Hasta La Gadget!

SpaceX can’t start expanding its launch facilities in Boca Chica, Texas anytime soon. According to documents obtained by Bloomberg and CNBC, the Army Corps of Engineers has closed its review of the company’s application to build a new launch pad, landing pad and other related infrastructure in Boca Chica. SpaceX reportedly failed to provide the Army Corps with the environmental information it requested, and the permit process can’t continue without it. 

The company was planning to build new infrastructure on 17 acres of land that includes wetlands and mud flats. As CNBC notes, the Army Corps has stewardship over wetland areas that serve as habitat for fish and wildlife in the country. It oversees any development over wetlands to ensure it doesn’t cause significant impact on the endangered species living in them, as well as on drinking water for people in the area. It’s also in charge of examining whether it’s feasible for companies applying for a permit to move construction elsewhere.

In the letter it sent to the company, the Army Corps listed the information it’s seeking from SpaceX, including how its expansion would impact the wetlands exactly. It’s also asking for data on threatened or endangered species that may be significantly impacted by the construction, as well as the company’s current knowledge on the presence or absence of historic properties on the land. While the Army Corps suspended the company’s application, SpaceX can reinitiate the permit process if it can provide all the information being requested. 

The Federal Aviation Administration is also conducting a separate review of the facility to determine whether launching the Starship out of Boca Chica will cause safety issues or have significant environmental impact on the area. SpaceX was supposed to hear from the FAA last year, but the agency has delayed its decision quite a few times since then: Its latest target date of completion is April 29th. Without permission from the FAA, it won’t be able to launch its massive spaceship from Boca Chica for its first orbital test flight that’s expected to take place in the next few months. Elon Musk previously said that if SpaceX fails to secure the permits company needs in Texas, it will move Starship launches to Cape Canaveral in Florida. 

Nike has facilities all over the world for product innovations and its aspirations beyond footwear. Today, the company announced that it’s opening a new Technology Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Nike says the location will be located in West Midtown and is slated to open in early 2023. Until it’s ready, employees based out of the new center will work remotely. 

The Atlanta Technology Center will focus on expanding Nike’s digital-first supply chain and logistics operations. The location will also be home to a new east coast cybersecurity command center for the company. Third, the new center will use AI and machine learning to “reimagine consumer experiences.” Details are vague at this point, but we expect specifics from Nike as the Technology Center’s opening approaches. 

Atlanta may not be a city that screams tech hub, but Nike touted its deep sports roots and skilled workforce for the decision to build there. “We chose Atlanta because of its strong connection to sport, as well as the city’s wealth of skilled and diverse tech talent — both in the private and public sectors — and all the great universities in the region,” the company said in a press release. Atlanta is home to Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Emory University, Morehouse College and many other schools. The University of Georgia isn’t far away either, located a little over an hour down the road in Athens. The city also has professional sports franchises in the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NFL and MLS. 

Nike has tapped Dr. Mona-Lisa Pinkney to lead the Atlanta Technology Center. Pinkney has worked with the company as its senior director of cybersecurity as well as co-founder of the Black Employees in Technology Network (BEiT) and she assists with the Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS). As senior site leader, Pinkney will oversee “work on cutting-edge technology and innovation initiatives that move the world forward through sport.” 

A reporter asked the Senate Minority leader how he could support Donald Trump after holding him “morally responsible” for the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

Twitter has expanded its alt description accessibility feature for images, making it easier than ever to ensure everyone can enjoy content on the platform.

Barnes & Noble finally has a direct answer to Amazon’s purchase of Audible. The bookseller has launched a B&N Audiobooks service in the US that lets you either buy recordings or pay $15 per month for a subscription that offers one recurring monthly credit. You’ll have access to more than 300,000 titles through the web as well as the Nook apps for Android and iOS.

The launch is arguably overdue. Amazon bought audiobook heavyweight Audible in 2008, and has both woven it into services and expanded its offerings with original books and services like the all-you-can-read Audible Plus plan. That investment has helped Audible dominate the market for years, and that’s not including longstanding competition from Apple, Kobo and others. Barnes & Noble is entering a very well-established market as a relative outsider.

The bookshop might not be deterred, however. Barnes & Noble chief James Daunt has been leading an e-book revival at the company that includes much-needed hardware upgrades. An audiobook service could help with that strategy by letting B&N match its competitors’ core features, even if it’s unlikely to topple its biggest rivals any time soon.