Since Wednesday, when James Kim's body was discovered, we've been receiving many consolation emails here at Popgadget. I think because we share a name (Hoyun and I do, that is) and we have an advertising relationship with CNET, it led some people to believe we were relatives or at least family friends. Because of the link in the tech community, and the Korean-American family background, and of course, simply because like everyone else, I was so moved by the ...

It's long been a tax dodge to donate obsolete electronics to charities for redistribution to those less fortunate, but according to the UN's Environment Programme those well meaning charitable donators may be contributing to environmental problems in the developing world. Recipients of recycled technology are reporting discard rates as high as 75% on occasion; many of the machines are damaged in shipping or were broken when originally donated. These machines release many dangerous compounds when disposed ...

I am fascinated with the kind of obsession that humans have for robots. The latest milestone in the robotics field is that the Aizu Central Hospital near Tokyo has become the first hospital in the world to have an android receptionist and two porters. With most of the progress in this area happening in Japan, this bit of news doesn’t really come as a surprise.

The robots produced by Japanese robot maker Tmsuk have been hired at a cost of ...