Digital Trends may receive a commission if you make a purchase through links on our site. Why put your trust in us? Amazon has just increased the speed of online shopping with the introduction of Amazon Now, a service aimed at delivering essentials within approximately 30 minutes. This service has quietly launched in sections of Seattle and Philadelphia, marking a significant entry into the instant delivery market. We're talking about thousands of items – such as milk, eggs, chargers, and cold medicine – delivered without delay. Prime members benefit from lower fees starting at $3.99, while non-members face a delivery charge of $13.99. Additionally, there is a charge of $1.99 for orders under $15. To make this possible, Amazon didn’t simply upgrade its delivery vans; it established entirely new, smaller warehouses close to residential neighborhoods. This adds a fresh layer of speed to its already extensive network. Why this is significant – and its implications for customers This move positions Amazon squarely against competitors like Instacart, Gopuff, and DoorDash. These companies have found it challenging to turn rapid delivery into a profitable model across the nation, but Amazon’s extensive infrastructure may give it the edge to succeed. It's also a strategic approach to reinstate the necessity of your Prime subscription. By cutting delivery times down to 30 minutes, Amazon isn’t merely competing; it aims to reshape consumer expectations entirely. Being able to deliver a charger before your phone dies is a compelling incentive. Why You Should Pay Attention This advancement means that the stress of forgetting an item is alleviated. Whether it’s diapers, toothpaste, or a missing ingredient for dinner, you can get what you need faster than a pizza delivery. However, there's a caveat: availability is currently limited, and expenses can accumulate quickly if you’re not a Prime member. Additionally, Amazon is reportedly encouraging brands to determine which products fit best within this ultra-fast delivery system. What’s Next Amazon has not revealed a complete plan yet, but hiring trends suggest more cities may be added soon. The company is exploring consumer demand for such speedy service. If successful, Amazon Now may establish a new standard for Prime, compelling other delivery services to adapt quickly to keep up. Moinak Pal has been covering technology in both consumer-focused and automotive areas… Techinline is currently offering a 20% discount on SetMe’s Professional plan for the first year: Try it free now SetMe, provided by Techinline, is a dependable remote desktop solution we have previously discussed. It allows IT professionals to access Windows or Mac computers remotely with ease and solid security. It even facilitates remote access for unattended systems, meaning there’s no need for someone to be present at the device for access. This makes it an excellent solution for IT teams of all sizes and remote or hybrid operations. The service supports unlimited attended and unattended devices, limitless concurrent support sessions, and features advanced reporting and user management capabilities – making it an ideal solution for IT needs. Why is this important? Techinline is currently providing a 20% discount on SetMe’s professional plan for the first year. However, if you’d like to test it out first for your team, you can. They offer an exclusive 15-day free trial with no credit card requirement and no obligations – simply use our promo code. All features are included during the trial, with nothing restricted. You can seize this offer right now or continue reading for more details on how SetMe Professional operates. Sign Up Now Why Is SetMe Professional an Ideal IT Solution? Read more LastPass Teams facilitates effortless password management for enhanced productivity You may be already aware of LastPass, a comprehensive password and identity management tool that provides support for both individuals and teams. LastPass Teams is specifically designed for business groups, from small and home-office teams to larger remote ones, making it an efficient way to manage and share passwords, among other functions. One key advantage is the productivity enhancement for all users. Consider the traditional methods of sharing passwords and accounts. You would need to exchange login details and possibly share the procedure too. If multi-factor authentication is in place, the complexity increases. You have to communicate codes, pre-arrange access, and more. Furthermore, this method isn’t secure; once multiple people have the login details, the account is compromised, regardless of trust. Read more Access Sam’s Club membership perks with a 50% discount — sign up here! If you haven’t yet signed up for a Sam’s Club membership, now is the time to do so because the wholesale retailer is offering a 50% discount on a full year of Club membership. You will only pay $25 instead of the usual $50 to enjoy all the benefits. This offer isn’t expiring soon, but it’s advisable to sign up immediately through the link below so you can start reaping the benefits of shopping at Sam’s Club as soon as possible! Sign Up Now Read more
The meteor shower will reach its peak around the middle of the month.
December is an exciting time for skywatchers with a comet, a meteor shower, and a conjunction of the moon and Jupiter all occurring in the coming weeks.
**Comet 3I/ATLAS**
For those equipped with a telescope of at least 30 centimeters in aperture, December presents a chance to observe Comet 3I/ATLAS, the third object ever detected from outside our solar system within our own. This comet has garnered notable attention lately.
On December 19, during its closest approach to Earth, you can see the comet by looking east to northeast early in the pre-dawn hours, positioned directly beneath Regulus, a star located in the heart of the constellation Leo.
If there's an observatory nearby, it may host skywatching events to observe the comet later this month.
According to NASA, Comet 3I/ATLAS is not a threat to Earth. “During its closest approach on December 19, it will still be approximately 170 million miles away, which is over 700 times the distance from Earth to the moon,” the agency stated on its website.
**Geminid Meteor Shower**
This year, the Geminid meteor shower reaches its peak on the nights of December 13 and 14.
NASA states that this meteor shower, consisting of debris from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, is known for its brightness and color, making it a must-see event.
To catch a glimpse, direct your gaze to the eastern sky any time during the evenings of December 13 and 14. The meteors will be visible near the bright planet Jupiter, which is easily identifiable to the naked eye. Under optimal dark conditions away from urban light pollution, you could witness up to 120 Geminid meteors per hour.
**The Moon and Jupiter**
On the evening of December 7, the moon will be in close proximity to Jupiter, creating a stunning sight easily observable to the naked eye.
“During a conjunction, celestial objects such as planets and moons may appear near each other from our perspective, despite being located vast distances apart,” NASA clarified. “While the moon and Jupiter will appear close together this month, they are actually hundreds of millions of miles away in space.”
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Not long ago, Trevor relocated from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
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**Window Cleaning in Space**
NASA has shared an image highlighting a space-based window cleaner.
NASA astronaut Zena Cardman recently posted remarkable photographs featuring a Russian cosmonaut during a spacewalk. One image shows Alexey Zubritsky engaging in a task that is quite ordinary on Earth, but significantly more complex when orbiting 250 miles above: window cleaning.
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**SpaceX Delays for Starship Lunar Landing Mission, Report Says**
Internal documents suggest a revised timeline for the much-anticipated mission.
NASA intends to launch its highly awaited Artemis III mission no earlier than mid-2027, aiming to land humans on the moon for the first time since the last Apollo mission in 1972. However, according to internal SpaceX documents reviewed by Politico, the company responsible for the mission's lunar lander forecasts that it won't be ready until at least September 2028.
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**Four Volunteers One Month into 'Life on Mars'**
Just 344 days remaining!
NASA’s Johnson Space Center reminded everyone on Monday that its four volunteers have been living inside the Mars simulation habitat for an entire month, with 344 days still ahead before their return. Johnson released a brief video showing the four-member CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) crew entering the Mars Dune Alpha habitat on October 19, where they are living “like Martian explorers” to help NASA prepare for sending humans back to the moon and eventually to Mars on its first crewed mission to the distant planet.
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Digital Trends may receive a commission if you make a purchase through links on our site. Why put your trust in us? Amazon has just increased the speed of online shopping with the introduction of Amazon Now, a service aimed at delivering essentials within approximately 30 minutes. This service has quietly launched in sections of Seattle and Philadelphia, marking a significant entry into the instant delivery market. We're talking about thousands of items – such as milk, eggs, chargers, and cold medicine – delivered without delay. Prime members benefit from lower fees starting at $3.99, while non-members face a delivery charge of $13.99. Additionally, there is a charge of $1.99 for orders under $15. To make this possible, Amazon didn’t simply upgrade its delivery vans; it established entirely new, smaller warehouses close to residential neighborhoods. This adds a fresh layer of speed to its already extensive network. Why this is significant – and its implications for customers This move positions Amazon squarely against competitors like Instacart, Gopuff, and DoorDash. These companies have found it challenging to turn rapid delivery into a profitable model across the nation, but Amazon’s extensive infrastructure may give it the edge to succeed. It's also a strategic approach to reinstate the necessity of your Prime subscription. By cutting delivery times down to 30 minutes, Amazon isn’t merely competing; it aims to reshape consumer expectations entirely. Being able to deliver a charger before your phone dies is a compelling incentive. Why You Should Pay Attention This advancement means that the stress of forgetting an item is alleviated. Whether it’s diapers, toothpaste, or a missing ingredient for dinner, you can get what you need faster than a pizza delivery. However, there's a caveat: availability is currently limited, and expenses can accumulate quickly if you’re not a Prime member. Additionally, Amazon is reportedly encouraging brands to determine which products fit best within this ultra-fast delivery system. What’s Next Amazon has not revealed a complete plan yet, but hiring trends suggest more cities may be added soon. The company is exploring consumer demand for such speedy service. If successful, Amazon Now may establish a new standard for Prime, compelling other delivery services to adapt quickly to keep up. Moinak Pal has been covering technology in both consumer-focused and automotive areas… Techinline is currently offering a 20% discount on SetMe’s Professional plan for the first year: Try it free now SetMe, provided by Techinline, is a dependable remote desktop solution we have previously discussed. It allows IT professionals to access Windows or Mac computers remotely with ease and solid security. It even facilitates remote access for unattended systems, meaning there’s no need for someone to be present at the device for access. This makes it an excellent solution for IT teams of all sizes and remote or hybrid operations. The service supports unlimited attended and unattended devices, limitless concurrent support sessions, and features advanced reporting and user management capabilities – making it an ideal solution for IT needs. Why is this important? Techinline is currently providing a 20% discount on SetMe’s professional plan for the first year. However, if you’d like to test it out first for your team, you can. They offer an exclusive 15-day free trial with no credit card requirement and no obligations – simply use our promo code. All features are included during the trial, with nothing restricted. You can seize this offer right now or continue reading for more details on how SetMe Professional operates. Sign Up Now Why Is SetMe Professional an Ideal IT Solution? Read more LastPass Teams facilitates effortless password management for enhanced productivity You may be already aware of LastPass, a comprehensive password and identity management tool that provides support for both individuals and teams. LastPass Teams is specifically designed for business groups, from small and home-office teams to larger remote ones, making it an efficient way to manage and share passwords, among other functions. One key advantage is the productivity enhancement for all users. Consider the traditional methods of sharing passwords and accounts. You would need to exchange login details and possibly share the procedure too. If multi-factor authentication is in place, the complexity increases. You have to communicate codes, pre-arrange access, and more. Furthermore, this method isn’t secure; once multiple people have the login details, the account is compromised, regardless of trust. Read more Access Sam’s Club membership perks with a 50% discount — sign up here! If you haven’t yet signed up for a Sam’s Club membership, now is the time to do so because the wholesale retailer is offering a 50% discount on a full year of Club membership. You will only pay $25 instead of the usual $50 to enjoy all the benefits. This offer isn’t expiring soon, but it’s advisable to sign up immediately through the link below so you can start reaping the benefits of shopping at Sam’s Club as soon as possible! Sign Up Now Read more
December is an exhilarating month for sky enthusiasts, showcasing a comet, a meteor shower, and a conjunction of the moon and Jupiter in the weeks ahead. Comet 3I/ATLAS To start, for individuals with a telescope that has an aperture of at least 30 centimeters, this month presents an opportunity to […]
