Tech can be good; but it can also be bad, and very, very ugly.

In this deep dive from the archives, we take a look at some lofty promises tech could not live up to - like video streaming platform Quibi, exploding hoverboards, 3D TV's, Uber (but it's just a bus), and a $400 machine that gives you "fresh" juice from a vacuum sealed packet.

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Science Fiction is the land where all our technological fantasies flourish. From flying cars to lifelike holograms to teleportation, sci-fi has given has a rich catalogue of wishlist items that may even be possible one day (if it weren't for those pesky laws of physics).

In this deep dive from the archives, the Queens chat about all the things sci-fi has conjured that they wish they could get their grubby little hands on: like the toasting knife from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, to Men In Black's neuraliser, to Tubby Custard from Teletubbies.

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In this Deep Dive special from our archives, it's all about the best ways to actually buy the tech we talk about.

The Queens reveal their insider hints and tips and tricks - and warnings - when it comes to handing over your hard-earned cash in return for some shiny electronics. 

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The Metaverse isn’t a new concept, and it certainly isn’t one exclusive to the blockchain space. Over the years, there have been plenty of online communities and spaces that fit the brief.

In this deep dive, the Queens revisit the metaverses we used to haunt online - from Habbo to Second Life - while also taking a look at the mental health impacts of these spaces.

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From the original eyeglasses and questionable 19th-century contacts to bionic eyes; we're going back to the week the Queens explored everything about pimping your peepers.

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Sure we've talked about foldable phones before, but what about laptops with foldable screens? This week the Queens check out the ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED and surprise themselves with how taken they are with it. And not just because of the bendable screen. From the detachable wireless keyboard to the fancy leather case, this foldy boi is pretty special.

Rae and Tegan also get into Card Shark - a gorgeous adventure-meets-card game where you steal and deceive your way through 18th century France by learning real world card tricks.

Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website.

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You know how old-school villains would threaten to steal weather machines? It turns out, weather alteration technology is absolutely a real thing that is being used to make it rain during droughts and lessen the impact of cyclones.  But it hasn't just been used for wholesome purposes. It's also been harnessed to guarantee good weather during certain Olympic Games and weaponised during wartime.

While we're on weather, the Queens also look at what La Niña actually is (and its real-world impact), as well as Australian satellites that are needed to provide critical Aussie-environment-specific information to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

Rae also introduces us to the Carrot weather app! It not only sends you on Carmen Sandiego-style treasure hunts but has a customisable personality. If you ever wanted a sassy weather app with communist political leanings, you now can.

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The Queens hit the road in a very special electric vehicle. Tegan has spent the week testing the Audi e-tron S Sportback, which costs a casual $175,000. She and Rae even managed to drive it around the Blue Mountains so they could report back on all their favourite features (and there are a LOT)...and stick Tegan in the boot. They also touch on the current state of the EV market in Australia.

Meanwhile, Amanda has been playing I Was A Teenage Exocolonist - a narrative RPG with card battling elements and extremely cult vibes. She chats through the gameplay, gorgeous art style and the extremely important and relevant themes the game has, despite being set on another planet.

Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website.

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Time isn't real, meaning it's nearly Father's Day again. So the Queens are bringing that Big Dad Energy with some gift recommendations for whoever in your life deserves a nice treat at this time of year.

Tegan is all about the outdoorsy dad, recommending the very fancy Leatherman Free P4 and Bose Soundlink Flex outdoor speaker. The fact she actually wants these things for herself is irrelevant.

Rae targets cooking dads (or those who need a little help in the kitchen) with the Meater - a smart meat thermometer with an app and wireless range.

Meanwhile, Rad brings the biggest dad energy of all by trying to bring zip-off pants back, and Amanda creates an entire escape room experience for Papa Yeo.

Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website.

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Another week, another gadget chat! In this episode, Tegan reviews the Logitech Aurora range: a group of PC gaming accessories aimed at women. She puts the headset, keyboard, and mouse to the test - from the design and ergonomics to the comfort and price point.

Rae also gets on the hiking trail with a set of Uniden walkie-talkies. She specifically looks into the Kid Zone feature and what safety (if any) it actually offers. Meanwhile, Rad checks out a deeply specific gadget that targets the vagus nerve that claims to help with anxiety. "Officially" speaking it's called the Sensate, but Rad rightly dubbed it the "Buzzy Egg".

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