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 » Uber driver picks up her boyfriend's other girlfriend and then sh*t really hits the fan

Thursday 30 March 23:47:08 UTC 2017

Welcome to a sordid tale of modern romance. We begin with Twitter user @Msixelaa who spends her days as an Uber driver. Recently, she blessed us all with a wild Twitter thread detailing how she picked up a woman from the airport, and it turned out the rider was her boyfriend's other girlfriend.  SEE ALSO: Allow this perfect child to teach … [Link]

Mashable » Lyft made these goofy wearables as a prank but they're actually kind of cool

Thursday 30 March 23:29:49 UTC 2017

Would you believe it if Lyft rolled out an actual, physical product to hail a ride? A one-use wearable, giving you streamlined access to all the service's cars at the lyft (lolz) of your thumb? You shouldn't believe it — well, not completely. The ride-hailing app is currently shilling Mono, a wearable with some legitimately cool specs: it has BLE tech … [Link]

Slashdot » IBM Technology Creates Smart Wingman For Self-Driving Cars

Thursday 30 March 23:20:00 UTC 2017

coondoggie quotes a report from Network World: IBM said that it has patented a machine learning technology that defines how to shift control of an autonomous vehicle between a human driver and a vehicle control processor in the event of a potential emergency. Basically the patented IBM system employs onboard sensors and artificial intelligence to determine potential safety concerns and … [Link]

Mashable » Everyone made the same 'Zoolander' joke about the Final Four court

Thursday 30 March 23:05:26 UTC 2017

The Final Four is, of course, a basketball event. So you might think it's played in a basketball arena.  Classic mistake! Before we go on, look at this photo. It's the court for the men's hoops Final Four — which will apparently be played by microscopic college basketball players.  The biggest stage in college basketball is ready…#FinalFour pic.twitter.com/Gz1vl8mYSI — NCAA March … [Link]

Mashable » There and back: SpaceX launches and lands previously flown rocket in huge step for space travel

Thursday 30 March 22:44:24 UTC 2017

SpaceX did it.  For the first time in its history, the Elon Musk-founded spaceflight company has relaunched a previously flown Falcon 9 booster.  Oh, and they landed it back on Earth again. SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's SpaceX is betting big on its rocket launch this week This rocket, which flew a payload to orbit in April 2016 for its first flight, … [Link]

Slashdot » AT&T Receives $6.5 Billion To Build Wireless Network For First Responders

Thursday 30 March 22:40:00 UTC 2017

The First Responder Network, FirstNet, an independent arm of the Department of Commerce, has awarded a contract to AT&T to build a nationwide wireless broadband network to better equip first responders. "FirstNet will provide 20MHz of high-value, telecommunications spectrum and success-based payments of $6.5 billion over the next five years to support the network buildout," AT&T said in its announcement. … [Link]

Mashable » Strip clubs and 'dong roulette': Travis Kalanick's Twitter account is full of terrifying wonders

Thursday 30 March 22:32:51 UTC 2017

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick is doing a lot of backpedaling these days.  But when it comes to planning meetings at strip clubs and proposing a service for randomly sharing dick pics? The CEO remains all in.  These ideas are just some of the gems to be found in Kalanick's current Twitter account, @travisk. We say "current," because his old account @konatbone … [Link]

Mashable » Nothing to see here, just an alligator in a furniture store

Thursday 30 March 22:03:18 UTC 2017

Just another terrifying reptile sighting in (you guessed it) Florida.  This time, it was at a furniture store in the Tampa Bay area, where an alligator was spotted Wednesday in the parking lot.  SEE ALSO: Iguana, who answers to no man, wreaks havoc at the Miami Open tennis tournament Now, shockingly, this gator didn't get inside on it's own. Local … [Link]

Mashable » Your college email account may be one of millions for sale on the dark web

Thursday 30 March 22:02:33 UTC 2017

Imagine you're walking down a highway when you suddenly find the keys to a vault full of personal information. Now imagine you find nearly 14 million keys and vaults, all belonging to people who went to or worked at a college somewhere in the U.S.  That would be insane — but that is, in digital form, what a March report published … [Link]

Slashdot » Publish Georgia's State Laws, You'll Get Sued For Copyright and Lose

Thursday 30 March 22:00:00 UTC 2017

Presto Vivace writes: If you want to read the official laws of the state of Georgia, it will cost you more than $1,000. Open-records activist Carl Malamud bought a hard copy, and it cost him $1,207.02 after shipping and taxes. A copy on CD was $1,259.41. The "good" news for Georgia residents is that they'll only have to pay $385.94 … [Link]

Mashable » Critics think 'Thimbleweed Park' nails the spirit of '80s adventure games

Thursday 30 March 21:47:55 UTC 2017

There’s a new Ron Gilbert adventure game and you can play it now. Don't ask who he is. If you don't know, just go play Maniac Mansion. And The Secret of Monkey Island (plus its sequel). Gilbert helped create both of them, along with a string of other classic adventure games. SEE ALSO: Playing a game in a different language can … [Link]

Mashable » Army of Russian trolls reportedly targeted swing states with anti-Clinton fake news

Thursday 30 March 21:45:39 UTC 2017

If it seems like your family members living in key swing states were more swept up in anti-Hillary Clinton fake news than others during the 2016 election, Russian trolls may have been involved. SEE ALSO: How computer hacking is becoming Russia’s weapon of choice According to two members of the Senate Intelligence committee, Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and committee chairman Richard … [Link]

Mashable » EPA won't ban this chemical even though agency scientists want to

Thursday 30 March 21:43:38 UTC 2017

Meet "chlorpyrifos," the insecticide that federal scientists say could potentially harm children and farm workers. The Obama administration had proposed a ban on the chemical after the Environmental Protection Agency concluded that exposure to chlorpyrifos might cause significant human health consequences, such as impaired brain function. But Dow Jones, which makes the product, said the science was inconclusive. SEE ALSO: What … [Link]

Slashdot » Comcast Launches Contract-Free Xfinity Prepaid Internet Service

Thursday 30 March 21:40:00 UTC 2017

Comcast has been testing its Xfinity prepaid internet service for several years and now it appears to be ready for the masses. "The package allows consumers to pay for internet service on a pay-as-you-go basis, with refills ranging from seven to 30 days," reports The Verge. From the report: Comcast is partnering with Boost Mobile to sell the $80 prepaid … [Link]

Mashable » 'Street Fighter V' community is on a mission to prove just how much Akuma sucks

Thursday 30 March 21:36:35 UTC 2017

Street Fighter V's cast of characters has an array of strengths and weaknesses, but nobody is easier to kill than Akuma. Akuma, the red-haired devil, is what's known as a glass cannon — he dishes out tons of damage but can't take much. Out of all the characters in SFV, Akuma has the least stamina and can get knocked out quicker … [Link]

Mashable » How this portable stove can change the way you camp

Thursday 30 March 21:25:08 UTC 2017

BioLite’s line of compact wood-burning stoves generate power to charge your devices and emits 90 percent less toxic emissions than traditional open fires. Read more…More about Portable Stove, Real Time, Portable Battery, Power, and Biolite [Link]

Slashdot » Twitter Will No Longer Count Usernames Against a Tweet's 140-Character Limit

Thursday 30 March 21:20:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from PhoneDog: Last year, Twitter updated its service so that photos, videos, and other media wouldn't count against your 140-character limit. Now it's excluding another feature from that limit. Twitter is now rolling out an update that excludes usernames from your tweet's 140-character limit. This means that you can tag as many people in … [Link]

Mashable » Paralyzed man feeds himself for the first time in eight years thanks to some incredible technology

Thursday 30 March 21:09:20 UTC 2017

Doctors at Case Western Reserve University are helping a paralyzed man move his arms again and feed himself using brain implant technology.  Read more…More about Real People, Real Time Video, Motor Functions, Feeding, and Arms [Link]

Mashable » Sculptor of that widely mocked Ronaldo bust compares himself to Jesus

Thursday 30 March 21:06:34 UTC 2017

When a bust of Cristiano Ronaldo was unveiled Wednesday in his home country of Portugal, its — we'll be charitable here — creative take on the soccer star's visage was mocked across the internet. There were so many jokes, and so many Photoshops.  Now the man who sculpted the busted bust has a message for his many haters.  SEE ALSO: Attacking … [Link]

Mashable » Oculus cofounder Palmer Luckey out at Facebook

Thursday 30 March 21:06:23 UTC 2017

Oculus cofounder Palmer Luckey is leaving Facebook. The company confirmed his departure in a statement, saying the 24-year-old Oculus creator "will be dearly missed."  SEE ALSO: Oculus Rift promised us the future of VR. Here's what really happened. “Palmer will be dearly missed. Palmer’s legacy extends far beyond Oculus. His inventive spirit helped kickstart the modern VR revolution and helped build … [Link]

Mashable » Forget Tinder: This hot app wants to be your hookup for hooking up

Thursday 30 March 21:01:43 UTC 2017

Tinder may have rock solid reputation for being the hookup app, but there's a new player in town. CasualX is an app that's catering exclusively to people who want encounters with no strings attached. It's billing itself as “Tinder Minus Marriage-Minded Daters,” and it's launching today for iOS (available for Android soon). CEO Michelle Li founded the app after she noticed … [Link]

Mashable » This list of stuff people have left in Ubers will make you cringe

Thursday 30 March 20:59:51 UTC 2017

If you've ever found yourself returning home from an eventful night out only to realize that one of your most valuable possessions is no longer by your side, there's a good chance you left it in your Uber. *gasp* But have no fear, because Uber's Lost & Found feature is here to help you reunite with your cell phone, lonely right … [Link]

Mashable » Here are the search histories of the major Republican lawmakers who think it's okay to sell yours

Thursday 30 March 20:48:46 UTC 2017

Republicans in the House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to give internet service providers the ability to sell their users' private data — including their search history — without their consent. In the aftermath of the vote, multiple GoFundMe fundraisers were created with the goal of purchasing the search histories of major Republicans.  SEE ALSO: 10 people afflicted by the failure … [Link]

Mashable » Get the perfect slice of cake every time with this kitchen tool

Thursday 30 March 20:40:14 UTC 2017

The 'Magisso Cake Server' can give you the perfect slice of cake every single time. Press, squeeze, and lift to serve your perfect piece of dessert. It is made out of stainless steel and retails for $19.95. Cutting cake doesn't have to be messy and annoying anymore. Read more…More about Real Time Video, Real Time, Cake Slicer, Server, and Kitchen Device … [Link]

Slashdot » Streaming Services Generated More Than 50% of All US Music Industry Revenue in 2016

Thursday 30 March 20:40:00 UTC 2017

Janko Roettgers, reporting for Variety: Streaming music services were for the first time ever responsible for more than 50 percent of all U.S. music industry revenue in 2016, according to new numbers released by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Thursday. Paid and ad-supported streaming together generated 51 percent of music revenue last year, to be precise, bringing in … [Link]

Mashable » Kim Kardashian says she plans to have surgery to help her get pregnant

Thursday 30 March 20:37:24 UTC 2017

Kim Kardashian West reveals in a new Keeping Up With the Kardashians clip that she plans to undergo surgery to help her become pregnant with her third child with Kanye West.  "I have to go in and repair my uterus. Because I decided I'm going to try to have one more baby," says Kim in the clip. "Isn't that exciting?" … [Link]

Mashable » North Carolina votes to replace one anti-trans law with another and everyone is obviously outraged

Thursday 30 March 20:25:39 UTC 2017

When Democrat Roy Cooper ran for governor in 2016, he made one promise to his constituents: that he would work to repeal HB2, North Carolina's notorious anti-trans bathroom law. Cooper has struggled to make good on his promise as Republicans in the state legislature opposed repealing the law. On Thursday, Republicans and Democrats came together to vote for HB142, just before … [Link]

Mashable » You can now get terrible Jack in the Box tacos delivered to your house

Thursday 30 March 20:01:28 UTC 2017

With Americans eating 554 million Jack in the Box tacos every year, as a nation we should probably be finding ways to slow down our fast food habits. But instead the chain known for its tacos, suped-up burgers and ping pong-headed mascot has partnered with a mobile food delivery app to make it even easier to chow down. SEE ALSO: Robots … [Link]

Mashable » The first 'Game of Thrones' Season 7 promo is here, but what does it all mean?

Thursday 30 March 20:01:10 UTC 2017

At first glance, the new promo trailer for Game of Thrones Season 7 is just a badass montage of pretty people walking slowly through hallways while James' "Sit Down" plays atmospherically in the background.  But this is Thrones, damnit, where every sight, sound and sigh has meaning. So let's break down all the potential clues about Season 7 hidden in this … [Link]

New Scientist – News » NASA orbiter shows Mars lost 90 per cent of its CO2 to space

Thursday 30 March 20:00:00 UTC 2017

The MAVEN spacecraft has completed the key part of its mission: to track down how much argon Mars’s atmosphere is giving up as a proxy for carbon dioxide loss [Link]

New Scientist – News » Flying foxes are facing extinction on islands across the world

Thursday 30 March 20:00:00 UTC 2017

Despite their key role as pollinators, these fruit bats are hunted for food and to protect fruit crops, which could wipe them out on their island homes [Link]

New Scientist – News » Destroying a type of brain cell makes mice really chilled out

Thursday 30 March 20:00:00 UTC 2017

Taking deep breaths during meditation or yoga can make you feel relaxed, but we don’t know why. Now some extremely chilled-out mice have given us a clue [Link]

Slashdot » Microsoft To Sell Customized Edition of Samsung Galaxy S8 Android Smartphones

Thursday 30 March 20:00:00 UTC 2017

Done with selling its own phones, Microsoft is getting back at the smartphone business. This time, selling Samsung's Android powered flagship S8 and S8 Plus smartphone. From a report: Microsoft says it is making available for pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ Microsoft Edition. Both phones will be available for purchase beginning April 21 at brick-and-mortar US Microsoft … [Link]

Mashable » Oscars won't ditch the accounting firm responsible for this year's Best Picture blunder — but there's a new rule

Thursday 30 March 19:49:44 UTC 2017

There’s no chance anyone will ever forget this year's big Oscars screwup. But the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has apparently decided they're willing to forgive it. The organization behind the awards ceremony has voted to stick with PricewaterhouseCoopers, the accounting firm responsible for the mix-up that led to the wrong movie being announced for Best Picture. SEE ALSO: … [Link]

Geek Culture » New Sponsor! Apps4rent.com!

Thursday 30 March 19:43:39 UTC 2017

Today's comics and website have been made possible with support by Apps4Rent. Premium Application hosting. They are a leading provider of hosted services to businesses and resellers at value prices. Hosted SharePoint, Exchange, Virtual Desktops and Servers for Cloud Hosting Services. They are the experts when it comes to two useful technologies for working from anywhere – Cloud Desktop and … [Link]

Mashable » Justin Theroux gave Jennifer Aniston an empty piñata because being famous is terrible

Thursday 30 March 19:38:10 UTC 2017

So no one told you life was gonna be this way. Your birthday's a joke! Your piñata isn't broken, because there's no way you're touching can-day! Jennifer Aniston's recent jaunt to Cabo with husband Justin Theroux and bestie Courtney Cox took a turn too dark to even be considered as a plot twist on The Leftovers. The crew celebrated with an … [Link]

Mashable » Those GoFundMe campaigns can't simply buy Congress's internet history

Thursday 30 March 19:29:46 UTC 2017

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. And of course, very often these days, crowdfunding campaigns, too. You might've recently come across a link or eight for two different GoFundMe campaigns bouncing around the social web. Their aim? To crowdfund the purchase of members of Congress' internet histories. Both campaigns were inspired by Republicans in the Senate and the … [Link]

Mashable » The Galaxy S8 could be stupid fast on certain LTE networks

Thursday 30 March 19:28:57 UTC 2017

We now have documented proof that the Samsung Galaxy S8 is more than just fast — it's like, gigabit fast. T-Mobile dropped a video showing the brand new Samsung flagship being put through its paces on the carrier's LTE network in its Bellevue, Washington research lab.  The phone is able to hit some impressive download speeds, flirting with the gigabit barrier.  … [Link]

Slashdot » Google Plans To Alter JavaScript Popups After Abuse From Tech Support Scammers

Thursday 30 March 19:20:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader writes: Chromium engineers are discussing plans to change how JavaScript popups work inside Chrome and other similar browsers. In a proposal published on the Google Developers portal, the Chromium team acknowledged that JavaScript popups are consistently used to harm users. To combat this threat, Google engineers say they plan to make JavaScript modals, like the alert(), confirm(), … [Link]

Mashable » NASA's Peggy Whitson broke another space record and would she just adopt me already?

Thursday 30 March 19:10:22 UTC 2017

Is there a record for the number of records broken by one astronaut?  NASA astronaut — and all around badass — Peggy Whitson set yet another spaceflight record Thursday. Whitson surpassed NASA astronaut Sunita Williams to become the female astronaut with the most spacewalks under her belt, according to NASA. SEE ALSO: This badass woman is about to set an astronaut … [Link]

Mashable » Playing a game in a different language can make or break a world record speedrun

Thursday 30 March 19:05:21 UTC 2017

Every second matters when it comes to speedrunning through video games. And where seconds are concerned, console choices and even language choices are vital to shaving off precious time. Language matters to speedrunners because, sometimes, the difference means there's less text to scroll through. Sometimes the voice acting goes by a little quicker. Or sometimes the local version of the game … [Link]

Mashable » New discovery reveals the T. Rex was actually super into foreplay

Thursday 30 March 19:02:15 UTC 2017

The Tyrannosaurus Rex has long been seen as the ultimate tough guy of the dinosaur kingdom, but scientists have found the predators may have been into snuggling. Wait…what? It's true. The T. Rex has been declared "a sensitive lover." Hard to imagine the 20-foot tall, menacing creature was actually a love bug. But new research just published in Scientific Reports suggests … [Link]

Mashable » Nice dude John Legend defended Kim Kardashian against a cruel Twitter remark

Thursday 30 March 18:52:50 UTC 2017

While Chrissy Teigen remains steadfast in her willingness to call out bullshit on Twitter, her husband John Legend takes a more low-key approach to the platform. His wife's influence seemed clear, however, when he went to bat for his friend Kim Kardashian after a writer mocked her on Twitter for news that she's considering a third pregnancy. SEE ALSO: Chrissy Teigen … [Link]

Mashable » Chris Evans calls ex Jenny Slate 'my favorite human' so he's probably trying to make us cry

Thursday 30 March 18:50:11 UTC 2017

If there's any justice in the world — which Captain America should be doing his damnedest to make sure there is — one day, we'll get a romantic comedy about the bittersweet romance of Chris Evans and Jenny Slate.  Shortly after Slate opened up her relationship with Chris Evans last week, her superhero ex boyfriend spoke about her Wednesday in equally … [Link]

Mashable » What's up with the song in the new 'Game of Thrones' trailer?

Thursday 30 March 18:46:25 UTC 2017

It’s a little on-the-nose for a show about a powerful chair to use the song "Sit Down" in a trailer, but that's what Game of Thrones did to us with the latest taste of Season 7.  The song, by British rock outfit James, plays over slow-motion footage of Cersei (Lena Headey), Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), and Jon (Kit Harington) seating themselves in … [Link]

Mashable » Jennifer Lawrence, Russian spy who uses sex as a weapon? Just try to resist 'Red Sparrow'

Thursday 30 March 18:41:33 UTC 2017

Jennifer Lawrence has stumbled into a new role that looks anything but clumsy, quirky and relatable — think somewhere between Eyes Wide Shut, Black Swan, and The Americans. 20th Century Fox revealed its first look at Red Sparrow on Thursday at Cinemacon, the annual gathering of movie theater owners and Hollywood studios, and if sexual intensity is what you want, put … [Link]

Slashdot » Safe Harbor Cost the US Music Industry Up To $1B in Lost Royalties Per Year, Study Finds

Thursday 30 March 18:40:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader shares a report: For the first time, researchers have quantified the "value gap" and its impact on the US recorded music industry. A study published yesterday (March 29) by Washington, DC-based economy think tank the Phoenix Centre For Advanced Legal And Economic Public Policy Studies attempted to calculate how much revenue the recording industry loses from the … [Link]

Mashable » Teen babysitter transforms a normal night in into a mermaid party extravaganza

Thursday 30 March 18:39:38 UTC 2017

I wanna be where the cool babysitters are… Fifteen-year-old Keegan Carnahan is a regular babysitter for her father's assistant's daughter, three-year-old Alidy Clark. Ever since Carnahan dyed her hair bright pink, Clark had been consistently saying that she was a mermaid.  SEE ALSO: Manly Dads Belt 'Little Mermaid' Song So, during a regular Wednesday night of babysitting, Clark just happened to … [Link]

Mashable » Two species fight for survival in the 'War for the Planet of the Apes' trailer

Thursday 30 March 18:38:59 UTC 2017

Look, there's no real question of which species comes out on top in War for the Planet of the Apes. It's a Planet of the Apes prequel, and if you've seen Planet of the Apes, you already know. So the fact that we care at all is a huge credit to director Matt Reeves, star Andy Serkis, and the rest … [Link]

Mashable » Crayola has officially killed a crayon. RIP.

Thursday 30 March 18:28:34 UTC 2017

Crayola has retired one of the colors from its classic 24-pack early and hearts are breaking. Last week, the art supply company  announced it would be canning a crayon on March 31 (a.k.a. National Crayon Day), but because the company likes to toy with our emotions, they cast off the weakest link Thursday afternoon. So who got booted from the box? … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Is taking sugar out of food as difficult as industry says it is?

Thursday 30 March 18:18:47 UTC 2017

Reducing sugar by a fifth in cakes and cereals sounds easy. So why is "big food" claiming it will be tough to do, wonders chef Anthony Warner [Link]

New Scientist – News » Why you should worry that your browsing history is now for sale

Thursday 30 March 18:18:46 UTC 2017

A repeal of rules preventing ISP’s touting US users’ data isn’t just another chip in our non-existent internet privacy: it’s more fundamental than that [Link]

New Scientist – News » Tiny fish’s venom makes predators zone out and release them

Thursday 30 March 18:18:45 UTC 2017

When predators attack, blennies on Pacific coral reefs bite back with a venom that makes the attackers so dizzy that they open their mouths to let the prey out [Link]

Popular Science » We finally know what happened to (most of) Mars' missing atmosphere

Thursday 30 March 18:18:08 UTC 2017

Space The answer was blowing in the solar wind Was Mars' atmosphere lost in space, or did the Martian crust reabsorb it? New data is settling the debate. [Link]

Popular Science » What slime mold and online shoppers have in common

Thursday 30 March 18:18:07 UTC 2017

Animals Trying to make good choices in a cold, hard world New research from the robust scientific discipline of slime suggests many living things may be making basic decisions roughly the same way. Read on:… [Link]

Popular Science » This fish basically gives its enemies heroin

Thursday 30 March 18:17:11 UTC 2017

Animals Could new drugs be found in its unique venom? At first glance, a fang blenny looks completely unthreatening. But in reality, it's anything but. Read on:… [Link]

Mashable » More details revealed about Uber's latest self-driving car crash

Thursday 30 March 18:14:23 UTC 2017

An official police report on a crash involving an Uber self-driving car and regular car has shed more light on what went down in Arizona. SEE ALSO: Uber's Travis Kalanick: Yep, I'm a jerk, basically The crash happened on Mar. 24 in Tempe when one of Uber's self-driving Volvos entered an intersection and was hit by an SUV making a left … [Link]

Mashable » Samsung totally knew it put the S8’s fingerprint sensor in a terrible spot

Thursday 30 March 18:11:06 UTC 2017

The single worst thing about the Galaxy S8 is easily its relocated fingerprint sensor. Whoever thought it was a smart idea to put it right next to the back camera should get a slap on the wrist because it's just terrible. Not only is the S8's fingerprint sensor in an incredibly difficult-to-access spot compared to on the S7/S7 Edge, which had … [Link]

Mashable » 10 of the best TV doctors

Thursday 30 March 18:07:47 UTC 2017

It’s National Doctors' Day, which is the best day to admit that everyone with a television has some basic medical training, right? (No, we don't).  I love TV doctors (I'm even related to one), so to honor all the hardworking real doctors out there (shoutout to the med school friends for your relentless grind), here's a list of our favorite fictional … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport Publishes Flight API

Thursday 30 March 18:05:53 UTC 2017

The Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam has published a Flight API through which developers can integrate airport data with third party apps. While the API certainly makes useful data available regarding the 90+ airlines operating at the airport and individual flight details, the API does not provide access to personal or critical information such as passenger data, security data, pricing data, … [Link]

Slashdot » Facebook Announces Crowdfunding Service To Back Causes Such As Medical Needs

Thursday 30 March 18:00:00 UTC 2017

Facebook said today it is introducing a crowdfunding feature to help users back causes such as education, medical needs, pet medical, crisis relief, personal emergencies and funerals. The new tool, which appears to offer similar features as GoFundMe, allows users 18 or older to "raise money for themselves, a friend or someone or something not on Facebook." From a report: … [Link]

Mashable » The first trailer for 'Guardians of the Galaxy' from Telltale has jokes

Thursday 30 March 17:45:45 UTC 2017

It's our first look at Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series in action and already Star-Lord's exaggerated humor is bugging Drax's literal takes. Oh, and, Groot is Groot. Although the cast won't feature any of the original actors from Marvel's film series, video game fans will recognize the list of voice actors as fairly star-studded regardless: The first of … [Link]

Mashable » Joss Whedon reportedly in talks to direct and write 'Batgirl'

Thursday 30 March 17:38:53 UTC 2017

The DC Extended Universe's Bat-family is getting a little bit bigger. A Batgirl movie is reportedly in the works at Warner Bros., with Joss Whedon nearing a deal to write, produce, and direct.  SEE ALSO: 'The Lego Batman Movie' is a pop-culture feast that also gives good Batman Variety first reported on Whedon's potential involvementMashable has reached out for comment. If … [Link]

Mashable » Elephants finally catch a break as ivory prices plunge in China

Thursday 30 March 17:26:51 UTC 2017

Elephants, rejoice: China is making a major effort to kick its nasty ivory habit. On Friday, the Chinese government is slated to shutter more than two dozen factories that carve ivory. Authorities have also committed to closing all retail outlets for ivory jewelry and goods by the end of the year.  Despite the devastating toll on elephants, China's ivory market — … [Link]

Slashdot » Britain Wants Tech Firms to Tackle Extremism

Thursday 30 March 17:20:00 UTC 2017

Britain will tell Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Microsoft on Thursday to do more to stop extremists posting content on their platforms and using encrypted messaging services to plan attacks. From a report: Home Secretary Amber Rudd said on Sunday tech companies should stop offering a "secret place for terrorists to communicate," after British parliament attacker Khalid Masood was widely reported … [Link]

Mashable » The Galaxy S8 has an awesome audio feature that will make iPhone owners jealous

Thursday 30 March 17:18:19 UTC 2017

It’s great to see Samsung's Galaxy S8 include a standard 3.5mm headphone jack (unlike some other phones). But the future of music listening is undoubtedly wireless, which is why it's also great the Galaxy S8 and S8+ are the first smartphones to include Bluetooth 5.0 with support for not one, but two pairs of wireless headphones or wireless speakers simultaneously. SEE … [Link]

Mashable » You'll travel to space in the near future – just for fun

Thursday 30 March 17:14:56 UTC 2017

Worldview wants to take tourists into space. Watch as we take to the skies (and space) and learn what it means to be a space tourist. After digging into the video above, feel free to see what it's like to float up to 100,000 feet above the Earth. Take a VR journey in the latest episode of 'The Possible' by … [Link]

Mashable » You're screwed if you want to repair the new iPad

Thursday 30 March 17:09:19 UTC 2017

Apple’s new iPad is thin, powerful—and a nightmare to fix when things go wrong. iFixit, a website and store famous for its detailed repair guides, unveiled its teardown of the new 9.7-inch iPad Thursday, and it's a doozy. SEE ALSO: There are too many damn iPads to choose from now When it comes to how easy the device is to repair, … [Link]

Mashable » 'Game of Thrones' drops first Season 7 promo and it's chilling

Thursday 30 March 17:09:16 UTC 2017

THIS IS NOT A DRILL: HBO has released the first official promo for Game of Thrones Season 7 that actually features the characters, and we're freaking out. The new teaser features Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey), Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) on a long walk towards their respective thrones, ending with a chilling hint that ruling the … [Link]

Mashable » Soak it in, Guardians: This is our first glimpse of 'Destiny 2'

Thursday 30 March 17:02:11 UTC 2017

There'll be plenty of time to talk later. For now… Bungie's first-ever look at Destiny 2 has arrived. You should watch it. The game will be here on Sept. 8, but you can play it early — thanks to a beta — if you pre-order. Get hype. Read more… More about Activision, Bungie, Destiny, Destiny 2, and Gaming [Link]

Mashable » Is 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' getting a revival?

Thursday 30 March 17:00:54 UTC 2017

These days it seems like beloved canceled TV shows are like vampires: constantly coming back from the dead. But is the mother of all vampire shows next on the revival docket? At a recent reunion for the 20th anniversary of the premiere, the cast of the seminal teen horror classic Buffy the Vampire Slayer covered all sorts of topics during their … [Link]

New Scientist – News » It just got harder to deny climate change drives extreme weather

Thursday 30 March 16:58:54 UTC 2017

The link between human activity and unusual jet stream patterns associated with extreme weather events is getting stronger, says Olive Heffernan [Link]

New Scientist – News » Weird T. rex forerunner had small horns and crocodile-like snout

Thursday 30 March 16:58:53 UTC 2017

This new species was a ferocious predator with a sensitive side that reigned across North America until T. rex came along [Link]

Mashable » An exhaustive breakdown of how the new 'It' trailer compares to the original

Thursday 30 March 16:55:42 UTC 2017

2017 is fast on its way to being a very, very good year for Stephen King fans. SEE ALSO: This 1979 Stephen King novel is a chilling prediction of Donald Trump's rise We've already got the long-awaited adaptation of The Dark Tower coming this summer, and now we also have our first teaser trailer for Andrés Muschietti's It remake to get … [Link]

WIRED » The World’s Biggest Porn Site Goes All-In on Encryption

Thursday 30 March 16:55:04 UTC 2017

Now that Pornhub's going HTTPS, your private browsing will be a lot more private. The post The World's Biggest Porn Site Goes All-In on Encryption appeared first on WIRED. [Link]

WIRED » The Fanged Fish That Drugs Its Enemies With Opioids

Thursday 30 March 16:55:03 UTC 2017

Researchers reveal what makes the fang blenny's venom so unique: It's packed with opioid peptides. The post The Fanged Fish That Drugs Its Enemies With Opioids appeared first on WIRED. [Link]

Mashable » Jack Dorsey: Profit is just, like, a choice (also Twitter is going to live forever)

Thursday 30 March 16:54:41 UTC 2017

Jack Dorsey runs two big, well-known businesses (Twitter and Square), but he doesn't think one of them needs to be profitable, despite how much Wall Street would like it.  SEE ALSO: No, Twitter shouldn't ban Trump—here's why “Profitability is a choice, right? It is a choice between investment and driving profit," Dorsey said at Twitter’s international headquarters in Dublin, rounded up … [Link]

Mashable » 'War Machine' trailer: Brad Pitt is the latest A-lister headed to Netflix

Thursday 30 March 16:53:51 UTC 2017

Is Brad Pitt's Afghanistan War satire War Machine:  A) hilarious, because it's right on point and uses Brad Pitt to perfection;  B) depressing, because it's a reminder of how little we've learned from that whole experience; or C) kinda both? We're going with C, personally, but your mileage may vary.  SEE ALSO: With this hire, Netflix is basically a Hollywood … [Link]

Slashdot » Christopher Nolan and Sofia Coppola Urge Fans To Watch Films in Cinemas, Not On Netflix

Thursday 30 March 16:40:00 UTC 2017

Christopher Nolan and Sofia Coppola have urged audiences to see their films in the cinema at a time when the movie industry is reckoning with the growing popularity of video on demand and streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon. From a report: Presenting their forthcoming films at CinemaCon, the annual convention organised by the National Association of Theatre Owners, … [Link]

Mashable » Watch a CNN commentator rail against a former congressman who said Obama benefited because of his race

Thursday 30 March 16:25:44 UTC 2017

CNN commentator Angela Rye is doing everything she can not to explode. Rye butted heads with former U.S. Congressman Joe Walsh's on CNN's Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin yesterday after he suggested that President Obama was held to a lower standard because of his race. SEE ALSO: Interview: Maxine Waters thinks millennials can change politics for everyone (yes, everyone) The commentator then … [Link]

Mashable » EPA mistakenly tells the truth about Trump's climate plans

Thursday 30 March 16:16:14 UTC 2017

On Thursday morning, the Environmental Protection Agency sent out a press release containing praise for President Donald Trump's executive order that rolls back Obama-era climate change rules.  But the agency's press office made an obvious mistake in the first paragraph, which included harshly critical comments attributed to West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican coal booster and prominent Trump supporter. … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » From REST to GraphQL: Why and How to Make the Move

Thursday 30 March 16:14:39 UTC 2017

REST is something of an industry standard for API design. It's simple, well-documented, and unobtrusive because it acts as a set of guidelines rather than as an enforced standard. This makes REST very easy to adopt. But the simplicity has trade-offs that have become more evident as the diversity of API clients has increased. GraphQL is the hot new kid … [Link]

Mashable » A Balloon Ride to Space: Float 100,000 feet above Earth into the stratosphere

Thursday 30 March 16:06:29 UTC 2017

The Possible: "A Balloon Ride to Space"“A Balloon Ride to Space,” episode 4 of THE POSSIBLE, takes you where few have gone before. You’ll witness the construction of a technologically advanced balloon that, when inflated, is as big as a football stadium…soar 100,000 feet above Earth…and experience an utterly unique and awe-inspiring perspective on the planet we call home. World View, … [Link]

Mashable » Allow this perfect child to teach you how to talk to your ex

Thursday 30 March 16:00:47 UTC 2017

Brace yourselves: this adorable child is about to teach you everything you need to know when dealing with your exes. Instagram user Dani Lane shared a video of two of her daughters Dannah and Dani that has perhaps revolutionized everything videos of your nieces and nephews could be. (Sounds like an overstatement but truly, bear with us.) It all started when … [Link]

Mashable » Twitter is loosening up its 140-character limit — again

Thursday 30 March 16:00:00 UTC 2017

It’s now possible to squeeze in a few extra characters on Twitter.  Beginning now, usernames will no longer count toward the service's 140-character limit, Twitter announced. The change also means that replies will look a whole lot different than before. SEE ALSO: Yeah, Twitter's watching you even when you're not tweeting Instead of beginning with usernames, tweet replies will contain only … [Link]

Slashdot » Airline Fined For Sending 3.3 Million Unwanted Emails

Thursday 30 March 16:00:00 UTC 2017

The airline Flybe has been fined 70,000 pound ($87,000) for sending more than 3.3 million marketing emails to people who had opted out of receiving them. From a report on BBC: The emails, sent in August 2016, advised people to amend out-of-date personal information and update their marketing preferences. They also gave people the chance to enter a prize draw. … [Link]

Popular Science » Bill Nye is going to march on Washington

Thursday 30 March 16:00:00 UTC 2017

Science The Science Guy joins the March for Science When scientists gather to march in support of research and truth on April 22, Bill Nye the Science Guy will be right there with them. Read on:… [Link]

Mashable » A new tool will automate the referral process so you can get a bonus without doing anything

Thursday 30 March 15:46:55 UTC 2017

Referring a friend to your company is an easy way to earn some extra money, but it requires keeping track of current job openings — and who all your former colleagues are.  The career site Ladders has a solution: automating the referral process so that a website can tell you who in your network would be a good fit for all … [Link]

WIRED » An App That Tracks Your Movement to Help You Relax, Even in the Back of a Cab

Thursday 30 March 15:33:31 UTC 2017

Sway is the latest in a recent spate of meditation apps designed to encourage mindfulness. The post An App That Tracks Your Movement to Help You Relax, Even in the Back of a Cab appeared first on WIRED. [Link]

Mashable » Why is BioWare building hype for sorely needed 'Mass Effect' fixes?

Thursday 30 March 15:31:02 UTC 2017

What’s going on, BioWare? Here's the deal, folksMass Effect: Andromeda has issues. What those issues are and which of them are most pressing depends a lot on who you're talking to, but it is objectively correct to say that BioWare's latest game arrived in less-than-perfect shape. SEE ALSO: Assholes try like hell to pin new 'Mass Effect' game's crappy animations on … [Link]

WIRED » Review: Earin M-1 Wireless Earbuds

Thursday 30 March 15:30:35 UTC 2017

Apple’s AirPods aren't the only wireless earbud game in town. The post Review: Earin M-1 Wireless Earbuds appeared first on WIRED. [Link]

Mashable » Uber's latest update gives you even more ride hailing power

Thursday 30 March 15:28:22 UTC 2017

It’s ridiculous, really, that there's anything to complain about ride-hailing apps that give us the power to summon our own personal chariots directly to our front doors—but hey, the system ain't perfect.  And one glaring imperfection? Wonky pickup locations. Sometimes digital lines are crossed, and you wind up sending your driver somewhere other than where you actually are, causing them to … [Link]

Mashable » The original 'Frozen' ending was terrible

Thursday 30 March 15:27:04 UTC 2017

Would Frozen have become the salient cult of a kids' movie that it now is if it had a different ending? Who can say, really — but in a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, producer Peter Del Vecho revealed details of the movie's original plot. In the old version, Anne and Elsa weren't sisters; Elsa, a spurned woman, is seen … [Link]

Mashable » Jeff Bezos and Amazon are nearing a super-villain level of rich

Thursday 30 March 15:26:49 UTC 2017

What’s cooler than a few billion dollars? A trillion dollars.  And for Amazon, that milestone is in sight. The tech giant will eventually be worth $1 trillion, the financial services firm Barclays predicted.  "AMZN is likely to be one of the first trillion-dollar market cap companies; it's just a question of when, not if, in our view," analyst Ross Sandler wrote … [Link]

Slashdot » Will VPNs Protect Your Privacy? It's Complicated

Thursday 30 March 15:20:00 UTC 2017

From a CNET report: A VPN redirects your internet traffic, disguising where your computer, phone or other device is when it makes contact with websites. It also encrypts information you send across the internet, making it unreadable to anyone who intercepts your traffic. That includes your internet service provider. Ha! Problem solved — right? Well, sort of. The big catch … [Link]

Mashable » The tallest skyscraper could soon be dangling from an asteroid

Thursday 30 March 15:14:34 UTC 2017

Architecture firm Clouds Architecture Office has unveiled an (extremely) ambitious design for a building that would be suspended from an asteroid in space and would orbit across hemispheres.  Seems legit. Read more…More about Sci Fi, Sci Fi, Design, Science And Technology, and Science Fiction [Link]

Mashable » Sean Spicer: Trump empowers women. World: You live under a rock, bro?

Thursday 30 March 15:10:30 UTC 2017

Remember when President Donald Trump ran for office and made campaigning for women's empowerment a priority? If you don't it's probably because you were too distracted by him saying he likes to grab women "by the pussy," suggesting we check out a sex tape of former Miss Universe contestant, Alicia Machado, or calling Hillary Clinton a "nasty woman," among other things. … [Link]

Mashable » Sneaky grandpa raises a litter of stray kittens behind grandma's back

Thursday 30 March 15:09:45 UTC 2017

Keeping secrets become dangerous when you're in a marriage. But the secret becomes less dangerous if it involves raising stray kittens, as one grandpa found out. Syl, the granddaughter of this compassionate man, posted about her grandpa Jimmy's clandestine kitten-raising on Twitter and accompanied the story with an absolutely precious photo of her grandpa in action. SEE ALSO: Lazy little bird … [Link]

Mashable » Drugged-out dog will make you melt right along with him

Thursday 30 March 15:07:57 UTC 2017

Australian golden retriever Oscar had to get minor surgery. This is decidedly bad news, but his post-surgery bliss says otherwise. His owner, Sarah, posted this picture of Oscar on the way home from surgery, while he was still on sedatives, showing that he might have not had too bad a time.  And people could not get enough of it. doggo went … [Link]

Mashable » These London architects are responsible for some of the world’s most iconic buildings

Thursday 30 March 15:05:05 UTC 2017

Like most things in today’s age, the very buildings we create are becoming smarter and more innovative. In the UK and beyond, many of these innovations in design and structure have come out of Foster + Partners — an innovative architecture and design practice based in London. Some of the most iconic buildings on the London skyline owe their existence to … [Link]

Popular Science » SpaceX just flew a used rocket for the first time—and stuck the landing, too

Thursday 30 March 15:04:35 UTC 2017

Space A promising day for reusable rockets On Thursday evening, SpaceX proved a key part of its reusable rocket plan: the re-using part. Check it out:… [Link]

Mashable » Here’s how two local Welsh lads made brewing history

Thursday 30 March 15:04:18 UTC 2017

There’s a little bit of a rebel within us all. Brad and Gazz — two Welsh lads with a passion for all things beer — decided to take their love for beer a step further back in 2008 and the result is Tiny Rebel Brewery, an award-winning brewing company whose beers can be found in fridges worldwide. Tiny Rebel’s humble beginnings … [Link]

Mashable » World's first robot-operated 3D printing factory is the future of manufacturing

Thursday 30 March 15:03:19 UTC 2017

Voodoo Manufacturing is the world's first robot-operated 3D-printing factory that leaves menial and labor-intensive work to robots, while humans concentrate on the creative work. It sees the future of manufacturing as one of collaboration between humans and machines, not competition. Read more…More about Robot, Real Time Video, Economies, Scaling, and Automation [Link]

WIRED » Space Opera Fiction Isn’t Just Back. It’s Better Than Ever

Thursday 30 March 15:00:16 UTC 2017

No longer just the home of cyborgs and ships, space operas are exploring a lot of new frontiers. The post Space Opera Fiction Isn't Just Back. It's Better Than Ever appeared first on WIRED. [Link]

WIRED » The Uncertain Science Behind Your Phone’s Blue Light Dimmer

Thursday 30 March 15:00:00 UTC 2017

Does blue light make you more alert? Yep. But does removing it from your phone's screen help you fall asleep? That hasn't actually been proven yet. The post The Uncertain Science Behind Your Phone's Blue Light Dimmer appeared first on WIRED. [Link]

Mashable » Local authority instantly regrets asking public to name new ferry

Thursday 30 March 14:59:52 UTC 2017

Public bodies in Britain really don't learn from their mistakes.  They whole Boaty McBoatface saga and the lesser known Gritty McGritface incident should've taught them not to trust the public — ever.  SEE ALSO: You seriously cannot trust the internet to name anything  But the Isle of Wight council clearly hasn't followed our advice:  Last Friday, they posted on Facebook a … [Link]

Mashable » ‘Street Fighter’ player is too salty to realize he just got complimented

Thursday 30 March 14:57:22 UTC 2017

Fighting games can get personal. Just look at the ongoing beef between Street Fighter V pros Kenneth "K-Brad" Bradley and Joshua "Wolfkrone" Philpot, which flared up once again at the ELeague Street Fighter V Invitational yesterday. After Wolfrone beat K-Brad in a group stage match yesterday, the two shared a post-match interview where some heated words were thrown back and forth. … [Link]

Popular Science » How to secure your Facebook account

Thursday 30 March 14:49:18 UTC 2017

DIY Simple steps to social media lockdown Follow these straightforward steps to make sure your Facebook account is as well-protected and as private as it can be. [Link]

Mashable » 'Ghost in the Shell' has nothing to say about technology or humanity

Thursday 30 March 14:48:34 UTC 2017

For a movie that centers around a remarkable scientific achievement – the kind that seems both radical and inevitable in real-world terms – Ghost in the Shell has disappointingly little to say about technology, humanity, or how they intersect. SEE ALSO: 'Ghost in the Shell' gets brutally dragged in its own viral campaign For the uninitiated, Ghost in the Shell is … [Link]

Mashable » SpaceX's launch today could revolutionize the industry: Watch it live

Thursday 30 March 14:46:01 UTC 2017

On Thursday, SpaceX will attempt something it has never tried before.  The Elon Musk-founded private spaceflight company will try to relaunch (and hopefully re-land) a previously flown Falcon 9 rocket booster on its second mission to deliver a satellite to orbit.  SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's SpaceX is betting big on its rocket launch this week SpaceX has been working toward this … [Link]

Mashable » Brands are creating Snapchat 'Shows' with dreams of getting on Discover

Thursday 30 March 14:44:45 UTC 2017

Hotel chains aren't really cool. They have cool stuff to offer, like free wi-fi and swimming pools, but if you're a young traveler on a budget, you might be looking more to services like Airbnb.  Marriott isn't ready to concede that, so they're going after millennials on their own turf: Snapchat. The goal is to convince these travelers via Snapchat that … [Link]

Mashable » Samantha Bee eviscerates the Trumpcare debacle

Thursday 30 March 14:41:46 UTC 2017

Donald Trump's administration failed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act last week, and the incompetence made comedy gold for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. "Trump couldn't sell Obamacare repeal to a House that voted for it 60 times already? Closing deals is the one thing President Big-Boy-Truck was supposed to know how to do," Bee said. SEE ALSO: … [Link]

Slashdot » Trolling Will Get Worse Before it Gets Better, Study Says

Thursday 30 March 14:40:00 UTC 2017

If you thought that the internet had a chance of becoming a nicer place at any point in the near future, it might be time to give up hope. From a report: "Harassment, trolls, and an overall tone of griping, distrust, and disgust" will stay the norm on the internet over the next decade, experts told the Pew Research Center … [Link]

Mashable » Original Aunt Viv actress was seriously not happy at that 'Fresh Prince' reunion photo

Thursday 30 March 14:38:40 UTC 2017

Everything is not cool in the kingdom of Bell-Air. It's not a secret that Janet Hubert, who played Aunt Viv for three seasons before being replaced by Daphne Maxwell Reid, does not have a lot of love for her former cast mates. A year ago, while slamming Jada Pinkett Smith's decision to boycott the Oscars, she taunted Will Smith about not … [Link]

WIRED » How Reggaetón Exploded All Over Cuba Without the Internet

Thursday 30 March 14:30:33 UTC 2017

Three million people download music from hard drives delivered by hand. The post How Reggaetón Exploded All Over Cuba Without the Internet appeared first on WIRED. [Link]

Mashable » Facebook's fundraisers now help you raise money for yourself and friends

Thursday 30 March 14:07:18 UTC 2017

If you're hoping to raise money for a good cause, but it isn't tied to a specific organization, Facebook just changed the game. The social media giant has expanded its fundraisers tool, now letting users create personal fundraiser pages to raise money for themselves, friends, and people or things not on Facebook. Previously, users could only raise money for a registered … [Link]

Mashable » How '13 Reasons Why' is different than other YA adaptations

Thursday 30 March 14:02:46 UTC 2017

When Divergent's Allegiant installment flopped at the box office last year, many in Hollywood began questioning whether young-adult adaptations could remain popular. After all, not every young adult book can translate into a Hollywood hit like the adaptation of John Green's Fault in Our Stars, which ended up amassing more than $300 million at the worldwide box office in 2014. But … [Link]

Popular Science » Here’s how air pollution kills 3,450,000 people a year

Thursday 30 March 14:01:22 UTC 2017

Health Coal is costly As the president rolls back regulations that keep our air clean, how will air pollution hurt the global population? Read on:… [Link]

Slashdot » Cisco Developing Standalone Networking OS, Report Says

Thursday 30 March 14:00:00 UTC 2017

Cisco has built a new network operating system that will allow users to run its most sophisticated networking features on older and lower-cost Cisco routers and switches, according to a report. From a report: The move to potentially disrupt its networking hardware business was first reported by The Information, which said that Cisco, for now, is not looking to have … [Link]

Mashable » Someone designed a jacket that doubles as a tent to help refugees in need

Thursday 30 March 13:56:44 UTC 2017

The 'ADIFF' clothing line was designed specifically for refugees in mind. The series of jackets transform to serve a variety of humanitarian needs.  Read more…More about Refugee Crisis, Jacket For Refugees, Adiff, Tent, and Real Time Video [Link]

Mashable » The 8 main excuses Hollywood uses for racially insensitive casting – and why they're BS

Thursday 30 March 13:56:24 UTC 2017

Between Iron Fist, Ghost in the Shell and that first Death Note trailer, it's been a banner month for racially insensitive casting.  But while the problem may be getting extra attention right now, it's not new — and it doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon, either. In fact, with each passing controversy, the excuses have just started to sound … [Link]

Mashable » This sand-free mat will put an end to your gritty beach trips

Thursday 30 March 13:54:17 UTC 2017

The 'CGear Sand-Free Mat' is developed using technology inspired by landing mats used by military helicopters. It's perfect to take with you to the beach because the sand falls right through and it never comes back. You can enjoy sunbathing without worrying about getting sand all over you. Read more…More about Real Time Video, Real Time Video, Real Time, Military Design, … [Link]

Popular Science » The government won't protect your internet privacy, so here's how to do it yourself

Thursday 30 March 13:31:55 UTC 2017

Technology Harm mitigation in a suddenly less secure internet Congress is gutting online privacy. Read on for tips to protect yourself in a much less secure internet. Read on. [Link]

Mashable » The internet works its Photoshop magic on that bizarre Cristiano Ronaldo bust

Thursday 30 March 13:31:11 UTC 2017

If you haven't already gazed upon the melty visage of this new Cristiano Ronald bust, please do so immediately. Then you'll have a better idea of why the internet is so into Photoshopping it. Here's the thing: the sculpture, which debuted Wednesday at the Madeira Islands airport named in Ronaldo's honor, does not look like Ronaldo at all. And that, by … [Link]

Mashable » Loneliness can worsen common cold symptoms, so call me, k?

Thursday 30 March 13:12:22 UTC 2017

The common cold reduces most people to a sniffling, sneezing mess. With a box of tissues and cold medication as meager defenses, our only hope is that the virus will move on quickly.   While everyone suffers through a range of familiar symptoms, including a cough, sore throat and body aches, it turns out that people's emotional lives may significantly affect … [Link]

WIRED » Confessions of Presidential Joke Writer Jon Lovett

Thursday 30 March 13:00:20 UTC 2017

“We can make fun and we can fight and we can do it through jokes and through comedy, but it has to be about more than why people are reprehensible." The post Confessions of Presidential Joke Writer Jon Lovett appeared first on WIRED. [Link]

Slashdot » UW Professor: The Information War Is Real, and We're Losing It

Thursday 30 March 13:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader writes: It started with the Boston marathon bombing, four years ago. University of Washington professor Kate Starbird was sifting through thousands of tweets sent in the aftermath and noticed something strange. Too strange for a university professor to take seriously. "There was a significant volume of social-media traffic that blamed the Navy SEALs for the bombing," Starbird … [Link]

Mashable » You probably shouldn't fall for the viral story about Krispy Kreme's name change

Thursday 30 March 12:53:41 UTC 2017

You might have noticed on your calendars that April Fools' Day — a.k.a. the worst day of the year — is fast approaching. So when Krispy Kreme announced today it would be changing its name to "Krispy Cream" — a mere matter of days before April 1 — something didn't seem quite right.  SEE ALSO: Woman finds unpleasant latex surprise in … [Link]

WIRED » Watch SpaceX Launch Its First Truly Reusable Rocket

Thursday 30 March 12:30:59 UTC 2017

This is the first time SpaceX—or any commercial space company—has attempted to reuse a rocket to send something into orbit. The post Watch SpaceX Launch Its First Truly Reusable Rocket appeared first on WIRED. [Link]

Mashable » Stephen Colbert wisely resurfaces video of Trump butchering 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game'

Thursday 30 March 12:24:34 UTC 2017

Every sitting U.S. president has thrown the first pitch at at least one Major League Baseball game since President Taft started the tradition in 1910. But not Donald Trump. He has "scheduling conflicts." Sure. If you've ever seen photos of Trump's previous pitching attempts, they make a pretty clear case for why Trump (and his ego) would turn the opportunity … [Link]

WIRED » If You Want a VPN to Protect Your Privacy, Start Here

Thursday 30 March 12:18:16 UTC 2017

A VPN's not a perfect solution to your privacy problems, but it's a start. The post If You Want a VPN to Protect Your Privacy, Start Here appeared first on WIRED. [Link]

New Scientist – News » Tadpoles learn to see with new eyes transplanted on their tails

Thursday 30 March 12:17:54 UTC 2017

A migraine drug seems to help nerve cells connect to new eyes implanted into blind tadpoles. The drug may prove useful for wiring up new organs in people [Link]

Popular Science » Climate change contributes to mental illness

Thursday 30 March 12:00:00 UTC 2017

Health It makes us a little nuts A new report highlights the ways in which climate change can hurt our mental health. Read on:… [Link]

Mashable » Shark-ridden unboxing of the Galaxy S8 is the perfect metaphor for the smartphone industry

Thursday 30 March 11:51:46 UTC 2017

The smartphone industry is tough. Phone makers, we imagine, sometimes feel like they're surrounded by sharks. Which is why an underwater unboxing video of Samsung's new Galaxy S8, with sharks swimming around, makes perfect sense.  Also, it's very hard for a phone to catch fire underwater, so that may be another reason for this watery unboxing.  SEE ALSO: The latest … [Link]

Mashable » Oxford University is shaking up all those portraits of white men on its walls

Thursday 30 March 11:41:40 UTC 2017

Oxford University is putting up more portraits of women, people of colour and LGBTQ people to better reflect its "diversity".  SEE ALSO: This city has no monuments to women so an artist did a colourful shake-up The "Diversifying Portraiture initiative" intends to "broaden the range of people represented around the University." According to a statement, the university seeks to "reflect and … [Link]

Mashable » Lisa Kudrow really, really hates having lemons launched at her face

Thursday 30 March 11:24:45 UTC 2017

To be fair, we doubt there are many people in this world who would enjoy having fruit projected at their face from a small (but powerful) cannon. Lisa Kudrow really, really doesn't enjoy it though. SEE ALSO: Brace yourself for Victoria Beckham on 'Carpool Karaoke' During an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Kudrow and fellow guests … [Link]

Mashable » Pop-up exhibition turns poisoned air into ink to send a powerful message

Thursday 30 March 11:10:56 UTC 2017

If you live in a big city like London, then you might be aware that the air is slowly poisoning you. SEE ALSO: China's big, beautiful, green 'vertical forests' will suck up toxic smog One of the biggest contributors to toxic emissions are vehicles. So an Indian startup is approaching the problem from the rear end. Literally. It blocks diesel emissions … [Link]

O'Reilly News and Commentary » #Ebook Deal/Day: Mastering C# and .NET Framework – $17.99 (Save 50%) Use code DEAL

Thursday 30 March 10:57:01 UTC 2017

Get "Mastering C# and .NET Framework" today using code DEAL and save 50%!This sale ends at 2:00 AM 2017-03-31 (PDT, GMT-8:00). [Link]

Mashable » First he became a rock, now French artist wants to be a chicken

Thursday 30 March 10:32:22 UTC 2017

He spent two weeks inside a stuffed bear. He lived inside a hollowed-out rock. And now he's ready to transform into a chicken.  French artist Abraham Poincheval isn't your conventional artist, and his stunts and performances are redefining the meaning of "immersive" artwork.  SEE ALSO: Artist locks himself inside a rock for a week, and tries to hatch eggs with his … [Link]

Mashable » Fake Nostradamus predictions amuse Indian Twitter

Thursday 30 March 10:23:53 UTC 2017

A blog called 'Nostradamus and India' by the French political writer François Gautier has caused a stir in India after it was published by the country's largest-selling English daily, and later found to be inaccurate.   Soon after the blog went live on the Times of India, an alternative news portal Alt News exposed it for inventing "fake passages" and attributing … [Link]

Mashable » The U.S. version of the 'Love Actually' sequel will have one huge difference

Thursday 30 March 10:14:46 UTC 2017

Twelve minutes isn't a long time for a film sequel that has to cover the fates of multiple characters. SEE ALSO: The painful reason Emma Thompson won't be in the Love Actually reunion And despite the fact that the highly anticipated Love Actually sequel did feature many of the original stars, there was one gaping absence. WHAT ABOUT LAURA LINNEY AND … [Link]

Mashable » 'Racist' question on kid's homework sheet is angering people

Thursday 30 March 10:01:09 UTC 2017

What’s in a name? A lot apparently, if this first grader's exam question is anything to go by.  The question, which came up on a paper given to seven-year-olds in Malaysia, asked students to match up names with various places of worship. SEE ALSO: Bill Nye's new correspondent whose stereotype-challenging work you need to see They were given four names: Devi, … [Link]

Slashdot » Ivanka Trump To Take Coding Class With 5-Year-Old Daughter

Thursday 30 March 10:00:00 UTC 2017

theodp writes: Speaking about women in STEM at a Women's History Month event at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, new [unpaid] federal employee Ivanka Trump revealed she'll be taking a computer coding class with her 5-year-old daughter. "On a very personal level, as a mom I'm trying to do my part as well," Ivanka told the crowd. "My … [Link]

Mashable » India finally becomes a net exporter of electricity

Thursday 30 March 9:36:38 UTC 2017

Infamous for its power outages, India can finally tell the world it has become a net exporter of electricity. India exported 5,700 million units of electricity to neighbouring countries Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar during the financial year 2016-17, the power ministry said this week. SEE ALSO: Pune, India: The World's Next Great Tech City? In comparison, the nation imported 5,585 million … [Link]

Mashable » Queen sends card to Britain's oldest man, he DGAF

Thursday 30 March 9:21:42 UTC 2017

This is Robert Weighton, he's 109 years old and he has the face of someone who gives zero f*cks. Just look at him:  Image: Solent News/REX/ShutterstockHis face screams: "It's going to take a lot to impress me, even if the Queen in person sends me a card." Well, that's actually happened.  Weighton, who was born in March 1908 when Edward VII … [Link]

Mashable » Brace yourself for Victoria Beckham on 'Carpool Karaoke'

Thursday 30 March 9:07:06 UTC 2017

We can't imagine there are many people in this world who haven't been secretly hoping for a Spice Girls-themed episode of Carpool Karaoke. The good news is, you're about to get your wish.  SEE ALSO: 15 times Carpool Karaoke was the perfect antidote to 2016 On Wednesday, Victoria Beckham — a.k.a. Posh Spice — was in Los Angeles filming for The … [Link]

Mashable » The US dollar is so strong right now, even the dead prefer it in the afterlife

Thursday 30 March 8:55:42 UTC 2017

With exchange rates fluctuating so much in the real world, it only stands to reason that those in the afterlife could get affected too. Malaysian papers are reporting that people are starting to turn to foreign currencies such as the U.S. dollar, when it comes to selecting paper money to burn as offerings. SEE ALSO: A service now lets people pay … [Link]

Mashable » Elon Musk draws farting unicorn to showcase Tesla's new Sketch Pad feature

Thursday 30 March 8:52:44 UTC 2017

Of course the new software update for Tesla cars has a hidden feature. Of course, it's a sketch pad.  And of course, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the feature with a drawing of what appears to be a farting unicorn.  SEE ALSO: Elon Musk just gave us a load of detail on his new tunneling company Musk shared two drawings, the … [Link]

Mashable » You can pre-order the Galaxy S8 and get a free Gear VR

Thursday 30 March 8:26:59 UTC 2017

Well, that was fast. One day after Samsung's big Galaxy S8 reveal, the phone is now available for pre-order at Samsung's website and all major U.S. carriers.  We already knew the pricing for both the S8 and the S8+, and there are no surprises here. But why dish out your cash now only to get the device on April 20? Samsung's … [Link]

Mashable » Bride's dance performance at her wedding is breaking the internet

Thursday 30 March 7:48:24 UTC 2017

We know Indian weddings are a lavish affair. But this is intense. Really.  A 17-minute-long dance act by an Indian bride has gone viral.  Though the video is two months old, netizens woke up to it yesterday and have viewed it 7 million times already.  SEE ALSO: Bhangra takes on hip hop for a truly viral NBA half-time dance The … [Link]

Mashable » Samsung has a ghastly cover for you to uglify your Galaxy S8

Thursday 30 March 7:40:29 UTC 2017

Is Samsung's Galaxy S8 too beautiful for you, with its sleek lines and huge, nearly bezel-less screen? Samsung's got a fix in the way of the 2Piece cover, an indescribably ugly two-piece cover for the phone.  I mean, just look at it.  Ouch.Image: SamsungThe 2Piece cover does not only take away the S8's grace and symmetry, it also appears to be … [Link]

Mashable » A simple reason why you should stay out of floodwaters in Australia: Sharks

Thursday 30 March 7:25:30 UTC 2017

Cyclone Debbie, which ravaged the coast of Queensland, Australia, is fortunately now a thing of the past. But residents are finding unexpected visitors stranded in odd places. SEE ALSO: Cyclone Debbie proved one thing: Australians are super weird Like this bull shark which was discovered washed up on a road in the town of Ayr. Yikes. Think it's safe to go … [Link]

Mashable » People are horrified that Time Out likened Xiao Long Bao dumplings to popping zits

Thursday 30 March 7:20:18 UTC 2017

If you know your soup dumplings, this video is going to be upsetting on several levels. Time Out London recently published a video featuring Xiao Long Bao (Shanghai soup dumplings). The video, which was meant to promote dim sum restaurant Dumplings Legend, took an odd turn. SEE ALSO: We are in the middle of a dumpling renaissance "Love popping spots AND … [Link]

Slashdot » The Guardian Interviews Valentina Tereshkova, the First Woman In Space

Thursday 30 March 7:00:00 UTC 2017

Oxygen99 writes: The Guardian published an interview today with the first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova, ahead of her forthcoming exhibition at the London Science Museum. An interesting and informal chat with perhaps the most visible and famous living face of the Soviet space program. Here's an excerpt from the interview: "Over 50 years ago, in 1963, Tereshkova became the … [Link]

Mashable » Club Penguin has closed its doors forever and people got emotional AF

Thursday 30 March 6:40:46 UTC 2017

It’s been 12 years since Club Penguin opened its doors — and it was finally closed today for the last time.  Club Penguin, a popular multiplayer game, was first launched on Miniclip before being bought over by Disney. In its heyday, some 150 million people logged on to play and chat together in the community.  SEE ALSO: How Disney's Club Penguin … [Link]

Mashable » Expert 'Planet Earth'-style video parodies the lives of 'bin chickens'

Thursday 30 March 6:39:01 UTC 2017

In almost every Australian city, the infamous "bin chicken" lurks. Better known as the white ibis, the bird loves to feast on the contents of rubbish bins, and well, whatever's lying around. Now the creature finally has the coverage it deserves. This Planet Earth-style parody examines the ibis's penchant for ripping through garbage bags with its long beak and skilfully … [Link]

Mashable » A big challenger is about to change the way you use Facebook to log in on websites

Thursday 30 March 5:25:51 UTC 2017

There are two ways to log in on websites: try to recall the email address and password you registered with —  or simply hit the "Facebook Login" button.  The convenience of the latter underscores the popularity of social authentication options. You'll see Facebook and Google login buttons on popular sites including Netflix, Uber, Spotify, Imgur and Linkedin, just to name some. … [Link]

Mashable » This bathroom sign doesn't care about gender, as long as you wash your hands

Thursday 30 March 4:34:32 UTC 2017

There’s plenty of ugliness surrounding the fight for trans people to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity, so we're glad at least one place has its priorities right. The Regent Theatre in Dunedin, New Zealand has installed a sign in front of its two unisex restrooms, indicating that it's for use by females, males, non-gender specific people, those with … [Link]

Mashable » We totally agree with George W. Bush on Trump's inauguration speech

Thursday 30 March 4:05:41 UTC 2017

George W. Bush DGAF.  The former president is retired, painting, and hopefully not looking at his Wikipedia page. And apparently he was as confused by Donald Trump's inauguration speech as everyone else. SEE ALSO: Trans activists on why Trump’s bathroom decision could hurt so many kids If you can remember back to January (sigh), Trump basically described an America that sounded … [Link]

New Scientist – News » ALS linked to occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields

Thursday 30 March 3:58:48 UTC 2017

People who work as welders, sewing-machine operators, and aircraft pilots may be more likely to develop amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a motor neurone disease [Link]

Slashdot » Scientists Discover Way To Transmit Taste of Lemonade Over Internet

Thursday 30 March 3:30:00 UTC 2017

schwit1 quotes a report from VICE: With the use of electrodes and sensors — and zero lemons — a group of researchers at the University of Singapore have announced that they can convince you that you're drinking lemonade, even if it's just water. Plus, they can send you a glass of lemonade virtually over the internet. In an experiment that … [Link]

Mashable » Amazon will shut down Diapers.com and a bunch of other sites

Thursday 30 March 3:21:44 UTC 2017

Diapers.com won't sell diapers for much longer. Amazon said Wednesday it plans to shutter the baby-care site and a handful of other specialty brands under the umbrella of its Quidsi unit, including Soaps.com, toy site Yoyo.com and pet supply shop Wag.com. The online shopping giant bought Quidsi in 2010 for half a billion dollars, making it one of its biggest acquisition … [Link]

Mashable » Stephen Colbert and a cartoon owl take down Trump over 'clean coal'

Thursday 30 March 2:43:57 UTC 2017

There isn't much to laugh about when it comes to Trump's rollback of Obama-era environmental protections. Designed to help reduce carbon emissions, they've been criticized by the current administration as "job-killing."  Fortunately, Stephen Colbert is on hand as usual to ease your pain. The Late Show host took on Trump during his opening monologue on Tuesday night, pointing out the … [Link]

Mashable » Why Apple is cracking down on 'free' apps

Thursday 30 March 2:22:11 UTC 2017

Apple is making more moves to clean up its App Store.  After cracking down on outdated apps, the company is now placing restrictions on how developers describe their apps. Apple is now rejecting updated and new app submissions that have the word "free" in the name, VentureBeat reports. SEE ALSO: Apple could kill almost 200,000 apps with iOS 11 "Your app’s … [Link]

Slashdot » FCC To Halt Expansion of Broadband Subsidies For Poor People

Thursday 30 March 2:05:00 UTC 2017

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced today that the FCC will be "dropping its legal defense of a new system for expanding broadband subsidies for poor people, and will not approve applications from companies that want to offer the low-income broadband service," reports Ars Technica. The Lifeline program, which has been around for 32 years and "gives poor people $9.25 a … [Link]

Mashable » Attacking a referee's small business on Facebook isn't cool, sports fans

Thursday 30 March 2:00:04 UTC 2017

The internet and college sports: Two things not exactly known for inspiring measured, reasonable debate. We've just seen what happens when they mix in a strange and toxic new way.  SEE ALSO: These terrible photos might explain why Donald Trump rejected an offer to throw a first pitch As background: People in Kentucky take college basketball very seriously. (Remember 2012? Remember … [Link]

Mashable » Did the 'Wonder Woman' sneak peek just reveal a major new character?

Thursday 30 March 1:36:14 UTC 2017

Wonder Woman seems to think she can end World War I in one swing. So we'd be led to believe from a sneak peek of Wonder Woman shown Wednesday night at Cinemacon, the annual gathering of movie theater owners and Hollywood studios. Director Patty Jenkins was on hand to introduce the all-new footage, which started with the trailer released just days … [Link]

Mashable » Lorde's such a fan of Cadbury's Creme Egg that she sang about it

Thursday 30 March 1:26:12 UTC 2017

Sorry America, but most of your chocolate is terrible.  Well, at least Lorde thinks so anyway. She's been missing Cadbury's very rich and mysterious Creme Egg, which are very popular in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand around Easter.  They're available in the U.S. too, albeit marketed by Hershey. SEE ALSO: Food blogger creates Easter egg made of the most … [Link]

Slashdot » Verizon To Force 'AppFlash' Spyware On Android Phones

Thursday 30 March 1:25:00 UTC 2017

saccade.com writes: Verizon is joining with the creators of a tool called "Evie Launcher" to make a new app search/launcher tool called AppFlash, which will be installed on all Verizon phones running Android. The app provides no functionality to users beyond what Google Search does. It does, however, give Verizon a steady stream of metrics on your app usage and … [Link]

Mashable » Here's what we learned from Travis Kalanick's hidden 2007 Twitter account

Thursday 30 March 1:22:17 UTC 2017

Tbones fancies himself a dancer. Oh, and his opinions about women have long been a bit retrograde.  This, and so much more, can be gleaned from Uber CEO Travis Kalanick's old Twitter account. The handle, @konatbone, is protected. But as with so many things on the internet, that doesn't mean you can't see it — you just have to know where … [Link]

Mashable » SelfScore makes credit cards for the international students Trump wants to keep out

Thursday 30 March 1:01:04 UTC 2017

SelfScore launched its first product last summer with relatively little fanfare: a credit card for international students. On Tuesday, it launched a new card with a much higher spending limit in a very different political climate. Its credit cards serve international students from all over the world —including the seven countries (Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia) named in … [Link]

Slashdot » Westinghouse Files For Bankruptcy, In Blow To Nuclear Power

Thursday 30 March 0:45:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Reuters: Westinghouse Electric Co, a unit of Japanese conglomerate Toshiba Corp, filed for bankruptcy on Wednesday, hit by billions of dollars of cost overruns at four nuclear reactors under construction in the U.S. Southeast. The bankruptcy casts doubt on the future of the first new U.S. nuclear power plants in three decades, which … [Link]

Mashable » New 'Dunkirk' footage is a heart-pounding Christopher Nolan master class

Thursday 30 March 0:37:15 UTC 2017

Christopher Nolan is the master of subtly creating unease — and also the master of putting Tom Hardy in a face-covering mask. Nolan showed a 5-minute clip Wednesday of Dunkirk, his World War II drama epic due in theaters July 21, and if you thought the teaser they released last August was intense, just wait until you see this thing. SEE … [Link]

Slashdot » Hobbyist Turns Nintendo 64 Console Into Nintendo Switch Dock

Thursday 30 March 0:05:00 UTC 2017

adosch writes: Polygon reports that a Reddit user "modified a broken Nintendo 64 and transformed it into a functioning Switch dock." The modder, who goes by the handle "Tettzan Zone," has "been keeping fellow Switch fans updated on his adventures in console customization on Reddit, sharing the steps he took to making the entire Nintendo 64 workable as a dock." … [Link]

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