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The Morning After: How much is the first tweet worth?
Jack Dorsey jumps on the NFT craze for some reason, and NASA takes its new rover on a test drive.
NFT. The letters stand for non-fungible token, and as I understand it, they’re a cryptographically backed way to create unique, trackable digital certificates of ownership. Whether or not that makes sense to you — this article may help, it’s from a few years ago when NBA Top Shots predecessor CryptoKitties was at its peak — they are suddenly attracting attention for drawing huge prices at auction.
Now Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, who is already a cryptocurrency fan, is swirling the waters by “minting” one NFT for something that is truly unique — the first tweet on Twitter, posted by Dorsey himself in 2006. The process is taking place on Cent’s Valuables platform, and while people aren’t bidding on ownership of the actual tweet, the platform itself says you can obtain a “1-of-1 autographed version.”
As of this writing, the highest offer submitted is for $700,000. Whether or not you agree NFTs are a “dangerous trap” or even an “absolute disaster,” as long as someone’s willing to keep the prices at this level they won’t go away.
— Richard Lawler
NASA’s Perseverance rover goes for a test drive on Mars
It traveled 21.3 feet over 33 minutes.
NASA’s Perseverance rover has completed its first test drive since landing on the surface of Mars on February 18th. On March 4th, it went on a short 33-minute jaunt that saw it travel 21.3 feet (6.5 meters) in and around its landing site, the agency announced on Friday. The milestone is the first of many technical tests Perseverance needs to complete before it starts looking for signs of ancient microbial life in the Jezero Crater, which was once home to an ancient lake.
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Twitter is testing an 'Undo Send' button for tweets
Is that a social media feature worth paying for?
Social media maven Jane Manchun Wong has shared a first look at an "Undo Send" timer for tweets that lets you take back your hot take or erroneous comment before it's out in the wild.
The feature — which gives you about five seconds to retract a sent tweet — was first mentioned in a Twitter survey last July seeking feedback on its push into subscriptions. The platform was also reportedly mulling tipping for exclusive content and paid access to the Tweetdeck app in a bid to supplement its ad revenues.
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The best deals we found this week: $70 off the 256GB iPad Air and more
The August Smart Lock is on sale for $184.
This week Apple's 256GB iPad Air was discounted to its lowest price yet ($680) and Google's midrange Pixel 4a 5G smartphone fell to $450. Nintendo Switch owners can still grab a few accessories like the Ring Fit Adventure ($70) and the Switch Pro Controller ($59) for less, while Bose's high-end 700 wireless headphones remain $80 off at $299.
Here are all the best deals from the week that you can still snag today, and remember to follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for more updates.
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The Engadget Podcast
Is Microsoft Mesh the future of remote work?
This week, Cherlynn and Devindra chat with CNET Editor-at-Large Scott Stein about Microsoft’s latest Mixed Reality endeavor: Mesh. It’s a virtual meeting platform that can work across HoloLens, VR headsets, computers and smartphones, making it one of the most versatile remote work solutions we’ve seen yet. Will Microsoft Mesh power all our virtual meetings in the future? Or do we need AR glasses to get here first? Also, they dive into Google’s new privacy changes around ads. No more personalized ads based on your browsing history!
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or Stitcher.
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But wait, there’s more...
My late, reluctant trip to 'Mass Effect Andromeda'
How to choose the best TV for gaming
The world's largest telescope is edging closer to completion
Big Tech critic and net neutrality advocate Tim Wu is joining the White House
Microsoft email server flaws exploited to hack at least 30,000 US organizations
Bag maker Peak Design calls out Amazon for its copycat ways
SpaceX's SN10 Starship sticks the landing -- and then explodes
Ford Mustang Mach-E's first recall addresses loose bolts
The CPU from Apple's iMac G3 is powering NASA's Perseverance rover
Bloomberg: Next Nintendo Switch can output 4K and has a 7-inch OLED
Watch Samsung detail its Micro LED TVs
DJI officially unveils its cinematic FPV drone
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2: A better balance of premium and practical
Researchers build the fastest laser-based random number generator
