Develop a Real-Life 'Star Trek' Tricorder and Win $10 Million

 As we head into the weekend, here's something to get the Trekkies among you excited: X-Prize and Qualcomm have announced a competition to develop a real-life "Tricorder," with a $10 million prize. According to the press release, the device will be "a mobile solution that can diagnose patients better than or equal to a panel of board certified physicians." From the release:

The winning tool will enable consumers in any location to quickly and effectively assess health conditions, determine if they need professional help and answer the question, "What do I do next?"

Combining everybody's favorite buzzy technology—mobile healthcare—with everybody's favorite nerdy entertainment property? Insert jokes about beaming oneself up here.

— Thomas Blair