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The Week in Tech

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Amazon and the million dollar robot

How to ride Kuratas

Amazon Japan is now in the robotics business, with the gigantic robotic mech suit known as the “Kuratas,” recently uploaded to the company's technology section. Costing a svelte $1 million, the device is a suit not too dissimilar from the one featured in “Aliens,” (SPOILER ALERT – the one Ripley used to fight the Queen alien in the film's climax) and includes a twin BB Gatling gun and LOHAS Launcher (essentially a very fancy water cannon). The robot (which you can see in action above in a video strangely reminiscent of those creepy instructional videos from “Battle Royale”) is meant to be operated as more of a toy than a serious machine, and as such, it only moves at around five miles per hour, but that doesn't make it any less terrifying! The Kuratas can also be operated via smartphone, with a neat little model or with your smile (seriously, just watch the video).

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Selfie stick suffers severe setback

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The selfie stick was (though I will never understand why exactly) one of 2014's best selling Christmas presents, and has slowly become the bane of every regular concert-goers existence. It would appear that the moans and passive-aggressive comments of the great, sane majority have won out this time, however, (at least in London) as three of the capital's biggest music venues have banned selfie sticks on "Health and safety grounds."

The O2 Arena officially stated “We welcome selfies, but please leave the stick at home”

The O2 Arena officially stated “We welcome selfies, but please leave the stick at home,” whilst the Academy Music Group, who own the Brixton Academy, said the ban was in keeping with their “Existing policy that prohibits the filming and photography during a performance with iPads and other tablet devices and includes any such obstructions for the satisfaction of other customers.” The troublesome sticks have also been banned at White Hart Lane and the Emirates, meaning London's football fans are also free of the menace (for now, and unless you're a Chelsea supporter). It's surely only a matter of time before the rest of the country wakes up?

 

Can an Xbox win an Emmy?

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Microsoft's Xbox One console won an Emmy award last week. Not THAT kind of Emmy, of course, but a Technology and Engineering Emmy Award in the category of Television Enhancement Devices. This might come as something of a shock to some, as Microsoft recently closed their Xbox Entertainment Studios, the company's film division which only produced one series in its lifetime; the poorly received “Halo: Nightfall.” The console is also performing poorly in sales when compared to Sony's Playstation 4. Still, the Xbox One (or Xbone if you will) has found a dedicated audience thanks to its DVR facilities and voice activation, and with Halo 5 set to be released this year, 2015 could be the year the tables are turned in Microsoft's favour.

 

Has Google Glass had its day?

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Google announced late last week that it had decided to end the Google Glass Explorer program, which effectively charged users $1500 to beta test the device. Google Glass has been something even gadget freaks such as myself have loved to hate from the get-go. It's over-priced, looks like a prop from Battlestar Galactica (the original cheese-fest, not the critically acclaimed modern series) and was accused by many as being frankly creepy. Indeed, people hated Google Glass users so much that a fresh derogatory term was coined to describe them; “Glassholes.”

People hated Google Glass users so much that a fresh derogatory term was coined to describe them; “Glassholes.”

Those who actually bought into the program also complained that the glasses were uncomfortable and that the operating system left a lot to be desired, and whilst the idea seemed great on paper, in reality it just hasn't worked. Whether or not this spells the end for the device remains to be seen, but if Google really think the future lies in wearable technology, they might want to consider going back to the drawing board as far as Google Glass is concerned.

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Benjamin Hiorns is a freelance writer and struggling musician from Kidderminster in the UK. He is also a massive gadget fan, though has no desire to invest in either a $1 million robot or a wearable computer.

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