Through the past century, Popular Science has been trying to forecast what the future of weather will look like, and how to stop a weather disaster. Click the gallery to see plans for weather-reporting radios, chemical warfare against clouds, and a lot more. It’s 1930 and, for obvious reasons, pilots want regular reports on the weather. What to do? Congress’s solution was to give the U.S. Weather Bureau cash to send them what they needed....

The US program to develop unmanned surface vehicles, called Ghost Fleet, includes a segment named “Overlord” focused on creating a Large Unmanned Surface Vehicle, or LUSV for short. It would be, as the Navy puts it “a high-endurance, reconfigurable ship able to accommodate various payloads for unmanned missions to augment the Navy’s manned surface force.” The Navy has been given $310 million (instead of the $400 million they’d asked for) to build two LUSVs as part of a research and development program....

Carry backup water Water is obviously a critical element on any multi-day hike. After discovering that my back was soaked and my previously puncture-free water bladder was empty not long after stepping outdoors, I’ve learned that everything with H2O requires redundancy. It’s wise to carry both a bladder—like a Platypus for easy, while-hiking consumption—and a sturdier container, such as a Nalgene, just in case the bladder fails. But in all that failing, I’ve found many important answers to my end-trip question, which usually allows for important corrections on future adventures....

A new mission concept out of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory could allow scientists to explore Venus like never before, all without ever touching the ground. Instead, it will soar high above the skies by balloon. While the NASA mission is still in its experimental stages, the concept involves pairing a small orbiter with an aerial robotic (or aerobot) balloon, about 40 feet in diameter. Though Venus has often been called Earth’s twin due to their similarities in size and structure, the two couldn’t be more different....

Data analysis is a fast-growing niche, with thousands of well-paid jobs available. The same skills are also highly valued in sales, marketing, finance, and many other industries. This bundle helps you master the fundamentals and explore some advanced techniques. Through concise video tutorials, you learn how to turn raw data into useful insights through Microsoft Power Business Intelligence. In addition, the training helps you practice data modeling and visualization. You also learn how to use vlookup, PivotTable and macros in Microsoft Excel, and how to build databases with Microsoft Access....

Best overall: Sonic Bomb Dual Extra Loud Alarm Clock with Bed ShakerBest vibrating: Roxicosly Vibrating Alarm Clock for Heavy SleepersBest without waking roommates: Shock Clock 2Best for very heavy sleepers: CLOCKY Alarm Clock on WheelsBest budget: Peakeep Twin Bell Alarm Clock How we chose the best alarm clocks for heavy sleepers I’m a heavy sleeper who is prone to snoozing too much. I have had full conversations with people in my sleep without remembering them, and have missed many a nighttime raging summer storm....

Best beach canopy tent: Neso Tents Gigante Beach TentBest beach cabana tent: Qipi Beach CabanaBest baby beach tent: Fisher-Price On-the-Go Baby DomeBest easy set-up beach tent: Pacific Breeze Beach TentBest budget beach tent: Coleman Beach Shade Why you might need a beach tent or canopy Investing in beach shade is all about making days at the beach more enjoyable and safer. Sunblock alone isn’t enough to guard you against harmful UV rays if you’re exposed to the sun for hours and hours at a time....

When it comes to enjoying music at full volume, we’re biased by what audiologists call the “annoyance factor.” Your favorite song, cranked up in your earbuds, never really feels overly loud but the pounding jackhammer across the street is unbearably noisy—when often, they’re equally dangerous. People adapt psychologically to loud sounds they like—like music—and assume that if sound doesn’t hurt, it’s not hurting them. But, as anyone who’s woken up after a show with ringing ears knows, nothing could be farther from the truth....

With split keyboards, ergonomic mechanical keyboards, and other computer accessories to consider, it might feel difficult to figure out exactly which product is ideal for your situation. This is especially true since many of the best ergonomic options look entirely different—or exactly the same. So how do you choose the best for your needs? Luckily, we’ve done the research for you, so all you’ll need to think about is your own needs, by answering questions like these: Where will you be using your keyboard?...

While this effect can be offset by good practices and preventative measures like stretching, massaging, and muscle rest, it is just as important to use ergonomic office accessories to tackle the underlying cause of these issues. Users currently experiencing these symptoms as well as those who are looking to prevent them can all benefit from using well-designed computer accessories, and ergonomic mice are the perfect place to start. From a vertical mouse to a trackball mouse and everywhere in between, we’ll break down some of the features of the best ergonomic mice on the market that will benefit any user’s well-being....

Best overall: Seagate Game Drive for Xbox Game Pass Special EditionBest value: Western Digital 12TB Elements Desktop Hard DriveBest high-capacity: Western Digital 14TB Elements Desktop Hard DriveBest portable: SanDisk 1TB Extreme Pro USB 3.2 Flash DriveBest high-speed: SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSDBest budget: Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB How we picked the best external hard drives for Xbox One I’ve covered game consoles and computers for sites like TechnoBuffalo, The Tech Report, and GameSpot....

But in a world that already bombards us with information, do we really need more data in our lives? The quick answer, if you’re serious about getting fit, is “yes.” Research shows that setting goals, benchmarking progress, and getting feedback make us more likely to improve our fitness, health, and wellness. Add in accountability—yes, many of these trackers can post directly to your social media—which is another proven way of sticking to your healthy lifestyle, and you can see why so many people are devotees....

You can narrow the search a bit by first asking yourself a few things: Do you want to give him something useful that sets him up for his next stage, or something purely fun and escapist that can take his mind off his goals for a while? Of course, you’ll also want to consider his personality. A sports fanatic, a gaming nut, and a science nerd may have wildly different sensibilities....

LED technology has improved everything from TVs to your smartphone, but it can also help your plants. Whether you’re trying to baby your indoor plants, nurture some seedlings that will eventually go out into the garden, or just please an outdoor plant that needs to spend some time inside, these LED arrays can pump out the photons plants crave. But, you can’t just go shining an LED flashlight at your precious plants....

Best overall: eufy by Anker RoboVac G30 Hybrid Robot VacuumBest vacuum combo: Ecovacs Deebot T8 AIVI Robot Vacuum CleanerBest smart: iRobot Braava Jet M6 (6110) Ultimate Robot MopBest for hardwood floors: BISSELL SpinWave Hard Floor Expert Wet and Dry Robot VacuumBest self-emptying: Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+Best budget: iRobot 240 Braava Robot Mop How we picked the best robot mops There’s something about the task of mopping that just seems really onerous....

Satellite phones can be used for voice calls, text messaging, and even basic emails to keep in touch. They allow for emergency preparedness by issuing SOS distress signals, GPS locations, directions, and emergency weather alerts. Some sat phone packages come with a satellite-based Wi-Fi hub that will allow for your smartphone to work in locations that don’t have cellphone connections. Some satellite phone packages even allow for broadband access to the internet....

Best overall: Roku StreambarBest TV soundbar: Polk Audio Signa SoloBest soundbar and subwoofer: TCL Alto 6+ TS6110Best small soundbar: Vizio SB2020n-J6Best budget: Bestisan 60W Bluetooth Soundbar How we selected the best soundbars under $100 In order to select the best soundbars under $100, we paid particular attention to audio specs, including Dolby Digital support and number of audio channels. We also took a look at connectivity, expandability, and overall design to ensure each model is equipped for most televisions....

Best overall: Gigabyte M32UBest budget: Monoprice CrystalProBest gaming: Acer Nitro XV282K KVbmiipruzxBest for creatives: Dell UltraSharp 27 PremierColor (UP2720Q)Best ultrawide: Gigabyte M34WQBest portable: Asus ROG Strix (XG16AHPE) How we picked the best USB-C monitors I’ve been working as a tech critic for almost ten years and have tested monitors and other computing gear for The Tech Report, TechnoBuffalo, and Popular Science. In that time, I’ve used some of the best and worst options from different brands out there....

LCD Screen: First, you’ll want a sharp LCD screen that rotates—giving you easy access to take self video when necessary. A bright LCD screen will also help you ensure you’re capturing video correctly before uploading onto a larger desktop.1080p: The camera should shoot at least 1080p—which is full HD. This quality can easily convert across various social media platforms, but is especially useful if you want to create high quality YouTube videos....

Apple AirPods Pro $159 (Was $249) A few retailers have had the AirPods Pro for this super-low $159 price, but they keep selling out quickly. Walmart’s deal is live at the moment, but get on it quick if you want to lock in this price. Cricut Explore Air 2 Daybreak Machine $139 (Was $299) Few crafting devices have the kind of tech nerd appeal that the Cricut brings. it looks like a desktop printer, but it cuts custom shapes from a variety of materials from vinyl to cardstock....