Category: feature

We are wrapping up another busy week with the latest in tech news. From Netflix News to a US Bitcoin Mine and more, we’ve got you covered! Read on for what’s happening in the world of technology, media, and science.

New High-Tech Bin Wants to Solve Our Food Waste Problem

With the invention of Mill, a revolutionary bin created by one of Google Nest’s founders, reducing food waste and its negative environmental impacts is now within reach. Soon you’ll be able to transform your kitchen scraps into sustainable chicken feed in just several hours! By becoming part of this innovative monthly membership program, not only are you staying away from noxious landfills but making sure that unused materials can come back full circle for years to come. “At Mill, we’re building a pathway to connect what people can’t eat at home with farms that benefit from a more sustainable feed ingredient.” Mill co-founder and president Harry Tannenbaum said in a release announcing the launch last week. 

Scientists Unveil Real-Life Terminator Shape-shifting Miniature Robots 

Thirty years after Terminator 2 introduced audiences to a sci-fi icon, researchers have finally made the dream of shape-shifting robots a reality. This tiny robotic system can transition between solid and liquid form just like its inspiration – the humble sea cucumber! The team hopes that this real-world version will help humanity in altruistic ways instead. “Giving robots the ability to switch between liquid and solid states endows them with more functionality,” says Chengfeng Pan, an engineer at The Chinese University of Hong Kong who led the study. The demonstration is part of a study published Wednesday in the journal Matter.

US to Open First Nuclear-Powered Bitcoin Mine

For years, the world has looked at cryptocurrency mining as a major contributor to carbon emissions. However, in 2022 Ethereum – took drastic steps when it reduced its carbon footprint by an impressive 99%. While these efforts have put more emphasis on Bitcoin’s estimated 86.3 million tons of Carbon released that same year, Cumulus Data is revolutionizing crypto-mining with nuclear power: introducing the first US-based and powered uranium mine for bitcoin! This new development in Bitcoin will lead to significantly reduced environmental impact from crypto-miners who utilize this data center because any newly mined Bitcoins can be credited with practically zero emissions.

Youtube Debuts Video Program Creating a Pathway to Real College Credits

YouTube has launched an incredible program to break down the cost and accessibility barriers of higher education. Through College Foundations, 42,000+ followers can now use tutorials posted on YouTube’s Study Hall channel. This will serve as a launchpad towards earning transferable college credits through Arizona State University – all with little upfront investment! This unprecedented initiative is powered by a successful year-long partnership between YouTube and Crash Course, founded by internet creators Hank & John Green. With this opportunity for students around the world to pursue their academic dreams without financial restraints – it’s clear that these trailblazers are paving the way for innovative learning in 2023.

Mass Production on Tesla Cybertruck to Start in 2024

Elon Musk, the visionary behind Tesla’s long-awaited Cybertruck, provided an update on its production timeline during today’s earnings call. Though manufacturing will begin sometime this year, full-scale production won’t start until 2024. Likewise, this is a point that Musk chose to downplay when asked about meeting last quarter’s target of mid-2023. As a consolation prize, Tesla revealed on Wednesday that it has started installing the production equipment needed for the Cybertruck’s assembly, including the castings that will produce the electric pickup’s body. The Cybertruck is expected to be largely manufactured at the company’s Gigafactory in Austin, Texas.

Netflix Paid Password Sharing to Roll Out Next Month

Netflix is heralding the end of an era; password-sharing with a single account will soon come to a close. Likewise, users will no longer be able to rely on illicitly obtained passwords and pins. Netflix has announced plans for stricter enforcement by the end of 2023. “While our terms of use limit use of Netflix to a household, we recognize this is a change for members who share their account more broadly,” Netflix writes. “As we roll out paid sharing, members in many countries will also have the option to pay extra if they want to share Netflix with people they don’t live with.” In addition, the company also announced that CEO Reed Hastings is stepping down after 25 years of running the company. The role will now shift to Ted Sarandos, currently co-CEO, and Greg Peters, Netflix’s former chief operating officer.

Take a deep dive into this week’s tech news with our weekly round-up! From ‘Quiet Mode’ on Instagram to an upcoming rocket launch by SpaceX and more, we have you covered. Read on for the latest news in the world of technology, media, and science. 

You Can Now Chat With Yourself on WhatsApp

Struggling to remember things? WhatsApp has you covered! The popular messaging app’s new Message Yourself feature functions as a digital notepad. Likewise, this enables users to jot down notes, links, and photos across multiple devices. As an added bonus – just like any other chatbox on the platform- conversations with yourself are also searchable for your convenience. WhatsApp’s latest iOS update is packed with convenient new features, including the ability to quickly drag and drop images, videos and documents from your favorite apps straight into chats. Even if you make a mistake like deleting an important message – don’t stress! The “Undo Delete for Me” option gives you precious seconds to rescue any accidental deletions.

First Full Test Fire Underway for SpaceX’s Starship Rocket

SpaceX is nearing the end of its preparations for a momentous event – an orbital flight by Starship. Elon Musk’s ambitious creation intended to transport astronauts and colonists alike out into space is ready for its next step. In the coming weeks, SpaceX will be performing one last critical step before launch: static firing Booster 7 at their Texas-based Starbase rocket development facility. SpaceX conducted test firings of Booster 7 last year, but only with a fraction of the engines, it’s designed to carry. An amazing technological feat lies in wait just around the corner; here’s hoping that all goes according to plan on this important mission!

Instagram Debuts Quiet Mode for fewer Notifications

Instagram is taking a big step toward promoting healthier app use with the new Quiet Mode feature. This will give users more control over their time on the platform, allowing them to take screen breaks whenever they’d like. Additionally, users can automatically respond to anyone who messages or tags them when in “Quiet” mode. It even takes it one step further as teen users can also opt-in for notification reminders during late night hours. With the new “quiet mode” feature, you can keep your virtual world peaceful while still receiving a summary of what’s been missed when you’re ready to jump back in. Your profile will even alert others that this is temporarily active. Of course, this offering provides an extra layer of protection from those dreaded Instagram scrolling feed binges! 

Android Now Has Access to Twitter Blue for $11 Per Month

After making its debut on the iOS platform a month ago, Twitter Blue has now come to Android! Subscribers of this exciting new service will get access to many convenient features, such as tweet editing and longer 1080p video uploads. The subscription is available in US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan – with even more amazing benefits like fewer ads than non-subscribers coming soon. While a Twitter Blue subscription for web users costs $8 per month (or an annual subscription charge of $84), Twitter is charging a $3 premium for Android signups to offset Google’s commission — the same premium users pay when subscribing through iOS. There is no word yet on whether the pricing will change between the two operating systems. Likewise, many Android users can look forward to now benefiting from the premium features of Twitter Blue.

Apple Reportedly Working on iPad-Like Smart Home Display

Apple is looking to revolutionize the home space with a slew of cutting-edge smart devices. Bloomberg reports that at least one may be similar in scope to an iPad but oriented toward robust and accessible home use—including FaceTime chats, control over other devices, and even magnets for mounting! It’s no surprise Apple would look into making a device specifically designed for homes; hopefully, this will result in a better user experience when it comes to multi-user controls. In addition, Apple appears to be exploring a refresh of the Apple TV with a faster processor for the first half of 2024.

While winter is still around, there is no better time than the present to consider a new garden style. For 2023, we are sharing some of the top garden trends to consider when it comes to your landscaping. Read on for some green-thumb inspiration. 

Consider Vertical Gardening 

Don’t be held back by limited outdoor space! 2023 is the year to explore vertical gardening. This garden trend is a great way to add some color and privacy while making use of what little yard you may have. Perfect for renters or condo owners who can’t commit – these gardens provide an eye-catching alternative with plenty of possibilities. Homeowners are not excluded either! You, too, can create climbing greenery walls as your dream work-from-home backdrop without ever leaving home!

Try Maximalism

This year, outdoor spaces are transforming into a landscape of energy and vibrancy with the emergent trend of maximalism. Rather than relying solely on kitsch elements, this style celebrates color, volume, and texture. Likewise, the results of this garden trend create an eclectic atmosphere that is both inviting and fun. In recent years, maximized landscaping has provided a much-needed breath of fresh air. The style of the garden brings together wild perennial meadows or luxuriant tropical hillsides. This can then be paired with unique hardscaping features like handmade tile accents for maximum impact!

Choose to be Eco-Conscious

Home gardeners are driving a global push towards sustainability that starts with their own yards. An increasing number of homeowners are seeking to replace water-thirsty lawns. They are instead opting for non-traditional landscaping designs like clover or native and climate-adapted species, which require significantly less maintenance, water, and fertilizer. Additionally, this year looks promising in terms of the development of hardscape structures suitable for flood areas as well as fire-safe planting options near wildland urban divides. This idea is indeed growing – research from Pinterest Predicts shows searches related to drought-tolerant landscaping rose 385% by the end of 2022!

Be-Friendly to Bees with Your Garden

As we enter 2023, it is expected that more and more yards will become havens for pollinators – particularly bees. Homeowners are beginning to understand the numerous benefits of supporting bee diversity in their gardens by planting such flowers as daisies, lavender, lilacs, and honeysuckles. Experts predict that many will shift their garden to bee-friendly landscaping in the coming years.

Say Hello to Meadowscaping

This year, we’re seeing an increased variety of planting styles for flower beds. People are embracing the “meadow style” look, which is characterized by its low-water and low-maintenance features. Likewise, this garden-style choice creates curb appeal due to natural materials such as silver grass, lomandra, and blue fescue. This aesthetic promises a relaxed yet visually interesting environment with minimal upkeep required.

A new week, a new batch of tech headlines. Stay in sync with all the major news happening in the world of technology, science, and media. Check out this week’s blog for tech news from NASA’s Webb Telescope to $99 Apple Airpods and more!

NASA’s Webb Telescope Spots First Earth-Sized Exoplanet

After only a year of operation, the groundbreaking James Webb Telescope has made its first major astronomical discovery – confirming the existence of an Earth-like exoplanet just 41 light-years away. Analysis from NASA‘s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and data collected by Webb revealed that LHS 475 b is nearly identical in diameter to our home planet and orbits around nearby red dwarf star LHS 475. This remarkable breakthrough marks one of many fascinating findings sure to come thanks to this incredible collaboration between NASA and European Space Agency! “There is no question that the planet is there. Webb’s pristine data validate it,” Jacob Lustig-Yaeger from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, who helped lead the research, said in a statement. “With this telescope, rocky exoplanets are the new frontier.”  

Airbus Tests Autonomous Flying Tech in Some of its Planes

Airbus has taken to the skies with DragonFly. The suite of automated technology is designed to improve flight safety and keep efficiency at maximum lift-off. These exciting new advancements include such items as automatic emergency detours midflight. Additional features are autopilot landing capabilities and taxi assistance. Airbus’ DragonFly technology takes its cue from nature; this system is designed to mimic the remarkable way that dragonflies navigate and recognize specific locations. Its purpose? To give aircraft a helping hand in autonomous takeoff, incident-handling, and landing – so they can operate safely with or without crew members on board.

Apple to Possibly Release $99 AirPods in 2024

Reportedly, Apple could soon have cheaper AirPods in their lineup for just $99. This is following a prediction by renowned tech analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Wednesday. Likewise, this would be well below the suggested retail price of current-generation AirPods. In addition, it would be even lower than prices seen from third-party retailers like Amazon. The new generation AirPod Max is also expected sometime after late 2024 at around $549. This of course, is only marginally higher than what consumers currently pay for second-generation Pro versions. Apple did not respond to the request for comment. 

Gas Stoves Recommended to be Phased Out by Harvard Study 

A recent Harvard study has ignited a heated debate (literally) around the safety of gas stoves. Currently, gas stove use continues to be commonplace-appearing in up to 40% of households nationwide. The research conducted by Harvard questions the long-term effects on the health of humans using gas stove tops. Additionally, there is also the potential of replacing natural gas stoves entirely if deemed necessary from federal regulation perspectives. The 16-month Harvard study published on June 28, 2022, in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, took samples from 69 stoves in homes serviced by three different natural gas companies across the Boston area.