Space Tourism Company Cancels Launch Because It Couldn’t Find Any Passengers

Plus, Amazon announces Alexa program for hospitals and senior care.

The Futurist uncovers unique and inspiring topics that feed your curiosity. Curated articles on technology, science, and culture delivered to your inbox. Not for you? Unsubscribe anytime below. /nostalgia 20 YEARS OF THE IPOD: HOW IT SHUFFLED MUSIC AND TECH INTO A NEW ERA In 2001, the record business was in freefall due to digital piracy, and the best way out of this accelerating crisis came in the shape of a white device the size of a deck of cards. The iPod, launched 20 years ago this week, was also how Apple's Steve Jobs was able to prey on a failing business in order to avenge his own past failures — exiled between 1985 and 1997 from the company he co-founded — by turning Apple into the most profitable company in history. The Guardian /biz YOU CAN'T ESCAPE IT — SO WHY NOT MASTER IT? Even the most diehard stans of Google's suite of cloud apps cannot avoid Microsoft Office software. For one, plenty of workplaces still use it exclusively. For two, there are some capabilities MS apps have that are lacking elsewhere — just think about how powerful Excel is as compared to Sheets. If you have to use any of the MS software at work, like Access, PowerPoint, Word, or even Outlook, you may as well learn how to take full advantage of what they can do. Wccftech /tech AMAZON ANNOUNCES ALEXA PROGRAM FOR HOSPITALS AND SENIOR CARE Amazon has two new programs that integrate Alexa into hospitals and senior living communities, the company announced today. They're run through Alexa Smart Properties, which allows organizations to control a centralized Alexa system. The program lets senior living facilities use Amazon Echo devices to send announcements or other messages to residents' rooms. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many facilities relied on printed out sheets of paper slipped under resident doors to communicate changes in protocols, like around meals or quarantines. The Alexa program lets them send messages instantly into patient rooms. The Verge /hustle START YOUR DAY LIKE A PRO We already know you love to stay informed, so why not keep that streak going? The most successful entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners have a few things in common, and one of those is that they read The Hustle. This free newsletter (which you can read in about five minutes) covers all the top industry intel, from tech and business to trending topics. [Partner] /interior @laurejoliet /science OUR ANCESTORS HAD TAILS. WHY DON'T WE? Millions of years ago, our ancestors had tails. So, why don't we? The short answer, of course, is we lost the ability and need to grow tails thanks to evolution. The longer, more accurate explanation is one that scientists have been working to figure out and now we might finally have an answer: genetic mutation. Popular Mechanics /style KICKS, SNEAKS, TRAINERS — WHATEVER YOU CALL 'EM, YOU CAN SCORE A SWEET DEAL THIS WEEK Haven't added to your sneaker collection in a while? Skip the Yeezys and bag a whole bunch of styles for the same amount — or simply snap up one pair at a big discount when you shop at Reebok. For the rest of the month, take an extra 50% off sale items with code HELLYA. Reebok /explore SPACE TOURISM COMPANY CANCELS LAUNCH BECAUSE IT COULDN'T FIND ANY PASSENGERS In what could be a serious reality check for the buzz-filled space tourism industry, its most established player says it had to cancel its upcoming launch with SpaceX because it couldn't find any viable — and sufficiently wealthy — passengers for the journey. Futurism /posted @bigwavesnazare /bites Know what's perfect for fall? Smoked cocktails Subscribe to 1440 — it's the fastest way to an impartial point of view This chainsaw fits in your pocket and is used by the U.S. military THE FUTURIST Advertise |  Talk to Us  |  Shop |  Unsubscribe |  Our Friends @ The Fanny Pack Powered by StackCommerce 21 Market Street | Venice, CA 90291