This week’s question would appear to answer itself: It is the rare person who emerges from an hour’s scrolling feeling healthy, rejuvenated, and better-prepared to take on the vicissitudes of the day. The general consensus among the terminally online would seem to be that the internet is a miserable place just barely…
Clean-up time just got a whole lot easier — and maybe even a little fun.
NASA has intended to put humans on the surface of the moon again by 2024. However, it now appears the 2024 timeframe won’t happen. The NASA Office of Inspector general issued a report last week noting that the next-generation spacesuits required for the Artemis missions won’t be available until 2025 at the soonest. However, the announcement leaves the door open … Continue reading
One of the most iconic racing games ever made is the PlayStation exclusive Gran Turismo. That game has been around for decades, and in recent years, many automakers have taken to designing digital concepts just for the game. Over the weekend, Genesis revealed three concept vehicles developed in collaboration with the team behind the Gran Turismo video game series. The … Continue reading
We knew Google was readying another phone ahead of its new own-chip Pixel 6 flagships, but the company’s cheaper A series might reappear earlier than we thought. The Pixel 5a could appear any day now, according to the latest reports from, of all places, repair shops. The latest rumors include a larger battery (4,680mAh battery up from 3,800mAh) and an August 17th release date — which would be tomorrow.
We’re already expecting the Pixel 5a to land with a dual-camera system and a headphone jack, the latter of which is rare in 2021. Older rumors suggested the 5a might cost $450, a hair less than the Pixel 4a 5G but well above the $350 of last year’s Pixel 4a.
I’ve said it before, but Google’s Pixel A series is often a more compelling device than its highest-priced phones, striking a good balance between specs and performance — especially when it comes to camera performance. Similarly priced phones may look the same on paper, but the Pixel’s imaging capabilities, which lean hard on AI and software, typically produce great images in most situations. I’m sure the Pixel 5a is likely to continue this winning formula — even if it lacks that homemade Google chip.
— Mat Smith
NASA’s latest International Space Station resupply mission included a machine meant to demonstrate 3D printing regolith (loose soil or rock) on the Moon and similar extraterrestrial surfaces.
The Redwire Regolith Print (RRP) project will work in tandem with an existing printer system (ManD) to try 3D printing simulated regolith. If that succeeds, the ISS crew will gauge the strength of the resulting material to see if it can handle the harsh conditions beyond Earth and work as a possible building material for future habitats.
The promo for Warner Bros.’ upcoming Reminiscence movie uses deepfake technology to embed you into a short video sequence with its star, Hugh Jackman. You can upload the photo of anybody you want, and the experience will conjure an animation for the face in it. You might have to wait your turn, however. When I tried it out, I got stuck at the waiting screen for a while. Test it for yourself here.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance has delayed Matter’s rollout from late 2021 to the first half of 2022. Smart home standards (and a lot of smart home news) can be a snoozy affair, but Matter could be what we need to get anything with WiFi and/or Bluetooth to speak to each other in our homes. Amazon, Apple, Google and many smart home device makers (such as Nanoleaf and Signify) are already committed to it, so you can see why a smart home standard like this might… matter.
Every game on Famitsu’s August 8th weekly Top 30 chart was a Switch title, ranging from Super Mario Maker 2 in 30th place to Minecraft at the top. It’s reportedly the first time a platform has swept the chart since November 1988, when Nintendo’s own Famicom (the NES for the rest of us) dominated the list.
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Beyond its ownaccessibility apps, Google offers a powerful API that lets developers create tools for people with disabilities. The beta version of the Android Accessibility Suite — which was part of the fourth Android 12 beta that recently arrived on Pixel handsets — includes a neat new way to control your phone. “Camera Switches” essentially lets you use face gestures to complete a number of actions. For instance, you can set the app to detect when you smile or raise an eyebrow in order to open your notifications panel or quick settings. You can also open your mouth to scroll forward or backward. As spotted by XDA Developers, the update lets you map around six face gestures to over a dozen phone controls. These can also be tweaked based on gesture size to prevent the app from constantly initiating actions.
Camera Switches builds upon the Switch Access feature in Android Accessibility Suite, which lets you interact with your device without using the touchscreen. Depending on the context, this can be done using an external device, such as a keyboard, via a USB or Bluetooth connection, or by pressing the built-in buttons on your phone. In that sense, Camera Switches takes the feature up a notch by introducing gestures to the mix. Seeing as most people are already accustomed to unlocking their phones with their face, the new additions shouldn’t seem completely foreign.
While using Camera Switches, you’ll see a persistent notification icon that indicates your camera is being used. However, as Android 12‘s privacy dashboard already includes a status indicator for both the camera and mic, this feature may be unnecessary. XDA was also able to sideload the app’s APK to get the new feature on Android 11.
Afghanistan’s all-girls robotics team, which made headlines in recent years for their inventions, is desperately trying to escape the country after the Taliban took control of the capital city of Kabul over the weekend, according to a report from Canada’s CBC News.
Ben Wallace says the “die was cast” for the country’s chaotic situation when Trump signed a deal to end the 20-year war.
MIT has conducted new research into the production of hydrogen, which is a potentially green source of energy that could help reduce pollution in the environment. The production of some types of hydrogen results in significant amounts of pollution. The reason for pollution associated with hydrogen is that during its production, it requires fossil fuel-based processes that some estimates claim … Continue reading
Jaguar has announced a new trim level for its F-Pace SUV called the F-Pace R-Dynamic Black. The new version is a different trim level adding a more distinctive design and enhanced options list, including the Black Pack. Jaguar says the Black Pack features Gloss Black mirror caps, a fixed panoramic roof, and privacy glass. F-Pace R-Dynamic Black also has 20-inch … Continue reading
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