Microsoft Launches Closed Beta of Augmented Reality Minecraft Earth

Now in closed beta through London and Seattle, and set to roll out further this summer, Microsoft’s AR update to Minecraft—dubbed Minecraft Earth—will hope to reach all 91 million of the classic game’s users around the globe in due time. The game enables users to build digital cities on top of the real world, either alone or in collaboration with other players. Fast Company had …

Virgin Orbit’s First Rocket Drop from a Modified Boeing 747

Virgin Galactic sister company Virgin Orbit is one step closer to air-launching satellites. Their first-ever rocket drop test from a modified Boeing 747 carrier (named Cosmic Girl) was a notable success. The goal of the test was to enact and observe a clean, careful separation of a LauncherOne rocket payload and carrier craft. An orbital flight for the rocket is the next milestone they hope …

Kristalic Seeks to Provide “Cloud-Based Personal Memory Banks”

Using existing microphone-equipped devices (like AirPods and smartphones), Kristalic is an AI-powered assistant that can record conversations throughout your work day in order to then condense them into a memory bank that can be easily searched later. The startup—founded by Techstars Seattle alum Jos van der Westhuizen—aims to extract “only the most important information from a meeting” and can also send weekly updates. The company …