A list of intriguing things

One: As you may have noticed, we have a soft spot for really weird animals—which remind us of how kooky Mother Nature can be. For example, Vampyroteuthis infernalis—a name that means “the vampire squid from hell”! Except it is not a squid—and has zero interest in blood. 

The name is inspired instead by its appearance—“dark colouring, red eyes and the cloak-like webbing between their arms”—which no doubt reminded scientists of Dracula. And it hangs out in the depths of the ocean feeding on ‘marine snow’—a misleading name for icky “dead plankton and their droppings, all stuck together with goo”—that it rolls into snowballs! (As you can see, scientists really care about accuracy when it comes to naming stuff.)

Our other favourite thing about this creature is its ‘pineapple pose’—that’s when it turns itself into a spiky pineapple to deter nasty predators—as you can see below. Move over, Bruce Lee:)  (BBC Science Focus)

Two: Say hello to the AI pin—developed by former Apple employees. It’s a whole new kind of accessory—meant to be worn as a brooch on your lapel. Described as a “wearable, AI-powered projector,” it displays information on nearby surfaces—including the palm of your hand. But here’s the thing: it doesn’t need a smartphone or any other device. In fact, it could replace your phone entirely in the future. This is one of the founders Imran Chaudhri getting a call in the middle of a Ted talk:

The project has been top secret from the very start—and details are thin. But product designers are already imagining amazing use-cases for a projector-driven wearable. Example: checking into an Airbnb:

FYI: The AI pin be so fancy that it debuted on the catwalk at the Paris Fashion Week—on the lapel of Naomi Campbell, no less. It actually looks quite cool—unlike most wearables. (Inverse)

Three: Talking about high-tech concepts… how about a space toilet? Not the basic latrines that International Space Station astronauts have to make do with. Say hello to the ‘Space Spa!’ This exclusive restroom is reserved for travellers on the next-gen of space travel: the Spaceship Neptune capsule—which promises to be a luxury craft that will carry you high into Earth's atmosphere, propelled by a massive balloon. It looks kinda like this:

This six-hour glorified balloon ride—which will cost $125,000—comes with a fancy toilet—since nature always calls. Because as the company founder puts it:

[T]here is no need for a vacuum toilet like astronauts contend with, or a diaper. Having a proper and beautifully designed restroom contributes significantly to the accessible and unique experience we are offering and accentuates the incredible views of the deep blackness of space, the brilliant thin blue line of our atmosphere, the stars above and the Earth below.

Imagine sitting on the pot below as you think deep thoughts about the nature of existence. the universe and more. (CNN)