Is this the most exclusive website in the world?

What Next?

Is this robot the first manmade object to go through the natural life cycle?

Recently at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation, a team from MIT presented a printable origami robot that unfolds when exposed to heat. Measuring in at just a centimetre long, the little android can swim, traverse terrain, and carry a load twice its weight. But the most incredible part is that the robot actually goes through a synthetic life cycle, coming to life when exposed to heat, and breaking down in water organically when its work is done. For a better explanation of the tiny machine, take a look at a clip below:

App of the Week

Uber provides a platform for hearing-impaired drivers to be listened to

It’s no secret that transport technology is rapidly changing how we live every day. Disruption pioneers, Uber, are testament to this fact, with their Uber Partner app now catering to deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers. Working with the National Association of the Deaf, Uber developed an app that worked around the traditional app which relied upon a series of audio notifications to work. The app also sends a notification ahead of time to passengers to let them know that their driver is deaf, prompting them to enter their destination beforehand. This app has the potential to be revolutionary, providing work opportunities for the deaf community, which faces disproportionately high unemployment rates.

TV Ratings

The Voice scores an encore at the top of the ratings

National Free to Air Station Audience
The Voice – Sun Ch 9 1,608,000
The Voice – Mon Ch 9 1,399,000
Nine News – Sun Ch 9 1,342,000
Seven News – Sun Ch 7 1,326,000
The Voice – Tue Ch 9 1,301,000
60 Minutes – Sun Ch 9 1,300,000
Nine News – Mon Ch 9 1,200,000
Nine News – Tues Ch 9 1,187,000
Masterchef – Wed Ch 10 1,173,000
Nine News – Tues Ch 9 1,169,000
29/06/15 – 05/07/15

 

The first lickable smartphone ads have to be tasted to be believed

If you’ve ever wanted to try before you buy a donut, you’re in luck. Krispy Kreme is promoting its new ‘Decadent Desserts’ range with the world’s first lickable smartphone ads. Customers can virtually lick the toppings off their favourite donuts using Google Lightbox technology, giving consumers a realistic, full-screen experience. They also have the opportunity to race their friends to the fastest ‘lick time’ and share their high scores through social media. Sounds pretty sweet to us!

Viral Video of the Week

Watch Channing Tatum Nail 7 Classic Dance Moves In 30 Seconds

If you thought Channing Tatum could pull some moves in Step Up, you’ll be blown away by his latest dancing endeavour. In this 30-second clip for Vanity Fair, the Magic Mike star proves he’s still got it by tackling seven classic dance moves, including the Robot, the Hula, and the Twist. While the results are hilarious, Tatum does manage an enviable Vogue. Check out the video below and see if you can do a better job than Magic Mike himself:

Will this app be the death of Uber?

Beyond self-driving cars and the Maps app, Google now has another entry in its driving portfolio. The company’s new navigation app, Waze, is set to take a significant slice of Uber’s ridesharing pie. Waze is a carpooling app that allows drivers to pick up passengers in their area going near the same destination. In avoiding the regulatory issues Uber’s faced, Waze doesn’t allow drivers to claim a salary; instead, passengers pay a preset percentage of mileage and upkeep costs. The shift towards carpooling apps prospectively means that we’ll see significantly decreased transportation costs and parking stress, in addition to fewer numbers of cars on the road.

Website of the Week

Is this the most exclusive website in the world?

In a world where cultural and global boundaries are completely non-existent online, it can be hard to capture a feeling of exclusivity. However, a web developer has taken this challenge quite literally by developing MostExclusiveWebsite, a website that can only be visited by one person at a time. Users apply for a ticket which allows them to browse the website for 60-seconds before moving onto the next browser. While the concept is seemingly useless, it successfully manages to capture our deep-rooted desire to feel exclusive, exceptional and totally unique. Take a look at it here.

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