Studio Octopi designs floating swimming pool for Melbourne's Yarra River

Venice Architecture Biennale 2016: the architects behind plans to create a cluster of freshwater swimming pools on the River Thames have unveiled a proposal for a floating pool on the Yarra River in the Australian city of Melbourne. (more…)

The Hidden Discrimination In Criminal Risk-Assessment Scores

Courtrooms across the country are increasingly using a defendant's "risk assessment score" to help make decisions about bond, parole and sentencing. The companies behind these scores say they help predict whether a defendant will commit more crimes in the future. NPR's Kelly McEvers talks with Julia Angwin of ProPublica about a new investigation into risk assessment scores.

Red Light Camera Use Declines After Public Outrage

Red light cameras increase safety at intersections at no cost to taxpayers, but over the last several years, the number of communities using red light cameras has fallen. Community outrage is one of the main reasons there are fewer cameras. Meanwhile, safety advocates are trying to increase the number of cameras by better educating local governments on how to use them.

Google's Got Better Ways to Protect Pedestrians Than Glue-Covered Cars

Google engineers believe coating the front of a car with adhesive could improve road safety, but it's not the best way to tackle the problem. The post Google's Got Better Ways to Protect Pedestrians Than Glue-Covered Cars appeared first on WIRED.

Google's New Allo Messaging App Gets Its Edge From AI

Google's new messaging app, Allo, lets you chat with Google while you chat with your friends. It's the first step toward making Google truly conversational. The post Google's New Allo Messaging App Gets Its Edge From AI appeared first on WIRED.

Flash is dead (in Chrome), and we really mean it this time

Despite the somewhat ironic tone of the title, this is exactly what's happening. People have predicted the inevitable collapse of Flash ever since Apple kicked it off the iOS platform, but now Google is hammering the final nail into the coffin. That's right, Flash is being phased out of Chrome, apparently later this year, some time in the fourth quarter.

It won't be gone altogether, mind you. The plan, for now, is to continue to bundle Flash with Chrome, but it will not be enabled by default. That is to say, Chrome will not play Flash content automatically, and instead ask the user if they'd like to enable it. Attempts to detect Flash with JavaScript will, apparently, find nothing. Similarly, any attempt to redirect the user to Adobe's own download page will be blocked, again presenting the user with the opportunity to enable the plugin.

All roads have been leading to this point for years, but this may be the first time that anyone's made a solid step toward killing Flash on the desktop entirely. Mind you, there will be temporary reprieve for the top ten sites that still depend on Flash, including Youtube, Amazon, and Twitch. Those sites will still have Flash enabled automatically, but Google wants to remove those sites from the list as fast as they can.

So that's it, guys. Linux fans, rejoice! That's one less non-free package for you to worry about. Everyone else, revel in the increased speed, security, and laptop battery life. Ding, dong, Flash is dead, or it will be soon enough.

While that's undoubtedly great for us all as web users, it does mean that a number of developers and designers will have to get cracking. There are a large number of older websites and platforms that use Flash. However, it's mostly used for displaying media, so the conversion shouldn't take too long.

The tools have been around for a while.

The Complete iOS 9 Developer Course (6 weeks) – only $17!

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Darpa Wants an Underwater GPS System for Seafaring Robots

GPS doesn't penetrate the briny deep, so Darpa wants a system that will keep the its ocean-exploring robots on the map. The post Darpa Wants an Underwater GPS System for Seafaring Robots appeared first on WIRED.

Supreme Court Sends Latest Obamacare Challenge Back To Lower Court

The Supreme Court did not decide the central question in the case - whether Obamacare's contraceptive mandate violates the religious liberties of some organizations.

Mrs. Obama Saves The Cardigan: 'The Obama Effect' In Fashion

In fashion, most first ladies have worshiped at the altar of "The Suit." Michelle Obama transformed American fashion by favoring dresses, moderately-priced brands, and simple basics like the cardigan.

Researchers Appear Close To A Remedy For Citrus Greening Disease

Florida is known for its oranges and orange juice. For the past decade, a disease called greening has devastated the citrus crop there, and it has spread to other states. Now there's hope for a cure.

Nissan reveals its answer to Tesla's Powerwall battery system for the home

Auto brand Nissan has created an energy storage system for the home using a recycled car battery, and announced plans for a trial in the UK that will allow electric vehicle owners to sell power back to the grid. (more…)

Absurdly Cute Accessory Turns Your iPhone's Light Into a Lamp

Italian designer Nazzareno Ruspolini created a series of lamps that clamp onto your phone. It's called the Ibat-Jour, and it's freakin' adorable. The post Absurdly Cute Accessory Turns Your iPhone's Light Into a Lamp appeared first on WIRED.

Episode 700: Peanuts and Cracker Jack

Beer. Water. Pretzels. It takes effort, strategy, and some serious lungs to sell expensive junk food at a baseball game. Meet the hot dog vending legend of Fenway Park.

Santiago Calatrava selected to design UAE Pavilion for Dubai Expo 2020

Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava has been chosen to create the United Arab Emirates' national pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020, with a design modelled on bird's wings (+ slideshow). (more…)

Absurd Creatures: The World's Silkiest Anteater Is Not-I Repeat, Not-Stoned

The silky anteater isn't high. It's just tired, because this proficient hunter has no business being up during the day. The post Absurd Creatures: The World's Silkiest Anteater Is Not-I Repeat, Not-Stoned appeared first on WIRED.