Technology

A computer screen displays the homepage of Twitter on April 3, 2009.

For Millennials, Rising Interest Rates Sound Like Olden Tales

4:59pm December 14, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

The last time Fed policymakers raised rates, young Americans' lives were different. They couldn't share the news or comment via Twitter on iPhones and iPads because those things didn't exist.

Ford CEO Outlines Plans To Compete With Ride-Hailing Services

4:57pm December 14, 2015

Ford Motor Company plans to roll out a fleet of hybrid cars, and it's also developing new ride-hailing services. This is Ford's latest effort to not just sell cars, but drive people and gain entry into the ride-hailing economy dominated by Uber and Lyft. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with the Ford CEO Mark Fields about the company's move into other markets and the future of the auto industry.

National

Ford Emergency Device Squeals On Florida Hit-And-Run Driver

4:08pm December 14, 2015

NPR explores the unexpected consequences of a Ford device called "911 Assist," which is a system that can call for help in the event of an accident. The device ratted out a Florida driver who committed a hit-and-run accident by calling the police.

A 'Parrot Bebop' drone, used to take images, flies during a demo in San Francisco.

National

No Longer Just A Toy: Regulators Say Drone Operators Are Pilots

12:11pm December 14, 2015

by Alina Selyukh

The hottest holiday gift of the year is facing new federal regulations as drone fliers are now required to take the same safety responsibilities as airplane pilots.

Secret Service personnel man the roof of Manuel's Tavern in Atlanta, where President Barack Obama had an interview on March 10.

National

Atlanta Is Setting Its Storied Neighborhood Bar — In High Resolution

9:43am December 13, 2015

by Stephannie Stokes

It's the kind of place where people sit in the same seat day after day. The iconic Manuel's Tavern is getting renovated, and to preserve the bar's character, locals are trying something novel.

Queue Listen Now

National

What You Should Know Before You Test The Holiday's 'Flyest' Gift

9:07am December 12, 2015

by NPR Staff

Drones are expected to be one of the most popular gifts this holiday season. As rules still play catch-up with the tech, here's a few rules new owners should know before flying their new devices.

Queue Listen Now

National

Why Anti-Terror Technology Has Its Limits

7:47am December 12, 2015

Hany Farid co-developed the technology that tracks child pornography. He tells NPR's Scott Simon that similar software could be used to track terror content if tech companies were willing to use it.

A report by the Center for the Study of the Drone found that there were 921 incidents involving drones and manned aircraft between December 2013 and September 2015.

National

New Drone Study Finds 327 'Close Encounters' With Manned Aircraft

5:59pm December 11, 2015

by Brakkton Booker

The study found 51 close encounters came within of 50 feet or less of a manned aircraft. There were 28 instances, where a pilot had to maneuver to avoid a collision with a drone.

Dave Gilboa is co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker, the primarily online eyewear store. Warby Parker experimented with a variety of pop-up locations before settling into a longer-term lease.

Economy

With Mobile Clicks And Seasonal Shopping, Pop-Up Stores Are Booming

1:52pm December 11, 2015

by Elise Hu

Online shopping has changed how we approach the buying experience. And stores have adapted with the temporary, pop-up model — a seasonal offer for some, a long-term approach for others.

The PBS Kids version of ScratchJr features characters from PBS cartoon shows like Nature Cat.

A Kids' Coding Expert Says We're Making Computer Class Way Too Boring

10:06am December 11, 2015

by Anya Kamenetz

This week, thousands of events around the world are encouraging computer-coding literacy. "Coding is really about creative self-expression and storytelling," says Mitchel Resnick of MIT's Media Lab.