A star almost identical to our sun is nearing the end of its life in the Cygnus constellation, about 1000 light years away. Astronomers call this spectacle the Egg Nebula, or CRL 2688 for short. Hubble’s most recent image provides a magnificent view of this particular object in unprecedented detail, thanks to the combination of new data and previously captured images. What we get is a stunning display of light cutting through the dust.
Rivian’s R2 Prototype has hit road with early reviews, and it’s a capable electric SUV that truly delivers on the adventure promise without breaking the bank like its larger siblings do. The test rides were place on California highways, curvy back roads, and rocky off-road trails near Rivian’s Irvine headquarters. Most reviewers agree that the R2 retains the adventurous spirit of the larger R1 models while also making it more fun and approachable for daily driving.
DD Squad decided to put a classic physics demonstration to the test in the real world. They built a catapult on the back of a flatbed truck and used it to launch one of their team members in the opposite direction of the truck, which was traveling at around 50 miles per hour (81 kilometers per hour). What transpired appeared to be inconceivable, as the guy appeared to float in mid-air for a brief while before the truck sped away into the distance.
The IBM MWave sound card is still talked about in retro computing circles today, though not in a good way. It’s remarkable how many people can’t stop thinking about how disappointing it was. Launched around 1992 and utilized in IBM’s Aptiva desktops and ThinkPads, the MWave was designed to be a nifty little combo of sound playback and dial-up modem on a single chip. The idea promised convenience and cost savings during an era when sound cards carried prices similar to today’s graphics cards, but reality delivered something far different.
Sony’s PS Vita is still regarded by many as one of the best handheld gaming devices, thanks to its brilliant screen, comfy design, and extensive game catalog. Anbernic has already released two new handhelds that clearly take design inspirations from the original classic: the RG Vita and the RG Vita Pro.
Lockheed Martin’s Lamprey Multi-Mission Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (MMAUV) challenges traditional methods for operating underwater drones in adverse environments. This stealthy autonomous vehicle attaches to a larger ship or sub, travels quietly to remote locations, and is ready to enter without using up its own power.
Maker Nick Maselli created a pretty decent laundry folding robot prototype in under 24 hours for a client who simply needed the job done. He named it Sourccey, and it’s essentially a movable, cylindrical box with a dome on top, two articulated arms, and a center vertical lift to access items. The majority of the structural components, from arm parts to outer enclosures, were created using a 3D printer that produced PLA filament. The fact that it can print so quickly allows them to swap items out throughout the build window.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 FE, priced at $450 (was $650), delivers the performance of a high-end model at a much lower price. The phone measures 161.3 by 76.6 by 7.4 millimeters, making it the thinnest and lightest Fan Edition device you’ve seen thus far, weighing in just 190 grams.
A Moscow-based startup has taken a big move into the area of animal-machine hybrids. Neiry, a Moscow-based neurotech company, claims to have already made progress on remotely operated pigeons by inserting electrodes into their brains.
A homemade device spins in a small workshop, transforming rough beach stones into shiny, perfect spheres. Rob from Michigan Rocks built the spherical machine himself, and the results are almost too precise to be a DIY project. He first got the idea from an older design uploaded on YouTube by James Muchmore approximately 7 years ago, and he set out to develop something much more accessible because commercial sphere machines are a significant financial investment.