undefined 1, 2024
SpaceX given permission to destroy the International Space Station
NASA has given Elon Musk's SpaceX permission to destroy the International Space Station (ISS) by 2030. The space station has been continually occupied since 2000 by astronauts doing more than 3,300 scientific experiments above our heads. But the countries operating the ISS only agreed to run it until 2030 at the latest.
Apple AirPods With Camera for Better Spatial Audio Capabilities
Apple is reportedly developing new AirPods with infrared cameras, similar to the iPhone Face ID receiver. These AirPods aim to enhance spatial audio when used with Apple's Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, providing a more immersive experience. New features introduced at WWDC include gesture-based controls for Siri, head-tracking for games, and improved call sound. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicates mass production by 2026, aiming to improve audio experiences with future Apple headsets.
Extreme E is now Extreme H, a hydrogen-powered racing series starting 2025
Extreme E, the premium off-road EV racing series, is pivoting to hydrogen. The series announced this week that it’s rebranding to Extreme H, and unveiled a hydrogen-powered race car it’s calling the Pioneer 25 to usher in the transition. The first season is slated to begin in April 2025 in Saudi Arabia, before heading to the UK, Germany, Italy and wrapping up in the US.
Programmers Should Never Trust Anyone, Not Even Themselves
Programmers should maintain a healthy paranoia about their code's correctness. Even if the code passes tests, gets reviewer approval, and appears to work, it's not guaranteed to be bug-free. Challenges include ensuring it works under all conditions, recognizing that passing tests don’t prove the absence of bugs, and the endless task of verifying proofs of correctness. While absolute certainty is unattainable, risks can be mitigated through thorough understanding and diligent practices.
Fortnite’s Metallica concert showed how sprawling the game has become
Last weekend, Metallica performed in Fortnite, marking a significant event in the game's expansive ecosystem. This concert was part of a complex, weeks-long rollout of new modes and content. The event featured an interactive heavy metal album art experience, with players traveling in a hot rod to a pyro-filled stage, a gothic bell tower, and a battle with a puppet master. Designed by Magnopus, it aimed to blend the essence of a live show with fantastical elements, evolving from reality to the impossible.
AI-powered scams and what you can do about them
AI can assist with tasks like drafting emails and creating art, but it also enables scams by mimicking friends or relatives in distress. With recent improvements in generating text, audio, images, and video, these scams have become more convincing and cheaper. While these are old tricks with a new AI twist, staying vigilant is crucial. Watch for AI-boosted scams and take steps to protect yourself.
Elon Musk has won $56bn pay package despite judge ruling it void, Tesla argues
Tesla claims Elon Musk won his legal battle over his $56bn pay package because shareholders voted for it, despite a judge rescinding it earlier this year. The filing follows a recent shareholder vote to ratify the 2018 stock options package, which a Delaware judge voided in January due to Musk's improper control over negotiations and misleading information to shareholders. The case adds uncertainty to Musk's relationship with Tesla amid slower sales and tougher competition.
Europe wants to send data centers into space
The rise of AI is driving demand for data centers, leading Europe to consider space-based options to reduce reliance on energy-intensive facilities. The 16-month ASCEND study, led by Thales Alenia Space for the European Commission, concluded that launching data centers into orbit is feasible. The project aims to leverage solar energy in space to meet data center energy demands, according to project manager Damien Dumestier.
Meta's Pay for Privacy Model Is Illegal, Says EU
For the past eight months, Europeans have been able to pay up to €12.99 ($14) per month for privacy instead of allowing Meta to track their data for personalized ads. Launched in November 2023, this “pay or consent” model was Meta’s response to regulatory pressures. However, the European Commission has rejected it, calling it illegal under the new Digital Markets Act (DMA). Commissioner Thierry Breton stated the DMA aims to give users control over their data and ensure fair competition.
Binance must face bulk of US SEC crypto lawsuit, judge rules
A federal judge ruled that most of the SEC's lawsuit against Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange, can proceed. Judge Amy Berman Jackson's decision is a setback for Binance, which sought dismissal of the June 2023 suit alleging securities laws violations by the exchange and founder Changpeng Zhao. The SEC accuses Binance of inflating trading volumes, diverting funds, and misleading investors.
The physics of (airplane) flight
Wings don't necessarily need a classic airfoil shape to create lift. Any flat surface, like cardboard, angled slightly upward, can lift itself by pushing air downward. However, increasing this angle too much causes a stall, reducing lift and increasing drag. Airfoil shapes are designed to maximize lift before stalling and minimize drag, which is why they're used in airplanes. When tossed like a plane, a flat object pitches up, stalls, and tumbles due to these aerodynamic forces.
Lenovo Legion Go review: A portable game console for diehard PC gamers
I've neglected my PlayStation 4 for months, feeling guilty but tired of long updates and the typical console cycle. The Nintendo Switch, with its portability and enjoyable games, has reshaped my gaming experience—perfect for long flights. Lenovo's Legion Go promises a similar convenience, allowing PC gaming without a bulky laptop. I took it on a recent US trip to test if gaming on the go lives up to the hype.
Boeing Criminally Charged for Breaching 737 Max Settlement
The U.S. Justice Department intends to criminally charge Boeing for breaching a settlement connected to two deadly 737 Max jetliner crashes, according to reports from Bloomberg and Reuters. The federal government is reportedly seeking a guilty plea from Boeing, which may include a $243.6 million criminal fine and force the planemaker to bring on an independent compliance monitor.
Is there life on another planet? Gliese 12b shows some promise
The age-old question, debated for centuries, may soon find an answer with Gliese 12b, an Earth-sized exoplanet just 40 light years away. Its potential habitability sparks international interest. Michael McElwain from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope center discusses the path forward in unraveling this ancient mystery on The Excerpt.
Best VPN Service for 2024
With an impressive 8.8/10 rating, it stands out for privacy, usability, and post-quantum protection. Its Trusted Server technology ensures data security, while the Lightway protocol guarantees fast speeds. ExpressVPN effortlessly unblocks streaming content and provides robust security features through its Advanced Protection suite.
Universal Hydrogen runs out of runway and shuts down, one year after first flight
California-based Universal Hydrogen, known for its hydrogen-fueled airplane prototype, has ceased operations due to financial constraints. Despite flying a hybrid aircraft in Moses Lake, Wash., last year, the company couldn't secure enough funding or viable sale offers to sustain operations. Co-founder Jon Gordon expressed disappointment on LinkedIn, attributing the closure to challenges in convincing the industry of hydrogen's role in aviation's future.
WhatsApp Now Lets Users Create Events in Group Chats on iPhone with Latest Update
WhatsApp for iOS now allows users to create events directly within group chats, expanding functionality previously limited to Communities. This new feature, spotted in version 24.13.72, enhances user interaction by facilitating event planning and coordination directly within the messaging platform. It complements other recent updates like quick reply shortcuts to video notes and an in-app dialer for the Calls tab, enhancing user engagement and functionality.
Space station astronauts forced to shelter as Russian satellite breaks into more than 100 pieces
A Russian satellite breaking into over 100 pieces forced ISS astronauts into their spacecraft for safety last night. NASA's Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams retreated to Starliner, joined by US astronauts and a cosmonaut in Crew Dragon and Soyuz. After an hour, they returned to work on the ISS, as NASA confirmed.
