iOS users outspent Android by 25% online yesterday, says IBM

Market share is a fun metric for comparing a product’s popularity, but there is a better way to gauge if those who own a device actually use it. Data regarding online shopping is a really good way to see who is putting devices to use, and IBM has compiled some shopping and purchase stats for Thursday shopping. Apple iOS device users spent a solid 25% more than their Android counterparts during online shopping sessions yesterday. The reason, according to IBM, is that Apple users are more “affluent”. The average purchase made by Apple users...

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Carbon Black gives wheelchairs a modern style upgrade

Carbon Black is a wheelchair designed to look modern and minimalistic, a change up from the long-held traditional wheelchair design that is both antiquated and heavy. Because Carbon Black is made nearly entirely from carbon fiber, it sheds most of that weight at a little under 19lbs. This makes the wheelchair light enough for users to handle it themselves, putting it in and removing it from vehicles, for example. In addition to the ultra light weight and modern design are integrated LED...

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Toyo recalls 175,000 tires over safety risk

Toyo has recalled about 175,000 tires due to potential issues that could lead to tire failure, posing a safety risk. The recall is being voluntarily made, and includes tires made under both the Nitto and Toyo Tires brands for SUVs, light trucks, and vans. With these tires, it is possible the belt or tread can separate and the tire could potentially lose pressure, both of which could then possibly lead to the tire itself failing and a potential crash. Nitto Dura Grappler Highway Terrain...

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Jolla promises to give tablets cellular connection if it raises $2.5 million

When Jolla launched an Indiegogo campaign to fund the development of its tablet, the company was only aiming to make $380,000. Somewhere along the way -- say the moment it reached $1 million in pledges -- the people behind Jolla probably realized that the public are into the idea. So, they've now added some nice stretch goal promises, the most ambitious of which being the addition of 3.5G or cellular connectivity -- but only if they get more than $2.5...

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OnePlus and Cyanogen on brink of breakup after India fight

Poor OnePlus just can't take a break. Just as the company's busy taking care of its Black Friday promotion, its store opening in Beijing and its India launch with Amazon next week, a close partner decided to drop a hurtful bomb. Cyanogen Inc., the maker of OnePlus One's Android ROM, announced that it's now inked a deal with Micromax to exclusively support the latter's upcoming online brand Yu -- a direct competitor of Xiaomi -- in India. And by "exclusive" we do mean no love for OnePlus, who...

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Europe will make Ariane rockets more competitive with SpaceX

No, not "airline" rockets. Ariane rockets. According to The Wall Street Journal, EU ministers are finally about to approve plans for a more affordable version of the Ariane series -- the same family that launched Rosetta back in 2004. What counts as affordable when developing a rocket, is reportedly between five and six billion dollars. The European Space Agency makes no secret that its goal is to compete with commercial entities like SpaceX, which already...

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Graphene stronger than kevlar when blasted with Mach 9 microbullets

Here's another new use for graphene (that will probably never happen): stopping bullets. University of Massachusetts-Amhers researchers have found that everybody's favorite potential wonder-material vastly outperforms steel and even kevlar armor. Testing the ultra-lightweight, 1-atom thick carbon sheets has proved tricky in the past, as they disintegrated on contact with regular bullets. So, the team used laser pulses to fire micron-sized glass bullets...

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Pizza Hut's eye-tracking menu knows what toppings you want before you do

When scanning a menu, many of us are just justifying the profiteroles rather than actually choosing a dessert. Pizza Hut wants to skip your super-ego middleman and just let your id order that triple-cheese bacon pepperoni directly. It's "Subconscious Menu" uses Tobii's eye-tracking tech to figure out which of 20 different ingredients you're looking at on a screen (see the video below). It then takes all of three seconds to identify the pizza of your...

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GoPro is building its own drones

GoPro has pretty much dominated the action camera arena for a few years now, and its not an unfamilar sight to see one strapped to the underside of a quadcopter during flight. Now GoPro appears to want a piece of the airborne action itself as, according to the Wall Street Journal, the company is working on its own line of camera-equipped drones. It's early days yet, but according to the WSJ, GoPro is developing a range of drones costing between $500 - $1,000 (£316 - £633) ready to ship by...

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Is this the end of Sony-made smartphones?

In a recent call with investors, Sony said is no longer interested in gaining marketshare and was focused on making a profit. It highlighted its smartphone and television divisions as parts of the business were not currently making a profit. Sony admitted that people aren’t buying its Xperia phones – at least not as much as it would like. It said it will be announcing plans for what it will be doing that smartphone division in March. Instead, Sony said it will be focusing much of its Time...

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Sony working on e-ink smartwatch

The smartwatch is rumoured to use a technology known as e-paper. It is currently unclear how Sony plans to use the technology, however, according to Bloomberg it will be different to other gadgets that currently use e-ink. According to the newspaper, the new smart watch would not be aimed at the same market Sony’s higher-end smart watches are. Instead, Sony is believed to be planning on targeting those people who are more interested in style over having the latest bells and whistles. Sources...

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Opera is working on a subscription-based storefront for apps

For entertainment services such as Netflix and Spotify, the all-you-can-eat model has been tremendously beneficial -- both have racked up millions and millions of subscribers to date. When it comes to offering mobile applications, though, that idea of subscriptions hasn't really taken off. Regardless of whether you're an independent developer or a major brand, you depend heavily on storefronts like Apple's App Store or Google Play to sell and promote your content....

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James Cameron's 'Avatar' sequels will stick to 48 frames per second

There was talk for a while that James Cameron would shoot the Avatar sequels at a brisk 60 frames per second, which is no mean feat when people aren't yet sure about 48FPS movies. However, it now looks like the famed director is scaling back those ambitions. He tells Empire that he was considering 60FPS to accommodate home viewers (since it's better-suited to TVs), but that he's ultimately sticking with 'just' 48FPS; he's plugging into a "more mature" system...

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Wireless chip cures your staph infection then dissolves away

As bacteria get more resistant to antibiotics, researchers need to get more creative to clear them out. Researchers from the Tufts University and UIUC have definitely done that with a chip implant that can kill a localized staph infection with heat, then dissolve away. It consists of a silk substrate with a magnesium heating element that's activated by a wireless transmitter, raising the temperature enough to kill surrounding bacteria. The treatment time can be controlled for different applications,...

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Audi electric car with 280-mile range in the pipeline

Audi has an all-electric car in the pipeline, and it'll offer a range of 280 miles, according to the auto maker's technical development chief Ulrich Hackenberg. The information was provided during the Los Angeles Auto Show, and though there's no information on what kind of car, exactly, the electric offering will be, Hackenberg said it'll be released around 2017. This model is rumored to be able to fit a total of five individuals, and will still have "ample luggage space". Given what has...

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Moto X hits Republic Wireless next month

The second-generation Moto X will be available through Republic Wireless early next month, the carrier has announced. This will give those interested in Motorola's latest handset a no-contract option, rounding out the other Moto devices already offered by Republic Wireless. The phone will be launching amidst the holiday shopping season on December 10th, bring with it a 16GB capacity and a price tag shaved down from the typical off-contract pricing. Buyers will be able to customize the...

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Victoria’s Secret silently launches heart-sensing bra

Wearable devices are in fashion. Don't believe it yet? Just ask Victoria's Secret. The famous lingerie retailer has just outed, albeit without much fuss or fanfare, a new bra named "Incredible" that incredibly has its own heart-rate sensor inside. Designed for athletes and women with active lifestyles, this bra will allow users to be updated of their heart's status without having to wear conspicuous or uncomfortable straps. That said, you'll still need to wear or at least attach some monitor...

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Reiter Gallardo Extenso stretches Lamborghini FL2 GT3’s prowess

Reiter Engineering, Lamborghini's official Gallardo GT3 partner, has just unveiled what it dubs the Extenso R-EX. As the name suggests, this car extends the FL GT3, already a race-car version of Lamborghini's popular Gallardo line. With a wider rear, new materials, a more aggressive visage, and a better sounding engine, the Reiter Gallardo Extenso is poised to be the next evolution of the Gallarado GT3 line and will be the car maker's new contender in future races such as those in the Blancpain...

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Archos unveils the 80 Cesium Windows 8.1 budget tablet

Ever since Microsoft lowered the entry barrier for putting Windows on small form devices, there has been quite a rush of budget-friendly Windows tablets in the market. Archos, long known for that category especially with Android, is taking another stab at that same market with the Archos 80 Cesium, an Intel-powered Windows 8.1 tablet that tries to deliver your choice of finger-friendliness or productivity, either in your pocket, bag, or desk. With the description above, it is probably...

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LG Electronics announces new CEO

LG Electronics has named a new CEO that will start on December 1. The new CEO is Juno Cho and he will replace the current CEO Park Jong-seok, who has had health problems of late. Park Jong-seok will continue to be with LG, his new role will be chief technology advisor, and he will support Cho in his role as CEO. LG Electronics has had a good year in 2014 with the popularity of the new G3 smartphone helping the company get into the black. LG was able to grab up 16.3% of the North American...

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Cox Communications sued by music publishers

Cox Communications is one of the largest cable and internet providers in the country. Cox has found itself in the middle of a legal battle with a pair of music publishers after Cox refused to disconnect persistent music pirates. Rightscorp is involved in the case and claims that ISPs lose safe harbor protections if they fail to take action against users on their service that repeatedly violate copyright law. Fire major ISPs in the US have been sending Copyright Alerts to subscribers...

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EMC, Lotus jumps a truck over an F1 car, sets world record

Some people, when they're bored, try to perform some stunts, sometimes hilarious, sometimes mindless, and sometimes just plain out of this world. But when new friends EMC cloud storage and Lotus Formula One get bored, they make a truck jump over an F1 race car. Yes, this is today's serving of "do not try this at home or on the road." That said, the death-defying stunt is undoubtedly awesome, and it is made even more awesome by the fact that they nabbed the Guinness World Record for highest truck jump. So the big question is "why". But...

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Star Wars 7 trailer live: watch it online now

This morning Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been released as a teaser trailer for the masses on iTunes. You'll be able to watch this trailer in all of its one minute and 28 seconds of glory, start to finish, right this minute. While you'll have to head to a variety of theaters around the USA today to see it large, you can watch it on your computer, smartphone, or tablet through iTunes right this minute. This trailer is live on iTunes Trailers right this second - what are you waiting for? You'll...

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OnePlus' Black Friday deal: you can actually buy the damn phone

OnePlus has just let it be known that you'll finally be able to buy its $299 One phone sans invitation for Black Friday. The "deal" starts today and lasts all weekend, with the 16GB white model up for $299 (€269 in Europe, £229 in the UK) or $349/€299/£269 for the 64GB black model. There are also discounts on other accessories. That marks the first time (other than an hour last month) that folks will be able to buy the now-slightly-dated model without an RSVP. Despite the ridiculous waiting...

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HP Stream 11 review: a $200 Windows laptop meant to be a Chromebook killer

It's no secret that people like Chromebooks. That can't be good news for Microsoft, which used to own the market for cheap computers. Not one to take this sort of encroachment lying down, Microsoft came out with a lower-cost version of Windows 8.1 that PC makers could use to build small, lightweight devices inexpensive enough to take on Chromebooks. The HP Stream 11 is among the first of these so-called Chromebook killers: an 11.6-inch laptop running full...

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App Deals: Discounted iOS iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone Apps

Today’s best deals include Dragon Portals HD on iOS, Doodle Jump on Android and Mirror’s Edge on Windows Phone. Deals end without warning, so be quick! NOTE: This is a hand-picked list of apps that we think are worth checking out, but we do not endorse them in any way, nor have we reviewed them. We separate productivity/lifestyle apps and games. Otherwise, the apps are not listed in any particular order. Some apps may require in-app purchases for extra features or levels, so check before...

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A 250kg Bomb From World War II Caused A Mass Evacuation In France

A weapon from seven decades ago created a crisis in France this week. A team digging out a new metro line in Rennes, France, found an enormous 250kg bomb from World War II lodged in the ground near City Hall. Over 3000 people had to evacuate their homes. According to mayor Nathalie Appere, a bomb squad successfully defused the device, which had 70kg of explosives still inside. The people ordered to evacuate a perimeter of nearly 300m are now able to go home, safe from this particular...

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It's Hard To Believe This Gorgeous Home Is Actually A Doll House

If you’re already feeling self-conscious about the tiny one-bedroom apartment you call home, this stunning sixth-scale house designed for dolls or action figures isn’t going to make you feel any better about your living arrangements. But it will give you something to aspire to one day, because this isn’t Barbie’s dream house, it’s everyone’s dream house. Designed and built by Mumbai-based Architecture Brio for an unknown client (who presumably has the luckiest kids in the world) this...

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60 Seconds Of Painful Breaking Bones From Movie Fight Scenes

I almost couldn’t get through this video because the non stop crunch of bones breaking in these fight scenes got to me. Even though I know full well that movies aren’t real and that all these broken bones are just visual tricks and sound effects, I still cringed. A l...

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The FAA wants you to have a pilot's license to fly commercial drones

If you're planning to shoot your next movie using a drone, beware: you may need to meet some stringent conditions to stay in the Federal Aviation Administration's good books. Sources tell the Wall Street Journal that the agency will propose commercial drone rules that require a conventional pilot's license. Yes, you may need to have flown manned aircraft for dozens of hours to even think of controlling a UAV for cash. You'd also have to fly only during...

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Redbox rentals will get a price hike on December 2nd

If you're looking to snag a DVD or Blu-ray from Redbox while out gathering holiday supplies, you'll soon be paying a bit more for the rental. On December 2nd, the red kiosks will increase rates from $1.20 to $1.50 for DVDs and from $1.50 to $2 for Blu-ray selections. While the allure of Redbox lies in its low prices, even after the increase, its rates will still hit the wallet for sums significantly lower than on-demand or streaming rentals from the likes...

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Samsung's 4K-ready NX1 camera finally comes to the US

The NX1, Samsung's first camera capable of shooting 4K video, was originally expected to be released last month here in the States. And even though this was clearly not the case, the company has been doing everything it can to hype up its new compact system in the meantime, including a partnership with Joseph Gordon-Levitt to create a film, titled In a City, that's going to be shot entirely with the NX1. On paper, the camera seems like great option,...

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Smart wallet puts an end to lost cash and dead phones

So long as you still need physical ID cards and cash, you'll need something to carry them -- but that doesn't mean that you're stuck with a low-tech purse or wallet. StreetSmart is crowdfunding the SmartWallet, a money holder with both a Bluetooth-connected GPS locator and a 1,000mAh battery to charge your phone. It's not nearly as world-changing as the company's (rather hyperbolic) promo video suggests, but it's potentially handy if you tend to forget...

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Clippit slices footage from live TV for sharing amongst your pals

Until now, if you wanted to share clips from the show you're watching with your friends, running it back on the DVR and filming your TV with Vine was an easy option. Other workarounds achieve more less than stellar results, but a new app for iOS and Android looks to make things easier, and gives those vids a quality boost, too. Want to make sure your pals see Lorde's awesome dance moves during the AMAs? Just tap the TV icon on the app's main screen to...

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This pocket-sized gesture controller aims to replace your mouse

If a new Indiegogo project has its way, you could soon be waving goodbye to that old, beloved mouse of yours. Meet Flow, a small gadget that pairs with your desktop or laptop and can be programmed with shortcuts to your most frequently used actions. At launch, Flow is said to offer support for more than 30 applications, including popular ones like Final Cut Pro X, Photoshop, Premiere, SoundCloud, Spotify and YouTube. With Spotify, for example, you could...

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Windows 10's app store will be workplace-friendly

If you use a Windows 8 PC, you've probably noticed that the Windows Store is built for home use; you'll find serious tools like Office, but it's not really meant for work. That's going to change in a big, big way with Windows 10. Microsoft has revealed that its future software will let your workplace offer a customized version of the Windows Store that includes both in-house apps and approved public apps. Your IT managers will have a much easier time behind the scenes, too -- they'll...

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Ohio college is building a drone arena for its students

It only makes sense that schools teach the next generation how to design and fly unmanned aircraft. However, you can't just set a legion of drones loose on campus -- not so long as FAA regulations prevent it, anyway. Ohio's Sinclair Community College has come up with a clever workaround for this problem. It's building a 40-foot tall drone arena that will let students in its aviation programs fly drones away from airports (where the programs currently have...

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Samsung reveals new eye-tracking mouse for the disabled

Samsung has just unveiled the EyeCan+, a next-gen version of its eye-tracking mouse. Positioned below a monitor, it helps people with disabilities write and edit documents or surf the web using eye movement and blinking. Created as a a labor of love by Samsung engineers on their own time, the new version has major improvements over the original 2012 model, largely thanks to quadriplegic grad student Hyung-Jin Shin. Through 17 months of extensive use,...

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Jaguar Land Rover speech recognition app justDrive

Jaguar Land Rover's InControl infotainment and connectivity platform already allows its customers to plug in a smartphone and easily access a number of handy apps on the move but an all-new system aims to take hands-free communication to the next level. Designed in conjunction with Silicon Valley-based firm CloudCar, the new justDrive app is said to feature one of "the most advanced voice recognition packages in the world," allowing drivers to bark commands at their infotainment system...

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Exiled Tinder co-founder comes back with another dating app

Earlier this year, Tinder co-founder Whitney Wolfe left the company after launching a sexual harassment lawsuit against her colleagues. One of the allegations leveled was that co-founder Justin Mateen stripped her of her credit because her age and gender would harm the company's brand. It looks as if Wolfe may be about to get her revenge outside of the courtroom as well, since TechCrunch is reporting that she's teamed up with Tinder alumni Chris Gulczynski...

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Apple partners with major app developers to raise money for AIDS research

Apple has teamed with select app developers on a fundraising initiative for (RED) and World AIDS day (Dec 1st). For the next two weeks there will be a dedicated a section of the App Store where 25 partnering apps will be available with new or exclusive content. Titles taking part include high-profile names such as Angry Birds, FIFA 15, FarmVille and djay. All the sales revenue (including in-app purchases) from this section will go to (RED)'s Global Fund ...

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UK wants internet providers to identify who's using their connections

The British government isn't letting up on its desire to track internet activity in the name of fighting terrorism. UK Home Secretary Theresa May is proposing a bill that would require internet providers to keep tabs on who's using a given internet protocol (IP) address and hand it over to the police, who could theoretically use it to hunt down suspects. Full details aren't available yet, but there would be some accountability involved. Police would...

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