With a little plug-in stick, maybe you’ll be able to build a future self-navigating vehicle. Or at least test out your navigation system. That’s the idea behind the Fathom Neural Compute Stick from chipmaker Movidius. It claims the Fathom is “the world’s first embedded neural network accelerator.” It’s a plug-in stick with a dedicated low-power …

Now playing: Watch this: Google’s new MODE bands for Android Wear watches swap… 1:06 This year, smartwatches are all about fashion and design riffs. Snap on a new band, try on a new watch face. Some timepieces that utilize Android Wear, Google’s smartwatch platform, already offer swappable bands. But now Google has launched its own line of bands, called “MODE.” …

Now playing: Watch this: More speed, better battery life for Apple’s 12-inch MacBook 1:29 If you’ve been holding out for a new MacBook, Apple’s finally answered your call. Maybe. The 2016 update to the 12-inch MacBook that debuted last year is now available to buy, but note that it’s more of a spec bump than anything else. Apple’s new MacBook …

This year is about virtual reality, but the future gets weirder. Magic Leap, the biggest mystery company in the embryonic world of mixed reality, hasn’t been nearly as forthcoming as Microsoft is with its HoloLens when it comes to letting people taste the future’s possibilities. But its videos are certainly cool. While Wired has a deeper look at Magic Leap’s …

Now playing: Watch this: How to choose your next iPad 2:18 iPads come in a lot of flavors now: Small, bigger, bigger and better, and super-big. Yes, there are a full five models shoppers can now choose from, including models launched as long ago as October 2013 and as recently as March 2016. Should you upgrade your old iPad? Should …

You set up a room with an advanced VR kit, and wire it to your PC. It all seems fine. Anything to be worried about? Actually, I worry a lot. Virtual reality is amazing, but it isn’t safe. It isn’t easy. And with the complicated hardware being released now, it could end up being a nightmare in the wrong hands. …

Yesterday, Apple went small. The company announced tinier versions of its flagship products in the form of the iPhone SE (basically, an iPhone 6S with a smaller 4-inch screen) and the new iPad Pro (like 2015’s Pro, but with a 9.7-inch screen instead of its predecessor’s 12.9-inch display). Both products will be available on March 31. Usually, we get high-profile …

What legal issues? Apple has some new toys to show off. The Cupertino, California, company on Thursday sent out invitations to an event taking place at 10 a.m. PT on March 21 at its headquarters. The invite teases, “Let us loop you in.” Could this mean Apple’s launching a hyperloop to transport reporters to its hearing with the FBI in …

This has been a big week for pre-ordering AR and VR headsets. After HTC and Microsoft announced a one-two punch on Monday with both Vive and HoloLens pre-orders going live, lesser-known Meta has thrown its Meta 2 augmented reality development kit in the mix. The Meta 2 dev kit is now available for pre-order for $949 (which converts to roughly …

Pebble’s last round of smartwatches came in three flavors, and several prices. Over the holidays, Pebble dropped the price on some of these watches temporarily. Now those price cuts are in effect going forward. The Pebble Time now costs $150, while the Pebble Time Round is $200. The Pebble Time Steel remains at $250. It’s a bit of a shame, …