The Casetify Grougu and ‘The Mandalorian’ collection of phone, laptop, and AirPod cases is on sale ahead of May the 4th.
Blog Posts
Blog Posts
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.
Era Secures $11M for Development of AI Gadget Software Platform
Era thinks that we will see many form factors of AI hardware, including glasses, rings, and pendants
Microsoft Proposes Buyout for Up to 7% of U.S. Workforce
If a worker’s years of service at Microsoft plus their age equals 70 or more, they will be eligible for a voluntary retirement buyout.
Bluesky Enhances Photo Quality Support
The max size is now 2MB and max resolution is 4000×4000.
Five Vintage Devices Resurging in Popularity
Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock
The saying “What’s old is new again” isn’t always true for technology, which typically focuses on future advancements and innovations over everything else. Nevertheless, many individuals feel a sense of nostalgia for vintage gadgets, and this sentiment can guide a new generation to rediscover them. A prime illustration is vinyl records and turntables, which were mostly rendered outdated by 8-tracks, cassette tapes, and CDs, but saw a revival beginning in the late 2000s that persists today.
A retro gadget might make a comeback for several reasons, ranging from nostalgia to a wish to resist contemporary trends and express individuality. What’s particularly fascinating about the ongoing retro resurgence is the involvement of Gen Z, who largely were not alive during the heyday of these devices. For them, it represents a break from the constant notifications and perpetual scrolling they grew up with, along with a yearning for something tangible in an increasingly digital existence. Let’s explore some of the vintage gadgets that are regaining popularity, alongside a few that are making a return in updated variations.
Cassette tapes
China Creates an Artificial Diamond Surpassing the Hardness of Natural Diamonds
the revelation of lonsdaleite, referred to as hexagonal diamond, has transformed the landscape. Presently, a team based in China asserts they have successfully synthesized lonsdaleite, producing a diamond with hardness and strength that could compete with traditional Earth-found diamonds.
A few years back, lonsdaleite was uncovered in meteorite samples sourced from Africa, marking not the inaugural discovery of this mineral near a meteor impact. Previously, however, scientists had only encountered relatively minor amounts of lonsdaleite. The recent lonsdaleite identified in Africa featured crystals that may be roughly 1,000 times larger than those from past findings. Such discoveries have validated the existence of hexagonal diamond at least in some part of the universe.
Currently, in a publication in the journal Nature, researchers from China outline their method of synthesizing lonsdaleite in a laboratory setting. While this doesn’t represent the first occasion on which scientists have artificially developed a material or substance that can match the strength and hardness of diamonds
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.
