Pop star Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, and Lauren Sánchez, a former journalist who is Jeff Bezos’s fiancé, were among six women who traveled aboard Blue Origin’s all-female, celebrity-studded, suborbital space mission on Monday morning. This marks the New Shepard’s 11th crewed trip from Blue Origin, the private space company founded by Amazon CEO and billionaire Jeff Bezos. Some critics have called it a publicity stunt for space tourism, or even just an ad for the Amazon founder’s company. King herself expressed some concern about that, telling CBS that she has questioned some of Bezos’s “troubling” decisions. Bezos, who also owns the Washington Post, has been criticized for his allegiance to President Donald Trump and for his recent decision to overhaul the Washington Post‘s Opinion page, which critics say undermines the newspaper’s editorial independence. Others question whether the 11-minute ride to the “edge of space,” about 62 miles above sea level past the Kármán line, makes the passengers true astronauts, as the flights are suborbital, meaning they don’t achieve full orbital velocity and the distance is limited. The liftoff took place at 9:30 a.m. ET from Blue Origin’s launch site in Van Horn, Texas. Also aboard: Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist; Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist and the first Vietnamese woman to travel to space; and Kerianne Flynn, a film producer. This marks the New Shepard’s 11th crewed trip to space, and the first all-women crew to enter space since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo mission in 1963. Women make up only about 15% of all those who have traveled to space. However, despite that effort toward equality, critics have argued space tourism has become a playground for billionaires like Bezos—and rivals Richard Branson, who owns Virgin Galactic, and Elon Musk, who owns SpaceX—that only the ultra-wealthy can afford. And as the New York Times reported, “If the flight proves anything, it is that women are now free to enjoy capitalism’s most decadent spoils alongside the world’s wealthiest men.” It’s also worth noting that critics say space tourism clearly isn’t viable for most of us. While Blue Origin did not publicly release the price of tickets for Monday’s flights, Virgin Galactic has advertised ticket sales for between $250,000 and $450,000, according to CNN. (A Blue Origin spokesman told the news network some passengers flew free of charge.) Fast Company has reached out to Blue Origin for comment on the criticism around space tourism. This isn’t the first time Blue Origin has flown a celebrity to the edge of space: Since 2021, 52 people have boarded its space flights, including Star Trek actor William Shatner. Meanwhile, Blue Origin has also sued SpaceX over billions of dollars in government funding, as some have argued that SpaceX founder Musk is trying to create a monopoly in the private space industry.

Apple TV+ produces the popular dystopian television show "Severance." To promote Season 2, the company jokingly posted a webpage (since removed) featuring the Lumon Terminal Pro from the show. Unsurprisingly for our consumerist society, people were disappointed that they couldn't actually purchase it.Enter a company called Atomic Keyboard, a company with no history I can find and whose website has no "About" section. The mysterious company claims they're developing an IRL version of the Dasher Keyboard, the companion to the Terminal Pro used by the unlucky Macrodata Refinement workers on the show. "The keyboard has become a symbol of the show's distinctive aesthetic and themes. The absence of escape keys mirrors the employees' inability to escape their work situation, while the specialized function keys represent the compartmentalized and controlled nature of the severed floor." "Mechanical keyboard enthusiasts appreciate the vintage-inspired design, unique keycap profiles, and the tactile, satisfying typing experience suggested by the show. The keyboard embodies both retro computing nostalgia and the show's unique dystopian aesthetic." The company is taking sign-ups for the $400 keyboard now, though no production date has been announced. In an age where people are apparently running out of things to spend their money on, I'm sure there will be no shortage of buyers.

Remember that time you nearly got hit by a car because your AirPods Pro were doing too good a job canceling noise? No? Just me then. But that’s precisely the problem that Edifier’s new LolliClip ANC open-ear earbuds are designed to solve – delivering quality audio without isolating you from the world around you. And they’re doing it with a design that’s as quirky as their name suggests. Joining the ranks of multiple entrants in the open-ear audio category (Beats and Nothing, we’re looking at you), the LolliClip earbuds are the fresh kids on the block, competing with a similarly priced Nothing Ear (open). But unlike many competitors who’ve embraced bone conduction or air conduction technology, Edifier’s game-changing feature doesn’t exist in any of its competitors – noise canceling, with the added benefit of health-tracking, right through the earbuds themselves. Designer: Edifier Click Here to Buy Now The LolliClip earbuds feature what Edifier calls a “clip-on” design, which is essentially a small speaker that sits just outside your ear canal. This approach allows them to deliver audio directly toward your ear without blocking it, maintaining your spatial awareness while still providing a surprisingly immersive listening experience. What makes the LolliClips particularly interesting is their shape – resembling, well, lollipops (hence the name). The circular speaker element sits outside your ear while a small stem extends downward, housing the battery, microphones, and controls. A multi-curvature ear hook wrapped in silicone ensures a comfortable fit. It’s refreshingly different in a market where design innovation often feels incremental at best. Perhaps the most surprising feature of the LolliClips is the fact that it comes with adaptive active noise cancellation – something you don’t see in open ear designs at all because of the lack of a physical seal that helps prevent outer sounds from entering the year. While it won’t provide the cocoon-like isolation of traditional in-ear ANC earbuds, Edifier’s implementation can still reduce environmental noise, focusing primarily on consistent background noises like HVAC systems or engine rumble. This strikes as the perfect compromise for urban commuters or runners who want to enjoy their content while remaining aware of car horns, bicycle bells, or approaching pedestrians. Ideally, outer noise is important, but it shouldn’t completely overpower one’s music. If that wasn’t enough, the LolliClips also incorporate health tracking capabilities. Using built-in sensors, they can monitor heart rate, body temperature, and even track fitness metrics when paired with the Edifier ConneX app. While they won’t replace your Apple Watch or Fitbit (and Edifier explicitly notes they’re not for medical use), having these sensors in a device you’re already wearing makes perfect sense – and I can’t help but think that we could be looking at most TWS earbuds becoming de-facto fitness tracking devices in the future. Each earbud houses a 13mm dynamic driver with a titanium-coated diaphragm that Edifier claims delivers “stunning clarity and depth.” With Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, they support the LDAC codec for high-resolution wireless audio – something audiophiles will certainly appreciate, along with 360° spatial audio. Battery life clocks in at an impressive 9 hours per charge, extending to 39 hours with the included charging case, though ANC usage may reduce these figures. The earbuds also feature IP56 water and dust resistance, making them perfect for workouts and light rain, though perhaps not for your underwater aerobics class. Both the left and right earbuds are built identically, which means there’s no designated left or right earbud – just pop them on however feels comfortable, and they’ll adjust accordingly. With Edifier’s Intelligent Audio Channel Detection technology, the earbuds automatically calibrate audio channels based on how you wear them, allowing for truly interchangeable wear on either ear. This enhances both convenience and versatility, especially during quick transitions between activities. At $129, the LolliClips position themselves in the mid-range of the wireless earbud market – not budget, but certainly more affordable than premium offerings from Apple, Sony, or Bose. This pricing feels appropriate given their feature set and innovative design. What’s particularly exciting about the LolliClips is how they represent the maturing of the open-ear category. No longer just a niche for athletes or safety-conscious commuters, open-ear designs are evolving to offer features previously exclusive to traditional earbuds. The addition of ANC, health tracking, and 360° spatial audio with head-tracking signals that this category is ready for mainstream adoption. Click Here to Buy Now  The post World’s First Open-Ear Earbuds with ANC and Health Tracking – Meet the $129 Edifier LolliClip first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Netflix series breaks the fourth wall again.

The purging of IT and cybersecurity staff at the Department of Health and Human Services could threaten the systems used by the agency’s staff and the safety of critical health data.

Meta’s chief has grown accustomed to tough questioning in courts and hearings, but an antitrust trial that started Monday could be more grueling, experts said.

Macworld The new iPad A16 has barely been out a month and we’re already seeing a pretty good price cut. Over at Amazon, you can now get the newest iPad for $328, which means you’re saving $21, one of the best discounts we’ve seen so far. This offer is only good on the yellow color, so if you want pink, blue, or silver, it’ll cost you a little more. Even though it’s not all that different than the previous model, we gave this new tablet a four-star rating in our review, loving how affordable it is, as well as the excellent display and the overall strong performance. You’re also definitely not going to complain about battery life because this tablet will keep you going for hours and hours of work and play even with the brightness up. Since this tablet has the A16 chip, it’s Apple’s only tablet that can’t run Apple Intelligence, which requires a minimum of an A17 Pro chip with 8GB of RAM. However, given how limited the Apple Intelligence experience is these days, you’re not missing much. So, if you want a new iPad, this one’s a great deal at $328, so make sure to add it to your cart sooner rather than later over before the price goes back up. Snag the newest iPad for $30 offBuy now at B&H Photo

As Apple expands its advertising business, the company has renamed its former "Apple Search Ads" to "Apple Ads," reflecting the expansion of ad placement.Apple Search Ads is now just Apple AdsPreviously, when a business bought ads on the App Store, they would be suggested at the top of the search screen. In 2022, Apple began expanding its advertising practices adding slots in the Today tab and in the "You Might Also Like" slot below individual app listings.The name change now more accurately reflects the services it offers. Apple told participating developers about the name change in a message spotted by 9to5Mac. It reads: Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The French firm Chatillon Architectes has posted an update to a major renovation project of a 1970s-era art center in the commune of Beauvais, France, just north of Paris.  Their now completed design called for a modernization of spaces in the Quadrilatère of Beauvais, a cultural center located next to the 800-year-old Beauvais Cathedral.  Photo: © Antoine Mercusot for Chatillon Architectes Photo: © Antoine Mercusot for Chatillon Architectes Structural improvements, accessibility upgrades, and a reimagining of the existing building’s relationship to its site were essential to the project. The firm and Partner Simon Chatillon say their design "prioritizes cohesion with the building’s existing architectural identity" and offers visitors new opportunities for discovering the "unique features" inside its André Hermant-designed succession of reinforced concrete vaults.  Photo: © Antoine Mercusot for Chatillon Architectes Photo: © Antoine Mercusot for Chatillon Architectes Originally desi...

Ubisoft’s long-awaited Assassin’s Creed Shadows hasn’t approached the highs of its predecessor, Valhalla, but it’s still quite successful, especially in the United States. Circana revealed that it was the best-selling game in the region for its launch week. However, Circana analyst and executive director Mat Piscatella revealed on BlueSky that it topped charts for each of its first three weeks. Furthermore, it’s ranked second in year-to-date dollar sales behind Monster Hunter Wilds. The data is based on dollar sales through April 5th, so it should be interesting to see if Shadows can continue the streak. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Ubisoft announced over three million players roughly eight days after release and the second-highest day-one sales revenue for the franchise. Of course, this is only the start with a 10+ hour expansion, Claws of Awaji, out this year. The development team is also “actively looking” at more challenging difficulty options. Here's a fun one… Assassin's Creed: Shadows has been the best-selling video game in the US for each of its first 3 weeks in market, according to Circana's Retail Tracking Service (dollar sales, latest data through April 5th). Currently ranks #2 year-to-date trailing only Monster Hunter: Wilds.— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2025-04-14T15:21:04.109Z