Even a device as simple as a computer mouse still has plenty of room for improvement. Modern versions are becoming lighter, more ergonomic, and often even look nothing like their traditional counterparts. The NanoFlow i2 Air incorporates some revolutionary features and is now available for backing on Kickstarter.
Category: Electronics, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Kickstarter, Mouse, Portable
Though I'm using my fingers more, most of the time I pluck the strings of my guitars with a pick. Most of them have been made from plastic, but I've tried metal and even small coins. But never titanium – which makes the ResoTi an intriguing project.
Category: Music, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Kickstarter, Guitar, Titanium, EDC
Instead of focusing on your sore arm after your next vaccine, you might want to think good thoughts. A new study that trained people in the power of positive thinking showed that the practice can significantly boost antibodies created by the jab.
Category: Body and Mind
Tags: Vaccines, antibodies, placebo, Tel Aviv University, The Immune System
Photos: Mitchell Clark
Late last year, Tamron announced that it was bringing its venerable 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 to Nikon's Z mount. We took the opportunity to shoot a sample gallery with it, to get an idea for how it performs, and how much it asks you to give up compared to a heavier, larger and more expensive 70-200mm F2.8.
That is a bit of a spoiler for what the experience of shooting with the lens was like. Its size makes it much more usable as an everyday walkabout lens than your typical 70-200mm F2.8, and I found myself taking it places I normally wouldn't bring this class of lens, just because it'd be too much of a hassle to do so.
Even extended, the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 isn't particularly long (unlike its name).The autofocus motors in the lens were snappy enough that I never felt like they were holding the camera back, even when I was shooting fast-moving subjects like horses. I also appreciated the lens's inclusion of optical image stabilization, which, when paired with the Z8's in-body stabilization, let me get sharp handheld shots at shutter speeds that would typically be difficult to manage with a telephoto lens.
Optically, you do give up a bit compared to the more premium options; as evidenced by several photos in our sample gallery, there's some pretty heavy vignetting at F2.8, though it's noticeably better at F4, and pretty much clears up by F5.6. There's also, of course, the 20mm difference at the long end, though in most scenarios, most photographers won't really notice the difference between a photo shot at 180mm and one shot at 200mm. The lens is also reasonably sharp throughout its range, and has relatively pleasing bokeh wide-open.
The vignetting will be most noticeable when shooting relatively bright, featureless surfaces like the sky, and is less distracting in other situations.
Nikon Z8 | Tamron 70-180mm | 180mm | F2.8 | 1/200 sec | ISO 80
Finally, there are the controls. The lens has a single customizable button, which is always a nice inclusion, and Nikon allows you to assign a wide variety of functions to it. I also appreciated the inclusion of a lock switch to keep the lens retracted. It's an extending zoom design (which isn't my favorite, but makes sense given its size), and having the ability to keep it from walking while I was carrying it around was much appreciated. However, it's worth noting that it's quite a strong lock; unlike with some of Sigma's lenses, you can't overpower it if you forget to deactivate it before raising the camera up to your eye.
My biggest complaint with the lens is the focus ring, which is quite sensitive, and is situated exactly where I'd typically rest my hand. This led me to frequently bump the camera into manual focus mode at inopportune times. If I spent long enough with the lens, I'm sure I'd adapt to it (and the focus ring's location will be more familiar to those who only shoot Nikon), but I ended up simply setting it to do nothing in the camera's settings.
The buttons are nice to use, but the focus ring can be quite touchy, and doesn't leave you much room to hold the lens.Minor complaints and personal preferences aside, I found the Tamon 70-200mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 to be a capable and versatile lens, especially for the price. But be sure to check out the gallery below so you can make your own assessments.
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab.Luxury automakers are getting serious about architecture. Following its Miami skyscraper and Dubai tower, Mercedes-Benz has now really put its foot on the gas to collaborate on building no less than 12 new skyscrapers in Dubai.
Category: Architecture, Technology
Tags: Building and Construction, Skyscrapers, Residential towers, Mercedes-Benz, Dubai
Talaria might be a Chinese company, but it’s done more for the dirt bike segment than most European and American companies. Its low-cost dirt bikes have popped up as viable alternatives to the likes of SurRon, Cake, and Segway. This one, though, promises to take on 450cc gas four-strokes.
Category: Motorcycles, Transport
Tags: Electric Motorcycles, Dirt Bikes, ebikes, Enduro, Segway, Sur-Ron, Zero Motorcycles
Ukraine has, for the first time, sent into combat a hybrid drone powered by hydrogen fuel. According to the builder Skyeton, a variant of its Raybird was deployed for full-scale combat duty with the Ukrainian Armed Forces in an active war zone.
Category: Military, Technology
Tags: Ukraine , drones, Hydrogen, Warfare, Battlefield
It seems like you can't even hide from drones under the sea now, with General Atomics (GA) flight-testing its MQ-9B SeaGuardian maritime patrol unit. It was trying out the new Expanded Sonobuoy Dispensing System (ESDS) for hunting submarines where they hide.
Category: Military, Technology
Tags: US Navy, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Submarine, drones
Hyundai's sleek, futuristic Staria van has been destined to make a cool, little camper van since it first emerged in 2021. And it didn't take long for that to happen, at least not in South Korea. Now, a couple days after revealing the all-electric Staria, Hyundai is previewing what a Staria camper van might look like in the Western world. And despite not having the slide-out rooftop deck of some clever Korean campers, it looks quite good, especially coming directly from Hyundai. Is it convincing enough to take on the likes of the Volkswagen California and Ford Nugget?
Category: Campervans, Adventure Vehicles, Outdoors
Tags: Hyundai, Campervan, RV, Camping, cmt-2026, Outdoors and Camping, electric-camper, smart RV
How much protection does your bicycle helmet offer? It might be less than you think, but Newlane’s latest helmet combines protection and convenience into a single package.
Tags: Helmets, Safety, Brain, Protection
We previewed the RedMagic 11 Pro last year, but with any technology it feels better to have a real-world, lived experience with it. And as someone who hasn't used an Android device for 13 years, it was about time I tried again – given that Apple continues to offer a little more bang for a lot more buck.
Category: Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Smart technology, smartphones, Gaming, Battery, Phone, Android, Reviews
I took this photo while touring Astoria, Oregon, solely to explore the sites featured in the 1985 movie The Goonies. The photo depicts the driveway sign leading up to the house where some of the Goonies kids lived.
Photo: Mathew Anderson
Our January Editors' photo challenge theme is "Silly Signs."
This month, we're celebrating the silly and strange world of signage that tells an interesting story. Whether you're traveling across the country or just around the corner, capture a photo of a sign with a unique story to tell. It could be a massive billboard along a highway or a quirky notice in your local pub. We can't wait to see what you discover!Photos can be submitted between Sunday, January 18, and Saturday, January 24 (GMT). The challenge is open to photos captured at any time.
Important: Images MUST include a title and a description of at least 25 words to be eligible. We need to be able to share the story behind your photo. We will consider both photos and captions when selecting our winners, so make sure to tell us that story!
Visit the challenge page to read the full rules and to submit your photos for consideration as soon as the challenge opens.
Getting a new camera is always exciting, even if it's only new to you. So much so that it can be tempting to jump right into using it without much, if any, setup. However, despite the urge to get started right away, it's important to take a few minutes to review some important settings. Doing so can make a significant difference in what your first impressions of the camera are and how the first photos you take turn out.
It's important to note that different genres of photography and video will require their own specific tweaks. However, there are some foundational settings that stay the same no matter what you like to capture, especially when setting up a new camera. This guide focuses on core settings to help beginners navigate a new camera.
Additionally, each specific camera brand will have its own intricacies. We'll touch on some of the more prominent ones in a later article. For now, our focus is on more general settings that apply to most people, no matter their camera brand.
Settings everyone should changeThere are a few settings that everyone should check and potentially change when dealing with a new camera. These are relevant to every photographer, no matter your preferred genre or camera brand.
Time and dateWhen you turn on a new camera for the first time, you'll be prompted to make a few changes right off the bat, including time and date. Some cameras let you skip this step, but it’s best not to. Also, if you bought a used camera, we'd advise looking up how to do a complete reset and then entering the correct information. After all, having the correct date and time will make it easier to organize your photos and videos later on, so it's useful to start here.
Firmware updates Canon's firmware menu screen will tell you at a glance which version of firmware you have.Your camera may be brand new, but it was likely sitting on a shelf for some time before you brought it home. As a result, there could be new firmware available, which is usually worth installing right away. Some new firmware updates are minor, simply enhancing stability or improving security, but they can also unlock new features and improve performance, so it's important to make sure your camera is up to date. New cameras from many brands will now check for you when you connect them to your phone for the first time, so it's also worth downloading the relevant app, too.
If you bought a used camera, you don't necessarily know if the previous owner kept it updated. As a result, we'd recommend checking whether new firmware is available. To check if there's new firmware, head to the manufacturer's website and see if there's an updated version for your camera's model.
Set the diopter The dial just to the right of the viewfinder is the diopter dial.The diopter is an often overlooked and even unknown feature on cameras. The diopter is a tiny optical lens in front of the viewfinder with a small wheel off to the side. It allows you to make small adjustments to the viewfinder so that it matches your eyesight, ensuring that text and details look sharp. It doesn't change the sharpness of your photos, only what you see in the viewfinder. However, with a mirrorless camera, having it set wrong could make you think your shots aren't sharp, so it's critical to dial this in. You can think of it like changing the prescription of your viewfinder. If you have a camera without a viewfinder, this won't be relevant; however, if your camera does have one, be sure to set it up correctly right out of the box.
Image quality and file format A screenshot of Canon's interface for choosing image type and size. Screenshot: Mitchell ClarkYour new camera will arrive with the file format set to JPEG only. While that works well for photographers who don't need the greater control that Raw files unlock, it's not the preferred option for some. If you're the type of photographer who expects to use Raw files, make sure to change your file format settings right off the bat. Or, you can select to shoot both Raw and JPEG at once, giving you the best of both worlds. If you're unsure or on the fence, we'd suggest shooting in Raw. You can always discard the file if you don't need it, but if you get a shot you really want to edit, you can't acquire the Raw data later.
It's also worth checking the image quality settings while you're at it. Even if you shoot in JPEG only, there are multiple options to choose from that determine how large your files are. We'd recommend shooting in the largest, highest quality your camera offers. Even the largest JPEGs are pretty small, and you can always downsize or recompress a large file, but you can't regain the quality or detail you didn't originally save.
Settings to consider changingThere are settings everyone should definitely check, like the ones above, and others that many people prefer to adjust right away, while others may not. The default settings all have reasons for being there, so they make sense in certain situations and for some people, but many photographers prefer to turn them off or change them immediately.
Beeps, sounds and audio signals We'd suggest turning the beeps off right away. This is what the menu looks like on a Nikon camera.Most camera manufacturers have lots of beeps turned on by default. These could be beeps for focus confirmation, for starting a recording, menu beeps and so on. For most of us, those constant noises can drive us (as well as the people around us) mad, so we'd suggest you turn them off right away. That's especially true if you're photographing in any situation where quiet is important. The only reason to leave the beeps on is if that added notification is helpful to you when using your camera, but there are also other tools you can employ in most situations that you'd use beeps.
AF-assist lightAnother feature that's typically turned on by default is the AF-assist light (it can go by different names depending on the brand). It's a small light on the front of the camera that is intended to lightly illuminate a subject, helping your camera focus in dark conditions.
However, autofocus systems in cameras these days are impressive even in very low light, and that light can be annoying or even disruptive. It's not fun for a subject to have a beam of light in their eyes when you press the shutter. Plus, it's only effective for subjects that are close to the camera. Unless you know you'll need it, we'd recommend turning that off right away.
Autofocus settings Autofocus options on a Panasonic camera.Modern cameras have a long list of autofocus settings you can tweak, such as focus mode, focus area, subject detection and more. Most of these settings will depend on your specific type of photography or subject. Additionally, some may not be "set it and forget it" settings if you shoot a wide range of subjects. In those situations, we'd suggest getting a feel for the settings and modes you find yourself using, then checking if there's a way to configure your camera to quickly switch between your favorites.
Whether you shoot a variety of genres or stick to one, it's still worth going into the autofocus menu on your new camera. For many, you'll likely end up changing the focus mode and subject detection option to ensure that the settings align with how you most often photograph. If you don't photograph a lot of people, for example, you don't want the subject detection mode to be set to Human.
Don't forget your personal preferencesThe above items are likely just a starting point for many photographers. It's also important to remember that you are the one using your camera, and choosing the settings that work best for your workflow and preferences is always the way to go. It may take time to dial in your new camera, but spending the time to figure out the best setup for your needs will help you enjoy using the camera a lot more.
There's a lot of tech that solves problems that don't exist – however this isn't that. This mug from Feppo is one of those little products that makes things easier – especially if you get interrupted right when you've made yourself a coffee or tea.
Category: Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Coffee, Smart Home, Heating, Kitchen, Portable, Reviews
Adventure motorcycles (ADV) have been at the forefront of all the innovations in the moto world for the past few years. From the tech on board to rider aids, luggage solutions, and lest we forget, bigger engine capacities.
Category: Motorcycles, Transport
Tags: KTM, Adventure Bikes, Off-road, BMW Motorrad, Triumph, Yamaha
Construction on what will be the world's tallest skyscraper is rapidly approaching a major milestone. Saudi Arabia's JEC Tower is racing towards 100 floors, making it a step closer to achieving its projected 2028 completion date.
Category: Architecture, Technology
Tags: Building and Construction, Skyscrapers, Saudi Arabia, World's Tallest
We're still in the throes of transitioning away from a majority of combustion engine-powered vehicles globally, which means questions continue to abound about switching to electric vehicles (EV), and what sort of longevity we can expect from them.
Category: Automotive, Transport
Tags: Battery Electric Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, Batteries
The future arrived on December 28, 2025 as the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) announced that Iron Beam became the first high-energy tactical laser weapon to be fully integrated and cleared for operations in a national defense array. And it's not alone.
Category: Military, Technology
Tags: Laser weapon, Warfare, Tactical
Working out doesn't just build muscle but, in later life, helps maintain a powerful cellular machine that repairs damaged tissue with efficiency. Scientists have now not only discovered how this system works but found a way to keep it balanced in older muscles.
Category: Wellness and Healthy Living, Body and Mind
Tags: Duke-NUS Medical School, Duke University, Exercise, Muscle, gene therapy, Age-Related, anti-aging, Mobility
The Dove tiny house may be compact, but its extra-wide frame makes it particularly well-suited to full-time living. The home features a spacious single-floor interior that sleeps up to two people in comfort.
Category: Tiny Houses, Outdoors
Tags: Micro-House, Tiny Footprint, House, Home
