How does Intel’s new Arc Pro B70 32GB professional GPU stack up against the competition in media editing, rendering, AI, CAD, and BIM applications?
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The US Allocates $190M for Mach 5 Rockets Aimed at Non-Space Uses – Clarified
The U.S. Department of Defense has allocated $190 million to Rocket Lab’s cutting-edge HASTE launch vehicle — HASTE is an acronym for Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron — but what’s intriguing is that it is not intended for deep space missions. Rather, it is a low-atmosphere rocket based on Rocket Lab’s Electron Rocket, crafted for hypersonic test flights. A suborbital rocket, for those who might not know, does not attain orbital velocity, hence it returns to Earth without executing any orbits in outer space. This is in stark contrast to the company’s hypersonic rocket that has the potential to rival SpaceX.
A suborbital journey provides a low-gravity environment and facilitates suborbital research to undertake a diverse range of experiments and technology evaluations. This is exactly what Rocket Lab’s HASTE launch vehicle and its ensuing program aim to achieve. In collaboration with the DOD, Rocket Labs will “quickly enhance hypersonic flight tests and advanced aerospace technologies that will shape the future of defense operations.” This initiative is a cooperative effort between the DOD and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, dubbed TRMC MACH-TB, or the Test Resource Management Center Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed 2.0. Quite a lengthy title.
In total, this multi-million dollar agreement specifies 20 hypersonic test flights utilizing Rocket Lab’s vehicle over a span of four years. The initial launch in this series is expected to occur “within months” of the contract finalization, so it’s imminent.
What types of research can be conducted during a suborbital flight?
Some of the most significant U.S. space endeavors that were not orchestrated by NASA include suborbital launches, such as the U.S. Space Force’s X-37B orbital test vehicle. As stated by NASA, which also manages separate suborbital studies, numerous activities can be accomplished during these test flights, ranging from Earth science and geospace analyses to biological examinations, robotic evaluations, and recreating in-space experiences. Rockets and aircraft are not the sole means to achieve suborbital altitudes. Research balloons are similarly employed, including one the size of a vehicle that landed on a Texas farm.
However, Rocket Lab asserts that HASTE is “specifically designed for technology demonstration missions,” aimed at expediting relevant hypersonic research while minimizing related expenses and increasing launch availability and frequency. This is significant as conventional hypersonic testing approaches tend to be costly and sluggish in comparison.
The 20 HASTE missions currently planned will also emphasize “providing high-cadence hypersonic capabilities at scale for the warfighter,” fostering innovation for the military and the national security interests of the United States. Most further details are classified, but the research is poised to substantially benefit the armed forces. Importantly, the Mach 5 velocities that HASTE can reach present unique challenges for ground control. Should it be utilized for a more perilous, missile-based deployment, the speed is too rapid for assured tracking and targeting. It also necessitates quicker decision-making due to increased velocities. This represents a “critical technology area” that will yield “the greatest impact, fastest results, and most decisive advantage.”
Apple Watch Contains an Undisclosed Function for Tracking Healthy Practices
### Apple Health Automatically Records Time in Daylight with Your Apple Watch
Time in Daylight is a newly introduced metric in the Health app as part of iOS 17 in 2023. This functionality, available since watchOS 10, enables the Apple Watch to automatically monitor the duration you spend in sunlight simply by wearing the device. By utilizing the watch’s ambient light sensor, it assesses environmental brightness without the need for any extra apps or tracking modes to be activated, although users can choose to turn it off if they wish.
Apple defines Time in Daylight as an estimate of the duration spent in sunlight, stating, “When unobstructed, Apple Watch can automatically record an estimated amount of Time in Daylight in Health.”
### How to Access Time in Daylight Information in Apple Health
The Time in Daylight metric can provide data going back to June 2023, enabling users to examine their sunlight exposure over a period. To retrieve this information, follow these steps:
1. Launch the Health app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the magnifying glass icon to search.
3. Enter “daylight” into the search bar.
Alternatively, users can find Time in Daylight information in the Mental Wellbeing or Other Data sections within the Health Categories on the search page.
### Rethinking How Apple Watch Monitors Healthy Habits
Spending time exposed to sunlight is advantageous for both physical and mental health, and Time in Daylight provides insights into healthy practices beyond mere exercise. For example, someone may discover that their most significant Time in Daylight day resulted not from conventional outdoor pursuits but from working outdoors with a laptop, illustrating how everyday decisions can enhance overall well-being.
Measuring Time in Daylight can assist users in identifying and valuing healthy choices that may not be captured in exercise minutes alone, ultimately promoting a more comprehensive approach to health and wellness.
### Additional Reading for Apple Watch and Apple Health
For those looking to explore the newest Apple Watch models, the Apple Watch Series 11 is currently available for as low as $299 on Amazon.
John Ternus Discusses His Perspectives on Apple Vision Pro
**Apple’s Future CEO John Ternus Holds Positive Perspective on Vision Pro’s Prospects**
Recently, an interview featuring Apple SVPs John Ternus and Greg Joswiak was released by *Tom’s Guide*. The conversation covered various perspectives, particularly emphasizing the Vision Pro, a head-worn device that has encountered difficulties in its sales figures.
Tim Cook, Apple’s current CEO, has been a fervent supporter of the Vision Pro, underlining its possibilities and application in everyday scenarios. He characterized the device as an “early adopter product,” signifying that it primarily serves a specialized market at this moment.
As John Ternus readies himself to assume the CEO position, his views on the Vision Pro are of notable significance. In the interview, Ternus conveyed an optimistic outlook for the Vision Pro and the larger realm of spatial computing. He remarked, “I believe we’re still very much in the early stages of spatial computing. We are incredibly enthusiastic about it. The Vision Pro is an exceptional product. As Joz mentioned, it’s like we’ve reached into the future and brought it into the present.”
Ternus emphasized the continual uncovering of new applications for the Vision Pro, especially in fields such as enterprise and healthcare. He is confident that the potential for growth in these sectors is considerable, suggesting that Apple is dedicated to investigating and broadening the capabilities of spatial computing technologies.
This encouraging perspective reinforces the idea that Apple is adopting a long-term strategy regarding head-mounted wearables, establishing the Vision Pro as a cornerstone product in an emerging market.
For those seeking additional insights, the complete interview can be viewed online, with excerpts available on *Tom’s Guide*.
**Top Vision Pro Accessories**
As the Vision Pro progresses, users may also want to consider the top accessories to enhance their experience with the device.
Casetify Launches Huge The Mandalorian and Grogu Collection Before May the 4th
The Casetify Grougu and ‘The Mandalorian’ collection of phone, laptop, and AirPod cases is on sale ahead of May the 4th.
What Users Are Saying About X Custom Timelines
X just rolled out custom timelines for users, powered by the Grok AI tool. It’s a similar tool to TweetDeck, which recently rebranded.
Constructable Stylesheets and adoptedStyleSheets: Single Parse for All Shadow Roots
If you have any shared styles across multiple shadow DOMs (imagine 20 custom button components), a Constructable Stylesheets is just way more efficient.
Meta Revamps Cross-App Management System
Meta’s Accounts Center will transition to the Meta Account, which is supposed to make it easier to manage your experience on various Meta apps and devices.
Samsung Lowers Prices for Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7
Samsung’s latest decision to add the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 to its Certified Re-Newed program has generated buzz, albeit not for entirely positive reasons. The initiative, which offers refurbished smartphones with fresh batteries and repairs, looks attractive at first sight. However, an unusual pricing approach has come to light: refurbished base models are currently listed at higher prices than their brand-new counterparts. For example, a refurbished Galaxy Z Fold 7 with 256GB storage is priced at $1,699, while a new version can be purchased for $1,599. Likewise, the refurbished Galaxy Z Flip 7 has a price tag of $939, in contrast to $899 for a new unit.
This pricing inconsistency indicates that Samsung may be relying on consumers not to scrutinize prices closely. Although the program might serve those looking for high-capacity options, like the 1TB Fold 7, which is cheaper when refurbished, it typically doesn’t make economic sense for the average consumer. Samsung’s effort to encourage a circular economy is praiseworthy, but charging more for refurbished devices than for new ones diminishes the program’s sustainability assertions. For discerning shoppers, the superior choice is clearly the new models, underscoring the significance of comparing prices to make well-informed buying decisions.
Is it time for a new iPod, 25 years later?
This is Lowpass by Janko Roettgers, a newsletter on the ever-evolving intersection of tech and entertainment, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the original iPod. With its monochrome display, mechanical scroll wheel, and 5 GB hard drive, Apple’s pioneering music player now looks like the […]
