California’s Kern County approves the state’s first project that will attempt to bury climate-warming gases underground in an effort to limit the amount of emissions that go into the air, according to an article from CALmatters.

“The project by California Resources Corp., the state’s largest producer of oil and gas, will capture millions of tons of carbon dioxide and inject it into the ground in the western San Joaquin Valley south of Buttonwillow,” the article explains. “California Resources Corp. plans to annually collect 1.46 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and inject it into the ground more than a mile deep into the Monterey Formation, a vast geological structure that has long been a key source of California’s oil.”

The site in the San Joaquin Valley was selected partly due to the presence of the depleted Elk Hills oil and gas field, which could be an ideal carbon storage solution. The project, known as Carbon Terra Vault, is one way oil and gas companies are fighting to stay relevant and viable as the state works toward a zero-emissions future. “The Newsom administration has endorsed carbon capture and sequestration technology as critical to California’s efforts to tackle climate change — it plays a major role in the administration’s action plan for slashing greenhouse gases over the next 20 years.”

In a public meeting, local activists expressed concern about the project’s potential to contaminate the surrounding area. “They say the technology could prolong the life of oil and gas and that the project would emit air pollutants that could pose health risks to low-income communities in the valley.”

• Carbon Storage
• Climate Change
• Greenhouse Gases
• GHG Emissions
• Emissions
• Carbon Capture
• Underground Carbon Storage

The holiday season is slowly creeping up, and if you’re the type of person who likes to knock their holiday shopping out before the stress of shipping deadlines looms large, we’ve got you covered. We’ve collected the absolute best gifts for everybody in your life, regardless of their interests or your budget. Need a quick idea for the lapsed gamer in your life? Or the person always complaining about their old earbuds conking out at the worst possible time? You’ll find what you’re looking for below. We’ll be continually updating this story with new gift ideas every week, so be sure to check back in if you need a last-minute gift idea or even more inspiration.

Nintendo

The Nintendo Switch is still the gift we recommend for the gamer in your life. Nintendo—and plenty of third-party developers—have continued to stack the system’s library with impressive games year after year. There’s arguably never been a better time to pick up the Switch, thanks to the deep bench of titles. The Switch’s biggest feature, however, is that it’s a hybrid console. The person you gift it to can take it with them on the go and play their game library on the Switch’s 7-inch HD screen, then pop it onto a dock to continue playing on a TV. The switch (get it?) between handheld and home gaming is seamless, and the console comes with a pair of Joy-Con controllers, which can be used simultaneously by one person or individually to play multiplayer games. The option to play multiplayer games with someone at the drop of the hat when you’re outside your home is compelling, especially because of the Switch’s built-in kickstand, which allows you to angle it upward without using another accessory. The Nintendo Switch is still the easiest current-generation console to recommend, and if the gamer you’re shopping for already has one, we recommend checking out our guide to the system’s best games. (Looking for a more vivid experience and willing to spend a little more money? Check out the $350 Switch OLED.)

Apple

Apple’s latest earbuds are a great gift for anyone who needs active noise cancellation to concentrate but feels uncomfortable keeping gummy-tipped earbuds in their ears. The AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation have an all-new design, so they’ll fit comfortably in even more ears. They have a hard-shell design, which means they don’t create a tight seal around the ear, which can bother some people. However, they do support active noise cancellation and can significantly reduce certain sounds like airplane engine noise or idling cars, which makes traveling and exercising outside more comfortable. These design changes and feature improvements were welcome, but Apple also improved the audio hardware, so music, podcasts, and audiobooks sounded uniformly excellent. You can read our full review for more in-depth information, but the latest AirPods are the best earbuds to gift this year.

Amazon

Shopping for a reader who’s on the fence about e-books? Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite was just released, and it’s our go-to eReader recommendation. The device has a 7-inch high-resolution display, so text will look crisp and almost paperlike while reading. Amazon has upgraded the processor, which means pages turn more quickly, making it easier to move through books more seamlessly. The biggest benefit readers will find when using a Kindle is the ability to move an entire library around with them. The Paperwhite can hold thousands of books, and its battery is designed to last for weeks between charges. Amazon says the Kindle store has over 15 million titles available, so they can pick up the latest titles as they’re released while catching up on classics, too. The new Kindle Paperwhite is even equipped with backlights that will automatically adjust itself based on the amount of ambient light in the room, so reading sessions that move from day to night won’t get interrupted.

Ultimate Ears

Ultimate Ears’ EVERBOOM is one of the best Bluetooth speakers we’ve tested this year, and it’s a great gift for the music lover in your life. Even though it’s smaller than the $299 EVERBOOM, it still provides ample bass without reducing the quality of midrange and high frequencies, so songs sound just right. Ultimate Ears’ Boom app—available on iOS and Android—allows you to use your smartphone’s microphone to speak over the music like a DJ. One of the EVERBOOM’s most travel-friendly features is its IP67 durability rating, meaning it can survive being dunked underwater for several minutes or used in a dusty environment without being damaged. Gigantic volume buttons on the speaker’s face make it easy to turn the tunes up or down when necessary without a second thought. The EVERBOOM is a great gift for people who host, spend lots of time at the beach and pool, or want to take a great-sounding speaker with them on the go. (Got a friend who is an avid cyclist or hiker? Consider the easily attachable $79 UE MINIROLL for them to take with them on adventures.)

Ninja

The Ninja SLUSHi is one of the most innovative appliances we’ve seen in quite some time and is a great gift for people who love to host. Your giftee can use the SLUSHi to make milkshakes, margaritas, and other frozen treats in as little as fifteen minutes with very few ingredients. In fact, some recipes only require a single ingredient, which is especially helpful in a pinch. We’ve tested the SLUSHi, and can confirm it makes a surprisingly good vanilla milkshake and frozen soda drink with basically the push of a button. It was also remarkably easy to clean. Many of the SLUSHi’s pieces are removable, and the appliance itself has a “clean” function that allows you to run warm water through its tank to clean some fixed pieces. If you’re stumped on what to get that friend with the “complete kitchen,” this gift will blow their mind.

Rumpl

This super-packable blanket is built for serious trips into the wilderness, but it’s also a fantastic thing to chuck in your car or bring with you on just about any trip. This 52” x 75” blanket rolls up neatly into an included bag. It weighs just under 1.5 pounds, and it smushes down into just about any space thanks to the Nanoloft insulation. The shell has a PFAS-free water-resistant layer, so you can set it down on the wet ground and have a picnic without getting your sandwiches or Patagonia Baggy Shorts soggy. Integrated cape clips let you wear the blanket like a cape without having to hold it shut with your hands. Plus, the whole thing is machine-washable. There are cheaper models, like the Original Puffy Blanket, but if you’re giving a gift, you might as well go with the top-of-the-line. Plus, the Back Country puffy blanket comes in a ton of cool colorways to match anyone’s style.

Hello Tushy

If you want to improve someone’s life drastically with a single gift, a bidet is the way to go. This non-electric model hooks up directly to the water supply, so it doesn’t require batteries or an outlet to work. That makes setup simple and opens it up to many different bathroom layouts. It has a dual-flow spout for comprehensive cleaning and a simple knob to control water pressure. A quick-release button makes it easy to take off for deep cleaning, and a soft-close feature prevents the seat and lid from slamming down. You can pick either a round or elongated model, depending on what kind of toilet you have.  

DJI

It’s typically hard to recommend a drone as a gift. Most of the good ones are really expensive, and the cheap ones are basically toys that are more frustrating than fun. DJI’s Neo drone, however, provides a true UAV experience. You get a fully stabilized 4K camera, as well as the ability to track and follow moving subjects. It launches directly from your hand and can land all on its own without crashing catastrophically. The app-powered experience is super simple, which makes this great for beginners or more experienced flyers who don’t necessarily want to bust out their big, pricy, complicated rig for a casual occasion. One battery gets you 17 minutes of flight (varying with conditions, of course), so we recommend stepping up to the $289 kit with three batteries if you can swing the extra cash. 

Levoit

This compact model took home the best budget air purifier for allergies award in our buying guide, and for good reason. This 16-inch high device sits quietly in the corner of a room and sucks harmful particles out of the air. Each filter only needs changing once every six months, and the device runs basically silently except for the small fan. You can dim out all of the the lights on the display if you’re keeping it in your bedroom, the fan offers three modes, from tame to most powerful. It’s a great addition to any space, especially if someone has pets or loves to cook. Have you ever tried to get the smell of burned tortellini out of an apartment? It’s difficult without an air purifier.

Decibullz

You might be surprised to find out how often a good set of earplugs can come in handy. Maybe you have a partner who snores or you’re planning to hit up your favorite underground music venue to catch some death metal bands. Or maybe you’re going to be using some power tools. Whatever your reason, these custom moldable earplugs will make the activity easier on your ears. They offer an NRR rating of 31, which makes them very powerful compared to those squishy little nugget-style plugs you’d get at the drugstore. In order to fit the Decibullz to your head, boil them in water to make the material warm and flexible. Once they’ve cooled down, mash them into your ear holes, and they form into the perfect shape. If you screw it up, just start all over.

Tony Ware

Every house has a mother hen—someone that, say, goes around constantly making sure all the devices are updated and power banks are recharged, etc. Because you never know what’s going to happen once someone leaves the house. Add motorized vehicles to the mix, and mother hen’s feathers might fall out. If you’re a city cyclist or need a gift for a road rider with a mother hen in their life, you can help smooth out said feathers or just make the right call yourself to reduce risks with the REDSHIFT ARCLIGHT Bicycle pedals. These ingenious flat pedals use swappable, rechargeable, waterproof LED lights to create 360 degrees of illumination and make your bike 57% more visible. Sensors keep rear LEDs red and front-facing ones white (whether you select solid or flashing light), no matter how you start and/or spin the pedals. They also sense whether you are pedaling or not, so they turn on and off to conserve battery. And battery life is up to 36 hours, keeping someone safer through plenty of rides and giving mother hen something to add to the fretting schedule. There’s also a PRO MTB-style pedal with traction pins available in black and silver, plus a PRO CNC machined Clipless version for racing types.

Tony Ware

There was a time when I couldn’t sleep on planes and would arrive at every destination exhausted. That time is over, however, thanks in part to this specific eye mask from Ostrichpillow, known for its peculiar powernap product. I’ve never seen one of those in the wild, but I have used the far more normal $69 GO neck pillow on my way to tell anyone who does a lot of business travel or is just preparing for the holidaze hustle, don’t sleep on this mask. Because you want to sleep on this mask. The concave interior of the molded foam allows for full coverage with zero pressure. It’s a total blackout that’s totally comfortable, also making them great for partners with different schedules, etc. Trust me, that family gathering will be exhausting enough. This gift will help you, or someone you love, arrive with more energy to abide.

Tony Ware

The modern world can be metaphorically backbreaking and, at the very least, physically backstraining. Sitting at a computer day in and day out puts some real pressure on a spine. Even more enjoyable activities, like biking, can do a number on your musculature. Enter the Chirp Wheel, available in various sizes, though most recommendable at 10 inches or above. Unlike a foam roller, it actually stretches most of the vertebrae, along with the chest, instead of focusing on generalized muscle tightness. It helps stretch out a hunch, whether from leaning over a laptop or handlebars. It’s a simple daily activity that can make a difference and a gift that can keep on giving.

Tony Ware

There are a lot of things we can’t control. But sitting is somewhere we can invest time and money to get things right. And if you, or someone you know, search for all-day comfort, whether for gaming with a squad or zooming with a cohort, you want a fully adjustable chair like the Typhon from Eureka Ergonomic. After a bit of guided assembly, you end up with a vibrant framework of plastic, metal, and mesh that’s breathable yet supportive and comes with adjustable recline. Backside to backrest, armrests to headrest, this pressure-relieving posture-positive racerback exoskeleton (available in multiple colorways) makes an impression by not making impressions in your body. Investing in this chair will reduce fatigue on your body and mind, because you’ll know the one thing you’re not playing games with is your back.

Tony Ware

Tech companies have been trying to make smart glasses happen for a while now. After about a year of experimentation, a pair of Solos AirGo3 has won a place in our wearables rotation. They’re a compelling alternative to traditional wearables, offering standard features like fitness tracking and calendar notifications. While their ChatGPT voice assistant is clever, the real game-changer is simpler: they’re an excellent middle ground between headphones and staying present. Know someone who needs to maintain awareness of their surroundings? With these glasses, you can connect to two devices via Bluetooth and stream audio—podcasts, presentations, playlists—without being startled by coworkers, missing family conversations, or having cars sneak up on you while you bike. The audio quality won’t blow you away, but that’s not the point. These glasses excel at keeping you connected without broadcasting it to everyone around you or isolating yourself behind noise-canceling headphones. They also have been rolling out new software improvements throughout the year, including a new one-on-one translating feature. And, since the rechargeable detachable arms have all circuitry, AirGo3 frame fronts can be swapped out between everyday looks and sportier lenses, and they can accommodate prescription lenses.

Everyone deserves a good hair day; the Dyson Airwrap helps make one happen. It’s got a bevy of attachments, including two curling barrels, two smoothing brushes, a fabulous hairdryer, and, my favorite, the round brush. The device uses the Coanda effect to dry and style the hair while reducing heat damage, giving you bombshell hair that would make Andie MacDowell, queen of L’Oreal hair commercials, jealous. In my experience, it takes your hair from soaking wet to dry in less than 10 minutes, which other stylers can’t achieve. Sure, it’s expensive, but I’ve had mine for years and will keep using it until the world ends, so this is the kind of gift that will keep reminding the recipient how much someone cares.

Amanda Reed

The Audio-Technica Sound Burger is a piece of record history and a conversation piece. It was first released in 1983 and gave listeners a chance to spin their wax out of the house. In November 2022, the company brought it back for a limited run and upgraded it with USB-C charging and Bluetooth compatibility, so you can enjoy it whether you prefer headphones or speakers. After quickly selling out, it was brought back permanently to the AT lineup in 2023, allowing anyone to play 33 ⅓ and 45-RPM records with flair. The Sound Burger looks cool and works amazing, thanks to a dynamically balanced tone arm and VM cartridge. It’s a great gift for a music lover who could use a nifty addition to their record player stand. (And it won’t take up as much permanent space as some of the other Audio-Technica turntables we love.)

Amanda Reed

I love using a phone grip to prevent my phone from crashing to the ground while texting with one hand or falling onto my face when I’m lying in bed and scrolling. However, taking advantage of MagSafe charging and mounts with one attached is typically impossible. Other phone grips require you to remove them to charge wirelessly or use a MagSafe accessory. The Ohsnap Snap Grip Luxe changes that. It’s ridiculously thin—2.5mm to be exact—and it’s made of aerospace-grade aluminum. You can also attach it to anything magnetic to get a perfect selfie. The Snap Grip also has multiple gripping positions—I prefer the classic finger split, but you can also stick a finger straight through it. The best part is being able to use my MagSafe accessories, like this Otterbox Wireless Power Bank, without keeping track of a little doohickey I’m bound to lose. Ohsnap also sells cases that match the grips if you’re buying for someone who loves a little color coordination. 

Amanda Reed

I’m a regular on Popular Science‘s The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week podcast. I used to rely on the mic from my Apple headphones to capture sound. Although they worked fine, it was time to upgrade. The Austrian Audio MiCreator Studio mic is stupidly easy to set up and use. All I have to do is plug it in—no joke. If you have no idea what you’re doing, the MiCreator manual runs you through everything. The cardioid condenser mic uses Austrian Audio’s Open Acoustic Technology to give a natural, open sound quality. Hear it for yourself. I also use it for voiceovers on our TikTok and Instagram. It looks great on my desk and makes me feel serious when talking about silly stuff like cartoon crushes or space lube. If you know somebody who’s an aspiring online personality, or just wants to be the best-sounding person on a work call, get them this mic.

Amazon

When I first snagged this water flosser, I kicked myself for not getting one sooner. To use, simply fill up the reservoir with warm water, place the tip in your mouth, lean over the sink, turn it on, and aim at the gumline. It feels soothing on gums, the same kind of soothing when you pick at a scab or peel off some skin post-sunburn. Plus, it’s easy to clean: Just dunk the reservoir and tip into some vinegar-y water, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse. It’s also battery-operated and dentist-recommended. If there’s one thing I love, it’s getting a compliment on my teeth during an annual cleaning. I also have a favorite floss, which is a perfect stocking stuffer. Dental work is expensive, so you’re doing your clean-freak family members a favor by gifting them this $40 flosser.

The post The Popular Science Holiday Gift Guide appeared first on Popular Science.

Los Angeles County's Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is dedicated to involving the community and incorporating public input in decision-making to improve parks, recreational programming, and quality of life across the county. DPR employs a range of methods to gather public input and ensure transparency in its planning processes. As an agency managing a wide variety of parks and recreational facilities, DPR recognizes the importance of community input in shaping park projects and recreation programs that reflect local needs and priorities.

DPR is guided by a comprehensive strategic plan, developed through extensive community engagement, with goals focused on equity, resource stewardship, and community connection. The plan outlines key initiatives to increase park accessibility, support public health, and foster inclusivity, with a specific focus on underserved communities. Annual public meetings, first held in 2023, provided an opportunity for residents to voice priorities, resulting in budget recommendations for park safety and expanded programming, directly reflecting community feedback.

This regular engagement strengthens community trust, fosters a sense of ownership, and informs DPR’s resource allocation, ensuring that parks and recreation spaces meet the diverse and growing needs of L.A. County. Additionally, by involving community members in creative planning processes, DPR taps into collective insights, promoting innovative approaches to park management that foster a vibrant and sustainable public space network for generations.

• Los Angeles County
• Parks
• Parks Access
• Equity
• Parks and Recreation
• Green Space

1. Massachusetts TOD Law Yielding Results

According to Boston.com, while some cities are fighting the state’s push to increase density near transit, others are already breaking ground on multifamily projects that will bring hundreds of new housing units online.

2. Google Inks Nuclear Power Deal

ESG Today reports that tech giants like Google and Microsoft are seeking out renewable energy to fuel power-hungry data centers and AI applications.

3. Atlanta Beltline Expands Westside Trail and Redevelops Rail Corridor

Local Atlanta media outlet WSBTV reports on the Beltline’s expansion of the Westside Trail with new sections, including the Kudzu Trail, while also redeveloping abandoned rail corridors.

4. Kingston Agreed the Rent Was too Damn High — So It Lowered It

Rent stabilization typically limits the amount that rent can go up every year—but a newly appointed rent guidelines board in Kingston, New York took it a step further, according to Shelterforce Magazine.

5. YIMBY Right And Left: A Review of Two Books 

Planetizen blogger Michael Lewyn reviews two books about the American housing crisis: one tailored to liberal readers (On The Housing Crisis by Jerusalem Demsas) and another tailored to conservative readers (Nowhere To Live by James Burling). 

6. Opinion: Prioritize Amtrak, but Don’t Demonize Freight

This editorial published by Mass Transit discusses a proposed bill that would tighten enforcement of a 1973 law that gives passenger trains priority over freight shipments.

7. New California Law Supports Adaptive Reuse

The National Law Review gives a rundown of a new adaptive reuse law in California, AB 2243, that paves the way for easier conversion of industrially and commercially zones properties for residential development.

8. Not a Walk in the Park: What It Really Takes to Build Green Spaces

In this exclusive Planetizen feature story, author Clement Lau explains that, though park creation can take decades of perseverance to overcome financial, regulatory, and social hurdles, the end result for the local community is more than worth it. 

9. Will Hurricanes Drive Away Florida’s Retirees?

This article from Curbed reports that some children of Florida retirees are urging their parents to leave hurricane-prone areas for safer regions.

10. The Role of AI in Streamlining Municipal Services and Operations

Planetizen blogger Devin Partida explores how artificial intelligence can optimize municipal services, enhancing efficiency in urban planning, traffic management, and public safety.

• Years after passing some of the strongest short-term rental regulations in the U.S., Portland’s still unable to bring Airbnb to heel. (Oregon Live)
• A tug-of-war is underway as San Jose officials try to balance affordable housing needs and the historic preservation of one of the oldest and last remaining Japanese-owned farms in the state. (NBC News)
• Cities across the country are waiving transit fees on Election Day to encourage civic participation (KTSM, Denver Post, 12 News Wichita) … rideshare companies like Lyft are offering discounts, too. (Fox 59) Be sure to take advantage of the offers and cast your ballot.
• In Nashville, zoning policy is turning formerly working-class and middle-class neighborhoods into “exclusive enclaves” while concentrating more affordable “missing middle” housing development to commercial coordinators and low-income areas. (Nashville Scene)
• The first phase of Alabama’s middle-mile broadband network is complete, two three years after Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill to drive broadband expansion in the state. (Broadband Communities magazine)

Don’t miss our recent roundup of Urban Planning Creators You Should Know in 2024, featuring ten creators across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Substack, and podcast platforms making excellent urban planning content.

• Planetizen Week in Review

If you own a recent iPhone or Pixel phone, you’ve got an emergency backup communication option in a crisis: satellite messaging. Introduced by Apple with the iPhone 14 and iOS 16 in 2022 (and available on all iPhones since), it’s now available on the latest Pixel 9 series phones with Android 14 too.

The idea is that when you’re in difficulty and outside of cell signal range—for example, if you get lost or injured while hiking in the wilderness—you can use satellite networks to contact emergency services and direct them to your location. The bandwidth is limited but enough to send some texts.

Your phone needs a special combination of hardware and software to connect to a satellite out in space, which is why it’s not available on all phones yet. (Samsung is likely to add support next year.) However, it’s already saving lives across the world, and if you do have a compatible phone, you can use it for free.

Only Pixel phones launched in 2024—the Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold—support this right now:. Before you have to use the feature for real, you can try a demo of it.

• Open Settings.
• Choose Safety & emergency then Satellite SOS.
• Tap Try a demo and follow the instructions.

Your phone will ask you to keep the device steady, and align the direction the Pixel is pointing in with a satellite: This is done via a very straightforward graphic on the screen, so you don’t have to squint into space.

When the satellite lock is confirmed, you’ll be put into an instant messaging interface, where you can communicate with the emergency service provider Google has connected you to—although this won’t actually work, as it’s a demo.

You can’t manually launch the feature for real. You need to be in the Phone app on your Pixel and have dialed 911. Wi-Fi and cell networks will be tried first, and if none are available, you’ll see a Satellite SOS option.

• Tap Satellite SOS > Use Satellite SOS > Start.
• You’ll be asked to fill out a short questionnaire about what happened and where you are. This information is sent to emergency responders and saves a lot of back and forth.
• Next, you’ll be asked if you want to share this info with the emergency contacts on your phone, as well as emergency responders.
• With that done, you’ll be into the satellite lock screen that matches the demo.

Google says you can expect a reply from emergency services within a few minutes—but make sure your phone stays somewhere it has a clear view of the sky.

A couple of extra notes. You need Google Messages to be set as your default messaging service for this to work (via Apps > Default apps in Settings). Also, if you want emergency contacts to be notified too, you need to set them through Settings: Choose Safety & emergency then Emergency contacts.

Any model from the iPhone 14 onward has satellite support included— that’s every iPhone launched since late 2022. As with the Pixels, there’s a demo mode you can access before you actually have to use it for real.

• Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to launch Control Center.
• Tap the cellular icon (the antenna) then Satellite.
• Choose Try Demo and follow the instructions.

Your phone will use graphics on screen to help you try and align your phone with a passing satellite, and to keep it locked as it moves. Once a connection is established, you’ll see a chat box where you can give details about the assistance you need.

To use the feature for real on an iPhone, try to make a 911 call from the Phone app—even if you don’t have cell signal or Wi-Fi, your iPhone might be able to route it through another carrier.

If there’s definitely no way through using the conventional methods, you’ll see a message to that effect, and an Emergency Text via Satellite button will pop up in the lower right corner: Tap this to continue.

• Tap Report Emergency, then choose an emergency type (like Lost or Trapped).
• Continue to answer the questions on screen, the responses to which will be sent to emergency services.
• During the process you’ll get the option to share the details of your situation with your emergency contacts, if you have any saved in your phone.  
• You’ll then be taken to the same satellite lock screen as in the demo—as soon as a connection is established, the details of your emergency get sent.

If you need to change your position to maintain a satellite link while you’re communicating with the authorities, you’ll see a message on screen.
Details like your current location and iPhone battery level are automatically transmitted while you’re connected, as are any details in your Medical ID data. To set your Medical ID data, including your emergency contacts, open the Health app on iOS, then tap your profile picture (top right) and Medical ID.

The post How to use the emergency satellite features on Google Pixel and iPhone appeared first on Popular Science.

It’s the kind of story that can form the foundation of a company’s identity and, if they’re lucky, the plot for their eventual fictionalized biopic: A brand dominating one kind of technology takes a bold, risky step into the great unknown so that it can lead its industry into the future. 

It’s a great story…when it’s successful.

When it’s not, well, that courageous grab for the brass ring of new technology can hamstring a company for years. Which is why you’ve probably forgotten about the Polaroid Polavision camera. And why your likely reference points for Polaroid are their recent licensing deals that brought their instant cameras back in an ironic, kitschy zombie existence that only seems to rub salt in the wound of its attempt to redefine home movies in the late ‘70s. 

The Polavision was touted as Polaroid’s biggest and most important innovation yet, having been in development for over a decade. Just as the company had pioneered the instant camera, it was going to head into the ‘80s as the leader in instant video. That was the plan, anyway. The Polavision was a unique film production system, consisting of a handheld camera, film cartridge, and a proprietary viewer that would both process the film (using a new type of color additive process which allowed for instant developing) and then display what had been captured. Polaroid co-founder Edwin Land saw the Polavision as something of a personal crusade. Despite some internal resistance (primarily from Polaroid president Bill McCune), Land introduced the camera at Polaroid’s annual shareholders meeting in 1977, and it hit store shelves the same year, buoyed by ads featuring a lot of poorly played tennis and aging Hollywood legends like Danny Kaye. 

From the start, however, the issues were evident.  Each film cartridge could only shoot roughly two-and-a-half minutes of footage. It also couldn’t capture any sound. Because of its slow film speed, each “movie” needed enormous amounts of light in order to successfully process an image. It worked mostly fine outside during the day–the colors were grainy and muted and there was a lot of “noise” on the image, but you could generally make out what was going on. Interior footage, however, was often extremely muddy and you could pretty much forget shooting anything at night without klieg lights. 

Despite its novelty, the Polavision failed to capture the imagination of consumers the way Polaroid’s instant camera had, and initial sales were low. Making matters worse, JVC and Sony were already about to introduce primitive versions of the camcorder in the early 1980s, which even in their nascent forms outpaced the Polavision in terms of image quality, length of recording, and the ability to capture sound. 

“Polaroid was a company that was absolutely dominant in the 20th century,” says Kevin Lieber, host of Popular Science’s Retro Tech video series. “They were dominating in instant photography and they thought the next big thing was going to be home movies, and that’s what the Polavision camera was–a very ambitious attempt to get into video. And it flopped. Really badly. It was dead within two years and is seen as the watershed moment for the company’s ultimate downfall.” 

Still, for enthusiasts like Lieber, a working Polavision camera is something of a Holy Grail, just like it was for Edwin Land. However, because of the complexity of not only the film itself but the devices needed to shoot and view them, locating all of the pieces in full working order became an adventure that would make Indiana Jones proud.  Lieber set out to do an episode of Retro Tech on the Polavision, and–no spoilers–found himself on a three-month Odyssey that could not be contained in a typical web video. 

“I did not expect this [to become such a journey],” he says. “This turned into, really, almost a feature-length documentary, because it was one of those rabbit hole situations where I just kept digging deeper and deeper and deeper…it was an unbelievable trail to follow.” 

The biggest problem was that the film does not have a long shelf life. “The tapes themselves used a reagent similar to what the instant cameras used–a chemical reagent to develop the film,” explains Lieber. “And that’s all dried out because it’s been 40 years. The chemicals are just dust, essentially.”  

Undaunted, Lieber tracked down a tech collector nicknamed “Doc” who lived in Austria  and had several Polavision film cartridges in cold storage–as well as a camera, and even a projector system. Now the question was, “Do any of them still work?” You can watch our video to find out but suffice it to say that this is far from a simple “yes or no” answer. It was more like a Russian nesting doll: one man’s crusade to dominate the home video market in 1977 led to another man’s crusade to save a failing company, which in turn led to yet another man’s mission to shoot a Polavision video in 2024. Whether or not it was successful is almost secondary to the idea that even in failure, innovation and forward thinking should always be championed. And you just never know if that bold idea will be a technological footnote, or the bulwark of a new future. 

Or maybe just a good story.

The post ‘I traveled 8,000 miles for the camera that killed Polaroid’ appeared first on Popular Science.

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Have you ever joyously stepped out to your backyard garden, freshly brewed coffee in hand, only to find your meticulously cared-for plants and herbs wilted and dying? Was the soil too dry? Did pests find their way in? During times like these, some frustrated gardeners may wish their fickle ficus would just tell them what it needs. A new Microsoft-partnered project in the UK is trying to see if that concept can be demonstrated in the real-word.

Next year, the Royal Horticultural Society in England will show off an “intelligent garden” that uses an AI model to monitor the garden’s environment and inform gardeners when it needs care. Visitors can ask the AI-powered garden questions. The model could then respond with phrases like “I need a bit more water,” or “I could use a haircut” depending on data captured in the soil. Aside from the pleasant novelty of chatting with plants, the garden will provide visitors with a physical representation of the many ways AI and Internet of Things technologies could be used to enhance sustainability and conservation efforts moving forward. 

The technical components of the garden are the product of a partnership between AI start-up Avande and Microsoft. When it is unveiled, the garden will rely on a network of sensors nestled throughout the garden measuring environmental factors like soil moisture, alkalinity, and nutrient levels as well as wind and projected rainfall. All of that data is then sent to a specially designed AI model housed in a pavilion at the back of the garden. The model, powered by Microsoft’s Azure Open AI Service, can then analyze those factors and inform gardeners on optimal feeding, watering, or trimming regiments.

Onsite plant caretakers aren’t the only ones who can interact with the garden. Visitors to the Chelsea Flower Show will be able to walk up to virtual platforms and ask the intelligence garden questions about its current environmental state. The AI language module will then interpret the data and spit it back out to the visitors in a coherent, conversational dialogue. In theory, insights provided by models like this one could help gardeners allocate resources efficiently and avoid over-watering plants before rainfall, both of which can aid in sustainability efforts. Those tools could be a welcome convenience for casual growers or businesses looking to trim utility costs. It’s unclear, however, whether even the best models can account for anomalies and individual plant tendencies with the same level of care as experienced gardeners. 

Tom Massey, one of the garden’s two designers, described the project as a “unique opportunity to address some of horticulture’s most challenging environmental issues.”

“I am excited to see how AI can assist gardeners to help make a meaningful impact that will help us all garden and grow more sustainably,” Massey said in a press release. 

Massey and fellow designer Je Ahn wanted to avoid falling into the trap of making the AI garen feel overly artificial. Though sensors and algorithms play a critical role in maintaining the plants, the actual physical design of the space was left up to humans. The result is a “forest garden concept” lush with biodiversity and greenery. Once the exhibit concludes, the garden will reportedly live on as an accessible community space. 

“AI hasn’t designed the garden, AI is assisting the gardeners looking after it,” Massey said in an interview with The Independent. 

Though AI chatbots and image generators tend to attract the most attention, more traditional AI models are already playing an important role in agriculture for resource management and sustainability. Farmers in the US are already using AI to measure soil health to improve crop yields and protect against drought in a practice referred to as “precision agriculture.” Everyday gardeners have already gotten in on the practice. Gardeners are reportedly using ChatGPT and other chatbots to ask questions about water or feeding requirements for certain plants, despite the fact that these models are still prone to hallucinating false claims. Several currently available apps also use AI to help garners identify unknown plants by comparing a photo of them against a large online database. But as past reporting has shown, simply trusting an AI to tell you whether a plant or fungi of unknown origin is safe to eat isn’t wise, and could have dangerous results.

The post AI helps plants tell you when they are thirsty appeared first on Popular Science.

You’ve had your iPad for a while now, but how much have you actually used it? Watching Netflix and playing Angry Birds don’t count. That tablet you spent hundreds of dollars on is capable of so much more, and so are you. 

You both just need a tool to explore your creativity and productivity together, like the USB-C Apple Pencil. While Apple’s charging $79, you can get one here for only $49.99 with free shipping. 

While you wait for your stylus to come in the mail, you can explore the App Store for tools to bring your ideas to life. Whether you’re hoping to dabble into digital art, write a novel, start a scrapbook, or take paperless notes, there’s an app waiting for you.

Once it arrives, start playing with the Apple stylus that feels like you’re touching pen to real paper (well, as close as it can get). Here’s what makes the Apple Pencil better than off-brand styluses:

• Tilt sensitivity allows you to shade and create other special effects.
• Low latency means there’s little to no lag between your strokes and your iPad’s screen response.
• Apple Pencil hover helps you preview your marks before committing.
• The magnetic side attaches to the edge of your iPad, though it charges via USB-C.

Not sure which iPads work with the USB-C Apple Pencil? Make sure yours is on this list before ordering yours:

• iPad Pro 11-inch and 13-inch (M4)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation)
• iPad Air (4th and 5th generation)
• iPad Air 11-inch and 13-inch (M2)
• iPad mini (6th generation)
• iPad (10th generation)

You don’t even have to splurge on a new Apple Pencil because this one’s only $49.99 with free shipping (reg. $79), saving you 36 percent.

Apple Pencil (USB-C) MUWA3AM/A (Open Box) – $49.99

See Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The post This Apple Pencil makes you fall in love with your iPad all over again appeared first on Popular Science.

L'obiettivo dello studio di fattibilità “Rheticus® Forest Carbon Offset” è quello di soddisfare l'esigenza di una valutazione dell'affidabilità degli investimenti di compensazione delle emissioni per le strategie di sostenibilità delle aziende.