October 12, 2023

IN THIS ISSUE

📱 Motorola's new foldable is now available for preorder in the U.S.

🗝️ Google is killing your passwords and most experts are happy

☄️ Meet the scientists prodding NASA's first asteroid sample

UP FIRST

Motorola's midrange foldable is now available for preorder in the U.S.

This budget-friendly foldable from a notable brand could mark a turning point for the market

Motorola’s Razr (2023) foldable smartphone has been available in some markets since the summer but from today, it's available for preorder in the U.S., with shipping starting on October 19.

The midrange handset has been getting much attention thanks partly to its attractive price tag. In the U.S., for a limited period, it's selling for $600 (later $700), making it the most affordable foldable from any mainstream brand today.

Deals are available, too. T-Mobile subscribers, for example, can get the Razr (2023) for free when exchanging a phone tethered to the Go5G Plus and Go5G Next plans.

But the important question is: Is the Razr (2023) any good? Well, various reviews suggest that, yes, it’s actually very impressive, and could prove popular among those keen to try out a foldable but who are unwilling or unable to splash the cash on one of the pricier models ...

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Google is killing your passwords and most experts are happy

Google's 'passkeys' system offers a number of advantages, though it's not perfect

Google is aiming to remove the headache of managing multiple passwords while also eliminating the security vulnerabilities that come with the long-used login system.

It wants to do this by using passkeys that let you sign into accounts using a face scan, fingerprint, or PIN.

The company said in a blog post this week that, following a successful trial, it’s making passkeys the default option for personal Google accounts.

Google says passkeys are 40% faster than traditional passwords and rely on a type of cryptography that also makes them more secure. But the system isn't perfect.

Of course, you can still use traditional passwords if you like, but Google hopes that by making passkeys the default option, you’ll be encouraged to try out the new, more convenient login method ...

DEEP SPACE

Meet the scientists prodding NASA's first asteroid sample

Asteroids like this one may have delivered vital components such as water to the young Earth

NASA on Wednesday revealed for the first time an asteroid sample that scientists hope will tell us more about how our solar system formed billions of years ago.

A NASA spacecraft dropped off the capsule containing the sample last month at the end of a remarkable seven-year mission that included landing on the target Bennu asteroid more than a billion miles away.

A so-called “quick look” team of scientists has already examined the asteroid dust that was found attached to the outside of the canister holding the main sample.

Team member Pierre Haenecour has spoken to Digital Trends about what it felt like to get up close to the material, and how he and his colleagues went about performing the initial analysis ...

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