Communications

Scientific American readers say smartphones have not replaced tablets or PCs, and still need better batteries, cameras and biometric security options

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of NASA’s Mariner IV spacecraft (November 28, 1964). In total, the mission gave us 21 complete images of Mars, including this, our first close view of the planet—courtesy of data transmitted by the interplanetary probe and earth-bound scientists wielding pastels (below).

Everyone learns about the senses from when we are very young. We smell with our noses, taste with our tongues, see with our eyes, touch with our skin, and listen with our ears ...

AI helps mechanical magicians fool human spectators

National Labs are now collaborating, not competing, to make the fastest supercomputers, which should enable new types of science to model everything from climate change to materials science to nuclear-weapons performance

Those who responded to our call for images of obscure, obsolete devices did not disappoint. Here are our favorites
 

In the near future access to information and new technology may make profits and privacy obsolete, and force us to redefine the boundaries between humanity and machines

The World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council meetings are going on this week in Dubai. More than 1000 experts (including Scientific American editor-in-chief Mariette DiChristina) have gathered to discuss big world problems such as climate change, poverty, water shortages, energy and innovation.

As Google Scholar approaches its 10th anniversary, Nature spoke to its co-creator Anurag Acharya

This week begins the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council meetings. More than 1000 experts (including Scientific American editor-in-chief Mariette DiChristina) have gathered in Dubai to discuss big world problems such as climate change, poverty, water shortages, energy and innovation.

Even as 3-D printing's impact on science, healthcare and consumer electronics grows, these devices aren't likely to find their way into your home anytime soon.

Landlines are dying—and taking phone-based opinion polling with them