Tech News

The newest version of Google Hangouts for Android now merges SMS and non-SMS messages into a single stream in the same hangout. Yesssssssssss. The update is rolling out to the Google Play store this week, but there’s an APK floating around already. Woooooo

This beautiful music video should be turned into a video game asap

I didn’t know French band Equateur until I saw their Another-World-ish video for their EP Lava, which should be turned in to a video game ASAP. The video was created by Kadavre Exquis. Beautiful. The song reminds me of the most atmospheric Depeche Mode—and that’s a high compliment. SPLOID is a new blog about awesome…

A Pair Of Batteries Keep This Cordless Vac Running For Almost An Hour

No one likes having to deal with cords, and they’re a particular pain when connected to a device that’s able to suck them up and destroy them. So Hoover’s new Air Cordless vacuum manages to finally make a cordless vac that’s actually useful with a pair of rechargeable batteries that keep it running for almost…

Lost Treasure Hunt Wants To Make Learning History Fun

Not everyone was a big fan of history class growing up, and frankly most grade-school classrooms teach the material rather dryly. But history has shown that if there’s one thing that captures a kid’s attention, it’s cartoons. And that’s why the animators behind Lost Treasure Hunt want you to help them make their ambitious and…

No, Tech Adoption Is Not Speeding Up

Yesterday the folks over at Vox published an article arguing that generations should be defined by the technology they use, rather than by age. They included a graph that purported to show how American society is “adopting new technology more quickly than ever before.” The graph is garbage. And here’s why. [Update: It looks like…

9 Transportation-Related Jobs That Only Exist In Certain Cultures

Would you get paid to act as a third passenger in a vehicle so the car could drive into a congestion-restricted area? How about signing up to pack people into crowded subway cars? Dress up as a zebra and walk the streets, preventing cars from running red lights? These are actual gigs which you could…

New Video Goes Inside the Painstaking Design of Apple’s HQ

New details about architect Norman Foster’s design for Apple’s Cupertino HQ have been slow to leak, but this video gives us the most detailed look so far. This building is going to have everything: Native trees! Solar panels! Crazy circular desk spaces! The video contains plenty of awesome footage of the models being made by…

Crazy people change two wheels while driving the car

Why stop to change your tires when you can keep driving on two wheels and have your passengers go out the car to change them as you keep driving? Sploid reader Officer Mike posted a video similar to this on the comments. Apparently, this is something common in arab countries: It’s called hagwalah. SPLOID is…

Can Eating Poppy Seeds Really Cause You to Fail a Drug Test?

When Elaine on Seinfeld failed a drug test after eating a poppy seed muffin back in the 1996 episode “The Shower Head,” the idea that you could fail a drug test after eating poppy seeds took off. Turns out, this wasn’tyet another Hollywood writer invention—you really can potentially fail a drug test if you eat…

The 4K Monitor You’ve Been Waiting For, iTunes Credit, Pocket Jamboxes

In the past, you might have needed two monitors to have enough computing real estate, but the coming wave of 4K displays promises to change that. Gamers might want to take note as well. Samsung’s forthcoming 28″ 4K display is listed at $700, which is already a steal, but you can grab yours on Amazon…

Scientifically Accurate Spongebob Characters All Eat Each Other

Animation Domination High-Def has been brought us a number of scientifically accurate versions of our favorite childhood shows, but no other has featured so much mutual snacking. Because as it turns out, sea stars like Patrick eat sea sponges like Spongebob. And a real Squidward would happily devour his boss Mr. Krabs if he got…

Turkey’s New Eco City Could Be Heated with Leftover Pistachio Shells

As one of the world’s largest producer of pistachios, Turkey has plenty of pistachio shells to go around. So, in the tradition of turning food waste into energy, officials are proposing to burn pistachio shells for heat in Turkey’s first ever eco city—and it’s not a totally nutty idea. The environmentally friendly city is planned…

New Wireless Power Set Up Charges 40 Smartphones from Across the Room

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you never had to plug in your phone? Well, a team of Korean scientists say that they’re one step closer to making that fantasy a reality with new wireless power transfer technology that works from over 15 feet away. And it works pretty damn well, too. This new system isn’t…

A $15 USB Adapter That Fixes an Annoying iMac Design Flaw

No product has even been made better when functionality follows form, and Apple’s decision to only include USB ports on the back of its iMacs has been frustrating desktop computer users for years. An ugly USB extension cable makes life with an iMac considerably more enjoyable, and now, thanks to Bluelounge’s new Jimi, it doesn’t…

Hilarious dubbing makes The Wolf of Wall Street even better

Watch this hilarious dubbing of The Wolf of Wall Street. It’s so damn good. The Bad Lip Reading people are still in top form. SPLOID is a new blog about awesome stuff. Join us on Facebook

This Sleek Table Is Hiding a Playground For Cats

Cats love climbing through cozy spaces. That’s why the CATable, a beautifully functional work surface with built in tunnels for burrowing, is so appealing to them. In the words of designer Ruan Hao, “It is a table for us, and a paradise for cats.” Created by the China-based LYCS architecture firm, the CATable provides pet…

A Microwave That Promises To Fry Your Food Without a Drop of Oil

T-fal kicked off the whole “frying foods with minimal oil” trend with its Actifry machine, but who really has room for yet another appliance on their kitchen counter—even if it promises healthier fries and wings? That’s why Samsung has introduced what it calls the Slim Fry feature on its microwaves, adding even more functionality to…

Feast on this combat jet eye candy

The US Navy’s VFA-27 squadron—aka the Royal Maces—made this teaser out of a incoming 27-minute short they are releasing on May 3. If you like combat jet porn, mute your device*, play, and enjoy the ride. * Unless you like awful techno music. SPLOID is a new blog about awesome stuff. Join us on Facebook

Qatar Is Canceling Four Of Its 12 Planned World Cup Stadiums

After a year of ballooning costs, delays, and controversy over its labor practices, Qatar is cutting back. According to a report from Bloomberg Businessweek, organizers have decided to drastically scale back plans to construct a dozen new stadiums for the 2022 World Cup. Though no official reason was given for cutting four stadiums from the…

Beijing’s Giant New Desalination Plant Will Give Water to the People

Beijing is one thirsty city. Its population of 22 million consumes barely 100 cubic meters of water per capita—one fifth the international water-shortage level—thanks to a chronic drought in the nation’s north. But this massive desalination plant could help supply a third of the city’s water singlehandedly. Despite moving some 1.5 billion cubic meters of…