Meet Viv, A More Complex Siri
Steve Inskeep talks to Steven Levy about his story in Wired magazine on the new app created by a team of people that includes the developers of Siri and IBM's Watson.
Business
No More Reservations: Exclusive Restaurants Require Tickets Instead
High-end restaurants featuring rock star chefs are starting to turn to tickets to stem the tide of no-shows. In the future, going out to eat could become a lot like going to a sold-out concert.
Rural Town Needs Plumber, Hopes A Student Will Take The Plunge
There's no licensed plumber in Jackman, Maine. So one family is offering a $2,000 scholarship to a local student or former graduate willing to get licensed as a plumber and return to work there.
BuzzFeed Receives $50 Million Investment
BuzzFeed is expected to use the funds from a venture capital firm to add a number of new content sections and expand news coverage. Earlier, Disney was interested in purchasing BuzzFeed.
Tourists Pay To Be Locked Up In Budapest's Cellars
Many escape-room games have sprung up in the Hungarian capital recently. The tourists playing the game have to find their way out by solving a series of mysterious clues.
Items Up For Sale At Unclaimed Baggage Center Reflect Trends
It has been called the lost luggage capital of the world. Bags and suitcases that can't be reunited with their owners end up in northern Alabama at the Unclaimed Baggage Center.
Lotteries Take In Billions, Often Attract The Poor
Americans wager nearly $60 billion a year on lotteries. Revenues help states, which use the money to provide services. But researchers say the games often draw low-income gamblers who are on welfare.
Why Your 'Small-Batch' Whiskey Might Taste A Lot Like The Others
A food blogger says dozens of distilleries are buying rye whiskey from a factory in Indiana and using it in bottles labeled "artisan."
Troubles Compound For Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines has operated at a loss for the past 3 years. Its troubles were compounded by the loss of a flight over the Pacific in March, and another shot down over eastern Ukraine last month.
Fire Prevention Bear To Celebrate Birthday
Smokey Bear turns 70 on Saturday. Since 2008, actor Sam Elliott has been the voice of the public service announcement icon. The PSA campaign began on August 9, 1944 — the same day Elliott was born.