Researchers discover new property of light with a twist

[SCIENCE] [Researchers discover new property of light with a twist] Light has long been one of the areas of physics that is best understood. But now researchers have discovered a new form of light that not only adds to our deeper understanding of its properties, but may help improve quantum computing and fiber-optic communications [Read more] [BICYCLES] [Benelli Achle 29: Three weeks commuting on an Italian eBike] For those who don't spray on lycra shorts every morning, Benelli's new eBikes offer a compelling commuting option. We jumped on the Benelli Achle 29, a hub-drive electric mountain bike with some 250 watts of pedal-assist power. [Read more] [MOBILE TECHNOLOGY] [Nokia name to re-enter the world of phones and tablets] The Nokia name is coming back, thanks to a new license agreement that allows Finnish company HMD to sell phones using the name over the next 10 years​. Windows Phone is gone, with Android arriving in its place. [Read more] [WEARABLES] [Self-charging battery stretches over skin to power wearables] Skin-like wearables aren't quite ready for mainstream adoption yet. But this hasn't stopped a forward-thinking team of researchers from coming up with a new way to power these wearable electronics, developing a soft, millimeter-scale battery that can be stretched over the skin like a band-aid.​​ [Read more] [AUTOMOTIVE] [Volvo previews new small car family with 40.1 and 40.2 concepts] Revealed on Wednesday, Volvo's all-new 40.1 crossover and 40.2 small sedan concepts prove that things will be as stylish on the small end of Volvo's lineup as they are at the top. [Read more] [AUTOMOTIVE] [Captured CO2 to make Ford foam easier on the environment] Engines aren't the only part of a car that create emissions: the plastics and foams spread throughout the cabin are dirty to manufacture as well. Ford is trying to tackle the problem by using captured CO2 in foam and plastic components. [Read more] [AIRCRAFT] [Experimental hypersonic craft hits Mach 7.5] The Australian Department of Defence has announced that the HIFiRE 5B hypersonic aircraft has reached a velocity of Mach 7.5 over the Woomera Test range. [Read more] [TELECOMMUNICATIONS] [LandCruisers to become roving communications hotspots in the Australian Outback] Much of the Australian Outback has no mobile signal, but it does have more than a few Toyota LandCruisers. A plan has now been hatched to take advantage of this fact, which would see vehicles kitted out with Wi-Fi, UHF and other technologies to form a roving network for emergency communications.​ [Read more] [AUTOMOTIVE] [Audi's anti-allergen air filter lets passengers breathe easy] ​To combat health risks posed by air pollution, car manufacturers are working to make sure we're able to breathe easy in their cars. Tesla has Bioweapon Defense Mode, and now Audi is getting on board with a new filter that removes particulates, gases and allergens from the air. [Read more] [DRONES] [Fire-starting conservation drone lights things up in national park] Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have been developing a drone that ignites controlled burns from the air, and the team has now carried out real-world testing of the technology. [Read more] [VR] [Google's Daydream (Android VR) announcement: We have a few questions] Today Google announced an Android-based VR platform called Daydream, with no physical hardware in sight (yet). Let's take stock of what we do and don't know about Daydream. [Read more] [ROBOTICS] [Saab's underwater robot tackles terrorist bombs] Saab has developed its Sea Wasp underwater ROV for neutralizing terrorist IEDs planted in confined harbor areas. [Read more] [MOBILE TECHNOLOGY] [Android's new Instant Apps jump straight to your phone, no installation required] We're at Google's 2016 I/O event, the annual showcase for some of its upcoming software innovations, and one of those innovations is Instant Apps for Android. Instant Apps let you download and use part of an app without installing it, and there are a whole range of ways that could prove useful. [Read more] [SMARTWATCHES] [Android Wear 2.0 is a step towards severing ties with your smartphone] Gizmag is live in Mountain View for this year's Google I/O event, and alongside Echo-like assistants and VR software, Google has also treated us with news of a big update for Android Wear. Improvements to messaging, standalone apps and more are on the way. [Read more] [SPACE] [Could life exist around ancient red giant stars?] ​According to a study carried out by researchers from Cornell University, aged red giant stars could harbor exoplanets suited to the evolution of extraterrestrial life. [Read more] [MOTORCYCLES] [MV Agusta and Pirelli celebrate their collaboration with the special Diablo Brutale] Enjoying an all-Italian co-operation that started several decades ago, MV Agusta and Pirelli created a special version of the Brutale 800 naked roadster. Sporting a unique paint job, the one-off show bike pays homage to the new Diablo Rosso III supersport tires with which it's fitted.​ [Read more] [VR] [So long, Cardboard: Consumer Android VR is called Daydream, turning Android N phones into VR headsets] As expected, Google announced a new virtual reality component for Android at its I/O conference today, setting the foundation for new VR apps, standalone headsets and more. It's called Daydream and the technology will be built into the upcoming Android N release when it arrives later this year. [Read more] [AROUND THE HOME] [Google Home to bring search and more to thin air] Mario Queiroz, Google's Vice President of product management unveiled Google Home, one of the expected announcements at today's I/O event. Will it be an Echo killer?​ [Read more] [SPACE] [Very Large Telescope spies colorful nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud] ​The European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope located at the Paranal Observatory, Chile has captured a stunning vista of an emission nebula known as LHA 120-N55, or N55 for short. [Read more] [3D PRINTING] [A closer look at the world's first consumer 3D-printed wheelchair] Earlier this month, we got our first peak at concept images of the GO wheelchair from Layer Design. Now, the company has provided a detailed look at the product itself, as well as the purpose-built gloves it plans to sell alongside it. [Read more] [SCIENCE] [New compound from sponge blasts bacterial biofilm into submission] Biofilms are responsible for up to 80 percent of all infections and they're exceedingly difficult to kill. However, a team of researchers has recently uncovered a compound from a sea sponge found in Antarctica that can get the job done. [Read more] [ARCHITECTURE] [Shipping container-based winery leaves a pleasant aftertaste] We've previously celebrated shipping container architecture for its utility, cost and sustainability, but rarely find cause to laud its looks. However, a group of vineyard buildings by Cumulus Studio shows that in the right hands, the humble container can look pretty damn good too. [Read more] [AUTOMOTIVE] [Retrofitted self-driving kit designed to make any truck autonomous] The charge toward a world of autonomous trucks is being led by major manufacturers like Daimler and Volvo. An embryonic startup called Otto, however, is developing technology that can be retrofitted to existing trucks so that they too can drive themselves. [Read more] [AIRCRAFT] [Virgin Australia's new business class cabins are terrific over the Pacific] Perhaps the key to good long-haul aircraft cabin design is to make passengers forget that they're stuck in a long-haul aircraft cabin. Virgin Australia's new International Business Class cabin may help to do that, with queen-length beds, 18-in HD screens and and a bar at which to booze and schmooze. [Read more] [TINY HOUSES] [Portland tiny house rotates to follow the sun] Portland-based Path Architecture's 359 is a tiny house that's set on a rotating base. This allows it to easily follow (or indeed face away from) the sun, warming the interior naturally and providing plenty of natural light. [Read more] [HOME ENTERTAINMENT] [Internet of Things wireless turntable allows for live remote listening] Vowel-hating, US-based vinyl record subscription service Vnyl has gone beyond merely creating digital/analog turntable hybrids with a trntbl that ditches physical output connections completely in favor of wireless audio streaming, while also catering for music-related social networking. [Read more] [BICYCLES] [Bike Mine presents an explosive solution to bike theft] It seems that no matter how a bike owner attempts to thwart theft, his or her bike is always at risk of disappearing at the hands of a determined thief. One man's solution is to strap a detonator to the frame and blow the thief off the bike. [Read more] [VR] [eBay joins with Australian retailer on "world's first VR department store"] We can shop without ever leaving the house, but there's still something nice about actually going to a physical store. Now, virtual reality might become a good middle ground, as eBay teams up with Australian retail brand Myer to let shoppers browse, examine and purchase items in VR. [Read more] [URBAN TRANSPORT] [Electric scooter goes for folding fun] There are already a fair number of folding electric scooters to choose from, although most of those have tiny wheels and no seat. If you're looking for something a little more road- and butt-worthy, there are still some choices – and one of the latest is the Dutch-made GiGi.​ [Read more] [AIRCRAFT] [Business jet cabin concept sports huge windows and skylights] Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has announced that it is celebrating 10 years of its ultra-large business jet, the Lineage 1000E, with a compelling new cabin concept. The Kyoto Airship design would see large, tall windows and skylights installed around the fuselage. [Read more] [SPACE] [Thousands of satellite snaps create cloud-free view of Africa] A stunning new composite image, made up of nearly 7,000 individual snaps taken by ESA's Sentinel-2A, shows a completely cloud-free view of the African continent. It took the satellite some four months to gather the photos, with most of the shots taken between December 2015 and April 2016. [Read more] [SPECIAL PROMOTION FOR GIZMAG READERS] [DrinkMate Is a Tiny Breathalyzer that Plugs into Your Phone — 25% off] DrinkMate makes it simple to make smart decisions while you drink. Not even two-inches long, this tiny yet robust breathalyzer slips into your pocket or hooks onto your key ring so you can easily pull it out when duty calls. Just blow into the end and a few seconds later the app on your smartphone will reveal your approximate blood alcohol content—so you never call an ex, send the wrong email to your boss, or worse, ever again. 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