Fast Company posts tagged: innovation engine | Fast Company

innovation engine

The 12 cleverest tech ideas of 2018

Blockbusters and breakthroughs are all very nice. But an innovation doesn’t need to be world-changing to make your life better. It just needs to be clever.

The 12 cleverest tech ideas of 2018

5 things Apple got right–and 5 it got wrong–in 2018

Apple truly had its moments in 2018. And then there were those other moments…

5 things Apple got right–and 5 it got wrong–in 2018

When Fortnite pwnd Google: the most overlooked story of the year

Contrary to appearances, it’s still possible to stare down the tech giants. And in 2018, Fortnite proved it.

When Fortnite pwnd Google: the most overlooked story of the year

Amazon’s three-pronged plan for taking over your home

With 28,000 Alexa-friendly devices—and a healthy lead over other players—Amazon’s smart home strategy is entering a new phase.

Amazon’s three-pronged plan for taking over your home

Facebook’s Building 8 research lab is no more

It’s not easy to translate DARPA’s fabled principles into world-changing successes.

Facebook’s Building 8 research lab is no more

Google’s Assistant voice is getting some international flair

These new accents are powered by DeepMind AI.

Google’s Assistant voice is getting some international flair

The case for Google’s Pixel 3, despite everything

You shouldn’t deepen your ties to Google without considering the implications. But it’s gotten really good at melding hardware, software, and services.

The case for Google’s Pixel 3, despite everything

Microsoft’s Surface headphones: Not Bose killers, but worth a listen

For a few weeks, I used the new Surface noise-canceling headphones side by side with my go-to Bose QuietComfort 35s. Here’s what I learned.

Microsoft’s Surface headphones: Not Bose killers, but worth a listen

Help paying off your student loans is a great perk–if you can get it

As Americans grapple with $1.7 trillion in debt, many employers are offering help in the form of financial counseling and refinancing programs.

Help paying off your student loans is a great perk–if you can get it

Alexa just got better at picking music for you

Amazon Music is leaning on Alexa to remember your listening habits and nail down the right playlist. But don’t expect perfection just yet.

Alexa just got better at picking music for you

Facebook is five years into its AI journey

CTO Mike Schroepfer on Facebook AI Research, the progress it’s made in solving the company’s biggest problems, and the work yet to be done.

Facebook is five years into its AI journey

Scooters are everywhere. Shouldn’t they be smarter and sturdier?

Superpedestrian wants to give an upgrade to the scooters used by sharing services.

Scooters are everywhere. Shouldn’t they be smarter and sturdier?

Apple Music’s arrival on Amazon’s Echo is both surprising and logical

Maybe the move is a vote of no confidence in the HomePod. But that’s far from the only explanation.

Apple Music’s arrival on Amazon’s Echo is both surprising and logical

Fast Company Magazine

These five Google successes began as employee passion projects

At its best, Google has always been a place where someone’s bright idea has a shot at reaching the world.

These five Google successes began as employee passion projects

Custom earbuds could save your hearing. Why haven’t they taken off?

Every pair of EarPods are the same, but no two people have the same ear canals. Custom-fit buds aren’t just comfier—they could help you avoid going deaf.

Custom earbuds could save your hearing. Why haven’t they taken off?

When passwords get stolen, this Australian guy alerts the world

Troy Hunt’s Have I Been Pwned is a one-stop shop for learning if you’re among the millions affected by security breaches. And he’s trying to do it the responsible way.

When passwords get stolen, this Australian guy alerts the world

Traveling to Chicago? Let these room service robots cater to your every whim

At one Chicago hotel, robots summoned by Amazon Alexa devices can deliver pastries or towels to hotel rooms.

Traveling to Chicago? Let these room service robots cater to your every whim

Flickr’s new free offering is better than amazing: It’s sustainable

Yahoo gave Flickr users a deal that was almost too good to be true. New owner SmugMug is pulling back–in the interest of making the service stronger.

Flickr’s new free offering is better than amazing: It’s sustainable

The tiny 1960s startup that became a global tech-media empire

IDG brought us PC World, Macworld, and other familiar brands. But first, it produced a newsletter from a house in suburban Boston.

The tiny 1960s startup that became a global tech-media empire

Apple’s first 5G iPhone will arrive in 2020

Apple’s relationship with Intel is not all wine and roses, but the chipmaker will be the sole provider of modems for the first 5G iPhone.

Apple’s first 5G iPhone will arrive in 2020

Tech

This Dutch company is creating networks of connected sensors to combat poaching

This tech tool can actually help you read and learn more

Now that ‘Roe’ has been overturned, it’s up to the tech industry to protect our data

News

Report: Many large companies that vowed to leave Russia are still active there

This is how many rejections it takes before job seekers lose confidence

New data shows just how much investors have been contributing to the housing boom

Co.Design

This $150 massage wand is like a Theragun for babies

How home offices have evolved—and gotten cozier in the process

Inside the post-pandemic office: More stairs, better acoustics, and . . . WiggleRooms?

Work Life

This interpersonal technique will help you foster genuine connection

These management changes for neurodivergent employees make work more accessible for everyone

How to teach yourself to be more confident