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.
Mashable » HoloLens could get into finance with this VR workstation
SAN FRANCISCO, California — As HoloLens makes its way from Microsoft’s development labs into the hands of early developer and enterprise customers, the big question remains: What will they do with it? Microsoft has done its best to guide would-be developers with a series of demonstrations dating back to the official launch in early 2015. Back then, NASA (still a … [Link]
Slashdot » Skype is Getting Cortana and Crazy Bot Messaging
An anonymous reader writes: During its Build conference, Microsoft demoed how Skype users would be able to book trips, shop, and plan their schedule, just by chatting with Cortana. "Cortana is brokering the conversation with a third-party bot," says Lilian Rincon, Skype's program manager. Essentially, Skype will know which company or service you want to talk to, bring a new … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Dear Google, please help us use our data to beat dengue and Zika
A worried dad wants the tech giant to allow its users to share access to their location history to help protect families from mosquito-borne diseases
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Mashable » Christopher Walken. As a child. Dressed like a clown.
Walken at his family's home in Bayside, Queens.Image: Al Barry/Three Lions/Getty ImagesRonald Walken was born in 1943 to German and Scottish immigrants in Queens, New York. The middle child of three brothers, young Ronnie’s first paid gig in show business came when he was 14 months old and posed for a nude calendar shoot with a pair of fluffy kittens. Read … [Link]
Mashable » U.S. State Department apologizes for implying you're not a '10'
The State Department is learning that there's a big difference between thinking you're being funny on Twitter and actually being funny. SEE ALSO: There's still time to plan a great spring break trip Over the past several weeks, the official Twitter account for the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs has been tweeting out travel tips with the … [Link]
Mashable » Dyson's new smart fan will tell you the quality of the air you're breathing
Dyson is hopping into the regular-product-turned-smart game with its new Pure Cool Link smart air-purifying fanSmart air purifiers aren't exactly new, but a big name like Dyson jumping on the smartification bandwagon means these types of products could dominate the home air quality industry in the near future. SEE ALSO: Gatorade's smart cap takes rehydration to the next level The … [Link]
Mashable » Kanye's entire 'The Life of Pablo' coming to streaming services after all
Never doesn't really mean never. Despite the fact that Kanye West said his seventh studio album The Life of Pablo will only ever be available to stream on TIDAL, it seems that, like the album itself, Kanye is open to making changes. SEE ALSO: Kanye West says he's done making CDs: Long live streaming "Famous" and "I Love Kanye" are … [Link]
Slashdot » Slashdot Asks: Should FBI Reveal to Apple How to Unlock Terrorist's iPhone?
After reports that the FBI managed to unlock an iPhone 5c belonging to one of the San Bernardino shooters without the help of Apple, Apple is now the one that needs the FBI's assistance. "The responsible thing for the government to do is privately disclose the vulnerability to Apple so they can continue hardening security on their devices," said Justin … [Link]
Mashable » In touching tribute, Judd Apatow makes Garry Shandling the star of his Instagram
LOS ANGELES — It's no secret that Judd Apatow is a big-hearted guy with a mile-wide sentimental streak, but there is something surprisingly touching about his reaction to the death of Garry Shandling, his dear friend and mentor, who died of a sudden heart attack last Thursday. Since then, Apatow has posted 23 Shandling-related photos — and nothing but Shandling-related … [Link]
Mashable » NBC live gets the Sorkin treatment with 'A Few Good Men'
After several live musicals and the wildly successful The Wiz, NBC's live theater sights have shifted to Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men. Sorkin wrote the 1989 Broadway production and Academy Award-nominated 1992 film. SEE ALSO: 'To Kill a Mockingbird' gets Broadway adaptation written by Aaron Sorkin “I am thrilled that Aaron Sorkin is coming back to NBC to adapt … [Link]
Popular Science » SETI Expands Search For Alien Life To 20,000 New Star Systems
Space Dim bulbs with bright possibilities The SETI Institute just expanded its Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence to 20,000 new star systems. [Link]
Mashable » Even abortion opponents can't believe how out of touch Donald Trump is
Donald Trump's latest controversial remarks — calling for "some sort of punishment" for women who have abortions — aren't going over well with the anti-abortion crowd, either. The Republican front-runner's comments, which occurred during an interview with MSNBC's Chris Matthews that will air Wednesday night, spread quickly online. And while the reaction was predictably outraged, some of the pushback against Trump’s … [Link]
Mashable » Here's what would happen if the FBI tried to hack an Android phone
The Justice Department has managed to unlock an iPhone 5c used by the gunman Syed Rizwan Farook, who with his wife killed 14 people in San Bernardino, California, last December. The high-profile case has pitted federal law enforcement agencies against Apple, which fought a legal order to work around its passcode security feature to give law enforcement access to the … [Link]
Popular Science » Hacker Makes His Amazon Echo A Car Starter
Cars This is a feature Amazon should offer Echo hacked to start car. [Link]
Mashable » Mississippi bill would let churches create gun squads exempt from prosecution
Nothing says holy like a squad of gunmen firing at will without fear of prosecution. A bill just passed by the Mississippi Senate would allow churches across the state to create armed security groups who are not subject to legal action if they choose to use their weapons in the "reasonable exercise" of their duties as church security guards. SEE … [Link]
Mashable » Puff Daddy announces Bad Boy Family Reunion show for Biggie's birthday
Puff Daddy is getting the old gang back together for a show to honor the Notorious B.I.G. The show will bring together the Bad Boy Records roster in Biggie's hometown, Brooklyn, the day before what would have been his 44th birthday. SEE ALSO: Lil' Kim announces new mixtape, shares royal cover art Members of the Bad Boys crew of past … [Link]
Slashdot » Microsoft Launches HoloLens Emulator, No Headset Required
An anonymous reader writes: As promised, Microsoft started shipping its $3,000 HoloLens development kits today. In addition to sharing that bots are coming to the new platform, the company also released a HoloLens emulator, which lets developers test holographic apps on their PC without the need for a physical HoloLens. You can download the emulator now directly from here. Thinking … [Link]
Mashable » Piers Morgan declares feminism dead after Kim Kardashian's latest selfie
Feminism had a good run, but sadly, as of March 30, 2016, it's over. Cause of death? Women doing what they want with their bodies and not caring what anyone else thinks. Well, that is if you're letting Piers Morgan take the pulse of women's rights for you. In which case, it's probably time for a second opinion. The grumpy … [Link]
Mashable » Esurance launches 'election insurance' for disgruntled voters, starting April 1
The calendar may still say March, but April Fools' Day is already in full swing in brand-land. Esurance got a head start on the annual bacchanal of marketing gimmickry with a commercial announcing that it will begin offering "election insurance" for voters who can't stomach the idea of a certain presidential candidate getting keys to the nuclear codes. SEE ALSO: … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » How the Banking Sector Leverages Predictive APIs
“The new trend is to describe a traditional business and then add the words ‘AI.’ A few years back, it was ‘social’.” ING Bank’s Natalino Busa isn’t wrong about the sudden fuss over artificial intelligence. But in certain sectors, adding AI into the mix indeed means revolutionizing it. Perhaps no more is this change happening than in the banking sector. … [Link]
Mashable » Lawyer: NYPD officer was sleepwalking when he broke into woman's apartment
A lawyer for a New York City Police Department officer said the officer was sleepwalking in 2014 when he allegedly broke into a woman's apartment at night, wearing nothing but underwear. The officer, Eugene Donnelly, allegedly punched the woman repeatedly and then drank some milk from her kitchen before he left. SEE ALSO: How the NYPD broke an NBA player's … [Link]
Mashable » EgyptAir hijacker was reportedly targeting 'foreigners'
The Egyptian man who hijacked an EgyptAir flight on Tuesday reportedly targeted "foreigners," according to the flight crew and other passengers on the flight. SEE ALSO: Grinning British man with EgyptAir hijacker wanted the 'selfie of a lifetime' Seif Eddin Mustafa, 59, is facing charges including hijacking, illegal possession of explosives, kidnapping and threats to commit violence for the incident. … [Link]
Mashable » Adele invited her doppelgänger onstage for the selfie of a lifetime
If you bear even the slightest resemblance to your favorite celebrity, get the word out — it could get you a selfie. Emily Bansworth had only been at Adele's Tuesday concert in Birmingham for a few minutes when other concertgoers began to mistake her for the singer. SEE ALSO: Adele calls pressure to breastfeed 'f*cking ridiculous' In fact, she was … [Link]
Popular Science » Microsoft Thinks Everyone Should Have An Army Of Bots
Technology But they're "back to the drawing board" with Tay.ai Microsoft's Vision For Computing Made Of Bots [Link]
Mashable » HoloLens may be the future but Microsoft's demo gave us bad '80s nostalgia
Microsoft’s HoloLens demo just transported us back to the '80s. Microsoft showed off its HoloLens to developers at its Build 2016 conference. But unlike previous HoloLens demos, which were impressive, today's demo was less awe-inspiring and more like a slice of bad '80s special effects. Though holographic teachers are the future, this demo certainly wasn't. Miraculously, the message still got through: … [Link]
Mashable » The 'Destiny' gear game just changed for the better in a big way
The road you take to maxing out your level in Destiny is about to get a whole lot easier, in the coming (and free) Apr. 12 update. For months, the Destiny fan community has been unhappy with the state of the gear game. Right now, it's possible to spend tens of hours — if not hundreds — hunting for loot to level … [Link]
Slashdot » AT&T Looks To Sell Cyanogen-Powered ZTE Phone To Snub Google
An anonymous reader writes: According to a report out of The Information, the No. 2 U.S. wireless carrier, ATT, is looking into partnering with Cyanogen because it thinks it could make a compelling Android-alternative smartphone for its customers. In other words, ATT wants to use Cyanogen to help it load more bloatware on phones to help sell their other services, … [Link]
Mashable » Hillary Clinton takes shots at Sanders during New York homecoming
NEW YORK — "It's a thrill to be Live at the Apollo!" Hillary Clinton told a crowd gathered at the Apollo Theater in Harlem on Wednesday, paying homage to the storied venue of her New York homecoming. Clinton, the former junior Senator of New York, celebrated the vibrant culture of the Empire state at the theater which holds 1,500 people. … [Link]
Mashable » 'Final Fantasy XV' is definitely coming out in September (probably)
Final Fantasy XV is coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on Sept. 30. Probably. Let us explain. Publisher Square Enix is hosting a big event on Wednesday evening during which new details will be shared on the long-awaited next chapter in the Final Fantasy series. The expectation has been that we'd get a release date. SEE ALSO: 'Final Fantasy' star Lightning … [Link]
Popular Science » Welcome To New Drone City
Aviation We imagine a day in the life of a drone-tower city Drone tower flash fiction. [Link]
Mashable » Microsoft pushes ahead with its risky dream of conversational AI bots
Satya Nadella believes he's found The Next Big Thing. The concept that will usher in a new era of computing. With his company at the vanguard, of course. Nadella, the stylish and analytical CEO of Microsoft, is preaching the power of bots. And not just any bots — bots powered by artificial intelligence that can carry meaningful conversations and handle … [Link]
Slashdot » Microsoft Unlocks the Ability To Turn Xbox One Consoles Into 'Development Kits'
Dave Knott writes: Today, Microsoft made good on a nearly three-year-old promise, unlocking the ability for all retail Xbox One consoles to become development kits. This mode will allow anyone to build, test and experiment with Universal Windows Program (UWP) development. Converting a console to Dev Mode requires no special equipment or fees, though to fully access the abilities, a … [Link]
Slashdot » Leaked Emails Reveal Widespread Corruption in Global Oil Industry
Nick McKenzie, Richard Baker, Michael Bachelard, and Daniel Quinlan report on a widespread corruption in the global oil industry for The Huffington Post: In the list of the world's great companies, Unaoil is nowhere to be seen. But for the best part of the past two decades, the family business from Monaco has systematically corrupted the global oil industry, distributing … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Bubbling ocean on Saturn’s moon could explain vanishing island
The oceans of ethane and methane found on Titan may be bubbling with nitrogen – which could explain a mysterious disappearing island spotted on its surface
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Slashdot » ACLU Shows How the Apple-FBI Fight Was About Much More Than One Phone
Russell Brandom reports for The Verge: Apple's San Bernardino fight may be over, but the government is still seeking both Apple and Google's help in unlocking phones. New research from the American Civil Liberties Union shows 63 different cases in which the government compelled help from Apple or Google in unlocking a handset. It's unclear how many of the orders … [Link]
Mashable » Deadly rash of overdoses in California causes 6 deaths in one week
An outburst of fentanyl-laced opioid deaths has again ripped through an American city. Painkilling pills sold by dealers and laced with fentanyl — a drug with a potency 80 to 100 times greater than morphine — have led to 28 overdoses and six deaths in Sacramento County, California over the past week, including 12 overdoses in two days, according to … [Link]
Mashable » Kim Kardashian teaches Emily Ratajkowski the art of the DGAF topless selfie
Kim Kardashian has made it klear that her nude selfies are here to stay, and now she's taking it a step further, because education is the future. Kim took model and actress Emily Ratajkwoski under her wing and taught her the important lesson that if you find yourself in a public restroom without a shirt, it's totally fine — the … [Link]
Mashable » How one man experienced a $23,000 flight for $108
Next time you're jammed back in economy, trying to sleep upright, consider this: One man experienced Etihad's $23,000 "Residence" and only paid $108. Sam Huang, who runs TopMiles, redeemed 60,000 AAdvantage miles plus $108 to fly from Sydney to the Maldives, with the flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi in the Etihad Apartment on the Airbus A380. SEE ALSO: How one … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » Square Aims for Stripe with E-Commerce API
Square today launched the Build with Square program, a series of tools it hopes will convince independent businesses to join Square's payment platform. At the core of Build with Square are new APIs that make it possible to bring e-commerce to websites quickly and cheaply.
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Mashable » Two tiny kickboxers made a much better 'Batman v Superman' than Zack Snyder
If this is the Batman v Superman everyone is so upset about, we get it. It seemed short, it ended early, and the characters were not convincing at all. In an odd event for a professional basketball game, two small boys dressed up like Batman and Superman and fought each other gladiator-style in front of a large audience. Using the classic … [Link]
Mashable » Woman meets a Florida panther during her morning nature walk
A Florida sanctuary visitor had an usual sighting while on her morning nature walk. In a clip from Facebook user Tina Dorschel, a Florida panther runs past visitors on a boardwalk at the National Audubon Society's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples, Florida. SEE ALSO: 8 chill sloth facts that'll make you love these laid-back animals even more "On an early … [Link]
Popular Science » NASA Now Has A Drone That Can Sniff Out Dangerous Gas Leaks
Aviation A drone with a nose for methane This drone sniffs for methane. [Link]
Mashable » Trump: Women who have abortions should face 'some sort of punishment'
Donald Trump says women who have abortions should be subject to "some kind of punishment" if the procedures were outlawed. Trump's comments came during an interview with MSNBC's Chris Matthews, set to air Wednesday night. When Matthews pressed him on what that punishment would be, Trump said he hadn't yet determined it. SEE ALSO: Conservative women in the media call for … [Link]
Mashable » Jury finds faulty GM ignition switch did not cause crash, report says
General Motors employees knowingly installed faulty ignition switches in cars between 1998 and 2014. However, a jury ruled Wednesday morning that the defective switch was not to blame for at least one crash in 2014. SEE ALSO: Upgrade your 'Insane' Tesla P90D to 'Ludicrous' for $10,000* According to Reuters, an eight-person Manhattan, New York jury found that a 2014 crash … [Link]
Mashable » 9-year-old girl fights bullying by completing a 24-hour, 36-mile race
Battling bullying is never easy, but one athlete makes it seem effortless. After being teased by her peers, Milla Bizzotto decided to hit the gym and increase her confidence through fitness, ultimately completing a race designed by the Navy SEALs. Oh, and she's only nine years old. SEE ALSO: Runner finds a creative way to propose using a fitness app … [Link]
Mashable » 'Fedora Guy' returns to Microsoft and makes the Internet very happy
Microsoft’s very own "Fedora Guy" is back. Bryan Roper returned to the stage for Microsoft's annual conference on Wednesday and brought a ton of color to the event.More details and tweets celebrating his comeback: http://on.mash.to/1pL1M9a Read more…More about Microsoft, Funny, Gadgets, Us, and Watercooler
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Slashdot » Confirmed: Microsoft and Canonical Partner To Bring Ubuntu To Windows 10
Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols reports for ZDNet: According to sources at Canonical, Ubuntu Linux's parent company, and Microsoft, you'll soon be able to run Ubuntu on Windows 10. This will be more than just running the Bash shell on Windows 10. After all, thanks to programs such as Cygwin or MSYS utilities, hardcore Unix users have long been able to run … [Link]
Popular Science » New NASA Exhibit Lets You Virtually Tour Mars With Buzz Aldrin
Space No spaceship required At the most optimistic, the earliest any human can hope to get to Mars is sometime in the 2030s. But we're impatient. [Link]
Mashable » Conservative women in the media call for Donald Trump to fire Corey Lewandowski for grabbing reporter
Some female members of the media are calling for the firing of Donald Trump's campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, who denied that he grabbed and left bruises on a female reporter despite a police charge against him and videotape of the incident. Lewandowski, supported by Trump's campaign, has ignited an online firestorm after he maintained that he is innocent of grabbing … [Link]
Mashable » Those insane Reebok Stompers from 'Aliens' are making a comeback
They're stomping back with the vengeance. Following in the footsteps of films from yesteryear like Star Wars and Back to the Future, nostalgia merchandise from Aliens is making a comeback. The 1986 sequel directed by James Cameron starred Sigourney Weaver reprising her role as the alien-battling badass Ellen Ripley. She wore a custom-made pair of super hightop Reebok Alien Stompers that … [Link]
Mashable » Everything you need to know from Microsoft's Build 2016 event
Microsoft began its annual Build developer conference on Wednesday in San Francisco with an epic(ally long) keynote. While Build is aimed primarily at developers, Microsoft did announce a few new updates for Windows 10 and its HoloLens augmented-re~ headset, the Xbox One and more. There's a lot to unpack from the two-hour long event. Here are the most important announcements from Build 2016 if … [Link]
Mashable » Frenchman charged for allegedly plotting new terror attack on France
A 34-year-old Frenchman who was arrested last week was allegedly plotting an imminent attack and operating an explosives arsenal of what prosecutors called "unprecedented scale." SEE ALSO: France arrests man in 'advanced stages' of attack plot Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins said Wednesday that the suspect, Reda Kriket, is accused of participating in a terrorist group with plans for at least … [Link]
Slashdot » Microsoft Launches Bot Framework To Let Developers Build Their Own Chatbots
An anonymous reader shares a report on VentureBeat: Microsoft today is introducing the Bot Framework, a new tool in preview to help developers build their own chatbots for their applications. Using this, anyone can create a text program that they can chat with. A BotBuilder software-development kit (SDK) is available on GitHub under an open-source MIT license. These bots can … [Link]
Mashable » Peter Dinklage, a.k.a. 'Tyrone' from 'Game of Thorns,' joins Cecily Strong in 'SNL' promos
Peter Dinklage's return to Saturday Night Live means one thing: SUMMER IS COMING. SEE ALSO: New 'Game of Thrones' trailer delivers more peeks into Season 6 Dinklage and SNL cast member Cecily Strong join together for the week's promos, where they learn that summer isn't as scary as winter, windows are not movie screens, and that Gwen Stefani has been fine … [Link]
Popular Science » We May Need Fewer Haircuts In Space
Space A small study indicates astronaut hair grows more slowly A small, preliminary study suggests that spending time in space may inhibit hair growth [Link]
Mashable » Despite its attempt at cool, Microsoft's Build keynote was full of khaki-wearing cringe
Give it up if you write with a pen and paper! Microsoft held its Build 2016 developer conference on Wednesday, and although that sounds extremely invigorating to developers and tech nerds alike, the event went off in typical Microsoft fashion. SEE ALSO: Microsoft's 'Fedora Guy' is back and we missed him so much While everyone braced for exciting news from … [Link]
Mashable » Rhode Island tourism gets hammered for another mistake
A day after a Rhode Island tourism video featuring a scene from Iceland was taken off YouTube, eagle-eyed critics found another mistake. Rhode Island, the smallest state in the U.S., has less than 2% of the nation's historic landmarks, but claims to have 20% of them on its website. SEE ALSO: Rhode Island tourism video looks beautiful because it features … [Link]
Mashable » Microsoft is putting Cortana everywhere, except in new hardware
SAN FRANCISCO — Ask someone which digital voice assistant they use most and they're likely to mention Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa or even Google Now. Only a few might include Microsoft Cortana on that list. But Microsoft wants to make Cortana more a part of the conversation. During Microsoft's Build developer conference keynote on Monday, which ushered in the next big … [Link]
Mashable » John Boyega shared a story about his first serendipititous meeting with J.J. Abrams
Chances are if you run into J.J. Abrams, you'll definitely be cast in his next mega-blockbuster film. Not really — those things only happen to John Boyega. SEE ALSO: 17 times 'Star Wars' actor John Boyega was laugh-out-loud funny on Instagram Boyega shared a sweet, serendipitous story on his Instagram Wednesday about how he happened to run into the director … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Unexpected Antarctic ice melt may trigger 2 metre sea level rise
It seemed impossible, but a recent paper supports the belief that Antarctic ice will melt faster than we thought, triggering sea level rise that could devastate low-lying cities
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Mashable » A 4DX movie theater put me so close to 'Batman v Superman,' I could smell their super-sweat
I have seen the future of movie-going, and it is water-spewing, butt-rattling theater seats. That's what an $8 ticket surcharge gets you when you book reserved seating in a 4DX-enhanced movie theater. 4DX brings the motion simulation of theme park rides like Disney's Star Tours to your average summer blockbuster. SEE ALSO: World's first permanent VR cinema opens in Amsterdam, … [Link]
Mashable » Whoopi Goldberg's new sister act is medical marijuana products for women
Whoopi Goldberg understands the endless suffering of her sisters, and she's here to help. Goldberg is coming out with a line of marijuana-infused products, under the brand name Whoopi & Maya, to reduce menstrual pain and cramps with "canna-businesswoman" Maya Elisabeth. SEE ALSO: Menstruation-inspired wall hangings show your period pride “I want to go nice and slow with this. I … [Link]
Slashdot » Apple's New Safari Technology Preview Browser Is Aimed At Web Developers
Sarah Perez reports for TechCrunch: Apple today announced it's expanding its efforts in the area of web development, with the launch of a new version of its Safari web browser, designed specifically for developers. Called Safari Technology Preview, the company says this browser will allow developers to get an early look at upcoming web technologies in OS X and iOS, … [Link]
Mashable » Women aren't even getting many entry-level jobs in the tech industry
Women aren't even landing many entry-level jobs in the tech industry, per a new report — but proceed with caution before chalking it up to a problem with the talent pool. According to the report, from McK~ women in the tech industry hold only 37% of entry-level jobs. That number is significantly lower than the 47% of women who, on average, are offered … [Link]
Mashable » #BringBackJon: A campaign to make sure we #NeverTrump
This is a different kind of "Dear Jon" letter — the kind where we beg Jon to take us back. Jon, we know why you left us. We remember it well. "This show doesn't deserve an even slightly restless host," you said, just over a year ago, in announcing your Daily Show retirement. It was an admirable sentiment. You were, … [Link]
Mashable » Microsoft's latest HoloLens demo transports us back to the '80s
On Wednesday, Microsoft hailed the official launch of its HoloLens augmented reality device to developers at its Build 2016 conference But unlike the past HoloLens demos, which were impressive enough to draw applause audience members, today's demo was less awe-inspiring and more like a slice of bad '80s special effects See also: Hands on with Microsoft’s HoloLens Development Edition Microsoft's … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » Secful Aims to Automatically Detect and Thwart API Attacks in Real-Time
Secful aims to help companies identify attacks against their APIs and respond with a "custom-tailored" security-layer. The startup profiles its customers' legitimate API usage and analyzes usage data to identify abnormal patterns.
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Mashable » Microsoft CEO: 'Bots are the new apps'
Facebook and Google aren't the only tech giants envisioning a bot-filled future. Apparently undeterred from last week's epic disaster that was the Tay Twitterbot, Microsoft's chief executive took the stage at the company's Build developer conference to outline his vision for the future of bots. See also: Windows Hello will soon let you log into websites and apps with your face … [Link]
Mashable » Comedy Central adds 9 more original series to Snapchat slate
Comedy Central announced Wednesday that it's expanding its slate of original series created exclusively for Snapchat Discover. The Viacom-owned network will add nine new series and renew four of its existing Snapchat shows: Quickie with Nikki, Swag-A-Saurus with James Davis, Like It with Liza and Hot Takes withBrandon Wardell. Quickie with Nikki will return on April 19, but premiere dates for … [Link]
Mashable » Severe bleaching event is damaging parts of the Great Barrier Reef like never before
Australia has announced the "worst mass bleaching event" in the northern parts of the Great Barrier Reef. Coral bleaching occurs when waters reach certain temperatures, causing corals to expel algae. The cause is a combination of an El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean and human-caused global warmingMore details and graphs: http://on.mash.to/1UUF37w Read more…More about Australia, Global Warming, Us World, El … [Link]
Mashable » NASA and Microsoft plan to take you to Mars with the HoloLens
Want to go to Mars? While a real trip to the red planet might be decades away for NASA astronauts, people on Earth can take a trip to the rusty surface of Mars using Microsoft's HoloLens technology. SEE ALSO: Astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent 340 days in space, gives the HoloLens his stamp of approval NASA will open a new … [Link]
New Scientist – News » More evidence for Planet Nine as odd celestial alignment emerges
Another celestial object has been found in a group with strangely similar orbits, implying they are shepherded by something – possibly a mysterious ninth planet
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Mashable » Now any Xbox One can be used to develop games
SAN FRANCISCO — Microsoft has, in recent years, done a fairly good job of moving its Windows 10 and Xbox gaming platforms closer together, but mostly in favor of the console and console games. That may be changing with the next big Windows update — the Windows Anniversary Update — which Microsoft announced this week at its annual Build Conference. … [Link]
New Scientist – News » First games for Oculus Rift reveal your new virtual playground
Conquer Everest, repair an orbiting space station and even take part in a ballet: these are just a few of the games that will kick-start the VR revolution
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Mashable » One of the all-time greatest N64 'Star Wars' games is on Steam now
Rogue Squadron, people. The best Star Wars game ever released for Nintendo 64 (scientifically proven) is now available on SteamRogue Squadron drops would-be pilots into the seat of an X-Wing — and A/V/Y-Wings — as they take on Imperial scum in frantic dogfights. SEE ALSO: Swinging a 'Star Wars' lightsaber in VR feels amazing It's less involved than the PC gaming classics … [Link]
Slashdot » MIT Media Lab Defaults To Free and Open Source Software
Reader alphadogg cites a report on NetworkWorld: MIT Media Lab, that 30-year-old tech innovation factory that has had a huge hand in churning out everything from LEGO MindStorms to the Guitar Hero video game, has now wowed the open source and free software crowd. Lab Director Joi Ito over the weekend revealed that MIT Media Lab has changed its approach … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Giving mosquitoes chemical weapons helps keep them under control
Releasing males armed with chemical or biological payloads could greatly boost the effectiveness of an eco-friendly method of pest control
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Mashable » No charges for officers involved in shooting death of Jamar Clark
Officials in Minnesota on Wednesday decided not to charge two police officers in the November shooting death of Jamar Clark, a 24-year-old black man whose death set off weeks of protests in Minneapolis. A Minneapolis police officer fatally shot Clark 61 seconds after the officer and his partner approached Clark on Nov. 15. SEE ALSO: How Black Lives Matter forced … [Link]
Mashable » Tree surgeon rescued by Prince William without realising it
LONDON — A tree surgeon who was knocked unconscious by a falling branch received a very royal rescue in Cambridgeshire Tuesday, but had no idea he was being saved by the future king of England. Jim Schembri was struck by the branch while working on a tree, sustaining a dislocated shoulder and hip, and woke up to find himself cradled … [Link]
Mashable » What the weather's like on an alien planet that's 40 light years away
For the first time, astronomers have mapped the weather on an alien planet slightly larger than Earth. The super-Earth — which is a classification used for any planet with a mass 1 to 10 times greater than that of our home planet — is named 55 Cancri e and located about 40 light-years away from our solar system. A new … [Link]
Mashable » Chance the Rapper performed his 'Ultralight Beam' verse live, and it was a God dream
Chance the Rapper's verse on "Ultralight Beam" is so precise in its timing and form that it seems unreal. But the Chicago MC really did perform the verse live Tuesday night at a show in Raleigh, North Carolina — and it was, well, everythiiiing. In February, Chance joined Kanye onstage during Saturday Night Live to perform the track. While "Ultralight … [Link]
Mashable » You can now spread beer on your morning toast
LONDON — When you're starting your day, a beer is probably the last thing you want. Unless, of course, you're trying the old 'hair of the dog' technique. Well, one Scottish independent brewer is having none of that. Innis & Gunn has combined its oak-aged India pale ale (IPA) with Dundee marmalade to create Marm & Ale, which they say … [Link]
Mashable » Historian discovers that the Associated Press may have worked a little too closely with Nazi Germany
The Associated Press is in danger of being added to the long list of U.S. companies that cooperated with Nazi Germany. Historian Harriet Scharnberg has claimed in a new journal article that during World War II, AP went as far as hiring Nazi propaganda officers as reporters in a bid to remain in Germany. That would suggest that the AP … [Link]
Slashdot » Amazon.com Now Bans USB Type-C Cables That Aren't Up To Spec
Google engineer, Benson Leung has been on a mission to get rid of USB Type-C cables that aren't compliant with Type-C 1.1 spec. He reminds us that these cables could potentially lead to damage. Over the past few months, he has reviewed over a dozen of USB Type-C cables on Amazon.com and concluded that the vast majority of them aren't … [Link]
Mashable » If you've ever wanted to go-kart race on a boat, you're in luck
Norwegian Cruise Lines announced its newest ship, Norwegian Joy, will have a multilevel racetrack onboard — the first racetrack at sea, according to the company. Norwegian Joy will also have hovercraft bumper cars, a multilevel green park and a luxury duty-free shopping area. SEE ALSO: Titanic II replica will set sail in 2018 The $920-million ship will be able to accommodate 3,900 … [Link]
Mashable » 'Batman v Superman' breaks records — and composer Hans Zimmer's spirit
It may have had a blockbuster weekend worthy of a superhero battle royale, but the dubiously received Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has put at least one person off of superhero movies for life. Composer Hans Zimmer, who collaborated with Mad Max's Tom Holkenborg (A.K.A. Junkie XL) on the new film's musical score, now says he has "officially retired … [Link]
Mashable » Windows 10 is now running on 270 million devices
Less than a year after the launch of Microsoft Windows 10, more than 270 million users have upgraded or purchased the latest PC software, the company announced on Wednesday. Microsoft announced during its annual Build developer conference in San Francisco that Windows 10 was "the fastest growing version of Windows for both consumers and enterprises." See also: Microsoft shows off the … [Link]
Mashable » Families taking care of relatives with dementia face serious financial burdens
Many relatives and friends providing financial support or care to people with dementia have dipped into their retirement savings, cut back on spending and sold assets to pay for expenses tied to the disease, according to a survey released Wednesday by the Alzheimer's Association. About one in five go hungry because they don't have enough money. "This was a big … [Link]
Mashable » Couple says they found mouse parts in can of green beans
This Oklahoma couple says they found parts of a mouse in a can of green beans. Best Choice says they've pulled all cans of its green beans from Oklahoma store shelves while it investigates this matter. Read more…More about Us World, Us, Videos, Oklahoma, and Rats [Link]
Popular Science » Apple’s 9.7-Inch iPad Pro Is A Sight For Sore Eyes
Gadgets Smaller, but in prime form The newest iPad Pro brings all the improvements from the largest-screened iPad to the consumer size. Here's what to expect… [Link]
Mashable » Microsoft's 'Fedora Guy' is back and we missed him so much
Make some noise if you missed Bryan Roper, Microsoft's "Fedora guy." Roper, Microsoft's executive demo lead, came on stage to demonstrate Microsoft Ink, which not only showcased the software's capabilities, but also highlighted Roper's colorful personality. SEE ALSO: Microsoft shows off the next big update to Windows 10 His playfully pattered shirt (with cats on it? or owls? we're still … [Link]
Mashable » This phone is so tough you can't saw or drill through it
Xiaomi's recently launched Mi 5 is an incredible smartphone for about $300. No other phone in this price range even comes close to the polish of the Mi 5's hardware. When we reviewed the phone, we tested out the version with a glass back. But the company's also releasing a "Pro" version with a ceramic back that's way more durable. YouTube … [Link]
Mashable » 8 League of Legends players to watch this season
A new year means a new chance for top League of Legends teams to prove themselves the best in the world. Many Summoners have come and gone over the course of the spring split. After nine weeks of intense competition, North America and Europe are now gearing up for playoffs Which teams will emerge victorious for each region? These eight … [Link]
Mashable » Two separate 'f*ck Donald Trump' raps rip into you-know-who
Donald Trump isn't welcome in Baltimore. Or Los Angeles, for that matter. The Republican presidential candidate is the subject of a viral new music video and two new diss tracks by rappers in both cities. The first is titled "CIT4DT" ("Choppa in the Trunk 4 Donald Trump") by young rappers Dooley, Tlow and Lor Roger. The song's message? "F*ck Trump!" SEE … [Link]
Slashdot » Windows 10 Now Runs On 270 Million Monthly Active Devices
At its developer conference, Build 2016, Microsoft announced on Wednesday that Windows 10, the latest version of its desktop version which it released on July 29 last year, is now being used on over 270 million active computers worldwide. "Windows 10 is off to the fastest adoption of any release ever," said Terry Myerson, executive vice president for Microsoft's Windows … [Link]
Slashdot » Over 1,400 Vulnerabilities Found In Automated Medical Supply System
An anonymous reader writes: Security researchers have discovered 1,418 vulnerabilities in CareFusion's Pyxis SupplyStation system — automated cabinets used to dispense medical supplies — that are still being used in the healthcare and public health sectors in the US and around the world. The vulnerabilities can be exploited remotely by attackers with low skills, and exploits that target these vulnerabilities … [Link]
Popular Science » Fooling The Machine
Technology The Byzantine science of deceiving artificial intelligence A clever horse, an ancient empire, and a way to fix how we’ve taught machines… [Link]
Slashdot » Repeated DDoS Attacks Force Coinkite Bitcoin Wallet To Close Down Web Service
An anonymous reader writes: Coinkite, one of the earliest Web-based Bitcoin wallet services, has announced plans to discontinue its service and focus on a hardware-based Bitcoin products, all because of a barrage of relentless DDoS attacks that has been plaguing the company ever since 2012. The company plans to focus on hardware-based Bitcoin products such as PoS terminals, USB sticks, … [Link]
Mashable » This is why you should never try and balance on a compost bin
When you're trying to reach high up places in your garden, it's a good idea to use something solid and secure. A step ladder, ideally. Maybe a chair. Not a compost bin. SEE ALSO: Heroic man scales building to save a boy, ends up getting stuck "I was standing on it to clean the roof," explains the glum-faced man in … [Link]
Mashable » Germany stands by song mocking easily-offended Turkish president
The Turkish government is not too pleased with a German television station's song that poked fun at their leader. Now, with the country's restrictive policies towards free speech, the authorities have decided to take action in the only way they know how — by trying to silence it. SEE ALSO: They escaped war. They made it to Turkey. Now, refugees … [Link]
Popular Science » Why Do We Age?
Health A question almost as old as time Why don’t we live forever—why age at all? [Link]
Mashable » Fashion brand's ad banned for 'sexualized' image of young model
LONDON — Adverts for a fashion brand have been banned by the UK's Advertising Standards Authority for featuring "sexually suggestive" images of a child-like model. SEE ALSO: Discount store to withdraw scales after being branded 'pro-anorexia' One of the ads for fashion company Nobody's Child showed a young female model dressed in a black jumpsuit looking directly into the camera … [Link]
Mashable » How to watch all the big Microsoft news today
Microsoft's annual Build developer conference is kicking off today, and you can easily follow along live as it unfolds. The conference is starting at 8:30 a.m. PST in San Francisco (11:30 a.m. EST), which will be live streamed on the Build site as well as Microsoft's Channel 9. SEE ALSO: HoloLens, Windows and (more) A.I.: What to expect at Microsoft Build … [Link]
Slashdot » Microsoft and Canonical Partner To Bring Ubuntu To Windows 10, Says Report
Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols reports for ZDNet: According to sources at Canonical, Ubuntu Linux's parent company, and Microsoft, you'll soon be able to run Ubuntu on Windows 10. This will be more than just running the Bash shell on Windows 10. After all, thanks to programs such as Cygwin or MSYS utilities, hardcore Unix users have long been able to run … [Link]
Mashable » Bernie Sanders superfans keep churning out the hits
Bernie Sanders' backers love him so much, they're singing it from the rooftops — and from the pool. SEE ALSO: Larry David returns as Bernie Sanders to apologize for Bernie supporters on 'SNL' Sanders super fans keep dropping music videos for their hero and the latest gem comes from a group of Maryland activists who are feeling the Bern enough … [Link]
Mashable » Man uses paper cutouts to transform UK cities into beautiful Disney scenes
LONDON — Remember Rich McCor (a.k.a. Paperboyo), the Instagram photographer who uses paper cutouts to transform random landmarks? SEE ALSO: British photographer uses paper cutouts to cheekily transform European landmarks Well he's back, and this time he's merging UK cities with classic Disney films. 
Nemo transforms into Glasgow's Clyde Auditorium.Image: paperboyo. 
Sully hangs out by Cardiff's Millennium Centre.Image: paperboyo 
Beauty … [Link]
Mashable » Claire Danes vs Jimmy Fallon in Fast Family Feud is the dream rivalry
If you're ready for a laugh, check out actress Claire Danes take on Jimmy Fallon in an intense game of Fast Family Feud. Try as she might, the Homeland star can't seem to master the game, which results in an extremely dysfunctional, hilarious and revealing four minutes. James Corden turned Macklemore's 'Downtown' into an even catchier tune about primetime TV … [Link]
Mashable » James Corden turned Macklemore's 'Downtown' into an even catchier tune about primetime TV
It's an undisputed claim that James Corden is a cooler version of Macklemore. So, Tuesday night, Corden turned Macklemore's hit "Downtown" into an even more ear-wormy tune called "Primetime." The song was in honor of Corden's primetime special that marked his one-year anniversary of becoming the host of the Late Late Show. Mischievous polar bear cub will do whatever it takes … [Link]
Mashable » Donald Trump is a great unifier — for the Democrats
Despite Hillary Clinton's near-insurmountable delegate lead, Bernie Sanders isn't going down without a fight. The tone of this race has drastically sharpened, but Democratic operatives say they aren't worried about any damage done by it — especially if Donald Trump is the Republican nominee. "For all that Donald Trump has done to divide the Republican Party, he's going to be the … [Link]
Mashable » Parrot's Zik 3 Bluetooth headphones are high-class, high-tech and high-priced
Parrot’s Zik 3 Bluetooth headphones are some of the best designed headphones I’ve ever worn. For the $400 price tag, they’d better be. Parrot offers eight different designs of Zik 3, ranging in colors and materials. From a traditional black leather to a bright red with a crocodile skin pattern. See also: How to customize your iPhone vibrations to tell who's … [Link]
Mashable » Absolutely everything you need to know about the 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Blu-ray extras
LOS ANGELES — The Blu-ray/DVD extras for Star Wars: The Force Awakens — about two hours' worth, plus deleted scenes — have the same thing going for them that the movie did: all those warm, familiar ooey-gooey nostalgia feelings. When the discs hit stores Friday, fans will skip straight to the deleted scenes — but they'll be somewhat disappointed when … [Link]
Mashable » Talking to my little sister about diversity in Hollywood didn’t go so well
Did you grow up watching PBS? Remember how amazingly awful public TV was? Well, we're here to give you a great dose of nostalgia with our new series Great Debates, the public access TV show you grew up with, rebooted. Aggravated host Quincy Ledbetter tries to talk to his little sister about #OscarsSoWhite and the results are a comedic hot mess … [Link]
Mashable » Get sucked into our 12 favorite fake TV cults
On Wednesday, Hulu premieres The Path — a drama that revolves around members of a mysterious religion-slash-commune known as Meyerism. The movement is definitely creepy. But it's also in good TV company: Shows that run the gamut from Mad Men to Boy Meets World have experimented with cult storylines, for better and for worse ("THIS is a hug, Shawn!!!"). Here are … [Link]
Mashable » Airbnb is giving away a night sleeping with sharks
If "swimming with sharks" and "sleeping with the fishes" sound like an exciting combo, we have the perfect Airbnb for you. As part of its "Night At" series, Airbnb is offering some "lucky" people the chance to sleep inside a shark aquarium in France. SEE ALSO: Airbnb is introducing a tool for complaining about your neighbor's rental "Love sharks? Live … [Link]
Mashable » Here's how March Madness has played out on Twitter so far
It all led up to this: The Final Four is Saturday, the national championship is Monday night, and by Tuesday morning, another March Madness will be in the books. But we before we look ahead, let's look backTwitter gave Mashable an early look at some of the most popular moments of the 2016 NCAA Tournament so far. From buzzer-beating shots … [Link]
Slashdot » Police Unlikely To Win Wider Access To Smartphones Despite FBI Success In San Bernardino Case
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Los Angeles Times: The successful hack of a phone linked to the San Bernardino terror attacks is unlikely to help police win greater access to encrypted data contained inside thousands of smartphones sitting in evidence lockers nationwide, legal experts and law enforcement officials said Tuesday. The process used to gain access to Syed … [Link]
Mashable » Cancer victim's father: 'She attacked it with humor'
Two weeks after she got engaged and two months after her 29 birthday, Kaitlin Hennemuth Reap was diagnosed with Stage IV Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. In order to bring some humor to her diagnosis and to "create a target" for all of her fears, she named her tumor "Dave." She also became involved with Cycle for Survival, … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Lost Japanese satellite Hitomi shows unexpected signs of life
The satellite seemed to be missing or out of control after debris was spotted around it shortly after it was due to call Earth – but it may still be alive
[Link]
Mashable » A baby lamb is blow dried back to life after getting trapped
A baby lamb ended up in a spot of bother when the curious day-and-a-half year old climbed into his mum's bucket of water and got stuck Luckily farmer Ed found the lamb, who was close to death, early enough and decided to bring him home. A very weak lamb was blow dried back to life after the farmer used a hairdryer … [Link]
Mashable » New video offers a behind-the-scenes peek into the #FollowMeTo couple's India shoot
Russian photographer Murad Osmann and his model and wife Nataly are back in India for a new shoot. The couple has also released a behind-the-scenes video of their first visit to India last February, which offers a peek into what goes into the making of their gorgeous pictures See also: You'll fall in love with the #FollowMeTo couple's jaw-dropping honeymoon pics … [Link]
Mashable » Why Portugal should be more than a sidenote on your itinerary for Spain
While Spain often finds a place on Americans' itineraries, its neighbor Portugal can end up relegated to a stopover — if it's included at all. Portugal may be a relatively small country, but it’s easy to spend at least a week exploring and still not have enough time to enjoy it all. Ready to see where port comes from and … [Link]
Mashable » British baker creates life-size Michael Jackson cake from rice crispy mixture
LONDON — It's not every day you get to see a life-size, 5'9'' Michael Jackson model made entirely from rice crispy cake mixture. SEE ALSO: Dad made a Han Solo carbonite cake for his son's Cub Scout troop British baker Sonia Todd, who's behind the epic creation, spent 150 hours crafting it to raise money for St Michael's Hospice in … [Link]
Mashable » Genius shower thoughts with Nick Offerman, the sequel
Our dear friend Nick Offerman sat down once again to give forth wisdom and ponderance on what he thinks about while chilling in the shower.The bits of brilliance featured here came from Megan Amram, Sam Means, Dave King, Andrea Romano and r/ShowerThoughts, a subreddit awash with soapsuds-covered clevernessAlso, if you like to contemplate things as well, you'll love the documentary film "The Seer," … [Link]
Mashable » Photographer captures dogs looking very skeptical of the camera
Yes, your dog notices that you take a lot of pictures of it. No, it's not cool. If you've never gotten the feeling that your pup has grown tired of being the primary subject of your Instagram, this photo series just might help you spot the warning signs. German photographer Elke Vogelsang's latest series of canine portraits is called "Dogs questioning … [Link]
Mashable » Michelle Phan's ICON network announces new shows, global expansion
LOS ANGELES — Michelle Phan's ICON network knows how to celebrate an anniversary. Endemol Beyond USA's digital lifestyle network, co-launched by Phan, said Tuesday it is expanding its programming offerings and its global presence after a successful first year in the digital ecosystem. "It's hard to believe it's only been a year," Vivi Zigler, Endemol Shine North America's president of digital, brand and audience … [Link]
Mashable » 5 ways you're killing your productivity (and how to fix it)
It’s possible to have a to-do list that energizes you, helps you prioritize your day and motivates you to keep moving forward, even after those inevitable distractions or setbacks. Yet, so many people who write out lists find themselves unable to check everything off by 6 p.m. And that’s mostly because they’re not making their lists correctly. In fact, many people … [Link]
Mashable » Rhode Island tourism video looks beautiful because it features Iceland
Poor, poor Rhode Island. The state — second only to Florida and New Jersey in state-jokes — recently came under fire after posting a new tourism video. Soon after publishing the video, viewers complained that the video included some misplaced stock footage. Parts of the video, they claimed, weren't Rhode Island but somewhere a little farther — Reykjavik, Iceland. SEE … [Link]
Mashable » How airport security around the world could change after the Brussels attack
Travelers know what to expect from airport security: limits on liquids, requirements to remove shoes and belts, occasional pat downs and luggage X-rays. But these security measures, many put in place after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in New York City, focus on eliminating attacks on planes — not at the airports. And after the attacks in Brussels, airport security has … [Link]
Mashable » 11 incredible women in law promoting social justice for all
While activists and leaders of social movements create conversations and awareness, it's the work of politicians, lawyers and judges that reinforces those efforts in courts of law. But it's still largely a male-dominated field. Women go to law school at almost the same rate as men, yet they make up only 34% of those who practice professionally. SEE ALSO: This hashtag … [Link]
Mashable » The Sun asks women to share cleavage selfies, gets trolled hard
LONDON — If you put out a request on social media, it's always possible that you'll get more than you bargained for. SEE ALSO: Brits mock The Sun front page using #1in5Muslims hashtag British newspaper The Sun sent out the following tweet Wednesday morning to promote their "Bust in Britain" competition. Basically they wanted people to send in their cleavage … [Link]
Mashable » Wise human Nick Offerman reads more shower thoughts, hurts your brain
Prepare your brain for an exercise in "woah." In a long history of wise men with untamed beards, Nick Offerman might be the wisest. (Sorry, President Lincoln and Mr. Gyllenhaal.) The grizzled purveyor of dead-pan humor and finely crafted wood returns for a second installment of Shower Thoughts. SEE ALSO: Cookie Monster reads profound, food-related shower thoughts In this mind-tickling sequel, Offerman … [Link]
Mashable » Street View guy walked 500,000 km to capture Thailand's countryside
For over two years, Google has been sending people into further flung places to capture as much of the earth as it can for its Street View service. Not everywhere can be captured by car, so intrepid trekkers are sent out on foot with a special backpack with a 360-degree camera. In Thailand, the fruit of that labour has largely been … [Link]
O'Reilly News and Commentary » Four short links: 30 March 2016
Deep Learning for Analytical Engine — This repository contains an implementation of a convolutional neural network as a program for Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, capable of recognising handwritten digits to a high degree of accuracy (98.5% if provided with a … [Link]
O'Reilly News and Commentary » #Ebook Deal/Day: Learning Drupal 8 – $17.99 (Save 50%) Use code DEAL
Get "Learning Drupal 8" today using code DEAL and save 50%!This sale ends at 2:00 AM 2016-03-31 (PDT, GMT-8:00). [Link]
Mashable » Japan's office chair Grand Prix is a surprisingly grueling sport
Wheeling yourself around on the humble swivel chair sounds like just another day at the office, but in Japan, an annual office chair "grand prix" is no laughing matter. In its sixth year now, the "Isu-1 Grand Prix" (Isu is Japanese for chair) was held over the weekend at Kyotanabe city in Kyoto, Japan. 
Image: TREVOR WILLIAMS/GETTY IMAGES 
Image: TREVOR … [Link]
Mashable » Discount store to withdraw scales after being branded 'pro-anorexia'
LONDON — British bargain shop B&M Bargains has said it will urge a supplier to remove a slogan after sets of "novelty" weighing scales were branded pro-anorexic on Facebook. SEE ALSO: IMG's first plus-sized male model: Body shame has 'disgusting consequences' The scales — which contain the slogan "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" — were spotted by Rachel … [Link]
Mashable » 30 intriguing superstitions from around the world
"Don't step on a crack or you'll break your mother's back!" Many American kids grew up hearing this one. But what about "Don't chew gum at night or else it will turn into human flesh!"? That's a popular refrain in Turkey. SEE ALSO: Creepy 'ghost' photos were basically 1920s Photoshop Wink, an online gaming site, has gathered some of the … [Link]
Mashable » 23 dogs that learned about bees the hard way
Sometimes you need to learn about things the hard way. Well, considering that dogs have a tendency to eat their own fecal matter, it doesn't come as a surprise that some pups would occasionally decide to see how a bee tastes. SEE ALSO: Elderly dog cries as she welcomes home soldier Although it could possibly be seen as adorable, … [Link]
Mashable » Starbucks Japan starts serving alcoholic Frappuccinos
We've all had days when we just got out of a crappy meeting and need a little pick-me-up. Thanks to Starbucks Japan's newly launched "Starbucks Evenings", Tokyoites no longer need to wait till after 6 p.m. to unwind. Participating cafes will serve up alcoholic beverages alongside cheese boards, tarts and other wine pairing offerings. The Starbucks program first started in 2010 … [Link]
Mashable » EgyptAir hijacker flashes victory sign as he heads to jail for 8 days
The EgyptAir hijacker who diverted a plane carrying 55 passengers from Borg El Arab airport in Alexandria to Larnaca in Cyprus on Tuesday flashed a victory sign at photographers as he headed to prison for eight days Wednesday morning. See also: Grinning British man with EgyptAir hijacker wanted the 'selfie of a lifetime' The man, who threatened to blow up the … [Link]
Mashable » Pakistani man rides a public bus after playing Holi to send a message about diversity and acceptance
A Pakistani man is winning hearts after posting a Facebook update about celebrating the festival of Holi with his friends in his home city of Karachi last week. Wahid Khan wrote about his decision to ride the public bus after playing with Holi colours to send a message about diversity and acceptance. See also: Pakistan vows to fight terror after 70 … [Link]
Mashable » Oh good: There might be a 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch' reboot
There are good reboots, there are bad reboots, and then there are Melissa Joan Hart reboots. In an interview on the talk show FABLife yesterday, Hart revealed that she was headed to a meeting to discuss the possible reboot of Sabrina The Teenage Witch or Clarissa Explains It All. After the Internet heard the news, it commenced a total freakout — … [Link]
Slashdot » CNBC Just Collected Your Password and Shared It With Marketers
SpacemanukBEJY.53u writes: An article published by CNBC on Tuesday offered tips on how to create a secure password, complete with a form that tested submitted passwords. While well-intended, security experts said it exposed passwords to third-party advertisers. Also, the form created to test a password didn't use SSL/TLS, which meant someone on the same network could have sniffed it. Even … [Link]
Mashable » Washing machine with googly eyes is force-fed a brick, has a freakout
Laundry doesn't always have to be boring. YouTuber bootsowen has made chores fun — and this classic video relevant again — by sticking huge googly eyes on a washing machine and feeding it a brick, thereby causing the machine to dance then self-destruct. This might be how we defeat the robots someday, so take note. [h/t Laughing Squid] 5 useful … [Link]
Mashable » Prince William and Kate Middleton will visit the Taj Mahal during their India trip
Fans can expect some memorable photographs when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit the Taj Mahal during their six-day tour to India and Bhutan from April 10 to 16. See also: Leonardo DiCaprio became the latest celebrity to visit the Taj Mahal. Here are the others. This is both Prince William and Kate Middleton's first visit to India and Bhutan, … [Link]
Mashable » This panda cub is living the life being carried around like a king
Why walk or crawl when you have a human at your disposal to carry you anywhere you want to go? This baby panda obviously knows that crawling from point A to B on its own is for commoners, which is why it hitched a ride on its human to the other side of the panda enclosure. The panda was on … [Link]
Mashable » Angry K-pop fans demand refund for Exo's 30 minute concert in China
Chinese fans of popular nine-member K-pop boyband Exo were left disappointed and fuming when they turned up at Shanghai Gymnasium in China on Sunday to watch their favourite band perform a 3-hour concert — only to get a measly 30-minute performance instead. Each fan paid at least 4,000 yuan ($617) per ticket for the "K-Friends" concert. Front row seats even … [Link]
Mashable » Microsoft's Tay chatbot returns briefly, swears a lot and brags about smoking weed
Oh, Microsoft. Last week, the company pulled its Tay chatbot from Twitter after some users trained it to become a racist jackass. On Wednesday, Tay was brought back online, sending thousands of tweet replies. The vast majority of these were just "you are too fast" messages indicating the bot is overwhelmed with messages, many of them likely from pranksters eager to … [Link]
Mashable » These 1955 record store listening booths were very space age
Nov. 24, 1955Image: John Drysdale/Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesTaking its name from the title of a Francis Barraud painting of a dog listening to a gramophone, His Master’s Voice (HMV) was the unofficial name for the Gramophone Company’s record labelThe company opened its first HMV record store in London in 1921, and expanded in the UK and Canada throughout the 20th century.At … [Link]
Mashable » Kanye kissing Kanye artist will paint over mural if someone buys $100,000 print
A mural of Kanye West kissing Kanye West in Australia has become a miniature tourist attraction, with some even joining in the fun and making out in front of it. But the painting along a wall in the inner-city Sydney suburb of Chippendale appears to have ruffled feathers all the way back to the U.S., according to the mural's artist, who completed … [Link]
Mashable » Grinning British man with EgyptAir hijacker wanted the 'selfie of a lifetime'
LONDON — The grinning man in that photo with the hijacker of an EgyptAir flight yesterday basically just did it for the "selfie of a lifetime." He's 26-year-old Ben Innes, who is from Leeds and lives in Aberdeen. He told The Sun: “I’m not sure why I did it — I just threw caution to the wind while trying to stay … [Link]
Mashable » 5 useful microwave hacks that will make you better at life
If you're only using your microwave for reheated soup and defrosting clusters of frozen vegetables, you could be so much better than that. These microwave hacks by Australian retailer Appliances Online will show you how to create scrambled eggs, vegetable chips and hard taco shells like it is no big deal. No word on how they taste, but at least … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Common UK migrating birds are arriving earlier or leaving later
The new habits may be driven by climate change and seem to benefit the birds, some of which are increasing in numbers
[Link]
Mashable » Your cheap dinner may come at a cost to the cyclist delivering it
Two popular food delivery startups, Deliveroo and Foodora, are making their bicycle couriers work as contractors rather than as employees in Australia, allowing them to reportedly be paid as little as A$10 per delivery. According to a report by Fairfax Media, while they can be seen darting through the streets wearing Deliveroo and Foodora's T-shirts on bicycles carrying branded food delivery bags, … [Link]
Mashable » 10-year-old designs ridiculously awesome glitter cannon prosthetic attachment
School craft projects tend to be notoriously dull, unless, of course, a glitter cannon's involved. Ten-year-old Jordan Reeves recently participated in a design contest known as the Superhero Cyborg Project. Children who have upper arm difference are encouraged to design their own prosthetic devices. So Reeves came up with something glamorous: a prosthetic attachment that functions exclusively as a glitter … [Link]
Mashable » Twitter is now more accessible for the visually impaired
Twitter is now more accessible to the visually impaired, introducing descriptions to images with screen readers and braille displays. SEE ALSO: The best and worst U.S. states for people with disabilities Twitter announced the new feature Tuesday, which will be available on the Twitter app for iOS and Android. This isn’t an automatic update — users can enable image descriptions … [Link]
Mashable » A peek inside the script for this week's excellent 'American Crime Story'
With only one episode left, the penultimate episode of FX's exceptional American Crime Story saw the case against O.J. Simpson take a major hit. In the episode, titled "Manna from Heaven," racist cop Mark Fuhrman took the stand and helped Johnnie Cochran achieve what director Anthony Hemingway calls a "subtle victory." SEE ALSO: 'Black Sails' producers take you inside THAT big plot … [Link]
Mashable » 14-year-old girl to be youngest person taking on massive polar expedition
An Australian teenager is hoping to be the youngest person to conquer three polar regions. Jade Hameister, 14, is flying out of her hometown of Melbourne, Australia on Wednesday night to head to the North Pole for an expedition that will see her eventually cover 2,000 kilometres (1243 miles) across three separate trips: the North Pole, Greenland and South Pole. … [Link]
Mashable » Chinese plane nearly takes off before passenger spotted its flat tyre
Chinese airliner, Capital Airlines, avoided a possible flight disaster on Monday, when an observant passenger spotted a flat tyre on one of its planes before takeoff. The passenger who goes by the username "Rice Ice Cream" on Chinese social network, Weibo, was boarding Flight JD5158 at Kunming Airport when she noticed something amiss with one of the tyres on the … [Link]
Mashable » North Korea pushes missile investments while telling citizens to brace for famine
Despite facing international condemnation and further economic hardship, North Korea is pushing on with its weapons developments, firing another test missile on Tuesday, South Korean officials said. The projectile was fired near the North Korean port city of Wonsan and flew about 200 km (125 miles) before crashing into land northeast of the launch site. SEE ALSO: North Korea propaganda … [Link]
Slashdot » Torvalds' Secret Sauce For Linux: Willing To Be Wrong
An anonymous reader writes: Linux turns 25 this year(!!). To mark the event, IEEE Spectrum has a piece on the history of Linux and why it succeeded where others failed. In an accompanying question and answer with Linus Torvalds, Torvalds explains the combination of youthful chutzpah, openness to other's ideas, and a willingness to unwind technical decisions that he thinks … [Link]
Mashable » Enormous chocolate dinosaur egg comes with delicious ice cream yolk
It's fact: Ice cream just tastes better when it comes as a surprise. Okay, "fact" might be a strong word here, but the premise holds true. A new South Korean chocolate dinosaur egg comes with a delightfully delectable ice cream middle. Crack open the chocolate dinosaur egg and you'll get even more chocolate, oozing its way out. SEE ALSO: Hong … [Link]
Mashable » Leonardo DiCaprio's text to J-Lo is the highlight of James Corden's latest Carpool Karaoke
James Corden's latest Carpool Karaoke segment had a very special guest — and we're not talking about Jennifer Lopez. Sure, Lopez was a blast, singing several of her hits during the segment, which aired during Corden's first primetime special, and even giving Corden a lesson in music video poses. But the real fun came when Corden stole Lopez's cellphone and … [Link]
Mashable » Black Power gang poses with bride and groom in unusual wedding photo
While typical wedding photos contains of plenty of caressing, this couple from New Zealand have done things differently out of pure coincidence. Photographer Rebecca Inns was capturing soon-to-be-wed Sarah and Matthew Oke in Lucy's Gully, Taranaki on a sunny Saturday, when they ran into a group of Black Power gang members, who were mourning the deceased. SEE ALSO: Jaw-dropping aerial shots … [Link]
Mashable » How to stop texting while driving with awkward hand holding
Want to stop your friend from texting while driving? Just make it mega-awkward and give them a gentle hold. Hello is another ingenious road safety campaign by New Zealand's Transport Agency, which is also responsible for the classic 2011 anti-drink driving ad Legend. The campaign, with the tagline "Put me first, drive phone free," sees drivers who are reaching for their phone … [Link]
Slashdot » Valve Loses Australian Court Battle Over Steam
angry tapir writes: Valve Software has lost court action launched against it by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. The Australian court case centered on the refund policies of Valve Software's Steam digital distribution service. Some of Steam's refund policies contradicted the statutory guarantees of the Australian Consumer Law, the court found. A hearing on penalties is yet to be … [Link]
Mashable » 4 things to know before watching Hulu's 'The Path'
LOS ANGELES — Get ready to be mesmerized by Meyerism. Hulu's new drama The Path is about a cult-like movement — based in upstate New York — called Meyerism. It follows Eddie (Aaron Paul) and Sarah (Michelle Monaghan), who face obstacles in their marriage as Eddie's character begins to experience doubts about the faith. Hugh Dancy stars as the cult's … [Link]
Mashable » Hololens, Windows and (more) A.I.: What to expect at Microsoft Build
Microsoft’s largest event of the year is about to get underway. The company's annual Build developer conference kicks off Wednesday in San Francisco and we're looking forward to two jam-packed keynotes with updates around Hololens, Windows and Microsoft's A.I. efforts, as well as news around the company's cloud business and developer initiatives. See also: Microsoft is (finally) winning with Windows 10 … [Link]
Mashable » Teen allegedly groped, pepper-sprayed at Trump rally in Wisconsin
A 15-year-old girl was groped before being pepper-sprayed by a man outside Donald Trump's rally in Janesville, Wisconsin on Tuesday, local police said. Authorities are searching for two suspects related to the incident. A man in the 1,000-person crowd outside the Holiday Inn Express where the rally took place allegedly groped the teen before another person sprayed her in the face, police … [Link]
Slashdot » The World's Largest Renewable Energy Developer Could Go Broke
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Huffington Post: There is a "substantial risk" that SunEdison may file for bankruptcy, the world's largest renewable energy developer said in a regulatory filing on Tuesday. The company's fall isn't a referendum on the solar industry as a whole, as much as it is on SunEdison's aggressive growth strategy fueled by excessive … [Link]
Popular Science » Spanish Drone Will Drop Insects Over Ethiopia To Fight Disease
Aviation No Fly Zone This drone drops flies. [Link]
Mashable » NCAA Final Four will be broadcast in virtual reality for the first time
The NCAA has decided to broadcast the most important part of this year's college basketball tournament, the Final Four, in virtual reality, for the first time Presented as a partnership between the NCAA, CBS and Oculus, the live stream event will be produced by VR production house Voke See also: Oculus Rift review: Virtual reality gaming is finally ready for your … [Link]
Mashable » Donald Trump picks on Paul Ryan, defends campaign manager in Wisconsin
JANESVILLE, Wisconsin — A week after House Speaker Paul Ryan implored the GOP presidential candidates to take a more civil tone, Donald Trump went to the Republican's hometown, spat in his face and defended his controversial campaign manager. Trump goaded his crowd into booing Ryan before promising he'll stand by Corey Lewandowski, his right-hand man who was charged with simple … [Link]
Slashdot » Internet of Seals: Vodafone Connects Marine Mammals To IoT
Mickeycaskill writes: Researchers in Scotland claim to be the first to connect marine mammals to the Internet of Things (IoT) as part of a study into declining populations of harbor seals in the north and east of the country. Several seals in Orkney, an archipelago off the north cost, will be tagged and their behavior monitored by scientists at the … [Link]
Mashable » Your next UberX could have free Wi-Fi thanks to new deal
If you're planning on hailing an UberX in Sydney or Melbourne in Australia this week, your ride could get a little boost thanks to free Wi-Fi and a super-fast mobile charger. In partnership with Australian telecommunications company Optus, Uber will soon trial 4G Wi-Fi in 100 UberX vehicles in the two cities, it was announced Wednesday. According to an online statement, Optus' Wi-Fi … [Link]
Slashdot » Company Creates Gun That Looks Like a Cellphone
Earthquake Retrofit writes: Sometimes you want to carry your gun in peace, but people keep drawing attention to your piece. This very issue plagued Kirk Kjellberg, the creator of Ideal Conceal, a [.380-caliber pistol] that folds up to look like a smartphone. "A boy spotted me in [a] restaurant and said loudly, 'Mommy, Mommy, that guy's got a gun!' And … [Link]
Mashable » You can buy a giant '50' statue from Super Bowl 50 (if you really, really want to)
SAN FRANCISCO — If you're all about "keeping it 100," allow us to humbly suggest buying this gigantic "50" statue from the most recent Super Bowl. Its owner just has to figure out his price first. SEE ALSO: Sportscaster Jim Nantz drops legendary rant about the horrors of 'limp and tan' toast Ed Dunn is the executive director of Building … [Link]
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