On January 23, 2024, the transit of Venus in Capricorn brings luck to Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn in their romantic relationships, emphasizing responsible behavior, practicality, and the need for effort and stamina. Taurus and their partner understand the importance of communication, Virgo realizes the need to take control of their lives, and Capricorn finds comfort in predictability and routine.
A recent video by The Action Lab explores the use of sound waves as a fire extinguisher, demonstrating how a combination of a bass reflex port and an air vortex cannon can effectively extinguish flames by oscillating and diffusing the air, cooling it, and alternatingly pushing oxygenated air and carbon dioxide-heavy combustion fumes into the flame. This approach could be practical in low- and zero-gravity situations, such as space stations, where traditional fire extinguishers are less effective.
A concerned grandparent seeks advice on how to handle a bridal shower for their granddaughter who plans to live with her soon-to-be mother-in-law after marriage, leaving little room for traditional household gifts. Dear Abby suggests focusing on more practical matters, such as the groom finding a job and the couple undergoing pre-marital counseling. Instead of physical gifts, the suggestion is made to give the couple cash to invest until they are ready to use it.
Google Pixel designers have reintroduced the matte glass back with the Pixel 8 Pro, recognizing its advantages for grip, feel, and fingerprint resistance. The design team had to wait for the right time, supply chain logistics, engineering needs, and technical specifications to align before bringing back this finish. The designers also aimed to create a comfortable and visually appealing phone, with contrasting glass and metal finishes highlighting the camera. However, the polished aluminum frame and Camera Bar of the Pixel 8 Pro are prone to fingerprints. Google's Bay blue color option for the Pixel 8 Pro was inspired by the hope of emerging from the pandemic and looking up at the sky on a sunny day.
Erik Wernquist's short film, "One Revolution Per Minute," explores the concept of artificial gravity in space through a large, rotating space station. While the idea is intriguing, the constantly spinning views and moving light and shadows could be nauseating and uncomfortable for human passengers. Despite the possibility of building such a structure, its practicality for long-term human habitation remains questionable.
Younger shoppers are opting for a new two-tiered shopping cart, dubbed the "millennial shopping cart," which offers a smaller footprint, ease of access, and practical and financial perks for those who only shop for themselves. While some prefer the roominess of a regular cart, the general consensus leans towards the two-tiered cart, which rolls more smoothly and offers more personal space-saving.
Computex 2023 showcased a variety of PC mods, including a sci-fi mod with a temperature display, a steampunk design with KLEVV RAM, a traditional house design with G.Skill-branded RAM, a robotic medic design, and a beer dispenser and slot machine combo with an Intel Core i7-13700 CPU and 32GB of G.Skill RGB DDR5 RAM. These mods demonstrate the creativity and practicality of custom PC cases.
Toyota surprises with the new Xtra Cab variant of the 2024 Tacoma, which features just two seats and a six-foot bed, making it a more practical solution for hauling stuff instead of people. The Xtra Cab is available on the SR, SR5, and TRD PreRunner trims, and comes with a nifty parcel shelf in place of a rear bench and lockable dry storage. It's the answer for folks who need a truck but don't want a huge hunk of metal they can't park anywhere.
When it comes to combining fun, efficiency, and practicality, the answer is always the Golf GTI, even though the Mazda Miata is rear-wheel drive. The GTI boasts turbocharged punch, satisfying handling, and cabin space, making it perhaps the most practical fun car on the market today. On the other hand, the Miata provides a friendly, rear-wheel drive sports car that is easy to drive every day. While the GTI is a do-it-all option, the Miata is a perfectly functional, efficient, and fun way to get around every day.
