Weekend Edition: Brilliant snaps and snappy moves

This weekend we look at the pick of sci-fi TV and film on offer in 2021, ponder some of the best photography from the past 12 months, and marvel at dancing robots that are so good they're scary. Happy New Year! Stay safe and all the best for 2021! [Photography]( [The best photography of 2020]( [International Photography Awards. 2nd Place / Oneshot : Movement/Nature]( To celebrate the new year, here's a hand-picked selection of the most impressive photos of 2020. This gallery gathers our favorite images from the past year, including subway fighting mice, head-spinning wildlife snaps, and some spectacular drone shots. [Read more]( [Aircraft]( [Manta prepares to flight test a neat hybrid eVTOL/eSTOL prototype]( [Manta's one-third scale prototype hybrid VTOL/STOL aircraft is nearly ready for flight tests]( Switzerland's Manta Aircraft is working on a flexible hybrid-electric canard aircraft design that will be capable of VTOL or efficient STOL operations. A one-third scale model has been built, and the team is preparing for its first flight tests. [Read more]( [Home Entertainment]( [The best sci-fi/fantasy TV and film coming in 2021]( [Years in the making, 2021 will finally see the first adaptation of Issac Asimov's seminal sci-fi classic, Foundation]( The next 12 months promise a huge assortment of treats for fans of science fiction. Here are our picks for the most anticipated upcoming projects, from fresh TV adaptations of classic stories to a long-awaited new cinematic entry in a classic sci-fi franchise. [Read more]( [Robotics]( [Entire Boston Dynamics robot line-up dances in the new year]( [Two Atlas robots and a Spot]( Boston Dynamics is sending off 2020 with its most impressive robot video to date – showing off its entire range dancing to the classic song “Do You Love Me?” in a fun demonstration of just how quickly this technology is developing. [Read more]( [Automotive]( [The wildest concept cars of the year]( [There's no mistaking what car is in front of you]( Auto shows may have screeched to a sudden halt in 2020, but that hasn't stopped design teams cutting loose with an array of futuristic four-wheeled creations. [Read more]( [Mobile Technology]( [What to expect from the best smartphones in 2021]( [We'll see lots of new phones in 2021 – but the Note20 might pass the stylus baton on to another model]( The new year is a time to look forwards into the future as well as backwards into the past, and thanks to a series of leaks, rumors and early announcements, we already know (or think we know) what's coming down the line for smartphones in 2021. [Read more]( [Energy]( [California gas blending trial could shift a roadblock for hydrogen cars]( [Blending hydrogen into existing natural gas infrastructure at up to 20 per of the total volume could be an easy and effective way to get renewable hydrogen distributed across cities]( Blending renewably-generated hydrogen gas into existing natural gas pipelines could quickly and easily transport hydrogen across cities. SoCalGas is testing a system that can separate the H2 back out and compress it for use in fuel-cell vehicles. [Read more]( [Home Entertainment]( [LG boosts backlighting precision with new QNED Mini LED TV]( [LG will introduce its new QNED TV with Mini LED backlighting at CES 2021]( LG's new QNED Mini LED TV lineup, which it is introducing at CES 2021, essentially puts local dimming on steroids, packing nearly 2,500 dimming zones thanks to "almost 30,000" mini LEDs serving as the backlighting. [Read more]( [Energy]( [US Department of Energy backs five advanced nuclear reactor concepts]( [The goal of the latest DOE grants is to promote the development of safer, more efficient reactors for deployment in 10 to 14 years]( The US Department of Energy is backing five projects to develop advanced reactor designs to be built in the United States by private industry. The US$30 million initial funding is expected to grow to US$600 million over seven years. [Read more]( [Health & Wellbeing]( [Studies find link between vaping and cognitive impairments]( [Two new studies present a correlation between cognitive complaints and e-cigarette use]( Two observational studies have found a link between e-cigarette use and cognitive complaints such as memory impairments and brain fog. The research doesn't present evidence of a causal link but calls for further long-term study into the relationship. [Read more]( [Science]( [Trip out with the best optical illusions of 2020]( [The winning illusion puts a 3D twist on a classic 2D trick]( Japanese mathematician Kokichi Sugihara has won the annual Illusion of the Year Contest with a fascinating 3D model of a nearly 200-year old 2D illusion. The contest, run by the UK-based Neural Correlate Society has been bending brains for 16 years. [Read more]( [Science]( [Talking mummies and time travel rules: Strangest science stories of 2020]( [New Atlas revisits some of 2020's strangest science stories]( Curing cancer is a noble goal, but sometimes scientists just want to give octopuses ecstasy. From medical marvels to wild speculations about time travel, aliens and the end of the universe, New Atlas revisits some of 2020’s strangest science stories. [Read more]( [Automotive]( [The most innovative and comfy large motorhomes of 2020]( [In addition to its grand tourer-sized garage, the Variomobil Perfect 1200 Platinum also includes three slide-outs for a spacious interior]( Small campers were quite well-represented in this Year of the RV, but some impressive larger motorhomes also made their debuts. From wheeled smart mansions, to van-back wilderness cabins, here are the top motorhomes we've looked at in 2020. [Read more]( You are receiving this email because you signed up for our daily newsletter at [newatlas.com]( (or [gizmag.com]( before August 2016). [Update profile]( | [Unsubscribe]( Copyright New Atlas © 2020