How ending mining would change the world
K.Desouki/Getty A labourer works at the “White Mountain” limestone extraction quarry site near Egypt’s southern city of Minya (Credit: Khaled Desouki/Getty Images) Mining fuels the modern world, but it also causes vast environmental damage. What would happen if we tried to do without it? “If you can’t grow it, you have to mine it” goes […]
Google seeks permission for staff to listen to Assistant recordings
Getty Images A range of own-brand and third-party devices use Google Assistant to handle users’ voice commands Google has said it will let its human reviewers listen to audio recordings made by its virtual assistant only if users give it fresh permission to do so. The company said the option had always been opt-in but […]
Have scientists cracked the best way to drink champagne?
ENP/Alamy Bubbles of carbon dioxide in champagne burst at the top of the glass to release aromatic compounds that influence how the drink smells and tastes (Credit: ENP/Alamy) A flute or coupe filled with a sparkling wine has become the very essence of celebration, but there is more going on with the bubbles than you […]
Cyrcle Phone is round and has two headphone jacks
The Cyrcle Phone is one of the more bizarre products on show at this year’s CES tech expo in Las Vegas. While the smartphone giants are trying to make their devices fold and encourage the use of wireless headphones, this US start-up is focused on delivering a shape that it says is more “sensual” and […]
Lockdown and the cost of cancelled physio sessions
Meg Fozzard Physiotherapy is often used to treat sports injuries or ease niggles, but for some disabled people it can be essential to maintain the quality and length of their life. Meg Fozzard explores the serious nature of what happened during lockdown when appointments regularly had to be cancelled. “It will speed up the decline […]
How these cities became rat-free zones
Getty Images (Credit: Getty Images) It’s a stinky job but somebody’s got to do it – enter the rat detectives. “If it weren’t for rats, I wouldn’t have had a job,” says Phil Merrill, head of the rat control programme in the Canadian province of Alberta. “I don’t like them, but I don’t hate them. […]
These coffee snobs ban milk and sugar
Oddly Correct A bitter customer service experience for some? Three years ago, when travelling for work, I dropped into a café for a dose of morning caffeine. Sleep deprived, I was grateful to be handed the perfect pour over – where you hand-pour the water over ground coffee – a few minutes later. But when […]
Smart home device ‘alerts’ police to assault at home in New Mexico
Getty Images A smart home device has alerted police to an alleged assault taking place inside a house in New Mexico. A spokesman for Bernalillo County Sheriff Department says a smart speaker called 911 after picking up a man saying, “Did you call the sheriffs?” Eduardo Barros is accused of threatening to kill his girlfriend […]
Coventry Transport Museum launches vehicle adoption scheme
A museum that holds the world’s largest collection of British road transport is offering visitors the chance to “adopt” some of the classic vehicles. Coventry Transport Museum is home to then Lady Diana Spencer’s Austin Mini Metro and the bus used by Coventry City for their 1987 FA Cup victory parade. People are urged to […]
What Japan’s love of nostalgia says about its economy
Yuko Komura Great care is given to Japanese album covers (credit: Yuko Komura) Despite being thought of as being at forefront of cutting-edge technology, Japan maintains a quiet relationship with all things analogue Nippori, Tokyo is known for its “old-town” vibe, bustling with shoppers in its wholesale district and street arcades. It is here, amongst […]