So we already know that bicycles are the future, and we have a few guesses at what a future bike might look like. Now startup company Sparse is taking a running leap into that future by creating bicycles that are smartly integrated with the urban environment. For now, they’re focused on turning out … Continue reading
Category Archives: Technology
Bend, Twist and Roll Your Smartphone
Yep, it’s true: Samsung is planning to release a phone that’s completely bendable. And rumor has it you can get your hands on it as early as next year! Flexible e-ink displays have been in development for nearly half a decade, but it’s only recently that researchers for companies like Samsung and Nokia have turned … Continue reading
Ghost in the Machine
Happy Halloween, fellow future hunters! This has always been my favorite holiday, perhaps because it’s the one time of year that we all celebrate mystery and the great unknown. Today, in the spirit of the season, I offer you a glimpse of the ghosts of the future. Hint: chain-rattling is not involved. It starts with … Continue reading
5 Weird Things No One’s Mentioned About a Driverless Future
Last week, we looked at some reasons why even the most rational individual might feel a touch of dread at the thought of a car that drives itself. This week, let’s zoom out a bit, and imagine a future society where driverless cars are the norm. I think this is a very plausible scenario, but … Continue reading
Why Driverless Cars Freak You Out
California just became the third state to legalize autonomous cars. They’re not available to consumers yet, but test vehicles can now operate in public there, just as they can in Nevada and Florida. I reacted to this news with delight, while others had a more sober appraisal: I’ve written about the implications of driverless cars … Continue reading
Bicycle of the Future
Last week I looked at why bicycles should have a privileged place in future planning. Today I take the other angle: What’s the future of bicycles themselves? Curious, I dug around a bit looking for current trends in bicycle design, as well as new innovations that might take off. I found quite a few, and … Continue reading
10 Ways Technology Will Change Childhood (for Better and Worse)
Some parts of being a kid never change. Best friends, schoolyard bullies, and after-school snacks will be around for another century at least (speaking from my experience here in the US). But new technology forces us to adapt, and children are not exempt. At the risk of sounding like an old fogey before my time, … Continue reading
