Bryan Lufkin, Author at Gizmodo

Hologram Pop Star Hatsune Miku “Announces” 2016 US and Canada Tour

If you’re a fan of virtual musicians with computer-generated bodies and voices, and you live in North America, then do I have news for you. Hatsune Miku, Japan’s “virtual pop star,” is coming to the US and Canada next year for a seven-city, synth-filled tour—her first tour in this neck of the woods. Miku herself…

Tech News Bryan Lufkin Nov 13

Find Out If That Beer Is Crap or Not Using This Augmented Reality App

It’s being called Shazam for beer. Tech in Asia is reporting on Letsee, a startup in Korea, that just released a smartphone app of the same name that lets you learn more about any beer in front of you using augmented reality. Simply hold up your phone’s camera to a bottle or can label, and…

Tech News Bryan Lufkin Nov 12

Why You Will Never Be Safe from Spoilers on the Internet

A couple years ago, I wanted to find out the name of the actor who played my favorite character on House of Cards, so I googled the character. Big mistake. The very first Google search result was the character’s House of Cards Wikia page—including date of death. I didn’t even have to click on the…

Movies Bryan Lufkin Nov 12

How Can Robots Be Better Learners? Program Them to Think Like Human Toddlers

The biggest challenge with robots is enabling them to do many different things in many different situations, instead of just sitting on an assembly line screwing on bottle caps. In fact, programming them to learn like human babies might be the best way to make our robotic friends much more capable. Quartz and MIT Technology…

Artificial Intelligence Bryan Lufkin Nov 12

Exclusive: Fringe‘s Georgina Haig Will Join Limitless as a New Character

CBS told us exclusively that Limitless is adding a new character—and it’s played by someone genre TV fans will likely recognize. Here’s what CBS told io9: Georgina Haig is set for a recurring role as Piper. Per the producers, Piper was once like Brian, naive and sheltered—then she lost everything. Now, self-trained in many forms…

io9 Bryan Lufkin Nov 12

This Newly-Discovered Dwarf Planet Is the Most Distant Object In Our Solar System

V774104: That’s the name of the new dwarf planet astronomers revealed this week, and it’s three times as far away from the sun as Pluto. It’s the most distant object ever discovered in our solar system—and it could mean there are even more far-flung planets in our corner of the universe just waiting to be…

Space & Spaceflight Bryan Lufkin Nov 12

10 Reasons Why Limitless Has Become My Tuesday Night Highlight

From pinball-loving kidnappers to mass texts of the phrase “Plus I have micropenis,” last night’s Limitless on CBS was in top form as the funniest episode all season. I’d like to share ten of the finest moments from the glorious hour. Spoilers ahead! 1) The imposter text bomb of the copy-and-pasted lie “Plus I have…

io9 Bryan Lufkin Nov 11

Konami Developing a Metal Gear Solid-Inspired Prosthetic Arm for an Amputee Gamer

Twenty-five-year-old James Young, a passionate gamer, tragically lost his arm in an accident. Now one of the biggest video game companies around is working with roboticists and engineers to make James an amazing new limb inspired by one of his favorite series, and one of the greatest game franchises of all time. Konami, developer and…

Tech News Bryan Lufkin Nov 11

Seattle’s Famous Gum Wall Is Being Scrubbed Away to Bare Brick

Seattle’s sticky, rainbow-colored Gum Wall has attracted tourists for 20 years and has dominated #Seattle Instagram posts, but now the Pike Place staple is being removed by industrial steamers. Far, far from hygienic but beloved all the same, the Gum Wall is located in Post Alley underneath Pike Place market. But the Seattle Times reports…

Tech News Bryan Lufkin Nov 11

12 New Episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 Could Be Coming… For $5.5 Million

In the not too distant future… we could be getting brand new episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000, courtesy of original human host Joel Hodgson! But for an extremely steep Kickstarter goal. If you’re new to the show, MST3K was the cult classic that aired on Comedy Central and Syfy after debuting on Minnesota public…

io9 Bryan Lufkin Nov 10

Alienware Steam Machine Review: PC Gaming With Console Comforts

Steam is a massive online gaming platform that reaches 100 million players worldwide. Now, Valve, the company behind Steam, along with a litany of hardware makers (in this case Dell/Alienware) wants to go head-to-head with Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. This home console is its new contender. It’s got a controller that makes PC games feel…

Reviews Bryan Lufkin Nov 10

The U.S. Might’ve Just Taken Two Steps Closer Toward Its Own Maglev Train

This weekend, millions were approved in funding for a high-speed rail project linking Baltimore and Washington, D.C. by maglev train. A day later, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation flew to Japan to see what riding one was like firsthand. These are two promising signs, my friends, for high-speed rail’s future in America—though there’s still a…

Tech News Bryan Lufkin Nov 9

Bank of America Wants to Use Robots to Manage Your Money

We’re trusting robots with more and more these days: Our luggage, our meals—even our lives on the road. Why not add finances to the list? Bank of America is joining several other banks that want to do just that. Bloomberg Business reports that Bank of America wants to use algorithms that provide customers with investment…

Artificial Intelligence Bryan Lufkin Nov 6

Your Forearm Could Soon Morph Into an Augmented Reality Keyboard

Has texting worn your thumbs to the nub? Help is on the way: Japanese electronics giant NEC is introducing new wearables that project an augmented reality keyboard onto your arm. NEC announced the innovation, called ARmKeypad, earlier this week. Here’s how it works: Slip on special glasses and a special smartwatch. With the glasses on,…

Tech News Bryan Lufkin Nov 6

The New York Times‘ Virtual Reality App Is Here–And It’s Very, Very Cool

As new technology appears, news agencies have constantly been reinventing themselves. That’s why the New York Times is rolling out a new smartphone app today that lets you dive into their stories–literally–using virtual reality. The Times has always been a tech-forward outlet–it’s even got a smart furniture-filled R&D Lab that makes prototypes that predict the…

Tech News Bryan Lufkin Nov 5

CEO’s Swiss Alps Estate Is a Dope James Bond Villain Hideout

Want to spend a few minutes living vicariously through a multimillionaire whose 007-inspired villa feels like the awesome digs of a real-life Spectre villain? Then scope out VisaJet CEO Thomas Flore’s Swiss villa, which appears in the new issue of T magazine from the New York Times. The seven-story, 35,000-square foot chalet is named “Eagle’s…

Tech News Bryan Lufkin Nov 4

Last Night’s Limitless Was Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Gone Wild

Dangerous super drugs, a shady black ops gig, plenty of ‘80s references… several of my boxes, checked. Last night’s Limitless showed what happened when Brian tried to take a “day off,” packing in Ferris Bueller nods in between gruesome murders. (Including Rebecca as Sloane!) Solid episode overall, obviously. Spoilers, ho! It all starts when Brian…

io9 Bryan Lufkin Nov 4

In the Future, International Airline Travel Will Actually Be Fun Again. No, Really.

Traveling abroad is inherently thrilling — but then there’s that interminable, soul-sucking trek to get there. In the future, things might be very different. Imagine an eight-hour flight that’s actually enjoyable, with ergonomically designed seats and an in-flight entertainment system that syncs to your personal devices. You could get through security faster with biometric scanning.…

Tech News Bryan Lufkin Nov 4

Solar Power Will Keep This Ice Hotel Nice and Cold All Year

Usually, ice and the blazing hot sun don’t mix. But at the famed IceHotel in Sweden, solar panels will keep the establishment frosty all day, all year. The ice hotel (the world’s first) is usually reconstructed every year out of snow and ice blocks, and stays open from fall to spring. But now, they’re announcing…

Tech News Bryan Lufkin Nov 4

The Uncertain Fate of the Fastest Ocean Liner Ever Built

The SS United States is the world’s fastest passenger ship, and the biggest ever built in the U.S. Despite last-minute donations and plans to transform it into startup offices and awesome restaurants, advocates are still fighting to save it from the scrapyard. It’s an old ocean liner—relics of the past, they’re ships designed to ferry…

Tech News Bryan Lufkin Nov 2

Bryan Lufkin

Hologram Pop Star Hatsune Miku “Announces” 2016 US and Canada Tour

Find Out If That Beer Is Crap or Not Using This Augmented Reality App

Why You Will Never Be Safe from Spoilers on the Internet

How Can Robots Be Better Learners? Program Them to Think Like Human Toddlers

Exclusive: Fringe‘s Georgina Haig Will Join Limitless as a New Character

This Newly-Discovered Dwarf Planet Is the Most Distant Object In Our Solar System

10 Reasons Why Limitless Has Become My Tuesday Night Highlight

Konami Developing a Metal Gear Solid-Inspired Prosthetic Arm for an Amputee Gamer

Seattle’s Famous Gum Wall Is Being Scrubbed Away to Bare Brick

12 New Episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 Could Be Coming… For $5.5 Million

Alienware Steam Machine Review: PC Gaming With Console Comforts

The U.S. Might’ve Just Taken Two Steps Closer Toward Its Own Maglev Train

Bank of America Wants to Use Robots to Manage Your Money

Your Forearm Could Soon Morph Into an Augmented Reality Keyboard

The New York Times‘ Virtual Reality App Is Here–And It’s Very, Very Cool

CEO’s Swiss Alps Estate Is a Dope James Bond Villain Hideout

Last Night’s Limitless Was Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Gone Wild

In the Future, International Airline Travel Will Actually Be Fun Again. No, Really.

Solar Power Will Keep This Ice Hotel Nice and Cold All Year

The Uncertain Fate of the Fastest Ocean Liner Ever Built

Norway Man Cured of HIV With Brother’s Stem Cells

New Mercedes EQS Has Long Range, Quick Charging, and Quicker Steering

That ‘Maul: Shadow Lord’ Lightsaber Moment Isn’t What You Think It Is

Marvel Legends Is Taking on ‘Marvel Rivals,’ and It Looks Great

The OpenAI-Anthropic Cold War Comes to Illinois

Trump’s ‘DoorDash Grandma’ Stunt Makes Life Hell for PR Flack

‘Andor’ Star Adria Arjona Is Joining ‘Man of Tomorrow’—But Maybe Not as Who You Thought

Here’s What Scientists Found When They Cooked Up Their Own ‘Mercury Rocks’

We Just Saw Behind the Scenes on ‘Godzilla Minus Zero,’ and It’s Bigger and Darker Than Ever

Roborock Qrevo Series Robot Vacuum and Mop Breaks Last Week’s Low, New All-Time Low With Nearly 40% Off

Sony Inzone H6 Air Review: A Perfect Case for Open-Back Gaming Headsets

Anker’s EufyMake E1 Finally Brings Printers Out of the Dark Ages

The Soundboks Mix Is Going to Make You the Most Popular Guy at the Park

Asus Zenbook A16 Review: Start Considering Snapdragon on PC, for Real

Aqara Thermostat Hub W200 Review: Almost Better than My Ecobee

HP Omen Max 45L Review: 4K60 Gaming Has Never Been So Easy

Ecovacs Winbot W3 Omni Review: Window Cleaning Robots Have a Long Way to Go

AirPods Max 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): Which ANC Headphones Win?

The Best Gadgets of March 2026

AirPods Max 2 Review: Still Ridiculously Expensive and Ridiculously Nice