Sometimes the simplest little gadgets can be so cool, and that’s exactly the case with the DLAND RC-F03 Colorful LED Water Faucet Attachment. This little device screws into any standard tap in your sink and water flows through it normally. But here’s the cool part: it has different color LEDs inside that automatically turn on […]
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This LED faucet light changes color based on water temperature and it’s my new favorite thing
How Bill Gates aims to save $233 billion by reinventing the toilet
Gates Foundation spent $200 million funding toilet research LIXIL is among companies drawn to potential $6 billion market Bill Gates thinks toilets are a serious business, and he’s betting big that a reinvention of this most essential of conveniences can save a half million lives and deliver $200 billion-plus in savings. The billionaire philanthropist, whose […]
The future of construction may be concrete that generates its own electricity
We need buildings in which to live, but crafting those buildings is making it harder to live on this planet. As much as 10% of global carbon emissions come from the production of concrete. One ton of CO2 is generated by making one ton of cement, which is made from limestone and a few other […]
Culturally sensitive robots are here to care for the elderly
Humans are living longer, healthier lives. That’s great, but there’s a downside — the growing elderly population requires an entire industry of (expensive) caregivers, and we’ll likely need even more of them in the future. Care robots might be able to do some of that work. Researchers suspect robots could help elderly people with everything […]
Research team develops the world’s first-ever 4-D printing for ceramics
A research team at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has achieved a groundbreaking advancement in materials research by successfully developing the world’s first 4-D printing for ceramics, which are mechanically robust and can have complex shapes. This could turn a new page in the structural application of ceramics. Ceramic has a high melting point, […]
Can 3D printed homes solve the urban housing crisis?
Building houses is massively wasteful. During the construction process, building projects accumulate giant piles of garbage from off-cuts of lumber and drywall to pallets that carry materials and the packaging they come in. And once operating, homes consume huge amounts of energy. “It turns out if you triage the world and you ask where are […]
Bose’s new $250 Sleepbuds play soothing sounds instead of music
Is quality sleep worth that much cash? After a couple years of development and early prototype testing through an Indiegogo campaign, Bose is commercially releasing its noise-masking Sleepbuds. They go on sale tomorrow, June 21st, for $250 from Amazon, Best Buy, Bose, and other retailers. The Sleepbuds are truly wireless earbuds designed to stay in […]
Smart speakers are becoming so popular, more people will use them than wearable tech products this year
Smart speaker users will reach 76.5 million by 2020, according to the latest eMarketer forecast. The average smart speaker user is still an older, millennial male, but the devices are gaining traction with younger, Gen X women with kids. Amazon Echo is the most popular, but is losing share. Google Home will likely slow Echo’s […]
The Cult of Peloton: Reinventing the Fitness Industry, and Becoming a Microcultural Phenomenon
High-tech cycling platform creates a connected community. At Peloton, Robin Arzon, vp, fitness programming, says classes are known as ‘shows’ and instructors as ‘talent.’ Until a month ago, I had never taken a spin class. While friends and colleagues made regular pilgrimages to boutique fitness studios like SoulCycle or Flywheel, the allure of sweating buckets […]
Amazon rolls out new ways to monetize Alexa’s skills
All Alexa skills developers can now monetize their voice apps with in-skill purchases, Amazon announced last week. The introduction of in-skill purchasing allows skills developers to sell premium digital content — such as subscription services or one-time purchases that augment a skill’s free offerings — within an Alexa skill.