A trusted source has leaked details on Apple's long-rumored augmented reality smart glasses. The Apple Glass is expected to retail for $499, with extra costs for prescription lenses. It will feature a user interface called Starboard that can display information on both lenses and allow users to control the device with gestures. Apple will possibly use propriety QR codes, though it isn't clear if these will be the QR codes spotted in the internal build of iOS 14. The smart glasses will probably incorporate augmented reality, taking advantage of the ARKit framework as well as 3D sensors similar to the 2020 iPad Pro's LiDAR system. It will probably rely on a nearby device for processing, rendering, and data connections.
Facebook Shops is a new feature that will make it easier for companies to list their products on Facebook and Instagram. The free service lets businesses set up product listings on their Facebook Page, Instagram profile, Stories, or in ads. Businesses will still have to direct customers to a website to complete any purchases. Facebook is currently testing a program called Checkout that will allow businesses to conduct transactions on the social network for a fee, but it is unknown when it will be available to the public. Facebook plans to integrate Shops features into WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram Direct, as well as allowing users to tag products during live streams.
A light sail made from a one carbon-atom-thick sheet of graphene has passed initial viability tests and could be used to power spacecraft. Light sails could potentially enable us to reach other star systems and they require no fuel, making spaceships equipped with them much lighter and easier to launch. The graphene light sail was tested by dropping it off a tower and shooting it with a laser. Graphene is relatively simple to make and it is possible to make kilometer-wide sails.
In late February, a team of scientists published a recipe to grow SARS-CoV-2 in the lab. It allowed labs around the world to have access to the virus so they could develop diagnostic tests, drugs, and vaccines. However, the same technology that is used to fight diseases can be used to make them more deadly or more transmissible. Scientists are concerned about a potential lab-made or lab-leaked viral strain. Virus samples can be obtained through infected tissue, cultures, or synthesis. The published technique is able to engineer SARS-CoV-2 using yeast and synthesized genetic material. While the technology has enabled scientists around the world to quickly obtain coronavirus samples for study, it has a high potential for misuse.
NXNSAttack is a vulnerability in DNS servers that can be abused to launch DDoS attacks of massive proportions. The vulnerability impacts recursive DNS servers and the process of DNS delegation. Using NXNSAttack can amplify a simple DNS query from 2 to 1,620 times its initial size. This can cause the DNS server to crash, taking the target website offline. Patches have been released to resolve the issue.
Microsoft has released Windows Terminal. It features support for multiple tabs, shortcuts, emojis, custom themes, and more. Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 will now support GPUs and Linux GUI apps. It now has a simplified install experience. WSL 2 will get support for GPU workflows in the second half of the year, allowing developers to enable hardware acceleration for many development scenarios.
The Joe Rogan Experience will soon become a Spotify exclusive. The show will be available on Spotify starting from September 1st and will become exclusive sometime after. It will remain free to access. Rogan will continue to retain creative control over the show. His YouTube channel will remain live but it won't contain full episodes.
An Amazon warehouse in Pennsylvania has become Amazon's biggest COVID-19 hot spot, with more than 100 workers testing positive for the virus. Amazon had told workers about new cases as they were reported, but it stopped reporting specific numbers after the total reached about 60. It is estimated that at least 900 of Amazon's 400,000 blue-collar workers have contracted the disease. Amazon has received a massive amount of orders since the pandemic started and has increased hiring to keep up with demand. Safety protocols exist but the company doesn't appear to be following guidelines. Workers have complained about insufficient safety measures in Amazon's warehouses.
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