Books to arrive via drone

Australian textbook rental startup Zookal will begin utilizing drones to make its deliveries in Australia next year, with ambitions of bringing the unique, unmanned delivery method to U.S. customers by 2015. The company says this marks the first commercial use of fully automated drones worldwide. It will fulfill deliveries in Sydney using six drones to start, dropping off textbook purchases at an outdoor location of the customer's choosing. To wipe away any potential privacy or surveillance fears, the drones aren't equipped with cameras. Instead, built-in anti-collision technology keeps them clear of trees, buildings, birds, and other potential obstacles. It's looking to be a smart way to save on labour costs, but let's not drone on (excuse the pun) about this dehumanisation of service because two convicted murderers who used forged documents to trick their way out of prison in Florida have been recaptured. Joseph Jenkins and Charles Walker, both 34 and dangerous, were seized without incident at a motel in Panama City, Florida. The men, who were serving life sentences without the possibility of parole for murder, had been freed from separate jails after officials were fooled by fake papers reducing their terms. The prison authorities have pledged to tighten up their early-release policy.