The strangest tech to come out of Utah: December edition: On virtual weddings, canned sandwiches, and military sims.

• Author: Stone, Zara

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, Y'ALL. As we zoom (with a small "z") Into 2022, the blink-and-you'll-miss-it COVID blur otherwise known as 2020 and 2021 will hopefully fade into our past. And in that vein, everyone's getting into the party spirit.

Level-up the celebration by telling your loved ones how much you care ... via a celebrity. Yup, the possibly cash-poor but definitely attention-loving former Utah congressman Jason Chaffetz will warble happy holidays to your mom and pop for $45 via the Cameo app. Alternatively, you might prefer a video shout-out from Nora the polar bear (OK, growl-out) at Hogle Zoo. The low-budget alternative is Jason Violet, aka "that one guy from The Voice!" according to his bio, for $14.

More jolly holiday fare: three University of Utah scientists received the Ig Nobel prize (awarded for LOL science that makes people think) for proving that beards evolved to protect men from all those casual fists to the face. Yup, that slim layer of fluff can really cushion the blows--their analysis noted that beardies absorb 37 percent more impact than freshly-shaven skin. Sure, they used sheep fleece and epoxy composite to test this, but whatevs. Santa's sitting pretty, amirite?

We're wrapping up the year with a touchy-feely edition of Two Truths and a Lie, the Utah Tech Edition because 'tis the season after all. Out of the following three startups, which one is the fake one?

* A startup selling a huggable speaker so listeners can enjoy sound and vibrations

* A startup selling a vibrating massage ball to knead out tight muscles

* A startup selling pulsing stuffed teddy bears to help children fall asleep

(scroll to the bottom for answers)

UTAH COUNTY: THE (VIRTUAL) WEDDING HOTSPOT

Planning a wedding during COVID sucked. Plans were rescheduled, guest lists were cut, deposits were lost. But as the pandemic dragged on, people adjusted their expectations. Small, outdoor events. Online weddings. VR weddings. Amidst this romance reshuffle, Utah became the surprising one-shop-stop of the online "I do" biz.

Provo's county clerk offices say they've officiated 3,500 online weddings and counting since May 2020. The twist? Most lovebirds were international couples with little to no connection to Utah. Utah's online portal does not require in-person visits from applicants--a revolutionary approach in early 2020--which made it ideal for the COVID-separated couples unable to return to their loved ones without the necessary wedding visa.

In typical Utah...