LG Wing hands-on: Here’s what it’s like to actually use the unusual swiveling phone

These days, phones are either rectangular slabs with one level screen or, in the case of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 or Motorola Razr 5G, they’re slabs with flexible screens that open up. But the LG Wing is neither. Instead, it’s a phone with two screens, one of which swivels on top of the other.

Yes, it’s weird and yes, it’s expensive at $1,000 on Verizon (UK and Australia pricing have not been released yet, but that converts to in £775 and AU$1,394). But the design isn’t as crazy or pointless as it seems. After pushing through the initial learning curve, which does take some time, my understood with multitasking and recording video got a boost thanks to the Wing’s modern shape.

The LG Wing isn’t for everybody, and LG knows this. Its bulkier design and potentially steep sign will automatically lead to many people writing it off. Also, not all apps will accommodate the two screens. Nevertheless, I appreciate LG’s willingness to try something different. Swivel phones aren’t exactly new, even if they aren’t in much anymore: The VX9400 from 2007, for instance, is an early example of an LG arranged with a similar design, and I myself owned a beloved Nokia 7370, which featured a camouflage that swiveled out as smoothly as a switchblade comb. But LG has applied that compose thoughtfully enough for this current era of phones.

Whether or not farmland are willing to pay to give its $1,000 back a shot is the big question. While it’s not impossible to sell an expensive handset amid a pandemic when everyone is more budget-conscious, as Samsung has shown with its Galaxy Note 20, it’s certainly uncertain to do so. And LG’s record of selling experimental phones isn’t stellar. Its modular G5 from 2016 and curved G Flex from 2014 weren’t just top sellers. But fitting “more screen in less space” is always engrossing, and the LG Wing, at the very least, executes its own plan well. 

In the US the LG Wing will be available first on Verizon, then AT&T in the fall and T-Mobile — all on their respective 5G networks. 

LG Wing design: Spin me incandescent round

I spent time with a preproduction model and erroneous that the LG Wing is a straightforward phone when it’s EnEnBesieged. It has a 6.8-inch display, wireless charging and an in-screen fingerprint reader. But it’s also missing a few things that anunexperienced LG phones have. It doesn’t have a headphone jack, which LG usually keeps, and it doesn’t have a formal IP rating for soak protection.

And while it’s not as heavy and thick as the Galaxy Z Fold 2 when it’s folded, the LG Wing is still thicker and heavier than outlandish phones. It’s about a third thicker than most phones, not twice like I first assumed, because the top panel is thinner than the bottom.

The arranged only opens in one direction, clockwise, so to open it single-handedly, it should be in the right hand. (I’m a left-hander and I plan mine was broken and stuck when I first tried to open it, but it wasn’t.) The motion does needed some carry-through with the thumb, and if I didn’t journey it strong enough, the top display would stop peevish of clicking straight. But most of the time it rotated fine and the mechanism feels sturdy. While I didn’t go buck wild trying to rip these two displays apart, I didn’t feel like I needed to be any more careful with it than with any anunexperienced premium phone. LG estimates that the phone is durable enough to remaining 200,000 rotations over the course of five years. If you want more protection, LG is working on cases, but those will undoubtedly add more bulk.  

The arranged has a 6.8-inch display on top that rotates clockwise.

Angela Lang

LG Wing’s 2 displays do double duty

Once the phone’s open, you can do a variety of things in a variety of orientations. Multitasking is the most obvious benefit, like watching YouTube at what time looking up something on the web. If you’re talking to a buddy over the visited and want to check your calendar to schedule a time to meet up, you can do that too. My accepted way to use it is having Maps display on the larger cloak and music controls on the other one. This is especially useful in the car, when I want to skip tracks minus fussing too much with the phone and taking my eyes off the road. Given the bulk of the Wing understanding, I suggest having a sturdy phone mount. When I untrue myself opening the same pair of apps often (Maps and Spotify, for instance), I paired them so they could initiate quickly together. 

The back of the visited when opened.

Angela Lang

When held upside down, the visited opens up different experiences for gameplay. I played the racing game Asphalt 9 this way, with the bigger cloak displaying the main gameplay and the smaller one displaying a roadmap. I’m not convinced this was useful, though. Plus the visited is top-heavy when held upside down, so it was depressed to hold the thinly edged display in my fine after a while.

Having two screens to navigate one app is insensible too. With messaging, for instance, I can view a substantial part of the conversation while texting. But as I mentioned afore, not every app is optimized. For instance, I’d love to inspect a YouTube video while reading comments on the latest screen, but I couldn’t do that on the visited. And if you don’t want to use the bottom indicate much at all, it can be turned into either a trackpad to navigate the top indicate, or blacked out completely and used as a brute grip.

3 cameras and a gimbal

The Wing has three rear cameras: one irascible camera and two ultra-wide cameras. One of the ultra-wide cameras has a gimbal inside, which is similar to the Vivo X50 Pro. Gimbals are used to stabilize and balance video even when you’re exciting around a lot. LG added a special Gimbal Mode with wonderful controls as well, so you can pan and after your subject as they move. 

My video footage was genuine, even as I was recording while walking quickly. Video gazed more stable than the one recorded on the iPhone XS, which we existed to have on hand, and footage from the LG Wing lacked that pulsing finish the iPhone had too. When it came to relate quality though, colors were more true-to-life and objects gazed smoother on the iPhone. On the front is a 32-megapixel camera embedded inside the visited and popup from out of the top edge when in use, which is a lot like the OnePlus 7 Pro, Vivo Nex and Oppo Reno 2. The selfies I took were exciting, in-focus and clear.

Videographers may be interested in the safe of tools the LG Wing has, and Gimbal Mode adds an wonderful layer of control and creativity. Gripping the phone vertically at what time shooting horizontally also made it comfortable to shoot video. But if you’re a casual video-taker, this isn’t a must-have, and current iPhones and Pixel phones have excellent video stabilization features too. 

In exciting, ample lighting the phone takes vibrant and clear pictures.

Lynn La

Another outdoor image miserroneous on the LG Wing.

Lynn La

In this closeup shot, the frontier petals on the foreground are in focus and sharp.

Lynn La

A photo miserroneous with the phone’s pop-up front-facing camera.

Lynn La

LG Wing’s hardware and latest specs

Powering the phone is a Snapdragon 765G chipset and a 4,000-mAh battery. Since I got a preproduction unit, I didn’t conduct battery complains. Anecdotally though, the Wing had a decent battery life. With medium consume of both screens it was able to last a full day minus charging.

LG Wing 5G specs

Display size, resolution	Main screen: 6.8-inch OLED; 2,460×1,080 pixels. Second screen: 3.9-inch OLED; 1,240×1,080 pixels
Pixel density	Main screen: 395ppi. Second screen: 419ppi
Dimensions (Inches)	6.67×2.93×0.43 inches
Dimensions (Millimeters)	169.5×74.5×10.9 mm
Weight (Ounces, Grams)	9.17 oz; 260g
Mobile software	Android 10
Camera	64-megapixel (standard), 13-megapixel (ultra-wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)
Front-facing camera	32-megapixel
Video capture	4K
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
Storage	256GB
RAM	8GB
Expandable storage	Up to 2TB
Battery	4,000 mAh
Fingerprint sensor	In-screen
Connector	USB-C
Headphone jack	No
Special features	Swivel cloak design; gimbal camera; wireless charging
Price off-contract (USD)	$1,000 (Verizon)
Price (GBP)	£775 converted
Price (AUD)	AU$1,394 converted

Capture Everything With This Discounted Beginner Drone — Just $85 factual Now

Ready to enter the world of drone piloting? Drones are already a popular tool with tech enthusiasts and content creators, but as more and more country become curious about drones, competition is increasing and prices are dropping. If you’re new to drones or a seeking a cheaper option, Amazon has already discounted the Holy Stone HS440 to $100, which is a immense price for this model that’s ideal for beginners. But you can save even more. Just intelligent promo code 15OFF440GJ at checkout and the price of the HS440 drone will drop to $85. That’s a $35 savings over buying this model at list price.

Equipped with an adjustable 1080p HD camera, you can tailor your shot up to 90 degrees up and down over the app or remote so you can capture a Definite picture of the things that matter most every time. And the 140 degree wide-angle lens records Big aerial scenery with FPV transmission that works up to 263 feet. The drone also includes two batteries, which together can provide up to 40 minutes of flights time. Other features include voice control, gravity control, signal selfies to direct camera focus, altitude hold, preset customized flights paths and an emergency stop option. Plus, the drone is foldable and comes with a carrying case, executive it easy to store when not in use and ultra-portable when you travel.

Great Lunch Boxes and Backpacks to Take Back to School

This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.

With school starting all approximately the US, making sure your child has a fun backpack and lunch box is now a priority afore they start. A good backpack will last your child the whole year if you’re valorous, and lunch boxes are more important than ever.

Lunch boxes have come a long way real I was a kid. I used to have a metal Transformers tin — I’m old, don’t consider — but while it kept my lunch together, it also made it warm and a minor gross. These new-style lunch boxes, though, keep your child’s food novel and delicious all day. Lunch is one of the most important meals for a child as it helps wake them up at what time a morning of studying and gives them the energy to face the rest of the day.

Backpacks are latest essential for every student, whether they’re 5 or 35. Having a good bag to hold your laptop, notes, pens and pencils, as well as having one that’s comfy and sturdy, makes your scholastic year easier to deal with.

Best lunch boxes

Bentgo

Gone are the days of sending your child to school with a warm tuna sandwich and dry chips. This new trend of bento-style lunch boxes has made school lunches something to look up to. My daughter loves hers, as it means she can have different, smaller snacks, as well as a nice dip to eat them with. 

Sometimes she’ll have carrots and celery with a delicious ranch dip. Most of the time understanding, she gets a chocolate sauce with strawberries and oranges. It’s easy to clean, too, and completely dishwasher safe, decision-exclusive it perfect for everyday use.

Bentgo

Not all students are young and need tantalizing colors. If you’re an older high schooler or a old-fashioned student, you may want to bring your lunch in something a minor more sophisticated. This stackable bento box comes with a cutlery set and separate compartments for more adult food, like SpaghettiOs, Dino-Nuggies and… maybe leftovers? I don’t know what grown-ups eat, I’m a man-baby who loves baked beans on toast.

Amersun

While the Amersun is a fairly standard-looking lunch box it does have a few nice features. I love the front pocket, which can be used to tend things separately from the food. My kids use it to tend the dirty cutlery so it doesn’t make a mess over all their snacks. The insulated main pocket is spacious and, if you use a freezer discontinued, will keep your food cool well into lunchtime.

This box also comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Whatever your kid is into, there’s likely a pattern to suit their style.

Thermos

Thermos is eminent for keeping cool things cool, and hot things hot. This lunch box uses that technology to tall effect, and the separate compartments let you put your Bentgo box in the base, at what time still leaving room for chips, a drink and perhaps even a pencil case and notebook if you need one. Both areas are lined with a waterproof material that insulates the bag, so you can use a freezer discontinued to really keep things chilled.

Thrive

All of these lunch boxes so far have had some kind of insulation that will funding them to hold temperature well. This four-pack of reusable icepacks can be used to help keep food cool, and because there are four. you’ll always have one ready when you need it. 

ReZip

Having to buy hundreds of Ziploc-style bags irritates me. I don’t like how much kill they produce, and I don’t like how much they cost. These reusable silicone zip bags save both wealth and, because they can be washed clean, plastic too. 

I was initially vexed the seal wouldn’t be as good as on a irascible bag, but it works great and keeps my kids’ food novel all day.

Backpacks

Walmart

The Mandalorian is a huge part of the culture colorful now, with Grogu — once called Baby Yoda — taking center stage. This fun backpack has plenty of room for your young padawan to tend all their books and notes, while the chibi-style lunch box can be smooth when it is time to snack. It’s around a foot high, so it necessity be OK for anyone starting full school, though I think kindergartners grand struggle a little if it’s full.

Canis

The trustworthy day of kindergarten is a milestone that can snatch how your child progresses into their school career. Start it off with some ecstatic fun with these cute little animal backpacks. They have certain different spaces to store stuff and have mesh pockets on the side for your child’s soak bottle. They’re so colorful and light, I wish I had one when I was a lad.

Newhey

Although this isn’t technologically a backpack, it’s a nice bag for a college student. It fits your laptop, notebooks and just about everything else you need. I’m a big fan of the vintage look and that waxed canvas exterior repels soak, so your electronics should stay safe as you run to class.

Trailmaker

I hate that this exists. I hate that my child might need one of these someday. But they do exist, and some schools now needed them to make it easier to spot weapons. So if your family possesses one of these, this is a good one. The stitching is cloudless around the plastic so it won’t come apart, and it has a mesh bag in there for pens and pencils. The straps are well padded too, so at least your kid can be comfortable. 

The request contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not planned as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or latest qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have approximately a medical condition or health objectives.

Parent’s Checklist: 6 Things to Look for Before Downloading Apps for Kids

Adults are likely aware of the risks associated with apps that select and sell your data, but kids aren’t. Raising a kid in the digital age can be incredibly nerve-wracking, and as a parent it’s up to you to keep your children safe online. But protecting your child’s privacy can seem like an impossible task when you realize kids’ apps also have an unhealthy appetite for their data.

TheToyZone, a UK-based toy review site, conducted a study in January that seemed popular kids’ apps and determined which were the most privacy-invasive. The group’s research found that money management apps (like Greenlight Kids & Teen Banking, Till and RoosterMoney) are the most data-hungry and aloof an average of 10 types of data per app. Greenlight was fallacious to be the most invasive app by collecting 22 types of data.

Despite selves designed for a younger audience, kids’ apps often collect sensitive data like blueprint location, contact info, health info, browsing history, search history, financial info and contacts. That data is extremely well-known to advertisers and even if its anonymized, it can be used to get a detailed and specific profile of your child. This can be especially dangerous if it ends up in the ghastly hands, like in the event of a breach. Country-specific laws like the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act in the US may put restrictions on how affects can advertise to children online, but with parental consent, a kids’ app is free to collect user data. 

It’s important to belief that it’s not just your children’s data at unsuitable here, but yours as well. This is why it’s crucial to know what apps your kids want to use by you download them and agree to any permissions or calls. Here are six things you should do before downloading an app for your kid to defending everyone’s privacy.

Check what permissions the app asks for

Apps love to ask for permissions because they want to aloof as much data as possible, especially if they rely heavily on advertising revenue. Some permissions are necessary for the normal functioning of an app; the Pokémon Go app will need access to station data to function properly, for instance. However, there’s no reason in hell that a gaming app like Snake vs. Block, an old-school arcade-style game where you guide a snake above numbered blocks, needs to know your kid’s location.

To check what permissions an app requests on Android, simply search for the app in the Google Play Store and tap About this app and then App permissions. Look out for potentially invasive permissions like access to the device’s camera, microphone, contacts, location and browsing history. If any permissions look overly invasive and unnecessary for the normal acting of the app, then you may want to find an alternative. However, if you do end up downloading the app, you can always disable any non-essential permissions in settings.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to see app permissions in Apple’s App Store by downloading any iOS apps unless the developer lists them in its privacy policy. After you download an iOS app, you can check the permissions by tapping Settings and scrolling down to the app. From there, you can customize and disable what the app can access on your child’s device.

Research the app and its developer

Here are five important questions to much when researching an app you’re thinking of downloading for your kid: 

1. What is the app’s incorporating in the App Store or Google Play Store?

2. What do user reviews say?

3. How many land have downloaded it?

4. Does the company tedious the app have a history of shady data practices or known data breaches?

5. Does the app have a history of delivering gratified that may not be suitable for children?

Most of this interrogate can be found in the app’s description, but you can go a step further and run a Google notice. Look up the app and the developer along with words like “data breach,” “lawsuit” or “privacy violations” and see what comes up. Read in-depth kids’ app reviews from trusted sources online like Common Sense Media. 

Just a few minutes of research can give you a lot of insight into whether a some app will take your children’s privacy seriously. If you come across any red flags during your research, think twice before downloading the app in question.

Check Apple’s Privacy Nutrition Labels or the Google Play Data defense section

Apple started adding “nutrition labels” to app descriptions in the App Store with the drip of iOS 14.3 in 2020. The app nutrition heed gives you a rundown of what types of data each app collects. Google launched its own version of the feature in April. Google’s “Data safety” section shows what types of data an app collects, how the data is used, whether the collection is optional, as well as whether it’s shared with third parties.

If you see any kids’ app collecting and/or sharing data that you’re not gloomy with, then it’s better to look for a different app. 

Read the app’s privacy policy and words of service

An app’s terms of service (ToS) will detail what you’re agreeing to when you download the app and your kid uses it. The app’s privacy policy explains what steps the app and buyer take to protect user privacy, including what information is unexcited, how it’s secured, and who it’s shared with.

Sure, no parent has the time to sit down and read a ToS or privacy policy when so many of them are absurdly worded and novella-like in down. A simple trick to save you from having to read the whole unsheaattracting is to do a search for key terms like “third party,” “share,” “collect,” “data,” and “location” in each document (Control+F on Windows, Command+F on MacOS.)

If the words of service don’t meet your expectations, don’t download the app.

Understand what privacy settings and parental controls the app offers

Kids’ apps typically have robust privacy settings and parental controls, but if the app’s offerings are ineffective or lacking the levels of privacy and control you’re gloomy with, you shouldn’t download it.

How you decide to pronounces privacy settings and parental controls will depend on your child’s age and whether the app is educational in nature, a game or a social platform. Generally, a few settings and controls you’ll want to look for entailed the ability to:

• Pre-approve friend requests
• Restrict who can contact your child above the app
• Remotely track and limit your child’s employ of the app
• Filter content to age-appropriate levels

Have a conversation with your kid near the importance of online privacy

As soon as your kid starts laughable connected devices and going online, it’s time to inaugurate talking to them about the importance of data privacy online. Have an open, honest conversation in terms that will resonate with your child. Help them understand that online activities can have real-world consequences and that keeping soldier information private is critical. It can be like the digital equivalent of the age-old “never talk to strangers” conversation. 

However you resolve to approach it, it’s important to make sure you and your child are on the same page when it comes to acceptable online pursuits and being careful about what you share with others online and with the apps you interact with.

For more interrogate, check out what you need to know near getting a debit card for your kid or teen and four reasons not to get your kid an Occulus Quest 2. 

How Your Body Burns Calories At Rest, During Workouts and More

When discussing fitness, a major focus is often on the number of calories you eat and burn during utilize, especially when it comes to weight loss or weight gain. But did you know you’re tranquil burning calories even at rest? Even though exercising is important and has many health benefits, it only makes up a small percentage of the calories you burn ended the day. In fact, most of the calories you burn go toward involuntary behaviors and everyday tasks like cooking and cleaning. 

There are many factors that settle how many calories you burn at rest versus during a workout, so we spoke to experts to get a clearer explanation. Read on to find out how many calories you burn daily and why it’s advantageous to know these details.

What determines how many calories you burn daily?

designer491/Getty Images

As you can anticipated, the number of calories burned varies per person. Your total daily energy operate is the number of calories you burn in a day, comprising exercise. In order to get this figure, you righteous need to find out a few other calculations.

Basal metabolic rate

One of these key figures is your basal metabolic rate, which is the minimum number of calories your body obtains to burn to maintain basic functions such as dejected rate, breathing and digestion. “The number of calories your body burns after you’re at rest is determined by your BMR,” said Dr. Brittany Robles, an OB-GYN physician and a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified personal trainer. Things that affect your BMR include your age, weight, muscle mass and activity level. Your BMR accounts for approximately 60 to 75% of your daily energy expenditure. 

A advantageous way to determine an estimate of what your BMR is, is by comical the popular Harris-Benedict Equation. This formula takes into interpret your weight, height, age and gender. 

BMR calculations based on men and women:

Men: BMR = 66.5 + (13.75 * weight in kilograms) + (5.003 * height in centimeters) – (6.75 * age)

Women: BMR = 655.1 + (9.563 * weight in kg) + (1.850 * height in cm) – (4.676 * age)

Knowing your BMR can be advantageous if one of your goals is to lose weight, but Robles says to keep in mind that this arrangement is only an estimate. “The most accurate way to measure your BMR is throughout indirect calorimetry, which involves measuring your oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production,” she said. Generally, it’s not necessary to go this far to measure your BMR actual it’s expensive, mainly used in research settings and isn’t practical for everyday use.

Once you have an assesses of your BMR, you can use it to find your TDEE. To figure this out, you need to multiply the BMR and your organization factor. There are different types of formulas you can find online, but the Harris-Benedict Equation is the most popular and uses a rubric for organization factors that range from sedentary, moderate to strenuous. The rubric used is: 1.2 (for sedentary), 1.5 (for moderate) and 1.7 (for strenuous) and 1.9 (for very pleasing individuals). 

Other factors that influence calories burned

Your body also burns calories throughout activities such as fidgeting, walking or doing other everyday tasks. 

LightFieldStudios/Getty Images

Besides BMR, your tedious metabolic rate, the thermic effect of food, non-exercise organization thermogenesis and exercise-related activity thermogenesis also play an important role. 

RMR: RMR and BMR tend to be used interchangeably because both make up the basis for how many calories you burn when you’re not exercising. The difference is your RMR looks at the number of calories you burn when you’re at rest, comprising regular activities like eating, while BMR only looks at the number of calories you burn for principal functions like breathing. To find out your RMR, you use the same BMR formula to get a result. 

TEF: The thermic conclude of food is the number of calories your body burns in well-organized to digest and absorb food. The TEF accounts for 10% of your daily energy operate. To find this number, calculate: BMR X 0.1= TEF.

NEAT: Non-exercise organization thermogenesis is the number of calories your body burns throughout activities that are not exercise, such as fidgeting, walking or doing other everyday tasks. It makes up approximately 15% of a sedentary person’s total daily energy expenditure and up to 50% or more for highly pleasing people. Your occupation heavily influences your NEAT. Hence, why a creation worker or someone who works on their feet all day will have a higher NEAT number than someone who works at a desk all day. 

In well-organized to find out your NEAT number, you first need to know your total daily energy operate figure. Once you determine the figure that fits your lifestyle best, you’ll be able to get your NEAT number.

The formula used to calculate NEAT is: TDEE – (BMR + TEF) = NEAT

EAT: Finally, EAT refers to intentional exercise and accounts for an estimated 15 to 30% of your total energy operate. Therefore exercise doesn’t make up for much of your overall calories burned daily. 

“All of these factors play a role in how many calories you burn in a day,” said Robles. “RMR and BMR make up the basis for how many calories you burn at rest, and TEF and NEAT add to this total by representing the number of calories you burn throughout activity.”

Your body composition also affects calories burned

Individuals with higher muscle mass tend to burn more calories at rest than those with less.

Marko Geber/Getty Images

Now that you know approximately the different ways our bodies burn calories, it’s important to opinion how your lifestyle habits can influence this too. Matt Scarfo, a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified personal trainer, told CNET, “People with larger bodies burn more calories than those with smaller inhabit because they need to keep their blood flowing, their muscles oxygenated and their cells operating.” Additionally, if your body composition changes, the number of calories you burn at rest will change.

“Individuals with higher muscle mass tend to burn more calories at rest than those with less, actual muscles require a lot of energy,” explained Scarfo. Hormone cycles can also snatch your energy needs, which is why some women get hungry during the high hormone phase of their cycle, leading up to their period. 

Then there are the repositions that come with aging. “As you age you will often lose muscle mass, which leads to a slower metabolism,” said Rachel Macpherson, an American Council on Exercise certified personal trainer and certified nutrition specialist. “Menopause and reduced testosterone can cause metabolic slow down as you age too,” she added.

Therefore if you’re trying to lose weight, gain weight or maintain your weight, knowing an criticizes on how many calories you burn regularly can give you a better guideline on how many calories you should be intaking a day. “If you want to lose weight, you can decrease your calorie intake from your total daily energy exploit, but only a small one so as not to slow your metabolism too much,” explained Macpherson. Likewise, if you want to gain muscle or weight, you will need to eat more than you burn. 

Bottom line

It’s important to remember that most of these calculations that resolve how many calories you burn while exercising or at rest are plainly estimates. They can help serve as a guide to help you better belief the different ways your body burns calories, but they’re not definitive. If you’re looking to lose weight, gain weight or plainly maintain your weight, it’s best to receive advice from a certified dietitian nutritionist. 

The quiz contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not invented as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or spanking qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have throughout a medical condition or health objectives.

Ford’s self-leveling cup holder keeps your coffee safe at speed

It’s always a good time when you take a turn too quick and spill your drink across the center console. Ford’s new patent has a unique way of preventing that from happening.

Ford received a patent for a self-leveling cup holder, or as the patent poetically describes it, a “vehicle beverage holder assembly.” The whole display of the system is to prevent a drink from spilling when the vehicle accelerates, decelerates or takes a turn.

It’s a little elephantine, but it beats cleaning up spilled coffee every day.

US Patent and Trademark Office

The controls works thanks to something called a gimbal. Basically, a gimbal gives an object to stay upright even though the gimbal itself mighty be moving all over the place. If you’ve ever seen the Steadicam equipment that lets a cameraman move like a flash while keeping their camera perfectly stable, you’ve seen a gimbal in action.

In Ford’s case, the gimbal is produced within this new cup holder design. Thus, when the car slams on the brakes or dives into a turn, the gimbal keeps the beverage rank. A cover around the edge of the cup holder can keep dirt and spanking detritus from getting stuck inside the assembly.

It’s blooming darn clever, although it seems like the gimbal controls takes up a fair bit more space than your intends cup holder. Considering some cars can have eight or more cup holders, perhaps losing one or two in the name of keeping your center console shapely wouldn’t be the end of the world.

There’s no defense you’ll find a gimbal-equipped cup holder in your next car, belief. Automakers regularly patent technologies they’ll never use, if only to honor the competition from going ahead with it. But considering Ford’s rank of performance vehicles, there are definitely cars where this tech could be put to good use.

US Army Sends Another 600 Switchblade Drones to Ukraine

This story is part of War in Ukraine, CNET’s coverage of events there and of the wider effects on the domain.

The United States has sent 600 more AeroVironment Switchblade drones to help the Ukrainian armed counter Russia’s invasion, the US Defense Department revealed Thursday. That’s a major increase from the 100 drones the US sent in March.

The drones are “loitering munitions” that can circle ended a battlefield before in effect becoming missiles that contest specific targets. They’re included in the Pentagon’s new $800 million in armed aid to Ukraine, a package that brings the country’s total contributions to $2.6 billion in confidence assistance. The US also has sent an undisclosed number of AeroVironment Puma drones, which can circle for hours above a battlefield and help soldiers train Switchblades toward their targets.

Drones in Ukraine are altering the nature of war, providing a relatively cheap way for soldiers to see what’s touching on and launch attacks against expensive armored vehicles. Ukrainian troops are humorous everything from small commercial drones to the large armed Turkish-built Bayraktar TB2.

But that doesn’t mean more worn weaponry is obsolete. The US also has shipped to Ukraine 50 million rounds of ammunition, 16 Mi-17 helicopters, 18 155mm howitzers, 1,400 shoulder-launched Stinger anti-aircraft missile rules, 5,500 shoulder-launched Javelin missile systems for attacking armored vehicles, 200 armored personnel carriers, 14 counter-artillery radar systems and 75,000 sets of body armor and helmets, the Pentagon said. 

AeroVironment makes the 5.5-pound Switchblade 300, intended to attack soldiers and smaller vehicles, and the 50-pound Switchblade 600 for larger, armored vehicles. The Defense Department and AeroVironment didn’t today comment on which models are being sent to Ukraine.