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.

Popular Science » The Pentagon's new drone swarm heralds a future of autonomous war machines

Tuesday 10 January 23:57:36 UTC 2017

Military Buzzkill. The Pentagon tested an autonomous drone swarm in October. [Link]

Mashable » Check out these awesome clouds, ruined by conspiracy theorists

Tuesday 10 January 23:36:54 UTC 2017

Sometimes, you really can't win on social media. On Sunday, the airline Virgin Australia posted some photos of a stunning cloud formation on its Facebook page. Captured on a recent flight from Perth to Adelaide, the pictures are of wave clouds, which are caused when air encounters an obstruction like a mountain and is forced over the object. SEE ALSO: Dude's … [Link]

Slashdot » LinkedIn's and eBay's Founders Are Donating $20 Million To Protect Us From AI

Tuesday 10 January 23:25:00 UTC 2017

Reid Hoffman, the founder of LinkedIn, and Pierre Omidyar, the founder of eBay, have each committed $10 million to fund academic research and development aimed at keeping artificial intelligence systems ethical and to prevent building AI that may harm society. Recode reports: The fund received an additional $5 million from the Knight Foundation and two other $1 million donations from … [Link]

Mashable » Donald Trump's long history of troubling statements about vaccines and autism

Tuesday 10 January 23:17:56 UTC 2017

The world discovered on Tuesday that Donald Trump was exploring the idea of a new commission on vaccine safety, and that the president-elect met to discuss the issue with one Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy is, worryingly, a man well-known for believing vaccines cause autism — even though scientists have constantly debunked the claim. SEE ALSO: Trump asked a prominent anti-vaxxer … [Link]

Slashdot » AT&T Imposes Another $5 Rate Hike On Grandfathered Unlimited Data Plans

Tuesday 10 January 22:45:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: ATT is raising the price of its grandfathered unlimited data plans by $5 a month, the second such increase in the past year. The price increase affects longtime mobile customers who have held onto unlimited data plans for years after ATT stopped selling them to new subscribers. The latest price increase … [Link]

Mashable » The Killers ask Panda Express for free food after spotting their lyrics on a fortune cookie

Tuesday 10 January 22:44:20 UTC 2017

“And someone is calling my name / From the back of the Panda Express." Alternative rock band and The OC soundtrack extraordinaires The Killers have called out popular restaurant chain Panda Express on Twitter for seemingly using their lyrics in a fortune cookie. SEE ALSO: Wendy's Twitter account still has (fresh, never frozen) beef with the world While far from the … [Link]

Mashable » It's time to accept reality Android users. The headphone jack's going away.

Tuesday 10 January 22:42:50 UTC 2017

If you haven't gotten over Apple removing the headphone jack from the iPhone 7, then make it your New Year's resolution to do so because Android phones are almost certainly going to follow suit and gut the port. Word on the street is HTC's next flagship phone, expected to be unveiled on Thursday, will be the latest phone to kill the … [Link]

Mashable » Miami Heat invest in rising esports team

Tuesday 10 January 22:34:18 UTC 2017

The Miami Heat announced partnered with esports organization Misfits today, joining the growing list of traditional sports teams and individuals testing the esports waters with investments and acquisitions. With the Heat's new (undisclosed) stake in Misfits, the NBA franchise will help the esports organization with marketing, branding, retail, driving revenue and outfitting its players. Misfits, which has teams and players in … [Link]

Mashable » Mark Zuckerberg made a Facebook employee 3D-print a mini version of his dog

Tuesday 10 January 22:33:21 UTC 2017

If Mark Zuckerberg's dog could grasp the concepts of marketing and technology, he'd probably object to his starring role in Facebook's latest video. But alas, Beast is just a cute Silicon Valley dog, and so here we are. To celebrate Beast's 6th birthday — HBD, li'l guy — Facebook made an Oculus employee 3D-print a miniature version of the unofficial company … [Link]

Mashable » These sports VIPs are throwing millions at pro gaming teams

Tuesday 10 January 22:28:26 UTC 2017

Whether it's Hall of Fame athletes, team owners or entire franchises, the sports world has been investing big bucks to scoop up the world's best pro gamers. Check out our recap of the high-profile sports figures who bought their very own esports teams. Read more…More about Mashable Video, Overwatch, Counter Strike, League Of Legends, and Gaming [Link]

Mashable » This headband could control your dreams

Tuesday 10 January 22:12:12 UTC 2017

The iBand+ measures electrical brain activity as you sleep and adds audiovisual stimuli to help induce lucid dreaming. Read more…More about Sleeping, Lucid Dreaming, Lucid Dreams, Real Time Video, and Real Time [Link]

Mashable » Requests for IUDs are up 900% at Planned Parenthood

Tuesday 10 January 22:09:09 UTC 2017

Paul Ryan has warned Americans that he plans to defund Planned Parenthood, and women everywhere are listening. Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards appeared on CNN Monday to discuss the upcoming GOP onslaught on reproductive rights. According to Richards, the organization has seen a "900 percent increase in women trying to get into Planned Parenthood to get an IUD.” SEE ALSO: Why … [Link]

Mashable » LG G6 rumored to have an unusual, QHD+ screen

Tuesday 10 January 22:07:34 UTC 2017

After the not-very-successful, modular G5, LG is changing its strategy. The company's new flagship, the LG G6, will not be modular at all; according to new reports, it will feature a new, waterproof design with a large screen and very small bezels.  Chinese outlet Etnews claims the phone will be unveiled on Feb. 26 — one day before the official start … [Link]

Mashable » Feast your eyes on this 1,000 pound butter sculpture

Tuesday 10 January 22:06:17 UTC 2017

A massive butter carving debuted at the Pennsylvania Farm Show to highlight the history of environmental stewardship by dairy farmers. Read more…More about Real Time Video, Real Time, Dairy Production, Dairy, and Farming [Link]

Slashdot » Pentagon Successfully Tests Micro-Drone Swarm

Tuesday 10 January 22:05:00 UTC 2017

schwit1 quotes a report from Phys.Org: The Pentagon may soon be unleashing a 21st-century version of locusts on its adversaries after officials on Monday said it had successfully tested a swarm of 103 micro-drones. The important step in the development of new autonomous weapon systems was made possible by improvements in artificial intelligence, holding open the possibility that groups of … [Link]

Mashable » Majority of Americans want Trump to delete his Twitter account, poll finds

Tuesday 10 January 22:04:54 UTC 2017

Twitter binges are Donald Trump's lifeline — often the thing that gives him comfort after someone says something remotely critical about him. But apparently most Americans are not fans of the late night and early morning ramblings, according to a recent poll by Quinnipiac University. In fact, 64 percent of voters polled said the soon-to-be U.S. president should just delete his … [Link]

Mashable » Watch this 17 year old perform jaw-dropping soccer tricks

Tuesday 10 January 22:04:09 UTC 2017

Here’s another new years resolution to add to your list: ball like Lisa Zimouche.  The 17 year old has posted hundreds of impressive Instagram videos of the coolest tricks with a soccer ball, and in one of her latest, the freestyler shows off her slick moves in London.  SEE ALSO: Soccer-playing Santa has some serious game Back at home! London was … [Link]

Mashable » Let us now remember 11 of Michelle Obama's coolest moments

Tuesday 10 January 21:36:03 UTC 2017

After eight years of Barack and Michelle Obama serving as America’s warm, hip and understanding parents, the moment has finally arrived — the Trump takeover. While there's no doubt we'll miss President Obama forgetting his phone, telling dad jokes and passionately singing at every chance he gets, this inauguration day will require an extra box of tissues because we also have to say … [Link]

Mashable » Trump explores vaccine commission with prominent anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Tuesday 10 January 21:27:07 UTC 2017

UPDATE: Jan. 10, 2017, 5:59 p.m. EST The Trump transition team walked back Robert F. Kennedy's assertion that a vaccine commission is being formed, instead stating he is "exploring the possibility of forming a committee on Autism." Trump pushes back on RFK statement pic.twitter.com/FTpzGUn9d6 — Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) January 10, 2017   President-elect Donald J. Trump has asked   anti-vaccine activist Robert … [Link]

Slashdot » Apple Patent Paves Way For iPhone With Full-Face Display, HUD Windows

Tuesday 10 January 21:25:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Apple Insider: Apple on Tuesday was granted a patent detailing technology that allows for ear speakers, cameras and even a heads-up display to hide behind an edge-to-edge screen, a design rumored to debut in a next-generation iPhone later this year. Awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple's U.S. Patent No. 9,543,364 … [Link]

Mashable » I wrote Obama's farewell address for him and here is the text

Tuesday 10 January 21:23:44 UTC 2017

President Obama will make a farewell address from his hometown of Chicago on Jan. 10. With Obama's final day in office just 10 days away, many expect his goodbye speech to forgo mentions of past victories and instead focus on the future — life under a President Trump. SEE ALSO: Fill out this job application form to be considered for Trump's … [Link]

Mashable » Kind mailman builds ramp for neighborhood senior dog

Tuesday 10 January 21:20:19 UTC 2017

Are mailmen and dogs even enemies anymore? That is certainly not the case for Boulder, Colorado letter carrier Jeff Kramer and his friend Tashi, an elderly black lab. Kramer, who says hi to Tashi every day on his route, recently installed a ramp that helps the 14-year-old pup get from his house to his front yard.  SEE ALSO: Mailman and big … [Link]

Mashable » Mark Zuckerberg just nabbed Uber's head of policy for his charity work

Tuesday 10 January 21:11:46 UTC 2017

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is getting serious about philanthropy.  The philanthropic endeavor of Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, just recruited David Plouffe, Uber's head of policy and an Obama alum.  The longtime political operative will serve as president of policy and advocacy for the initiative, he announced on Facebook.  "I am thrilled to be joining Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla … [Link]

Mashable » A powerful group of women will run from NYC to the Women's March on Washington

Tuesday 10 January 21:10:07 UTC 2017

The Women's March on Washington is fast-approaching, and if you don't already have travel plans booked to D.C. you might consider running there. Alison Desir is a running coach, the founder of Harlem Run, and a contributor to Women’s Running magazine. After she reflected on the negative implications Donald Trump's political administration could have for women, members of the LQBTQ community … [Link]

Mashable » Artist father designs awesome lunch bags to help son make friends

Tuesday 10 January 21:08:56 UTC 2017

We’ve got a very early contender for father of the year. Imgur user DomZombie shared an incredible post showing readers the custom lunch bags he creates for his son every day to help him break out of his shell in elementary school. "For the past 3 years or so, I've been drawing on my son's lunch bags when he took lunches … [Link]

Mashable » Wildly confident couple invites President Obama into their wedding party

Tuesday 10 January 21:06:32 UTC 2017

Let this be a lesson in confidence: a couple was brave enough to invite President Barack Obama into their wedding party, with no fear that he'd steal their thunder. On Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida, one of the president's personal aides and close friend Marvin Nicholson married Helen Pajcic and bravely had the Commander-in-chief stand behind him as one of his groomsmen. … [Link]

Mashable » Ronda Rousey breaks post-loss silence by quoting JK Rowling

Tuesday 10 January 21:05:04 UTC 2017

Ronda Rousey got beat the heck down in her first fight in more than a year some 10 days ago. That makes two straight losses for the UFC sensation who boasted an undefeated record and seemed unbeatable as recently as 2015.  What will the superstar who's branched into movies, book-writing and other trappings of celebrity do next? We don't know, because … [Link]

Mashable » 'Pokémon Go' banned in China over public safety concerns

Tuesday 10 January 20:52:41 UTC 2017

The world's most populous country will not be getting Pokémon Go.  Apparently, China thinks the game is just too dangerous to allow due to public safety concerns, according to Reuters. SEE ALSO: 'Pokémon Go' will serve up free goodies on Christmas Day China's State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television cites "a high level of responsibility to national security … [Link]

Slashdot » Apple Said To Be Working on AR Glasses With Carl Zeiss

Tuesday 10 January 20:45:00 UTC 2017

Apple seems behind Microsoft, Google, and Facebook on the nascent augmented reality space, but that could change soon. From a report on CNET: The tech titan is working with the German optics manufacturer Carl Zeiss on a pair of lightweight AR/mixed reality glasses, according to tech evangelist Robert Scoble. The project, which could be announced as early as this year, … [Link]

Mashable » Someone designed a mini recycling plant for your home

Tuesday 10 January 20:35:32 UTC 2017

‘Precious Plastic' wants everyone to build a mini recycling plant in their home and turn their waste into useful designs.  The machine is designed using simple materials and tools. Read more…More about Waste, Design, Mini, Diy, and Recycling Plant [Link]

Mashable » American Apparel turns Canadian after sale to activewear brand

Tuesday 10 January 20:34:53 UTC 2017

American Apparel is about to become a bit less American. Canadian clothing maker Gildan Activewear said Tuesday that it would buy the rights to the beleaguered California-based company's brand after placing the winning bid in a bankruptcy auction. The final buying price was $88 million. SEE ALSO: American Eagle is on the verge of a makeover, college bro-style The sale includes … [Link]

Mashable » LinkedIn ranks the 20 highest paying jobs

Tuesday 10 January 20:14:38 UTC 2017

Want to make money? Become a doctor.  LinkedIn on Tuesday released its list of the 20 highest paying jobs in the United States, as measured by salary data collected on the jobs network.  The top 9? They all fell under medicine and healthcare. The highest placing tech job lands at No. 11.  "These jobs point to growing industries in the broader … [Link]

Mashable » Casey Affleck didn't mention Ben in his Golden Globes speech and Ben took it personally

Tuesday 10 January 20:13:43 UTC 2017

Brotherly love is a fickle thing. After winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a drama, Casey Affleck's speech was heart warming as he thanked many people for his success with one notable exception: his older brother Ben. Well, as it is an older siblings' job to humiliate their siblings, the older Affleck did not let the snub … [Link]

Popular Science » This super-cheap paper centrifuge can spin 125,000 times per minute

Tuesday 10 January 20:06:08 UTC 2017

Health The hand-powered device could help detect malaria A paper centrifuge powered only by human hands could perform super-cheap blood tests. [Link]

Slashdot » Volkswagen Closes In on $4.3 Billion US Settlement in Diesel Scandal

Tuesday 10 January 20:05:00 UTC 2017

Volkswagen said it's closing in on a deal with U.S. authorities on a $4.3 billion settlement to resolve civil and criminal allegations stemming from its emissions-cheating scandal. From a report on Bloomberg: The agreement, which has yet to be finalized, would lead to a financial expense that exceeds current provisions, the German automaker said. It also includes a guilty plea … [Link]

Mashable » Samsung might have just confirmed Bixby, the next ridiculously-named AI assistant

Tuesday 10 January 20:03:14 UTC 2017

We’ve gotten used to calling on Siri, Cortana and Google to answer questions, give directions and tell really bad jokes — and it looks like yet another oddly-named digital assistant is about to join the roster. According to a screenshot of the Korean version of Samsung Pay's beta page captured by SamMobile Monday, Samsung's upcoming AI program will be named Bixby. … [Link]

Mashable » Rooster Teeth's new comedy show will stuff your brain with 'useless knowledge'

Tuesday 10 January 20:01:46 UTC 2017

Rooster Teeth's new half-hour comedy roundtable series is headed to go90, Mashable has exclusively learned. What Do You Know?, hosted by Rooster Teeth co-founder and personality Joel Heyman, will debut on the Verizon mobile app on Jan. 30. Each episode will feature Heyman and a panel of guests — including Rooster Teeth personalities, comedians and various experts — who will weigh … [Link]

Mashable » I tried Hannibal Lecter's liver and fava beans and it wasn't that bad?

Tuesday 10 January 20:00:00 UTC 2017

Francesca tries to recreate the iconic, but unseen liver and fava beans dish from Silence of the Lambs. Read more…More about Movies, Cannibal, Chianti, Wine, and Fava Beans [Link]

Popular Science » Could you walk to the moon in a lifetime?

Tuesday 10 January 19:54:16 UTC 2017

Space An amazing video shows you how, and David Bowie is there (for some amazing reason) Amazing 360-video from NPR's Skunk Bear walks us to the moon with David Bowie… [Link]

Mashable » No, Apple won't make its own Google Glass

Tuesday 10 January 19:46:02 UTC 2017

Apple will do something with Augmented Reality. That’s not rumor or innuendo. Apple CEO Tim Cook repeatedly expressed his strong interest in the technology over the more isolating virtual reality over the last 12 months. Apple  acquired an AR company over a year ago. And 2017 promises to be a very big year for the iPhone. Why wouldn’t Apple bring its … [Link]

Mashable » Pro tip: Don't fly a drone into your wife's hair

Tuesday 10 January 19:42:02 UTC 2017

Getting your hair caught in anything can hurt, but getting your hair caught in the moving propellers of a drone must be the worst.  Sheena, the woman in this video, told Mashable that the drone ended up in her hair after her husband, Matthew, decided to land it on her back. Next thing she knew, the drone flew up, got … [Link]

Mashable » Aziz Ansari will host the first 'SNL' episode in Trump's America

Tuesday 10 January 19:38:28 UTC 2017

Aziz Ansari will host Saturday Night Live on Jan. 21, the program announced Tuesday. The actor — best known for his work on Parks and Recreation and Netflix's Master of None — is also an accomplished stand up.  SEE ALSO: The 10 best 'Saturday Night Live' sketches of 2016 It wasn't immediately clear what project Ansari will be promoting; a Season … [Link]

Mashable » This Chrome extension makes your Facebook addiction productive

Tuesday 10 January 19:31:15 UTC 2017

Anyone with a Facebook account is familiar with the blackhole that the News Feed can become. What starts as a quick catchup with your friends and family's updates can quickly descend into hours of time wasted scrolling past viral links and photos. SEE ALSO: Binge-watching is going to make your carbon footprint soar But while News Feed is considered something of … [Link]

Mashable » If a regular burger just won't do, have one with Hello Kitty's face on it

Tuesday 10 January 19:24:05 UTC 2017

Another year, another novelty burger.  Starting Jan. 14 at The Guest Café & Diner in Osaka, Japan, eaters will have the chance to dine on a burger stamped with Hello Kitty's adorable cartoon visage, Rocket News 24 reports.  SEE ALSO: This digestive tracker can help you control your farts The speciality burger is just one of many Hello Kitty-themed dishes on … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » What Kairos Learned Building an API Startup

Tuesday 10 January 19:20:01 UTC 2017

The growth of the API economy has lowered the barrier of entry for many companies. While more businesses are afforded the opportunity to enter the market, building a company around an API still presents a number of potential pitfalls. [Link]

Slashdot » Author of Swift Language Chris Lattner is Leaving Apple; We're Interviewing Him (Ask a Question!)

Tuesday 10 January 19:20:00 UTC 2017

Software developer Chris Lattner, who is the main author of LLVM as well as Apple's Swift programming language, is leaving Apple, he said today. From a post: When we made Swift open source and launched Swift.org we put a lot of effort into defining a strong community structure. This structure has enabled Apple and the amazingly vibrant Swift community to … [Link]

Mashable » Rick and his group will be 'tested' like never before on 'The Walking Dead'

Tuesday 10 January 19:06:58 UTC 2017

We still have a little over a month of waiting until The Walking Dead returns for the second half of Season 7. But AMC has taken pity on us and released an intriguing new synopsis for the next batch of episodes in which Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and his group prepare to take the fight to Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and his … [Link]

Popular Science » New research might explain why you get so hungry when you're drunk

Tuesday 10 January 19:00:25 UTC 2017

Animals Scientists gave some mice the drunchies Why do I binge eat when I binge drink? New research might explain the connection between alcohol and hunger, thanks to mouse brains… [Link]

Mashable » Introducing the Dystopia Project: Tales to help you through the Dark Times

Tuesday 10 January 18:58:17 UTC 2017

Less than two weeks before Donald Trump's inauguration, many of us are still having a hard time understanding the story of what just happened to America. It is, after all, a supremely improbable tale.  A reality-TV personality with no political experience and a string of bankruptcies on his resume built, in the space of a year, a racist cult represented by … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Google to Shutter Hangouts API as It Refocuses on the Enterprise

Tuesday 10 January 18:48:04 UTC 2017

Google revealed to developers that it intends to shut down the Google Hangouts API on April 25th. The change means developers will not be able to create new apps using the API, and any existing apps that rely on the API will effectively be left for dead on their feet. [Link]

Mashable » Speedrunner discovers a new glitch in 28-year-old NES game

Tuesday 10 January 18:47:33 UTC 2017

Speedrunner Skavenger216 stumbled on a brand new glitch in Blaster Master on Monday that let him skip a boss level entirely, but it still wasn't enough to finish first in a 1v1 race. Instead of encountering Crabullus, the boss of the game's second area that you can see on ShiningDragoon's screen at the beginning of the video, Skavenger walked into the … [Link]

Mashable » Germany is worried fake news could sway its upcoming election

Tuesday 10 January 18:40:46 UTC 2017

As the United States examines the role false news stories and alleged Russian hacking might have played in deciding the outcome of its election, Germany is hoping to avoid a similar situation. German officials said Monday that the government is launching an investigation into the spread of fake news online as intelligence reports warn of a possible Russian plot to sway … [Link]

Slashdot » LG's Upcoming Smartphone G6 Will Have 5.7-inch QHD+ Display Featuring 18:9 Aspect Ratio

Tuesday 10 January 18:40:00 UTC 2017

Song Su-hyun, reporting for The Korea Herald: LG Electronics' upcoming flagship smartphone will have a 5.7-inch Quad HD liquid crystal display panel with a ratio of 18:9, LG Display said on Tuesday. LG Electronics confirmed it will be the G6 smartphone slated for launch next month. The new display panel, dubbed "QHD+," will be the world's first 18:9 QHD LCD, … [Link]

Mashable » Mesmerizing ice circle will sooth your soul

Tuesday 10 January 18:37:57 UTC 2017

Forget scented candles and hot tea, all we need to do to relax is watch this perfect circle of ice slowly spin atop the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River near North Bend, Washington. On Jan. 7, the rare and stunning sight — a result of water flowing around and spinning a sheet of ice against surrounding ice — was captured in … [Link]

Mashable » Mark your 2022 calendars to watch a star explosion

Tuesday 10 January 18:25:40 UTC 2017

In five years, people looking up at the night sky might see something very special.  If one prediction is correct, in 2022 (give or take a year), two stars merging and exploding 1,800 light-years from Earth will become an incredibly bright light in the constellation Cygnus, rivaling the brightness of some of the most luminous stars in the sky.  SEE ALSO: … [Link]

Mashable » BMW's futuristic new concept car interior uses holograms

Tuesday 10 January 18:17:59 UTC 2017

Functional holograms, TV screens, personal speakers and a living room in your back seat. The future of driving may be more advanced than expected.  Read more…More about Standalone Featured, Concept, Future, Future Tech, and Technology [Link]

Mashable » Twins Emily and Haley Ferguson get their own 'Bachelor' spin-off on Freeform

Tuesday 10 January 18:12:56 UTC 2017

Freeform is bringing another Bachelor spin-off to its network. The network, formerly known as ABC Family, announced Tuesday at the Television Critics Association that Bachelor Season 20 alums Emily and Haley Ferguson will helm their own series. Titled The Twins: Happily Ever After?, the show will follow the sisters — who competed against one another for Ben Higgins' love —  in … [Link]

Popular Science » #DoesItFart is the burning science question you never knew you had

Tuesday 10 January 18:02:43 UTC 2017

Animals And Twitter is here to answer it A gassier, more informative version of “does it blend?”… [Link]

Slashdot » Consumer Reports Updates Its MacBook Pro Review

Tuesday 10 January 18:00:00 UTC 2017

Reader TheFakeTimCook writes: Last month, the new MacBook Pro failed to receive a purchase recommendation from Consumer Reports due to battery life issues that it encountered during testing. Apple subsequently said it was working with Consumer Reports to understand the results, which it said do not match its "extensive lab tests or field data." According to an article from Consumer … [Link]

Mashable » 'Monopoly' fans are voting to change the game's iconic tokens

Tuesday 10 January 17:56:49 UTC 2017

The apocalypse has arrived for Monopoly tokens. Hasbro's public voting is officially open for Monopoly Token Madness. The votes will determine the classic board game's new lineup of player figurines, with winners to be announced on March 19, also known as World Monopoly Day. SEE ALSO: CES 2017: Winners and losers The lineup of tokens has shifted multiple times since Monopoly … [Link]

Mashable » Apple says a bug messed up Consumer Reports' MacBook Pro battery tests

Tuesday 10 January 17:53:13 UTC 2017

Consumer Reports sparked controversy late last month when it put out a report saying it couldn't recommend Apple's new MacBook Pros on account of inconsistent battery life. Naturally, Apple sprang into defense mode with Phil Schiller, the company's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, taking issue with the non-profit organization's testing methods. Schiller said Apple would work with Consumer Reports to … [Link]

Mashable » Everyone on 'Scandal' swears Season 6 is not about Trump

Tuesday 10 January 17:52:12 UTC 2017

The last time we saw Mellie Grant on Scandal, she was waiting to hear whether she would be the next president of the United States. But the storyline of the fictional First Lady — played by Bellamy Young — is not driven by real life, creator and EP Shonda Rhimes said at ABC's Television Critics Association presentation Tuesday. "I don’t think … [Link]

Mashable » After her viral moment, Lauren Duca is dealing with the worst of the internet

Tuesday 10 January 17:38:26 UTC 2017

The internet is a brutal place for female journalists. It is especially bad for women who find themselves the target of a particularly aggressive brand of harassment for which there seem to be no lines left to cross. Right now, few people on the internet — if any — are enduring abuse on the same level as Lauren Duca. And nobody … [Link]

Mashable » Julian Assange ducks the tough questions in video Reddit AMA

Tuesday 10 January 17:33:23 UTC 2017

Julian Assange talked for a long time in a video Reddit AMA on Tuesday, but he didn't have too much to say on the big questions.  WikiLeaks' proposed database of everyone verified on Twitter? A "false story."  Criticism from the press or politicians? "Ad-hominem attacks."  And Russia? On the receiving end of "critical" WikiLeaks' document dumps, just like the United States.  … [Link]

Mashable » Well, this fake trailer for 'Hidden Fences' was inevitable

Tuesday 10 January 17:25:55 UTC 2017

After not one, but two people accidentally conflated Hidden Figures and Fences at Sunday's Golden Globes, relentless jokes were inevitable. The latest: the Late Show's fake trailer for the nonexistent movie, featuring a literal fence that flies into space. Get it right next time, Michael Keaton, and we won't have to do this again. Stephen Colbert demands a 'Million Meryl March' … [Link]

Slashdot » Wikimedia Foundation Nabs $3 Million Grant To Improve Accessibility of Free Commons' Content

Tuesday 10 January 17:20:00 UTC 2017

As with other Wikimedia Foundation projects, Wikimedia Commons (a repository of free-to-use media assets, including photos, audio clips, and videos) is funded through donations, and the organization has now received $3 million grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, a philanthropic body set up in 1934 by the former president and CEO of General Motors. From a report on VentureBeat: … [Link]

Mashable » Amy Schumer to make Netflix debut with new comedy special

Tuesday 10 January 17:19:24 UTC 2017

Welcome to Netflix, Amy Schumer. The award-winning standup comedian, sketch writer and movie star will debut her latest comedy special on Netflix March 7. SEE ALSO: Netflix announces not one, but three new Dave Chappelle specials “As a comedian, actress, writer, director, producer and best-selling author, Amy Schumer is a boundless threat and a one-of-a-kind talent. We couldn’t be more excited … [Link]

Mashable » There's a good reason why this well-dressed sheep is riding around in a car

Tuesday 10 January 17:17:31 UTC 2017

LONDON — It's not every day you spot a well-dressed sheep casually cruising around London in the back of a car. SEE ALSO: Can you find the sheep hiding amongst these Santas? For journalist Tara Conlan, though, Sunday was clearly not a typical day. Not exactly what ewe'd expect to see in the back of a Volvo in a traffic jam … [Link]

Mashable » Fitbit just gobbled up another smartwatch company

Tuesday 10 January 17:09:57 UTC 2017

Fitbit is starting off the new year just like it ended the old one: buying out its competition. The fitness tracking giant just made a deal that will add another company's portfolio to its growing stable of smartwatch assets.   Vector Watch, the Romanian smartwatch maker known for slick-looking devices with month-long battery lives, on Tuesday announced its purchase by Fitbit … [Link]

Popular Science » Certain kinds of vaginal bacteria can actually boost HIV risk

Tuesday 10 January 17:09:42 UTC 2017

Health The balance of microbes can change your susceptibility Certain bacteria that dwell in the vagina can make a woman more vulnerable to HIV. [Link]

Mashable » There's no way to make liver taste good, even if you're a cannibal

Tuesday 10 January 17:05:00 UTC 2017

Don't deny that you're curious about how the infamous "liver and fava beans" from Silence of the Lambs tastes … We recreate the dish and see if it's actually good. Hey. Hey, you. Yes, YOU! If you like what you see, please make sure to subscribe to our channel for more videos like this.  Cat loses its mind when owner tries … [Link]

Mashable » Cat loses its mind when owner tries to bring a cat statue in the house

Tuesday 10 January 17:03:41 UTC 2017

Home decoration has never looked so much like betrayal.  After purchasing a porcelain cat statue (as one does), cat owner David Dominguez tried introducing it into his home, where another, live cat lived.  Unfortunately, the new décor unleashed a monster in his own feline who decidedly was not a fan of the addition. We hope the living and the porcelain … [Link]

Mashable » Humans will drive polar bears to extinction without climate action, feds say

Tuesday 10 January 16:57:58 UTC 2017

Polar bears will disappear from the Arctic if the U.S. and other nations don't drastically reduce their greenhouse gas emissions soon, U.S. wildlife officials warned this week. The bears' sea-ice habitat is steadily shrinking due to human-driven global warming. That makes curbing emissions the "single most important action" to protect the species, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) said in a … [Link]

Mashable » iPhone 8 might ditch the aluminum body for a stainless steel frame

Tuesday 10 January 16:53:16 UTC 2017

With 10 years of iPhone iterations under its belt, there's immense pressure for Apple to deliver an iPhone 8 with a new design and revolutionary features that'll truly blow people away. One persistent rumor that we keep hearing about is a redesign. The latest supply chain checks from DigiTimes suggest Apple might "adopt a stainless steel forging process" for the iPhone … [Link]

Mashable » 640 companies to Trump: Stay the course on clean energy

Tuesday 10 January 16:52:19 UTC 2017

A total of 640 businesses and investors sent a letter to President-elect Trump and Congress on Tuesday, strongly urging continued investment in the clean energy sector. The letter, coordinated by the nonprofit group Ceres, which works with investors and companies to promote sustainability, contains big tech names like Adobe, SalesForce, eBay, HP, SolarCity, Symantec and Tesla. In addition, the list includes … [Link]

Mashable » The Walking Dead guide to startup survival

Tuesday 10 January 16:47:08 UTC 2017

[Editor’s note: Spoilers for The Walking dead throughout.] It’s bleak and we both know it — the kind of soul-crushing downer that goes way beyond “horror” and into something more existential and emotionally haunting.   The twists are exciting, sure, but it’s not so much the unexpected that scares us; it’s the stuff we saw coming… or (in retrospect) the stuff … [Link]

Mashable » May's Life Model Decoy will wreak havoc on 'Agents of SHIELD'

Tuesday 10 January 16:45:22 UTC 2017

Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD returns from its winter break on Jan. 10, and after a fiery batch of fall episodes courtesy of Ghost Rider (Gabriel Luna), the next story arc is taking an altogether more chilling turn. Starting with episode 409, the focus shifts to Life Model Decoys — lifelike androids that are designed to be indistinguishable from humans, like Aida … [Link]

Mashable » Cat named Pretty Boy is a caring midwife for a lucky, pregnant goat

Tuesday 10 January 16:44:29 UTC 2017

A cat named Pretty Boy has taken a special liking to a pregnant goat named Copper in West Virginia.  According to the cat rescue group Operation Fancy Free, Pretty Boy has been acting as a midwife and masseur for the expecting goat. Although there are plenty of other pregnant goats at the farm, the cat is only giving attention to Copper. … [Link]

Slashdot » Fitbit Buys Vector, Romanian Startup's Existing Smartwatches Won't Receive Software Updates Anymore

Tuesday 10 January 16:40:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader shares an Engadget report: One of the more surprising smartwatches of 2015 was from Vector, a Romanian startup led by former Citizen executives. Its 30-day battery life, Pebble-esque UI and classic watch design made it a great device for someone seeking a less ostentatiously geeky wearable. Now, the company has revealed that Fitbit has purchased it and … [Link]

Mashable » 'The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah calls Meryl Streep's speech 'tone-deaf'

Tuesday 10 January 16:38:54 UTC 2017

Social media and celebrities alike had a lot to say about the way Meryl Streep took Donald Trump to task at the Golden Globes.  But one of the most surprising reactions came from The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah, who called Streep's speech "tone-deaf" last night.  SEE ALSO: Meryl Streep’s Golden Globes speech divides nation "I understand what Meryl Streep was trying … [Link]

Mashable » Finally, an easy way to catch your lying ISP right from your desktop

Tuesday 10 January 16:31:21 UTC 2017

It is now easier than ever to make sure your internet service provider isn't ripping you off. Ookla, the company behind Speedtest.net, launched new Speedtest desktop apps for Windows 10 and macOS Monday. Using the new apps, users can test internet speeds directly from their menu bars without having to open a browser. These lightweight apps have a speedometer logo in … [Link]

Mashable » There's an important reason for these strange patterns on British roads

Tuesday 10 January 16:26:34 UTC 2017

If you've ever wandered around the streets of Britain, chances are you've crossed one of the yellow, bobbly patterned stretches of paving shown in the clip above. But have you ever wondered what they're actually for? SEE ALSO: Here's why this random teapot keeps appearing in films and TV For his latest video, YouTuber Tom Scott interviews Richard Holmes from … [Link]

Mashable » 1.5 million gaming profiles leaked after site refuses hacker's $100,000 ransom

Tuesday 10 January 16:24:39 UTC 2017

A hacker threatened to release user data from an esports community site unless they paid $100,000, but the league behind the site decided it doesn't negotiate with hackers. It took 12 days after the initial threat on Dec. 27 came in, but the hacker finally leaked more than 1.5 million users' records from the competitive gaming community, ESEA. (ESEA also works … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Wild monkey filmed mounting deer and trying to have sex with it

Tuesday 10 January 16:18:12 UTC 2017

The unusual inter-species sex may be down to a lack of females pushing Japanese macaques to search for pleasure elsewhere – on the backs of furry Sika deer [Link]

Mashable » How Snapchat will change the music industry in 2017

Tuesday 10 January 16:16:52 UTC 2017

It started with a Twitter video, announcing: New music coming Friday. Then, an Instagram video—revealing a beat, and some lyrics.  But when globally famous pop star Ed Sheeran wanted his fans to experience the first true listen of his new music, he turned to Snapchat. With an augmented reality lens, people could put on a pair of sunglasses, surround themselves in … [Link]

Mashable » Oreo Cadbury eggs make your candy stash seem so weak

Tuesday 10 January 16:15:31 UTC 2017

Oh, Canada. You weren't satisfied with Ryan Reynolds and natural beauty. You had to go and steal the candy thunder, too.  Sugar-crazed Canadians are able to procure Oreo-filled Cadbury eggs, reports Refinery29. Though the candy has been available since last year, but it's really hitting social media in a big, delicious way in 2017. A photo posted by JunkBanter.com 🍫🍺💪&#127996~ (@junkbanter) … [Link]

Mashable » Can we please stop branding compassion as 'liberal elitism?'

Tuesday 10 January 16:02:56 UTC 2017

Meryl Streep's speech at the Golden Globes on Sunday was an arresting, heartbreaking testimony and a historic call-to-arms — for some.  On stage, Streep mourned the most "stunning" performance of the year, when Trump imitated and mocked a reporter with disabilities. She then used that violent memory to enjoin Hollywood to tell more empathetic stories and protect the storytellers who produce … [Link]

Mashable » How a Holocaust survivor's graphic novel helped her work through the pain

Tuesday 10 January 16:00:01 UTC 2017

Miriam Katin was born in Hungary during World War II, and was 3 years old when her mother suddenly had to pack up their lives in a suitcase to evade Nazi persecution. As an adult, Katin found work as a animation background designer in Israel, and for Disney and MTV when she moved to the U.S. SEE ALSO: An evocative sketchbook … [Link]

Slashdot » 'Tooth Repair Drug' May Replace Fillings

Tuesday 10 January 16:00:00 UTC 2017

Teeth can be encouraged to repair themselves in a way that could see an end to fillings, according to scientists. From a report on BBC: The team at King's College London showed that a chemical could encourage cells in the dental pulp to heal small holes in mice teeth. A biodegradable sponge was soaked in the drug and then put … [Link]

Mashable » Watch this skier straight up trigger an avalanche

Tuesday 10 January 15:48:03 UTC 2017

One step in the wrong place set off an 18-inch gap in the snow on Mount St. Helens, Washington. Read more…More about Skiing, Trigger, Avalanche, Snow, and Washington [Link]

Mashable » Elon Musk is a big fan of the original 'Deus Ex' game

Tuesday 10 January 15:42:30 UTC 2017

I found this clip of Elon Musk geeking out about Deus Ex because Deus Ex designer Harvey Smith re-tweeted Deus Ex director Warren Spector's video share. Think they're psyched about their high-profile fan? Musk can hardly contain his enthusiasm for the classic action-RPG from Eidos Interactive when he's asked about his favorite video games. He also mentions Overwatch — not … [Link]

Mashable » Yet another uplifting 2016 'Word of the Year' has been announced

Tuesday 10 January 15:38:07 UTC 2017

Though it's officially 2017, the world is still trying to recover from the 🗑 🔥  that was 2016. While the year provided us with enough words to form a glossary, a few in particular were powerful enough to earn the "Word of the Year" title. Now, thanks to The American Dialect Society (ADS) — a group composed of academics, writers, students … [Link]

Slashdot » WhatsApp, Gmail Roped Into Tougher EU Privacy Proposal

Tuesday 10 January 15:20:00 UTC 2017

Online messaging and email services such as WhatsApp, iMessage and Gmail will face tough new rules on how they can track users under a proposal presented by the European Union executive on Tuesday. From a report: The web players will have to guarantee the confidentiality of their customers' conversations and ask for their consent before tracking them online to serve … [Link]

Mashable » 4 ways content as you know it could change in 2017

Tuesday 10 January 14:53:16 UTC 2017

The new year will continue to shake up how people consume content. Audiences are in control more than ever before, and advertisers and publishers are listening to their demands. We’ve talked before about the transformation of content and how publishers are striving to create relevant content that connects with audiences. Expect to see more of this type of storytelling as favorite … [Link]

Mashable » Neil Patrick Harris and James Corden face off in a grand Broadway tune battle

Tuesday 10 January 14:40:24 UTC 2017

Neil Patrick Harris can't stand it that James Corden is a TV star with a Tony award that can sing Broadway tunes so he took things into his own hands Monday night with an unexpected Broadway musical riff-off.  "Your silly jokes can wait, Corden," Harris said. "We have a score to settle and it's about Broadway."  With an a capella … [Link]

Slashdot » Scientists Predict Star Collision Visible To The Naked Eye In 2022

Tuesday 10 January 14:40:00 UTC 2017

Scientists predict that a pair of stars in the constellation Cygnus will collide in 2022, give or take a year, creating an explosion in the night sky so bright that it will be visible to the naked eye. From a report on NPR: If it happens, it would be the first time such an event was predicted by scientists. Calvin … [Link]

Slashdot » WeChat Beats Google in Releasing Apps That Don't Need Downloading or Installing

Tuesday 10 January 14:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader shares a Mashable report: Click on a link in China's top messaging app, WeChat, and you'll be taken to a rich app-like experience, but without needing to download or install anything. Tencent, WeChat's maker, on Monday released "mini programs." The new mini programs work within the messaging app, and the early crop at launch include a Prisma-like … [Link]

Mashable » Stephen Colbert demands a 'Million Meryl March' in response to Donald Trump

Tuesday 10 January 13:50:35 UTC 2017

Meryl Streep's acceptance speech at the Golden Globes has riled up a bunch of folks—everyone from Donald Trump to Stephen Colbert. During his opening Late Show monologue, Colbert roasted the president-elect's tweet response to the moving address Streep gave on Sunday night.  "Look Mr. Trump, you can refuse to release your taxes, you can call to ban an entire religion, … [Link]

Mashable » Smart umbrella always gives you a rain check

Tuesday 10 January 13:33:14 UTC 2017

‘Oombrella’ is a smart umbrella that has sensors on its handle that predicts and alerts you about the incoming weather so that you can grab it before you walk out the door. Read more…More about Mashable Video, Alerts, Smart Umbrella, Oombrella, and Sensory System [Link]

Mashable » Author has a simple solution for the problem with murder mysteries

Tuesday 10 January 13:28:38 UTC 2017

LONDON — Period detective stories can sometimes be frustrating because they're oh so predictable.  You invest time in your favourite amateur sleuth only to find them confront a suspect who readily admits everything without putting up a fight.    This all too familiar problem has been summed up brilliantly by one Twitter user.  Author Alexis Hall tweeted some very useful advice … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Norway is first country to turn off FM radio and go digital-only

Tuesday 10 January 13:23:39 UTC 2017

From this week, Norway will start switching off its national FM network, forcing people to switch to digital audio broadcasting (DAB) or miss out [Link]

Mashable » The BBC is launching a live 'Sherlock' mystery for you to solve on Twitter

Tuesday 10 January 13:08:57 UTC 2017

LONDON — Ever found yourself wondering how effective you'd be at solving the type of complex mysteries Sherlock faces on a regular basis? Well, it's time to test those skills out for real. SEE ALSO: Turns out Benedict Cumberbatch has an IRL connection to Sherlock Holmes On Tuesday evening (8 p.m. GMT) the BBC are launching #SherlockLive — an interactive mystery … [Link]

Slashdot » Two Triple-Screen Laptops Were Stolen From Razer's CES Booth

Tuesday 10 January 13:00:00 UTC 2017

In a Facebook post, Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan said two of their prototype laptops shown off at CES 2017 were stolen. "We treat theft/larceny, and if relevant to this case, industrial espionage, very seriously — it is cheating, and cheating doesn't sit well with us," Tan wrote. "Penalties for such crimes are grievous and anyone who would do this clearly … [Link]

Mashable » Cop suggests strapping Wi-Fi jammers on teen cybercriminals

Tuesday 10 January 12:49:01 UTC 2017

A British top policeman has proposed a punishment for teenage hackers: force them to wear Wi-Fi jammers to block them from accessing the internet.  Chief Superintendent Gavin Thomas, president of the Police Superintendents' Association (PSA), suggested that Wi-Fi jammers around the wrists or ankles could be a better sentence for young offenders.  "We have got to stop using 19th century punishments … [Link]

Mashable » Binge-watching is going to make your carbon footprint soar

Tuesday 10 January 12:43:26 UTC 2017

Unless you've stayed faithful to your DVD collection, or avoided social media with Luddite gusto, you've likely noticed the soaring rise of digital video streaming. Companies from Netflix and Hulu to HBO and Amazon are serving up ever more top-notch programming to meet our binge-watching needs. YouTube, Facebook and Twitter are increasingly flooding our feeds with live-streamed events and, naturally, cat … [Link]

Mashable » 'La La Land' looks set to smash yet another awards ceremony

Tuesday 10 January 12:14:37 UTC 2017

LONDON — It's only been a couple of days since La La Land broke the Golden Globes record for most wins (it won in all seven of the categories it was nominated in), and now Damien Chazelle's musical could be on track to clean up at yet another awards ceremony. SEE ALSO: 'The Crown' reigns at the Golden Globes On Tuesday … [Link]

Mashable » People are gripped by this LAPD car chase streamed live on Facebook

Tuesday 10 January 12:12:57 UTC 2017

A car chase involving Los Angeles police and an armed suspect made for nail-biting viewing on Facebook live on Monday night.  The LAPD pursued a vehicle through the streets of the San Fernando Valley and the 405 Freeway for more than 90 minutes an it was streamed live on Facebook by CBS Los Angeles. It evoked memories of that famous Bronco … [Link]

Mashable » 3 men struggling to free a bike from a live electric fence makes hilarious viewing

Tuesday 10 January 11:39:55 UTC 2017

Turns out all you need to strike comedy gold is three confused British men, one electric fence and one badly tangled bike. SEE ALSO: Motorcycle Accident Ends in the Craziest Possible Way According to the YouTube description, the situation above arose after one of the men tried to haul his bike over a country fence, only to discover too late … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Mini-brains made from teeth help reveal what makes us sociable

Tuesday 10 January 11:35:08 UTC 2017

Tiny balls of brain tissue made from donated stem cells from children with autism or a condition that makes them hyper-sociable show intriguing differences [Link]

New Scientist – News » Why Uber’s human drivers aren’t out of a job just yet

Tuesday 10 January 11:35:07 UTC 2017

Uber is racing to make autonomous cabs a reality, but public confidence about safety is stuck in the slow lane, says Uber driver Daniel Matthews [Link]

O'Reilly News and Commentary » #Ebook Deal/Day: Applied Text Analysis with Python – $16.99 (Save 50%) Use code DEAL

Tuesday 10 January 11:26:52 UTC 2017

Get "Applied Text Analysis with Python" today using code DEAL and save 50%!This sale ends at 2:00 AM 2017-01-11 (PDT, GMT-8:00). [Link]

Mashable » Bejeweled penis brooches are the sneaky NSFW trend for 2017

Tuesday 10 January 11:06:01 UTC 2017

LONDON — Nothing lends a certain je ne sais quoi to an outfit more than a bejewelled penis brooch.  And, Vivienne Westwood — Britain's queen of anarchy — has got you covered for all your penis-shaped accessory needs.  SEE ALSO: Men, a dirty face is the latest grooming trend At Vivienne Westwood's show at London Fashion Week, the designer dropped a … [Link]

Mashable » British Gas is getting dragged hard for this awkward David Bowie tweet

Tuesday 10 January 10:29:02 UTC 2017

LONDON — A tweet from an official British Gas Twitter account using the #RipDB hashtag has drummed up anger on social media. SEE ALSO: The 9 most cringeworthy brand fails of 2016 The tweet, which was sent out in the early hours of Tuesday morning — a year to the day that David Bowie passed away — has received criticism from … [Link]

Mashable » Pakistan will finally start counting transgender people in its census this year

Tuesday 10 January 10:18:24 UTC 2017

After a landmark ruling by the Lahore High Court, Pakistan will now include transgender people in its national census this March.  The 2017 census is the sixth for the country and comes after a long gap of 19 years. SEE ALSO: India's first transgender college principal resigns as colleagues fail to get over her sexual identity The court's decision came after … [Link]

Mashable » China is finally able to manufacture its own ballpoint pens

Tuesday 10 January 10:16:26 UTC 2017

They’ve produced airplanes, launched satellites and churned out some of the best smartphones, so it seems almost incredible that China has been stumped by the humble ballpoint pen. Until now.  China, while being the world’s biggest manufacturer of ballpoint pens, has not been able to manufacture the pen tips without relying on foreign imports.   SEE ALSO: For only $20,000, you … [Link]

Mashable » Kim Kardashian's chauffeur among those arrested in connection with Paris robbery

Tuesday 10 January 10:16:07 UTC 2017

Among the 17 suspects arrested by French authorities in connection with the robbery of Kim Kardashian West is a chauffeur who drove her around Paris that night, and his brother. SEE ALSO: At least 16 arrested in connection to Kim Kardashian robbery Police officials told The Associated Press and local media that the pair worked for the same livery company … [Link]

Slashdot » AMD Announces X300 and X370 AM4 Motherboards For Ryzen, All CPUs Unlocked

Tuesday 10 January 10:00:00 UTC 2017

MojoKid writes: AMD has a lot riding on Ryzen, its new generation CPU architecture that is supposed to return the chip designer to a competitive position versus Intel in the high-end desktop X86 processor market. Late last week, at CES 2017, AMD has lined up over a dozen high-performance AM4 motherboards from five hardware partners, including ASRock, ASUS, Biostar, Gigabyte, … [Link]

Mashable » 'Jallikattu', an ancient bull-taming festival, divides India

Tuesday 10 January 9:57:26 UTC 2017

The debate on whether India should maintain the ban on a bull-taming sporting event is far from reaching a conclusion.  SEE ALSO: Why India is debating over a ban on the ancient bull-taming sport of Jallikattu Called Jallikattu, the bull-taming sport is played during the harvest festival of Pongal. The event, which has been practised for thousands of years, was outlawed … [Link]

Mashable » Netflix drops a video of a whole bunch of unlucky superstitions

Tuesday 10 January 9:56:04 UTC 2017

That's one unlucky video. To promote its upcoming launch of A Series of Unfortunate Events, Netflix has produced a video featuring a giant Rube Goldberg machine that triggers 13 — yikes — unlucky superstitions.  You'll see someone crossing under a ladder or opening an umbrella indoors, as well as a couple of Asian no-nos in there too, like playing sungka … [Link]

Mashable » WeChat beats Google to the punch, releases apps that don't need downloading or installing

Tuesday 10 January 9:30:34 UTC 2017

Click on a link in China's top messaging app, WeChat, and you'll be taken to a rich app-like experience, but without needing to download or install anything. Tencent, WeChat's maker, on Monday released "mini programs" (Apple wouldn't allow the word "app" to be used, it seems.) SEE ALSO: Why Snap opened an office in China The new mini programs work within … [Link]

Mashable » Students denied entry at Taj Mahal because they don't resemble other Indians

Tuesday 10 January 9:09:21 UTC 2017

In an unfortunate turn of events, a bunch of students on an educational trip to India's Taj Mahal were denied entry by security officials. The students, who hailed from the northeastern state of Manipur, have alleged racial discrimination and lodged a complaint with the Archaeological Survey of India, The Indian Express reported.  SEE ALSO: Several Indian colleges ban sexist singers from … [Link]

Mashable » Magic and a little seasickness: The world's largest all-women expedition to Antarctica

Tuesday 10 January 8:35:01 UTC 2017

Some may finish a trip across the notoriously wild Drake Passage a little worse for wear, but Amanda Davies is feeling invigorated. A geographer at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, she recently returned from the largest-ever all-women expedition of scientists to Antarctica.  SEE ALSO: An iceberg the size of Delaware is about to break off Antarctica The inaugural December trip, including … [Link]

Mashable » 'Gravity Rush 2' gets the basics right, but little else

Tuesday 10 January 8:01:00 UTC 2017

Gravity Rush 2 is a sequel that tries to do too much. How did this happen after the original's promising start? The 2012 PlayStation Vita game seemed like a natural fit for a PlayStation 4 sequel. A console release could make the gravity-shifting exploration and combat even more exciting. Right? SEE ALSO: 6 January video games that you need to … [Link]

Mashable » McDonald’s Japan takes burgers so seriously it's holding a full-blown election for them

Tuesday 10 January 7:36:45 UTC 2017

People all over Japan will be heading to the ballots this January to cast their vote…for their favourite burger. Yes you read that right. Twelve of McDonald Japan's most popular burgers have joined the race to become the franchise's "number one burger." SEE ALSO: Ever wanted to make your own Big Kahuna burger? Here's how The burgers, which are split into … [Link]

Mashable » India's 'bigger than Amazon' online retailer Flipkart gets its third new CEO in 12 months

Tuesday 10 January 7:16:02 UTC 2017

India’s largest ecommerce business is getting its third new boss in 12 months, first time looking outside the co-founders. SEE ALSO: India's top internet executives want government to favor local companies Kalyan Krishnamurthy is the new CEO of Flipkart, replacing Binny Bansal, who now assumes the newly created role of Group CEO at the online retailer, which is bigger than Amazon's … [Link]

Slashdot » Our Moon May Have Formed From Multiple Small Ones, Says Report

Tuesday 10 January 7:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from ABC News: A series of cosmic collisions may have spawned multiple moonlets that morphed into the one big moon we know today. Rather than one giant impact that knocked off part of early Earth and created the moon, a number of smaller collisions may have produced lots of mini-moons, Israeli scientists reported Monday. … [Link]

Mashable » Indian soldier rants about bad food, being forced to sleep on an empty stomach, video goes viral

Tuesday 10 January 6:56:07 UTC 2017

An Indian soldier has made a heartfelt plea to the country's Prime Minister in a Facebook video that has gone viral. For all the wrong reasons. SEE ALSO: An evocative sketchbook traces one soldier's journey through WWII Soldier Tej Bahadur Yadav, part of the Border Security Force (BSF) along the Line of Control with Pakistan in the state of Jammu & … [Link]

Mashable » People are appalled that the Texas governor gave Taiwan's president a clock

Tuesday 10 January 6:28:19 UTC 2017

Timepieces may be a good idea for a gift in most parts, but not in Chinese custom. Netizens are outraged that Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen received a clock on Sunday during her stopover in Houston. She was presented with a clock emblazoned with the Texas state seal, by Texas governor Greg Abbott. SEE ALSO: Ted Cruz issues China an epic eye … [Link]

Mashable » Deshaun Watson foreshadowed his championship heroics for Clemson in an eerie tweet 4 years ago

Tuesday 10 January 6:14:42 UTC 2017

Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson dazzled his way into college football immortality by passing for 420 yards and three touchdowns while running for another score Monday night. Watson led his Tigers to a stunning 35-31 come-from-behind upset over Alabama in the college football national championship game, completing the feat by tossing the game-winning pass with a second to play.  Whew. That's a … [Link]

Mashable » Dude's drone video showcases summer in this city better than a tourism ad

Tuesday 10 January 5:43:07 UTC 2017

Stephen Greenwood is a Californian who documented his time in Sydney, Australia, with a little help from his drone. The footage is genuinely spellbinding, far outstripping many'a tourism campaign that's come before it. "I get inspired by getting to fly in new and unique landscapes, which is why I decided to bring the [drone] to Sydney with me," explained Greenwood … [Link]

Mashable » Chris Hemsworth's kids watching him on TV at the Golden Globes is too adorable

Tuesday 10 January 5:03:47 UTC 2017

Loathe the thought of having children? Well, maybe this photo will change your mind. Maybe. It's of Chris Hemsworth's kids watching him on TV during the Golden Globes on Sunday, and by gosh, it's pretty adorable.  SEE ALSO: Denzel Washington is all of us watching the Golden Globes "My little fan club cheering me on," Hemsworth wrote in an Instagram post … [Link]

Mashable » Protest anthem for Aboriginal woman who died in jail uses CCTV footage to powerful effect

Tuesday 10 January 4:40:24 UTC 2017

It's been less than a month since disturbing CCTV footage of a now-deceased Indigenous Australian woman's treatment in custody rattled Australia.  22-year-old Yamatji woman, Julieka Dhu, was locked up by police as a result of unpaid fines. Despite telling police that she was in huge amounts of pain, officers believed she was "faking it," calling her a "junkie" according to … [Link]

Mashable » Man attempts 73-hour lawn bowling record but makes one key error

Tuesday 10 January 4:08:27 UTC 2017

There’s plenty of lawn bowls players in Australia and around the globe, so there's surely a world record out there for the sport. That's what Shayne Barwick thought when he sought to break a record for playing lawn bowls for the longest continuous time, in bid to help raise funds for his adored Cloncurry Bowls Club in Queensland, which he manages. … [Link]

Slashdot » 2016 Was Second Hottest Year For US In More Than 120 Years of Record Keeping

Tuesday 10 January 3:30:00 UTC 2017

Last year was the second hottest year for the United States in more than 120 years of record keeping, according to the National Climatic Data Center, marking 20 above-average years in a row. While Georgia and Alaska recorded their hottest year, every state had a temperature ranking at least in the top seven. Climate Central reports: The announcement comes a … [Link]

Mashable » Tom Hiddleston thinks his Golden Globes speech was as cringey as you do

Tuesday 10 January 3:00:25 UTC 2017

Tom Hiddleston is oft referred to as charmingly awkward, but his Golden Globes acceptance speech on Sunday night veered into seriously cringe-worthy territory. Now the British actor, who won Best Actor – Mini-Series or TV Movie for his role in The Night Manager, has taken to Facebook to address criticism after his "tone deaf" speech.  SEE ALSO: Golden Globes 2017: See … [Link]

Mashable » Very buff ref becomes early star of college football national championship

Tuesday 10 January 2:59:31 UTC 2017

The early star of Monday night's college football national championship game between Alabama and Clemson played for neither the Crimson Tide nor the Tigers.  No, the early star was a ref — an unusually buff ref, that is.  SEE ALSO: The most dad-ass dad sneaker of all time just became even more dad The ref in question's name is Mike Defee, … [Link]

Mashable » Stem cells could one day replace the work of dental fillings, study shows

Tuesday 10 January 2:45:46 UTC 2017

The stem cells in our teeth can be energized to fill in chips, cracks, and cavities, researchers say, and the findings could one day make dental cement obsolete. The work has been conducted just in mice so far, but the research, published Monday in the journal Scientific Reports, highlights a way to motivate stem cells to repair tooth defects at a … [Link]

Mashable » Former Obama aides behind 'Keepin' It 1600' start a new podcast for the Trump era

Tuesday 10 January 2:37:09 UTC 2017

It’s not just a new president starting in 2017. The team behind the popular Keepin' It 1600 political podcast launched a new online media company Monday with the timely name Crooked Media. It comes with a new podcast, called Pod Saves America, which features political commentary from the same team as The Ringer's Keepin' It 1600. That show was hosted by … [Link]

Mashable » ABC's Shondaland TGIT shows will return a week later because of a Trump special

Tuesday 10 January 2:35:35 UTC 2017

Sorry Shondaland fans. The anticipated return of ABC's TGIT line-up — including the season 6 premiere of Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder and Grey's Anatomy — is being pushed back one week from Jan. 19 to Jan. 26.  Why?  SEE ALSO: 'Scandal' Season 6 trailer is full of OMG moments, obviously The move was made "in order to accommodate" … [Link]

Mashable » Social media is going nuts for this giant ball pit 'beach' for grown ups

Tuesday 10 January 2:31:00 UTC 2017

It’s not easy to impress the internet. But every now and then, a simple idea can win them over big time. Most of them anyway. For evidence, just look at the social media response to "The Beach," a massive installation created by New York-based art collective Snarkitecture. SEE ALSO: Life's a beach: Australia's top 10 beaches named in new study The … [Link]

Mashable » Hacking your NES Classic could also ruin it

Tuesday 10 January 2:18:41 UTC 2017

You may have heard that there's a way to get more than just the 30 pre-loaded games on your NES Classic Edition, but it involves hacking and potentially bricking it. The Classic's 30 trips down memory lane were apparently not enough for a Russian modder, who goes by Madmonkey online and managed to hack Nintendo’s sought-after mini console this weekend. Using … [Link]

Slashdot » The End of Yahoo: Marissa Mayer To Resign; Yahoo To Change Its Name To Altaba

Tuesday 10 January 1:45:00 UTC 2017

maxcelcat writes: Spotted on The Register's twitter feed: Yahoo! Submission to The SEC. Most of the board is leaving, including CEO Marissa Mayer. The company has been bought by Verizon and is changing its name to Altaba Inc. I'm old enough to remember when Yahoo was a series of directories on a University's computers, where you could browse a hierarchical … [Link]

Mashable » Meryl Streep’s Trump speech is having a big secret effect on this group

Tuesday 10 January 1:31:59 UTC 2017

“You and all of us in this room, really, belong to the most vilified segments in American society right now," Meryl Streep told the audience during her acceptance speech at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday night.  "Think about it — Hollywood, foreigners, and the press."  Well, that last group has gotten a bit of help from the iconic actress's emotional … [Link]

Mashable » The unknown Malaysian midfielder who scored FIFA's top goal of 2016

Tuesday 10 January 1:28:02 UTC 2017

Ronaldo, Neymar, Ibrahimovic … Subri?  You've probably never heard of Malaysian soccer player Mohd Faiz Subri, but he just joined some of his sport's biggest names by picking up a rare honor.  SEE ALSO: The most dad-ass dad sneaker of all time just became even more dad Subri won FIFA's Puskas Award for best goal of the year at Monday night's … [Link]

Mashable » DeMarcus Cousins totally kicked this chair's ass. Hope it was worth the price.

Tuesday 10 January 1:05:01 UTC 2017

Sometimes you just need to teach a folding chair a lesson. Sometimes the chair is just, well, just sitting there all silent and smug, acting like it's too good to speak to you. Sometimes the chair is just asking for it.  Note to folding chairs: DeMarcus Cousins is the wrong guy to test.  SEE ALSO: The most dad-ass dad sneaker of … [Link]

Slashdot » Windows 10 Will Soon Let You Opt-Out of Automatic Driver Updates

Tuesday 10 January 1:05:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from PCWorld: Microsoft is giving users some more control over Windows 10 updates, with a new beta build of its operating system released Monday. The build allows folks with the Windows 10 Professional, Education, and Enterprise versions to defer new updates for up to 35 days. In addition, the company will allow those users … [Link]

Mashable » Meryl Streep’s Globes speech was beautiful, heartfelt and played right into Donald Trump’s hands

Tuesday 10 January 1:02:30 UTC 2017

Meryl Streep's speech at Sunday's Golden Globes hit all the right notes, setting the internet on fire for most of Monday.  Those on Team Streep tweeted breathlessly about her eloquence. Those not on Team Streep started up with the #thisiswhytrumpwon stuff.  As for the subject of Streep's words, Donald Trump threw gasoline on the fire by doing what he always does: … [Link]

Mashable » Things you (probably) didn't know about 'Mad Max: Fury Road'

Tuesday 10 January 1:00:00 UTC 2017

Oscar season is upon us and with all these award shows, why not serve up some facts about a film not-so-oscar-worthy but still attains some critical acclaim? The Mad Max franchise, created by George Miller, is the ultimate underdog. Visit CineFix for more episodes and movie-related content. Read more…More about Entertainment [Link]

Mashable » What's the deal with Yahoo changing its name to Altaba?

Tuesday 10 January 0:51:28 UTC 2017

The company formally known as Yahoo is becoming Altaba. But the Yahoo branding you're familiar with will stick around and become part of Verizon. Let's unknot this pretzel. SEE ALSO: Marissa Mayer is stepping down from Yahoo's board of directors — if the Verizon deal goes through News broke late Monday that once Yahoo is officially acquired by Verizon, the company … [Link]

Mashable » '80s remake of Rihanna's 'This Is What You Came For' rivals the original

Tuesday 10 January 0:51:05 UTC 2017

We're not sure what's inspiring the recent spate of '80s power ballad-eque remixes of modern pop songs, but we're loving it. If you haven't been following, there was that sax-alicious version of Justin Bieber's "What Do You Mean," or Ariana Grande's "Focus" — all made by a single YouTuber by the name of TRONICBOX. Now there's a new producer on … [Link]

Mashable » Volvo's plan for self-driving cars focuses on … the driver?

Tuesday 10 January 0:45:41 UTC 2017

Starting this year, Volvo will take its autonomous driving program on the road — but the Swedish automaker's approach to developing its tech is a bit more intimate than most of its competitors.  Rather than rolling a fleet of self-driving cars out onto the streets of a city with contracted employees running the tests like Chevy or Ford, Volvo is leading … [Link]

Mashable » Violent storm flips over trucks and trees in trail of destruction

Tuesday 10 January 0:41:26 UTC 2017

A violent storm, connected to the atmospheric river event hitting California, tore across El Paso County, Colorado on Monday. High winds descending from the Rockies ploughed through cars and buildings in a trail of destruction while wind gusts were reportedly as high as 101 mph in some areas. Officials at the Fort Carson military base ordered residents to stay inside their … [Link]

Mashable » You'll never be as happy as this horse playing with his rubber chicken

Tuesday 10 January 0:31:40 UTC 2017

Of all the unlikely animal friendships to hit the internet, this one might well be the weirdest and —  considering one member is an inanimate object — the most unexpectedly heartwarming. A young Australian horse by the name of Kruzah has developed an unbreakable bond with an unnamed rubber chicken.  SEE ALSO: People are understandably freaked out by this toy … [Link]

Slashdot » US Military Seeks Biodegradable Bullets That Sprout Plants

Tuesday 10 January 0:25:00 UTC 2017

The Department of Defense is looking at ways to clean up the hundreds of thousands of training rounds used by the U.S. army. It is putting out the call for the development of biodegradable ammunition loaded with seeds that sprout plans after being discharged. New Atlas reports: At military facilities across the U.S. and indeed around the world, a huge … [Link]

Mashable » 6 wonderfully bizarre wearables we saw at CES this year

Tuesday 10 January 0:19:26 UTC 2017

With Google's big Android Wear update delayed and few new smartwatches from major manufacturers, this year's CES was set up to be a boring year for wearables.  But despite the poor showing from the major players, the show floor didn't disappoint when it came to the wacky, weird and — in some cases — kind of genius wearables.  SEE ALSO: The … [Link]

Mashable » Tennis star Nick Kyrgios sports quite the anti-Trump shirt at match

Tuesday 10 January 0:04:52 UTC 2017

The game of tennis has never really been political in the same way other sports like soccer or the Olympics has been. Not that it concerns tennis star Nick Kyrgios, who sported an anti-Donald Trump shirt following a "Fast4" exhibition match in Sydney, where he had just won over Spaniard Rafael Nadal. SEE ALSO: Tennis legend Roger Federer playing a pair … [Link]

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