Every day we wake up, drink a cup of coffee, and get ready for work. Following are a handful of stories from around the tech world condensed to fit into one single cup of coffee. These are the things you need to know before you step foot out of your door (or in front of a webcam) and into the real world this morning.
So sit back, grab a cup, and start your morning off right with a few “Quick Bytes” from Innovation & Tech Today.
Facebook is Planning a Smart Watch
The Verge is reporting Facebook is developing its first smartwatch, set for release next summer. The story stated the watch would feature a display with two cameras that is detachable. The plan is reportedly for people to use the watch much the way they use phones today. Early estimates show the price could be about $400, but that could still change.
Richard Branson Wants to Beat Jeff Bezos to Space
Billionaires are posturing to be the first to space. Less than a week after Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced he would be heading to space on Blue Origin’s first commercial flight on July 20, Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic slid in with an earlier launch date of July 4. Thus far, Virgin Galactic has neither confirmed nor denied the report.
JPMorgan Says Bitcoin to Continue Slide
After a 40% slide since April 2021, Bitcoin is poised to continue it’s plunge. JPMorgan strategist Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou said that Bitcoin futures have been trading low is a sign that big players aren’t interested at the moment. In addition, Bitcoin’s cryptocurrency market share has fallen from 60% to nearly 40%.
Want Your Windows to Look Like A Past Version?
A new app called RetroBar, available on GitHub, offers Windows users the ability to change the appearance of their taskbar. The app transforms the taskbar into versions from Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, or XP. Essentially, you just run the app, and it changes. Right-click on the taskbar and go to “RetroBar properties,” and you will have the option to cycle through the various versions.
Drone Refuels Fighter Jet for First Time Ever
For the first time in history, the US Navy has used a drone to deliver fuel to a fighter jet in mid air. The successful attempt launched from central Illinois June 4. The drone, an MQ-25 Stingray, pulled it off using the Navy’s standard probe-and-drogue aerial refueling method. See the video below.
