John Gordon Ross

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 » Twitter's Periscope launches 360 video

Wednesday 28 December 23:52:01 UTC 2016

It’s not exactly virtual reality, but Twitter's Periscope has a new update that could make the service a lot more immersive.  On Wednesday, the company announced that 360 videos are now viewable in Periscope right in your Twitter stream.   SEE ALSO: You can now live stream on Twitter without the Periscope app Using an Insta360 camera that attaches to a … [Link]

Mashable » The alt-right's high school drama reveals a bigger struggle

Wednesday 28 December 23:44:24 UTC 2016

We’re still a hair over three weeks from the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump and the controversial alt-right movement that helped lift him to power is experiencing high school level infighting. SEE ALSO: Why Twitter thinks Richard Spencer isn't offensive enough to be banned Like a Degrassi High storyline, the alt-right is up in arms about who gets to hang out … [Link]

Slashdot » Nevada Website Bug Leaks Thousands of Medical Marijuana Dispensary Applications

Wednesday 28 December 23:20:00 UTC 2016

An anonymous reader quotes a report from ZDNet: Nevada's state government website has leaked the personal data on over 11,700 applicants for dispensing medical marijuana in the state. Each application, eight pages in length, includes the person's full name, home address, citizenship, and even their weight and height, race, and eye and hair color. The applications also include the applicant's … [Link]

Mashable » Check out Amazon's plans for drone-distributing airborne warehouses

Wednesday 28 December 23:17:35 UTC 2016

Earlier this month, Amazon celebrated the first successful drone delivery made by its Prime Air service.  But that's just the beginning of Amazon's aerial assault into our homes, if a recently unearthed patent filing is to be believed. A possible endgame for the drone delivery agenda: The use of roving "airborne fulfillment centers" (AFCs) to make Prime deliveries. That's right. Giant, … [Link]

Mashable » Cinnabon apologizes for tasteless Carrie Fisher tweet

Wednesday 28 December 23:14:15 UTC 2016

Despite abundant evidence that it's a terrible idea, brands continue to tweet inane things after beloved celebrities die. Cinnabon offered up a particularly egregious example of this practice when it tweeted shortly after Carrie Fisher's death on Tuesday that the actress will "always have the best buns in the galaxy." The tasteless attempt at a product-integrated Star Wars reference naturally fell … [Link]

Mashable » Meet the NBA rookie who shoots free throws 'granny style'

Wednesday 28 December 22:56:01 UTC 2016

Perhaps lost in your post-holiday food coma was a bit of important news: An NBA rookie who just made his debut for the Houston Rockets shoots his free-throws in what's known on schoolyards across America as, simply, "granny style."  This is the story of Chinanu Onuaku.  SEE ALSO: Grayson Allen and the arrogant sanctimony of Duke's Coach K Onuaku played his … [Link]

Mashable » Going live on Facebook is actually the worst

Wednesday 28 December 22:48:18 UTC 2016

Over the past several weeks, cities across the country have become awash with Facebook's biggest national marketing campaign ever. It's also the company's most cringe-worthy. SEE ALSO: Everyone hates Facebook's 'Year in Review,' not just you The towering murals assure you that it’s normal to broadcast live video of your daily life using the new Facebook Live feature. It's not. One … [Link]

Mashable » Paul Ryan wants to fine people who livestream from the House floor

Wednesday 28 December 22:45:23 UTC 2016

Democrats led an epic sit-in (25 hours is nothing to sneeze at) on the House floor last June when House Speaker Paul Ryan refused to vote on gun control bills following the Pulse nightclub massacre.  Livestreams, tweets and other social media posts of the hours-long Democratic refusal to leave chambers spread all over the internet, but now Ryan is proposing a … [Link]

Slashdot » Ask Slashdot: Is Computing As Cool and Fun As It Once Was?

Wednesday 28 December 22:40:00 UTC 2016

dryriver writes: I got together with old computer nerd friends the other day. All of us have been at it since the 8-bit/1980s days of Amstrad, Atari, Commodore 64-type home computers. Everybody at the meeting agreed on one thing — computing is just not as cool and as much fun as it once was. One person lamented that computer games … [Link]

Popular Science » Here's what's inside the modern explorer’s survival kit

Wednesday 28 December 22:30:00 UTC 2016

DIY Because phone apps can only do so much Many traditional survival tools now exist as apps on your phone. We collected the items the modern explorer still needs. [Link]

Mashable » Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher's mom, reportedly hospitalized

Wednesday 28 December 22:21:26 UTC 2016

LOS ANGELES — Debbie Reynolds, Singin' in the Rain star and the mother of Carrie Fisher, was hospitalized Wednesday with a possible stroke, TMZ reported. The 84-year-old Reynolds was at her son Todd Fisher's home in Beverly Hills where the family was discussing funeral plans for her daughter when she was stricken, TMZ reported. Representatives for Reynolds did not immediately return … [Link]

Mashable » Family game night seems designed to make grandpa lose his teeth

Wednesday 28 December 22:15:58 UTC 2016

Sometimes, from unfortunate situations come the best viral videos. Amy Metcalf Taylor shared an amazing home video of her 88-year-old grandfather Don Briggs playing the game "Speak Out."  SEE ALSO: Grandma tries to blow out birthday candles, blows out her dentures instead The game works like this: the player puts a mouthpiece in that prevents them from closing their mouths, and … [Link]

Mashable » A picture of 6 girls on a couch is one of the great mysteries of our time

Wednesday 28 December 22:03:02 UTC 2016

Take a look at this seemingly innocuous picture of six young women sitting on a couch. Nothing to see here, right? Just six friends who like the Packers hanging out. Now look again, but this time try to find the legs belonging to the young woman in the middle. You can't find them. You have nothing. Nothing to do with all … [Link]

Mashable » The top 50 movies of all time, ever, period

Wednesday 28 December 22:00:00 UTC 2016

By now you know CineFix for their in-depth movie rankings and analysis of hundreds (thousands?) of movies across genres, nationalities, and all of cinema history.  Here's their list of their favorite films of all time, ever, from oldies like Citizen Kane and Stagecoach to more modern hits like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Boyhood.  Subscribe to CineFix for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/cinefix … [Link]

Slashdot » Destructive KillDisk Malware Turns Into Ransomware

Wednesday 28 December 22:00:00 UTC 2016

wiredmikey writes from a report via SecurityWeek: A recently discovered variant of the KillDisk malware encrypts files and holds them for ransom instead of deleting them. Since KillDisk has been used in attacks aimed at industrial control systems (ICS), experts are concerned that threat actors may be bringing ransomware into the industrial domain. CyberX VP of research David Atch told … [Link]

Mashable » Here's how to spend NYE if you want to ring in 2017 twice

Wednesday 28 December 21:59:37 UTC 2016

Hate 2016 so much you want to bid it farewell two times? Well we've got the perfect New Year's Eve plan for you. All you'll need is a few of your closest friends and £151,000 (about $185,000) to spend on a private one-way flight from Sydney to Los Angeles. Piece of cake, right? This unconventional way to ring in the New … [Link]

Popular Science » These brothers built a mine-sweeping drone

Wednesday 28 December 21:35:00 UTC 2016

DIY To clear land mines without casualties Brothers Massoud and Mahmud Hassani want their Mine Kafon Drone to rid the world of land mines. [Link]

Mashable » Simone Biles is too busy shining to worry about body-shaming trolls

Wednesday 28 December 21:23:40 UTC 2016

Olympics glory is particularly strange for stars in the field of women's gymnastics, where the best performers are often teenagers who are thrust into the bubbling cauldron of overnight fame at an impossibly young age.  Gabby Douglas learned this the hard way in Rio de Janeiro. Now Simone Biles, the American star who supplanted Douglas this summer, has a message for … [Link]

Slashdot » North Korea's Android Tablet Takes a Screenshot Every Time You Open an App

Wednesday 28 December 21:20:00 UTC 2016

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Motherboard: When you think of North Korea, the first thing that springs to mind is probably not a well-featured tablet PC. But that's just what researchers at the Chaos Communication Congress hacking festival revealed on Tuesday. Called Woolim, this tablet is designed to limit the distribution of contraband media, track its users, and … [Link]

Mashable » Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are the 'most admired' people in America

Wednesday 28 December 21:05:19 UTC 2016

Hillary Clinton extended a record and President Barack Obama got in another parting shot over his eventual successor, Donald Trump, in Gallup's annual "most admired" poll. SEE ALSO: Guess who's the only British person on Time's person of the year shortlist Clinton, who lost the presidential election to Trump despite garnering almost 3 million more popular votes, was Gallup's "most admired … [Link]

Slashdot » Windows 10 Getting a Game Mode That Would Improve Game Performance – Report

Wednesday 28 December 20:40:00 UTC 2016

Microsoft may have plans to improve gaming experience on Windows 10. The speculation comes after long time watcher @h0x0d found a new "gamemode.dll" in the latest Windows 10 developer build, reports GameSpot. The feature appears to allow Windows 10 to adjust CPU and GPU resources when running a game to allocate more power for the game that's running instead of … [Link]

Mashable » One of the best college running backs ever is close to setting an embarrassing NFL 'record'

Wednesday 28 December 20:28:54 UTC 2016

Reggie Bush will long be known as one of the best running backs to ever play in college. His arsenal of quick-fire jukes and ankle-crippling cutbacks created jaw-dropping highlights that will be talked about for ages among collegiate football fans. But boy have times changed.  Bush, now a backup with the Buffalo Bills, has rushed 12 times for a total negative … [Link]

Mashable » An NBA player autographed a fan's weed grinder

Wednesday 28 December 20:00:11 UTC 2016

An autographed jersey? Old news. An autographed basketball card? Older news.  An NBA fan in Oregon recently got his marijuana grinder signed by a Portland Trail Blazers star.  SEE ALSO: This is 'Uncle Spliffy,' the NBA All-Star turned marijuana activist There's probably a pick-and-roll joke in here somewhere, but we're too lazy to find it. Anyway, here's what happened.  A fan … [Link]

Slashdot » Tesla Autopilot 'Predicts' Accident Before It Happens

Wednesday 28 December 20:00:00 UTC 2016

A dash cam footage suggests a Tesla on Autopilot may have predicted a nearby freeway crash before it actually happened. A video showed that a Tesla car driving on a highway in the Netherlands started to beep a few seconds ahead of two cars colliding with each other in front of it. A Tesla representative confirmed to media that the … [Link]

Mashable » This horrible tale of a pantless plane passenger will leave you in tears

Wednesday 28 December 19:45:30 UTC 2016

No one is immune from sharing a flight with an absolutely horrendous passenger. Getting locked in a pressurized tube flying 500 miles an hour at 30,000 feet above the earth just seems to bring the worst out in some people. Actor, comedian and all around hilarious person Kumail Nanjiani shared a recent experience he had with an unruly passenger on Twitter … [Link]

Mashable » 'YouTuber' is a real word now because the Oxford English Dictionary says so

Wednesday 28 December 19:45:00 UTC 2016

The Oxford English Dictionary has given YouTubers some career validation. "YouTuber" is among the 500 or so new words — including "Brexit" and "hackathon" — added to the OED this month. Image: oxford dictionaryThe dictionary defines the term as "A frequent user of the video-sharing website YouTube, especially someone who produces and appears in videos on the site." SEE ALSO: Behold, … [Link]

Slashdot » China's Alibaba Poised To Invest $7.2 Billion in Entertainment and Media

Wednesday 28 December 19:20:00 UTC 2016

Alibaba Digital Media and Entertainment, part of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, is planning to invest $7.2 billion in entertainment and media over the next three years. From a report on Vulture, submitted by an anonymous reader: The plan is being spearheaded by Yu Yongfu, who joined the Alibaba parent group in 2014, and in a meteoric rise has come to … [Link]

Mashable » Friendly woman gets unexpectedly schooled playing basketball in a crosswalk

Wednesday 28 December 19:10:00 UTC 2016

You never know what you're getting yourself into when you accept the approach of a stranger. Gilllian Jordan learned this the hard way when she hurt her ankles getting unexpectedly schooled playing basketball in a public crosswalk. Jordan immediately accepted the challenge when approached by pro-league dwarf basketball player Jahmani Swanson for a dribbling showdown, but Swanson faked right so well … [Link]

Mashable » The bare minimum you need to do to be healthy in 2017

Wednesday 28 December 19:07:18 UTC 2016

Forget your annual New Years resolution. It's time to finally admit to yourself that, after years signing up for the YMCA, downloading completely dysfunctional exercise apps and buying high-end yoga pants, you're never ever – never ever ever — going to the gym. That's OK. You're not going to die. I mean, you are going to die, but not because you … [Link]

Mashable » China wants to go to Mars by 2020

Wednesday 28 December 19:01:21 UTC 2016

China is aiming for Mars.  The nation reaffirmed its plan to send China's first lander to the red planet by 2020 in a white paper released by the Chinese government this week. The new paper lays out the nation's ambitious plans to explore the solar system with a variety of missions by the end of the decade. If successful, the Mars … [Link]

Mashable » Ariana Grande sets sexist trolls ablaze with 5 fire tweets

Wednesday 28 December 18:40:35 UTC 2016

Ariana Grande is out here courageously taking steps to upend the patriarchy; sexists, take note. The intelligent singer wrote a powerful note on Twitter about an overtly sexist encounter she had with a man on Tuesday night, and it's truly something worth reading. SEE ALSO: 'P*ssy grabbing' threats are now a thing in Trump's America pic.twitter.com/FL1tOHAZvN — Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) December … [Link]

Slashdot » Apple CEO Tim Cook Calls AirPods 'a Runaway Success'

Wednesday 28 December 18:40:00 UTC 2016

It turns out the $159 AirPods Bluetooth earphones are selling well, or so CEO Tim Cook would have us believed. Cook dropped by the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday while on vacation, and talked about the AirPods sales. From a report on CNBC: In comments to CNBC, Cook declined to talk specifically on Apple's outlook, but he said it … [Link]

Popular Science » WTF is a pangolin? Fall in love with this sentient artichoke before it goes extinct

Wednesday 28 December 18:27:45 UTC 2016

Animals Poaching in China is out of control A record-breaking seizure of poached pangolin scales might have you wondering what the heck a pangolin actually is… [Link]

Mashable » Look out, Amazon: Another ecommerce giant is looming in home entertainment

Wednesday 28 December 18:27:36 UTC 2016

In business as in life, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Alibaba, Amazon's China-based ecommerce rival, is planning to spend more than $7 billion on its entertainment division over the next three years, according to a memo obtained by Reuters. The move would add yet another player to what has become a crowded and pricey entertainment industry that includes traditional … [Link]

Mashable » Twitter users know the real reason Trump Tower was evacuated

Wednesday 28 December 18:03:07 UTC 2016

Authorities don't play around when it comes to Donald Trump's gilded haven. On Tuesday afternoon, Trump Tower in New York City was evacuated after a suspicious, unattended package was discovered in the lobby. However, once police arrived on the scene, it was determined the bag, described as a yellow backpack, was filled with children's toys. Yes, children's toys. SEE ALSO: Donald … [Link]

Slashdot » Bigger Than Mirai: Leet Botnet Delivers 650 Gbps DDoS Attack

Wednesday 28 December 18:00:00 UTC 2016

Reader Mark Wilson writes: Earlier in the year, a huge DDoS attack was launched on Krebs on Security. Analysis showed that the attack pelted servers with 620 Gbps, and there were fears that the release of the Mirai source code used to launch the assault would lead to a rise in large-scale DDoS attacks. Welcome Leet Botnet. In the run-up … [Link]

Mashable » MashReads Podcast: Here are our favorite books of 2016

Wednesday 28 December 17:51:42 UTC 2016

If there is one big winner from 2016, it's books. From ambitious new literary fiction to moving YA novels to great new comics, 2016 has been a year filled with phenomenal book releases. SEE ALSO: The best YA books of 2016 In honor of 2016 coming to a close, this week on the MashReads Podcast we reflect on our favorite books … [Link]

Mashable » Cure your back-to-work blues with a good old-fashioned live eagle birth

Wednesday 28 December 17:38:30 UTC 2016

There are two types of people in the world: those who are trying to catch up on work after the holiday break, and those who would rather watch some eagles get born. Take a moment to consider which type you are and then be honest with yourself and watch the eagle video. SEE ALSO: Today in America, a couple bald eagles … [Link]

Mashable » People are trolling a French mayor after he named a road 'Rue de Brexit'

Wednesday 28 December 17:32:56 UTC 2016

A pro-Brexit mayor of a French town has proposed to name a street "Rue de Brexit" in a reference to Britain's vote to leave the EU, but the joke has backfired.  SEE ALSO: Bad news, LEGO prices are going up and people are blaming Brexit Julian Sanchez, 33, a rising star in Marine Le Pen's National Front party, announced that the … [Link]

Slashdot » Frequent Flyer Points Put at Risk By Website Flaws

Wednesday 28 December 17:20:00 UTC 2016

Airline booking systems lack basic security checks that would stop attackers changing flight details or stealing rewards, warn experts. From a report on BBC: The problems emerge because the six-digit codes booking systems use to identify travellers are easy to guess. Two researchers demonstrated the weaknesses by changing a flight booking and seat assignment for a reporter. The security investigators … [Link]

Mashable » Disney is building an 'Avatar' theme park and it looks unreal

Wednesday 28 December 17:15:23 UTC 2016

On Sunday, December 25, Disney Parks released the latest impressive peek at its new Avatar theme park. Here's what you can expect. Read more…More about Disney, Na Vi, Real Time Video, Real Time, and Mashable Video [Link]

Mashable » Wear your pride with this DIY 'Captain America' costume

Wednesday 28 December 17:03:22 UTC 2016

Bucky makes his debut in an all new Costume Squad! This budget friendly cosplay outfit will make a superhero out of you with your savings account. Subscribe to CineFix for more videos. Read more…More about Mashable Video, Budget Costume, Cosplay, Diy Costume, and Diy Costume Squad [Link]

Mashable » 19 times nature was completely terrifying in 2016

Wednesday 28 December 17:00:00 UTC 2016

Nature proved once again in 2016 that it will forever be terrifying. No matter how far we come with technological advancements and our progression into a more civilized culture, the wild world around us will continue to live on like we don't even matter. SEE ALSO: 25 striking wildlife photos that show nature at its most tranquil and brutal From snakes … [Link]

Mashable » Ahead of the Game: A new year for CS:GO

Wednesday 28 December 16:58:20 UTC 2016

Last year was the biggest yet for competitive CS:GO, and it ended with some big upsets and surprising champions. Professional Counter-Strike analyst Janko "YNk" Paunovic sat down with Mashable to share his thoughts on 2016, the ELEAGUE Major Qualifier and what's next for the competitive scene. Read more…More about Mashable Video, Ynk, New Year, Counter Strike, and Esports [Link]

Mashable » Here's what happens when you light 10,000 sparklers at once

Wednesday 28 December 16:55:18 UTC 2016

Lighting up sparklers as a kid is a joy, but once you hit the age of 12 it just doesn't provide enough firepower to be very entertaining. While most people will reach for some more impressive fireworks, YouTuber Slivki Show decided to gather 10,000 sparklers, pack them together and light them up as if they were one massive sparkler. Obviously, … [Link]

Slashdot » Android Ransomware Infects LG Smart TV, Company 'Refuses' To Help

Wednesday 28 December 16:40:00 UTC 2016

Security firms have been warning us for more than a year about the possibility of Android malware jumping from phones and tablets to other Android-powered devices, such smart TVs. The latest incident involving ransomware on a smart TV involves software engineer Darren Cauthon, who revealed that the LG smart TV of one of his family members was infected with ransomware … [Link]

New Scientist – News » The 12 biggest and best science stories of 2016

Wednesday 28 December 16:32:29 UTC 2016

From the detection of gravitational waves to the birth of a three-parent baby, New Scientist wraps up the most mind-expanding discoveries of the year [Link]

Mashable » This DIY 'Captain America' costume is all kinds of (marvel)ous

Wednesday 28 December 16:30:00 UTC 2016

It's never too early to get started on your next costume for Halloween or cosplay event. Grab your glue guns and join us on this superhero journey to creating a budget-friendly 'Captain America' costume. Subscribe to CineFix for more videos. Snake hanging out in someone's toilet is a real, living nightmare Watch: Carrie Fisher's roast of George Lucas was searingly brilliant Dad pranks … [Link]

Mashable » One festive family member turned grandpa's vices into a fun party game

Wednesday 28 December 16:16:58 UTC 2016

Unfortunately, we probably all know that person around the holidays. Reddit user bitchytyphoon decided to make her family Christmas a little more bearable by making a bingo board of all of her Grandpa's unfortunate vices.  SEE ALSO: These hilarious Christmas cards speak to your inner Scrooge From "is racist" to "mentions the skyrocketing divorce rate," the all-encompassing board has a little … [Link]

Mashable » LG's 'necklace' surround sound speaker is as dorky as wearables get

Wednesday 28 December 16:03:17 UTC 2016

CES is right around the corner and some tech companies, like LG, just couldn't wait to announce some of the new gadgets they'll be showing off. Take LG's levitating speaker. Is it useful or just a pretty gimmick? Who cares?! It hovers. LG's Tone Studio portable surround sound speaker for your neck, however, looks pretty silly. SEE ALSO: LG has a … [Link]

Mashable » Giant Trump-rooster statue appears in China in case you forgot about Trump for one second

Wednesday 28 December 16:01:00 UTC 2016

Donald Trump is like a rooster in many ways. He has a tousle of red-orange hair at the top of his head, his orange coloring is attention grabbing and he wakes us all up at sunrise every morning with tweets about how Saturday Night Live is bad. An artist in China, which will celebrate the Year of the Rooster in 2017, … [Link]

Slashdot » Toshiba Shares Plummet After Warning of 'Billions' in Losses

Wednesday 28 December 16:00:00 UTC 2016

Toshiba's troubles keep piling up. From a report on CNN Money: The Japanese firm's shares plunged 20% on Wednesday, after the company warned it is expecting billions of dollars in losses from its takeover of a U.S. nuclear construction business last year. "We're still figuring out the exact numbers, but it could reach up to several hundred billion yen," CEO … [Link]

Mashable » 10 challenges of 2016 that taught us teens still rule the world

Wednesday 28 December 15:34:32 UTC 2016

If 2016 has given us one thing, it's a reminder that teens control our culture. Teenagers from across the country have let crazy antics with viral hashtags unite them all year long, and we have to admit, we've loved every second of it. SEE ALSO: The best tech of 2016 From the #WaterbottleChallenge to the #BackpackChallenge, teenagers have kept us entertained … [Link]

Mashable » Your Apple Watch will guilt you into working out in the New Year

Wednesday 28 December 15:32:32 UTC 2016

If you strapped on your Apple Watch this morning and immediately got a reminder that you need to hit the gym after your holiday feasting, you weren't the only one starting off the day feeling guilty.  Today, Apple sent every Apple Watch owner in the world a push notification announcing the "Ring in the New Year Challenge" — yet another reminder … [Link]

Slashdot » Chinese Traders Charged With Insider Trading on Hacked Information

Wednesday 28 December 15:20:00 UTC 2016

Chinese traders hacked into the computer systems of U.S. law firms that handle mergers, then used the data for insider trading that generated more than $4 million in illegal profits, federal prosecutors and regulators charged Tuesday. From a report on USA Today: The suspects in the alleged criminal marriage of cyber-hacking and securities fraud targeted at least seven law firms … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » ProgrammableWeb's Most Interesting APIs in 2016: Business and Productivity

Wednesday 28 December 15:00:01 UTC 2016

This section of the most interesting APIs of 2016 looks at the Business and Productivity categories. [Link]

Popular Science » Want to build an igloo? Here's how.

Wednesday 28 December 15:00:00 UTC 2016

Science With help from an ice architect Scientifically, the best way is how the Inuit in the North still do it. [Link]

Mashable » Snake hanging out in someone's toilet is a real, living nightmare

Wednesday 28 December 14:58:25 UTC 2016

There are few things worse than finding a huge snake lurking in your toilet, but hey, at least this one isn't poisonous.  Animal rescue workers successfully relocated a rat snake from a toilet in Khon Kaen, Thailand, on Monday. After slipping a snare over the snake, it took two rescue workers to unhinge the stubborn snake from the toilet's plumbing.  … [Link]

Mashable » 10 movies we can't wait to see in 2017

Wednesday 28 December 14:52:32 UTC 2016

As satisfying as it is to send off 2016, it ended up being a remarkable year for movies (the good and the bad). Can 2017 live up to the hype and the pressure? Here are 10 films that we hope might do just that.  SEE ALSO: The 16 best TV shows of 2016 1. The Lego Batman Movie 2014 may feel … [Link]

Popular Science » These two-headed worms could help scientists regrow lost limbs

Wednesday 28 December 14:45:00 UTC 2016

Health Two heads really are better than one Geneticist Michael Levin at Tufts University is hopeful that his work will someday allow us to grow back our lost limbs. [Link]

Mashable » Donald Trump thanked someone and you'll never guess who

Wednesday 28 December 14:44:48 UTC 2016

Don’t worry about thanking Donald Trump for anything…ever. He's got it covered. The president-elect has been having a nice, chat with himself on Twitter since Monday about the positive impact he's had on the U.S. Consumer Confidence Index for the month of December. Finally, Trump decided it was high time he gave himself major props and revived his "Thank You" tour … [Link]

Mashable » 3 ways to set out on the open road and expand your horizons

Wednesday 28 December 14:40:03 UTC 2016

Poets, filmmakers, authors and musicians alike throughout history have used the open road as an allegory for self-exploration, growth and a sense of adventure. Maybe your road is a physical one — a literal road trip somewhere new and exciting — or maybe it’s something a little more metaphorical, such as learning a new skill, taking a risk on an adventurous … [Link]

Slashdot » Qualcomm Fined $865 Million By South Korean Antitrust Regulator

Wednesday 28 December 14:40:00 UTC 2016

South Korea's antitrust regulator has fined Qualcomm $854 million for what it called unfair business practices in patent licensing and modem chip sales, a decision the U.S. chipmaker said it will challenge in court. From a report on ZDNet: Qualcomm's business model includes collecting royalty payments from clients, which are calculated on the price of the handset using the chip, … [Link]

Popular Science » Five trailblazing inventions that uncovered the ocean's deepest mysteries

Wednesday 28 December 14:30:00 UTC 2016

Science Machines of the abyss These five pioneering submarine inventions—used for commerce, war, and scientific discovery—brought humans to the deepest parts of the oceans. [Link]

Mashable » This 13-foot-tall mechanical suit looks like something straight out of a sci-fi film

Wednesday 28 December 14:28:39 UTC 2016

South Korean engineers have created the robot straight out of every sci-fi buff's dream: a walking, working mechanical suit that you can ride in and control. Hankook Mirae Technology showed off a working prototype of its 4 meter (13 foot) tall robot on Tuesday, phys.org reports.  SEE ALSO: Robots will walk you and drive you: Hyundai reveals its future Image: vitaly … [Link]

Mashable » This wine cellar is the ultimate hidden treasure

Wednesday 28 December 14:26:21 UTC 2016

SpiralCellars are underground cellars that are capable of storing 1,900 bottles of wine underneath your floor at just the right temperature. Read more…More about Mashable Video, Hidden Treasure, Cellar, Wine, and Real Time Video [Link]

Mashable » Lyft data highlights the most popular destinations of 2016

Wednesday 28 December 14:09:29 UTC 2016

Lyft is closing out a busy year for the ride-hailing industry by crowning the top destinations of 2016. For the second annual "Lyftie Awards," the startup revealed Wednesday winners of the most visited locations, including restaurants, bars, hotels, transit stops and event spaces, by its passengers.   SEE ALSO: Lyft will give you an exact price now, not just an estimate … [Link]

Mashable » Lyft's head of marketing on what to expect in 2017

Wednesday 28 December 14:02:46 UTC 2016

When you think of the ride-hailing industry in the U.S., two names should come to mind. But while Uber boasts name recognition for starting its own line of "Uber for" startups and a market valuation of a $68 billion, Lyft is the smaller company that claims to be quite satisfied with its place and trajectory.  SEE ALSO: Lyft's new TV ads … [Link]

Slashdot » Lenovo Switches To Windows 10 Signature Edition Image For Its Future ThinkPad Laptops

Wednesday 28 December 14:00:00 UTC 2016

An anonymous reader writes: Ahead of tradeshow CES 2017, Lenovo today announced major changes coming to its ThinkPad lineup of laptops and PCs. First, Lenovo has decided to ship 2017 ThinkPad models with Microsoft's Signature Edition Windows 10 right out of the box. So, users don't have to worry about bloatware anymore. Signature Edition PCs are clean, fast and protected. … [Link]

Mashable » 'Game of Thrones' is the most pirated show for the fifth year in a row

Wednesday 28 December 13:54:08 UTC 2016

In the least surprising news of the year, HBO's Game of Thrones was the most pirated TV show of the year, according to TorrentFreak's data.  The torrent-tracking blog compiled its top 10 list using several sources, one of them being BitTorrent's public tracker statsGame of Thrones was in first place, followed by The Walking Dead and Westworld.  SEE ALSO: Goodbye Pirate … [Link]

Mashable » People are freaking out over a pic of Drake and Jennifer Lopez

Wednesday 28 December 13:24:35 UTC 2016

Drake and J-Lo have posted matching, cozy pictures on Instagram and people are freaking out.  SEE ALSO: Only Beyoncé and Drake top the Weeknd's 'Starboy' debut In the picture, Jennifer Lopez is sat next to Drake but curled up across his lap with her eyes closed while he affectionately puts his arms around her and holds her close.  A photo posted … [Link]

Popular Science » Why haven't we invented a sunscreen pill?

Wednesday 28 December 13:00:08 UTC 2016

Health A question every pale person wants answered Antioxidants in Polypodium leucotomos, a tropical fern, can technically block UV radiation. But antioxidants are unstable molecules, so getting them from stomach to skin… [Link]

Mashable » 16 Photoshop battles that ruled 2016

Wednesday 28 December 13:00:00 UTC 2016

The Battle of the Bastards wasn't the only successful battle this year – Photoshop battles were waged on Reddit on the daily, providing endless artistry and lulz. Redditors brought us dope PSBs inspired by the election, millennials, animals, celebs and the overall weirdness of 2016.  Here are the 16 best Photoshop battles of 2016. Election 1Ted Cruz phone banking for Donald … [Link]

Slashdot » FDA Releases New Cybersecurity Guidelines For Medical Devices

Wednesday 28 December 13:00:00 UTC 2016

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Verge: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released its recommendations for how medical device manufacturers should maintain the security of internet-connected devices, even after they've entered hospitals, patient homes, or patient bodies. Unsecured devices can allow hackers to tamper with how much medication is delivered by the device — with potentially deadly … [Link]

Mashable » Truck driver defeats phone thief with impressive Kung Fu kick

Wednesday 28 December 12:58:52 UTC 2016

A truck driver's Kung Fu moves have gone viral, after CCTV captured him in action against a phone thief. SEE ALSO: This 72-year-old grandfather's yoga moves will put yours to shame The driver, named Huo, told a local news station that he was in his truck waiting for a delivery, when someone knocked on the door. Assuming that the person … [Link]

Mashable » Here are the 30 best GIFs of 2016

Wednesday 28 December 12:00:00 UTC 2016

We can all agree 2016 wasn't exactly the greatest year. But, if we try really, really hard to look on the bright side, 2016 did excel in one thing: GIFs.  From dabbing peanuts to political debates, there was no shortage of amazing GIF material this year. SEE ALSO: The best tech of 2016 Here are our 30 favorite GIFs from our … [Link]

Mashable » Daisy Ridley's touching tribute to 'predecessor' Carrie Fisher

Wednesday 28 December 11:49:14 UTC 2016

Carrie Fisher's Star Wars family have mourned their beloved co-star's death.  From Harrison Ford to Mark Hamill's touching tribute to a "gorgeous, fiercely independent & ferociously funny, take-charge woman."  SEE ALSO: 'Star Wars' actress Carrie Fisher has died at 60 And this particular tribute — from one Star Wars leading lady to another — also feels special.  Daisy Ridley, who plays … [Link]

O'Reilly News and Commentary » #Ebook Deal/Day: Building Voice-Enabled Apps with Alexa – $11.49 (Save 50%) Use code DEAL

Wednesday 28 December 11:27:06 UTC 2016

Get "Building Voice-Enabled Apps with Alexa" today using code DEAL and save 50%!This sale ends at 2:00 AM 2016-12-29 (PDT, GMT-8:00). [Link]

Mashable » Carrie Fisher once hosted SNL and it was hilarious

Wednesday 28 December 11:10:16 UTC 2016

Not long after becoming a household name thanks to Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, Carrie Fisher hosted the comedy show Saturday Night Live — and it was absolutely hilarious.  SEE ALSO: The best of Carrie Fisher's Twitter Donning her Princess Leia costume, Fisher — who sadly passed away on Tuesday — masterfully delivered a monologue featuring her "good … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Realm.io Mobile Database Adds Professional Edition Service Tier

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:45 UTC 2016

Realm, a mobile-first application development startup, recently announced the release of a new service tier. The Professional Edition aims to bridge the gap between the free developer-edition and the enterprise edition. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » ProgrammableWeb's Most Interesting APIs in 2016: Big Data and Data Analytics

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:44 UTC 2016

This list of interesting APIs from 2016 encapsulates two of the hottest categories on ProgrammableWeb: Data and Analytics. Also featured are a few popular APIs from the Data Visualization, Big Data, and Database categories. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » ProgrammableWeb's Most Interesting APIs in 2016

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:43 UTC 2016

2016 was a big year for APIs and a busy year for us here at ProgrammableWeb. In addition to focusing on delivering daily API news, we beefed up our API University, a repository of API training materials, lessons, tutorials, how-to's and analyses for API providers, developers & executives. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » 5 Common Myths about Microservices Architecture

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:42 UTC 2016

With so many companies getting caught up in the microservices hype, a post by Sean Kelly on the Basho Blog attempts to dispel five of the microservices myths that many developers and businesses have been sold on. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Box Introduces the Box File Collaboration API

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:41 UTC 2016

Box has announced the introduction of the Box File Collaboration API. The Box File Collaboration API allows developers to manage access to files in applications. Developers can now control which users can access specific files. The company recently updated the Box Notes collaborative notetaking application improving the Web experience for the user. The Box File Collaboration API was created to … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Daily API RoundUp: PullString, Packagecloud.io, Hotmob, Zammad, HAAS Alert

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:40 UTC 2016

Every day, the ProgrammableWeb team is busy, updating its three primary directories for APIs, clients (language-specific libraries or SDKs for consuming or providing APIs), and source code samples. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » ProgrammableWeb's Most Interesting APIs in 2016: Application Development and Developer Tools

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:39 UTC 2016

We begin our series about interesting APIs from 2016 with Application Development and Developer Tools highlights. Application Development and DevOps tools have arrived in droves, and so have the APIs that are used to integrate with them. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Daily API RoundUp: Hypothes.is, SmartyStreets, Capital One, iDigBio, hyScore.io

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:38 UTC 2016

Every day, the ProgrammableWeb team is busy, updating its three primary directories for APIs, clients (language-specific libraries or SDKs for consuming or providing APIs), and source code samples. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Facebook's Account Kit Offers Alternative to SMS

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:37 UTC 2016

Facebook released Account Kit, which has been in testing for some time, to developers earlier this week. The basic idea is to minimize the pain of logging into mobile applications, particularly in instances when SMS and other tools may not be available. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Microsoft Announces Preview Version of Payment Request API in Microsoft Edge

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:36 UTC 2016

Microsoft has announced that the Microsoft Payment Request API in Microsoft Edge is now available in preview. The API can be used to simplify checkout and payments on the Web (via Microsoft Edge browser) for Windows 10 PC and mobile users. The API connects to Microsoft Wallet so that users can access the payment information associated with their Microsoft account. … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » How to Geocode a Dataset With Open Data

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:35 UTC 2016

This is the first part of our series How to Add Postcode-Based Proximity Search With Open Data. In this part of our series, we will explain how to geocode a dataset using open data. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » How to Geocode Data for Location-Friendly Applications

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:34 UTC 2016

This is the second part of our series How to Add Postcode-Based Proximity Search With Open Data. In part 1, we explained how to geocode a dataset using open data. Previously in this series, I showed how to set up databases for a location-based application. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » How to Geocode User Input Postcodes

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:33 UTC 2016

This is the third part of our series How to Add Postcode-Based Proximity Search With Open Data. In part 2, we explained three ways to geocode your data using Open Postcode Geo. So far in this series we have seen how to geocode a dataset, which involves finding the position of each record and describing that position as coordinates. We … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » How to Build Proximity Search into Your Application

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:32 UTC 2016

This is the fourth part of our series How to Add Postcode-Based Proximity Search With Open Data. In part 3, we showed how to implement the common application of nearest locations to a postcode provided by a user. So far in this series we have geocoded a dataset (that is to say, found the position of each record in the … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » How To Bring Together the Elements of Your Proximity-Search Application

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:31 UTC 2016

This is the final part of our series How to Add Postcode-Based Proximity Search With Open Data. In this part of our series we bring together the pieces and build an application that demonstrates how they work together. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » IBM Announces Advancements to Watson Cloud Platform

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:30 UTC 2016

IBM has announced the addition of three new advancements to the Watson Cloud platform; real-time speaker diarization (beta) support available via the Watson Speech to Text API, Visual Recognition tagging with a built-in set of visual labels, an [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Built.io Adds On-Premises Deployment and DevOps Services to Built.io Flow

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:29 UTC 2016

Built.io, a technology provider with digital solutions that enable organizations to create, connect and scale applications across mobile, Web and IoT – today announced Built.io Flow On-Prem, a new deployment option and architecture for its integration Platform-as-a-Service (iPaaS) Built.io Flow. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » How Microservices Offer Scale, Velocity, and Risk Reduction

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:28 UTC 2016

"Microservice architecture" is a topic that's hard to get away from in today's technology landscape. It's gotten to the point that the term is overloaded, and some would argue that nobody really knows what a microservice is, even though they're "so hot right now.” I would argue that, no matter the exact definition, there are lessons to be learned from … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » How Connect IQ Helps You Tame the Wearable Wild West

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:27 UTC 2016

[Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » PayPal Introduces Braintree JavaScript SDK v3

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:26 UTC 2016

PayPal recently announced a new version (v3) of its Braintree JavaScript SDK. Braintree remains a core building block for PayPal users looking to accept Web payments through credit cards, 3D Secure, Apple Pay, Android Pay, PayPal accounts, and more. The latest version includes a number of improvements including reduced file size, greater flexibility, and a more. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Daily API RoundUp: Google Awareness, MarkLogic, SportsEngine, Everysk

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:25 UTC 2016

Every day, the ProgrammableWeb team is busy, updating its three primary directories for APIs, clients (language-specific libraries or SDKs for consuming or providing APIs), and source code samples. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » How Netflix OSS Helps Companies Build Microservices Architectures

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:24 UTC 2016

Netflix was among the first companies to publicize its move to microservices from a monolithic architecture. The Netflix backend application has been powered by microservices since 2009. The entire customer-facing Netflix website has run entirely on AWS and microservices since the end of 2010, and the company has been sharing information about its technology use since 2010. In 2012, Netflix … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Google's 'Android Things' Platform Promises An Easier Path to IoT

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:23 UTC 2016

Google has renamed its Internet of Things platform and released the first developer preview of its broader push into connected devices. Android Things relies on components of Brillo and Weave, and comes complete with its own SDK and APIs so developers can get to work. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Cloud Foundry Foundation Announces Open Service Broker API Project

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:22 UTC 2016

The Cloud Foundry Foundation announced its new Open Service Broker API project. The project aims to empower developers, ISVs, and SaaS providers with an API to deliver services to apps running on cloud native platforms (e.g. Cloud Foundy, OpenShift, Kubernetes, etc.). The project team includes representatives from Fujitsu, Google, IBM, Pivotal, RedHat, and SAP. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Tools to Monitor and Visualize Microservices Architecture

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:21 UTC 2016

Previous articles in ProgrammableWeb's microservices series look at what microservices are and explain differences between monolithic and microservices architectures. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Android Wear 2.0 Gains New APIs

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:20 UTC 2016

Image Credit: android-developers.googleblog.com [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » New Postman Pro Features API Monitoring, Documentation Generation, and Collaboration Tools

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:19 UTC 2016

Postman has announced the launch of Postman Pro, a new version of Postman that features API monitoring, documentation generation, and collaboration tools. The original version of Postman is geared toward individual developers who want to test and consume APIs. Postman Pro goes further, providing tools that developers can use to collaborate on API projects, create and publish API documentation, and … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Daily API RoundUp: Google Cloud Container Builder, Knoema, Unity, Ooyala, Cuckoo Sandbox

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:18 UTC 2016

Every day, the ProgrammableWeb team is busy, updating its three primary directories for APIs, clients (language-specific libraries or SDKs for consuming or providing APIs), and source code samples. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » GovTrack to Shutdown API and Pass the Legislative Data Torch

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:17 UTC 2016

GovTrack recently announced its decision to shutdown the GovTrack API. GovTrack began its mission to open legislative data to the developer community in 2005. Since its launch, GovTrack's API and bulk data project have been enormously successful. Its decision to end the project comes not from failure, but rather, massive success. [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Actions on Google Now Open to All Developers

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:16 UTC 2016

If you build conversational interfaces and have been waiting for Google to open up Actions on Google, here is some good news. Google has recently announced that it will allow all developers to use the platform to build out conversational experiences targeted toward Google devices and services. [Link]

Mashable » Indian Twitter is obsessing over a federal banker for all the right and wrong reasons

Wednesday 28 December 11:08:11 UTC 2016

A New York University professor is now the deputy head of India's federal bank and Indians are already obsessed with him.  SEE ALSO: India's federal bank just can't make up its mind on demonetization After news broke Wednesday noon that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had appointed an economics professor, Viral Acharya, as its deputy governor, people began chattering on … [Link]

Mashable » 10 holiday family traditions that can't possibly be compromised by Russian hackers

Wednesday 28 December 11:00:00 UTC 2016

As the father of a nuclear family and a self-proclaimed Christmas enthusiast, I love celebrating the holidays with the people I love.  You can imagine my surprise, then, when I learned that many family members, friends and bipartisan leaders of the United States government were calling for an investigation on potential Russian hacking on my home. Much like Presdient-elect Trump and … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Augmented reality set to overtake VR as new apps go live

Wednesday 28 December 10:16:53 UTC 2016

Real and virtual worlds could collide further in 2017 as augmented reality finally begins to live up to the hype. Watch out for flying jellyfish [Link]

Slashdot » Overclocker Pushes Intel Core i7-7700K Past 7GHz Using Liquid Nitrogen

Wednesday 28 December 10:00:00 UTC 2016

MojoKid writes from a report via HotHardware: If you've had any doubts of Intel's upcoming Kaby Lake processor's capabilities with respect to overclocking, don't fret. It's looking like even the most dedicated overclockers are going to have a blast with this series. Someone recently got a hold of an Intel Core i7-7700K chip and decided to take it for an … [Link]

Mashable » George R.R. Martin mourns Carrie Fisher and wants this 'wretched year' to end

Wednesday 28 December 9:48:23 UTC 2016

A parody George R.R. Martin account tweeted back in January: "2016 was directed by me," and pretty much everyone agreed.  Now, the real George R.R. Martin posted an entry on his LiveJournal blog, mourning the recent death of Carrie Fisher, and generally wanting this horrible, bad, no good year to be done with.  SEE ALSO: George R.R. Martin confirms 'The Winds … [Link]

Mashable » 5 customer complaints that escalated hilariously in 2016

Wednesday 28 December 9:30:00 UTC 2016

LONDON — Complaining to companies doesn't have to be a dull, rage-inducing affair — it can actually be an unexpected outlet for creative expression. SEE ALSO: Man discovers the world's greatest drunken apology method Just take the people below, for instance. Rather than letting 47-year flight connections and cucumber-dwelling worms get them down, they decided to harness the internet's power to … [Link]

Mashable » Google thinks this country is showing the most interest in mobile development courses

Wednesday 28 December 8:45:49 UTC 2016

With more Indians coming online for the first time, India faces the challenge of guiding its citizens to put internet into good use. Fortunately for the country, an increasingly growing number of people are showing a promising interest in programming and coding apps. SEE ALSO: The Most Important Education Technology in 200 Years More people in India are now looking online … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Baby turtles leave behind fleeting oases on beach dune deserts

Wednesday 28 December 8:30:12 UTC 2016

Organic nutrients from turtle eggs form a seasonal feast for tiny life forms living in the deserts of tropical sandy dunes [Link]

Mashable » There is no right way to mourn celebrities on the internet

Wednesday 28 December 7:04:08 UTC 2016

My grandmother's funeral was quiet. I was young, so I can recall only a sliver of that day in Melbourne, but I do remember the silence.  In places like Australia, the public tradition of mourning is largely that of Anglo-Saxon stoicism. My grandmother was neither British nor Christian, but what I remember as the thorough decorum of her passing formed my … [Link]

Slashdot » China Plans To Land Probes On Far Side of Moon, Mars By 2020

Wednesday 28 December 7:00:00 UTC 2016

China has revealed some ambitious plans for space domination in the 2020s. On Tuesday, China set out its plans to become the first country to land a probe on the far side of the moon, in around 2018, and launch its first Mars probe by 2020. Phys.Org reports: "To explore the vast cosmos, develop the space industry and build China … [Link]

Mashable » Google CEO Sundar Pichai to visit his Alma Mater during India trip

Wednesday 28 December 6:50:03 UTC 2016

Sundar Pichai, who's currently visiting India, will return to his Alma Mater on Jan. 5. The Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur (IIT-K), a premier educational institution where Pichai earned his engineering degree in 1993, will host him, the Times of India reported.  SEE ALSO: Google CEO Sundar Pichai to kickstart New Year with an event in India In what would be his … [Link]

Mashable » Watch: Carrie Fisher's roast of George Lucas was searingly brilliant

Wednesday 28 December 6:08:26 UTC 2016

One of the many traits that made the late Carrie Fisher such an icon was her incredible sense of humour and biting wit, which you would've spotted in her tweets or her heartwarmingly funny obituary request.   It's also something that's evident in a video of Fisher roasting George Lucas during a speech commemorating his receipt of the American Film … [Link]

Mashable » Major train accident in India leaves several injured

Wednesday 28 December 6:04:39 UTC 2016

A train derailed in Uttar Pradesh earlier today injuring more than 40 passengers.  SEE ALSO: Hyperloop Technologies in talks with government for trial runs in India As many as 15 coaches of the 12987 Sealdah-Ajmer Express train derailed while crossing a bridge over a dry canal near Kanpur at 5.20am Wednesday.  Eight passengers are in a critical state, said senior police … [Link]

Mashable » Luke Skywalker bids farewell to Carrie Fisher, his beloved 'space-twin'

Wednesday 28 December 5:51:13 UTC 2016

There has been an outpouring of poignant tributes for Carrie Fisher, but none more touching than that of her intergalactic twin. Mark Hamill, who played Princess' Leia twin brother Luke Skywalker, farewelled Fisher in a Facebook post after the writer and actress died aged 60 in Los Angeles Tuesday. SEE ALSO: Carrie Fisher had one hilarious request for her obituary "It's … [Link]

Mashable » Betty White is trending on Twitter but don't worry, it's not what you think

Wednesday 28 December 5:50:53 UTC 2016

Like a swarm of bees called to "protect the queen," when a hive is attacked, we must rally to protect our valuable pop culture icons.  After a year of heartbreaking celebrity deaths, Twitter has decided: 2016 must not take Betty White.  That's where a new GoFundMe page comes in.  SEE ALSO: 8 reasons we'd go on a date with Betty White … [Link]

Mashable » Ad branded discriminatory for its 'negative stereotype of husbands'

Wednesday 28 December 4:32:35 UTC 2016

The dumb, lazy husband figure has long been a fixture of both pop culture — think Homer Simpson and Phil Dunphy of Modern Family — and advertising. But not anymore.  Australia's Advertising Standards Board (ABS) has ruled against an advertisement from a pest control company, saying it "features a negative stereotype of husbands," according to a recent determination.  SEE ALSO: 10 … [Link]

Mashable » It's the Kardashian-West Christmas portrait and they'll smile if they want to

Wednesday 28 December 3:43:09 UTC 2016

The Kardashians may have refrained from blessing us with their annual Kristmas Kard in 2016, but fear not: The Kardashian-Wests have done one better. A blurry family portrait to rival the '60s Addams Family: That's what Kanye West has given fans and frenemies for the holidays, albeit three days after Christmas. SEE ALSO: Kanye West wants a 'direct line' with president … [Link]

Slashdot » Amazon Patents System To Defend Drones Against Hackers, Jammers and Arrows

Wednesday 28 December 3:30:00 UTC 2016

As Amazon prepares its drone-based delivery service Prime Air for the United States, the company has been looking for ways to keep its drones safe while they're flying to and from their destinations. According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the company has patented a plan that lays out countermeasures for potential threats ranging from computer hacking to lightning … [Link]

Mashable » Posting pictures of your kids on Facebook? Think twice.

Wednesday 28 December 3:28:24 UTC 2016

You might think it's cute to snap a photo of your toddler running around in a playground or having a temper tantrum, and then posting it on social media.  But did you ever think it might be a mistake, or even illegal? The French government earlier this year warned parents to stop posting images of their children on social media networks. … [Link]

Mashable » For the General: How Carrie Fisher gave us the Force we'll need in 2017

Wednesday 28 December 2:58:01 UTC 2016

In the end, she left us with a word: hope.  That word — which Carrie Fisher said first in the original Star Wars (1977) in her "help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi" speech — is such a powerful statement of what the film is all about that in 1981, George Lucas renamed the whole damn movie in its honor.  Her line reading, easily … [Link]

Slashdot » Apple Tops Holiday Sales With 44 Percent of All New Device Activations

Wednesday 28 December 2:20:00 UTC 2016

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Mac Rumors: Apple's iPhone and iPad were the most popular mobile devices gifted during the holidays this year, according to new data shared by Yahoo-owned mobile analytics firm Flurry. Flurry examined device activations by manufacturer between 12/19 and 12/25, finding Apple devices to be twice as popular as Samsung devices. 44 percent of … [Link]

Mashable » Partygoers trash beach with 15 tonnes of garbage on Christmas Day

Wednesday 28 December 1:55:16 UTC 2016

This is why we can't have nice things. Thousands of people descended on Sydney's Coogee Beach, in Australia, on Christmas Day for a massive DIY party. And boy, did they cause a mighty ruckus. SEE ALSO: Total stranger pays for woman's Christmas presents after her card was declined People climbed on roofs of nearby businesses and lifeguards were forced to sound … [Link]

Slashdot » Vera Rubin, Pioneering Astronomer Who Confirmed Existence of Dark Matter, Dies At 88

Wednesday 28 December 1:40:00 UTC 2016

Mikkeles quotes a report from CBC.ca: Vera Rubin, a pioneering astronomer who helped find powerful evidence of dark matter, has died, her son said Monday. She was 88. Vera Rubin found that galaxies don't quite rotate the way they were predicted, and that lent support to the theory that some other force was at work, namely dark matter. Rubin's scientific … [Link]

Mashable » Watch a Tesla predict a car crash 2 vehicles ahead

Wednesday 28 December 1:25:17 UTC 2016

Dash cam footage from a Tesla shows the car's autopilot function predicting a car accident before anyone saw it coming.  In the clip, uploaded to Twitter by Hans Noordsij, a group of cars can be seen traveling down the A2 highway in the Netherlands.  The Forward Collision Warning on the Tesla beeps, and the emergency braking system kicks in. A brief … [Link]

The Joy of Tech » JoT #2367: Circuitbroken

Wednesday 28 December 1:24:52 UTC 2016

Such sad news about Carrie Fisher. [Link]

Slashdot » Avatar-Style Manned Robot Takes First Steps In South Korea

Wednesday 28 December 1:00:00 UTC 2016

An anonymous reader quotes a report from ValueWalk: A robot designed by a veteran of science fiction blockbusters which bear a striking resemblance to the military robots seen in the movie Avatar has taken its first baby steps. The robot standing in a room on the outskirts of Seoul, South Korea stands four meters (13 feet) tall and weighs 1.5 … [Link]

Mashable » Police issue warrant for Amazon Echo data to help crack murder case

Wednesday 28 December 0:48:06 UTC 2016

“Alexa, please help us solve this crime." That's a phrase we could be hearing more of in the future, as authorities have recently requested the data from one of Amazon's trusty gadgets, the Amazon Echo, in the hope that it will aid in uncovering additional details about a murder trial. SEE ALSO: 10 things you should do now that you've welcomed … [Link]

Mashable » 'Star Wars' actress Carrie Fisher has died at 60

Wednesday 28 December 0:25:52 UTC 2016

Carrie Fisher, the Star Wars actress who made Princess Leia among the most beloved movie heroines of all time, has died at age 60. Read more…More about Mashable Video, The Force Awakens, Harrison Ford, Han Solo, and Princess Leia [Link]

Slashdot » Uber Launches 'Uber Freight' Website To Prepare the World For Autonomous Delivery Trucks

Wednesday 28 December 0:20:00 UTC 2016

Uber has launched a website for a service called Uber Freight. While there are little details about the company's expansion from ride-hailing, Uber Freight is meant to prepare the world for autonomous delivery trucks, according to Inverse. From the report: Uber acquired a startup called Otto, which planned to bring the first self-driving trucks to market, in August. Since then … [Link]

Popular Science » Remembering Carrie Fisher, queen (or princess?) of the Star Wars franchise

Wednesday 28 December 0:04:51 UTC 2016

Science She fought mental illness stigma, championed feminism, and made science cool An inspiration to millions of young sci-fi geeks has passed away… [Link]

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