Despite being a country of tradition and customs, the Japanese have a reputation as shoppers into all things gadget-y. Panasonic Japan is set to launch a deodorising coat hanger that suppresses pollen and neutralises odours in clothes – all from the comfort of the closet.

An intense workout often results in smelly armpits and even stinkier feet. Y Athletics uses pure silver yarn in its fabric to create stylish menswear that can be worn for weeks on end without washing. But why are men so keen to defeat their natural bodily functions?

Whether you’re stuck in an elevator or waiting for a train, nobody likes engaging in idle chit chat. But it’s actually quite hard to go about your day without someone awkwardly talking about the weather – and a new study has shown that this kind of small talk may have an evolutionary purpose.

Whether it’s splitting the bill at a bar or sharing a cab fare home, paying your peers can be an awkward hassle. Mobile wallet app Venmo is changing this with a social media-style digital payment system that lets you instantly transfer money between friends. Could Venmo kill cash for good?