Balloons have been pitched as better space tourism options thanks to gentler, longer-lasting trips that don't require training, and now it's clearer what you'll get if you take one of those rides. Space Perspective has previewed the interior of Spaceship Neptune, a giant balloon that will take tourists to 100,000 feet (technically the stratosphere, not space) for two hours plus a similarly lengthy descent. As you've likely noticed, this is really a floating lounge rather than a spacecraft.
The design focuses on comfortable, reclining seats that can be configured for group events or couples' dinners. You can get food and bar service, connect to WiFi (for those high-altitude social check-ins), read info on interactive screens, customize mood lighting and observe the Earth from a telescope. And yes, there's a "luxurious" windowed restroom if you can't wait for the return to solid ground — you'll get Space Perspective's promised 360-degree view even when you're indisposed.
The company claims this is the only zero-emissions option for reaching space, and is promising eco-friendly construction that includes a bar top made from recycled balloon material. Other sustainable materials will be used throughout the capsule.
The catch, as with other early space tourism projects, is the price. Space Perspective is asking $125,000 per ticket with a $1,000 refundable deposit. The first paid flights aren't expected take place until late 2024, either, and a reservation now won't get you a seat until 2025. That's still much more affordable than Virgin Galactic's $450,000 flights, though, and you'll spend considerably more time above the planet. You'll just be trading altitude for greater comfort.
The offering does have some early takers. The company says it has sold 600 tickets to date. As such, this offering might be considered an intermediate step for space tourism. It's certainly not ready for the mainstream at these prices, but it is giving more people a chance to see Earth from great heights.
GoPro has unveiled the Hero 10 Black Bones, a lightweight version of the Hero 10 Black designed for FPV and "Cinewhoop" drones that have taken off in popularity. It offers features like HyperSmooth 4.0 and 5.3K video, but is light enough to be mounted on 3-inch class and larger drones.
"Bones is an important step in our strategy to leverage GoPro’s core camera-technology to produce derivative products that address the needs of a specific audience of customers," said GoPro founder and CEO Nicholas Woodman. "Bones delivers Hero 10 Black image quality and performance in a lightweight body that is ideal for aerial cinematography."
GoPro
At 54 grams, the Hero 10 Black Bones weighs 100 grams less than the Hero 10 black, making it the lightest GoPro ever, the company said. Helping keep the weight down is the fact that it doesn't carry its own battery but is instead powered by the drone's own 2S-6S or 5-27V batteries — a typical setup on FPV drones.
The miniscule weight makes it ideal for fast and maneuverable "Cinewhoop" drones designed to take crazy aerial footage. The best recent example of that video genre is the drone flythrough of Tesla's new Gigafactory in Berlin.
Meanwhile, the "well-ventilated, semi-durable enclosure promotes continuous airflow cooling for long captures or flights," says GoPro. It also comes with a lightweight housing that features the Hero 10 Black's replaceable cover lens, which can be swapped for third-party Hero 10 Black and Hero 9 Black ND filters.
GoPro
It has the same GP2 processor as the Hero 10 Black so there's no compromise in quality or features, either. You get the latest HyperSmooth 4.0 video to stabilize shots, or you can do stabilization in post using the ReelSteady tech in GoPro's new Player + ReelSteady app unveiled yesterday. As the company showed, you can now combine HyperSmooth and ReelSteady stabilization to create even smoother footage.
As for video quality, it delivers 5.3K at 60fps, 4K 120 fps and 2.7K at 240 fps in 16:9 mode. In the 4:3 aspect ratio that's best for HyperSmooth footage, you get 5.3K at 30fps, 4K at 60 fps and 2.7K at up to 120fps. That matches the resolutions and framerates available on the regular GoPro 10 Hero Black.
It includes multiple means of control via a pair of physical buttons, the Quik App, GoPro Labs QR Codes, GoPro's The Remote or a drone's transmitter. It comes with a single screw boss for the drone mount, a standard FPV industry connector, and an optional in-box adapter for the GoPro mounting ecosystem.
GoPro
As with other GoPro cameras, the Hero 10 Black Bones is cheaper with GoPro's one-year subscription, which is free the first year. It costs $400 with the subscription and $500 without it, meaning GoPro thinks you're going to like the subscription benefits enough to renew. (Those benefits include no-questions-asked camera replacement, discounts on accessories, unlimited cloud backup and more.) Either option includes a license for the GoPro Player + ReelSteady desktop app, or you can purchase that separately for $100.
Lectric already has a good reputation for delivering solid electric bikes at budget prices, thanks to models like the $1,000 XP 2.0. Now, it has taken that to a new level with the launch of the Lectric XP Lite. It's a 46 pound folding e-bike with a 48 volt electrical system that can hit speeds of 20 MPH, and costs just $800.
To get the price down to that level, Electric reduced the battery size from 9.6Ah (461Wh) on the XP 2.0 to 7.8Ah (375Wh). It also has smaller, narrower wheels than the XP 2.0 and lacks its 7-speed gearshift and front suspension.
Still, Lectric claims you'll get 40 miles of autonomy, just five miles less than the XP 2.0, though that'll require a lot of pedaling as range drops to 15 miles with the throttle only. Speed-wise, it can hit up to 20 MPH with pedal assist or throttle, compared to 28 MPH for the XP 2.0
It's got the same style of folding frame that lets you get it down to a portable size (36x16x26 inches) for travel or storage, and at 46 pounds, it's very light for a foldable e-bike. It can use many of the same accessories as the XP 2.0, including the racks, baskets, lights, comfort package and more.
Other features include an easily swappable battery compartment, twist throttle, backlit LCD display with a large readout, 160mm disc brakes, integrated front/rear lights and IP65 water resistance. It's also what the company calls its "most customizable e-bike to date" with four color options (Arctic White, Midnight Black, Lectric Blue, and Sandstorm) and three accessory package options at $99 each (Carry, Commuter and Comfort).
Lectric gave first ride on the new model to Electrek, which has tested the company's previous models like the XP 2.0 in the past. It noted that a lot of bikes in the $500-$800 category are "junk," but called the XP Lite "a quality offering at a super low price." As mentioned, Lectric's XP Lite e-bike costs $799 without accessories and is now available to order.
Therabody, best known as the maker of Theragun percussive recovery devices, is launching its first product for your face. The company unveiled the $399 TheraFace Pro, which offers a mix of functions, including percussive, light and microcurrent therapies. It can also provide cryothermal treatment, which the company said can help reduce tension, relax muscles and “[address] discomfort related to migraines, headaches, and jaw pain.”
Therabody says the TheraFace is FDA-cleared, which is different from approved, as it simply requires the company to provide evidence that the device is substantially similar to a previously cleared or approved product.
Still, according to the twolistings for TheraFace in the FDA database, it’s cleared for “wrinkle reduction” and “pain relief.” Now, I haven’t experienced any headaches or jaw pain in the days I’ve had a sample unit of the TheraFace Pro, so I can’t tell you how effective it is at relieving pain. I’m also blessed to have no obvious wrinkles (yet), so I can’t vouch for the device’s ability to reduce them.
The bundle I received came with a tube of the company’s TheraOne “conductive gel,” which you’re supposed to use like a typical rinse-off mask (even though it sounds like it will electrocute your face). The handheld device is about the size of an electric razor, except that it has a bulbous top with interchangeable attachments.
Therabody
Two magnetic heads were included: one with a light ring and one with two metal knobs. The latter is for applying and rubbing a mask all over your face, and, with microcurrents, the company said it’ll also tighten your skin and improve muscle tone and contour in the face/neck. There were also three attachments that connect to the percussive part of the machine that gently punch your face.
That might sound weird but it’s exactly what the TheraFace does. It’s basically a mini Theragun that’s a lot less intense. Even at the highest of its three intensity settings, the TheraFace never felt like it was going to leave a bruise, and I did feel an odd sense of calm during the massage.
Therabody said the idea for this feature came in part from customers who “shared anecdotes about using Theragun on their faces — which is not recommended.” The company combined its percussive technology with other modes “to address the face’s more than 40 muscles,” adding cleansing brushes, LED light and microcurrent therapies. The company also says the TheraFace is “the first device to combine a deep cleansing apparatus with percussive therapy.” My kit also came with hot and cold rings for thermal treatments.
Therabody
You can use the three buttons on the handle to turn the device on, select vibration strengths or cycle through LED colors: red, blue or red and infrared. A small screen shows a simple menu that is hard to understand without Therabody’s guide as a reference. The options also vary depending on the attachment you’ve snapped on. TheraFace’s magnets are strong and secure, though sometimes putting the rings on can be a little tricky because the magnets in the middle want to repel them. I also appreciate that the machine charges via USB-C.
Though I haven’t used the TheraFace long enough to see any results, the company says it conducted a (very small) clinical study “with 35 US-based participants ranging from ages 25 to 61, presenting all skin types and self-perceived signs of uneven skin tone, lack of elasticity, lines and wrinkles, or a dull complexion.” For 12 weeks, the participants used the TheraFace either six minutes six days a week or 45 minutes once a week. According to Therabody, the vast majority of participants reported feeling like their skin looked healthier, had a decrease in wrinkles and noticed improvements in radiance, muscle tone and skin tightness.
I’m not sure how well the TheraFace Pro will address my skin concerns just yet, but as a face massager it’s certainly effective. For $399, this is a well-made device with a comprehensive range of features. Remember, though, that if you want the hot and cold rings, they’ll cost you an extra $99. That’s a fairly expensive package, but in the emerging beauty tech market, it’s a unique combination that might just cater to all your facial needs.
Miso Robotics, the company that built a robot burger flipper in use at White Castle and a tortilla chip maker Chipotle is testing, has turned its attention to coffee. Its AI-powered CookRight Coffee system will monitor temperature, volume and time data. It will blend those metrics with predictive analytics to deliver cups of java. Miso suggests the system could help restaurants run more efficiently.
Panera Bread will be the first to test and evaluate CookRight Coffee before determining how to deploy the system. Miso says the product will nullify the need for workers to manually check the coffee urns and will brew fresh coffee at the right time. The system will also support Panera's Unlimited Sip Club plan, a subscription service that allows customers to drink as much coffee and tea as they want at the chain for $9 per month.
“When we announced the CookRight platform in 2021, we knew we could apply it to various stations at a restaurant as the product developed, and we saw an immediate need for it at the coffee station," Miso CEO Mike Bell said in a statement.
Nissan has been racing in Formula E as a partner of the e.dams team since it made its debut at the circuit back in 2018. Now, the Japanese automaker has announced that it's no longer just e.dams' partner: It has acquired the racing team and has become its full owner. According to The Race, Nissan had a minority stake in the team prior to its acquisition from previous owners Olivier and Gregory Driot, children of Jean-Paul Driot, who founded the organization.
Formula E supplies competitors with the same chassis, and it's up to manufacturers to equip it with their own powertrain. For its debut vehicle back in 2018, Nissan took cues from the Leaf's increased battery range and power — and it plans to continue "transferring knowledge and technology" between its Formula E and consumer cars going forward. Presumably, that means if it discovers a breakthrough technology for electric vehicles while working on a Formula E car, it will apply what it learned to its consumer vehicle models, as well. As Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta said in a statement:
"We have been on the grid for over 85 years, and our desire to win continuously accelerates us forward. We learn as we race, and the relentless pace of technological progression that drives the Formula E championship will provide us with many opportunities to inform and develop even better cars for customers."
In 2021, Nissan announced that it's investing $17.6 billion in the development of new electric vehicles and battery tech over the next five years. Its goal is to develop 23 electrified models by 2030 and to have a fleet that's 40 percent electrified in the US and in China by the same year.
The newest foldable on the scene is a China-exclusive, but it has enough to keep us interested even if we may never buy one. The Vivo X Fold, with a 6.53- or 8-inch unfolded screen, packs a Snapdragon Gen 1 processor and two ultrasonic fingerprint readers, built into, well, both screens. Sure, not a huge deal.
I’m more interested in the zirconium alloy floating middle plate, which sounds like an Avengers McGuffin but is actually Vivo’s pitch to ameliorate that center crease on most foldable phones. This plate lifts up gently when you open the hinge, helping, hopefully, to smooth out the wrinkle. We’ll let you know once we see it for real, but for these expensive foldable devices, which often show their age through wrinkles built up over a month or two, it’s a cosmetic problem in need of a solution.
Wii Sports came out more than 15 years ago, and oddly, Nintendo never made a proper sequel, until now, after skipping the Nintendo console that should not be named. Sam Rutherford got to check out Nintendo Switch Sports ahead of its official release on April 29th, and it looks like the formula hasn’t changed too much.
Apple Support told some users to bring their monitors in for repair.
Some owners of the new Apple Studio Display have reported problems updating to the latest firmware. As MacRumors points out, after multiple failed attempts, users were told by Apple support to bring their display to an Apple Store or authorized facility for repair.
Apple is reportedly begun re-signing an older iOS 15.4 firmware version, allowing the Studio Display to resume updates.
It could lead to smaller Sonos speakers in the future.
Sonos has acquired Mayht, a Dutch startup best known for co-creating a Bluetooth speaker powered by light. Mayht specializes in an audio technology called Heartmotion. The company claims to have reinvented “the core of speaker drivers,” so speakers can be up to 10 times more compact than other models without sacrificing sound quality or bass output.
The US Justice Department has issued several measures restricting the sale and distribution of "ghost guns," including a requirement for federally licensed dealers and gunsmiths to serialize any unmarked firearm (such as a 3D-printed gun) before selling it to a customer. Those that print a gun at home would not be able to sell it to a store without some ability to trace its origins.
Apple's Mac Mini M1 has gone on sale multiple times since it launched in 2020, but it's available now at the best price we've seen so far. The 256GB version has returned to an all-time low of $570, thanks to a $99 discount voucher that's applied at checkout.
The Mac Mini M1 is the most budget-friendly way to get into Apple's ARM-based M1 processor family of PCs. It comes with an eight-core CPU, eight-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine, with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of very fast SSD storage. You can expect speedy performance, even for content creation and iOS apps, along with nearly instant wake times and high energy efficiency.
It's largely unchanged on the exterior from past Mac Minis, so the small but sleek silver box can fit into cramped desktop spaces and look nice doing so. You won't be wanting for ports, either, as it offers a pair of Thunderbolt connectors, two USB-A ports, an HDMI connector, an Ethernet port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It keeps cool and quiet thanks Apple's "advanced thermal design," but has an active cooling solution with a fan that can kick in for demanding rendering and other chores.
The main negatives with the Mac Mini M1 are the lack of upgradeability (both the RAM and SSD are soldered in place), and poor access to the rear headphone port. However, the latter isn't a huge deal, and the M1 chip works just fine with 8GB of RAM. With Amazon's $570 price, it's one of the better desktop deals out there — just remember to apply the $99 voucher at checkout.
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You can grab a few Anker accessories at a discount today as part of Amazon's one-day sale. The discounted items include an assortment of powerbanks, chargers and cables, with prices marked down for up to 44 percent off. If you're looking for something to help tame all the wires in your home or office, one of the items you can get from the sale is Anker's power strip surge protector that's currently available for $44. That's 37 percent off its usual price of $70 and is the lowest price we've seen for the power strip on the website. It has three outlets on one side, as well as three USB ports and one 45W PowerIQ 3.0 USB-C port on the other. The USB-C port supports fast charging and can power even a 12" MacBook and other similar devices.
The Anker Nano Pro USB-C charger is also on sale for $30, which is $10 lower than its retail price. It was designed specifically for the iPhone and can provide full-speed 20 watt charging for the iPhone 13. The charger has the capability to adjust power output, ensuring the safety of the device that's plugged in, and comes with a three-feet USB-C to Lightning cable.
But if you're just looking for a UBS-C to USB-C cable for your devices, Anker also has 3.3-feet 100-watt cables on sale in packages of two. The cables support fast charging for up to 100 watts when used with a compatible charger and work with any USB-C device, including MacBook Pros, iPads and Samsung Galaxy phones. You can get the two-pack cables for $15, or $12 less than their usual price of $27.
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Last year, Honda revealed that it intends to shift all its car sales to electric and fuel cell vehicles by 2040. To make phasing out gas-powered cars feasible, it has to release a wide selection of zero-emission vehicles that customers can choose from. Now, the automaker has announced that it's spending 5 trillion yen or around $40 billion on its electrification efforts over the next 10 years.
In a live briefing, the company also said that it plans to launch 30 EV models by 2030 with a production volume of 2 million vehicles a year. The aim is for electric vehicles to make up 40 percent of its fleet by the end of the decade,
As TechCrunch reports, Honda plans to get the ball rolling in Japan by introducing an ultra-cheap mini EV model that costs around $8,000 by 2024. It will also release the Prologue and Acura electric vehicles, both being co-developed with GM, in North America in the same year. In early April, Honda and GM announced that they're working together to co-develop a series of affordable EVs based on a global architecture and GM's Ultium battery technology.
Honda has plans that don't involve GM, however, and is using part of its $40 billion budget to develop its own electrification platform. It's also exploring the possibility of teaming up with other companies for battery production. In addition, it's investing 43 billion yen ($343 million) into building a demonstration line for solid-state batteries by 2024.
Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe has also reiterated that a big part of its electrification efforts is making sure it has a solid presence in China, which is currently the world's biggest EV market. Like the company announced in the past, Mibe said Honda will launch 10 new models in China under its e:N Series branding by 2027. The company will also build plants in Guagzhou and Wuhan to manufacture its electric vehicles for the country.
