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 » For the first time ever, a bumblebee is on the U.S. endangered species list

Wednesday 11 January 23:51:16 UTC 2017

The rusty patched bumblebee has ventured into new territory: the endangered species list.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) added the bee to the list Tuesday, earning it the sad honor as the first-ever bumblebee in the U.S. with the endangered designation, according to the federal agency. The bee has seen a dramatic population decline in the past 20 years. … [Link]

Mashable » Tillerson is dead wrong in what he told the Senate on climate science

Wednesday 11 January 23:48:13 UTC 2017

Longtime ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, President-elect Donald J. Trump's secretary of state nominee, misled the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when he presented his take on climate change during a hearing Wednesday.  During the first morning of his confirmation hearings, Tillerson was pressed for his views on global warming, after bobbing and weaving around questions focused on Exxon's past research and disinformation … [Link]

Mashable » Ariana Grande, John Legend sing their way onto 'Beauty and the Beast' soundtrack

Wednesday 11 January 23:36:46 UTC 2017

A tale as old as time is about to get a 2017 twist. John Legend and Ariana Grande will sing the iconic "Beauty and the Beast" ballad for the live action remake's soundtrack, Disney said Wednesday. Grammy-winning veteran Ron Fair, who has been in the business for 37 years as a producer, arranger, recording engineer and musical director, will produce the … [Link]

Mashable » Viral video of road being paved is unbelievably satisfying to watch

Wednesday 11 January 23:31:42 UTC 2017

The internet couldn’t help but be mesmerized by this drone footage of a road being constructed in Western Australia. Read more…More about Real Time Video, Real Time, Views, Satisfying, and Australia [Link]

Slashdot » Microsoft Anti-Porn Workers Sue Over PTSD

Wednesday 11 January 23:20:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader shares with us a report from The Daily Beast: When former Microsoft employees complained of the horrific pornography and murder films they had to watch for their jobs, the software giant told them to just take more smoke breaks, a new lawsuit alleges. Members of Microsoft's Online Safety Team had "God-like" status, former employees Henry Soto and … [Link]

Mashable » 10 inspiring moments from Barack Obama's presidency in GIFs

Wednesday 11 January 23:15:43 UTC 2017

Here’s to you, Obama. Barack Obama, aka the coolest president America has ever had the pleasure of knowing, is stepping down after eight years in office. With the Jan. 20 inauguration only a week away, we felt it was time for a heartwarming tribute to Obama's phenomenal legacy — through GIFs, of course. SEE ALSO: Let us now remember 11 of … [Link]

Slashdot » JetBlue Giving All Passengers Free In-Flight 'Fly-Fi' High-Speed Wi-Fi

Wednesday 11 January 22:40:00 UTC 2017

BrianFagioli quotes a report from BetaNews: Today, JetBlue announced something miraculous for travelers. Every one of its passengers will have access to free in-flight high-speed Wi-Fi, which it calls "Fly-Fi." This is on every single aircraft in its fleet. In other words, if you are flying JetBlue, you get free high-speed internet "JetBlue's Fly-Fi, which clocks in at broadband speeds … [Link]

Mashable » After 'Scalebound,' what's ahead for Xbox One exclusives?

Wednesday 11 January 22:39:10 UTC 2017

Scalebound is no more.  This seemingly important piece of the Xbox One exclusives puzzle was officially canceled on Monday. The move came as a surprise after the game's been buzzed about in the years since its E3 2014 reveal. SEE ALSO: CES 2017 brings a fresh look at 'Mass Effect: Andromeda' Despite Scalebound's multiple trade show appearances and inclusion in the … [Link]

Mashable » Candy bandit squirrel finally gets caught in the act

Wednesday 11 January 22:35:04 UTC 2017

Is it just us, or do squirrels just seem to get away with everything these days?  The Kim family suspected some mischief was afoot in their Toronto convenience store, Luke's Grocery, when they heard a bit of rustling near the candy bars. After some investigation, they had found the culprit: squirrels. Little candy-thieving squirrels. On this Youtube page (hilariously named … [Link]

Mashable » Even Fox News is defending CNN against Trump

Wednesday 11 January 22:28:53 UTC 2017

While many are still shaking their heads at the testy exchange Wednesday afternoon between President-elect Donald Trump and CNN reporter Jim Acosta, CNN's biggest competitor is coming to the network's defense. SEE ALSO: Twitter strikes comedy gold with stream of jokes over Trump report Fox News anchor Shephard Smith closed the Wednesday edition of his daily news show with a … [Link]

Mashable » Duke's disgraced Grayson Allen is the college basketball villain we need and deserve

Wednesday 11 January 22:27:08 UTC 2017

Is Duke star Grayson Allen just trolling us now?  Because this is getting ridiculous. College basketball's most notorious villain either can't stop, or won't stop, or we're all going crazy.  SEE ALSO: Grayson Allen and the arrogant sanctimony of Duke's Coach K Allen's "indefinite suspension" for tripping opponents over and over again was cut laughably short last week after lasting just … [Link]

Mashable » Improve your day and watch Ed Sheeran cover 'Fresh Prince' theme

Wednesday 11 January 22:23:52 UTC 2017

Ed Sheeran, we missed you. The English singer-songwriter on Wednesday graced the world with a cover of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song. SEE ALSO: Ed Sheeran is back with two new songs guaranteed to get stuck in your head Sheeran sang the iconic tune while playing along on acoustic guitar after a fan requested it on UK’s Capital … [Link]

Mashable » Welcome to the jazzy 'Bad and Boujee' remix the internet has needed

Wednesday 11 January 22:23:38 UTC 2017

Sometimes, you're given a gift you didn't even know you wanted until it's in your hands. Twitter user omniboi believed he could make Migos' instant classic "Bad and Boujee" just a little bit better. We know, it sounds impossible. SEE ALSO: Doctor slays Boyz II Men cover so hard the musical legends had to comment But that didn't stop the young … [Link]

Mashable » What a Soldier really gets from the U.S. Army

Wednesday 11 January 22:20:20 UTC 2017

Cpl. Delgado has done more than sharpen his technical skills during his time in the U.S. Army. In addition to fixing essential equipment, he's also building a path towards a future career in technology and science.  But these aren't the only skills he'll bring with him once his service is done. He'll also be taking a sense of pride in … [Link]

Mashable » Finally, a bodysuit that'll have your grandma looking like a super-soldier

Wednesday 11 January 22:18:16 UTC 2017

The 'Aura' body suit from Superflex is a wearable for the elderly. It could aid in creating a better quality of life with more mobility.  Read more…More about Superflex, Aura, Bodysuit, Old People, and Grandparents [Link]

Mashable » Donald Trump's chilling message to media: You're with me or you're against me

Wednesday 11 January 22:14:16 UTC 2017

Donald Trump's first press conference as the president-elect of the U.S. started off with a rarity: Praise for the media, or at least some of it. It ended as many others did: Podium-mounted fire and brimstone. In other words, President-elect Trump is the same as the old Trump.  "You're fake news," he said in response to repeated attempts by CNN's Jim … [Link]

Mashable » MashReads Podcast: Here's why you should (or maybe shouldn't) read 'The Goldfinch'

Wednesday 11 January 22:10:27 UTC 2017

“Caring too much for objects can destroy you." So warns Donna Tartt in her Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Goldfinch. SEE ALSO: MashReads Podcast: How to set a New Year's reading resolution you'll actually accomplish The Goldfinch follows a boy named Theo after he experiences a terrorist attack at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The attack kills his mother, and in … [Link]

Mashable » Cute little device transforms your radishes into 'Super Mario' power-ups

Wednesday 11 January 22:05:01 UTC 2017

Aside from falling into crevices and dying, don't you wish your life was more like Super Mario Bros.? Well, those dreams can inch closer to reality with this radish shaper from Ravanello, which turns exactly one thing (a radish) into exactly one other thing (a tiny mushroom that resembles a Super Mario power-up). SEE ALSO: Adorable little boy really, really loves … [Link]

Mashable » #HipHopHarryPotter puts some swagger into our favorite wizards' steps

Wednesday 11 January 22:00:53 UTC 2017

Comedy Central's late night game show Midnight has created a hilarious new hashtag to get you through your day: #HipHopHarryPotter. The show asked fans to name things from the world of Harry Potter, but give it a hip-hop twist. The tweets that resulted were simply stunning. SEE ALSO: Prove your undying allegiance to 'Harry Potter' with golden snitch engagement rings First … [Link]

Slashdot » Windows 10 Will Soon Lock Your PC When You Step Away From It

Wednesday 11 January 22:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Verge: Microsoft is working on a new Windows 10 feature that will automatically lock and secure a PC when the operating system detects someone has moved away from the machine. The feature is labelled as Dynamic Lock in recent test builds of Windows 10, and Windows Central reports that Microsoft refers to … [Link]

Mashable » Twitter is shutting down this app after just 6 months

Wednesday 11 January 21:57:52 UTC 2017

Twitter is shutting down its business-focused Dashboard tool just six months after its launch. The company announced the closure on the app's Twitter page on Tuesday with little explanation. SEE ALSO: Twitter courts small businesses with a new 'Dashboard' app The app was intended to help businesses more easily manage and track tweets with features like scheduling, copy suggestions and keyword … [Link]

Mashable » Gather round and be blessed by this precious puppy's 'newborn' photoshoot

Wednesday 11 January 21:48:48 UTC 2017

Take down the photos of your nieces and nephews and make room on your fridge for much cuter, more important pictures. Joelea McDonald, a photographer from Texas, decided to forever elevate the family photography game by conducting a newborn-style photoshoot with her friend Riley's 7-week-old lab, Walnut. SEE ALSO: No one enjoys baths more than this pug puppy Image: joelea mcdonald"[Riley] … [Link]

Mashable » Professor unwittingly buys back the same exact book she lost 5 years ago

Wednesday 11 January 21:44:45 UTC 2017

The Circle of Life does not only apply to living things, folks.  Five years ago, Eugenia Zuroski, an associate professor of English at McMaster University in Ontario, lost her copy of Consuming Subjects: Women, Shopping and Business in the Eighteenth Century by Elizabeth Kowaleski-Wallace after lending it to one of her students. She'd purchased the copy in 2000, and it had … [Link]

Mashable » 3.5 million people supported Kickstarter projects in 2016

Wednesday 11 January 21:43:02 UTC 2017

2016 was a big year for Kickstarter.  The crowdfunding platform took some time Wednesday to highlight the year in Kickstarter projects.  In total, 3.5 million people supported Kickstarter projects last year. In the first week of 2017, 250 Kickstarter founders showed off their projects at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Dozens of Kickstarter creators will show films at the … [Link]

Mashable » PornHub sees an unsurprising sudden surge in ‘golden shower’ searches

Wednesday 11 January 21:26:18 UTC 2017

If you recently experienced a sudden urge to search for “golden shower,” you were not alone.  After revelations about Donald Trump’s alleged urine-soaked Russian sex party surfaced, Pornhub saw a tremendous surge in pee-related inquiries. Pornhub has released statistics showing that after the salacious details went public Tuesday night, searches containing the phrase “golden showers” were up 102 percent over the … [Link]

Mashable » NYC toilets are rated by poop emoji on this Instagram

Wednesday 11 January 21:25:58 UTC 2017

Let’s talk about a thing we all try to avoid: NYC public toilets. As a matter of fact, let's take a moment to look at themNYCtoilets is an Instagram account dedicated to documenting the city's porcelain thrones, and the rooms that house them. As you can imagine, NYC bathrooms come in all shapes, sizes, colors, styles and degrees of cleanliness. 💩💩 … [Link]

Slashdot » New Research Suggests the Appendix Has a Purpose After All

Wednesday 11 January 21:22:00 UTC 2017

The appendix is an organ thought to have gone the way of our wisdom teeth and body hair: At one point we all needed them, now people can get by just fine without them. However, it turns out, at least the appendix has some purpose in the body. From a report: Scientists, though, have never been certain what the appendix … [Link]

Mashable » You're really going to want to play Humannequins at your next party

Wednesday 11 January 21:08:05 UTC 2017

Falling somewhere between charades and the mannequin challenge, the brains behind The Tonight Show have come up with a new game for Jimmy Fallon and his guests to play: Humannequins. Queen Latifah, Fred Armisen, Flaming Lips lead singer Wayne Coyne and Fallon himself got to awkwardly move each other's body parts around in an attempt to depict the people, movie … [Link]

Mashable » Finally, a device that can work out your vagina

Wednesday 11 January 21:07:56 UTC 2017

‘Perifit’ is an exercise tracker and strengthening tool for women experiencing postpartum or age-related pelvic weakness. Read more…More about Standalone Featured, Mashable Video, Real Time Video, Real Time, and Fitness Trackers [Link]

Mashable » Your selfies might be leaving you vulnerable to hackers

Wednesday 11 January 21:04:32 UTC 2017

If flashing a peace sign is your go-to selfie move, you might want to think about coming up with a new signature look. Turns out, your light-hearted display of goodwill to the world could be putting your personal data at risk — if you come across a truly determined hacker, anyway. According to research from a team at Japan’s National Institute … [Link]

Mashable » Man arrested for meth let off because it was just kitty litter

Wednesday 11 January 21:02:31 UTC 2017

A #lifehack fooled police into thinking that a man had a sock full of meth in his car. Ross Lebeau, 24, from Texas was pulled over for a routine traffic stop after he allegedly failed to use a turn signal on Dec. 5. After getting pulled over, the police noticed the distinct smell of cannabis in the car, and Lebeau admitted … [Link]

Mashable » Hidden peat swamp in Central Africa stores 30 billion tons of carbon

Wednesday 11 January 21:01:56 UTC 2017

A vast swamp forest in Central Africa contains enough carbon to equal two decades' worth of U.S. fossil fuel emissions, scientists have found.  The Congo Basin peatland — an area larger than New York State — has accumulated around 30 billion metric tons of carbon over the last 11,000 years, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature. The … [Link]

Mashable » Dude tells friend he loves squirrels, regrets it for rest of his life

Wednesday 11 January 20:53:27 UTC 2017

It is very possible to have too much of a good thing — especially when that good thing is squirrel paraphernalia. Reddit user Yegend misguidedly told his friend that squirrels were his favorite animal, and it appears he has regretted that admission every December 25th since. He posted a hilarious picture of himself Wednesday, modeling some extremely unfortunate Christmas gifts he's … [Link]

Slashdot » Facebook's 'Journalism Project' Seeks To Strengthen Online News

Wednesday 11 January 20:42:00 UTC 2017

Facebook is taking more responsibility over its role in the media industry. CNET reports on the company's announcement: The social network on Wednesday announced a new initiative called the Journalism Project, which seeks to put Facebook on steadier footing with the news industry. As part of the effort, the social network will work to help train journalists on how to … [Link]

Mashable » Joyful dog has absolutely no trouble dancing for his dinner

Wednesday 11 January 20:29:11 UTC 2017

"Tobey is a 6-month-old Havanese and he's a real swell guy," this dog's owner wrote on a YouTube video detailing the pup getting ready for dinner. But he is so much more than that. For one thing, 6 p.m. holds a very special place in his heart. A spring-loaded place, really. A place where, if he had a trampoline, there … [Link]

Mashable » For some reason the Chicago Cubs are making their White House visit before Obama's out, hmm

Wednesday 11 January 20:24:34 UTC 2017

Despite having his farewell address out of the way, President Obama still has a few things to attend to—like, for example, hanging out with world-class athletes. The Chicago Cubs decided to squeeze in the traditional champions' visit to the White House at an, uh, unusual time.  SEE ALSO: President Obama's emotional tribute to his family will have you tearing up Most … [Link]

Mashable » Charge your phone with this foldable electric vehicle

Wednesday 11 January 20:17:05 UTC 2017

‘URB-E’ released its new fleet of foldable electric vehicles thats got your charging needs covered.   It also has a battery with enough capacity to charge your MacBook Pro five times. Read more…More about Scooter, Scooters, Bicycle, Real Time Video, and Real Time [Link]

Mashable » Samsung's foldable phone could transform into a 7-inch tablet

Wednesday 11 January 20:16:49 UTC 2017

All eyes will be on Apple to really wow with the iPhone 8 later this year, but Samsung could be the one to unveil a new phone that knocks everyone's socks off. Samsung is reportedly — for real, this time — planning to unveil a smartphone with a flexible display that folds open into a 7-inch tablet, according to The Korea … [Link]

Popular Science » Please, please prescribe me gluten-free food

Wednesday 11 January 20:05:58 UTC 2017

Science The U.K.’s prescription system might be confusing, but I want it anyway Doctor’s convenience be damned, I’d love to not pay twice as much for my pasta. [Link]

Slashdot » Bitcoin Slides as China's Central Bank Launches Checks On Exchanges

Wednesday 11 January 20:02:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader shares a Reuters report: China's central bank launched spot checks on leading bitcoin exchanges in Beijing and Shanghai, ratcheting up pressure on potential capital outflows and knocking the price of the cryptocurrency down more than 12 percent against the dollar. The People's Bank of China said its probe of bitcoin exchanges BTCC, Huobi and OKCoin was to … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Daily API RoundUp: SignWise, Diffbot, Rice University, Fuzzy.ai, Social Bicycles

Wednesday 11 January 19:43:34 UTC 2017

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]

Popular Science » Why are scientists so obsessed with studying zombies?

Wednesday 11 January 19:32:30 UTC 2017

Science Just because zombies aren’t real doesn’t mean we can’t learn from them Zombies can help us understand how infectious diseases spread, teach us about math or neuroscience, and improve our efforts to prepare for real crises. [Link]

New Scientist – News » Baboons recorded making key sounds found in human speech

Wednesday 11 January 19:30:24 UTC 2017

A claim that baboons are capable of five vowel-like sounds could mean key features of spoken language emerged with the common ancestor of monkey and humans [Link]

Mashable » Harrison Ford stars in a Bourne spin-off of 'Indiana Jones'

Wednesday 11 January 19:30:00 UTC 2017

Ok, we can dream, right? How fun would it be to see this mash-up of the George Lucas classic and the Bourne Legacy series? Well, here's a little taste. Visit CineFix for more episodes and movie-related content. Read more…More about Action, Matt Damon, Harrison Ford, Recut Movie Trailer, and Recut Trailer [Link]

Mashable » Volkswagen to pay $4.3 billion after pleading guilty on emissions scandal

Wednesday 11 January 19:22:20 UTC 2017

Volkswagen AG took a major step toward resolving one of the darkest chapters in its history Wednesday, pleading guilty to an emissions-cheating scandal and agreeing to pay $4.3 billion in criminal and civil charges as the U.S. announced charges against five new individuals. As part of its settlement, VW pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and using false … [Link]

Slashdot » Samsung Says Over 96% of Galaxy Note7 Phones Returned To Date

Wednesday 11 January 19:22:00 UTC 2017

Samsung said today that over 96 percent of all Galaxy Note7 phones have been returned following a recall that started in September. From a report: First introduced in August, the latest Note7 smartphone received positive reviews until reports surfaced that some devices caught fire after their batteries exploded. After a "thorough inspection" of its phones, Samsung opted to issue a … [Link]

Mashable » 'Game of Thrones' fans imagine what would happen if the U.S. army went to Westeros

Wednesday 11 January 19:18:51 UTC 2017

I’ve said it a hundred times, but I'll say it again. If Jon Snow wants to rule Westeros he should just get a bunch of guns. Reddit seems to have the same idea. A thread on the Game of Thrones fan subreddit r/gameofthrones asks the theoretical question: What would happen if a brigade of U.S. Army soldiers arrived in Westeros? SEE … [Link]

Mashable » John Mayer really wants to join Fifth Harmony

Wednesday 11 January 19:17:14 UTC 2017

Since Camila Cabello's dramatic departure from Fifth Harmony, there's been an empty space just waiting to be filled in the group.  John Mayer might be the perfect person for the job and with some tweets Tuesday night, he might have unwillingly planted the idea in folks' minds.  SEE ALSO: Camila Cabello quits Fifth Harmony and fans are struggling Last night, the … [Link]

Mashable » Apple once envisioned the iPhone with an iPod click wheel and it was horrible

Wednesday 11 January 18:52:04 UTC 2017

The iPhone we know and love today could have been very different, and maybe even a total flop, if Steve Jobs had picked a different interface for it. A new video published by Apple leaker Sonny Dickson shows off an early-stage version of "Acorn OS," an iPod-based interface for the iPhone that Apple was working on before deciding to go with … [Link]

Mashable » An important reminder on Donald Trump and 'fake news'

Wednesday 11 January 18:44:13 UTC 2017

President-elect Donald Trump just slammed BuzzFeed—one of the most prominent, visible media organizations in the world—as "a failing pile of garbage" during a Wednesday morning press conference. SEE ALSO: Ben Smith reveals why BuzzFeed published the 'explosive' Trump reports The venom is a direct response to the news outlet's controversial publication of an unverified dossier alleging close ties between Trump and … [Link]

Mashable » Kardashian boutique Dash robbed in Los Angeles

Wednesday 11 January 18:43:18 UTC 2017

Dash, the L.A. boutique owned by Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian, has reportedly been robbed of between $1,400 and $1,600 in merchandise. TMZ reports that on Monday, a woman walked into the store, gathered up clothing and perfume, then, well, dashed away from the scene in a silver car. She is reportedly still at large. SEE ALSO: Kim Kardashian's chauffeur among … [Link]

Slashdot » Google is Killing Its Solar-Powered Internet Drone Program

Wednesday 11 January 18:40:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader writes: Google's "moonshot" X division is ending its Titan drone program, which planned to use solar-powered drones to beam internet down to earth. Google bought Titan Aerospace in 2014. The company was developing solar-powered drones that could fly for several days at a time and take images of earth or beam down internet. When Google reorganized into … [Link]

Popular Science » Is urine actually sterile?

Wednesday 11 January 18:37:45 UTC 2017

Health Just in case you were wondering Urine: Is it sterile, and why? [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » The UK Government Releases Version 2 of its GOV.UK Notify API

Wednesday 11 January 18:35:31 UTC 2017

Last May, the UK's Government Digital Service (GDS) began testing a notification service, GOV.UK Notify, and API that allows the government to send text messages, emails and letters to citizens. As GDS prepares for a public beta of GOV.UK Notify, the API has been upgraded. The upgrades were made in response to user research conducted during the ongoing private beta. … [Link]

Mashable » Secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson shows his true colors on climate change

Wednesday 11 January 18:32:01 UTC 2017

President-elect Donald J. Trump's secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson has been a bit of an enigma when it comes to his views on climate change. Unlike the nominees to head the Environmental Protection Agency, or the Department of Energy, he does not neatly fall into the climate denier camp.  In fact, under his tenure as CEO of ExxonMobil, the company … [Link]

Mashable » Sorry, Trump, everyone on Twitter still cares about your tax returns

Wednesday 11 January 18:31:38 UTC 2017

Donald Trump gave his first press conference in seven months on Wednesday, and of course it was dominated by Tuesday's bombshell reports alleging Russian interference in the election and hidden cameras capturing certain liquid-based fetishes.  There was another issue, though, that was very much on everyone's mind even if Trump wouldn't admit it: his tax returns. SEE ALSO: In stunning exchange, … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Squeezed light cools tiny drum to coldest temperature ever

Wednesday 11 January 18:30:53 UTC 2017

A special trick with lasers helped lower a nano-sized membrane to below the "quantum limit" – colder than was thought possible [Link]

New Scientist – News » Preventing Big Cannabis: How to nip marijuana lobby in the bud

Wednesday 11 January 18:30:00 UTC 2017

A powerful lobby could be an unintended consequence of legalising the drug. Could Canada's regulatory approach ensure public health comes before profit? [Link]

New Scientist – News » China plans telescope to hunt for primordial gravitational waves

Wednesday 11 January 18:30:00 UTC 2017

Located at 5250 metres above sea level in Tibet, Ngari-1 will hunt for gravitational waves that should have been thrown out by the big bang [Link]

New Scientist – News » Carbon seen bonding with six other atoms for the first time

Wednesday 11 January 18:30:00 UTC 2017

A pyramid-shaped carbon molecule breaks one of the most basic lessons of chemistry textbooks – bonding with six other atoms instead of the typical four [Link]

Mashable » Report on Russian hacking suggests Telegram may not be as secure as you think

Wednesday 11 January 18:29:20 UTC 2017

In the midst of all the fallout that came in the wake of Buzzfeed's publication of an unverified dossier that claims President-Elect Donald Trump has definite ties to Russia was an uncomfortable revelation for security-minded people everywhere: one of the most trusted encrypted messaging apps might not be as safe as its users think.  Telegram, one of the apps used by … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Wild vampire bats are now sucking blood from humans at night

Wednesday 11 January 18:25:21 UTC 2017

Bats in Brazil exclusively feed on bird blood, but new arrivals in their territory are now on the menu – they have been caught feasting on human blood [Link]

Mashable » Obama's right: Social media has damaged our democracy

Wednesday 11 January 18:23:57 UTC 2017

It’s time to burst social media bubbles before they swallow democracy whole. In his presidential farewell address Tuesday night, Barack Obama—the first president of the social media era—offered one of the most succinct criticisms ever heard on a mass scale of our social media-obsessed culture, and its effect on democracy:  The president added that the ability to channel media for every … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » The Sun Finally Sets on the Google Earth API

Wednesday 11 January 18:14:19 UTC 2017

The Google Earth API has finally met its expiration date. Google originally announced it would end the popular API back in 2014. When the original sunset date approached at the end of 2015, Google granted one final reprieve. [Link]

Slashdot » Streaming TV is Beginning To Look a Lot Like Cable

Wednesday 11 January 18:03:00 UTC 2017

The advent of streaming TV services and over the top devices that support them has come at a cost. They used to work on a simple, unwritten principle: being different from normal cable services. You didn't have to pay for large, non-configurable bundles of channels that played shows in linear fashion and required you to use a digital video recorder … [Link]

Mashable » Donald Trump addressed alleged lurid sexual acts by saying he's a 'germaphobe'

Wednesday 11 January 17:57:50 UTC 2017

Donald Trump has some news for everyone who showered him with pee jokes: he's a germaphobe. During the president elect's press conference at Trump Tower on Wednesday, Trump responded to BuzzFeed's publishing of an unverified intelligence dossier on Tuesday. The document made several shocking allegations about his close ties to the Russian government, along with one very disturbing claim that he … [Link]

Popular Science » This bumblebee is the first to become endangered—but it won't be the last

Wednesday 11 January 17:56:07 UTC 2017

Animals The rusty patched bumblebee joins the red list Just a few decades ago, the rusty patched bumblebee pollinated crops and wildflowers in 28 states. Now, as of Tuesday, it lives on the endangered species list. [Link]

Mashable » This is the CNN reporter that just got into a yelling match with Donald Trump

Wednesday 11 January 17:50:26 UTC 2017

Donald Trump made CNN one of his favorite targets of media bashing during the election. At Wednesday's press conference, he took the opportunity to express his rage at one reporter in particular: Jim Acosta.  Acosta is CNN's senior White House correspondent and was present at Trump's first press conference since winning the presidential election. Trump railed on CNN for publishing a … [Link]

Mashable » In stunning exchange, Trump refuses to answer question from CNN reporter

Wednesday 11 January 17:39:47 UTC 2017

From the very beginning of Trump's contentious press conference on Wednesday, the president-elect expressed his contempt for news organizations like CNN and Buzzfeed. PEOTUS' ire appears to have been provoked by a story published by CNN last night, which referenced a memo alleging that Trump may have been compromised by Russia. When CNN reporter Jim Acosta attempted to ask Trump … [Link]

Mashable » Extraordinary storms blitz West with 100-plus inches of snow, flooding rains

Wednesday 11 January 17:37:36 UTC 2017

A firehose of moisture and a series of potent storms have sent the western United States see-sawing from drought to flood in the past few weeks, with widespread extreme weather continuing on Wednesday.  Weather warnings and advisories, from blizzard warnings to flood watches and warnings were in effect for nine states across the West as of Wednesday morning.  SEE ALSO: 2-week … [Link]

Mashable » St. Vincent directed a horror film and the chilling trailer is finally out

Wednesday 11 January 17:36:35 UTC 2017

St. Vincent (née Annie Clark) is adding one more title to her already long resumé: horror film director.  The musician shared the first trailer for XX, an all female-directed anthology of horror films that contains four spooky stories. Clark's bit, The Birthday Party, marks the rockstar's first time in the director's chair. The film will be available in theaters and … [Link]

Mashable » The snow shovel has been revamped and it'll have you feeling cool

Wednesday 11 January 17:27:04 UTC 2017

Rightfully dubbed 'The Alpha Shovel,' this shovel actually makes the mundane activity look fun, and more importantly, much easier.  Read more…More about Snow, Weather, Real Time Video, Real Time, and Shovel [Link]

Mashable » Amazon launches a credit card just for Prime members

Wednesday 11 January 17:25:20 UTC 2017

Amazon is coming out with a Prime-only credit card.  The e-commerce giant will release the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card in partnership with Chase, Amazon announced on Wednesday. Cardholders — who must be Prime members — will get 5 percent back on all Amazon purchases plus other cash back rewards.  Amazon already offers one regular credit card that's not exclusive … [Link]

Slashdot » AMD Set To Launch Ryzen Before March 3rd

Wednesday 11 January 17:20:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader shares an AnandTech report: Thanks to some sleuthing from various readers, AMD has accidentally let the cat out of the bag with regards to the official Ryzen launch date. While they haven't specifically given an exact date, the talk to be given by AMD at the annual Game Developer Conference (GDC) says the following: "Join AMD Game … [Link]

Mashable » Trump says he'll be the greatest job producer God has ever created, and Twitter is skeptical

Wednesday 11 January 17:02:00 UTC 2017

During Donald Trump's rambling, self-referential and confrontational press conference on Wednesday, Trump made a humble admission. He would be the "greatest job producer God has ever created." Regardless of your religious beliefs, it was hard for many viewers to imagine God in heaven designating people not as good or evil, but as "job producers." It took only seconds for Twitter to … [Link]

Mashable » This bold campaign aims to celebrate audacious dreams

Wednesday 11 January 16:57:59 UTC 2017

Dreams come in a variety of packages. Sometimes, they’re goals of going back to school, starting a company or going on an exotic adventure. Sometimes, they’re focused on making an impact within a community or on a global scale. Often, there’s a long road between the first inklings of a vision and the reality of bringing a lofty goal to life. … [Link]

Mashable » One viral photo captured the public's attention on Syria — and lost it almost as quickly

Wednesday 11 January 16:57:58 UTC 2017

[Editor’s note: This story contains disturbing images.] Syria had been embroiled in more than three years of civil war when, in September 2015, the photo of the lifeless body of Aylan Kurdi lying face down on a beach in Turkey was suddenly everywhere. Thousands of Syrians had already died in the conflict, with little attention paid to the issue. Now, the … [Link]

Mashable » Woody Harrelson joins young Han Solo movie

Wednesday 11 January 16:57:42 UTC 2017

Woody Harrelson is confirmed to join the young Han Solo Star Wars movie. The Hollywood Reporter noted on Jan. 3 that Harrelson was in talks to join the film as the young Solo's mentor figure, which sounds very similar to his role as Haymitch Abernathy in the Hunger Games franchise. SEE ALSO: Harrison Ford's 10 best movie roles ever “We couldn’t … [Link]

Mashable » Steve Harvey can't fathom how anyone could want to date an Asian man

Wednesday 11 January 16:51:53 UTC 2017

Steve Harvey, the comedian and television host remembered for royally screwing up the results of the 2015 Miss Universe pageant, is receiving a whole lot of backlash for his recent remarks about Asian men.  The face of Family Feud crossed a line during Friday's episode of his show, Steve Harvey, while reviewing a 2002 book entitled, How to Date a White … [Link]

Slashdot » Instagram Stories Hits 150M Active Users, Adds Advertising To Instagram Stories

Wednesday 11 January 16:40:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader writes: Instagram Stories now has as many users as the last number announced by Snapchat, the app Instagram copied. And it's swiftly moving to monetize that massive audience. Along with the new 150 million daily user stat, Instagram today announced the launch of ads mixed into Stories. The unclickable 5-second photo and 15-second video ads appear between … [Link]

Mashable » Climate activists protested Rex Tillerson’s nomination in T. Rex costumes

Wednesday 11 January 16:39:03 UTC 2017

With a name like Rex, such a stunt was inevitable. On Wednesday, environmental activists marched around Washington, D.C., in Tyrannosaurus rex suits to show their disdain for Rex Tillerson, the former CEO of ExxonMobil and Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state. SEE ALSO: Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson, climate archvillain, to be named secretary of state The protest coincides with Tillerson's … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Cyprus reunification may harm unique wildlife thriving on border

Wednesday 11 January 16:37:27 UTC 2017

The buffer zone between Greek and Turkish sides of the Mediterranean island has become a wildlife haven — but it could vanish if the two get reunited [Link]

New Scientist – News » Space travel's mental health toll could endanger long missions

Wednesday 11 January 16:37:26 UTC 2017

A review of NASA research highlights the risk that prolonged social isolation poses to long-distance space missions, as well as other dangers like radiation [Link]

Mashable » 'Indiana Jones' as a Bourne film is the next blockbuster hit

Wednesday 11 January 16:30:00 UTC 2017

Harrison Ford in the classic action adventure with a modern Bourne style twist? Sign us up, please! This new trailer mix has just made our spy-loving hearts jump out of its seat. Visit CineFix for more episodes and movie-related content. The 'Hamilton' cast performing 'One Last Time' at the White House will wreck you Tractor-trailer topples over in treacherous 80-mph winds Andrew Garfield … [Link]

Mashable » Uber adds calendar shortcuts to set destinations faster

Wednesday 11 January 16:22:40 UTC 2017

Want to enter your Uber destinations faster? All you have to do is hand over information on your entire life.  Uber on Wednesday began rolling out a calendar integration that will take addresses listed for your meetings, flights and other events and offer them up as destinations in the Uber app. The feature will be available to all users globally within … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook just fixed a major battery-draining bug

Wednesday 11 January 16:19:25 UTC 2017

Facebook says it's fixed a glitch in its Messenger app on Android that was causing major battery issues. Users had complained about the app draining their phone's battery in a matter of hours, even if they weren't actively using it. Hmm. The #Facebook and #Messenger #apps have collectively drained 20% of my battery in less than 4 hours despite not using … [Link]

Mashable » The 'Hamilton' cast performing 'One Last Time' at the White House will wreck you

Wednesday 11 January 16:01:27 UTC 2017

President Obama's farewell address was emotional, and it reminded many Americans of another President who said goodbye to move the country along: George Washington. In blockbuster Broadway hit Hamilton, this sentiment is expressed in musical form with the tune "One Last Time." SEE ALSO: Watch Obama's devastating farewell speech in full Thanks to a video released Tuesday (nice timing!) from … [Link]

New Scientist – News » This is why you can’t help babbling to your dog like it’s a baby

Wednesday 11 January 16:00:47 UTC 2017

Competing theories for the use of baby talk on dogs are being untangled and it looks like it's got less to do with cute faces than you think, says Clive Wynne [Link]

New Scientist – News » Thousands of birds to be culled in France to stop bird flu

Wednesday 11 January 16:00:00 UTC 2017

The H5N8 strain is killing many wild birds, including ducks, swans, plus endangered species like white-tailed eagles, prompting large culls at poultry farms [Link]

Slashdot » Wireless Headphone Sales Soared After Apple Dropped Headphone Jack

Wednesday 11 January 16:00:00 UTC 2017

Apple's decision to remove the headphone jack from new iPhones last year prompted lots of consumers to switch to wireless headphones, according to a new report on holiday shopping. From a report: Three-quarters of all headphones sold online in December were wireless models, up from 50% a year earlier, according to shopping tracker Slice Intelligence. Apple was the biggest beneficiary … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook has unveiled its Snapchat Discover clone

Wednesday 11 January 15:58:12 UTC 2017

Discover the new Snapchat Discover.  As part of its long-winded announcement of its quest to save journalism, Facebook unveiled a new way for media outlets to share their content, and it looks quite like Snapchat Discover.  SEE ALSO: Facebook’s hiring process hinders its effort to create a diverse workforce Starting Thursday, select publishers will be able to choose a cover image … [Link]

Mashable » Tractor-trailer topples over in treacherous 80-mph winds

Wednesday 11 January 15:49:28 UTC 2017

Well, this looks dangerous. Youtube user Isaac Frame captured footage of a truck in Colorado Springs, Colorado, fully tipping over in treacherous winds while driving down Interstate 25 yesterday. Watch the tractor-trailer succumb to the 80-plus-mph winds above, where luckily no cars got in its way. We hope the driver is okay. Andrew Garfield follows up his Ryan Reynolds Golden Globes … [Link]

Mashable » Andrew Garfield follows up his Ryan Reynolds Golden Globes kiss with a Stephen Colbert smooch

Wednesday 11 January 15:47:29 UTC 2017

The 2017 Golden Globes Awards were filled with spectacular moments but one that stands out among the rest is the passionate kiss Andrew Garfield and Ryan Reynolds shared after Reynolds lost Best Actor to the other hot Canadian Ryan, Ryan Gosling. Garfield stopped by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert last night and Colbert grilled the Silence actor on why … [Link]

Mashable » Now you can wear India's new currency notes printed on your sari

Wednesday 11 January 15:41:40 UTC 2017

After the Indian government's demonetization announcement late last year, the country has been wrapped in problems arising out of a cash crunch.  But there is one place where you can see some new notes. SEE ALSO: India's federal bank just can't make up its mind on demonetization The newly issued 2,000-rupee ($29) notes have now found their way into fabric design.  … [Link]

Mashable » Bonnaroo lineup brings together U2, Lorde and Chance the Rapper

Wednesday 11 January 15:22:08 UTC 2017

Ah, music festivals — a place for dad rock and hip hop's finest. This year's lineup for the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival covers every genre from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Major Lazer. SEE ALSO: Coachella 2017 lineup features Beyoncé, Radiohead and…Hans Zimmer? Image: bonnarooThe inclusion of Lorde, who is also headlining Coachella and Governors Ball, further fuels speculation … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook wants to make journalism great again, releases lengthy plan

Wednesday 11 January 15:20:20 UTC 2017

Facebook wants to help journalism thrive, and it has a plan. Facebook on Wednesday announced "the Facebook Journalism Project," a new initiative that will include more collaboration with media outlets, new tools and training for journalists, as well as education efforts for the general public. As part of the announcement, Facebook confirmed previous reports that it is bringing ad breaks to … [Link]

Slashdot » Amazon Now Gives Away 5,000 Bananas a Day

Wednesday 11 January 15:20:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader writes: When thinking up ways to give back to its home city, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos decided to give out free bananas. That was in December 2015, when Amazon first launched the Community Banana Stand, handing out bananas to whoever wants a snack. Over a year later, Amazon has handed out over a million bananas to the … [Link]

Mashable » Interviewee somehow completely botches spelling her own name

Wednesday 11 January 15:16:55 UTC 2017

After being interviewed on the street, the person is always asked to spell their first and last name to the camera for record. Simple enough, right?  Well, when Michael Scanlan of 7 News Melbourne asked Erica O'Donnell to do just that, you know, to spell her name, she takes the task just a bit too literally. SEE ALSO: A teen just … [Link]

Mashable » Amazon Echo calmly pronounces the longest place name in Europe like it's NBD

Wednesday 11 January 15:14:14 UTC 2017

Remember that viral clip of the Channel 4 weatherman casually pronouncing "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychw~ — the Welsh village with the longest place name in Europe — like it was the easiest thing in the world? SEE ALSO: Barely pronounceable Welsh place names are no match for this weatherman Well, he's got some competition. Turns out if you ask your Amazon Echo the … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Home robot to nudge older people to stay social and active

Wednesday 11 January 15:00:00 UTC 2017

A home robot called ElliQ is designed to connect older people to online services and proactively pipe up with activity suggestions [Link]

Mashable » This moth driving a robot car could one day save lives

Wednesday 11 January 14:59:26 UTC 2017

Researchers at the University of Tokyo conducted trials using scent to guide male moths as they steer tiny robot cars They placed female moth pheromones on a target and watched the male moth walk on a trackball inside the car. Optical sensors translated the movement and steered the car towards the target.  Read more…More about Science, Pheromones, Scents, Rescue Services, and … [Link]

Mashable » Edward Snowden issues heartfelt plea to Obama to pardon Chelsea Manning

Wednesday 11 January 14:58:29 UTC 2017

Edward Snowden has issued a heartfelt appeal to outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama to pardon imprisoned U.S. Army whistleblower Chelsea Manning.   His plea is particularly significant as he's not asking for his own pardon:  Mr. President, if you grant only one act of clemency as you exit the White House, please: free Chelsea Manning. You alone can save her life. … [Link]

Slashdot » Regulators Criticize Banks For Lending Uber $1.15 Billion

Wednesday 11 January 14:40:00 UTC 2017

Federal regulators criticized several Wall Street banks over the handling of a $1.15 billion loan they helped arrange for Uber this past summer, reports Reuters, citing people with knowledge of the matter. From the report: Led by Morgan Stanley, the banks helped the ride-sharing network tap the leveraged loan market in July for the first time, persuading institutional investors to … [Link]

Mashable » Bumble's new video option will make dating even harder

Wednesday 11 January 14:22:26 UTC 2017

Dating app success used to rely on nailing the perfect profile picture, but life is about to get a lot more complicated. Bumble will soon let their users upload 10-second videos to give potential matches a real-time peek into their everyday lives. The format of BumbleVID, which is being rolled out in the next few weeks, should feel familiar to users … [Link]

Mashable » After 17 years, this grandfather has to say goodbye to his favorite MMO

Wednesday 11 January 14:20:36 UTC 2017

The thing he will miss the most? "A time that I can call my own." Relatable for any gamer. Asheron's Call, a fantasy MMORPG developed by Turbine in 1999, will be shutting its servers down this month.  Here’s the first glimpse of Joseph Fiennes playing Michael Jackson Watch Seth Meyers grill Kellyanne Conway better than most journalists do Drone video shows stunning fields … [Link]

Mashable » President Obama's emotional tribute to his family will have you tearing up

Wednesday 11 January 14:19:38 UTC 2017

President Obama wiped away his tears as he paid an emotional tribute to his wife and daughters during his farewell address.  "Of all the things that I've done in my life, I'm most proud to be your dad," Obama said.  Read more…More about Obamas Farewell, Commander In Chief, Sasha Obama, Barack Obama, and Goals [Link]

Slashdot » Amazon Still Lags Behind Apple, Google in Greenpeace Renewable Energy Report

Wednesday 11 January 14:00:00 UTC 2017

Amazon's cloud-computing unit says that one day it will rely solely on renewable power. But Greenpeace reports that a ramp-up in data-center construction in Virginia, where electricity comes mostly from coal and nuclear plants, makes that goal elusive. From the report: Apple, Google, Facebook, and newcomer Switch are taking some of the greatest strides towards 100% renewable energy, while companies … [Link]

Mashable » With 150 million daily active users, Instagram Stories is launching ads

Wednesday 11 January 14:00:00 UTC 2017

Just five months after its debut, Instagram Stories — and the 150 million people using it every day — are no longer free real estate. Instagram will begin inserting video ads into the Snapchat-like Stories experience and add more analytics features for businesses, the company announced on Wednesday. The news marks one of the fastest introductions of ads into a product … [Link]

Mashable » Here's the first glimpse of Joseph Fiennes playing Michael Jackson

Wednesday 11 January 13:47:15 UTC 2017

The first official trailer for Urban Myths — a comedy series that includes a story about Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson and Marlon Brando going on a road-trip together — has been shared online. SEE ALSO: Joseph Fiennes may be playing Michael Jackson and people are flipping out The trailer includes the first glimpse of Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson — … [Link]

Mashable » These power suits could make your grandma's life much better

Wednesday 11 January 13:20:31 UTC 2017

For your body, growing old can be an unforgiving process. You can spend every single weekend exercising, but your body will eventually break down. As we age, we're at risk of losing much of our muscle mass and strength to conditions like sarcopenia, which can rob its victims of their mobility. No one wants to be the hobbled elderly person struggling … [Link]

Mashable » Watch Seth Meyers grill Kellyanne Conway better than most journalists do

Wednesday 11 January 13:10:38 UTC 2017

In interviews with journalists, Kellyanne Conway pivots so much it's actually impossible to pinpoint where her spinning body is standing at any one point in time. Which is why it was so amazing to watch Late Night host Seth Meyers interview Conway last night for a full 13 minutes. Instead of trying to make throwaway niceties, Meyers held Conway accountable … [Link]

Mashable » Taco Bell's newest creation may be the grossest fast food invention yet

Wednesday 11 January 13:00:00 UTC 2017

When will fast food companies stop Frankensteining our food?  Taco Bell just announced that it's one-upping its sister chain KFC by creating a taco shell made out of fried chicken. KFC previously introduced the world to the "Double Down," which consisted of two pieces of fried chicken in place of sandwich buns, but the Naked Chicken Chalupa is just way cooler. … [Link]

Slashdot » Alcohol Switches the Brain Into Starvation Mode In Mice, Increasing Hunger and Appetite, Study Finds

Wednesday 11 January 13:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from BBC: In tests on mice, alcohol activated the brain signals that tell the body to eat more food. The UK researchers, who report their findings in the journal Nature Communications, believe the same is probably true in humans. The mice were given generous doses of alcohol for three days — a dose being … [Link]

Mashable » McDonald's India will now serve masala dosa burger and other local food for breakfast

Wednesday 11 January 12:59:24 UTC 2017

Indians will soon be treated to a customized breakfast menu at McDonald's outlets as the burger giant revamps its morning platter to suit the local palate.  The new menu will be rolled out by the weekend, initially in Mumbai, and then across India, The Economic Times reported. SEE ALSO: McDonald’s Japan takes burgers so seriously it's holding a full-blown election for … [Link]

Mashable » George R. R. Martin hints at a 2017 'Winds of Winter' release date

Wednesday 11 January 12:56:28 UTC 2017

LONDON — Okay, there's a big caveat to this one. Yes, George R. R. Martin did say in a live journal comment in reference to the Winds of Winter: "I think it will be out this year." The only problem? He followed that statement with a pretty big "but". SEE ALSO: George R.R. Martin confirms 'The Winds of Winter' will not … [Link]

Mashable » 4chan believes it has proof that Trump sex act claims are fake news

Wednesday 11 January 12:38:54 UTC 2017

Users on the biggest pro-Donald Trump subreddit are sharing a 4chan post that they believe proves that unverified claims about Trump and a sex act are fake news. An unverified intelligence dossier published by BuzzFeed contained allegations that Trump hired prostitutes to participate in a urine-based sex act in a Moscow Ritz-Carlton Hotel. However, one anonymous 4chan user claims to have … [Link]

Mashable » Airlines can now stop warning passengers about Samsung Galaxy Note7 before flights

Wednesday 11 January 12:20:04 UTC 2017

Getting tired of hearing those pre-flight warnings about the Samsung Galaxy Note7 ban? Good news: they may be over soon.  SEE ALSO: Samsung says it will release a report on the Note7 'soon' The U.S. Department of Transportation has informed airlines that they no longer need to notify passengers about the Galaxy Note7 before boarding, although the devices will remain banned … [Link]

O'Reilly News and Commentary » #Ebook Deal/Day: Mastering System Center Configuration Manager – $29.99 (Save 50%) Use code DEAL

Wednesday 11 January 11:27:07 UTC 2017

Get "Mastering System Center Configuration Manager" today using code DEAL and save 50%!This sale ends at 2:00 AM 2017-01-12 (PDT, GMT-8:00). [Link]

Mashable » Join us for a chat with Woody Harrelson about his live film 'Lost in London'

Wednesday 11 January 11:12:42 UTC 2017

LONDON — Making a 100-minute feature film is a surely a huge enough undertaking in itself, but Woody Harrelson is planning to take the challenge a step further — on Jan. 19, he's going to be shooting and broadcasting a live 100-minute feature film. SEE ALSO: There's more to this photo of a horse boarding a London bus than meets the … [Link]

Mashable » WhatsApp is finally getting GIF search

Wednesday 11 January 10:59:31 UTC 2017

WhatsApp is addressing the needs of its users one feature at a time. SEE ALSO: Skype is bringing real-time translation to all calls — even on old school rotary phones The Facebook-owned messenger has added the ability to search for GIF files right into the app. Users can now look up the animation files and quickly send them to their friends.  … [Link]

Mashable » Man rescued from frozen well after 52 hours

Wednesday 11 January 10:27:13 UTC 2017

A Serbian man survived in a 5-meter-deep (16-foot) frozen well for more than two days, until he was discovered by his neighbor, who called the police, the BBC reported.  SEE ALSO: Watch an adorable panda delightfully destroy a snowman Jezdimir Milic, who was reportedly suffering from poor vision, fell into a well in the village of Smoljinac while returning from grocery-shopping … [Link]

Mashable » Read this heart-wrenching diary of a WW1 soldier in real time

Wednesday 11 January 10:19:37 UTC 2017

LONDON — On Jan. 1, 1917, a young man from Lancashire started a diary. It might not sound like much to write home about, but the 21-year-old — Lawrence Enderson Grimshaw — happened to be a soldier stationed in the trenches during World War I.  One century on, the soldier's daily entries are being shared with the world as his step-grandson … [Link]

Mashable » Alibaba is buying a department store chain in China for $2.6 billion

Wednesday 11 January 10:00:57 UTC 2017

Not content with its dominance over online shopping, Alibaba has made a big play for traditional retail. China's ecommerce giant has put forward a bid to privatise Chinese departmental store chain Intime Retail Group for $2.6 billion. SEE ALSO: How even rural areas in China are hooked on online shopping Alibaba, which runs the popular Taobao B2C marketplace, already owns 28 … [Link]

Mashable » Here's why Sasha Obama was absent during her dad's presidential farewell

Wednesday 11 January 10:00:46 UTC 2017

It was a question many people had during President Barack Obama's heartbreaking farewell speech: Where was Sasha, the Obamas' younger daughter?  SEE ALSO: The Obamas got real emotional at the president's farewell address Michelle and Malia were both attending the president's address in Chicago.  People on Twitter started conjecturing theories about Sasha after Obama delivered a moving tribute to his daughters.  … [Link]

Slashdot » Monopoly May Replace Iconic Pieces With Emoji Faces and Hashtags

Wednesday 11 January 10:00:00 UTC 2017

Hasbro, the toymaker behind Monopoly, is letting the public decide whether or not they should replace the game's iconic game pieces with new pieces inspired by pop culture and social media. CNNMoney reports: Gamers can visit the Vote Monopoly site and choose from more than 50 new options. The old tokens, including the thimble, top hat and Scottie dog, are … [Link]

Mashable » iPhone scammer gets 16 months' jail after running a sham sale online

Wednesday 11 January 9:32:09 UTC 2017

Justice has come for an iPhone scammer who thought he found a quick way to cheat folks online. A 31-year-old Singaporean man has been sentenced to jail for getting over S$10,000 ($7,000) from 15 victims who thought they were buying iPhone 7 Plus devices from him. SEE ALSO: Brave bandit makes off with bucket of gold in broad daylight Cai Jiaxiang, … [Link]

Mashable » New Delhi hits chilliest temperature this season and people won't stop complaining

Wednesday 11 January 8:32:16 UTC 2017

The mercury has dipped to the season's lowest temperature so far of 4 degrees Celsius in India's capital city of New Delhi. SEE ALSO: 15 mesmerizing photos capture Kashmir's first snowfall of the season Delhi residents are complaining and documenting their methods of staying warm. Many are also trying to take the cold with some humor. #delhi records lowest temperature as … [Link]

Mashable » 'This Is Us' reveals Toby's fate in tearjerking return

Wednesday 11 January 8:22:39 UTC 2017

This recap contains spoilers for This Is Us Season 1, episode 11, titled "The Right Thing to Do." It’s been a long break since the last episode. Remember when Toby keeled over at the end of the winter finale? Yeah, we hated when that happened. Did Toby make it out of the cliffhanger alive? We'll get to that…  Daddy Issues This … [Link]

Mashable » Circus ties endangered tiger down on a table so people can get selfies

Wednesday 11 January 8:15:58 UTC 2017

Warning: This post contains a graphic and upsetting video. Chinese circus trainers have been caught on video tying up a tiger for visitors to sit on and take pictures with. The video, which has reached over 90,000 videos since it was posted on Chinese video platform iQiyi, shows the tiger first being tied down on a metal table. SEE ALSO: Clever … [Link]

Slashdot » An Asteroid Passed By Earth At About Half the Distance Between Our Planet and Moon

Wednesday 11 January 7:00:00 UTC 2017

On Monday at 7:47 A.M. EST, an asteroid thought to be between 36 and 111 feet wide passed roughly 120,000 miles from Earth — and astronomers didn't spot it until Saturday. Smithsonian reports: According to astronomer Eric Edelman at the Slooh Observatory, 2017 AG13 is an Aten asteroid, or a space rock with an orbital distance from the sun similar … [Link]

Mashable » Drone video shows stunning fields of green after rain in Australia's Outback

Wednesday 11 January 6:09:56 UTC 2017

Australia's red centre is usually thought of as a desert, yet a recent spate of rainfall has given the area new life, as witnessed in a drone video captured by FIlippo Gelada on Jan. 7.  There are patches of lush green growth and water, a rare sight in an area more used to drought. The nearby Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park … [Link]

Mashable » Apple enhances security options for its CareKit apps

Wednesday 11 January 5:36:58 UTC 2017

Apple is upping security options for its health apps.  The tech giant has partnered with the security firm Tresorit to offer developers using Apple's CareKit platform increased privacy options, helping reach HIPAA compliance.  Tresorit's security technology, called ZeroKit, will offer user authentication for patients and healthcare workers, end-to-end encryption of health data, and "zero knowledge" sharing of health data, in which … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook blocks posts in Thailand that the government has blacklisted

Wednesday 11 January 5:20:03 UTC 2017

Facebook is now blocking some posts in Thailand based on what the government deems is unsavoury. On Tuesday, journalist Andrew MacGregor Marshall noticed that some of his posts and those from fellow dissident Somsak Jeamteerasakul were not showing up for users accessing Facebook in Thailand. SEE ALSO: The BBC's in trouble for a story it ran on the new king of … [Link]

Mashable » This bank has some really weird security questions on its website

Wednesday 11 January 5:17:49 UTC 2017

Often, security questions on websites aren't as difficult as security researchers would like.  An Indian bank may have addressed that issue, but it reportedly took a weird route to get there.  SEE ALSO: British man trolls neighbour with brutally honest note about a stolen parcel Journalist Rohin Dharmakumar was greeted by some very strange questions when registering with the State Bank … [Link]

Mashable » Windows privacy control is about to get much better

Wednesday 11 January 5:06:13 UTC 2017

Microsoft is giving Windows users a lot more control over their privacy, but will also make it clear what they give up when they restrict access to their data.  SEE ALSO: Twitch should be worried about Game Broadcasting for Windows 10 The company announced a pair of significant changes to its privacy management and settings on Tuesday. They’ll arrive as part … [Link]

Mashable » Snapchat is quietly making updates that Facebook advertisers like

Wednesday 11 January 4:53:28 UTC 2017

Snapchat’s ad business is growing up, and it's beginning to look a lot like Facebook's.  Snap is testing two features this month in Snap Ads — the video ads that are inserted between Stories or on Discover — that make it easier for advertisers to meet their targets when it comes to direct sales, app downloads and user sign-ups, the company … [Link]

Mashable » People are laughing over Drake's 'corny' Obama tribute on Instagram

Wednesday 11 January 4:51:20 UTC 2017

With President Barack Obama saying his goodbyes on Tuesday night, it's the perfect time for people to reflect on his eight years as commander-in-chief. While some are happily tweeting pithy quotes from his speech in Chicago, Canadian rapper Drake had some #custom Instagram content up his sleeve. SEE ALSO: The Obamas got real emotional at the president's farewell address As a … [Link]

Mashable » Watch Obama's devastating farewell speech in full

Wednesday 11 January 4:19:51 UTC 2017

Obama capped eight years of exceptional public oratory with a typically powerful farewell speech in Chicago Tuesday. Moving from his achievements in office to the varied challenges facing the country, it took in everything from race relations to climate change to fake news and social bubbles – with nods to Atticus Finch and George Washington along the way. It was … [Link]

The Joy of Tech » JoT #2371: Heavenly tech

Wednesday 11 January 4:19:13 UTC 2017

Paradise is staying on the couch! [Link]

Mashable » The Obamas got real emotional at the president's farewell address

Wednesday 11 January 4:17:52 UTC 2017

President Barack Obama wiped away a tear as he started talking about the first lady during Tuesday's farewell address — and then things got real emotional. "Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, girl of the south side, for the past 25 years, you’ve been not only my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend," Obama said toward the end … [Link]

Mashable » Video of road being surfaced goes viral, because the internet is what it is

Wednesday 11 January 4:14:58 UTC 2017

Life comes at you fast, hey? One day you're the CEO of a small, remote shire in Western Australia. The next, your town is a viral sensation thanks to a Facebook video of road-paving — a video that now boasts more than 14 million views and counting. Such is the twist of fate experienced by Alan Leeson, chief executive of … [Link]

Mashable » Ben Smith reveals why BuzzFeed published the 'explosive' Trump reports

Wednesday 11 January 3:56:45 UTC 2017

Following BuzzFeed's publication of a dossier containing unverified allegations about Donald Trump's ties to Russia, the site's editor-in-chief has explained the controversial decision. Given it contains numerous claims about the president-elect's personal and financial ties to Russia that have not yet been confirmed, the decision to publish the documents is highly unusualBuzzFeed itself notes errors in the dossier and does not … [Link]

Mashable » Give this 'official application' to the bandwagon Dallas Cowboys fan in your life

Wednesday 11 January 3:53:27 UTC 2017

The Dallas Cowboys are finally good again. Arguably the most high-profile team in American sports begins the playoffs Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, and the team is hoping to boost its fanbase with an "official bandwagon" application.  SEE ALSO: Cowboys fan gets revenge after fiancé dumps her via text Thanks for your inquiry about the Dallas Cowboys’ bandwagon. Spots are … [Link]

Slashdot » Why You Shouldn't Trust Geek Squad

Wednesday 11 January 3:30:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Network World: The Orange County Weekly reports that Best Buy's "Geek Squad" repair technicians routinely search devices brought in for repair for files that could earn them $500 reward as FBI informants. This revelation came out in a court case, United States of America v. Mark A. Rettenmaier. Rettenmaier is a prominent Orange … [Link]

Mashable » Report alleges Russia tried to use an American tech entrepreneur to hack targets

Wednesday 11 January 3:06:19 UTC 2017

An unverified report published by BuzzFeed alleges that Russian intelligence offered to invest in a U.S. tech entrepreneur's business, in exchange for access that would let them launch cyberattacks.  The claims in the unverified dossier have been denied by the Trump campaign, the president-elect, and Donald Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen (who's named in the report as an alleged collaborator of the … [Link]

Mashable » Moby declines to DJ inaugural ball, but makes playlist anyway

Wednesday 11 January 2:54:12 UTC 2017

Out of all the people you could think of to DJ at an inaugural ball after Donald Trump is sworn in next week, Moby should not be one of them. The electronic musician once called Trump a "dimwitted, racist, misogynist," in an open letter published by Billboard, and said he was "an actual sociopath" in an op-ed for Rolling Stone. He … [Link]

Mashable » Star Wars museum finally picks official home

Wednesday 11 January 2:21:04 UTC 2017

San Francisco has been trying for years to have filmmaker George Lucas build his Star Wars museum there, but ultimately Los Angeles won out. The coveted museum, officially called the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, will feature fine art, popular art, illustrations, comics and Lucas' own collection from his films and other movies at its future home at Exposition Park near … [Link]

Mashable » Sex between snow monkey and deer shows different species may mate if they're 'deprived,' study says

Wednesday 11 January 2:04:39 UTC 2017

There’s a snow monkey in Japan who has got a taste for something a little different. A Japanese macaque was caught on tape mounting female sika deers, going all the way and trying to actually have sex with an animal they usually just ride like horses. Now a new study based out of the Japan Monkey Centre is trying to figure … [Link]

Mashable » Twitter strikes comedy gold with stream of jokes over Trump report

Wednesday 11 January 1:56:25 UTC 2017

The shockwaves around BuzzFeed's publishing of an unverified intelligence dossier alleging deep ties between President-elect Donald Trump, his campaign and the Russian government continue to ripple. Meanwhile, Twitter has coalesced around one thing: pee jokes. SEE ALSO: The Trumpster Fire is the Yule log that 2016 deserves The unverified report published late Tuesday was allegedly prepared by a former British intelligence … [Link]

Popular Science » China's new ballistic missile submarine could change its prospects in nuclear war

Wednesday 11 January 1:43:04 UTC 2017

Blog: Eastern Arsenal It's stealthier, with a range long enough to attack the United States from Chinese waters. The Type 094A SSBN, in addition to being stealthier, can launch longer ranged nuclear missiles, safe within Chinese coastal waters. [Link]

Mashable » These pins support human rights just in time for the Women's March

Wednesday 11 January 1:36:18 UTC 2017

With thousands of pins, a couple from Michigan are hoping to bring a little love, compassion and support to America in time for the Women's March in Washington, D.C. Kate Lind, 32, and Nate Stevens, 30, are behind Pincause — a $5 pin they designed with artist Penelope Dullaghan that features the American Sign Language (ASL) sign for "I love you." … [Link]

Mashable » Artists to protest Trump with painting made with human blood

Wednesday 11 January 1:32:44 UTC 2017

Activists planning to fight Trump for the next four years will use their blood, sweat and tears — literally. llma Gore is a member of the guerrilla art collective INDECLINE, responsible for the naked Trump statues that appeared in five different cities late last year. Now, Gore's got an even wilder anti-Trump project planned, one that involves actual human blood. SEE … [Link]

Slashdot » MIT Unveils New Material That's Strongest and Lightest On Earth

Wednesday 11 January 1:25:00 UTC 2017

A team of MIT researchers have created the world's strongest and lightest material known to man using graphene. Futurism reports: Graphene, which was heretofore, the strongest material known to man, is made from an extremely thin sheet of carbon atoms arranged in two dimensions. But there's one drawback: while notable for its thinness and unique electrical properties, it's very difficult … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Extinct giant goose used its wings to fight rather than fly

Wednesday 11 January 1:01:44 UTC 2017

Garganornis ballmanni, which lived on a Mediterranean island, was around 1.5 metres tall and had wing adaptations seen in birds that fight over territory [Link]

Mashable » Snowboarder backflips off a moving car like it's NBD

Wednesday 11 January 0:47:59 UTC 2017

Snowboarding is not for the faint of heart.  In what had potential to be an incredibly stressful viewing experience, professional snowboarder Martin Agerstig heads directly at a moving car, only to turn out a miraculous backflip. SEE ALSO: Watch this skier straight up trigger an avalanche Swedish film group RackartygarnaTV tracked Martin's efforts to complete the "world's first snowboard backflip on … [Link]

Slashdot » Sonos CEO John MacFarlene Steps Down From the Company He Helped Found

Wednesday 11 January 0:45:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: After nearly a decade and a half as the chief executive officer of the hardware company he cofounded, John MacFarlane has announced his resignation as the head of Sonos. The move had reportedly been planned for some time, with the executive citing a number of personal reasons. That decision was delayed, however, … [Link]

Mashable » Judge dismisses libel suit against Trump because his tweets are 'hyperbolic'

Wednesday 11 January 0:23:04 UTC 2017

A judge did not take Donald Trump’s tweets seriously — which saved him from a lawsuit. On Monday, a libel case against Trump was dumped by a New York judge, who claimed because the president-elect uses “simplistic insults” like “wacko” and “loser” on Twitter, his “hyperbolic” comments just show his opinions and aren't based in truth or fact.  SEE ALSO: Meryl … [Link]

Mashable » FIFA may have just ruined the World Cup, and fans aren't happy

Wednesday 11 January 0:08:36 UTC 2017

FIFA made what had previously been floated official on Tuesday by voting to expand the World Cup field from 32 to 48 teams beginning with the 2026 tournament.  In doing so, it just might have ruined the greatest spectacle in sports.  SEE ALSO: It's (almost) official: The 2022 World Cup is a total abomination Whispers of an expansion to the World … [Link]

Slashdot » Microsoft To Enhance User Privacy Controls In Upcoming Windows 10 Update

Wednesday 11 January 0:05:00 UTC 2017

MojoKid writes: When Microsoft first launched Windows 10, it was generally well-received but also came saddled with a number of privacy concerns. It has taken quite a while for Microsoft to respond to these concerns in a meaningful way, but the company is finally proving that it's taking things seriously by detailing some enhanced privacy features coming to a future … [Link]

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