As you leave for work, you yell “lock” and “camera on” to keep the house secure, before telling your vacuum to clean the bedroom carpet while you're out. It's not a sci-fi film - the technology is available now. But do we really want our homes to be controlled by technology?

Tony Fadell, the man who helped oversee the design of Apple's iPod and iPhone, has designed a new thermostat, as beautiful as any Apple device and just as smart inside; a thermostat that promises to 'learn' the patterns of its users.

As developments in mobile technology mean we do everything from plan journeys to order pizza on-the-go, that 'low battery' icon is more present than ever, and it's making us anxious – 92% of Brits get stressed if their phone dies. Could Solarbox be the solution we've been waiting for?

The Chinese urban population is set to increase by 13 million every year between now and 2030. But with 95% of China’s cities falling short of environmental standards, the government is urgently seeking greener models for urban living. Will eco-cities be China’s cities of the future?