If you like the idea of streaming media to your TV with a Chromecast but aren’t terribly fond of Google’s content or platform restrictions, you’ll soon have an open alternative. GigaOM has managed to get hands-on time with an unannounced Firefox…
Technical
National parks will soon ban most drone flights
While we’ve already seen a few US national parks clamp down on drones in their airspace, it now looks like that no-fly rule is about to extend across the country. The National Park Service tells the Associated Press that it’s about to order all 401…
Iran throws tech bloggers in prison for working with ‘enemy media’
Most countries with internet access see the web as a tool for communication. But in Iran? It’s a threat. The country has made a habit of censoring social platforms like Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram — lifting its ban only for odd…
Watch Conan O’Brien make E3 2014 into an even bigger spectacle than it already was
As if the game industry’s annual trade show weren’t enough of a spectacle on its own, massively tall comedian/talk show host Conan O’Brien took to E3 2014’s lavish booths and talked with swaths of attendees for a hilarious recap video. He makes the…
Netflix and Chelsea Handler will ‘revolutionize the talk show’ — two years from now
Netflix is adding a new category to its rapidly expanding stable of original content: the talk show. The subscription video service confirmed long-running rumors today, announcing it’s signed a deal with comedian and host Chelsea Handler for a show…
Amazon announces the Fire Phone
Yep, it’s a phone alright. Amazon officially unveiled the Fire Phone today at a special press event held in Seattle. Developing… …
Live from Amazon’s phone announcement in Seattle!
Look, Amazon didn’t exactly hide the fact that today’s mystery product announcement would be its long-rumored 3D phone. But with the exception of the occasional picture, the company did a decent job of keeping its new handheld device out of the…
UK spies using foreign loopholes to monitor Google, Facebook and Twitter users
GCHQ, the UK’s intelligence agency, has yet to confirm whether it taps undersea network cables to gather content from ISPs, but we now know how it would justify access if it did. Charles Farr, the Director General of the Office for Security and…
Automatic’s updated iOS app tells you how much gas you’ve got left
Automatic brought its driving companion app (which, if you’ll recall, pairs with a dongle in your car to deliver real-time driving feedback) to Android earlier this month, but it hasn’t left iOS users out in the cold. The team just pulled back the…
Printeer is the 3D printer your kids can use
There’s no denying that 3D printers are cool. However, they’re not exactly easy to use for kids — not unless Junior has a knack for modelling software, anyway. If Mission Street Manufacturing’s Printeer hits its crowdfunding goal, though, children…
Court ruling could force YouView to change its name
YouView could soon be forced into a rebrand after it suffered another loss in the courts. After almost two years of legal battles, telecoms company Total successfully argued that YouView had infringed on its “Your View” trademark. Judges agreed that…
Inhabitat’s Week in Green: Ocean Cleanup Array, ForceShoes and a warp-capable spacecraft
Innovative design has the power to save the world. Case in point: Last year, teenage inventor Boyan Slat announced plans to create an Ocean Cleanup Array that could remove up to 7 million tons of plastic trash from the world’s oceans. The plan was…
Amazon lines up a drama from writers behind Braveheart and Lost
Amazon clearly doesn’t think that one politically charged show is enough to counter Netflix efforts like House of Cards. The online retailer turned media producer has ordered a pilot for Point of Honor, a drama set on the cusp of the American Civil…
Xbox One July update brings help for Achievements and ‘Likes’ on recordings
Microsoft gave viewers a peek at the continuing evolution of the Xbox One just ahead of its E3 press conference, but everyone should get to try out the new Snap mode for Achievements next month. That’s because the feature is a part of the July update…
Nissan’s ZEOD RC prototype racer completes first all-electric lap at Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans (check after the break for details on how to watch, for free) hasn’t even started yet and already history has been made. During warmups, Nissan wheeled its ZEOD RC prototype race car around the 8.47-mile Circuit de la Sarthe…