Travel vloggers detained in Iran for flying a drone without permission
Two vloggers who gave up their jobs in Australia to travel the world have been detained in Iran for flying a drone without a permit, according to reports. Jolie King and Mark Firkin were detained a couple of months ago, though the news has only come to light in the last few days.
Drone pilot races a roller coaster for awesome action footage
Watch this amazing drone pilot skillfully keep up with a roller coaster, weaving in and out of its supporting structure while somehow managing not to crash. The stunt took place recently at the Liseberg amusement park in Gothenburg, Sweden, with the full co-operation of the park’s operator.
Fake snow might be used to keep spectators cool at Tokyo Olympics
Japan’s summers are so oppressively hot that organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are considering using snow machines to keep spectators cool at outdoor events. The machines were tested on a crowd of volunteers in Tokyo on Friday, but the system clearly needs a bit of work.
With Amazon in its sights, Walmart expands its Delivery Unlimited service
Walmart is expanding its recently launched Delivery Unlimited service to more locations across the country. The $98-a-year service allows Walmart Grocery shoppers to waive additional delivery fees for online orders, though customers have to spend $30 a time to skip those fees.
Watch this Tesla Model S set a lap record at Laguna Seca Raceway
Ahead of an attempt to nab the 4-door EV sedan lap record from the Porsche Taycan at Nürburgring, Tesla has posted a video showing its Model S breaking a similar record at California’s Laguna Seca Raceway. The Model S zipped around the course in 1:36:56, taking the record from a Model 3 drive a few months ago.
Austrian Airlines is flying a drone around its planes for a good reason
Austrian Airlines is using an advanced drone to inspect its passenger aircraft for structural issues and paint damage. The drone reduces the workload for the airline’s technicians and speeds up the inspection process dramatically. If the current trial is successful, the system could be used on a permanent basis.
Sainsbury’s removed checkouts at one grocery store. Now it’s putting some back
The U.K.'s first-ever checkout-free store has decided to reinstall its checkouts. The decision follows a three-month trial of smartphone scan-and-pay technology that, while popular, still left many shoppers wanting to use cash. The store hasn’t given up on the system, however, as shoppers can still use it if they wish.
McDonald’s plans to serve up artificial intelligence at its drive-thru windows
Fast-food giant McDonald’s is exploring ways to automate its drive-thru service with the help of artificial intelligence after acquiring voice technology startup Apprente. It means that you could soon be chatting with a robot rather than a human when you pull up to place your order.
Self-driving meal machines are now feeding students at Purdue University
Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana is the latest college campus to welcome meal-delivery robots. Students and staff who don’t want to traipse across campus to grab lunch can now use an app to have it brought to them, though the service costs customers $2 a time to use.
Private Instagram posts turn out not to be as private as you thought
Instagram accounts set to private aren't as private as you might think. Researchers have found that web links to images and videos in private posts can be located by followers who delve into the page’s source code. The links could then be shared — or the content downloaded — without the account owner’s knowledge.
Watch this guy catch a dropped iPhone during a roller-coaster ride
It's not clear whether the iPhone X slipped out of the roller coaster rider's hand or pocket, but one thing's for sure — Samuel Kempf, seated a few rows behind, performed an incredible catch in the split second that the falling phone appeared by his head. And the whole thing was caught on camera.
YouTube struts onto the runway with a new hub for fashionistas
Fashionistas have a new online destination with the launch this week of a YouTube hub featuring a huge range of style and beauty content gathered from right across the platform. Contributions come from major brands and top models to industry insiders and YouTube creators.
Lime’s latest feature may see more scooter riders traveling in groups
Lime is launching a new app feature that lets one rider unlock up to five scooters for friends, family, or co-workers. It's aimed at greater convenience and also to discourage tandem riders. The feature has been offered in Europe and Latin America for the last few months, and is coming to select U.S. cities soon.
Auto industry promises action to stop child deaths in hot cars
Last year, more than 50 children died of heatstroke inside a car. This week the auto industry announced a unified effort to try to eliminate such tragic incidents by promising to install in all new vehicles an alert system that prompts drivers to check the back seats at the end of a journey.
Google Photos is prepping a print service with same-day pickup
More and more people seem keen to print off their best smartphone pictures, and now Google Photos wants a piece of the action. The web giant is reportedly prepping the launch of a service offering regular prints and canvas prints, with same-day pick up offered from CVS and Walmart.
NASA teams with European counterparts to stop asteroids from hitting Earth
Asteroid researchers and spacecraft engineers from around the world are meeting in Italy next week to discuss plans for an ambitious space mission that aims to test technology designed to change the orbit of a large asteroid. If successful, it could form the basis of a system to protect Earth from such a threat.
Amazon might let you pay at Whole Foods using only your hand
Amazon is reportedly testing biometric scanning technology that would allow shoppers at Whole Foods to pay for their items with a wave of their hand at the checkout. The system is currently undergoing testing and could be rolled out to the first stores in the early part of next year.
Apple AirPods falling onto subway tracks is a problem in New York City
New York City’s MTA is so fed up with disrupting subway services to retrieve dropped AirPods from the tracks that it's considering creating a public service announcement imploring AirPod owners to be more careful. A report this week suggested the problem has been particularly bad this past summer.
Parrot’s Anafi drone now includes an FPV headset for more thrilling flights
French drone firm Parrot has added a smartphone-powered FPV headset to its Anafi drone package to offer pilots a more thrilling flight experience. The Anafi drone launched last year and offers 4K video, 21-megapixel stills, a top speed of 34 mph, a range of more than two miles, and 26 minutes of flight time.
CIMON the flying brain is back on Earth after 14 months in space
A robotic assistant called CIMON recently returned to Earth after spending 14 months on the ISS. The floating robot uses artificial intelligence to interact with astronauts, helping them with tasks and generally behaving like a regular crew member. A more advanced version is now being developed.
Underwater drone now includes a zoom lens and better image stabilization
Fancy exploring the world beneath the waves without getting wet? A year on from its original launch, Youcan Robot's underwater drone now includes a zoom lens and improved image stabilization. The setup lets you control the camera-equipped device from up to 500 meters away, with a real-time feed sent to your smartphone.
Paris tests a noise radar to shut up loud motorcycles and cars
Residents of a suburb in Paris, France have had enough of motorcyclists revving their engines for fun and are planning to install a "noise radar" to bring an end to the practice. The box of tricks can measure noise levels, record the precise position of an offending vehicle, and even issue fines.
Hurricane Dorian risks turning dockless scooters into dangerous projectiles
With Hurricane Dorian barreling toward Florida, operators of rentable electric scooters and bikes in Miami are temporarily removing the vehicles from the streets to prevent them from turning into dangerous projectiles. The hurricane is expected to make landfall on Monday, September 2, 2019.
Skype ups its messaging game with drafts, bookmarks, previews, and more
Skype has launched a bunch of new features for mobile and desktop, including drafts, bookmarks, and previews. Also, the split window feature (showing contacts and conversations) that launched recently for Windows 10 has now landed for Windows, Mac, and Linux running the latest version of Skype.
Target expands online shopping feature that’s popular with parents
In a bid to improve its online shopping operation and take on its competitors, Target is expanding Drive Up to all 50 U.S. states. The move takes the curbside pickup service to 1,750 of its stores nationwide, with the remaining 100 Target stores also likely to offer the service before too long.
Mars 2020: NASA launches student contest to name its Martian rover
Fancy the idea of naming the Mars 2020 rover? Well, if you're a student in the U.S., you’re in luck. Run by NASA, the prize includes not only having your winning name attached to the rover, but also a ticket to Florida to watch the mission lift off from Cape Canaveral in July 2020.
Google sunsets yet another service, this time it’s Hire
Google will shutter Hire next year. The web app — part of G Suite — is designed to help with tasks such as posting job openings to multiple recruitment sites, collaborating with hiring teams, finding new employees, and setting up interviews, thereby enabling firms to keep tabs on all of their recruitment processes.