Space Station Sunday: Remodeling A Module

Good afternoon, space fans!  It was another inspiring week of science and progress aboard the ISS.

Remodeling the house needs a little extra attention in space...
(Image courtesy NASA.gov.)

Notes From The Posterior: New Butt-Bot Helps Med Students Hit Prostates Like Pros

Let's face it, there are many doctors who, despite serving as capable medical professionals, leave a lot to be desired in their bedside manner.  This can be particularly vexing when the issue (or treatment thereof) necessitates above-average intimacy.  One new innovation will now be able to put both doctors and patients a little bit more at ease:  Patrick, the robotic butt.

And all the tech isn't for twerking...
(Image courtesy joshfreydkis.tumblr.com.)

Ecocapsule Homes: Better Than Rent Or Tents

Living off the grid is an attractive idea for many in this hyper-commercial, uber-urban world.  Now, a new self-contained pod could bring you one step closer to scaled-down solace...

You bring me closer to pod.
(Image courtesy modernreaders.com.)

Hit The Lights: New Electromagnetic Pulse Weapon Blackens, Sans Bombs

Warfare can take many guises, and not all of them need to be abundantly destructive.  Now, thanks to Boeing, a new electromagnetic pulse weapon will provide our military with the capacity to turn an enemy's lights out, rather than knocking their lights out.

Darkness falls: a new CHAMP missile strikes the grid.
(Image courtesy ainonline.com.)

Hack In Black: Turn Your Smartphone Into A Portable Blacklight

Since your smartphone already can seem like something out of the future, why not give it an extra superpower?  You can now act like a criminal investigator (handcuffs optional) and scan for clues using your smartphone as a blacklight...

And then, adorning everything in blacklight ink becomes your new graffitti...
(Image courtesy pinterest.com.)

Space Station Sunday: Worms And A Dragon

Good evening, space fans!  Here's all the latest from our neighbors in orbit.

The Dragon, draggin' things home.
(Image courtesy NASA.gov.)

Way To Go: New Apple Maps Launch To Include Public Transit, Indoor Maps & More Flyovers

It's a feature that has benefited humanity tremendously since its inception, and now, it's even more comprehensive.  Apple Maps is upgrading their app to include subways, trains, new flyover views, and even robotically-determined floorplans inside of buildings.

Plot your commute or view your dream vacation, all in the palm of your hand.
(Image courtesy technewstoday.com.)

Spy vs. mSpy: Tracking-App Company Reveals Blackmail Attempt

With so many adults willing to give up their privacy in the name of security, it's no surprise that they'd levy that same treatment (with the same unwarranted sneakiness) onto their own children.  Amusingly enough, one firm that provides such products has now been hit by blackmailers.

Stalk your kids while sipping your coffee!  Except sometimes, it's not so simple...
(Image courtesy whiterosereader.org.)

Who The {Redacted} Thinks This Is A Good Idea? New App Censors "Inappropriate" Literature

It may have fallen somewhat by the wayside as the smut-and-gore smorgasbord of the internet has risen to prominence for entertainment, but those who read enough literature know the truth:  books get fucking dirty.  We're not talking the suburban-submission swill of the "Fifty Shades..." fuddy-duddies, oh no.  There is stuff out there - published from antiquity to this afternoon - that is straight-up scorch-smut, enough to make you drop your jaws, books, and pants all at the same time.

So of course, some special snowflake wants to take that away from you.

(Image courtesy www.downtrend.com.)

Secret Space Plane Mission REVEALED! (Sorry, No Aliens Involved...Yet.)

Of all the cool top-secret schwag that the United States government keeps under wraps, it's the ones we occasionally get glimpses or hints of that seem to be the most intriguing (we're looking at you, SR-71 Blackbird.)  Since "top secret" generally means stuff gets hidden, it's often only the reports of funky, flagrant aircraft that allow for speculation on sweet secrets.  However, now the US has allowed at least a little bit of insight into the operations of one of its coolest "secrets" in space...

The secret is out (well, up):  the X-37B preps for launch.
(Image courtesy foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com.)

Space Station Sunday: Marooned And Typhooned

Good afternoon, space fans!  It has been an interesting week in orbit...

Typhoon Dolphin blows over southern Japan.
(Image courtesy Samantha Cristoforetti.)

Walk This Way? Meet Sony's New $1,200 Walkman

Remember the allure of owning your first Walkman?  It's your music, in headphones, wherever you want!  Nearly magic!  Now, years down the road, with the colloquial term having segued over time from "Walkman" to "iPod" to "my phone", Sony has reintroduced their flagship travelling-tunes device...but is it worth it for the price?

Real buttons, though.  Those pressable buttons are nice.
(Image courtesy trustedreviews.com.)

Brew News: Innovative "Induction Kettle" Boils Via Electromagnetism

Teatime is a tradition that's been around for centuries, but now, it has a revamped look and a whole new way to get your cuppa cooking...

Tea parties just got high-tech.
(Image courtesy dezeen.com.)

Rock The Stocks: New App Enables Commission-Free Stock Trading

Want to start making money in the stock market, but aren't sure where or how to start?  Thanks to a new app, now you can dabble in trading for free...

Be a cool stockbroker like these guys...except possibly in your pajamas.
(Image courtesy youtube.com.)

Real-Life "TRON" Lightcycle Hits The Grid After Sotheby's Auction

This year has been a good one for futuristic vehicles.  We have a prototype hoverboard, a new crew-bearing spacecraft, and now, a "lightcycle" that looks just like the one featured in the "TRON" films...

Kickass cycling suit not included.
(Image courtesy theredlist.com.)

Space Station Sunday: Crew Cuts, A Crew Capsule, And The Death Of Progress 59

Good afternoon, space fans!  Here's what was up this week aboard our favorite orbital outpost!

Subtropical storm Ana, off the east coast of the U.S., spins up some stunning imagery.
(Image courtesy Scott Kelly / NASA.gov.)

Weed On Wheels: New Cannabis Delivery App "The Seamless Of Marijuana"

Feeling lazy?  Was it because you smoked a bunch of weed?   Was it because you smoked ALL of your weed?  Don't worry...if you happen to live in California, you don't even need to get off that sweet, comfy couch to get more...

Green on the scene!
(Image courtesy medicalmarijuanablog.com.)

Federal Appeals Court Rules NSA Wiretapping Illegal; NSA Turns Up The Volume, Puts Hands Over Ears, Says "La La La"

Of course, all privacy-prone American citizens have known this for some time:  the NSA's phone-call compendium is unnecessary, unaffiliated with capturing ANY terrorists EVER, and is overall downright creepy.  Thankfully, today, a federal appeals court ruled it illegal.

They listen to everything, but this is the only thing they need to hear.
(Image courtesy alan.com.)

The Biggest Skyscraper Yet: U.A.E. Sets Sights On Mars

Worldwide, many people have looked to the skies, considering if humanity's future could lead us there.  The planet Mars has recently gained attention as a possible attractive option for this.  Some people want to rush into a Martian endeavor with no real means of achieving it, while others ask for ideas and offer rewards so that good plans may be formulated.  And now, there's a new player in interplanetary politics...

Marslims?
(Image courtesy www.thenational.ae.)

Welcome To The Machines: Chinese Factories To Drastically Outnumber Human Workers With Robots

Robot bartenders.  Robot chefs.  Teachable robots in industry.  Yes, robots might be a little bit poised to take over the world.  And now, China isn't even trying to hide it...

Even your computer science degree is nothing, next to an actual computer.
(Image courtesy bloomberg.com.)

Police Tape: New App Records Cops Gone Wild; Instantly Submits Clips To ACLU

As the tensions regarding civilian/police interactions heat up faster than the nice weather, it's good to know there are ways of keeping your cool.  One such method is a new app from the ACLU, designed to document and immediately report unethical police action...

Fire at will.
(Image courtesy 10news.com.)

Space Station Sunday: Science And Progress

Good afternoon, space fans!  Here's the latest news from 220 miles above Earth.

Astronaut Scott Kelly enjoys "Saturday morning coffee with my old friend, Planet Earth."
The coffee is contained in the silver pouch on the right.
(Image courtesy Scott Kelly/NASA.gov.) 

Message Received: NASA's Messenger Probe Crashes Into Mercury After Four Years In Orbit

Having served admirably as an interplanetary diplomat between Earth and Mercury, NASA's Messenger probe went out in a blaze of glory yesterday, crashing into the planet it had spent years documenting...

Composite shots of Mercury, courtesy the Messenger.  Colors added for awesomeness.
(Image courtesy huffingtonpost.com.)