Google took the lid off of its new version of Maps at I/O 2013 today, which is a dramatic redesign of the long-standing navigation and place-finding software across all platforms. We got a chance to go hands-on with the new Maps, which is still a beta product, with access only given out to a few select users so far. In the video above, you check it out in action as a Google rep gives us a… → Read More
Google has opened applications for its third annual Google Earth Outreach Developer Grants. The program provides $10K-$20K of funding to nonprofits that are willing to use Google’s Map technology to help them accomplish their goals. The company has used its own technology to help out during times of crisis, most recently and notably during Hurricane Sandy and the flu outbreak in the U.S. → Read More
Here’s a silly science story for your Tuesday afternoon, as we sit here waiting patiently for Chelsea-Manchester United to begin. An astrophysicist has developed a formula that determines the monetary value of the universe’s planets. Earth, your home and mine, is worth “three thousand trillion pounds.” Pounds sterling, that is. → Read More
The teams have been finalized for the Google Lunar X-Prize! A total of 17 teams will take place in the competition, the goal of which is to land a robot on the moon, have it travel at least 500 meters up there, all while sending data (pictures and video and whatnot) back to Earth. → Read More
Leave it to Germany to create the most detailed 3D map of the planet that has ever existed. Two satellites, TanDEM-X and TerraSAR-X, are flying above the surface of the planet to create the map. The thing is, the satellites are extraordinarily close to each other, getting as close as 350m away from each other as they cruise at a fine speed of 7km/s. → Read More
Not to alarm you, but we only have 172 years to live, so better ding 80 (soon 85) while you still can. Scientists have spotted an asteroid that, if all goes well (er, bad), will smash right into Planet Earth in the year 2182. → Read More
Maybe on one of these other Earth-like planets the iPhone 4 actually works? I kid, I kid. Scientists have recently discovered some 140 Earth-like planets using the Kepler telescope that launched in January, 2009. Even more exciting than that, scientists now estimate that there could be as many as 100 million (!) planets in our galaxy alone—remember that there’s estimated to be 100 billion… → Read More
It’s pretty great that people are just now realizing that Planet Earth isn’t some sort of static strip mall. There are volcanoes, and earthquakes, and hurricanes, and tornadoes, and tsunamis—objects from outer space regularly invade the atmosphere. This planet is alive, brother! So, idea: you know how certain laptop models, like ThinkPads and MacBooks, come with built-in accelerometers? → Read More
Contrary to popular belief, a lot of Japanese people wearing face masks in public aren’t in fear of getting infected but intend not to infect others. This was the situation before the swine flu hit Japan, at least. Nowadays, the masks enjoy particularly brisk sales and the flu seems to trigger innovations, too, i.e. these new masks that stick to the wearer’s face. → Read More
A company has developed software for your cellphone that automatically calculates your carbon footprint. The program, called Carbon Diem, uses your GPS to calculate how fast you’re moving. It then interprets that data to calculate your carbon footprint. If you’re traveling by car you’re killing Mother Earth; if you’re walking about you deserve a gold star. Carbon Diem… → Read More
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