VR olfactory generators are just the latest scent across 150 years of aromatic tech history This article is part of our exclusive IEEE Journal Watch series in partnership with IEEE Xplore. Modern virtual reality is a feast for the eyes and ears—but coming in a distant fourth (behind haptic touch technologies), smell has been nearly completely ignored. Earlier this month,…

GETTY IMAGES While timing is important when it comes to scoring a good deal, you’ll want to think beyond the date you make a purchase. Key Takeaways: Thinking of buying a new computer? If you’re not in a rush, there are certain times of the year that are best to buy one. According to the Consumer…

When you have decided that $20 is all you want to spend for a gift, stick with that limit. When cash is tight or you have many people to shop for, finding an affordable gift that makes a lasting impression can be a major challenge. Staying within budget is important, though. According to McKinsey’s 2023 holiday…

KEY POINTS Customers shop at a supermarket in Qingzhou city, East China’s Shandong province on Jan 12, 2024.  Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty Images The rise of online shopping, social media and easier access to factories are driving the growth of new consumer brands in parts of Asia — putting pressure on traditional…

New UAV can fly to remote bodies of water to monitor potential problems This article is part of our exclusive IEEE Journal Watch series in partnership with IEEE Xplore. Instead of one autonomous robot to fly, another to drive on land and one more to navigate on water, a new hybrid drone can do all three. To…

Your yearly selection of awesome robot gifts It’s been a couple of years, but the IEEE Spectrum Robot Gift Guide is back for 2022! We’ve got all kinds of new robots, and right now is an excellent time to buy one (or a dozen), since many of them are on sale this week. We’ve tried to focus…