Welcome back, gentle reader, to the second installment of Hitting the Books Quarterly. This time around we’ve got a seven-layer dip of delicious literature for you, starting with a harrowing investigation into the heart of California’s firestorms, foll…
EV startup Arrival to refocus business on electric vans for the US market
In 2018, fledgling EV maker Arrival partnered with UPS to build a new generation of electric delivery vans, beginning with a pilot fleet of 35 vehicles, for use in both the US and Europe. The company quickly expanded its scope from there, working on pl…
Wing is expanding its drone delivery service to Ireland in the coming weeks
Due to developing regulations in the EU regarding uncrewed aviation regulations, today drone delivery company Wing announced a new service area in Lusk, Ireland that is slated to begin sometime in the coming weeks. Currently, Wing offers drone del…
Moog resurrects Moogerfooger effects as a collection of digital plugins
Moogerfoogers are among some of the most sought after effects pedals out there. They were originally introduced in 1998 and were in many ways direct descendants of some of the original Moog synth modules. They were discontinued in 2018, but even during…
James Webb telescope captures ‘knot’ of galaxies in the early universe
The James Webb Space Telescope has produced its second revelatory image in as many days. Scientists using the observatory have discovered a tightly-packed “knot” of at least three galaxies that were forming around a quasar 11.5 billion years ago, just …
Facebook Groups now include Reels and more anti-misinformation tools
Facebook is giving Groups a tune-up with new features, not to mention tools to ensure healthy discussions. Like it or not, Reels are coming to Groups — members can share how-to guides, vacation recaps and other videos using the seemingly omnipresent fo…
Texas AG sues Google over its facial data collection practices
The office of Texas State Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Thursday that it has filed a lawsuit against Google over the company’s alleged years-long practices to capture and use of biometric data from, “millions of Texans without properly obtai…
VanMoof’s new A5 and S5 e-bikes are harder to steal and smoother to ride
It was a breezy three-kilometer ride on VanMoof’s A5 e-bike around Battersea Park in London. Starting from VanMoof’s flagship London store, the company’s CEO, Ties Carlier, took the lead. He shot off on the more typically framed S5 ($3,498), while I go…
Apple Fitness+ comes to iPhone on October 24th
Apple isn’t just updating iPad and Mac software next week. The company has revealed that Fitness+ will come to the iPhone on October 24th in tandem with required software updates, including iOS 16.1. You’ll need the handset to sign up, but it will also…
Instagram’s new anti-abuse features include DM ‘kindness reminders’
Instagram is expanding its efforts to fight abuse, and that includes not-so-subtle encouragement to stay civil. The company is introducing DM “kindness reminders” that ask you to “keep Instagram a supportive place” when you message a creator. This prob…