Headliner

Sub-$40,000 personal eVTOL could be in buyers' hands later this year
by Ben Coxworth
Ever since its launch in 2021, the Jetson One has looked like it might be the first personal eVTOL to reach consumers. If Chinese company Rictor is to be believed, however, its similar X4 should ship later this year – and at a fraction of the price.
Highlights

Earth's ancient nuclear reactors were a freakish natural accident
by Bronwyn Thompson
Two billion years before we made history and split the atom, the Earth had already accomplished it and was running its own nuclear reactors. And they operated for hundreds of thousands of years, as the first signs of multicellular life emerged.

Off-grid tiny house doubles-down on cabin-like rustic charm
by Adam Williams
A lot of tiny houses nowadays are focused on offering huge apartment-like living experiences. However, this model recalls the small living movement's roots with a compact cabin-like dwelling that runs off-the-grid and embraces rustic styling.
Special promotion for New Atlas readers

Get the best of MS Office and ditch the monthly payment with this deal
Office 2024 is Microsoft’s most up-to-date version of its flagship productivity software suite, perfect for school and home use. And with this deal, you can get it for a one-time payment of $119.97, with no recurring fees ever.
More Stories

Review: 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid isn’t the bug-eyed SUV I remember
by Aaron Turpen
Back in the day, the Sportage was first introduced as a bug-eyed monstrosity of a compact utility. It’s evolved and matured since then, and for 2026, Kia’s popular crossover gets a refresh that’s all about refining an already hard-won, solid formula.

Meet the Goblin – the ultra-compact of fighter planes
by David Szondy
What looks like a flying egg, was never designed to land, and was so light it could be thrown off course by its own guns? Introducing the Goblin XF-85 – the Cold War compact fighter designed to be carried in the belly of a nuclear bomber.

Addictive game keeps your brain engaged and your eyes off the screen
by Bronwyn Thompson
There are many tools that offer to help us focus – but very few are designed to do this in just a minute. BrainBlink is built just for this, with 60-second games on a pocket-sized device featuring real buttons and a link to players across the globe.

Mysterious human-like creatures shared island cave with humans
by Michael Franco
A 26-ft deep excavation in Indonesia has revealed that humans and a hominin species that pre-dates humans used the same cave. The enticing possibility even exists that both species overlapped, sharing the space at the same time.

Sleek titanium fidget slider hides a useful pocket knife
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
Fidget toys are great for relieving anxiety and helping you find your focus, and this new one also happens to be a practical tool, indoors and out. The DeckShiv combines a deck-style fidget slider with a compact knife that uses replaceable blades.
Elsewhere
This documentary about genius Demis Hassabis looks at his groundbreaking work on AI, solving protein folding, and aiming for AGI.
Get your next issue ad-free – and support our work: join New Atlas Plus!

