Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin says that the massive Amazon outage was caused by nothing more than an empty data record. Google has been providing misleading information on pensions and driving licences. There's a clever AI military helmet. Customers of Starling Bank have a new way of avoiding scams. A device attached to your lavatory can monitor your gut health. A German company is offering to 3D-print personalised bike saddles, if you can translate its website. Scientists have found that the most expensive TV screens are pointless. And battery-grade lithium is now being mined in Cornwall.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin explains about the Amazon AWS outage, the biggest in the history of the internet. He also points out how many Amazon book titles, even best-sellers, are fake and written by AI. He warns against OpenAI's internet browser. He wonders how wise it is using dead animals' DNA to help endangered species. Police in Islington soon intend sending drones to incidents. There's a concept "robot phone" which seems a bit weird. Japanese scientists think they can brew sake in space, for a steep price. And there's a crowdfunded guitar pedal that may please rock musicians.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin says that Figure AI's mass-produced Figure 03 is the Model-T of humanoid robots. He reveals the truth about the greenness of plug-in hybrid cars. Ferrari have brought out their first electric car – but what noise does it make? Honda are making an "adventure scooter", but so far only in China. Anker are crowdfunding an outdoor projector with inflatable screen. Temu has made £90m profit in the EU, with only 8 employees. And Skyeports believe they can make giant glass spheres on the Moon, but their test is only the size of a cricket ball.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin marvels at Google's weird Japanese keyboard. Australian engineers think giant spiders could 3D-print buildings. The Chinese are training robot dogs for lunar missions. The sawfly's precise way of cutting plants to lay eggs could be adapted for human surgery. The boss of Instagram denies his app is listening to us. There's a projector for the bedroom ceiling, an expandable cargo bike and a way of converting old loudspeakers to use bluetooth. And Seattle scientists have invented a high-tech white stick to guide the blind.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin says that northern train passengers can soon trial a ticketless system which will automatically find the cheapest fare. A new hypersonic plane has an engine with no moving parts. New weapons have been developed to shoot down drones. There's a wireless microphone which Steve has already ordered. An electric jet ski can take 3 people and tow a water skier. Mining trucks could soon have money-saving steel tyres. There's a clever, crowd-funded guitar amp. Meta is launching an ad-free version. And a British company has produced an AI actress – and real actors are not happy.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin celebrates some of the bonkers research that has won scientists this year's Ignobel Prizes. A Denver designer thinks he can reinvent the wheel. Austin have a very neat-looking open-top EV roadster. There's a cyberpunk digital candle. Amazon Fresh are closing all their UK stores. Waymo are to launch driverless taxis in London next year. Northumbrian Water have found a way to catch sewer-clogging wet wipes. And Kent scientists believe that tea can be grown on the Moon.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin tells an incredulous Simon Rose that Albania has appointed an AI cabinet minister which is 100% corruption free. AI is also apparently writing speeches for many MPs. BA's Avios points can now be used for buying iPhones. Tesla's electric doors have a recurring problem. Amazon's Zoox driverless taxis are free to use on the Las Vegas strip. Mega have launched their new smart glasses. Sleep earbuds have cleverly done away with the need for batteries. And scientists claim they could regenerate the dodo – though Steve is understandably sceptical.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin explains the features of the new iPhones and their clever cameras. Elon Musk has been offered a $1trillion salary – with tough conditions. Mark Zuckerberg (not that one) is suing his namesake. Amazon's drone delivery service has been partly stymied by a model airplane club. Porche has introduced inductive charging. MIT scientists have invented a wearable device to turn thoughts into words. And there's an ingenious phone for young children without a screen or other temptations.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin says Tesco are trialling tech that knows if avocados are ripe while Waitrose is testing ways of paying for shopping without needing to check out. Chinese scientists have developed houseplants that light up while, in Taiwan, they think lives could be saved if couriers carried defibrillators. Steve's kettle has told him it's time he cleaned it out. A new Kickstarter project will locate objects with RFID tags. And a venture capitalist rues using AI, which maliciously deleted his database and months of work in seconds.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin says a robot dog can now play badminton – as well as a 7-year-old. Mobile phone conversations can be picked up by radar, with limitations. After a trial, 3,500 solar-powered postboxes which accept parcels are being rolled out. The Guinness Book of Records is 70 years old; Steve tells us his favourites. The African Union is complaining that Mercator maps skew the size of land masses. There's a website that will show you proper country comparisons. And scientists have found a way to transplant behaviour – in fruit flies.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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