Month: November 2017

Enlarge (credit: Waze)

Google's other navigation app, Waze, started rolling out an Android and iOS app update today that brings highly requested features to the crowdsourced navigation app. While regular navigation apps let you choose your form of transportation from options including a car, bike, and train, Waze now has support for motorcycles as well.

With the update, drivers of two- or three-wheeled vehicles can get better route options based on information provided by other bikers who have used Waze in the new motorcycle mode. Since there are routes that motorcyclists can take that car motorists can't, Waze should be able to give motorcyclists optimized routes for their vehicle as well as more accurate ETAs.

In addition to motorcycle support, Waze will also now support HOV lane navigation. Anyone who has driven in a high-occupancy vehicle lane knows that your route and ETA will be different than those driving in the regular lanes just feet away from you. Now, Waze will provide directions, routes, and ETAs based on HOV lane access.

Enlarge / Glocks as far as the eye can see. (credit: Getty | Anadolu Agency)

In the wake of a mass shooting or fresh data on gun violence, pundits and the media often blame the US’ high rate of gun ownership and deaths on a deeply rooted “gun culture.” For many—particularly advertisers—this culture conjures ideas of morally strong, empowered, self-reliant, American patriots bearing arms. And it grazes notions of masculine heroes, protectors, and providers.

But it’s difficult to define a single culture behind gun ownership and the opposition to gun control legislation that sometimes accompanies that. More importantly, blaming something as vague as “culture” isn’t exactly helpful for identifying ways to reduce the US’ high death toll.

Aiming for more useful data, researchers tried to hit on factors behind why people own guns and their attachments to them. Who owns guns and how do they feel about their possessions? And how do those feelings affect their stances on gun policies?

ULAS

Archaeologists were called to Glenfield Park, Leicestershire, just before a development company broke ground on a massive project to build a warehouse and distribution center. People walking in the grassy field between two towns on the fringes of Leicester had found what seemed to be ancient artifacts. Previous digs in the area had uncovered a few Iron Age items, so it seemed likely there might be something more to find. Indeed there was. Much more. In fact, according to University of Leicester Archaeological Services' John Hancock, new excavations revealed a 2000-year-old feasting center full of rare, valuable items, including 11 ceremonial cauldrons.

Archaeologists had uncovered a party town.