smart mirror is so happy to see you it lights up as you get close

Simplehuman's Sensor Mirror Pro adds smart home connectivity to full spectrum lighting control. Via a companion smartphone app you can recreate any light.