Anyone who works as a freelancer these days has to be at least a bit familiar with techie things. But it isn’t just that. When I was a kid and those vaguely SF puppet shows were on the television and all the other kids wanted to be Greg Gogetem or Steve Savetheuniverse, I wanted to be the guy in a white coat and glasses called Doc or Brains. Here are some technology-related feeds I find useful and/or entertaining.
Slashdot » Journalist Sues NSA For Keeping Keith Alexander's Financial History Secret
Daniel_Stuckey writes Now the NSA has yet another dilemma on its hands: Investigative journalist Jason Leopold is suing the agency for denying him the release of financial disclosure statements attributable to its former director. According to a report by Bloomberg , prospective clients of Alexander's, namely large banks, will be billed $1 million a month for his cyber-consulting services. Recode.net … [Link]
Mashable » Everything Is Awesome About Lego 'Guardians of the Galaxy'
Gee, Star Lord sure looks and sounds a lot like Emmet from The Lego Movie in this Lego-ized version of the Guardians of the Galaxy trailer. Hey waaaait a minute. We get it now. Because Chris Pratt … is in both movies! SEE ALSO: Lego 'Doctor Who' 50th Anniversary Tribute Is Simply Brilliant Marvel/Disney has been in beast-marketing mode for … [Link]
Mashable » Palantir Acquires Social Media Marketing Startup Poptip
Palantir Technologies, the big-data company whose software reportedly helped find Osama bin Laden, has acquired a 2-year-old social media marketing startup. Palantir acquired Poptip, a company that helps major brands analyze data from Twitter, and conduct polls on social media. See also: Twitter Needs to Monetize You, Even If You're Not on Twitter Terms of the deal were not disclosedPalantir, which … [Link]
Slashdot » Amazon's eBook Math
An anonymous reader writes: Amazon has waged a constant battle with publishers over the price of ebooks. They've now publicly laid out their argument and the business math behind it. "We've quantified the price elasticity of e-books from repeated measurements across many titles. For every copy an e-book would sell at $14.99, it would sell 1.74 copies if priced at … [Link]
Mashable » Darkness in Gaza After Israeli Bombing of Power Plant
During a massive bombardment this week, Israel hit Gaza's only power plant, effectively shutting it down for good With one of the main sources of electricity in the Gaza Strip knocked out, the population now faces severe blackouts that will affect the distribution of water and force already overcrowded and over-stretched hospitals and shelters to run on generators See also: 'Shocking … [Link]
Slashdot » The Problems With Drug Testing
gallifreyan99 writes: Every drug you take will have been tested on people before it—but that testing process is meant to be tightly controlled, for the safety of everyone involved. Two investigations document the questionable methods used in many studies, and the lack of oversight the FDA seems to have over the process. First, drugs are increasingly being tested on homeless, … [Link]
Mashable » Why Are These Women Laughing? Because a Turkish Politician Says They Shouldn't
Thousands of women have taken to Twitter and other social networks to mock Turkey's deputy prime minister for his declaration that women should not laugh in public. The deputy prime minister, Bülent Arınç, gave the speech that sparked the online backlash at an event Monday for Eid al-Fitr, the celebration marking the end of Ramadan. He condemned "moral corruption" in Turkey, … [Link]
Mashable » How to Watch 'Sharknado 2' With the Internet
Within mere hours, we will all be drowning in witty and fintastic tweets about Sharknado 2: The Second One. The thrilling and highly anticipated sequel to 2013's Sharknado airs on Syfy Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, which gives us very little time to seek shelter and think of shark puns Of course, it wouldn't be the 21st century if we didn't … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » Today in APIs: Google Play's Publishing API Gets a Major Update
Google Play updates its publishing API. Techcrunch's Disrupt Hackathon to be held September 6/7 in San Francisco. Plus: Rhomobile suite for app development upgraded, and Shiphawk launches API for shipping quotes. Google Play Releases API 2.0 Google Play's API for the store has been overhauled to give app developers more control over their individual stores. The API helps with uploading … [Link]
Slashdot » More Quantum Strangeness: Particles Separated From Their Properties
Dupple sends word of new quantum mechanical research in which a neutron is sent along a different path from one of its characteristics. First, a neutron beam is split into two parts in a neutron interferometer. Then the spins of the two beams are shifted into different directions: The upper neutron beam has a spin parallel to the neutrons’ trajectory, … [Link]
Mashable » International Airlines Reroute Flights to Avoid Iraqi Airspace
In the wake of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 tragedy, airlines are reconsidering flights over conflict zones. European airlines and a Dubai-based carrier are rerouting flights over Iraqi airspace as a security precaution, amid fears that militants with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have weapons capable of shooting down planes, despite Iraq saying its skies are safe. … [Link]
Mashable » Listen to Vin Diesel's 'Guardians' Voiceover in 4 Different Languages
Groot can say only one thing, but he can do so in more languages than the dashing Swiss backpacker you met last summer. Vin Diesel likely got paid a king's ransom to say "I am Groot" over and over again for Guardians of the Galaxy, but at least Disney/Marvel made him break out the Rosetta Stone to do it for their … [Link]
Mashable » Direct Hit: Home Run Annihilates Fan's Beer at MLB Game
Today we are all truly #blessed because a home run landed directly in a fan's beer — annihilating the sudsy beverage — at a Major League Baseball game on Wednesday afternoon to create one of the most serendipitously perfect sports highlights things we've ever seen What are the chances? Our home run slugger was Jordy Mercer of the Pittsburgh Pirates in … [Link]
Mashable » Self-Driving Cars Will Hit UK Roads in 2015
Self-driving cars will be permitted on public roads in the UK starting in January 2015, but it could be a while before commuters can actually use them. Cities in the UK can place bids to become test-driving areas for driverless vehicles, and out of the applicant pool, three cities will be chosen, said Vince Cable, the business secretary. See also: 6 … [Link]
Slashdot » Is the App Store Broken?
A recent post by Instapaper's Marco Arment suggests that design flaws in Apple's App Store are harming the app ecosystem, and users are suffering because of it. "The dominance and prominence of 'top lists' stratifies the top 0.02% so far above everyone else that the entire ecosystem is encouraged to design for a theoretical top-list placement that, by definition, won’t … [Link]
Mashable » Up Your Email Game With These Gmail-Ready Tools
This article is part of DBA, a new series on Mashable about running a business that features insights from leaders in entrepreneurship, venture capital and management. When you own a small business, you never have enough of two things: Time in the day or money in the bank. For the last four years, my business partner Claire Mazur and I have … [Link]
Mashable » Twitch Testing Live Concert Broadcasts With Steve Aoki Performance
Gaming livestream platform Twitch is branching out from its roots by testing the waters on live concert broadcasts, with the inaugural performance by EDM superstar Steve Aoki. This experiment, according to Twitch, was something long requested by fans; apparently 80% of Twitch users surveyed wanted to see live music. It could also be a content experiment for when the company could … [Link]
Mashable » Strange Crop Circles in Germany Draw Thousands
Thousands of people are journeying to a wheat field in Germany to see a giant set of mysterious crop circles Located on a Bavarian farmer's field, a balloonist first discovered the intricate design last week. It didn't take long for word to spread online See also: 26 Weird Museums to Visit for the Ultimate American Road Trip 
People walk through crop … [Link]
Mashable » FCC Challenges Verizon Wireless on Data Throttling
The Federal Communications Commission has sent a strongly worded letter to Verizon Wireless asking why the company has made it a policy to throttle customers with unlimited data plans. The note, addressed to Verizon Wireless CEO Daniel Mead and authored by FCC chairman Tom Wheeler, takes the company to task for a recent announcement that users in the "top 5%" of … [Link]
Mashable » The NSA Is Looking for a Public Relations Expert
Are you a U.S. citizen living in the greater Washington, D.C. area looking for a new gig? Do you have impeccable oral and written communication skills? Or strong analytical and critical thinking skills? Sure you do; you have all those things in spades. What about the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance? At least 10 years of … [Link]
Mashable » Gold-Backed Bitcoin Spinoff Aims to Keep Some Fun in Virtual Currency
On the spectrum of currency ideologues, gold bugs and Bitcoin enthusiasts occupy equal but opposite positions. They’re both suspicious that governments are going to meddle around with normal money so much that it becomes useless — it’s just that one group thinks math is the antidote and the other believes in hoarding metal bars. This week has seen the emergence of … [Link]
Slashdot » Meet Apache Software Foundation VP Rich Bowen (Video)
Apache is behind a huge percentage of the world's websites, and the Apache Software Foundation is the umbrella organization that provides licensing and stucture for open source projects ranging from the Apache Web server to Apache OpenOffice to small utilities that aren't household names but are often important to a surprising number of people and companies. Most of us never … [Link]
Mashable » Capital One Sends Customer a Keyboard After Orange Juice Incident
It’s easy to hate your credit card company, but not so much when they replace your broken stuff. Redditor MaskedKoala, a Capital One customer, was having keyboard issues. Many websites, especially financial institutions, disable users' ability to copy and paste text into certain fields, such as usernames and passwords. The security measure can be quite annoying, especially if your account number … [Link]
Mashable » Twitter Needs to Monetize You, Even If You're Not on Twitter
Even if you have never tweeted, don't have any followers or have never visited Twitter.com, chances are you have still seen a tweet at some point in your life Twitter knows this, and it's trying to figure out how to make money off it. See also: 9 Breaking News Tweets That Changed Twitter Forever The social media site demonstrated solid growth … [Link]
Slashdot » Raspberry Pi-Compatible Development Board Released
kodiaktau writes: Hardkernel has released a new Raspberry Pi-compatible development board based on the Samsung Exynos SoC. The board is smaller than a typical Pi, keeping basic HDMI, USB and CSI interfaces. It also has a 26-pin expansion board with more GPIO available, though it lacks an Ethernet jack. Initial prices as estimated around $30. The article makes the interesting … [Link]
Slashdot » Quiet Cooling With a Copper Foam Heatsink
Zothecula writes: The Silent Power PC is claimed to be the first high-end PC able to ditch noisy electric fans in favor of fully passive cooling. In place of a conventional fan, the unit uses an open-air metal foam heatsink that boasts an enormous surface area thanks to the open-weave copper filaments of which it's composed. The Silent Power creators … [Link]
Mashable » Led Zeppelin to Reissue 'IV' and 'Houses of the Holy' This Fall
It’s time to let the Led out again. Led Zeppelin announced on Tuesday that it would be releasing two more reissued albums — the 1971 "Led Zeppelin IV" and the 1973 "Houses of the Holy" — on October 28. See also: Why I Ditched Beats Music For Spotify Led Zeppelin previously released reissued versions of its first three albums — "Led … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Heart attack on a plate? The truth about saturated fat
After decades of health warnings, the idea that steak, cheese and lard are bad for your heart is melting away. The truth is more complex – and delicious (full text available to subscribers) 
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Mashable » 'Interstellar' Trailer Shows Alien Landscape, Big Black Hole
Christopher Nolan came to Comic-Con last week for the first time — how he got away with Inception and three Batman films and no trip to Hall H, we'll never know — but there's clearly something about Interstellar that's different. Though Nolan explained at some length in San Diego why he doesn't like to show too much ahead of a movie's … [Link]
Mashable » Poor Management of HealthCare.gov Wasted Millions, Investigation Reveals
WASHINGTON — A nonpartisan congressional investigation has concluded that management failures by the Obama administration set the stage for the computer woes that paralyzed President Barack Obama's health care program website last fall, officials told The Associated Press. The findings are in a report to be released Thursday by the Government Accountability Office, which has spent months investigating the health law's … [Link]
Mashable » Hey Jude, Nice Moves. Law Dances Up a Storm for Johnnie Walker Blue
Never before in the history of bar bets did one end with a gyrating Jude Law. Until now, that is. This just-launched short film for Johnnie Walker Blue Label, distributed by Unruly, features the internationally known leading man cutting a rug to win his friend’s coveted sailboat. He shuffles, he claps, he poses and preens. And then – there it … [Link]
Mashable » Mysterious Ship Found in World Trade Center Ruins Is From the 1700s
Researchers have discovered the origins of the ship that mysteriously emerged from the ruins of the World Trade Center in 2010 Four years ago this month, construction at the Ground Zero construction site was halted when workers uncovered a massive wooden ship 22 feet below the street's surface. Work was put on hold for weeks while the boat was excavated and … [Link]
New Scientist – News » First video of a ghostly white shrimp-like sea monster
The world's largest amphipod has been caught on film for the first time – and even if you love shrimp, this critter may give you nightmares 
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Mashable » Samsung Galaxy Avant Now Available at T-Mobile
T-Mobile has a new addition to its smartphone lineup: the moderately priced, mid-range Samsung Galaxy Avant The smartphone sports a 4.5-inch, qHD screen, a quad-core, 1.2GHz processor and 1.5GB of RAM — a set of specs that's quite similar to the Galaxy S5 mini, which launched in July See also: 25 Best Free Android Apps The key point is the price. … [Link]
Mashable » All-New 'Harry Potter' Book Covers Will Cast a Confundus Spell on You
Every bookshelf has one: a dusty old copy of a Harry Potter book that's seen better days. But you always recognize it, because they've always been the same. See also: The Entire 'Harry Potter' Series in 2 Minutes Now Bloomsbury Publishing is casting a confundus spell on your powers of Potter recognition with an all-new set of dust jacket covers Designed … [Link]
Slashdot » Jesse Jackson: Tech Diversity Is Next Civil Rights Step
theodp writes: U.S. civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson called on the Obama administration Monday to scrutinize the tech industry's lack of diversity. "There's no talent shortage. There's an opportunity shortage," Jackson said, calling Silicon Valley "far worse" than many others, such as car makers that have been pressured by unions. He said tech behemoths have largely escaped scrutiny by … [Link]
Mashable » Passion: The Fuel Entrepreneurs Run On
In business, as in life, all you need is love (well, and some financing). Passion and a love for the craft are what keeps entrepreneurs going all day every day, and entrepreneurs Azalina Eusope and Stephen Roginson are no different. In this next episode of Setting Up Shop, Eusope of Azalina's (@AzalinaMalaysia) and Roginson of Batch Brewing Co. (@BatchBrewing) discuss … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » Tick Data Announces TickAPI
Tick Data, a historical intraday time series market data provider, has announced the TickAPI. Tick Data has long maintained a massive collection of historical data sets used by major players in the financial markets. Until the TickAPI, downloading and storing the data was left for Tick Data clients to wrestle with. The TickAPI eliminates this burden on users.
… [Link]
New Scientist – News » Driverless cars could be on UK streets in six months
Business secretary Vince Cable announced today that the law is to be changed to allow self-piloting cars, like Google's, on Britain's roads by January 2015 
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Mashable » 7 Scientific Ways to Beat the Heat This Summer
With the hottest June on record behind us, and a quadrupling of extreme heat events predicted by the end of this century, humans are facing a heat-adaptation challenge. Sweltering summer days aren't just oppressive and uncomfortable; they can be lethal if the body's core temperature climbs much beyond 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius). Scientists studying people working under super-hot conditions … [Link]
Mashable » Is That App FDA Approved? Mobile Health Tech Falls Into Gray Area
Personal health is becoming increasingly mobile, and there are now thousands of apps aiming to address everything from lifestyle issues to chronic diseases. But can you trust these apps the same way you trust your prescribed drugs and medical devices? Medical devices are generally regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and although the FDA reviews some apps, experts say the … [Link]
Mashable » HTC Windows Phone Coming Soon, Report Says
Months after launching the newest edition of its flagship phone, the HTC One M8, HTC will reportedly unveil a new phone with a new operating system and one new letter. HTC One M8 for Windows — whose reputed codename is HTC One W8 — will be the brand's first foray into phones that support a Windows operating system, according to a … [Link]
Mashable » CW Is Hosting a Dog Awards Show — and We're Probably Going to Cry
For one night, the network that's home of vampires, love triangles and unbelievably attractive human beings is turning its attention to a slightly furrier demographic The CW has announced that it will honor man's best friend and air the inaugural World Dog Awards in January 2015 See also: 14 Dogs That Frankly Cannot Take the Heat The show will aim to … [Link]
Mashable » The Top 14 Guilty Pleasure Songs You Can't Get Enough Of
In the depths of every Spotify user's sidebar is a playlist only enjoyed in private mode. You know the one — it's the "Guilty Pleasures" playlist, filled with shame-inducing hits that your hipper friends would scoff at Spotify analyzed more than 120,000 of these playlists to determine the top most-streamed tracks its users are hesitant to admit they love. The number … [Link]
Mashable » Putin Sets $110K Reward for Hacking Tor But It's Probably Not Enough
From time to time, Edward Snowden's face pops up on video-chat monitors stationed at technology conferences. Broadcasting from Russia where he's taken asylum, the former U.S. National Security Agency contractor frequently evangelizes for use of the Internet anonymity tool Tor. Snowden's affinity for Tor, an acronym for "the onion router," is not shared by the government ruling his adopted country. Russia's … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Leaving Earth made the moon lemon-shaped
The moon has odd lemon-like bulges on each side. A new model shows they were caused by the pull of Earth's gravity when the moon was young 
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New Scientist – News » Pigeon paradox reveals quantum cosmic connections
A thought experiment has exposed a new kind of quantum link that could connect every particle in the universe, all the time 
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New Scientist – News » Iron supplements in nano form are gentler on gut
Iron supplements can play havoc with your gut. A small trial suggests that making the supplement out of nanoparticles relieves this problem 
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New Scientist – News » Today on New Scientist
All the latest on newscientist.com: fracking in national parks, a search for genetic superheroes, rogue wave disasters, killer sperm and more 
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Geeks are Sexy Technology News » The Coolest Cat House Ever: An AT-ST Walker For Cats [Pic]
I don’t know about you guys, but I want one of those… for me. Just me. [Via The Bloggess | TMS] [Link]
Mashable » Solve Airport Security Lines, Win $5,000
The Transportation Security Administration is taking suggestions for how to improve airport security lines, and they're even offering a reward. The TSA must be as frustrated as most passengers by delayed security lines, because the agency is offering a total of $15,000 for the best ideas to improve the system. The top submissions from the public will win at least $2,500 … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » What Happens to a Cheeseburger When You Dip it in Stomach Acid [Video]
What happens when you dunk a cheeseburger in concentrated hydrochloric acid? [Periodic Videos | Via] [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Nintendo 101: The History of The Legend of Zelda
The history of the original Legend of Zelda game, from the root of the genre up to the conception of the game. This is probably the most informative video on the subject I’ve seen. It’ll also get you pretty nostalgic if you played the game in the 80s. [BalrogTheMaster | Via DA] [Link]
Slashdot » UK To Allow Driverless Cars By January
rtoz sends this news from the BBC: The UK government has announced that driverless cars will be allowed on public roads starting in January next year. It also invited cities to compete to host one of three trials of the tech, which would start at the same time. In addition, ministers ordered a review of the UK's road regulations to … [Link]
Mashable » New Square Reader Accepts EMV Chip-Enabled Credit Cards
Mobile payment company Square introduced on Wednesday a new reader that will accept chip cards, which are already popular outside the U.S. and are expected to hit it big stateside in the next few years. Although the new reader looks strikingly similar to its previous model and still fits in your pocket, it's far more powerful: the reader will actually help … [Link]
Mashable » Orlando Bloom Now Slightly More Famous After Fight With Justin Bieber
Finally, an Orlando Bloom plot line everyone can get behind Bloom allegedly tried, and failed, to punch Justin Bieber outside Cipriani Restaurant in Ibiza, Spain on Wednesday, TMZ reports. The fight began when Bieber yelled "What's up, bitch?" at Bloom, who then confronted the 20-year-old pop star Unfortunately your browser does not support IFrames. See also: Here's What Happens When Justin … [Link]
Mashable » India Mudslide Kills 17, Dozens Still Trapped
NEW DELHI — Torrential rains triggered a massive landslide that buried a remote village in western India on Wednesday, killing at least 17 people as it swept away scores of houses and possibly trapping many more people under debris, officials said. National rescue personnel reached the area before nightfall. But continuing rains and bad roads were hampering rescue efforts and preventing … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Cool Aperture Laboratories Messenger Bag
Smart and stylish! Carry your must-have notes, books, and tools in Portal 2 style with this Portal 2 1980s Logo Aperture Laboratories Messenger Bag! The design features the Aperture Laboratories logo done in a noticeably retro style. Measures about 22-inches wide x 15-inches tall x 8-inches deep. Ages 15 and up. [Portal 2 80s Logo Aperture Labs Messenger Bag] [Link]
Mashable » Bull Tramples Man Who Was Taking a Selfie in France
I'm calling it now: The next Darwin Award will go to someone who is trying to take a selfie. The latest logic-defying stunt comes from the Fêtes de Bayonne in France this year. The five-day festival includes running of the bulls, and the young man in the video apparently couldn't imagine participating without documenting the excitement. See also: Tour de … [Link]
Slashdot » Black Hat Researchers Actively Trying To Deanonymize Tor Users
An anonymous reader writes: Last week, we discussed news that a presentation had been canceled for the upcoming Black Hat security conference that involved the Tor Project. The researchers involved hadn't made much of an effort to disclose the vulnerability, and the Tor Project was scrambling to implement a fix. Now, the project says it's likely these researchers were actively … [Link]
Mashable » The Perks of Having a Private Netflix Account
Netflix is testing a "private viewing" feature that lets users hide a movie or show from their viewing history In short: You can watch whatever you want without anyone ever finding out. #victory See also: 6 Ways Your Smartphone Can Replace Your Entertainment Center Elliott confesses his love for Pretty Little Liars, among other shows, in the newest episode of … [Link]
Mashable » Google Stops Forcing Google+ on Businesses That Use Hangouts
If you use Google+ Hangouts for your business, can officially drop the "Google+" part. Starting today for Google Apps users, the videoconferencing and messaging platform is just Hangouts now that the company has fully integrated the services into its core Apps services, including Gmail and Google Drive. For business users, it means you no longer need a G+ profile to use … [Link]
Slashdot » Ask Slashdot: Is Running Mission-Critical Servers Without a Firewall Common?
An anonymous reader writes: I do some contract work on the side, and am helping a client set up a new point-of-sale system. For the time being, it's pretty simple: selling products, keeping track of employee time, managing inventory and the like. However, it requires a small network because there are two clients, and one of the clients feeds off … [Link]
Mashable » Woman Dies on US Airways Flight From Honolulu to Phoenix
Authorities in Phoenix say a passenger has died on a US Airways flight to Phoenix from Honolulu after suffering an unknown medical emergency. Fire Capt. Benjamin Santillan says the passenger was a woman in her 50s. See also: Malaysia Airlines Diverts Plane Over Another War Zone After MH17 Crash Santillan says the woman lost consciousness while the plane was in the … [Link]
Mashable » NFL Training Camp Drama: Johnny Football vs. the Hometown Kid
Smell that? It's the scent of pigskin, the distinctly American odor of NFL football lingering just around the corner. All across our great land, NFL training camps have begun. Teams are memorizing plays, tackles are rattling craniums and starting jobs are on the table The first preseason game is this Sunday, and we won't have a gridiron-free weekend until 2015 (hide … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) Was Undercover at San Diego Comic Con 2014! [Pic]
A simple but effective way to stay anonymous at a place where she’d probably end up crushed under heels of rabid fans. [Source: maisie_williams | Via Neatorama] [Link]
Slashdot » The Milky Way Is Much Less Massive Than Previous Thought
schwit1 writes: New research by astronomers suggests that the Milky Way is about half as massive as previously estimated. It was thought to be roughly the same mass as Andromeda, weighing in at approximately 1.26 x 10^12 solar masses (PDF). This new research indicates its mass is around half the mass of Andromeda. "Galaxies in the Local Group are bound … [Link]
Mashable » Xbox One Coming to China in September
The Xbox One will make its China debut on Sept. 23. It will be the first gaming console to be sold in the country in 14 years. Microsoft's console will sell in China for ¥3,699 RMB, which is around $600, and games will be priced between ¥99 and ¥249 See also: As Halo Universe Comes Under One Roof, Expectations Rise The … [Link]
Mashable » 'Girls' Star Allison Williams Will Play Peter Pan in NBC Live Musical
NBC has found its Peter Pan Girls star Allison Williams has been tapped to play the always-young mischievous character in NBC's upcoming Peter Pan Live. See also: 13 Devastating Emmy Snubs “We couldn’t be happier that Allison Williams is our Peter Pan,” NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said in a statement. “She’s a lovely rising star on the award-winning show Girls … [Link]
Slashdot » An Accidental Wikipedia Hoax
Andreas Kolbe writes: The Daily Dot's EJ Dickson reports how she accidentally discovered that a hoax factoid she added over five years ago as a stoned sophomore to the Wikipedia article on "Amelia Bedelia, the protagonist of the eponymous children's book series about a 'literal-minded housekeeper' who misunderstands her employer's orders," had not just remained on Wikipedia all this time, … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Brazil bans catfish fishery that used dolphins as bait
To catch piracatinga, fishermen cut up river dolphins for lures. Now the government has banned the fishery, turning to genetics to enforce the law 
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Mashable » Despite 'Mario Kart 8' Success, Nintendo Is Faltering
Nintendo’s first quarter financials reveal the Wii U sales are still slumping and the company is losing money, even though Mario Kart 8, which was released at the end of May, was a success Mario Kart 8 sold 2.82 million units worldwide, but the Wii U only sold 510,000 units, meaning people who already owned consoles made up most of the … [Link]
Mashable » Report: Snapchat Talking to Alibaba About Raising Funding at a $10 Billion Valuation
Snapchat, which famously turned down Facebook's offer to buy it for $3 billion, is in talks to raise a new round of funding that would value it at $10 billion, according to Bloomberg. The talks are ongoing and the amount of funding may change, according to the report. See also: Alibaba: What You Should Know About the Most-Hyped IPO of the … [Link]
Mashable » Daniel Radcliffe Shaved a Stranger's Head Just for Fun
Daniel Radcliffe is clearly no wizard with a razor The actor stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday to shave off a stranger's luscious locks for no reason at all, because that's what famous people get to do. Unfortunately for the poor hair volunteer, there's no spell to get rid of that bad haircut. Little Girl Comes to Terms With … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Face tester can predict how you will judge a face
A novel computer model can predict how we will judge a person's character based on their looks. The work could help make avatars more human-like 
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Slashdot » Nuclear Missile Command Drops Grades From Tests To Discourage Cheating
An anonymous reader writes: Earlier this year, just over half of the military officers put in charge of U.S. nuclear launch facilities were implicated in an exam cheating scandal. The Air Force conducted regular exams to keep officers current on the protocols and skills required to operate some of the world's most dangerous weapons. But the way they graded the … [Link]
Mashable » The New York Times Mulls a Shorter Print Edition
There could soon be a lot less news that fits to print. The New York Times is mulling a shorter, cheaper print edition as it seeks to find the sweet spot between content that subscribers want and what they're willing to pay for. See also: 6 Digital Challenges for The New York Times' New Editor The Times has shown a recent … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Killer sperm ravages internal organs of luckless worms
The sperm of one nematode species harms the females of other species, perhaps explaining why the species remain distinct 
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Mashable » Europe's Last ATV Spacecraft Heads to the ISS
Europe launched the last of its ATV cargo spacecraft Tuesday, marking the end of a six-year mission to keep the International Space Station stocked with supplies. The Automated Transfer Vehicle, which was sent into space on top of an Ariane 5 launcher from Kourou, French Guiana, is basically an unmanned cargo box — a spacecraft roughly the size of the old … [Link]
Mashable » Women Play a Surprising Role in Mass Shootings
Despite several recent mass shootings that might have spurred an overhaul of federal gun laws, Congress remains at an impasse. Some activists, though, are reframing the problem of gun violence in a surprising way: as an epidemic that uniquely affects women A recent analysis of media reports and FBI data by Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety found that … [Link]
Mashable » Little Girl Comes to Terms With Mortality of Life
Five-year-old Saddie Miller is absolutely devastated that her adorable baby brother will one day grow up — she just wants him to stay young and cute forever. (This must be how Peter Pan, and most women in Hollywood, feel all the time.) Saddie also gets pretty upset that she will die when she is 100. Ugh, mortality. 
The video reached … [Link]
Mashable » 14 Watermelon Recipes for a Sweet Summer
Watermelon may not be nature's candy, but it's a sweet, refreshing treat in the summer. The fleshy, seeded fruit is a versatile ingredient that serves as a great base for anything from sorbet to a delicious soup. You can even use watermelon to replace the tomatoes in a salsa. See also: 10 Fresh Vegetarian Recipes for Your Summer Cookout Go watermelon … [Link]
Slashdot » Ford, GM Sued Over Vehicles' Ability To Rip CD Music To Hard Drive
Lucas123 writes: The Alliance of Artists and Recording Companies is suing Ford and General Motors for millions of dollars over alleged copyrights infringement violations because their vehicles' CD players can rip music to infotainment center hard drives. The AARC claims in its filing (PDF) that the CD player's ability to copy music violates the Audio Home Recording Act of 1992. … [Link]
Mashable » Shakira's 'La La La' is Now the Most-Shared Ad of All Time
Move over Darth. After three years as the world's most-shared ad, Volkswagen's "The Force" ad has been eclipsed by Shakira's Activia-sponsored paean to the World Cup, " La La La (Brazil 2014) ft. Carlinhos Brown." Researcher Unruly reports that Shakira's video now has 5,375,756 shares across Facebook, Twitter and the blogosphere. That's more than "The Force" with 5,372,945 shares See … [Link]
Slashdot » Comcast Confessions
An anonymous reader writes: We heard a couple weeks ago about an incredibly pushy Comcast customer service representative who turned a quick cancellation into an ordeal you wouldn't wish on your enemies. To try and find out what could cause such behavior, The Verge reached out to Comcast employees, hoping a few of them would explain training practices and management … [Link]
Mashable » Virgin Mobile Gets Serious About Smartphone Parental Controls
Unsure if your kid's ready for a cellphone and all the rapid-fire texting, hours-long phone calls and untoward Snapchatting that will inevitably follow? Has Virgin Mobile got the phone for you. The brand (operated by Sprint in the U.S.) is launching a new smartphone plan, available exclusively through Walmart, called Custom, and it lives up to its label: owners can customize … [Link]
Mashable » Israeli Strike Hits Crowded U.N. School in Gaza, Killing 15
JEBALIYA REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza Strip — Israeli tank shells slammed into a crowded U.N. school Wednesday sheltering Gazans displaced by fighting, killing 15 and wounding 90 after tearing through the walls of two classrooms, a spokesman for a U.N. aid agency and a health official said. The Israeli military said mortar shells had been fired from near the school, and that … [Link]
Mashable » Computer Knows Which Attributes Make the Best First Impression
You may think you can judge a person you just met based on his or her facial expressions. Does a smile indicate a person is easygoing or insincere? Does squinting show concentration, or mistrust? First impressions of people — such as whether they are trustworthy, dominant or attractive — can develop from a glimpse as brief as 100 milliseconds or less. … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Amazon Deal of the Day: Save Up to 55% On “Pacific Rim Collector’s Edition” and “Predator Bundle”
For today’s edition of Deal of the Day, Amazon offers up to 55% off the “Pacific Rim Collector’s Edition” box set and “Predator” bundle (5 movies). -Pacific Rim Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD +UltraViolet Combo Pack) – $64.99 $28.99 (55% Off) -Predator Bundle [Blu-ray] (5 movies) – $$39.99 19.99 (50% Off) [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » FooD Stand Offers Geeky and Hilarious Way to Get a Discount [Pics]
I’m really, really sad that this place is about 4,500 km away from me (a 41-42 hours non-stop drive,) else I’d be there tonight. If you’re reading this from the front page, hit the “read more” link below for the rest of the pictures. 
[Source: Not a Burger Stand | Via Reddit | Dorkly] [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Assassin’s Creed Unity Meets Parkour in Real Life
Parkour/Free-running stunts performed by Ronnie Shalvis and the French FreeRun Family. [devinsupertramp] [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Arizona Couple Gets Married as Superman, Wonder Woman [PICS]
Reinesha and Devan recently got married at a vintage farmhouse in Gilbert, Arizona, but neither one wore the traditional bridal wear. Sure, Reinesha wore a gorgeous white dress and Devan wore dress slacks with a vest…but that’s where the similarities end. “My husband Devan has been my Superman from the day I laid eyes on him,” Reinesha told BuzzFeed. “He … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » How Long Have you Lived, Doctor? [Infographic]
Click Picture to Enlarge! Tenure of each incarnation of the Doctor based on total duration of their episodes. [Source: Wonderful Books | Via Visual.ly] [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Doctor Who 11 Doctors Wall Clock
From Superhero Stuff: The 10 inch diameter Doctor Who 11 Doctors Wall Clock features all eleven Doctors from BBC’s hit franchise! Well, I guess I should specify that it is just one Doctor and different variations but I think you get the point, right? On top of showing off the silhouette of each Doctor it also shows off their tenure … [Link]
Mashable » 4 Reasons You Should Cancel Your Next Staff Meeting
Quick question: Do you get excited when a meeting invite pops up on your calendar? I’m going to guess the answer is no. And yet frequent — sometimes even daily — meetings are a part of the culture in many companies. I think, most of the time, staff meetings are a waste of time. Sure, I understand that all-hands get-togethers are … [Link]
Mashable » 23 Office Accessories for the Resident Workplace Weirdo
Your job may be boring, but your office space doesn't have to be. There are plenty of weird corners of the Internet — Etsy in particular — that cater to the quirkier side of life. So, kick your workplace up a notch, with some mind-boggling desktop accessories See also: 17 DIY Office Hacks to Make Work More Tolerable These items will … [Link]
Mashable » This Algorithm Tells You If A Twitter Account Is a Spam Bot
Back in 2011, a team from Texas A&M University carried out a cyber sting to trap nonhuman Twitter users that were polluting the Twittersphere with spam. Their approach was to set up “honeypot” accounts which posted nonsensical content that no human user would ever be interested in. Any account that retweeted this content, or friended the owner, must surely be a … [Link]
Mashable » How to Have Sex With Your iPad [NSFW]
So, you say you love your iPad? Well, wouldn't it be nice if it loved you back? Thankfully, the great minds of the tech world have invented a few ways of getting it on with the Apple tablet of your eye. Of course, Internet porn has been around for ages, and that doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon. But these … [Link]
Mashable » How Amazon Brought Publishing to Its Knees — and Why Authors Might Be Next
Morgan Entrekin is happy with the relationships he's developed with Amazon. As the president of independent publisher Grove/Atlantic Books, he witnessed the industry change as Amazon’s introduction of the Kindle helped publishers like him embrace the digital revolution that has battered other industries. It's the future that he's worried about. “Right now [Amazon] is allowing me a perfectly fair margin, but … [Link]
Mashable » Adventure Is Out There! Find It in 10 Thrilling Memoirs
If you're not planning on trekking across America this summer, reading about it is the next best thing. This summer, take your mind through gripping tales of modern adventures — climbing mountains, hiking trails, crossing deserts — while you're safe at home with the air conditioner on. Each of these books are first-person accounts from the adventurers themselves. See also: 15 … [Link]
O'Reilly News and Commentary » Four short links: 30 July 2014
Offline First is the New Mobile First — Luke Wroblewski’s notes from John Allsopp’s talk about “Breaking Development” in Nashville. Offline technologies don’t just give us sites that work offline, they improve performance, and security by minimizing the need for … [Link]
Mashable » 7 Hot Majors That Didn't Exist When You Were in College
Your addiction to social media could net you a bachelor's degree. Thanks to the rise of the unconventional careers such as professional blogger and social media manager, as well as new forms of technology, universities are constantly adding majors to the roster of diploma-worthy degrees. And millennials are ready to enroll. See also: 9 Ways to Maximize Your Summer Before College … [Link]
Mashable » Facebook to Shut Down Gifts Service, Again
Remember Facebook Gifts, the social network's service that let you buy and send gifts to your friends? Originally called "Gift Shop" and focusing on virtual goods, it was killed off in 2010. Facebook then launched a physical gift shop in September 2012 following the company's acquisition of gift-giving app Karma. Now, Facebook Gifts will be shut down once again, on August … [Link]
Slashdot » Reglue: Opening Up the World To Deserving Kids With Linux Computers
jrepin writes: Today, a child without access to a computer (and the Internet) at home is at a disadvantage before he or she ever sets foot in a classroom. The unfortunate reality is that in an age where computer skills are no longer optional, far too many families don't possess the resources to have a computer at home. Linux Journal … [Link]
Mashable » Cortana Lands in China With Windows Phone 8.1 Update
Cortana, how far to Beijing? Pretty soon, that distance will be reduced to zero now that Microsoft has just announced it's bringing Cortana to new regions, including China and the U.K., with the first major update to Windows Phone 8.1. See also: I, Cortana: How Microsoft's Answer to Siri Was Born Cortana going to China involves more than just simple translation. … [Link]
Mashable » 'Shocking and Disappointing': U.S. Pushes Back Against Israeli Media Reports
This week it seemed U.S.—Israeli relations hit a particularly rocky moment. First, Israeli officials leveled personal attacks at Secretary of State John Kerry and his peacemaking efforts, prompting an indignant American response Then, a supposedly leaked transcript of a strained private telephone conversation between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surfaced on Israeli news — only to be shut … [Link]
Mashable » Video Shows Casual Racism Is Alive and Thriving in Australia
SYDNEY — A moving television ad campaign by Beyond Blue, The Invisible Discriminator, shows how prevalent racism is in Australia. The video which was published on YouTube on Monday, poses the question: "Why should anyone be made to feel like crap, just for being who they are?" See also: 'Disgusting' Ads Show Men in Cars Doing Gross Things Its message … [Link]
New Scientist – News » My genes could help cure childhood diseases
Juhan Sonin is donating his DNA to the hunt for medical breakthroughs. He explains why he decided to share his genome, and why you might want to do the same 
[Link]
Slashdot » Airbnb Partners With Cities For Disaster Preparedness
An anonymous reader writes: Every time a city- or state-wide disaster strikes, services to help the victims slowly crop up over the following days and weeks. Sometimes they work well, sometimes they don't. Today, city officials in San Francisco and Portland announced a partnership with peer-to-peer lodging service Airbnb to work out some disaster-preparedness plans ahead of time. Airbnb will … [Link]
Mashable » A Gaming Vest to Shake Up Your Video Game Experience
Gone are the days of Nintendo 64 Rumble Packs. Instead of a little rumble in your controller every time you take a hit in a first-person shooter (FPS) game or the ground collapses underneath you in a role-playing game (RPG), when you put on this gaming vest, you'll actually feel it. See also: You Can Actually Play Tetris on This … [Link]
Mashable » Sherlock and The Doctor Join Forces in 'Wholock: The Musical'
It's the ultimate meeting of the minds: a Time Lord from a destroyed planet almost as old as the universe itself and a highly functioning sociopath. The Doctor and Sherlock team up in YouTube channel AVByte's musical crossover of Doctor Who and Sherlock titled Wholock: The Musical. Tonight at 11: Local News Is Killing Your Funny Bone 10 Weirdest Things … [Link]
Slashdot » Hackers Plundered Israeli Defense Firms That Built 'Iron Dome' Missile Defense
An anonymous reader writes: Brian Krebs reports on information from Columbia, Md.-based threat intelligence firm Cyber Engineering Services Inc. that attackers thought to be operating out of China hacked into the corporate networks of three top Israeli defense technology companies. The attackers were seeking technical documents related to Iron Dome, Israel's air defense system. "IAI was initially breached on April … [Link]
Mashable » WikiLeaks Reveals Secret Suppression Order Involving International Figures
SYDNEY — On Wednesday, WikiLeaks published a document, which cannot legally be published in Australia. The suppressed Victorian Supreme Court suppression order, which appeared on the whistleblower's website, prevents the publication of details of a case and the names of international figures involved in the case. See also: Hackers Turn ATM Into Awesome 'Doom' Player A statement from WikiLeaks' publisher Julian … [Link]
The Joy of Tech » JoT #2028: The iWatch motivation factor
Don’t you think it's iTime you got fit? If you enjoyed the comic, please retweet, Like, or share the URL on the way to your workout. [Link]
Mashable » What the Cellphone Unlocking Law Means for You
A bill that will make it legal to unlock your cellphone is headed for U.S. President Barack Obama's desk. This is great news, but what does it mean for you? Will it actually impact how you can use your devices? The ability to "unlock" your cellphone or tablet — that is, provision the phone to run on a different carrier network … [Link]
Mashable » Digital Photo Montages Compare Australian Life in 1914 and 2014
SYDNEY — A collection of digital photo compositions compare Australian society in pre-war 1914 with life in fast-paced 2014. John Donegan, a photographer with 702 ABC in Sydney, created the stunning images, which show the stark contrast between old and new ways of life. For each photo, Donegan blended multiple digital colour images taken in 2014 with a single black-and-white image … [Link]
Slashdot » Opportunity Rover Sets Off-World Driving Record
schwit1 writes: "With a drive of 157 feet on Sunday, the Mars rover Opportunity broke the Soviet record, set by Lunokhod 2 in 1973, for the longest distance traveled by a vehicle on another planet. "If the rover can continue to operate the distance of a marathon — 26.2 miles (about 42.2 kilometers) — it will approach the next major … [Link]
Mashable » Korean Baseball Team Unveils Robot Avatars for Absent Fans
A Korean baseball team that's down on its luck has found a new way to fill seats at games: robot fans. The Hanwha Eagles recently unveiled robot proxies called "fanbots," which enable fans to watch and cheer at games remotely See also: 13 Robots Who Don't Know How to Robot Based in the city of Daejeon, the Eagles have lost more … [Link]
Mashable » Former Vampire Julie Benz Took Over Mashable's Snapchat at Comic-Con
Snapchat stories may disappear after 24 hours, but they stay in your heart forever. At least that's how we felt after geeking out, and spending the day on the platform with actress Julie Benz at San Diego Comic-Con. Benz, a social media darling who appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dexter, now stars in Syfy's original series DefianceMashable had … [Link]
Mashable » Fist Bumps Spread Fewer Germs Than Handshakes, Study Says
Fist bumps aren't just cool — they're also hygienically preferable to handshakes A recent UK study said fist bumps spread far fewer germs than the traditional handshake, and even the high five. See also: Steve Wozniak Fist Bumps DMX Over 'Planned Robbery' Researchers from Aberystwyth University's Institute of Biological, Environmental, and Rural Sciences covered a greeter’s hand in a sterile … [Link]
Slashdot » University of Michigan Solar Car Wins Fifth Straight National Title
An anonymous reader writes For the fifth consecutive year, the solar car team from the University of Michigan has won the American Solar Car Challenge. The event is an eight-day, 1,700-mile race with a total of 23 participating teams. The Umich victory comes in spite of a 20-30 minute delay when they had problems with the motor at the very … [Link]
Mashable » Chaos as Water Main Break Causes Massive Flooding at UCLA
A broken water pipe caused havoc on Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles, as knee-deep water and mud filled parts of Sunset Boulevard and the University of California, Los Angeles. A broken water main near the UCLA campus sent a geyser of water some 30 feet into the air, trapping people in underground parking garages and covering some of the best-known parts … [Link]
Mashable » Gardens at the Louvre Museum Are Infested With Parisian Rats
Ah, Paris. It's a city of light, a city of love … and a city of rats. Trash left by picnickers in the Louvre Museum's gardens have attracted hundreds of the pesky rodents. Some have grown so bold that they run onto the grass during the day; although foliage throughout the Tuileries Gardens provides cover for the rats, they still dart … [Link]
Mashable » This App Lets You Ask a Doctor Any Question in Real-Time via Smartphone
Health apps and the wearable trackers that connect to them are giving us more data about our personal health than ever before, but medical experts remain the best resource when it comes to even the most minor diagnosis First Opinion is hoping to bridge that gap between "quantified self" apps and a full-on doctor visit by providing an app that puts … [Link]
Slashdot » The Hobbit: the Battle of Five Armies Trailer Released
An anonymous reader writes: The first teaser trailer for the final installment of the Middle Earth saga, The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies, debuted at Comic-Con, and now Warner Bros have made it available online. While the trailer contains some nice shots on a visual level, very much in keeping with the Lord of the Rings trilogy, about 80% … [Link]
Mashable » 'Deadpool' Leaked Test Footage Was Real and It Was Spectacular
It was only 1 minute and 48 seconds, it was only computer-generated test footage, but it was definitely Deadpool — and it was definitely Ryan Reynolds' voice breaking the fourth wall. Created some time ago by Culver City-based Blur Studios for 20th Century Fox, the clip leaked online curiously close to the end of Comic-Con, and mere hours hours after Mashable … [Link]
Mashable » Ian Ziering Warns Twitter About Impending 'Sharknado 2' Tweet Storm
Ian Ziering remembers watching as more than half million tweets turned last summer's Sharknado into an out-of-nowhere television cult hit. And on the eve of Sharknado 2: The Second One, the actor has a message for the social media site "I think the nerds over at Twitter better reinforce their hard drives because it almost broke them last time," he told … [Link]
Mashable » Australian Flight Attendant Tells Passengers to Flush Drugs
SYDNEY — A flight attendant on Australian airline Jetstar told passengers returning from a festival to flush down the toilet any drugs they were carrying. The warning came after the crew, flying from the Gold Coast, were alerted to sniffer dogs and quarantine officers waiting in the domestic terminal at Sydney Airport on Sunday night. Many passengers were returning from three-day … [Link]
Mashable » 'Game of Thrones' Controversy: Did HBO Cut a Fan Favorite From Season 5?
The Game of Thrones Season 5 cast list HBO released at Comic-Con stirred up its legions of book-reading fans with one seemingly small revelation. The description of new character Trystane Martell as "heir to Dorne" in an official HBO press release has led many to believe that a beloved main character in the fourth and fifth books, A Feast For Crows … [Link]
Mashable » Amazon Uses Math to Explain Why It Prices E-Books at $9.99
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos famously picked the $9.99 price for e-books out of "thin air." But in a blog post published Tuesday, the company offered some numeric justification for the figure. The $14.99 and $19.99 prices for e-books is "unjustifiably high" since "there's no printing, no over-printing, no need to forecast, no returns, no lost sales due to out-of-stock, no warehousing … [Link]
Slashdot » Old Apache Code At Root of Android FakeID Mess
chicksdaddy writes: A four-year-old vulnerability in an open source component that is a critical part of Android leaves hundreds of millions of mobile devices susceptible to silent malware infections. The vulnerability affects devices running Android versions 2.1 to 4.4 ("KitKat"), according to a statement released by Bluebox. The vulnerability was found in a package installer in affected versions of Android. … [Link]
Mashable » Tech-Powered Weed-Delivery Service Eaze Comes to San Francisco
As the U.S. gradually softens its stance on the legality of marijuana — the most recent example being The New York Times' call for legalization — entrepreneurs are starting to take advantage of resulting opportunities San Francisco-based Eaze, for instance, is offering a tech-powered delivery service it describes as a kind of Uber for medical-marijuana users See also: TV Ads Launch … [Link]
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