Summary Ironically, the one technology everyone thinks was a spinoff from space travel is a myth: Teflon. But there are literally thousands of space technologies which have since made their way into everyday life, from LED lighting to CAT scans. 9The Teflon Myth If you stopped someone in the street and asked them to name one thing we wouldn’t have without space travel, it’s a near-certainty they’d say non-stick pans. The idea that this very slippery material, Teflon, was originally developed for the Moon missions is deeply embedded into popular culture....

We’re entering the final months of 2023, which means it’s time for your smartphone operating systems to update. Apple has already done its thing with the release ofiOS 17, which is now making its way into iPhones both new and old. And in case you’ve been living under a rock, the next version of Android, Android 14, has also been coming for some time. Now, with the release of the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro, the company has now finally released the final, consumer-ready version of Android 14....

Summary Google hasn’t shied away fromtalking about Android 16, but after months of teasing, it’s finally stable and rolling out to devices. This update is laying the groundwork for the Material 3 Expressive redesign while introducing a handful of nice features in the meantime. You know the feeling of constantly checking your food delivery app, wondering where your order is? Android 16’s “Live Updates” should help you with that anxiety. Now, compatible ride-share and food delivery apps can provide real-time updates right in the notification shade, so you’ll always know exactly where your driver or your dinner is without needing to open the app....

Ever since Beats was bought out by Apple in 2014, it has been an important part of Apple’s efforts towards audio. Apple has its own lineup of earbuds and headphones, but it also keeps the Beats line as active as it has ever been, even pitching Beats earbuds as less “Apple-exclusive” products than its regular earbuds. Now, the company has just introduced new earbuds and headphones with the Beats Solo Buds and the Beats Solo 4—although there are a few reasons why we think the Beats Solo Buds might get more attention....

Quick Links Bluesky is frequently touted as an alternative to X (formerly Twitter), but the two social media sites are not exactly the same. If you’re thinking about switching from X to Bluesky, here are the defining features between the two. What Is Bluesky? Blueskyis a decentralized, federated social media platform founded by Twitter (now X) founder Jack Dorsey. It was initially founded in 2019 as an internal project at Twitter started by Dorsey....

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is often seen today as aluxurious status symbol, more at home in Beverly Hills than on rugged trails. But that wasn’t always the case. Originally built for military use, the G-Class earned its reputation as a tough, no-nonsenseoff-roader—much like the classic Land Rover Defender. Now,Mercedesis tipping its hat to that rugged heritage with a new limited edition. It’s called the Mercedes-Benz G-Class Edition Stronger Than The 1980s—yes, really....

Summary The Perseid meteor shower is known for being the most prolific annual astronomical display in the Northern Hemisphere, offering many bright, fast meteors with long-lasting trains. Let’s look at what the Perseid meteor shower is, how you can see it, and how to capture it on camera. What and Where Is the Perseid Meteor Shower? The Perseid meteor shower is caused by small pieces of debris falling from and trailing behind the 109P/Swift-Tuttle comet as it nears the sun....

Quick Links BothSonyandMicrosoftnow sell first-party games for $70, and many triple-A third-party developers are likely to follow suit. This isn’t welcome news for gamers during tough economic times, but do you actually have to pay that much for games? Related:10 Ways to Game on a Low (or Zero) Budget Be Patient, Pay Less Games may list for $70 on the day they release, but the first discounts or price drops fordigital copiesare likely only a few months away....

Summary There’s one holiday that most people think about when it comes to exterior light displays: Christmas. But why should festive lighting be a once-a-year thing? TheGovee Permanent Outdoor Lights Proare designed to stay up for years, and they can bring any occasion or mood to life. Plenty of events besides Christmas can be celebrated with colorful lights on your home. Why not throw up some purple and orange lights for Halloween?...

Quick Links I hit the internet last weekend to help overcome a difficulty spike inClash of Clans. It was during that search that I discovered that this old but iconic mobile game has made billions. It begged the question, what other multi-billion dollar games are there, and how well have they aged? 1Honor of Kings(Tencent Games, 2015) Honor of Kingsis an immensely popular Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) that’s dominated the market in China for nearly a decade....

Summary The battle pass concept has become well and truly normalized in online games. These provide players with a bunch of exclusive cosmetics, boosters, and gear for playing the game. But what initially seems like a fun way to keep players engaged has become one of the worst things to happen to online games for me. The Rise and Allure of Battle Passes The first mainstream battle pass was released in Valve’sDotA 2duringThe International 2013, but the game that truly popularized the concept wasFortnite....

Summary Greenwashing exists in all industries, audio tech included. Some headphones and earbuds are marketed as being sustainable or eco-friendly, but the facts behind the buzzwords are key to consider. How Do Manufacturers Label Headphones as “Eco-Friendly”? The criteria for what makes a pair of headphones or earbuds “eco-friendly” or “sustainable” varies from product to product, and brand to brand. There are companies like House of Marley that have a wholemission statementassociated with eco-consciousness, stating that a portion of their sales proceeds go toward reforestation throughProject Marley....

Summary It can be worrying when you have an elderly relative living out of town or even out of state. It’s worth considering how smart home tech can make life easier and safer for them while providing you with peace of mind. Tech Can Help, but Both Parties Need to Be Comfortable Smart home technology can help alleviate some concerns, but before considering the options it’s important to ensure that both parties are comfortable with whatever arrangements you put in place....