The World’s First VR Calligraphy Installation

Running through 3 June at the Taiwan National Palace Museum, “The Spirit of Autobiography” allows visitors to try their hand at recreating Chinese calligraphy—only, in virtual reality. Billed as the first calligraphy VR experience, the exhibition offers guests a headset and they then proceed to a Chinese pavilion and situate themselves in an empty room where a calligraphy pen awaits. Characters appear in the air …

Essential Products, the Anti-iPhone, and the Future of Tech

With a few important mantras—one being “simple is always better”—Sidekick- and Android-creator Andy Rubin has launched a new tech company today. Essential Products was born out of the realization that even though tech gadgets are meant to help simplify our lives, they oftentimes do the opposite. Today two products (both set for a summer release) have been announced: an edge-to-edge and top-to-(almost) bottom screen smartphone …

Beautiful Mosques Around the World

26 May marked the beginning of Ramadan—an important time for around one-quarter of the world’s population. Mosques (or “masjids” in Arabic) serve as places of worship for Muslim people, but also—much like churches and shuls—as places to learn, have community events and more. National Geographic created a slideshow of some of the world’s most stunning mosques, and whether a religious person or not, it’s easy …