Lifeboat Foundation

Are we about to see Apple reaching an even newer gold standard in ear buds? Apple has a patent for AirPods with built in biometrics. It’s being called “universal” because the idea calls for ear pods that can be worn in either ear. That would mean no more left-right business.

Much of the tech news coverage is focusing on the “interchangeable” aspect of the patent concept. 9to5Mac’s Alex Allegro said interchangeable earbuds “equipped with ‘at least one’ biometric sensor, which could detect left/right ear placement and accordingly adjust audio.” He assessed the potential advantages as “evolving AirPods from a separate left / right unit to a single component,” which could lower costs and simplify getting a replacement AirPod.

If the ear buds are interchangeable, then it is a big deal in terms of user satisfaction. OK, the product is popular now but The Verge reminds us that the AirPod is not a perfect fit for everyone. Nick Statt: “Due to the shape of some people’s inner ear, the headphones simply don’t fit every possible ear shape well.”

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The curious tale of a ladies hairdresser who invented a potentially world-changing material. Part one of six. Reported by Lee Johnson, produced, filmed and directed by Adam Proctor.

China launched the Chang’e 4 spacecraft atop a Long March 3B rocket on Friday in a milestone mission to land a rover on the far side of the moon.

Many years after, the young dreamer has surpassed his imagination. He is now a lead engineer on InSight — NASA’s spacecraft which recently landed on Mars. He is in charge of the mission’s robotic arm mechanism.

Tesla is upgraded to “buy” at Jeffries as Tesla CEO Elon Musk appears on “60 Minutes” to talk about his erratic behavior this year.

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General Motors recently announced plans to double its investment in electric vehicles and that’s just fine with Elon Musk. 60 Minutes, Sunday. https://cbsn.ws/2L0D2pw&h=AT27OxLLrIvSTagOUUaqQ8rb_hlgmnx14C…svvYFzIR1X

China has launched the first mission to land a robotic craft on the far side of the Moon, Chinese media say.

The Chang’e-4 mission will see a static lander and rover touch down in Von Kármán crater, located on the side of the Moon which never faces Earth.

The payload blasted off atop a Long March 3B rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and deep learning have made huge strides in 2018. In this post we look at some of the key AI predictions for 2019, where is will be used, how it will make the biggest impact, as well as the key challenges we have to address.

This mesmerizing comet landscape was captured by the Rosetta probe as it zoomed by Comet 67P.