Technology, Innovation & Outdoor News
US military commits millions to 500-kW super laser weapon
July 16, 2026
| David Szondy
It 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.
New Balance's 3-in-1 hiking boot zips and strips down to camp slippers
July 14, 2026
| C.C. Weiss
Just in time for the heart of summer, New Balance has released one of the most versatile shoes you'll ever see. The new Niobium Concept 1 bridges the huge gap between waterproof boot and cozy slipper ... with another stop along the way.
Piercing off-road teardrop camper grows wings bigger than Red Bull can
July 16, 2026
| C.C. Weiss
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.
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.
With its substantial size and lack of wheels or trailer, the Evergreen XL isn't a good fit for nomads. It trades portability for a remarkably spacious interior that's closer to an apartment than a traditional tiny house.
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.
After disappearing from the lineup in 2023, the Jeep Cherokee returns for 2026. Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, the new Cherokee embraces everyday practicality with enough Jeep DNA to make weekend adventures more than just marketing copy.
One of the appeals of paddlesports isn't just being able to look across the water, it's being able to look below its surface. With that in mind, an inventor has made an underwater lamp that lets him observe the seabed while paddleboarding at night.
With a changing climate, wildfires are becoming more frequent and destructive. Engineers from California have developed a house that can temporarily disappear underground until the danger has passed.
Latest News
-
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.
Load More
Health and Science news from our sister site: Refractor
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?
A new study proposes a likely suspect: Little Red Dots, which were discovered by the James Webb Telescope a few years ago.
It seems we may not be the only ones to experience what has come to be called an “uncanny valley” – rhesus macaques also treat semi-realistic avatars of themselves with no small amount of suspicion.
Latest News
-
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. -
July 15, 2026Why learn to code with beginner tools when you can start inside a professional IDE? This bundle includes Visual Studio Professional 2026 plus lifetime training in Python, C++, JavaScript, SQL, AI, and more for $40.97 (reg. $1,999.99). -
July 15, 2026 | C.C. WeissCinch 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. -
July 15, 2026 | Simon HeptinstallAlpine offered a first look at its new high-performance electric sports car at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend – all thanks to a pioneering new process for developing a new car platform. -
July 15, 2026 | Monica J. WhiteXGIMI 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. -
July 14, 2026 | Bronwyn ThompsonChina's eastern coastal region is associated with lower obesity, cardiovascular risk, and higher life expectancy. It's also where, for generations, market stalls selling fresh leafy greens, lotus seed pods, vegetables, tofu, and freshwater fish have shaped the diet of those living there. -
July 14, 2026 | Utkarsh SoodDucati is no stranger to supermotos. The Hypermotard is perhaps one of the most recognizable names in the category. What the Italian bikemaker was missing in its ranks, though, was a proper “racing Supermotard.” Lo and behold, here it is!
Load More
Editor's Picks
Scientists have discovered the single largest repository of gold in the world that makes Fort Knox look like a piggy bank. Making up 99.999% of all the precious metal on the planet, it's just sitting there for the taking. However, there is a catch.
Having a Swiss Army knife is all fun and games until you find yourself wanting to see in the dark, start a fire, drink water straight from a stream, or heck, even charge your phone. Enter the Lifesaber.
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.
The ambitious Pinnacle SkyTower has reached a major milestone. The supertall skyscraper has topped out at 106 floors and now holds the record for the most floors of any residential building in North America.
The typical charging time for an ebike is measured in hours, but Morelle looks to slash that unit to minutes to create the world's fastest charging ebike. The new bike also looks to be as sleek and lightweight as it is convenient to charge.
Some people can’t get their bad cholesterol levels down, even if they take cholesterol-lowering meds. A clinical trial using a combination of existing and not-yet-released cholesterol tablets lowered bad cholesterol by almost half.
Bajaj Auto, the world's third largest motorcycle manufacturer, has gone from a partner to KTM to taking over the Austrian brand altogether. That's thanks to a $905-million shot in the arm from the Indian two-wheeler giant at the eleventh hour.
Mukaab, the world's largest skyscraper, is one of the most ambitious construction projects ever conceived. However, according to a new report, Saudi authorities have stopped work on the the gigantic building, and its future now looks uncertain.