Intelligent Machines

So Far, Smart Watches Are Pretty Dumb

Smart watches risk becoming just another irritating gadget unless their makers learn to use AI and sensors to take advantage of the fact that they’re worn all day.

• by Rachel Metz

Intelligent Machines

As We May Type

New outliners and authoring tools are machines for new thoughts.

• by Paul Ford

Business Impact

How Hollywood Can Capitalize on Piracy

After spending millions of dollars on legal fees, film studios should stop suing downloaders and take better advantage of what they do.

• by Jake Rossen

Sustainable Energy

Avoiding the Power Grid

A cheaper fuel cell could provide affordable power for microgrids.

• by David Talbot

Connectivity

Mobile Makeover

Smartphones have transformed computing astonishingly quickly. Case in point: a billion devices with Google’s Android software were activated in just five years. No other technology ever drew so many users so fast, according to analyst Horace Dediu of Asymco.

From the Archives

Chemical Reaction

Just how frightened should we be of chemical weapons, really? A 1929 essay tried to answer that question.