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 space junk just made it to orbit Astroscale’s ADRAS-J spacecraft, a demonstration satellite that could inform future space junk cleanup efforts, is now in orbit after a successful launch from New Zealand on Sunday. The satellite was sent to space atop an Electron rocket from Rocket Lab. Its mission, which was selected by Japan’s space agency (JAXA) for Phase I of the Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration program, will see ADRAS-J rendezvous with an old Japanese rocket upper stage that’s been in orbit since 2009. The accumulation of waste in Earth’s orbit from decades of spaceflight is an issue of growing concern, and space agencies around the world are increasingly working to address it, in many cases tapping private companies to develop potential solutions. One of the most effective ways to deal with space junk could be to deorbit it, or move it to a lower altitude so it can burn up in Earth’s atmosphere. ADRAS-J will be the first to target a piece of existing large debris and a

  When Honor's Magic V2 first showed up some seven months ago, we were left impressed with its sub-1cm folded thickness. The company has since picked up where Huawei left off and joined forces with Porsche Design, with the first result being a special edition foldable phone, the "Magic V2 RSR" ("RSR" stands for "RennSport Rennwagen," which translates to "racing sport racing car"). Porsche fans may recognize several attributes here that pay homage to the automotive brand, including the iconic agate gray along with a flyline running down the middle of the body — supposedly resembling the Porsche 911's hood. The rear camera island has also been upgraded with a dark titanium frame to go with its bolder trapezoidal redesign. The Magic V2 RSR retains the same dimensions, measuring 9.9mm thick when folded and 4.7mm when opened, ensuring it remains the world's thinnest foldable phone. The extra decoration adds 3 grams over the base model, rea

 A big pain point for electric vehicle owners could soon sting less, thanks to an announcement from the Jeep-, Ram-, and Chrysler-maker Stellantis—one of Detroit’s Big Three automakers. This week, the company said that it would add the Tesla-designed charging connection system, called the North American Charging Standard, or NACS, to its electric vehicles by 2025. In most cases, the new connector will supplement an older one called the Combined Charging System, or CCS, and an even older one, called CHAdeMO. Those were designed by a group of professional engineers, but they tended to be slower, clunkier, and in many cases harder to get into the ground than the Tesla competitor. Stellantis was the final domino to fall before Tesla’s connector could declare victory in North America. Ford said it would add the newer connector to its electric vehicles in May. Since then, General Motors, ​​Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Honda, the Hyundai Group, Toyota, BMW, Volkswagen, and others have followed. In

 Is There Lead in Your Reusable Water Bottle? Stanley says it uses some lead in its “industry-standard” manufacturing process, so we asked if other brands do the same. Stanley Quencher Cups PHOTOGRAPH: STANLEY STANLEY, MAKER OF reusable water bottles and cups, seems to be in hot water. Just a few weeks ago, people were lining up to buy the giant collectible Stanley cups, but since then there's been a U-turn. Videos of Stanley cup owners testing theirs for lead with at-home kits have raised alarms. Some of those tests allegedly returned positive results, though not all, and such kits can be unreliable. But Stanley responded with a statement saying it uses “some lead" in the manufacturing process: “Our manufacturing process currently employs the use of an industry-standard pellet to seal the vacuum insulation at the base of our products; the sealing material includes some lead. Once sealed, this area is covered with a durable stainless steel layer, making it inaccessible to cons

  Migrating to T.LY: A Comprehensive Guide for Transitioning from Other URL Shorteners   October 9, 2023 Tim Leland Switching to a new URL shortener can feel like a big step, especially if you’ve been using another service for quite some time. However, with  T.LY , transitioning is a breeze! T.LY is designed to simplify the process while offering many features to enhance your link management experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the switch with ease. Step 1: Sign Up For a T.LY Account First things first, head over to  T.LY and create an account . The sign-up process is simple and quick. Step 2: Export Your Existing Data Before you bid farewell to your current URL shortener, make sure to export all your existing data. This includes all the shortened URLs, analytics data, and any custom settings you may have. Step 3: Add Your Custom Domain If applicable, add your  custom domain to T.LY . This will allow you to import your short links to this domain. Just remember, do n

Top 5 Social Media Features Every Marketer Should Be Using   October 18, 2023 Tim Leland Are you looking for an easy and effective way to incorporate more calls to action into your social media strategy? You’re in luck – Our link-in-bio or  OneLinks  feature allows marketers to do just that! By leveraging these features, you can provide followers with a one-stop shop of information where they can easily engage with your content. From product links to contact info, link-in bio features allow you to quickly connect consumers to all areas of your brand. In this blog post, we’ll cover the top 5 social media features every marketer should use. So, let’s dive right into it! Utilize Story Highlights for Longer-Term Branding Instagram  has become a powerful tool for brands to grow and engage with their audience. One feature that has gained popularity among businesses is Instagram Story Highlights. This tool allows brands to showcase their best stories on their profile for more extended periods

  Leveraging Short Links in Traditional Marketing Avenues   November 7, 2023 Tim Leland In a world where digital footprints are becoming as significant as physical presence, businesses are finding innovative ways to merge online and offline experiences.  URL shorteners , tools known for their simplicity and efficiency in the digital realm, are now making their mark in the physical world of marketing. This crossover is more than a convenience—it’s a strategy, a bridge connecting the tangible to the virtual. This blog post peels back the curtain on the inventive applications of short links beyond the screen. We’ll traverse the worlds of  print advertising, promotional merchandise, and outdoor displays  to reveal how the succinct power of T.LY can transform traditional  marketing tactics  into interactive bridges that connect customers to digital destinations with just a tap of their smartphones. Join us as we delve into the art of blending the physical with the digital, creating a cohesi

  Enhancing Books with Links and QR Codes   November 8, 2023 Tim Leland The Evolution of Reading – Bridging Print and Digital The book world is changing. Nowadays, when you flip through a new book, it’s not just about reading the story. People want books to do more, like jumping straight from the page to a video or a website with one click. That’s where things like  T.LY short links  and those square barcode things, called  QR codes , come in. They’re like secret doors in your book that take you to more cool stuff online. Think about it: You’re reading a detective story, and there’s a clue that you can actually watch a video about or a recipe book that shows you exactly how to chop onions without crying right from the book. It’s like the book comes alive with extra bits and pieces that make everything more fun and authentic. And for the people making the books, they get to see what parts we like the most and make even better ones in the future. This isn’t just about being fancy with te

  The Role of Branded Short URLs in SMS Marketing   December 7, 2023 Tim Leland In the digital marketing realm, URLs are ubiquitous, serving as the bridge between content and the consumer. However, not all URLs are created equal, especially in  SMS marketing , where character count is at a premium. Enter the  branded short URL , a compact, memorable, and brand-enriching alternative to the generic long URL. In this post, we delve into branded short URLs’ significant role in SMS marketing. Introduction to Branded Short URLs: Branded short URLs are condensed links that are customized to include a brand’s name or related keywords. Unlike generic short URLs, they promote brand consistency, trust, and higher click-through rates (CTR). These URLs provide a clean, concise way to share content and count clicks while maintaining brand recognition, making them an invaluable asset in any digital marketer’s toolkit. Short URLs in SMS Marketing: Businesses across the globe are harnessing the power o

 The arrival of the total solar eclipse in the US has brought with it an impressive array of photographs as well. If you weren't able to find a spot to view the eclipse in person—or if it was stuck behind uncooperative clouds—you can at least get a sense of its grandeur through these photographs taken at different points along its journey. The path of totality began in Mexico on Monday morning, working its way up through Texas by early afternoon. By 4:40 pm ET, it will have left the US entirely and headed into Canada. If you're in or near its path, make sure to put on approved sunglasses—or make your own pinhole—to view it for yourself. And if you happen to have pets or live near wildlife, NASA could use a hand figuring out how animals respond to the eclipse. Otherwise, enjoy these incredible photos of a total solar eclipse in North America. The next one is 20 years away.

  A Deep Dive into QR Code Tracking   October 24, 2023 Tim Leland In an era where data is king, understanding consumer behavior has become paramount for businesses aiming to optimize their marketing strategies and enhance user engagement. One tool that has come to the forefront in this endeavor is the QR code. Quick Response (QR) codes have evolved far beyond their initial application of tracking automotive parts in manufacturing. Today, they are ubiquitous, bridging the physical and digital realms. One of the most exciting advancements in QR code technology is real-time tracking, which offers fresh, on-the-spot insights into consumer behavior. In this blog post, we will explore the mechanisms and benefits of real-time QR code tracking and how it can be a game-changer in data-driven decision-making. Understanding QR Code Tracking QR code tracking  involves monitoring how individuals interact with QR codes, such as scanning frequency, time, and location of scans. Real-time tracking elev