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Apple and Samsung Need Each Other
They fight, they make up, they sue each other for copyright infringement, and then Apple orders 80 million OLED screens for the upcoming iPhone X. Yeah, it's complicated. Nerdwriter examines the love/hate relationship between Korean tech and manufacturing giant Samsung and bitter arch-rival Apple — and why the two of them can't live without each other.
The Simulation Argument
With our very limited way of understanding the world around us, humans have had to invent ways to overcome the limitations of our senses and brains in order to find out how the universe really works. And we've done an alright job so far. But there's a compelling argument that the reality around us isn't real — we might be living in a simulated reality. Kurzgesagt looks at the concepts behind the simulation theory, and what it would take to make it possible.
Postcards from Saturn
20 years ago, a spacecraft named Cassini began a journey to the planet Saturn. Cassini spent 13 years orbiting the ringed planet, sending home pictures that greatly advanced our understanding of the solar system that we inhabit. With its mission accomplished, Cassini crashed into the planet it was studying. NPR looks at some of the highlights of what Cassini saw over the course of its trip.
How Not to Land an Orbital Rocket Booster
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Never has this been truer than with Elon Musk and his SpaceX Rockets. Although the aerospace manufacturer has seen many accomplishments, like last week's successful landing of Falcon 9, they did not come without many, many failures. In what might be the most expensive fail video of all time, the tech billionaire compiles all of his botched landings into an explosive 2-minute how-not-to.
Driving a Real Mech
Mechs: They aren't just for animes and video games anymore. Yang Jin-Ho is the chairman of Hankook Mirae Technology, a company focused on robotics. And they're focused on big robotics, creating a fully-articulated mech, piloted by a human. Translogic went to South Korea to take a test drive in something straight out of science fiction.
Designing the iPhone 8
There was time before the softly-squared rectangle in everyone's pocket. The iPhone revolutionized the way we communicate, but over the last decade, it's been a design of compromises. The iPhone8 promises to be the iPhone that Apple has always wanted to make, as technology and design come together.
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Casper Mattress
When Casper entered the mattress market a few years ago, they changed the mattress industry. And now, after 30 engineering improvements and nearly half a million happy customers, the Casper mattress is more breathable and comfortable than ever. Each mattress is made of multiple layers of foam, including one for support and pressure relief, and one to make sure you sleep cool and comfortable. It's all wrapped up in a durable woven cover, and shipped right to your door in a box that's easy to maneuver into even the smallest homes or apartments. You get 100 nights to try it out and can return it for free if you're not satisfied.
Presented by Casper.
Indochino Suits
Built with top quality components and thoughtful construction, you can't go wrong with a made to measure gray or blue suit from Indochino's Premium Collection. All their suit jackets are half canvassed, with fully fused fronts, for greater versatility and excellent shape for your body. Each jacket also features fully canvassed lapels, bullhorn buttons, lightweight shoulder pads and high-quality collar felts. Just choose your fabric, customize your suit, and submit your measurements. The result is an investment-quality suit that's far more attainable than bespoke options and fits better than off-the-rack options. You can wear them year round, and you get the most bang for your buck as each suit is under $400.
Presented by Indochino.
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Bringing the Sun to Earth
Finding absurd ways to wipe out civilization and life on Earth as we know it is always a fun thought exercise. Kurzgesagt thought up the best way to blow it all up — by giving an idea of what would happen if the Sun came to Earth.
Black Holes Could Delete the Universe
Black holes are like the cosmic recycle bin of the universal desktop — once you click empty, it's never coming back again. In a universe where we've based a lot of what we know about it on the fundamental principle of the indestructibility of information, black holes literally tear right through that theory. Kurzgesagt looks at the paradox of black holes, and how they can tell us about the real nature of the universe.
ISS Eclipse Transit
On August 21, 2017, the moon wasn't the only thing crossing the sun. Not long after the eclipse began, another, smaller fellow traveler raced across the sky — the International Space Station. Smarter Every Day was in Wyoming to capture the event with some awesome video and still images.
Intro to Solar Eclipses
Solar eclipses aren't rare — they're happening somewhere on Earth every year or two. But what exactly causes solar eclipses and how to view them safely can be. National Geographic shows you how the phenomenon occurs and how to watch it without ruining your eyesight.
What You Need to Know About Seeing the Solar Eclipse
Don't blink. On August 21, 2017, a total eclipse will pass over the United States for the first time in almost 40 years. Everyone is going to be watching — but before you do, WIRED has a few tips for getting the most out of this rare astrological opportunity.
Go See This Eclipse
For the first time in almost 40 years, the United States will experience a total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. Unfortunately for some, the celestial sight will only be visible from 14 states — Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina — leaving the rest of the country to witness a mere partial eclipse. If you're not lucky enough to already be a resident of one of these states, Alex Gorosh urges you to get out and go see this eclipse.
Expressive Animatronic Abraham Lincoln
Garner Holt Productions has been making animatronics for movies and theme parks for over 40 years. Founder Garner Holt began in his parent's basement, and now handles the animatronics for Disney. This concept demonstration is capable of over 40 unique expressions and takes robots out of the uncanny valley and into something blurring the line between man and machine.
Eagle Prime
It's ready. A 430 hp Chevy LS3 V8, tank treads, one giant claw, one double-barrelled paintball gun, and seating for two — America's entry in the Giant Robot Duel is here. Watch Eagle Prime as it drifts around a slalom course, busts through a barricade, and test fires it's weapon. The upcoming duel against Japan's Suidobashi Heavy Industries is almost here, and it looks like America is ready.
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Arlo Skye Carry-On
Sleek looks, silent wheels engineered in Japan, zero zippers, and a built-in battery bank — this isn't just another suitcase. Arlo Skye has innovated upon what's already great about modern luggage (sleek, durable) and added additional functions, while eliminating some weak spots. No wonder it has won multiple international design awards. An anodized aluminum-alloy shell that helps reduce scratches is the type of material you'd expect to find on bags twice the price. The TSA-approved battery pack that fast-charges a phone or tablet up to five times is removable and rechargeable, and it fits flush in a slot between the luggage handles for easy access. The clasp closures — the kind of thing you're used to seeing on professional gear cases — eliminate the chance of a damaged zipper or busted seam. At a size that fits all standard international cabin carry-on bins, this suitcase is a travel companion you won't want to fly without.
Height: 22" / Width: 14" / Depth: 9" / Capacity: 38L
Billykirk x Uncrate No. 165 Carryall
Taking Billykirk's utilitarian, "doctor bag" style No. 165 Medium Carryall and making it even better is no easy task. Each bag is already meticulously crafted by hand in New York by a set of highly skilled craftsman, along with Chris and Kirk Bray themselves. To make the Billykirk x Uncrate edition of the No. 165, we started with the 20-ounce waxed canvas (black of course) and added our own American Bison hide for the handles, trim, and bottom reinforcement. From there, a Ranger Tan nylon interior was added to ensure items inside are easy to locate at a glance. A hinged top ensure the bag stays closed when it's meant to be, even if the straps and buckles aren't secured. The hand-stitched bag is just large enough for overnight endeavors while remaining appropriately sized for everyday carry as needed. A detachable shoulder strap makes longer carries easier, and when combined with the similarity outfitted Billykirk x Uncrate Dopp kit and Commuter Tote, you'll be set to haul enough for a long weekend.
Height: 11" / Width: 16" / Depth: 6.5" / Handle Drop: 6.5"
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Hyperloop One
The future of transportation is almost here. During its latest test run in the Nevada desert, Hyperloop One reached a top speed of 192 miles-per-hour, crushing its previous run but still not reaching their 250-mile-per-hour goal. While the Hyperloop still has a ways to go before it can transport passengers at commercial airline speeds, the company seems to be moving in the right direction.
Inside the International Space Station
Being an astronaut is hard — but now you don't have to worry about doing all that work. Google now gives you a Street View look at the entire International Space Station. From hallways to windows and even the bathroom, you can experience life 249 miles above the Earth.
Keychain-Sized Game Boy
Sure, you can always pass the time playing games on your phone but that won't give you the same dose of nostalgia as a classic Game Boy. For those of you wanting a more authentic experience, Vincent Buso has made the already portable gaming console even more portable by shrinking it down and making it into a keychain. The best part is you can build it yourself.
Lego Beach Roller Coaster
Part sand castle and part roller coaster, this Lego City 9v train takes you on a mini vacay to the Outer Banks. The gravity-powred ride travels through a castle, a seashell forest, and a series of underground tunnels for a one-of-a-kind ride along the North Carolina coast.
The Fight Against Superbugs
A 2016 report estimated that around 700,000 people die each year from antibiotic-resistant "superbugs". A large part of the blame goes to our massive overuse of antibiotics — from farm animals to overprescription. But Andrew Roberts is developing new tools to fight bacteria, by taking research out of the lab and crowd-sourcing swabs from filthy places.
DIY Miniature Apple II Replica
Owning a miniature Apple II could be as easy as rounding up your spare change. Using a $9 CHIP computer, game developer Chris Larkin has created a working replica of the vintage computer. All of the components are housed in a 3D printed model with a custom paint job to match the original hue and is completly self-contained thanks to a 12V drone battery. Larkin shows how he made his and shares the plans to build your own.
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The Machines Are Coming
Automation used to mean dumb robots performing narrowly defined work. Now machines can learn, and the massive pools of data generated by everything humans do teaching them how to it better than we ever could. Kurzgesagt looks at what the future of work might be, and how humans fit into the coming brave new world.
Jupiter
Because a trip to Jupiter will probably never happen in our lifetime, here's a stunning flyby of the fifth planet from the sun. The video started when Mathematician Gerald Eichstaedt took still shots taken by NASA's Juno spacecraft and spent 60 hours editing them together. As if this wasn't enough, animator Seán Doran then spent another 12 hours smoothing each frame, all 2,400 of them, resulting in this awe-inspiring tribute to the gas giant. Time well spent.
Human Evolution in 1,000 Years
Evolution never stops — the timeline for evolution is usually measured in hundreds of thousands or even millions of years. But in just over a century, the height of the average American male has increased three inches and there have been adaptations to disease in the span of decades. Some of the most radical evolutionary shifts may come from our own doing, as gene editing technologies like CRISPR allow for extreme fine-tuning of the human genome, and the growing potential for interfacing our biological selves with computers. And in 1,000 years, we might not be living on Earth at all.
IHMC Planar Elliptical Runner
The most elegant solution is often the simplest. Making robots walk requires lots of hardware — in the form of motors, servos, gyroscopes, and the structure of the robot itself — and software to process those data points and translate them into movement. The Planar Elliptical Runner is a prototype bipedal robot that uses mechanical design to ditch much of the hardware and all of the software required to make it move, using only a motor and remote control.
Robots at the Wheel
Professional drivers — people that drive the UPS trucks, big rigs, courier services and many others — are one of the biggest employee groups in the US. With the self-driving car revolution already under way, they stand to be hit hardest in the first salvo of automation. WIRED looks at the current state of the technology, how it will affect drivers and whether autonomous vehicles are really ready for the road.
The End of Light
Everything must die. Death isn't limited to just the living things here on Earth — it will come to the stars and even the universe itself. White dwarfs are star corpses, what remains of a star's core after it sheds its outer layers. Far in the future, finding a suitable white dwarf to inhabit will be necessary for life as we know it.
The Boring Company
Elon Musk hates Los Angeles' infamously terrible traffic as much as anyone. While you might think his electric car company Tesla and his dream of fully autonomous cars might solve that problem, there isn't much that satisfies a supervillain. Now he wants to disrupt the construction industry with The Boring Company and build tunnels underneath cities to transport cars on electric sleds at speeds of up to 124 MPH. This demonstration video shows Elon's idea to relieve congestion in cities once and for all.
The Moderators
This short film contains graphic images. Facebook, dating sites, forums — moderators are keeping watch over all of it. With an estimated 150,000 people employed in scrubbing offensive content from the web's social media and other sites, more people work in this area of the tech sector than any other. Field of Vision follows a group of new recruits at a firm in India that scrolls through 2,000 pictures per employee per hour, weeding out what doesn't meet the guidelines — and alerting authorities when the images depict illegal acts.
