gizmag

ROBOTICS
Aquatic robot seeks and destroys reef-killing starfish
	Queensland University of Technology researchers have created a hunter-killer robot that's designed to automatically search out and eradicate the destructive Crown of Thorns starfish on Australia's Great Barrier Reef.  read more
SPACE
Spiky Hedgehog robots to hop around asteroids and comets
	Exploring comets, asteroids, and small moons can be difficult due to their low gravity that offers practially no traction for wheeled rovers. To overcome this, a team of engineers is developing Hedgehog, a completely symmetrical robot rover for low-gravity exploration that moves by hopping.  read more
AROUND THE HOME
Neato's robot vacuum cleaner joins the Internet of Things
	At IFA, Neato Robotics is showing the latest dust-sucker to join its Botvac line. The Botvac Connected, as the name suggests, packs Wi-Fi connectivity for control from a user's smartphone.  read more
ENVIRONMENT
Compostable electronics could ease the e-waste problem
	Researchers from the Young Investigator Network at Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT) in Germany are developing printed electronics from natural and compostable materials that could help make a dent in the millions of tons of electronic waste piling up worldwide each year.  read more
WEARABLE ELECTRONICS
TomTom Spark tracks fitness and keeps your music with you
	It's been a busy few days at the IFA exhibition in Berlin, and in amongst the plethora of new products announced is this Spark fitness watch from TomTom. Its focus is on combining locally stored music with your workouts, so you can leave your phone at home when you need to. read more
SPACE
Ballantine's invents glass for sipping whisky in space
	In a move that Star Trek's Mister Scott would approve of, Scottish distiller Ballantine’s has developed a glass for sipping whisky in zero gravity. The cleverly conceived Space Glass might well be a more attractive proposition for astronauts than plastic bags and straws. read more
AUTOMOTIVE
Renault goes Alaskan with pickup truck concept
	Renault isn't wasting time working its way into the pickup truck market. A few months after showing its first pickup truck, it's previewing a 1-tonne global pickup that it will launch in the first half of next year. The sporty Alaskan concept is ready for work, recreation and everyday driving.  read more
SPACE
One year Mars mission simulation underway in Hawaii
	Last week on the slopes of Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii, six volunteers sealed themselves inside a dome habitat, where they will live in isolation for one year on a simulated space mission.   read more
HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Quick listen: Audio Technica's mature, living room-friendly AT-LP5 turntable
	At IFA this year, Audio Technica was showing off a new mature-looking turntable called the AT-LP5 and inviting booth visitors to sit on a comfy couch for a listen. Gizmag had a quick ears on.  read more
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Motion sickness could be avoided via a zap to the scalp
	Although medication can help with motion sickness, it also causes side effects such as drowsiness. In a few years, however, there may be a preferable alternative ... which users would stick to their head.  read more
AROUND THE HOME
Samsung AddWash opens the door to adding extra items during a wash cycle
	If you want to add a piece of laundry to a top-loading washing machine that's already in a wash cycle, you can just open the lid and chuck it in. Well, Samsung's new WW8500 AddWash now lets you do the same thing with a front-loader.  read more
SPACE
New study casts doubt on Mars valley formation theory
	A new study has revealed that during the period in which the red planet's distinctive valleys supposedly formed, the Martian atmosphere may have already been too depleted to maintain the free-running water that it is believed to have carved out the geological features. read more
MOBILE TECHNOLOGY
Hands-on: Huawei Mate S
	Huawei's Mate S flagship features some interesting functionality in the form of Force Touch and "Knuckle Sense", but it's a great feeling handset without those extras. Read on for Gizmag's hands-on impressions of the smartphone from IFA 2015.  read more
DIGITAL CAMERAS
Kodak's 360-degree action camera goes 4K
	JK Imaging has announced the latest version of its 360-degree-shooting Kodak action cameras, the Pixpro SP360-4K. As those last digits in the name suggest, the new model makes the jump to recording its spherical content in 4K.   read more
GOOD THINKING
The Sphero BB-8 droid lets you own a piece of Star Wars
	Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens doesn't hit cinemas until December, but already the rolling, bleeping BB-8 droid that features in it has proved a hit with audiences. Now you can buy your very own working version of the robot, thanks to a replica toy produced by Sphero.  read more
SMARTWATCHES
Huawei Watch hands-on: The most fashionable Android Wear watch yet
	The Huawei Watch is priced a little higher than much of competition, but does its high-end build make it worth the extra cash? Gizmag went hands-on with the wearable at IFA 2015 in Berlin.   read more
BICYCLES
DriBarz are windshields for cyclists' hands
	According to Vancouver, Washington-based engineer Jay Small, waterproof cycling gloves have a hard time keeping out the rain while also letting the sweat escape. His solution? Use regular dry-weather gloves, and his DriBarz handlebar fairing.  read more
GAMES
Acer's new Predator gaming notebooks will ship in 15- and 17-inch screen sizes
	At IFA 2015 in Berlin, Germany Acer unveiled its new line of Predator gaming notebooks. The Acer Predator 15 and 17 lines have been designed with gamers in mind, including some advanced connectivity and cooling, along with built-in audio with Dolby surround sound.  read more
SPECIAL PROMOTION FOR GIZMAG READERS
The Steel-Covered Titan Loop Lightning Cable is Virtually Indestructible, Now $19.95
	Too long? Too short? Try the perfect charging cord length. This keychain cable is long enough to extend to your power source, but short enough to fold in half and attach to your keychain or belt loop. Wrapped in industrial-strength steel, not only is the Titan Loop virtually indestructible, but essential for your on-the-go charging needs.  read more