Technology, Innovation & Outdoor News
If touchscreens won, why am I buying buttons?
July 18, 2026
| Howard Armitage
We were told touchscreens were the future. So why am I buying more buttons? From Stream Decks and smart homes to VW's return to physical controls, did we spend 20 years removing buttons only to spend the next 20 trying to put them back.
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.
'Inktelligent' medical electrodes paint on skin for natural comfort
July 18, 2026
| Malcolm Azania
New electronic tattoos go on like face paint but conduct electricity, allowing telemetry of hearts, muscles, and brains. Robust enough to power prosthetics, the customizable substance can be removed by a washcloth and reapplied as often as needed.
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.
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.
An 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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July 18, 2026 | Abhimanyu GhoshalN+ has developed a boatload of safety features – and licensed Volkswagen's branding – for its latest ebike. This baby has the first rear-view camera integrated into an ebike, and even talks to a smart helmet and glasses. -
July 17, 2026 | Etiido UkoMan has occupied the ISS, orbiting at about 248 miles above sea level, for 25 years. Meanwhile, the sea, sitting at sea level, hasn’t had a fixed station manned for up to a month. Researchers are seeking to change that, with a new subsea habitat. -
July 17, 2026 | C.C. WeissZpacks 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.
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Health and Science news from our sister site: Refractor
Cold and flu tablets often promise fast relief. But the evidence is clear: for nasal congestion, these medicines do not work as well as they claim. So why are they still being sold?
A new study shows that a material's “thermal history” is critical in shaping how its chemistry evolves in complex systems such as nuclear debris.
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.
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July 17, 2026 | Etiido UkoWhat 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. -
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. -
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.
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Editor's Picks
Who could possibly compare to Superman, the Man of Steel? Definitely not a man of plastic! Right? Wrong. Scientists have discovered that unconventionally shaped plastics may rival steel bars as reinforcement materials in construction concrete.
Scientists have uncovered an intriguing link between infection and brain health, finding that a common bacterium may advance cognitive decline. It's the latest evidence suggesting that bacteria and infections play a key role in destroying our brains.
Last year a longstanding conspiracy was reignited, telling the tale of how your smartphone is listening to your conversations and delivering targeted ads, but it still isn't true and the way you actually get your ads is much more unsettling.
Although electric motors do help kayaks fight headwinds and currents, they also add weight, complexity and the potential for getting snagged. The FluxJet system may change that, with a sub-5-lb electric jet drive module that fits into the hull.
A nuclear production facility in Washington state, called the Hanford site, once forged the plutonium that reshaped the world. Now it’s forging glass; a quiet act of undoing at one of Earth’s most contaminated sites.
Once famous for building the world's biggest and most powerful engines, Finnish company Wärtsilä is investing heavily in technology to clean up the notoriously difficult heavy marine sector. CEO Håkan Agnevall lays out a roadmap to zero carbon 2050.
This year Fender is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Telecaster, and Nashville was chosen to host the Tele Town birthday party. We caught up with the CEO and Chief Product Manager before rocking the Tele's big night out at the Ryman Auditorium.
A new video takes you inside Dyson's impressive vertical farming operation, which is home to 1,225,000 strawberry plants and shows you how the company is applying its manufacturing knowledge to producing homegrown food for British consumers.