A bus suspended over the ground, and more in the week that was

So far Tesla has launched a sexy sportscar, a luxe sedan, a powerful SUV, and an affordable electric car. What’s next? Think bigger. According to Elon Musk, the company is set to unveil an electric Minibus next year, and it will drive itself. Speaking of buses, China just unveiled the craziest one we’ve ever seen: It’s suspended above the ground, and is tall enough to fly right over traffic jams. A team of students created the world’s most efficient electric car, which gets an outrageous 26,135 MPGe. Gogoro launched a new electric scooter sharing service in Berlin, and the world’s first Hyperloop factory opened for business.
In other news, Tesla is broadening its portfolio beyond electric cars. This week the company announced a $2.6 billion merger with SolarCity, and Musk revealed plans to build gigantic battery Gigafactories all around the world. California gets a lot of its energy from renewables — and that figure is set to skyrocket, as the Golden State just announced plans for the world’s largest floating wind farm. And researchers have developed living bricks that could be used to build energy-generating houses.

Is the singularity upon us? This week IBM created the world’s first artificial neurons, which process and transmit signals just like the ones in your brain. In other tech and design news, researchers created a fog harvester that sucks water out the air like a cactus. A new smart beehive could fight colony collapse by monitoring the health of bees. A high-tech pen scans the colors of objects and lets you draw with over 16 million hues. And an avant-garde face mask uses spiderwebs to clean the air that you breathe.

Essential accessories for Moto Z Force

What are the essential accessories for the Moto Z Force?

Now that you’ve got your shiny new Moto Z Force, it’s time to shop around for the must-have accessories to match it. Not to worry, we’ve done the digging, and we have a rundown of the absolute essentials for your Moto Z Force!

• Moto Mods
• Vinsic USB-C car charger
• APLUS desktop charging cradle
• Cambond 6.6 foot USB-C to USB-C cable
• Headphones
• PLESON ultra slim crystal clear case

Moto Mods

Motorola wins the mod game with the first three Moto Mods that are available for the Moto Z Force. Using powerful magnets, they snap right onto the back of the phone and then snap off when you want to attach the next one. Get one or get them all!

• Incipio offGRID Power Pack
• JBL SoundBoost
• Moto Insta-Share Projector

Incipio offGRID Power Pack

This slim power pack will add to the battery life of your Moto Z Force – up to 20 additional hours before the phone’s internal battery needs to kick in.

It also adds a little bit of weight and protection to the back of your phone, which is helpful since it’s a slim and slightly slippery fella. Keep it nearby for those long days (that turn into long nights) when you know you’ll be using your Moto Z Force nowhere near an outlet or computer.

See at Motorola

JBL SoundBoost

Forget about having to pair a portable Bluetooth speaker to your Moto Z Force; the JBL SoundBoost is a powerful speaker that’s automatically recognized by your phone when you snap it into place.

It has up to 10 hours of independent battery life, so the party can go on and on. The built-in kickstand lets the speaker have its full sound range without you placing your Moto Z Force face-down. It’s also great for speakerphone conference calls with multiple listeners in the room.

See at Motorola

Moto Insta-Share Projector

Why crowd around your phone screen to watch a video when you can turn your Moto Z Force into a stellar projector? The Moto Insta-Share Projector will do just that in any space.

The integrated kickstand means you can watch videos hands-free and this tiny projector will make any flat surface into a flat screen that can measure up to 70 inches; hang a sheet in the backyard or use that blank wall space in the living room for a massive movie night anytime you like. It also adds up to an hour of projection time beyond your phone’s battery life.

See at Motorola

Vinsic USB-C car charger

Always in the car and concerned about keeping a strong battery charge? Not to worry; the Vinsic USB-C car charger has you covered.

It features over-voltage and short circuit protection, so you have very little (if anything) to be concerned about. It also has 5V/3A output, so your Moto Z Force will charge quickly while you’re on the go. The additional USB-A port allows you charge a second device while you’re at it and it’s small enough to tuck into the glove compartment when it’s done.

See at Amazon

APLUS desktop charging cradle

Keep your desktop organized and your Moto Z Force always in your sights with the APLUS desktop charging cradle, designed especially for your new phone.

This USB-C dock charges your Moto Z Force and makes it easy to sync the phone to your computer. How’s that for multitasking? It also keeps your phone at an ideal angle for viewing and hands-free usage, whether it’s charging, or you just want to use it as a hands-free helper and safe place to put your phone so you don’t misplace it.

See at Amazon

Cambond 6.6-foot USB-C to USB-C cable

An extra cable is always a good idea, and whether you just need another one around the house because you can never seem to find one, or you’d like to have a spare at the office, the Cambond 6.6 foot USB-C to USB-C cable is a great choice.

The cord is wrapped in nylon fiber, which helps to prevent fraying over time. It’s also a little longer than some standard cables, so you don’t have to feel stuck while your Moto Z Force is plugged in.

See at Amazon

Headphones

You have a couple of options when it comes to headphones for the Moto Z Force. You can opt for Bluetooth connectivity, or you can use the headphone jack adapter for a wired pair. You choose, and we’ve got an excellent pick from each category.

Jaybird X2 Sport wireless Bluetooth headphones

There’s much to love about the Jaybird X2 Sport wireless Bluetooth headphones. Let’s start with the lifetime sweatproof warranty; that’s a great feature by itself, but we’re not going to stop there.

These headphones give you up to eight hours of music and talk time with your choice of over-or-under ear fit. They ship with a variety of in-ear tips so you’re virtually guaranteed to find a comfortable fit. They also come in a wide range of colors that will be as subtle or stand out as you like.

See at Amazon

Ghostek Turbine Series wired earbuds

If you prefer a wired headphone option, have a look at the Ghostek Turbine Series earbuds. They’re available in either black or white (so they match everything) and they come with a one-year warranty.

The built-in microphone and remote controls mean you don’t have to go fishing around in your bag for your Moto Z Force to take a call or bump up the volume. They come with several variations of in-ear comfort tips so that you find the fit that works for you, and they’re made of a durable ceramic material that gives them a solid, well-constructed feel.

See at Amazon

PLESON ultra slim crystal clear case

Show off the original hardware of the Moto Z Force with PLESON’s ultra slim crystal clear case. The flexible TPU case is anti-watermark and anti-fingerprint, so say goodbye to that foggy, muddy look your last clear case had.

This case offers some extra grip and drop protection for the slender Moto Z Force. The precise cutouts give you access to buttons and ports while protecting the camera lens and and screen edges.

See at Amazon

For more case options, including the Moto Style Shells, take a look at our rundown of the best cases for your Moto Z Force.

How do you accessorize?

What do you consider an essential accessory for your Moto Z Force? Already a fan of some of our picks? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

Moto Z and Moto Z Force

• Our Moto Z review!
• Moto Z specs
• Moto Mods custom backs
• Moto Z and Moto Z Force will be Verizon exclusives until the fall of 2016
• The latest Moto Z news
• Discuss in our Moto Z forums

Motorola
Verizon

IBM’s Watson AI saved a woman from leukemia

IBM’s Watson has done everything from winning at Jeopardy to cooking exotic meals, but it appears to have accomplished its greatest feat yet: saving a life. University of Tokyo doctors report that the artificial intelligence diagnosed a 60-year-old woman’s rare form of leukemia that had been incorrectly identified months earlier. The analytical machine took just 10 minutes to compare the patient’s genetic changes with a database of 20 million cancer research papers, delivering an accurate diagnosis and leading to proper treatment that had proven elusive. Watson has also identified another rare form of leukemia in another patient, the university says.

It’ll likely take a long while before Watson and other AI systems are regularly providing advice at hospitals, and it won’t be all that useful in situations without readily comparable data. We’ve asked the school for more details of what happened. However, the diagnoses show just how useful the technology could be in the medical world. Human doctors wouldn’t have to spend ages sifting through research to identify an obscure disease, or hope that another hospital can offer insights — they’d just plug in the right data and start the healing process.

Via: NDTV

Source: NHK World

US reportedly elevates the role of Cyber Command

Now that the US treats cyberwarfare as a staple of its combat operations, it’s ready to raise the prominence of its internet warriors. Reuters sources say that the Obama administration is planning to elevate Cyber Command, turning it into a “unified command” that’s just as crucial as a major regional section like Pacific Command. The proposed shuffle would also detach Cyber Command from the NSA, giving it more input on the use of online weapons and defenses.

There’s no guarantee that the reorganization will go through as it exists right now. Neither Cyber Command nor the NSA are commenting, and an unnamed official tells Reuters that the link between Cyber Command and the NSA is “critical to national security.” If the report is accurate, though, the reform isn’t likely to face significant opposition.

A switch-up like this might be necessary. Military leaders are reportedly annoyed at the sluggish pace of Cyber Command’s campaign against ISIS, and have already created a task force that partners with Central Command to improve its performance. A more powerful Cyber Command might get better resources and would have greater independence. As it is, the shift would be an acknowledgment that online warfare is no longer a side project — it can be crucial to winning a conflict.

Source: Reuters

The first website went public 25 years ago

The internet just marked another major milestone. The first website, Tim Berners-Lee’s description of the World Wide Web project, went public 25 years ago on August 6th, 1991. The launch was unceremonious — Berners-Lee announced the project on a Usenet group, and it wasn’t until after August 23rd that new users visited the site. However, the launch effectively marked the start of the web as a widely available tool.

There wasn’t exactly a rush to embrace the technology, mind you. The big leaps toward the mainstream came in 1993, when NCSA released the first widely popular web browser (Mosaic) and CERN helped adoption by making the web’s software both free and open source. Berners-Lee’s original approach to the web treated it more as a platform for academic collaboration than a revolution. Still, there’s no denying that the events of 1991 got the ball rolling on a fundamental shift in communication.

Via: Independent

Source: Google Groups

Cruise the airport on top of a piece of motorized luggage

I’ve never driven a car. I’ve also never ridden a scooter, a moped, a Segway or even one of those stupid “hoverboard” things with the combustible batteries. But I do travel a lot, usually with a bit of luggage, and one thing I absolutely hate are those long walks across an airport terminal. So when the Modobag, a $1,199 piece of kit that bills itself as the world’s first motorized suitcase hit Indiegogo, I was intrigued. Would it get me across an airport faster, or would I just crash into a luggage cart and get myself arrested?

The Modobag measures 22 x 14 x 9 inches — just the right size to fit into the overhead bins on most aircraft. That’s key, since it won’t do you much good if you can’t keep it with you past check-in. The bag can officially accommodate a rider up to 260 pounds, though the company says if you can fit on it comfortably you should be good to ride. To use it, you just need to open the front panel, pull the handle up and switch the bag’s motor on. Push a small lever on the right to accelerate, and grip the brake with your left to stop. That’s it: There’s no special instruction needed to figure out the Modobag. However, it would be a good idea to practice a bit before taking it to the airport, as slamming into a ticket kiosk is not the ideal way to start your vacation.

The polyurethane wheels are similar to skateboard wheels, so they can handle a few bumps in the road. But the Modobag is definitely not an all-terrain vehicle. During my test run I rolled onto a few subway grates and ended up having to pick up the suitcase and reposition it on a smoother surface. That’s not an ideal solution, but it’s also easily avoidable if you stick to smooth hallways and paths — the same places you’d pull a rollerboard bag anyway.

For those situations where you can’t ride the Modobag, it can be easily turned around and pulled by its handle. In fact, it’s a normal piece of luggage in a lot of ways. There’s a large interior compartment that can accommodate a few nights’ worth of clothing, and side pockets to slip your laptop and phone into while you ride. It’s pretty durable thanks to ABS plastic; it can even survive being hit by bowling balls.

Indeed, that’s expected of any piece of baggage, and the Modobag hits all the points necessary to be approved by the TSA, FAA and ITA. That endorsement also includes its battery: Unlike a “hoverboard,” the Modobag is fully cleared for flight. It takes about an hour to charge and can last about 8 miles — assuming mostly smooth terrain and an average 180-pound passenger. The suitcase also includes two USB ports so you can use the motor’s battery to top off your phone or tablet between flights, avoiding the need to search for a free outlet at the gate.

Though the Modobag can fit in the cabins on most planes, there still might come a time when you must check your luggage; always a risky proposition, especially when the Modobag costs so much. For that reason you can order one with GPRS-GSM tracking, allowing you to peep your bag’s location on a map. Are you on a plane but the bag is still somewhere in the terminal? Did the baggage handlers decide to take the Modobag for a spin? You’ll know if your luggage has gone on a trip without you just by checking the app — and even have it send you a proximity alert when it travels too far.

But you’re going to want to keep the Modobag around. It’s nice to be able to get off your feet and let your bag do the work of getting you places, whether it’s in an airport terminal or on a college campus. I did notice my legs got a bit fatigued after a few minutes of riding, probably from trying to keep my feet on the small pegs. But you won’t be riding long enough for it to be a problem, and it’s a minor concern compared to a pair of tired feet. The seat itself is comfortable, and I didn’t feel like I was going to fall off it.

The Modobag in action is spritely, and the simple controls meant I was zipping up and down Broadway within minutes. There were plenty of tourists to dodge, but I never felt like there was real danger of slamming into any of them — the bag’s braking is excellent, and in real emergencies you can always pull a Fred Flintstone and use your feet to stop. My biggest challenge was mastering the art of the lean so I can make those tight turns — that was the only time I felt there was any danger of falling over, as I sometimes threw my weight the wrong way. If you already know how to ride a scooter or motorcycle, the Modobag should be a natural fit — which makes sense, because Modobag’s chief mechanical engineer, Boyd Bruner, is actually a competitive motorcyclist.

Lots of the tourists I zipped past ended up stopping to take pictures (and video) of the bag, and asked where they can buy one. While there are plans for retail, right now the only place to get a Modobag is Indiegogo. You can grab one this month for an early bird price of $995, or $1,199 for the standard pledge, discounted from a planned retail price of $1,295.