Technology, Innovation & Outdoor News
Feathery fast-zipping solo tent strips weight well under 1 pound
July 17, 2026
| C.C. Weiss
Zpacks presents its latest featherlight backpacking tent. Pitched with a single pole, the new Plex Solo Pro pulls out all the stops in delivering an ambitious blend of ultralight packability and camping convenience.
Smart multi-sensor kit simplifies home fermentation
July 16, 2026
| Shirl Leigh
From Smokpub, makers of a compact electric cocktail and whisky smoker, comes the Doubot, a sourdough fermentation system currently on Kickstarter. They claim it's “a smarter way to proof dough” for the novice baker second-guessing their technique.
Cyborg cockroaches go amphibious ... thanks to a new diving suit
July 17, 2026
| Etiido Uko
What sounds more terrifying than a part-cockroach, part-robot cyborg? Definitely one that can also breathe underwater. Yet, this is exactly what researchers have just created, except they are replacing “terrifying” with “useful.” Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore and Waseda University in Japan have created a soft, flexible diving suit for cyborg cockroaches. The suits are equipped with miniature oxygen generators that allow the cockroaches to survive for up to three hours underwater or in low-oxygen conditions.
Top Stories
The Redwood tiny house makes downsizing easier with a spacious interior that's suitable for full-time living. The home opens up to the outside with two glazed entrances and has plenty of storage for everyday life.
The brand that helped innovate the entire pop-up camper van category is redefining the space. With its latest camper van, Westfalia has determined to offer the space and luxury of a high-end Class A motorhome inside a very average Fiat Ducato van.
One of the fiercest, sharpest go-anywhere teardrop trailers roaming the Outback has gotten an upgrade. The 2026 Stockman Rover 2.0 takes on a new power system, new multi-awning setup, stealthy black-out look, and available entry-level trim.
Cinch Outdoors has moved off the ground and onto the vehicle, bringing Wild Land RV gear to the US market. It launches the Wingman as what's sure to be the US' largest, wildest pickup camping topper yet, available at a lower price than most toppers.
Scientists have created a robotic bird that swims, dives, and rockets out of water to fly, all without propellers, legs, or folding tricks. Just clever engineering solving a problem nature already does gracefully.
XGIMI says that the newly expanded Elfin Flip series "ends the trade-off between portability and performance." Leading the triple-laser charge is a 4K model with optical zoom, GTV, and low-lag gaming, with a cheaper 1080p model sliding in below it.
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July 17, 2026 | Omar KardoudiEngineers have built a drone that vanishes without camouflage or transparent panels. Its trick is spinning so fast that your eyes simply give up trying to focus, a stealth edge that could turn surveillance into something almost invisible. -
July 17, 2026 | Utkarsh SoodIt seems we’re living in an age of revival. Revival of old brands, motorcycles, and scooters. Now, with the Fiat Multiplina, we have the revival of the very cool bubble cars that saw peak popularity somewhere in the middle of the last century. -
July 17, 2026 | Abhimanyu GhoshalRayNeo's Air 4 Pro glasses do one thing, and one thing only. Pop these on, plug them into your phone or laptop, and boom – an instant giant display for your eyes only. Movies and gaming on the go just got way more fun.
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Health and Science news from our sister site: Refractor
From a snake's venomous fangs to the sharp spines that cover a cactus, puncture tools can be found right across the animal kingdom. While they come in all shapes and sizes, there's a fascinating force driving their diverse designs.
"Sleep debt” assumes your shut-eye works like a bank account. That lost hours stack up, carry over, and you must eventually repay them in full. Well, you'll be pleased to know that it doesn’t work this way. And chasing “enough sleep” isn't helping.
A newly developed antibody has halted the growth and spread of aggressive prostate cancer in preclinical tests, raising hopes for a more targeted way of treating metastatic disease.
In a rare study looking at cultural engagement and biological aging, scientists have found a potential link between spending time at the theater, visiting museums and galleries and watching movies on the big screen and living healthier for longer.
The US Food and Drug Administration has issued its first comprehensive guide on how psychedelic drugs should be studied in trials, signalling a shift toward recognizing the potential of these therapeutics and what's needed to see them approved.
At a time when more than one billion people are living with obesity,GLP-1s are widely viewed as among the biggest advances in obesity treatment. But one important question is becoming harder to avoid: what happens when people stop taking them?
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July 17, 2026 | Adam WilliamsWith its mid-size length and open interior, the Cedar Ridge manages to be towable without feeling too cramped inside. It features a rustic decor, plenty of storage, and two loft bedrooms, making it suitable for full-time small living. -
July 17, 2026 | Monica J. WhiteThe Playcube was already an unusual little projector: a palm-sized, Rubik’s Cube-like device built to throw a big image onto whatever flat surface you have nearby. Now, TCL is adding a new layer of interaction through Google’s Gemini AI. -
July 16, 2026 | David SzondyIt looks like laser weapons are going to get a major power-up. The US government has awarded contracts worth US$86 million to develop new Joint Laser Weapon Systems (JLWS) capable of outputting up to 500 kW to take out next-generation cruise missiles. -
July 16, 2026The best productivity software is often the one you don’t have to think about. Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus keeps the familiar Office experience intact with a lifetime license, now $54.99 (reg. $249.99). -
July 16, 2026 | Abhimanyu GhoshalWe knew the 849 Testarossa Spider – the convertible version of Ferrari's new plug-in hybrid hypercar – was coming. It's similar in many ways to its coupe sibling. What we didn't expect is just how much more mojo this variant would bring to the table. -
July 16, 2026 | Omar KardoudiThe Mediterranean is getting hotter and drier, pushing scientists to look for water even in the air itself. A German team has now scaled up a porous material that does exactly that, even when the air feels bone-dry. -
July 15, 2026 | Maryna HolovnovaAn emergency whistle is one of the simplest safety tools for the outdoors, and gear makers are trying to rethink the classic concept. This new whistle features a 3-in-1 design and claims to be heard through wind, traffic, and over long distances.
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Editor's Picks
Some of the most intriguing videos on the internet aren't "viral sensations" … instead, they lurk deep beneath YouTube's placid surface. A wonderfully weird little film known as Mary Worth – the Movie definitely fits in the latter category.
After Volkswagen split its midsize van lineup into two distinct model lines, the future of VW van life took the proverbial fork in the road. Spacecamper is the latest to convert a Caravelle, and its new camper arrives as a fast, versatile adventurer.
We're one step closer to that elusive goal preventing hair loss and enabling new growth, as scientists identify the crucial role that one all-important protein has in protecting the hard-working cells on the production line.
Despite its critics and moves toward electrification, the internal combustion engine is not yet dead. Though its design for passenger vehicles may have begun to reach its apex with Mazda’s Skyactiv designs.
An epidemic that's been sustained for 44 years might finally be quelled, with the milestone approval of the first HIV drug that offers 100% protection with its twice-yearly injections. It's a landmark achievement set to save millions of lives.
Generally Honda is the major Japanese automaker pushing out a fast, ferocious new side-by-side. This time, it's Toyota, which shows a radical side-x-side that delivers an extra 50+ hp over any production SxS out there.
Though it has a length of just 24 ft, the Spruce tiny house maximizes its limited available space well. Its compact layout includes a sleeping loft with standing room, and even a small balcony area.
Yamaha has been working with storied British carmaker Caterham on its new electric sports car. Dubbed the Project V, it is finally here. And not only is it coming to America, but it is coming for Porsche.