Tech
Tunnel through an Australian mountain? No problem, says Elon Musk
Australia could become a test ground for another of Elon Musk's massive infrastructure projects after the maverick billionaire tweeted a "bargain" price to build a tunnel through a mountain to solve Sydney's traffic woes. Musk in 2017 made a Twitter pitch -- and followed through with the offer -- to… Read
Mobile app spend soars with China a top market: report
Mobile app downloads are surging around the world with growth in smartphone use, with nearly half coming from China, a market tracker says. Mobile research firm App Annie forecast that the amount of money spent on apps for smartphones or tablet computers this year will grow five times as fast… Read
Grocery robots detect spills - with some far-off human help
A wheeled robot named Marty is rolling into nearly 500 grocery stores to alert employees if it encounters spilled granola, squashed tomatoes or a broken jar of mayonnaise. But there could be a human watching from behind its cartoonish googly eyes. Badger Technologies CEO Tim Rowland says its camera-equipped robots… Read
YouTube clarifies rules on pranks as risky memes rage
YouTube on Tuesday clarified rules against posting videos of dangerous pranks, as risky "challenges" prompt people to video themselves doing things like biting into laundry soap or driving blindfolded. The company already forbid content inciting dangerous activities likely to result in serious harm. But the clarifications "make it clear that… Read
Google Japan unit found to have underreported ¥3.5 bil in taxable income
A Google LLC unit in Japan failed to declare about 3.5 billion yen ($32 million) in taxable income for 2015, a source close to the matter said Tuesday. Tokyo tax authorities determined the Japan unit reduced its income by shifting locally derived advertisement revenue to Google's branch in Singapore, where… Read
Nike unveils next-generation self-lacing basketball shoes
In the 1980s, the "Back to the Future" film franchise suggested we would all eventually wear self-lacing sneakers. Then a few years ago, Nike made the movie magic a reality, introducing its first shoe to the public with so-called "power lacing." And on Tuesday, the global sportswear giant took it… Read
Braille technology firm builds 'Kindle for the blind'
A British company plans to launch a Braille e-reader for blind people this year that should greatly enhance their reading experience and spare them from lugging around hefty print volumes. Since it was developed by Louis Braille in the 19th Century, the alphabet of raised dots has brought the joy… Read
Rakuten announces fully cashless smart stadium concept
Rakuten Inc, Rakuten Baseball Inc, and Rakuten Vissel Kobe Inc have announced that professional baseball team Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and J1 League professional soccer team Vissel Kobe will roll out fully cashless payment systems under the “smart stadium concept” at their respective home stadiums of Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi… Read
Privacy, please: Latest gadgets want greater peek into lives
The latest gadgets want even greater access to your lives. Last week's CES tech show in Las Vegas was a showcase for cameras that can livestream the living room, a bathroom mirror that captures your face to offer beauty tips and a gizmo that tracks the heartbeat of an unborn… Read
Retailers eye new tech, data to revive fortunes
With robots, augmented reality displays and other advanced technologies, traditional retailers are taking a cue from the online world to find new ways to connect and keep customers. The 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas featured dozens of exhibitors showcasing how brick and mortar sellers can ramp up competition… Read
