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Before you start throwing down cash for new phones like a Grinch post heart-expansion, watch our video to directly compare more factors than just name brand and price on two of the most popular phones. The iPhone 8 and Galaxy S8 Plus are both less than $1000 (no thanks, iPhone X) but still expensive, beginning at $699 and $825, respectively.
Read MoreIf you tend to work in Google Docs, you already know about it being down for hours on Wednesday, but only AT&T users had the pleasure of realizing their phones also didn't work for a good portion that same day. To fix it, AT&T told users to restart their phones, and that it might take multiple restarts to get it working again. T-Mobile, never one to miss a diss, jumped right into the same Twitter thread to offer frustrated users a chance to switch carriers. Ouch.
Read MoreWe're all only about ten years away from sauntering into stores, grabbing whatever it is we want, then quick-stepping out like we stole it. It'll be possible because many shops will be ringed with machine vision-enabling cameras and sensors that keep tabs on what you take while inside and then charge it to the corresponding app as you leave. Analysts say the big shift is being ushered in by retailers trying to stave off the online shopping explosion. People tend to cite crowds and lines as reasons they avoid stores, so the hope is that tech will be the savior of the remaining brick and mortar mainstays. But while that checkout change might thrill some customers, it'll also dramatically change employment for low-skilled retail jobs and comes with a host of privacy concerns.
Read MoreThe moment Google Pixel Buds were used earlier this month to demonstrate real time translation from Swedish to English, people started freaking out about potential use cases for this kind of technology. But the thing is, Google isn't the only company taking this on.
Read MoreFor the social media obsessed, Twitter's rise into the very fabric of our daily political lives might seem natural. But when you realize the site itself has only been around since 2006, Twitter's near-daily headlines in major news organizations is something to ponder. Especially when you consider it wasn't fully embraced as a newsgathering tool until 2010, when a US Airways aircraft made a miraculous landing on the Hudson River. Oh, such innocent times. Twitter's most recent big picture shift to allowing 280 characters is a true milestone, but its not the only one. Our timeline to 280 video will take you through all the highs and lows on the micro-blogging platform. And maybe, please Jesus, one day the company will finally add an edit button. (Hey, we can hope.)
Read MoreThe US is facing an agricultural worker shortage, along with aging farm owners, at the same time it juggles demand in food from a global population boom. If we're being blunt, those elements added together would mean farmers and production are straight screwed. Luckily, some engineers and researchers are creating robots that are already beginning to ease the load.
Read MoreTaking a whiff of a tray of multiplied cells, made from the stem cells scraped off a dead fish, all I could detect was a faint aroma of something smelling 'off.' Fishy, even. The co-founders of Finless Foods are working every holiday and weekend to 'feed' the cells so they divide and grow well enough to construct a fish fillet of edible meat within a few months. The biotechnology startup is pinning all of its hopes on consumers choosing lab-made meat over the potentially overfished or antibiotic-laden pieces of fish they might be purchasing now.
Read MoreToday on In Case You Missed It: When this show was announced on Engadget two years ago, we promised to find you the offbeat tech and science news you might have missed while following the previous day's big headlines. I've felt a great responsibility covering innovations from the likes of NASA and MIT, plus discovering promising cancer studies and environmental inventions aimed at saving us all. I've learned so much from writing this show for you. And let's be real, it's probably the best job in tech journalism since very few autonomous car inventions could go without a Russian dash cam montage and I've needed to (ahem) carefully review options before selecting the perfect moment.
Read MoreIf you've spent any time on Kickstarter, you've already seen those questionable rolling trashcan bots mixed among promising pieces of tech. You might even start thinking truly useful home-based robots have arrived. And, hey, it's about time! The first domestic robots started cropping up in the '80s. But, while the Hero-1 might have inspired a generation of roboticists, public perception of robots in the home hasn't changed much since the Reagan era. Now a whole slew of bots, like Jibo, Pepper and Kuri are trying to worm their way into our hearts. Nearly all have the ability to broadcast what their on-board camera sees to a companion app. Some can even be programmed to map rooms, execute commands when they 'see' certain actions or people, and even complete sentry patrols. If you've been waiting for your very own R2D2, reality may finally be catching up with your dreams. Don't miss the next episode of Future IRL on February 21st, when we'll be looking at the future of home delivery.
Read MoreFictional housekeeping robots and the flying smart cars in The Fifth Element have inspired technologists to keep pushing the bounds of electronics for years, which is how we've gotten video chatting and Bluetooth in our cars. But pop culture has also served up many warnings. Who among you doesn't remember Hal, the calmly murderous computer from 2001: A Space Odyssey, without shuddering in horror? If you haven't realized it yet, the technology these fictional stories foretold is being constructed in the real world right now. The reality can be awe inspiring or frightening, but should be carefully watched either way. Engadget's new video series, The Future IRL, will take on the big stories in tech and explore how companies are turning sci-fi concepts into everyday reality. This first episode focuses on self-driving cars, with engineers from Ford and Delphi explaining what challenges still lie ahead. We'll bring you a new episode twice a month so please, enjoy the ride.
Read Moretry{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: A soft robotic device made by Harvard and Boston Children's Hospital researchers has been tested on pigs and so far, seems quite promising in treating heart disease. The robotic heart wraps around parts of existing tissue and helps squeeze, keeping the blood moving. But unlike other existing devices that are inserted into the heart, this just goes over the top. Its makers believe that will lead to better outcomes for patients that use it, since cycling blood through a medical device can lead to all kinds of complications, from infection to blood clots. No word yet on when they'll begin tests in humans.
Read Moretry{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: A new company called BAE Systems is touting its Laser Developed Atmospheric Lens tech, which aims to use particles in the atmosphere to make a big magnifying glass. They admit we are many years from actual application of the idea, but that doesn't make the video any less cool. Meanwhile NASA is booking rides on Russia's space transport vehicle, the Soyuz, through 2019, since SpaceX and Boeing are both behind on their plans for a vehicle to get American astronauts to the International Space Agency. The America's Funniest Home Videos compilation is here. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
Read Moretry{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: The Galactic Empire will have some competition for Speeder Bikes soon enough, from the US Army. Researchers there have been working on hoverbikes for a few years now, based on an Australian inventor's design. Make sure to watch the video of the temperatures stacking up each year, bringing us to the hottest recorded weather for 2016, or a video of the sunspot twice as big as Earth. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
Read Moretry{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: You might have thought things couldn't get any worse, but you'd be wrong. A recent study published in Nature showed that first, mice could be bred so that the neurons in their brains respond to laser lights. Then, the adult mice were hooked up to laser light helmets and when turned on, the hunt and kill area of the brain was triggered so that mice instantly attacked crickets in their cages. I have one thing to say: You can watch the 2009 movie, Gamer, if you want a prophecy of our future lives.
Read Moretry{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: SpaceX is back in launching mode after the FAA grounded the company following an unfortunate explosion last September. The rocket company successfully launched satellites from its revamped Falcon9, then the motor completed its landing on a SpaceX floating pad.
Read Moretry{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: The Department of Defense created a drone swarm for spying that can replenish a fallen UAVs position, much the way the alien swarms act in Independence Day. A video of the test was just posted by the DoD, although the test actually took place last fall. A video of the 3D printed sculptures is here and while there are many important news stories from this week, I recommend reading up on the ethical use of artificial intelligence. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
Read Moretry{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: Stanford bioengineers created a centrifuge to separate blood and detect disease, all based on whirligigs from childhood. They estimate the blood cell device would cost only 20 cents a piece to make, and since it's human-powered, could be used all over off-the-grid locations to help diagnose diseases like tuberculosis. The National Science Foundation helped fund research into walking efficiency and the artist who imagined a sad robot dystopia is here. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
Read Moretry{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}The infrastructure to support traditional deliveries has been strained ever since the growth in online orders. What's more, the projected growth will exceed anything UPS, FedEx and the like can currently support. Because of that, companies like Amazon have been working on both an air-drop solution using drones to autonomously drop packages at customers doors, while others have been working on delivery robots. That's why some believe autonomous UAVs and robots might work together on the delivery trucks of the future. I talked to two people who care quite a lot about what this all means from the Engadget stage at CES2017: Paul Dragos, a flight trainer for FAA certification at UXV University and Henry Harris-Burland, the marketing head of Starship Technologies, a company that makes a delivery bot. Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2017.
Read MoreToday on In Case You Missed It: It's our final show from CES so we're taking you on a quick tour of some of the voice integration in cars and appliances available at the show. Ford, Chrysler, Hyundai and the rest all have integration deals with either Amazon Alexa or Google, and sometimes, both. For the home, Samsung and LG both unveiled smart refrigerators that use Alexa. LG's Smart InstaView uses webOS to run Amazon Alexa to let you play music, control the temperature of your fridge, pull up recipes and more. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd. Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2017.
Read Moretry{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: There were more beds at CES this year than we've ever seen before, but I was seduced, yet again, by the new model for the Sleep Number bed. Even though I'm a bit of an everything-connected-to-the-internet hater. Last year's Sleep Number model introduced a plethora of sleep-tracking sensors, integrated inside the mattress. But the 2017, Sleep Number 360 version kicks it all up a notch. It can use that data to adjust the firmness of the bed as you turn during the night, as well as pre-heat the foot bed warmer just before your usual bedtime. Probably best of all for couples: It raises the side of an offending nighttime snorer and ends the noise, no elbows required. The bed will run $1099 and start rolling out in the spring. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd. And click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2017.
Read Moretry{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: Skyrocket's booth in the drone section of CES became an OK Corral for shooting down drones, to our utter satisfaction. The company unveiled its Sky-Viper GPS drone this CES and showcased its durability and quick movements by letting folks take aim at them with big air cannon guns. The drone costs $150 but the satisfaction of knocking one out of the air: Priceless. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd. And click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2017.
Read Moretry{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: The wearable breast pump that doesn't need any external power or cords will be launching in the Spring to the tune of $429 and is likely to thrill every woman who's ever had to express milk with one of the bulky contraptions of yore. Willow is selling it and providing a matching app that measures how much milk is produced from each breast as well. Metrics ftw!
Read Moretry{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: If you were looking for things to make your home life easier, you might need a camera that takes a photo of the inside of your fridge every time it is opened. Then you'll always know if someone drank the last of the milk and didn't tell you. You can check the photos in the app to see what you're out of and even get push notifications when your food is about expire (if you first manually add that information in). The FridgeCam by Smarter will cost $149.
Read Moretry{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: We are rounding up some favorite stories from the year before it's lost to us all. When next you see ICYMI, it'll be from CES. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
Read Moretry{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: It's our holiday episode and what better way to celebrate than with Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla, their baby and mop dog? The Zuck is taking people inside his home for a look at the home automation system he programmed himself, using Facebook programming tools. He shows off his shirt launcher, text to dim the lights, facial recognition and more in the video, though the funniest (yet cruelest) moment may be the Zuck's trolling of oft-hated on rock band Nickelback. We were lucky to find this The Mummy IMAX trailer before Paramount scrubbed the mistake from the internets. Take in Tom Cruise's screams as my holiday gift to you. There are some great stories in TL;DR but we most recommend reading up on the Electronic Frontier Foundation's full-page ad to the Trump Administration. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
Read MoreToday on In Case You Missed It: CERN scientists announced they were able to measure anti-matter on the optical spectrum after a full 20 years of trying. This could not only help us understand the universe better but probably solve the mystery of the aliens everywhere meme-- kidding! That guy is unexplainable. Meanwhile Stanford scientists were able to see how starfish larvae move through water, creating vortices to both swim and move food closer to their mouths, something that had previously been unknown. If you're looking for a laugh, feel free to check out synthesizer bike guy, round two. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
Read Moretry{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: Sundrop Farms in Australia produces tomatoes from using solar power and seawater, no soil, pesticides or groundwater involved. You can watch the video of the facility here or the CNN story here. The story about the weather study using man-made ice storms is described here. If you're interested in the bird-inspired drone design, that's here, and the meat pie into the stratosphere is here. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
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