An excellent article, very readable. About machine learning, deep learning, and what’s coming.
Science
A perfect example of the different approaches of Apple and Google
Seth Clifford looks at Apple and Google’s approaches to solving important health problems. Spot on.
Hyperloop’s first public test
The Verge:
It only lasted about two seconds, but wow, what a sort of thrilling two seconds it was! Hyperloop One, the LA-based startup striving to realize Elon Musk’s pipe dream, conducted it’s first public open-air test in the Nevada desert Wednesday.
Video embedded in the main post.
SpaceX makes it two landings in a row
Another successful launch and landing. The video below is the hosted version, with hosts explaining each step in the launch and landing sequence and employees cheering raucously in the background.
Deafening applause in the control room as SpaceX hits their mark
If you have a few minutes, watch the video embedded below (watch in full screen mode), the webcast of SpaceX’s CRS-8 Dragon launch and the subsequent landing of the reusable first stage on the floating drone raft.
This is a beautiful video, full of beautiful moments.
Groundbreaking new magnets make for some pretty magic behavior
Have the heart of an engineer? Then you might appreciate this cool new approach to building magnets. Some real groundbreaking tech, pretty fun to play with. Watch the embedded video.
Science!
Microsoft’s new way of cooling its data centers: Throw them in the sea
Ars Technica:
Microsoft has demonstrated an experimental prototype of a new approach: instead of pumping water around the data center, put the data center in the water.
Would this raise sea temperatures?
Angela Merkel, a bit of super-heated hydrogen, and the chase for unlimited energy
Aamna Mohdin, writing for Quartz:
German scientists today will set about the first steps towards what has become the Holy Grail of energy—nuclear fusion, which has the potential for unlimited amounts of clean power.
This is a fascinating post, and Angela Merkel just got a lot cooler to me.
New evidence suggests a ninth planet lurking at the edge of the solar system
Planet Nine!!!
Incredible achievement by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket team
This is an incredible achievement. Not an end, but definitely a major step in the right direction. Read the post for details and video.
Greenland is melting away
This is a bit terrifying but gorgeous at the very same time. Be sure to scroll through the whole thing, especially that page that zooms in and out from a skyward overhead view of Greenland, to the closeup on the porous ice at the surface.
How a drummer lost his arm, got a robotic prosthetic, learned to drum again
[VIDEO] This is incredible. There’s the core of the story, a drummer recovering his ability to drum again after losing his arm. But this goes deeper, into the world of robotics and the very essence of music. Is Jason’s newfound musical ability robotic in nature? I found the whole thing fascinating.
The Apple Watch could soon predict seizures
EpiWatch is one of a wave of new studies made possible by ResearchKit. Fantastic!
Watch Adobe’s Monument Mode erase tourists from photos in real time
This technology looks like it has incredible promise. In a nutshell, it will erase all moving objects (like annoying tourists) from the frame when you take a picture. Watch the video to see it in action.
Video: Shark attacks underwater drone
Fantastic video. Look at those teeth!
Freezing time
I’m no physicist but, if I read this correctly, it is possible under certain circumstances to FREEZE TIME. Holy crikey. The mind reels.
A quick iPhone camera science experiment
I stumbled on this yesterday, as my wife and I were working on a project involving infrared light. This is very simple, will take about a minute, and if you are even mildly into science, you might find it interesting.
Researcher demonstrates how to suck carbon from the air, make stuff from it
If this proves cost-effective, this could be the start of an effective campaign to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Photo of International Space Station crossing the moon
See that speck in the middle of the moon? That’s the International Space Station, in shadow against the brilliant background of the moon.
Robot shows glimmer of self awareness
This might seem like a simple experiment, but I agree with the Neurology poster: This is a glimpse into the future.
The Magnus Effect
This is just cool. Science!
Apple Watch, water and workouts
Great, informative article from Craig Hockenberry on the affect of water on your Apple Watch.
Astonishing imagery of the Earth from space
This vivid, moving imagery is riveting, breathtaking.
Robot kills worker, bizarre Skynet connection
Tragic and bizarre.
Batteriser is a $2.50 gadget that extends disposable battery life by 800 percent
Too good to be true? Snake oil? My gut says, this is the real deal.
Thought controlled prosthetics, a step on the road to immortality
When he was a teenager, Les Baugh was racing with his brother and ran into some live power lines, ultimately losing his arms. Much later in life, he has been given the chance to try out some new, bionic limbs, arms and hands that he can control with his thoughts.
Image identification
Stephen Wolfram, writing on the Wolfram blog:
“What is this a picture of?” Humans can usually answer such questions instantly, but in the past it’s always seemed out of reach for computers to do this.
Wolfram wrapped his image identification project in a public interface that you can play with for free.
Amazon and rockets
A fantastic race for a reusable rocket between Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin.
Wrist tattoos might interfere with Apple Watch
Some people with wrist tattoos are reporting problems connecting their Apple Watch to their wrists. Apparently, it’s the ink interfering with the light reflectivity. Read on for details.
How tough are the Apple Watch finishes?
Greg Koenig, writing for iMore, digs into the durability of the various Apple Watch finishes. Fascinating read.