The Obtain: why batteries rock, and Apple’s VR headset returns drawback

That is in the present day’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a every day dose of what’s happening on the earth of know-how.

Three issues to like about batteries

It’s exhausting to select favorites with regards to local weather applied sciences. Actually, something that helps us get nearer to tackling local weather change is price writing about, each to share the potential upsides and to rigorously look at for pitfalls.

Our local weather reporter Casey Crownhart, nonetheless, does have a particular place in her coronary heart for one specifically: batteries. Why? Properly, they play a vital position in local weather motion, there are 1,000,000 totally different sorts that may meet mainly any want, they usually’re not less than somewhat bit magical. Learn the complete story. 

—Casey Crownhart 

This story is from The Spark, our weekly e-newsletter that explains the tech that would fight the local weather disaster. Enroll to obtain it in your inbox each Wednesday.

In the event you’re interested by batteries too, be part of our Roundtable occasion at 12.30pm ET in the present day to listen to from our editors and reporters talk about battery applied sciences, and what it’ll take for them to succeed in their full potential to fight local weather change. 

And skim extra from us:

+ Sulfur might reduce each the weight and value of batteries—if it may overcome some massive technical limitations.

+ Sodium is also a game-changer for batteries.

+ If you wish to know the place batteries are going, take a look at their components. + Uncover why we selected battery recycling as one among our 10 Breakthrough Applied sciences in 2023.

The must-reads

I’ve combed the web to seek out you in the present day’s most enjoyable/vital/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.

1 Individuals are returning their Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional headsets
Their essential complaints are that it’s uncomfortable, offers them complications, and triggers movement illness. (The Verge)
Ought to Apple be anxious? (Mashable)
 
2 We shouldn’t be so shocked by massive leaps in AI efficiency
Spectacular new skills, a brand new paper argues, are literally neither unpredictable nor sudden. (Quanta $
AI hype is constructed on excessive take a look at scores. These checks are flawed. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
AI chatbots are getting tamer—and a bit lamer. (NYT $)
 
three Russia is transferring in direction of constructing space-based nuclear weapons
US intelligence officers say the menace isn’t imminent—however it’s a worrying growth. (NYT $)
A globetrotting influencer despatched missile and drone elements to Russia, as a part of an effort to dodge US sanctions. (Vice)
+ AI is changing into a strong device for hacking, Microsoft says. (WP $)
 
four Self-driving automotive agency Waymo is recalling its software program 
The dangerous information simply retains on coming for the autonomous car sector lately. (Quartz $)
+ Robotaxi firms face an uphill battle to revive public belief, and show their enterprise fashions work. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
+ Carmakers are ditching hybrid vehicles too rapidly. (Vox)
 
5 Meta reduce funding for fact-checking on WhatsApp
The timing couldn’t be worse, in a 12 months with so many elections all over the world. (The Info $)
 
6 X has been accepting funds from terrorist teams
Immediately violating US sanctions within the course of. (BBC)
 
7 How a virus beat again a girl’s ‘zombie’ micro organism 
Viruses known as phages may also help individuals for whom antibiotics now not work—however they are often tough to deploy. (Wired $)
We’ve identified the hazards of antimicrobial resistance for years. It’s time for motion. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
 
eight AI has been used to convey again youngsters killed in shootings
It’s aimed toward pushing lawmakers into motion—however it’s a controversial technique to go about it. (WSJ $)
 
9 Bitcoin’s on a tear once more
It’s the best worth it’s been since December 2021 proper now. (CNBC)
+ However don’t get too sucked into the hype. (Gizmodo)
It’s okay to choose out of the crypto revolution. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
 
10 A man made a relationship app the place you’ll be able to solely date one particular person: him
My lord, the chutzpah. (Gizmodo)

Quote of the day

“Quest is the higher product, interval.”

—Mark Zuckerberg’s evaluate of Apple’s Imaginative and prescient Professional headset, posted to his Instagram account. 

The large story

The brand new US border wall is an app

""

ALICIA FERNáNDEZ

June 2023

Keisy Plaza, 39, left her residence in Colombia seven months in the past. She walked a 62-mile stretch along with her two daughters and grandson to succeed in Ciudad Juárez in Mexico, on the border with Texas.

Plaza has been attempting daily for weeks to safe an appointment with Customs and Border Safety so she will be able to request permission for her household to enter the US.

Up to now, she’s had no luck: every time, she’s been met with software program errors and frozen screens. When appointment slots do open up, they fill inside minutes. A brand new app, known as CBP One, is meant to assist alleviate the kinds of points Plaza has encountered. However will it? Learn the complete story.

—Lorena Rios

We will nonetheless have good issues

A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction in these bizarre instances. (Bought any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)

+ When cooks are off-duty, these are the sorts of dishes they prepare dinner for themselves. 

+ Everybody appears to be loving Mr and Mrs Smith proper now.

+ What number of of those well-known self-portraits have been you in a position to determine? 

+ A house in London with a built-in Russian-style sauna and spa? Be nonetheless, my beating coronary heart.

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