The 5 most epic real-life battles between man and machine

We may never truly know if Androids dream of electric sheep, but they are getting very good at beating us at our own games — and even calling our bluffs. While many of us are familiar with the classic folktale in which John Henry goes up against the steam drill, there are plenty of lesser known match-ups that pit man against machine. But how well have humans measured up to our mechanical creations? Let’s find out. Here are some of our favorite moments in recent history.

Garry Kasparov vs. Deep Blue

Garry Kasparov, former World Chess Champion and Russian chess grandmaster, has faced off against multiple computer adversaries over the years. In 1996, Kasparov accepted IBM’s challenge to compete against its chess computer, Deep Blue.

At the time, the grandmaster affectionately referred to the computer as “the monster,” according to Time. This first meeting resulted in a 4-2 victory in Kasparov’s favor. Deep Blue did, however, score a pair of wins, marking the first time a computer had won a game against a world champion under tournament rules.

The following year, Kasparov competed against a more advanced Deep Blue computer. The grandmaster resigned after just 19 moves in the final game, with Deep Blue taking the match. Up until this moment, Kasparov had not lost a multi-game match against an individual and the world champion had some fighting words ready for the computer after the competition.

”I think it is time for Deep Blue to prove this was not a single event,” Kasparov told the New York Times. ”I personally assure you that, if it starts to play competitive chess, put it in a fair contest and I personally guarantee you I will tear it to pieces.”

Kasparov got his wish in 2003, when he squared off against Deep Junior. This match ended in a tie, with the two competitors drawing four games and each winning a single game.

Poker AI vs. the poker pros

Poker — a game of luck, intuition, and lies — would seem to favor us finicky, unreliable humans, right? Well, a team of Carnegie Mellon University researchers recently decided to experiment with this hypothesis. In January, four of the world’s top-ranked poker players spent 20 days playing 120,000 hands of heads-up, no-limit Texas Hold’em against a program dubbed Libratus.

As it turns out, the machines may have literally learned to call our bluff. Libratus led from the start of the 20-day stint, however, the humans did mount a strong — albeit, short-lived — comeback, coming within $50,000 of Libratus’ early lead. After all was said and done, Libratus had won by nearly $2,000,000. Considering the vast amount of unknown variables and misinformation (bluffs), this victory showed a tremendous leap for artificial intelligence. However, there is a silver lining for humans with this bitter defeat.

“The computer can’t win at poker if it can’t bluff,” explained Frank Pfenning, head of CMU’s School of Computer Science. “Developing an AI that can do that successfully is a tremendous step forward scientifically and has numerous applications. Imagine that your smartphone will someday be able to negotiate the best price on a new car for you. That’s just the beginning.”

Watson vs. Jeopardy! pros

In 2011, the IBM supercomputer known as Watson appeared on Jeopardy! and took on two of the show’s biggest heavyweights: Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter. Jennings once won 74 games in a row, and Rutter raked in more than $3,000,000 in prize money on the game show.

Watson is a “question answering machine,” meaning it is able to comprehend human language and then methodically retrieve answers in its vast 15-terabyte data bank. The supercomputer is able to perform more than 80 trillion operations in a single second. Needless to say, it doesn’t take a genius — or in this case, a couple of Quizbowl masters — to realize the incredibly low odds of topping Watson.

By the end of the first game, Watson had a hefty lead of more than $30,000. When all was said and done, Watson finished with $77,147 compared to Jennings’ and Rutter’s combined $43,600.

“There’s no shame in losing to silicon,” Jennings said in hindsight. “After all, I don’t have 2,880 processor cores and 15-terabytes of reference works at my disposal. My puny human brain, just a few bucks worth of water, salts, and proteins, hung in there just fine against a jillion-dollar supercomputer.”

Bowler of the Year vs. EARL the Robot

Unlike the imperfect conditions and intuition involved in poker and chess, it would seem as though a machine would easily dominate a mechanical game based on speed and accuracy. In 2010, Chris Barnes, former Professional Bowling Association Player of the Year, squared off against the one-armed bowling bot, EARL (short for Enhanced Automated Robotic Launcher).

This challenge was fresh off the machine’s perfect game. The robo-bowler can hurl a ball down the lane between 10 and 24 miles per hour with up to 900 rotations per minute, making for an exceptional curve.

“He’s able to throw a ball to within a tenth of a mile an hour, a third of a board down the lane, more consistent and more accurate than any human bowler,” explained Neil Stremmel, the managing director of the United States Bowling Congress.

It turns out this exceptional consistency is actually a liability when it comes to bowling, however. EARL continuously aimed for a specific location on the lane, and after a few precise shots, the bowling ball stripped away the oil on certain boards. This slowly changed the trajectory of the shot and resulted in fewer strikes. Barnes, on the other hand, adapted to these gradual changes and felled EARL 259-209. You can watch a video of the match here.

Quackle vs. David Boys

In 2007, former World Scrabble Champion (yes, that’s a thing) David Boys faced off against a computer program called Quackle. The odd thing about this match-up was that there was actually a tournament of computer programs to determine which would have the chance to compete against a human. Quackle defeated the program Maven to reach the final round, and Boys bested 100 other participants in an 18-round humans-only tournament to become the last man standing.

When the man-vs-machine finale kicked off, it looked like the program had met its match, as Boys took a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-game series. However, Quackle eventually staged a comeback by taking the last three games. Using obscure words such as “qadi” and “anuria,” Quackle eventually topped Boys 482-465.

Boys wasn’t too happy after the loss, infamously quipping: “It’s still better to be a human than to be a computer.” You can download Quackle and try your luck against the virtual wordsmith here.

The 5 most epic real-life battles between man and machine

We may never truly know if Androids dream of electric sheep, but they are getting very good at beating us at our own games — and even calling our bluffs. While many of us are familiar with the classic folktale in which John Henry goes up against the steam drill, there are plenty of lesser known match-ups that pit man against machine. But how well have humans measured up to our mechanical creations? Let’s find out. Here are some of our favorite moments in recent history.

Garry Kasparov vs. Deep Blue

Garry Kasparov, former World Chess Champion and Russian chess grandmaster, has faced off against multiple computer adversaries over the years. In 1996, Kasparov accepted IBM’s challenge to compete against its chess computer, Deep Blue.

At the time, the grandmaster affectionately referred to the computer as “the monster,” according to Time. This first meeting resulted in a 4-2 victory in Kasparov’s favor. Deep Blue did, however, score a pair of wins, marking the first time a computer had won a game against a world champion under tournament rules.

The following year, Kasparov competed against a more advanced Deep Blue computer. The grandmaster resigned after just 19 moves in the final game, with Deep Blue taking the match. Up until this moment, Kasparov had not lost a multi-game match against an individual and the world champion had some fighting words ready for the computer after the competition.

”I think it is time for Deep Blue to prove this was not a single event,” Kasparov told the New York Times. ”I personally assure you that, if it starts to play competitive chess, put it in a fair contest and I personally guarantee you I will tear it to pieces.”

Kasparov got his wish in 2003, when he squared off against Deep Junior. This match ended in a tie, with the two competitors drawing four games and each winning a single game.

Poker AI vs. the poker pros

Poker — a game of luck, intuition, and lies — would seem to favor us finicky, unreliable humans, right? Well, a team of Carnegie Mellon University researchers recently decided to experiment with this hypothesis. In January, four of the world’s top-ranked poker players spent 20 days playing 120,000 hands of heads-up, no-limit Texas Hold’em against a program dubbed Libratus.

As it turns out, the machines may have literally learned to call our bluff. Libratus led from the start of the 20-day stint, however, the humans did mount a strong — albeit, short-lived — comeback, coming within $50,000 of Libratus’ early lead. After all was said and done, Libratus had won by nearly $2,000,000. Considering the vast amount of unknown variables and misinformation (bluffs), this victory showed a tremendous leap for artificial intelligence. However, there is a silver lining for humans with this bitter defeat.

“The computer can’t win at poker if it can’t bluff,” explained Frank Pfenning, head of CMU’s School of Computer Science. “Developing an AI that can do that successfully is a tremendous step forward scientifically and has numerous applications. Imagine that your smartphone will someday be able to negotiate the best price on a new car for you. That’s just the beginning.”

Watson vs. Jeopardy! pros

In 2011, the IBM supercomputer known as Watson appeared on Jeopardy! and took on two of the show’s biggest heavyweights: Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter. Jennings once won 74 games in a row, and Rutter raked in more than $3,000,000 in prize money on the game show.

Watson is a “question answering machine,” meaning it is able to comprehend human language and then methodically retrieve answers in its vast 15-terabyte data bank. The supercomputer is able to perform more than 80 trillion operations in a single second. Needless to say, it doesn’t take a genius — or in this case, a couple of Quizbowl masters — to realize the incredibly low odds of topping Watson.

By the end of the first game, Watson had a hefty lead of more than $30,000. When all was said and done, Watson finished with $77,147 compared to Jennings’ and Rutter’s combined $43,600.

“There’s no shame in losing to silicon,” Jennings said in hindsight. “After all, I don’t have 2,880 processor cores and 15-terabytes of reference works at my disposal. My puny human brain, just a few bucks worth of water, salts, and proteins, hung in there just fine against a jillion-dollar supercomputer.”

Bowler of the Year vs. EARL the Robot

Unlike the imperfect conditions and intuition involved in poker and chess, it would seem as though a machine would easily dominate a mechanical game based on speed and accuracy. In 2010, Chris Barnes, former Professional Bowling Association Player of the Year, squared off against the one-armed bowling bot, EARL (short for Enhanced Automated Robotic Launcher).

This challenge was fresh off the machine’s perfect game. The robo-bowler can hurl a ball down the lane between 10 and 24 miles per hour with up to 900 rotations per minute, making for an exceptional curve.

“He’s able to throw a ball to within a tenth of a mile an hour, a third of a board down the lane, more consistent and more accurate than any human bowler,” explained Neil Stremmel, the managing director of the United States Bowling Congress.

It turns out this exceptional consistency is actually a liability when it comes to bowling, however. EARL continuously aimed for a specific location on the lane, and after a few precise shots, the bowling ball stripped away the oil on certain boards. This slowly changed the trajectory of the shot and resulted in fewer strikes. Barnes, on the other hand, adapted to these gradual changes and felled EARL 259-209. You can watch a video of the match here.

Quackle vs. David Boys

In 2007, former World Scrabble Champion (yes, that’s a thing) David Boys faced off against a computer program called Quackle. The odd thing about this match-up was that there was actually a tournament of computer programs to determine which would have the chance to compete against a human. Quackle defeated the program Maven to reach the final round, and Boys bested 100 other participants in an 18-round humans-only tournament to become the last man standing.

When the man-vs-machine finale kicked off, it looked like the program had met its match, as Boys took a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-game series. However, Quackle eventually staged a comeback by taking the last three games. Using obscure words such as “qadi” and “anuria,” Quackle eventually topped Boys 482-465.

Boys wasn’t too happy after the loss, infamously quipping: “It’s still better to be a human than to be a computer.” You can download Quackle and try your luck against the virtual wordsmith here.

From the Editor’s Desk: Where next for OnePlus

With the arrival of the OnePlus 5, the company graduates from ‘startup’ status. So where does it go from here?

OnePlus had a great 2016. Last year, the company that made its name Never Settling settled into its groove. It gave us two of the best Android phones of the year at competitive price points and built vital carrier relationships while also catering to its core “unlocked” customer base. And it finally figured out software and OS updates, while steering clear of the bravado and PR blunders that had plagued earlier release cycles.

Countless smartphone hardware startups have fallen by the wayside in the time that OnePlus has existed, making the success of the company in 2016 all the more remarkable. Sure, OnePlus remains a lean organization compared to an HTC or LG, but it isn’t really a startup anymore. So where next?

It wasn’t long ago that you’d need an invite to buy a OnePlus phone.

From what little we know about the “5” so far, it seems like OnePlus isn’t rocking the boat too much. Leaked renders show a 3T-like design with dual cameras. There’ll be a fingerprint scanner on the front, which likely means a standard 16:9 display, complete with “forehead and chin” bezels. And of course, a Snapdragon 835 running the show.

That fits the established pattern of OnePlus phones to date. The manufacturer hasn’t needed to do anything outlandish with its hardware. Indeed, the “cheaper flagship” space that it’s operated so successfully within has restrained it from doing anything too crazy with the chassis or its innards. As a result, OnePlus has remained focused on the core experience of using the phone, and avoided the gimmicks that have ensnared many rivals.

More: What we know so far about the OnePlus 5

Instead of modular add-ons or 4K screens, the differentiator for OnePlus is the brand itself — community-driven, with fans shaping the direction of OnePlus’s software, and being a major part of any new phone launch. And over the past couple of years, OnePlus has been able to successfully scale up this approach, even while forging deals with carriers like O2 and Elisa in Europe.

2017 could be OnePlus’s strongest year yet.

Over the next twelve months, OnePlus will need to navigate its “post-startup” phase and grow its business further, but without alienating the early adopters who helped it get where it is. It’s likely there’ll be more carrier deals in the works, as OnePlus nips at the heels of larger, traditional manufacturers like HTC and Sony. The challenge will be to become more mainstream without losing sight of its enthusiast-driven core. It’ll be a tricky balancing act, but if OnePlus can pull it off, there’s every chance 2017 could be its strongest year yet.

Other nuggets from a busy week in mobile:

• Huawei unveiled its new MateBook laptops laptops this past week — check out my hands-on preview over on iMore, and take a peek at Daniel Rubino’s thoughts on Windows Central. Of the three, the MacBook-esque MateBook X looks to be the most compelling. It’s unusual to see a phone (and tablet, and network infrastructure) manufacturer pursuing a slice of the (shrinking) PC market, but Huawei has proven it can produce top-tier hardware here. The new MateBooks may only be launching in six countries, but I suspect we’ll see much more from the company in this space in 2018 and beyond.
• The big review of the week was Andrew Martonik’s take on the HTC U11, and I agree with most of what he has to say on what is unquestionably HTC’s best phone yet — and its most competitive since the One M8. Questions remain around how much this product can move the needle for HTC as it faces off against rivals both nimble and monolithic. As much as Edge Sense is neat, successfully walking the line between gimmickry and utility, and the new chassis design is beautiful, other areas of the experience, like the Sense software itself, and the front ID, look stale.
• I’m cautiously optimistic about the future of Motorola, a company which has existed in various states of flux and transition for the better part of half a decade. The original cellphone manufacturer still has a lot to contribute, and has struck a chord with the battery-focused “Play” series and the near indestructible “Force” line. It’s strong internationally with its Moto G line, and still very much present in the U.S. through its dealings with Verizon. And it still has the financial muscle of Lenovo behind it. Don’t count out Moto Motorola just yet.

That about does it for this week. Right now I’m in Taipei, Taiwan ahead of Computex 2017 (with CrackBerry Kevin and friends). Computex is one of Asia’s biggest tech shows, promising new phones, PCs, gaming hardware and other surprises. Watch out for our coverage here on AC, as well as Windows Central in the coming week.

Conch shells hold the secret to impact-resistant armor

The conch shell is made of the same material as chalk, but unlike the crumbly rock, it’s one of the toughest materials out there. If we can understand why it’s so tough, we can mimic it to create nearly unbreakable materials that can be used for safety gear, and in construction, aerospace and other industries. Now, a team of researchers from MIT have developed a 3D printing technology that allowed them to duplicate the conch shell’s structure and to test it more closely in the lab.

Conch shells have a complex, three-tiered structure with a zigzag matrix that makes them resistant to breakage. Small cracks don’t typically lead to big ones, since they have to go through a maze to become bigger. However, to be able to replicate that quality, scientists need more data on how exactly cracks appear and spread.

That’s why the team used the samples they printed to perform a series of drop tests. Since these samples are identical, unlike conch shells that have variations in quality, they gave the scientists a way to collect more accurate data. By the end of the testing period, the researchers were able to conclude that the shell’s structure is 85 percent better at preventing cracks than the strongest base material and 70 percent better than a traditional fiber composite arrangement.

The material, the researchers find, is perfect for impact-resistant gear, since it’s capable of resisting damage and dissipating energy before it hits your body. Team member Markus Buehler says it has “stiffness, like glass or ceramics,” but it’s not brittle and doesn’t easily break. Before it’s used for any safety gear, though, scientists still need to conduct even more rigorous testing, including making sure that the material is just as tough when used to design curved surfaces like helmets.

Source: MIT

USB-powered Sega Nomad gives you near-endless game time

Sega’s Genesis Nomad was always something of a compromise (it was running 16-bit console games on mid-1990s handheld tech), but the battery life was a particularly sore point: it took six AA batteries just to get 3 hours of play time. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could use modern hardware to play without constant (and sometimes expensive) battery swaps? The Sega Holic (aka Catch22 on NeoGAF) thinks so. He just teased a homebrew Nomad modification that lets the portable system run on USB power. You could play for hours on end with the same external battery you use for your phone, or rely on your laptop’s power to keep playing in between meetings.

This isn’t about to enter mass production, so you’ll have to wait for a walkthrough from The Sega Holic if you’re determined to mod your own Nomad. However, he hints that even more is possible. There’s nothing stopping you from outputting the system’s audio and video over USB-C, so you could create a Nintendo Switch-style dock or breakout box that returns Genesis games to your TV screen. Is this overkill? You bet — but this still shows how a little engineering can improve on a classic handheld, and maybe even give it a second life.

Source: The Sega Holic (YouTube), NeoGAF

The best cooler you can buy (and five alternatives)

A cooler is something most people will eventually purchase for an amalgam of reasons. From a casual weekend tailgate to an extended hunting trip, there are many situations where an ice chest certainly comes in handy. While individuals who only need a little extra insulation for quick day trips may prefer an affordable softpack, someone who needs a cooler with longer ice retention capacity needs a heftier model. The market covers a broad spectrum of needs and — as one could imagine — there are thousands of options to choose from. Without further ado, here are our picks for the choicest coolers you can buy.

Our pick

Igloo Trailmate Journey Cooler

Why you should buy this cooler: The Trailmate is the most functional cooler on the market.

The best

Igloo Trailmate Journey Cooler

The Igloo Trailmate Journey cooler can haul all of your supplies and chew up some terrain with ease.

$199.99 from Amazon

Who it’s for? Those who often take their cooler away from base camp.

How much will it cost? $200

Why we chose the Igloo Trailmate Journey cooler:

A traditional stationary base camp cooler is fine for most individuals, however, those who prefer to take their cooler with them to the beach or further down the trailhead know how frustrating it can be to tow a heavier or basic wheeled model. On more rugged terrain or sloppy sand, you’re more than likely dragging the cooler, rather than efficiently utilizing the stubby plastic wheels.

The Igloo Trailmate Journey cooler, on the other hand, has 10-inches of ground clearance and oversized, furrowed wheels to ensure traction on even the most stubborn soil. The Trailmate also touts a rather impressive 70-quarts of cooler space to boot, meaning you could theoretically cool up to 112 12-ounce brews inside.

Water-resistant storage pockets keep your items stowed and dry, and a series of tie-down loops along the top allow you to pack plenty of larger items such as chairs and towels. Dual bottle openers ensure quaffing no matter which side of the unit your closest to. After 111 beers, pivoting to the other side of the cooler can be quite the tall order.

The best cooler for glamping

Coolest Cooler

Why you should buy this cooler: Because there’s no cooler like the Coolest.

The best cooler for glamping

Coolest Cooler

Brimming with bells and whistles, the Coolest Cooler is a solid ice chest and then some.

$448.95 from Amazon

$417.09 from Home Depot

Who it’s for? Individuals who want a cooler that can do it all.

How much will it cost? $400

Why we chose the Coolest Cooler:

While many individuals enjoy a rugged weekend getaway under the stars, some prefer a more glamorous camping trip. For these casual glampers, we highly recommend the Coolest Cooler. This particular idea started as a Kickstarter campaign and — although the project notoriously hit a few snags along the way — the Coolest Cooler eventually became the most funded Kickstarter of all time.

The Coolest is loaded with completely unnecessary, albeit useful, features. The unit comes with a built-in, rechargeable blender for cocktails and smoothies on the fly, and a pair of waterproof USB ports allow you to keep all of your compatible devices charged. There’s even a removable, splash-proof Bluetooth speaker for up to eight hours of continuous music.

With 55-quarts of storage space, the cooler itself isn’t too shabby either, and the thick insulated build keeps your beverages cold long after you’ve exhausted the speaker. There are plenty of functional design touches as well. There are four plates and a ceramic knife built into the lid. Similarly, the removable plastic divider doubles as a cutting board for meal preps. A bottle opener on the side has been designed with a magnetic bin to catch and store all of your bottle caps. Watch our full video interview with the Coolest Cooler founder here.

The best rugged cooler

Yeti Tundra 105

Why you should buy this cooler: Individuals looking for a cooler that will last a lifetime.

The best rugged cooler

Yeti Tundra 105

Utilizing Yeti’s bear-resistant construction, the Tundra 105 is as durable as it gets.

$479.99 from Amazon

$479.99 from Back Country

Who it’s for? Hunters and fishermen.

How much will it cost? $450

Why we chose the Yeti Tundra 105:

While glampers and casual campers will certainly prefer the more versatile coolers on this list, hunters and fishermen require larger models with extended ice retention capacity. For these individuals, we recommend the sturdy Yeti Tundra 105. This model has three inches of PermaFrost insulation for optimal cooling capacity on longer trips.

The entire Tundra series utilizes a Rotomold construction, with a durable T-Rex lid to meet Yeti’s bear-resistant standards. Yeti suggest using an ice-to-storage ratio of 2:1; nonetheless, the Tundra 105 still holds up to 59 cans or 92 pounds of ice.

Rubberized latches and an interlocking lid system ensure a tight seal to extend the ice retention capacity. Unlike other models on the market, the Yeti Tundra 105 is dry ice compatible, allowing you to keep foods and beverages frozen even longer. At nearly 34-inches in length and 18-inches in height, the Tundra 105 is certainly one of the bulkier options on the market, but near indestructibility certainly does come at a cost.

The Yeti Tundra 105 may not be able to charge your electronic devices or help you if the frozen margarita mood suddenly strikes but if you’re in the market for a no-frills cooler with plenty of storage space on extended weekend trips, look no further.

The best softpack cooler

Poler Mega Camera Cooler Bag

Why you should buy this cooler: You’re seeking a multi-purpose cooler.

The best softpack cooler

Poler Mega Camera Cooler Bag

Lightweight and compact, the Poler Mega Camera Cooler Bag is one of the best looking coolers we’ve seen.

$75.39 from Amazon.com

Who it’s for? The dabbling day-trippers, or run-of-the-mill hipsters.

How much will it cost? $110

Why we chose the Poler Mega Camera Cooler Bag:

For a casual day trip or a quick picnic, there’s really no need for a colossal cooler. Smaller softpacks are a solid, lightweight option to stow a few drinks and some snacks for a casual outing, and the Poler Mega Camera Cooler is one of our favorites. With a clean design and a pair of leather pockets on the side, the Cooler Bag looks like more of a casual accessory than a utilitarian cooler. For quick jaunts around town, a pair of retention straps along the bottom conveniently hold the model in place on your bike rack.

With an available padded, customizable camera insert, this cooler easily doubles as a camera bag, making it especially useful for individuals who want a cooler they can get some use out of in between irregular outings. As long as you know the storage limitations going in, this versatile softpack — just two pounds and exceptionally compact — is one of the best you’ll find.

The best electric option cooler

Igloo Iceless 28

Why you should buy this cooler: It’s a great way to keep foods and beverages stored in your vehicle during games or road trips.

The best electric option cooler

Igloo Iceless 28

The Igloo Iceless 28 is an efficient cooler that is perfect for families.

$57.57 from Amazon.com

Who it’s for? Anyone looking for an efficient, compact cooler.

How much will it cost? $64

Why we chose the Igloo Iceless 28:

Models requiring ice certainly dominate the cooler market, however, there are plenty of electric options to help you save cash in the long run. The Igloo Iceless 28, for example, easily plugs into a cigarette lighter for a continuous chill. Without the need to lug around ice, you can store more perishables in a smaller area, saving you money and precious cargo space.

As the name suggests, the Iceless 28 delivers up to 28-quarts of storage space in a slim design that fits comfortably anywhere in most automobiles. This model also incorporates an appreciated ergonomic curve, designed to fit against your side while being carried. With more than eight feet of cord to work with, this cooler can stow and cool virtually anywhere in or around your vehicle. The Iceless 28 is capable of cooling items down to 36 degrees Fahrenheit less than the temperature outside of the unit, making this model ideal for use in your vehicle.

The best budget cooler

Kelty folding cooler

Why you should buy this cooler: It’s an affordable, well-rounded option with plenty of storage space.

The best budget cooler

Kelty folding cooler

The Kelty folding cooler saves you plenty of cash and cargo space.

$47.95 from Amazon.com

Who it’s for? Those seeking a reliable, budget cooler.

How much will it cost? $65

Why we chose the Kelty folding cooler:

The Kelty folding cooler is one of the more practical options on the market. At just four pounds and with room for up to 36 beers, this model delivers all of the storage space of clunkier models in a durable, lightweight semi-softpack. However, the real selling point is the collapsable design. In between trips, this cooler easily folds down and stows as a briefcase.

Reinforced feet, an abrasion-resistant base, and a ripstop polyester exterior add a layer of overall durability. Unlike many other options, the inside cooler lining is removable, making cleaning and disinfecting a breeze. If you want a sleek and sturdy cooler for under $70 dollars, this Kelty model is a sound bet. Oh, and just in case you’re still on the fence, the Kelty folding cooler comes with a pair of complimentary drink koozies. We’re just saying.

Sony’s latest E Ink tablet comes to the US in June

Did you see Sony’s second-generation Digital Paper and realize you found your dream e-reader? If so, you’ll get to do something about it very soon. Sony has announced that its latest 13.3-inch E Ink tablet (the DPT-RP1) will reach the US sometime in June, when it will sell for the previously announced $700. As mentioned in April, it’s really about a lot of incremental improvements: you’re most likely to notice the higher resolution (1,650 x 2,200), but the thinner, lighter design and NFC unlocking will also be helpful. The centerpiece remains the ability to read and annotate documents in exceptional detail — this is aimed at pros and students who need to plow through complex documents like research papers.

It’s doubtful that you’ll see the new Digital Paper sitting at your local big-box store. You’ll likely have to go straight to the source or find a specialized reseller. We’ve asked Sony if it has plans for mainstream sales and will let you know if it has something to add.

The $700 price makes this latest model considerably more accessible than the original Digital Paper, whose $1,100 cost was eye-watering for just about anyone, including pros. Still, this definitely isn’t an impulse purchase in any field — you could easily get a more conventional tablet that won’t be as easy on the eyes, but should be much more than a one-trick pony.

Source: Sony