Kids’ smartphone apps like to phone home and be snoopy

Not all parents who download smartphone apps for their children, or allow their children to pick their own apps, check up on the privacy consequences. But according to a government agency those parents who do try to look for possible drawbacks will often be out of luck. The Federal Trade Commission looked at a sample […]


Airline regulators told to sort out flight gadget rules

It’s time to get real about the rules governing electrical device use on flights. That’s what one government agency is telling another. Earlier this year the Federal Aviation Administration began a study of whether the current strict rules on gadget use need to be updated. The main issue was whether devices that aren’t emitting radio […]

Could Better Fonts Have Helped Save the Romney Campaign?

So, the election here in the US is over. After months and months of constant reminders, attack ads, political discussions all over Facebook, it’s finally come to a close. I, for one, am extremely glad. Not just of the outcome, but the return to normalcy. I don’t have to fear my Facebook feed like I […]

NASA is Building a Real Warp Drive

That’s right; FTL may be closer than we think. And because I thoroughly enjoy it I’m going to say it – more Star Trek technology is coming to life! (In addition to the tractor beams, universal translators, VISORs and, of course, replicators). A physicist named Harold White recently made the landmark announcement that he and […]

Brain-Controlled Toy Helicopters

So you remember how people thought it was cool that you could buy a toy helicopter that could be controlled by your iPhone? That’s got nothing on the Puzzlebox Orbit. Puzzlebox has actually been producing brain-controlled helicopters for classrooms over the past two years. Now, however, they want to take it to a commercial level. […]

Coming Soon: 3D Print Your Own Electronics

It would seem that the University of Warwick researchers are getting tired of simply creating models and toys with their 3D printers. While they think it’s “great seeing the complex and intricate models of devices such as mobile phones or television remote controls” they are working towards being able to print electronics that actually function, […]