There are plenty of robots that say they can vacuum and mop your floors, but never to anyone’s satisfaction. With some, you have to futz with the system to add the mop halfway through, others it’ll drag the dirty pad across your clean carpets and rugs….
NASA successfully smacked its DART spacecraft into an asteroid
After nearly a year in transit, NASA’s experimental Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, which sought to answer the questions, “Could you potentially shove a asteroid off its planet-killing trajectory by hitting it with a specially designed satellite? How about several?” has successfully collided with the Dimorphos asteroid. Results and data from the collision are still coming in but NASA ground control confirms that the DART impact vehicle has intercepted the target asteroid. Yes, granted, Dimorphos is roughly the size of an American football stadium but space is both very large and very dark, and both asteroid and spacecraft were moving quite fast at the time.
NASA
“It’s been a successful completion of the first part of the world’s first planetary defense test,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said after the impact. “I believe it’s going to teach us how one day to protect our own planet from an incoming asteroid. We are showing that planetary defense is a global endeavor and it is very possible to save our planet.”
NASA launched the DART mission in November, 2021 in an effort to explore the use of defensive satellites as a means of planetary defense against Near Earth Objects. The vending machine-sized DART impactor vehicle was travelling at roughly 14,000 MPH when it fatally crossed Dimorphos’ path nearly 68 million miles away from Earth.
Whether future iterations of a planetary defense system brimming with satellites willing to go all June Bug vs Chrysler Windshield against true planet-killer asteroids remains to be seen. Dimorphos itself is the smaller of a pair of gravitationally-entangled asteroids — its parent rock is more than five times as large — but both are dwarfed by the space rock that hit Earth 66 million years ago, wiping out 75 percent of multicellular life on the planet while gouging out the Gulf of Mexico.
NASA
The DART team will likely be poring over the data generated by both the impactor and cameras released before the spacecraft made its final approach for days to come. However the team will consider shortening the orbital track of Dimorphos around Didymos by 10 minutes an ideal outcome, though any change of at least 73 seconds will still be hailed as a rousing success. The team will have to observe Dimorphos’ orbit for half a day to confirm their success, as the moonlet needs nearly 12 hours to complete an circuit around Didymos.
ATLAS observations of the DART spacecraft impact at Didymos! pic.twitter.com/26IKwB9VSo
— ATLAS Project (@fallingstarIfA) September 27, 2022
Update 9/27/2022 2:29 AM ET: The NASA funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) managed to record video of the impact (above). While fuzzy, it’s still pretty cool.
Apple Watch Ultra teardown confirms it’s rugged, but not easily repaired
The Apple Watch Ultra is built to survive outdoors adventures, but you’ll want to forget about repairing it yourself if you take a tumble. iFixit has completed a video teardown indicating that the Ultra isn’t significantly more repairable than its regular counterparts. While there are external screws on the back, you’re going to wreck a waterproofing gasket if you pry the rear open. And don’t even think of getting through the front — it’s difficult to avoid breaking the screen, at least without special tools.
It’s also tricky to access the battery and other components. The teardown also illustrates just how much larger the speaker array is on the Apple Watch Ultra compared to the Series 8. Even if you’re unlikely to ever use the siren feature those speakers are meant for, it should help with call quality and other audio-driven apps.
This isn’t the advancement in fix-it-yourself friendliness you saw in the base iPhone 14, then. You’ll need to take this to a pro repair shop if you land badly during a hike. Even so, iFixit is optimistic the Watch Ultra represents a path toward more repairable Apple wristwear. While it’s not clear if future smartwatches will make that leap, it won’t be shocking given mounting political pressure on the tech industry to create more easily maintained devices.
Meta tests easier account switching between Facebook and Instagram
Meta is testing two features that integrate Facebook and Instagram more closely together. On Monday, the company began rolling out a new interface on Android, iOS and on the web for switching between accounts. Provided you’ve added your Facebook and In…
Lenovo’s Smart Clock Essential with Alexa falls to an all-time low of $35
If you’re looking to add some digital smarts to your bedroom without buying a device that features a camera, smart clocks are the way to go. One of the better options out there is the Lenovo Smart Clock Essential with Alexa, and it’s currently on sale….
Aphex Twin’s free ‘sample mashing’ app feeds on your music library
Aphex Twin is finally ready to offer his mutation-driven music software to the world. Pitchforknotes Aphex Twin (aka Richard James) and engineer Dave Griffiths have released Samplebrain, a free “sample mashing” app that turns audio files from your computer into sample blocks you can use for projects. You can recreate a sample using tracks in your music library, or craft a “303 riff” from unexpected sounds.
The app is available in ready-to-use versions for Mac and Windows computers. You can build a Linux-friendly edition as well. As Pitchfork warns, you may need some technical know-how to use the app — this isn’t for rookie musicians.
Samplebrain has been a long time coming, to put it mildly. James said he first envisioned the app in 2002, back when Drukqs was his latest release. He revealed that he’d hired an engineer to work on the software in 2014 (when he returned to music with Syro), but didn’t say much else until now. There’s a good reason for that, apparently. James and Griffiths realized the project became “slightly out of control” as they added more and more parameters, and James admitted he hasn’t had much time to “explore [Samplebrain] properly.” This is a bid to finally put the tool in creators’ hands, even if it’s in a rough form.
HBO releases its first ‘The Last of Us’ trailer
September 26th is The Last Of Us Day and HBO is marking the occasion with the first trailer for its highly anticipated adaptation of Naughty Dog’s game. The clip, which runs for just over a minute and a half, includes some of the most memorable moments from the 2013 title (which just got a complete remake for PS5). It features the leaning building from an early level and a bombastic opening outbreak sequence, as well as the unmistakable sound of a Clicker. It seems that the show will draw from the Left Behind expansion as well.
For the uninitiated, The Last of Us tells the story of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsay). The pair travel across a near-future version of the US that has been left devastated by a fungal infection, which turns victims into aggressive, zombie-like creatures. The trailer does a solid job of capturing the terrifying atmosphere of the game.
It’s clear HBO has high hopes for the series. Last month, it closed out a big sizzle reel that highlighted upcoming projects with the first footage from the show. While there’s no specific release date as yet, The Last of Us will premiere on HBO and HBO Max in early 2023.
Save who you can save. The @HBO Original series #TheLastOfUs is coming in 2023 to @HBOMax. pic.twitter.com/WWpMYza2w7
— The Last Of Us (@TheLastofUsHBO) September 26, 2022
E3 will return to LA on June 13th, 2023
After missing 2022 altogether, one of the most important gaming trade shows will return next year. On Monday, the Entertainment Software Association announced that E3 2023 will take place between June 13th and June 16th at the Los Angeles Convention Ce…
WhatsApp users will soon be able to join a call by tapping a link
It’ll soon be easier for WhatsApp users to invite other folks to join a call. Meta is rolling out the option to share Call Links. If you see one of these links, you’ll be able to join a call with a single tap. You’ll need the latest version of WhatsApp to use Call Links. From the app’s Calls tab, you can select the Call Links option. You can then generate a link for a voice or video call to share with family and friends.
It’s a handy feature, and one that we’ve already seen Apple adopt. Last year, the company started offering sharable FaceTime links that allow others to join calls from Android devices and Windows PCs. While Apple enables people to schedule calls ahead of time using links, WhatsApp will not offer a similar feature, a spokesperson confirmed to Engadget.
In addition, WhatsApp has started testing encrypted group video calls for up to 32 people, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said. The company will share more details on that front soon.
Update 9/26 11:53AM ET: Added clarification that WhatsApp will not allow users to schedule calls.
Meta
Xbox controllers are up to 26 percent off at Amazon
Now is a good moment to buy a second Xbox controller for your local multiplayer games — or a livelier-looking replacement for the gamepad you already have. Amazon is selling the Xbox Core Wireless Controller for up to 26 percent off. The white model is the most affordable of the bunch at $45 (normally $60), but you’ll also find significant savings for the blue, red and Electric Volt (read: neon green) variants.
Buy Xbox Core Wireless Controller at Amazon – $45
If you own an Xbox Series X or Series S, you know what to expect. The Core Wireless Controller largely offers Microsoft’s years-old layout, just with an Elite-style circular directional pad (better for fighting games and some other titles), a share button and better grip. It’s not as clever as Sony’s PS5-oriented DualSense, but it’s comfortable, offers Bluetooth support and lasts up to three days on AA batteries. It’s clearly the gamepad of choice if you want to use an official design and don’t want to pay the premium for Elite Series 2.
As you’d guess, you won’t get any frills with these gamepads like you would with the Elite or some third-party pads. You won’t find swappable covers or sticks, a luxurious feel or other upgrades catering to the most dedicated gamers. At these sale prices, though, the Xbox Core Wireless lineup is an easy choice when you just need an extra controller for your child or the occasional sports game showdown.
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