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 » We could learn a lot about 'The Last Jedi' and new Han Solo movie this weekend

Wednesday 12 April 23:46:30 UTC 2017

ORLANDO — Because other fandoms spread out their gatherings, it can sometimes be hard to explain the full importance of Star Wars Celebration. You could spend a lifetime hopping from Trek confabs to Comic Con to magical Harry Potter meetups. But Celebration is the concentrated version, hopping from city to city around the world, coordinated by Lucasfilm with Imperial precision — … [Link]

Mashable » A new fleet of robots is delivering food in San Francisco

Wednesday 12 April 23:29:21 UTC 2017

San Francisco sidewalks are about to see more robot traffic. Yelp's Eat24 food delivery service is teaming with startup Marble to start dispatching automated couriers in the city on a trial basis.  SEE ALSO: 11 useful things you didn't know your Amazon Echo could do At around three feet tall — depending on the size of the attached cargo bay — … [Link]

Slashdot » Air Force Converts F-16 Jets Into Wingman Drones

Wednesday 12 April 23:20:00 UTC 2017

New submitter Zmobie writes: In a new program, the U.S. Air Force has converted and tested F-16 planes as drones that are able to fly with complex mission parameters. The program is designed to use retiring F-16 jets to act as autonomous "loyal wingman" for manned F-35 jets and fly their own strike missions. Business Insider reports: "The U.S. has … [Link]

Mashable » Wild horse attacks alligator because nature is brutal. Also, Florida.

Wednesday 12 April 23:14:12 UTC 2017

There are odd animal couples, and now we're introducing odd animal enemies. A group of people at the at Paynes Prairie State Park in Micanopy, Florida, were shocked to see a band of wild horses pick a fight with an alligator.  SEE ALSO: This unlucky horse fell into a 14-foot sinkhole—and escaped After bullying the alligator out of the brush, … [Link]

Mashable » New video shows United passenger was anything but 'belligerent' before he was dragged off flight

Wednesday 12 April 23:01:52 UTC 2017

After a passenger was dragged off a United Airlines flight on Sunday, the CEO responded with a company memo that described the man as "disruptive and belligerent." New video of the moments before David Dao was "re-accommodated" from his seat show that "belligerent" is not a word most people would use to describe him. SEE ALSO: United Airlines bans 2 … [Link]

Slashdot » Broadcasters Put New Ad-Skipping Restrictions On YouTube TV

Wednesday 12 April 22:40:00 UTC 2017

YouTube launched its new "YouTube TV" service last week for select markets. One of the biggest features for the service is its DVR functionality, which would in theory allow users to record shows and fast forward through all the commercials. Unfortunately, that is not the case, notes the Wall Street Journal. Karl Bode writes via DSLReports: If a show is … [Link]

Mashable » Selfie stampede: Destroying rare desert blooms for the Likes

Wednesday 12 April 22:29:00 UTC 2017

There’s an old saying among people who cherish the outdoors: “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.”While the origin of the phrase is murky, the intent is clear: stay on the trail, minimize your human impact on the flora and fauna, leave no trace behind, and take only memoriesThousands of visitors flocking to "super bloom" sites across California this spring, though, have … [Link]

Mashable » Women surgeons around the world recreate a very important 'New Yorker' cover

Wednesday 12 April 22:16:55 UTC 2017

A simple magazine cover has the power to inspire action — just ask Dr. Susan Pitt, an endocrine surgeon at the University of Wisconsin. After seeing a recent New Yorker cover illustration by artist Malike Favre of four female surgeons prepped in gowns and masks peering down over an operating table, she set out to recreate the image IRL and encourage … [Link]

Mashable » 8-year-old drives his sister to McDonald's after learning how to drive on YouTube

Wednesday 12 April 22:14:43 UTC 2017

Thanks to the wonderful world of YouTube tutorials, you can learn about almost anything. Even how to drive a car. Using knowledge from watching YouTube videos, an 8-year-old boy successfully drove his sister to McDonald's to get some food. SEE ALSO: McDonald's sauces will be sold in grocery stores and we can all die happy At approximately 8 p.m. on Sunday, … [Link]

Slashdot » Samsung Is Delaying the 'Voice' Part of Its New Bixby Voice Assistant

Wednesday 12 April 22:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Washington Post: A much-touted feature of Samsung's next smartphones isn't going to work as advertised when the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ launch April 21. Samsung said it's delaying the launch of voice-command capabilities for its Bixby voice assistant in English, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. Although some of … [Link]

Mashable » Ana Navarro told a CNN guest 'not all colored people are the same,' after confusing her and April Ryan

Wednesday 12 April 21:50:16 UTC 2017

The "Sean Spicer Shouldn't Have Said That" 2017 tour continues, and wow, does it keep inspiring more terribleness in its wake.  The latest and most cringeworthy comes to us from Republican Jack Kingston, a former Georgia Representative and frequent CNN panelist. Kingston was on CNN on Tuesday to discuss Spicer's recent statements about the Holocaust, which, like, already: bad idea. SEE … [Link]

Mashable » UConn's husky mascot is the furry star of alumni proposal

Wednesday 12 April 21:42:29 UTC 2017

If you ask us, the best kind of marriage proposals always involves the help of an adorable animal. It's an instant YES. That's why University of Connecticut alumnus Daniel Bronko (class of '15) enlisted in the assistance of UConn mascot Jonathan XIV the husky to ask fellow alumnus Holly Korona (class of '13) to be his wife. SEE ALSO: Very good … [Link]

Mashable » PlayStation Vue gets its very own 24/7 esports channel

Wednesday 12 April 21:40:25 UTC 2017

PlayStation Vue, Sony's streaming service, is breaking new ground by adding a channel devoted completely to esports.  SEE ALSO: Las Vegas epsorts arena expected to be the Madison Square Garden of esports ESL is bringing its esportsTV channel to the service, which will provide "24/7 esports coverage" starting later in April. ESL launched the channel in 2016 in Europe, but ESL … [Link]

Mashable » This bra supports you both physically and mentally

Wednesday 12 April 21:30:23 UTC 2017

The Vitali smart bra measures physical and mental health by monitoring breathing and heart rate variability with fabric sensors. Read more…More about Yoga, Excercise, Inventions, Kickstarter, and Vitali [Link]

Slashdot » AI Wins $290,000 in Chinese Poker Competition

Wednesday 12 April 21:20:00 UTC 2017

An AI program has beaten a team of six poker players at a series of exhibition matches in China. From a report on BBC: The AI system, called Lengpudashi, won a landslide victory and $290,000 in the five-day competition. It is the second time this year that an AI program has beaten competitive poker players. An earlier version of the … [Link]

Mashable » This guy built his own iPhone by buying parts in China

Wednesday 12 April 21:19:55 UTC 2017

Developer Scotty Allen used to be an engineer in Silicon Valley, but now he's spending his time traveling the world making things. Allen is currently spending his time in Shenzhen, China, where he made his own like-new iPhone by buying the parts in the markets of Huaqiangbei, where all kinds of cellphone parts are available over-the-counter. Allen wrote about and … [Link]

Mashable » 'Veep' cut a 'golden showers' joke because of Trump

Wednesday 12 April 21:11:21 UTC 2017

Veep almost went there, but the Trump news cycle got there first. Because life now imitates TV. At one point, a script from the HBO series' upcoming sixth season featured a "golden showers" joke — a Jonah burn, naturally. But the joke was axed after salacious details in an as-yet-unproven intel dossier suggested that Donald "45" Trump may have engaged in … [Link]

Mashable » Artist's larger than life sand art is pure magic

Wednesday 12 April 21:11:13 UTC 2017

Jim Deneven is a sand artist who creates temporary visual masterpieces.  In addition to his work with sand art he's also the founder of 'Outstanding the Field', a traveling dinner party club that takes place in farms across the country.   Read more…More about Real Time Video, Real Time Video, Real Time, Nature, and Earth [Link]

Mashable » Competitive eater consumes 255 Peeps in 5 minutes, breaking the world record like it's NBD

Wednesday 12 April 20:55:19 UTC 2017

Competitive eating is that perfect mix of fascinating and disgusting that makes it instantly irresistible. We're compelled to watch because, frankly, it's incredible what these people can do. Matt Stonie is the second-ranked competitive eater in Major League Eating (oh yes, that's a thing). He holds records for consuming large quantities of everything from hot dogs to poutine. He recently … [Link]

Popular Science » Low-flow showerheads that turn drips into deluges

Wednesday 12 April 20:54:00 UTC 2017

Gadgets Under pressure. Faced with ever-tightening laws, engineers are getting crafty about turning drips into deluges. [Link]

Mashable » This futuristic coffee table has Bluetooth speakers and a refrigerated drawer

Wednesday 12 April 20:48:52 UTC 2017

The 'Sobro' coffee table was designed to be the life of the party. It has everything you will ever need within reach from the couch, like Bluetooth speakers, USB and power outlets, and even a refrigerator. Read more…More about Coffee Table, Real Time Video, Real Time Video, Real Time, and Real Time Video [Link]

Slashdot » Japan Automakers Look To Robots To Keep Elderly On the Move

Wednesday 12 April 20:40:00 UTC 2017

Japanese automakers are looking beyond the industry trend to develop self-driving cars and turning their attention to robots to help keep the country's rapidly graying society on the move. From a report: Toyota said it saw the possibility of becoming a mass producer of robots to help the elderly in a country whose population is ageing faster than the rest … [Link]

Mashable » This unlucky horse fell into a 14-foot sinkhole—and escaped

Wednesday 12 April 20:36:48 UTC 2017

In one of the unluckiest things to ever happen to a horse, a horse in a small Washington town fell into a 14-foot deep sinkhole on Tuesday evening.  The Kittitas County Fire District was called to the scene to help, and a brave veterinarian was lowered into the hole to see if the horse, named Copper, was OK, KOMO News reports.  … [Link]

Mashable » How to be a persuasive leader (hint: it's about the 'moment before')

Wednesday 12 April 20:24:56 UTC 2017

Few books illuminated the worlds of marketing, sales, psychology, and leadership as Dr. Robert Cialdini’s 1984 classic Influence. Since their inception, Cialdini’s six principles — (1) Reciprocity, (2) Commitment and Consistency, (3) Social Proof, (4) Authority, (5) Liking, and (6) Scarcity — have shone like flares marking the path toward getting what you want.   So, here’s the twist.   It … [Link]

Mashable » Little girl’s adorable, creepy version of national anthem is honestly perfect

Wednesday 12 April 20:20:02 UTC 2017

Harper is a three-year-old girl with a pretty remarkable memory for music and lyrics—which is why she is the perfect person to sing the national anthem.  You see, her grandma taught her the song on her third birthday, and she was given the opportunity to show off her star spangled skills at the Senoia Raceway in Georgia. This tiny singer … [Link]

Popular Science » This hacker built his own iPhone using parts from Chinese electronics markets

Wednesday 12 April 20:19:11 UTC 2017

Technology The project took roughly two months and about $300 in parts to complete An American hacker and engineer living part-time in Shenzhen, China, has built a working iPhone 6s out of just the parts he was able to purchase in the city’s chaotic… [Link]

Mashable » Here's why India's Silicon Valley is losing its edge

Wednesday 12 April 20:16:01 UTC 2017

India’s Silicon Valley, Bangalore, was a startup darling just two years ago, but now its star appears to be dulling. Don't get us wrong, Bangalore has a lot going for it — Amazon and Uber have offices there, it is home to over 2,000 active tech startups — but according to a recent report ranking startup hubs, the city has fallen … [Link]

Mashable » CEO of company that makes smartwatches: Smartwatches are pointless

Wednesday 12 April 20:01:50 UTC 2017

There’s firm, tough leadership, and then there's … whatever this is.  Calling one of your company's newest high-profile releases essentially useless probably isn't the best way to boost team morale — but that didn't stop Huawei Deputy Chairman and rotating CEO Eric Xu Zhijun from trashing even the concept of a smartwatch.  “I am always confused as to what smartwatches are … [Link]

Slashdot » Employees in the Dark About Data Retention Policy

Wednesday 12 April 20:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader shares a BetaNews article: A new study reveals that over half of office-based employees say their companies don't have written policies on data retention or personal use of work devices, or if they do, they aren't aware of them. The study conducted by Harris Poll for e-discovery company kCura reveals communication habits that could put organizations at … [Link]

New Scientist – News » 4D printing makes objects that assemble themselves when heated

Wednesday 12 April 20:00:00 UTC 2017

A fast 4D-printing technique could be used to make drug capsules that snap open in the body or flat-pack furniture that puts itself together [Link]

New Scientist – News » Soldier ants carry comrades wounded in raids back to base

Wednesday 12 April 20:00:00 UTC 2017

One kind of buccaneering ant carries its wounded nestmates home – so they can live to fight another day [Link]

Mashable » Psychedelic shrimp with tons of sonic energy named after Pink Floyd

Wednesday 12 April 19:55:52 UTC 2017

Scientists have honored a pistol shrimp with a bright pink snapping claw with the ultimate rocker name: Synalpheus pinkfloydi. The newly discovered sea creature, from the tropical eastern Pacific near Panama, was named after the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Zootaxa.  SEE ALSO: Geez, this forearm-sized shrimp will take up most of … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Google Neural Machine Translation Now Generally Available

Wednesday 12 April 19:54:59 UTC 2017

Google has announced that its neural machine translation system is now generally available via the Google Cloud Translation API. The company also announced that neural machine translation now supports seven new languages including English to and from Russian, Polish, Hebrew, and Arabic. [Link]

Mashable » United gives full refunds to passengers who witnessed man get dragged off plane

Wednesday 12 April 19:48:42 UTC 2017

As United Airlines continues its apology tour for the violent removal of a passenger from an overbooked flight, the company is now reaching out to the other customers who were on the plane at the time. SEE ALSO: United Airlines lost $800 million in value (but got some of it back) United announced Wednesday it's now going to refund everyone … [Link]

Mashable » This adorable little girl is all of us trying to remember how old we are

Wednesday 12 April 19:34:02 UTC 2017

Warning: prepare to have your heart stolen by a two-year-old (definitely two). America's Funniest Home Videos shared an adorable video montage of a toddler named Hadley who just turned two—and is having a little trouble remembering her new age. Is she one? Is she two? Are we sure she's not one? Watch the sweet little girl get taught her new … [Link]

Mashable » This 'Game of Thrones' theory generator will keep you busy until July

Wednesday 12 April 19:32:31 UTC 2017

Ask any seasoned nerd and we'll tell you: The best way to pass the time while you wait for more content is by creating your own. Theories Are Coming, a new Game of Thrones-themed website, allows users to select a character and a scenario and then generate a theory about how they would happen. SEE ALSO: Now you can rant about … [Link]

Mashable » I just (virtually) adopted a piece of Earth, and so can you

Wednesday 12 April 19:27:23 UTC 2017

NASA is celebrating Earth Day with pieces of Earth instead of cake.  But you don't have to wait until April 22 to get your own slice. The space agency is handing out planetary adoption certificates in the days leading up to the main event. SEE ALSO: NASA designed grippers that can lift celestial rocks in microgravity Through their "Adopt the Planet" … [Link]

Mashable » Money saving tips from Randi Zuckerberg, Mark Cuban and more

Wednesday 12 April 19:24:43 UTC 2017

April is Financial Literacy Month, and the Council for Economic Education has engaged 28 entrepreneurs, economists, and editors to publish their #1 tip for saving money. The social media campaign — dubbed #MySavingsTip — is designed to inspire students to start thinking and talking about money, instead of making the conversation taboo. Below, find part 1 of the tips from a … [Link]

Slashdot » Microsoft Edge Beats Chrome By Over Three Hours In New Battery Usage Test

Wednesday 12 April 19:20:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader writes: With the launch of the Windows 10 Creators Update and Edge 40 (EdgeHTML 15), Microsoft has released a new battery usage test that, naturally, trashes the company's competition. This new test shows that Edge uses less power than both Chrome 57 and Firefox 52, and is bound to draw a response from its competition, especially Google, … [Link]

The Joy of Tech » JoT update: Cat carpet circle investigators!

Wednesday 12 April 19:15:29 UTC 2017

Our comic schedule has been disrupted by illness (Snaggy and NitroKitty). Please enJoy one of our retros as we work to get back on track… thanks! -Nitrozac [Link]

Mashable » These hero ants perform dramatic, mind-boggling rescues of their wounded comrades

Wednesday 12 April 19:07:56 UTC 2017

Meet the ant species with a strict "no nestmate left behind" policy. African Matabele ants regularly risk death and injury while hunting down termites. So when one ant is hurt in the pursuit of prey, its nestmates will carry it to safety, scientists found.  The rescue not only saves the fallen comrade but also helps the entire colony by keeping the … [Link]

Mashable » Here’s how vertical video is disrupting the filmmaking industry

Wednesday 12 April 19:06:00 UTC 2017

There are so many aspects of our lives that are being revolutionised every day — so why are we still making video for horizontal screens? We’re long past consuming content on horizontal screens, and it’s time the video industry caught up, before storytelling is left behind. This year will see the tide change for video makers. With social media playing such … [Link]

Mashable » Dedicated dad soothes his baby even when he's fast asleep

Wednesday 12 April 18:55:00 UTC 2017

Being a parent is a full-time job and then some. No one understands that fact more thoroughly than the dad in this video. Clearly exhausted, he's fallen asleep in an armchair. But somehow, even though mom's got the baby and he's off the clock, even though he is asleep, he's still instinctively going through the motions of taking care of … [Link]

Mashable » 'Deadpool' sidekick Cable role goes to … a guy already in Marvel movies?

Wednesday 12 April 18:52:11 UTC 2017

There’s little chance that Cable, a major character in the Deadpool and X-Men corner of the Marvel comic-book-movie world over at Fox, would ever cross paths with Thanos, the big bad guy from the Marvel Cinematic Universe at Disney. But if they did, it just might tear the space-time continuum. Permanently. SEE ALSO: It appears Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman can't … [Link]

Mashable » Scientists finally discovered why your shoelaces always come untied

Wednesday 12 April 18:49:19 UTC 2017

Mechanical engineers at UC Berkeley conducted a study to observe why shoelaces always come untied. They hope the study leads to understanding why other knots, like DNA and microstructures, also unravel under dynamic forces.  Read more…More about Untie, Untied, Tying Shoe Laces, Dna, and Laces [Link]

Slashdot » Dozens Of Canonical Employees Resign As Ubuntu Switches To GNOME, Shuttleworth Returns As CEO

Wednesday 12 April 18:45:00 UTC 2017

Alexander J Martin, reporting for The Register: More than 80 Canonical workers are facing the axe as founder Mark Shuttleworth has taken back the role of chief executive officer. The number, revealed today by The Reg, comes as Shuttleworth assumed the position from CEO of eight years Jane Silber, previously chief operating officer. The Reg has learned 31 or more … [Link]

Mashable » 'Chappelle Show' star Charlie Murphy dies at 57

Wednesday 12 April 18:40:07 UTC 2017

NEW YORK (AP) — Charlie Murphy, older brother of Eddie Murphy and a comedy stand-up and performer in his own right, has died. Murphy died Wednesday in New York of leukemia, according to his representative, Domenick Nati. Murphy was 57. He was perhaps best-known for his appearances on Chappelle's Show on Comedy Central. He collaborated with writing his brother's starring films … [Link]

Mashable » Ben Carson has been saved from a stuck elevator, and Twitter has jokes

Wednesday 12 April 18:38:16 UTC 2017

Alert: Ben Carson got stuck in a public housing elevator on Wednesday in Miami.  Firefighters had to rescue him so he could then meet with former Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning.  SEE ALSO: Samuel L. Jackson uses one tweet to crush Ben Carson and his slaves as 'immigrants' comment None of this is close to anything I ever thought I'd type. … [Link]

Mashable » Chill, parents. Amazon's new dashboard will let you see the content your kids are consuming.

Wednesday 12 April 18:33:11 UTC 2017

Hey parents, great news! Thanks to Amazon's latest product you can feel slightly less guilty about leaving your child alone with technology instead of spending time with them. The company's new Parent Dashboard is allowing families to easily monitor the content their children consume and interact with via daily activity reports. It means parents can work, chat on the phone, or … [Link]

Mashable » Google Home wants to discuss your next flight

Wednesday 12 April 18:26:10 UTC 2017

Google Home wants to help book your next flight. You can now find flights and track their pricing directly with your voice via the connected speaker. Google announced the feature on Wednesday. Saying something like "OK Google, how much are flights to Mumbai?" will start tracking the best flight prices for that route. The Assistant will respond with some price information … [Link]

Mashable » This insane Lexus covered in 41,999 LEDs is basically a drivable billboard

Wednesday 12 April 18:23:05 UTC 2017

The New York Auto Show is filled with shiny, jaw-dropping production cars (hi Dodge Demon!) to ogle, but no vehicle has sucked me into its tractor beam quite like Lexus' LIT IS sedan. Created in collaboration with Vevo for Dua Lipa's "Be the One" music video, the LIT IS (get all your lit jokes out now!) is what happens when you … [Link]

Mashable » Burger King trolls Google Home owners with device-triggering ads

Wednesday 12 April 18:12:45 UTC 2017

Okay, Google, this could get annoying. A new ad from Burger King sets out to trigger Google Home and Android devices with the company's signature prompt. "Okay Google, what is the Whopper burger?" a fast food employee asks in the 15-second spot. SEE ALSO: Google Home is now playing unprompted ads for 'Beauty and the Beast' For anyone with certain … [Link]

Slashdot » For Programmers, the Ultimate Office Perk is Avoiding the Office Entirely

Wednesday 12 April 18:00:00 UTC 2017

From a report on Quartz: Over the past decade, designers and engineers have invented dozens of new tools to keep us connected to the office without actually going there. Unsurprisingly, those same engineers have been among the first to start using them in large numbers. More programmers are working from home than ever and, among the most experienced, some are … [Link]

Mashable » This 85-year-old who wants to be the oldest person to climb Everest (again!) is an inspiration to us all

Wednesday 12 April 17:54:33 UTC 2017

One very determined 85-year-old is attempting to make Mount Everest history … again. Min Bahadur Sherchan, an ambitious 85-year-old climber, hopes to once again become the the oldest person to scale the legendary mountain, a title which he previously earned in May 2008. SEE ALSO: 8 pro tips for climbing Mount Everest from the guys who Snapchatted their journey Though Sherchan's … [Link]

Mashable » Apple has just made a major change to the paella emoji

Wednesday 12 April 17:53:07 UTC 2017

Paella is universally acknowledged to be pretty damn tasty. But, lately, food enthusiasts have been fighting a battle to make the paella emoji more authentic. A battle they've just won.  SEE ALSO: Emoji are currently either male or female — but that could be about to change Apple has updated the appearance of the paella emoji on iOS to reflect the … [Link]

Mashable » Jimmy Kimmel on Trump's vacations: 'This is the guy we need United to drag off the plane'

Wednesday 12 April 17:53:06 UTC 2017

Travel's in the news this week, as United's PR nightmare bumps up against news that President Trump's vacation spending is on track to surpass that of his predecessor. So naturally, Jimmy Kimmel used his Tuesday night monologue to bring those two stories together: Drag him, Jimmy. Read more… More about Tv, Watercooler, and Watercooler [Link]

Mashable » 'Justice League' poster reveals a clunky new tagline

Wednesday 12 April 17:53:05 UTC 2017

Assembling is for Avengers. The Justice League unites. Or so it seems in the new Justice League poster, which brings together Batman (Ben Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), The Flash (Ezra Miller), and Cyborg (Ray Fisher).  SEE ALSO: 10 things to look out for in the brand new 'Justice League' trailer The five of them are seen in … [Link]

Mashable » This store wants you to switch off your phone and relax while you peel potatoes

Wednesday 12 April 17:53:04 UTC 2017

Potato peeling is a task that many of us do not get any joy from.  But, one British department store wants people to pause and enjoy the art form that is potato peeling. It's part of a campaign by the department store Selfridges, reflecting on our homes and what they mean to us.  SEE ALSO: How to throw a no-waste dinner … [Link]

Mashable » Here's why your shoelaces annoyingly come undone

Wednesday 12 April 17:53:03 UTC 2017

When your shoelaces comes untied, the thought that probably pops in your brain is: "Ugh, that's annoying. Guess I'll retie my laces now." But to mechanical engineers, this tedious occurrence represents a scientific black hole. Why do shoelaces shake off their knots, and how? Why is one way of tying a shoelace stronger than the other? SEE ALSO: These steel-like … [Link]

Mashable » The whole world is angry at United Airlines

Wednesday 12 April 17:53:02 UTC 2017

As the internet continues to buzz about the incident in which a passenger was violently dragged off a United Airlines flight on Sunday night, outrage has spread across the globe.  SEE ALSO: Not again. Another story about a United passenger emerges—this one with handcuffs. The passenger, Dr. David Dao, is a Vietnamese American, and Vietnam is becoming a particular hotbed … [Link]

Mashable » Embarrassing dad Will Smith looks pumped about cutting off Jaden's hair

Wednesday 12 April 17:52:55 UTC 2017

Playing barber is a great father-son activity. Just ask Will and Jaden Smith. Will demonstrated his hair cutting skills while chopping off Jaden's dreads in preparation for an upcoming movie role. The Fresh Prince star showed off the process on Facebook, writing, "Getting Jaden Smith ready for the first day of filming #LifeInAYear…maybe I should’ve used scissors?!"  SEE ALSO: Will Smith … [Link]

Mashable » Twitter doesn't hate Jude Law as young Dumbledore, which is good news for WB

Wednesday 12 April 17:52:45 UTC 2017

Warner Bros. announced Wednesday that Jude Law will play Album Dumbledore, the young Hogwarts professor who fell in love with and eventually defeated Grindelwald, played by Johnny Depp. SEE ALSO: 'Fantastic Beasts' casts Young Dumbledore Back when I was a wee Potter fan, Johnny Depp and Jude Law were two of the hottest actors of the early-mid-aughts and many fans' dream … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Price Digests Announces New Vehicle API

Wednesday 12 April 17:51:55 UTC 2017

Price Digests, an asset data provider to the commercial insurance and equipment finance industries, recently announced the Price Digests Vehicle API. The company aims to provide a point of differentiation to its customers by moving toward a big data approach to asset valuation. [Link]

Mashable » The White House wants your help to 'make the government tiny again'

Wednesday 12 April 17:51:11 UTC 2017

Tired of U.S. health officials studying deadly and infectious diseases? Sick of the Department of Agriculture assuring your food isn't rancid? Fed up with National Weather Service forecasts and NASA satellites? Wish the Environmental Protection Agency would stop trying to clean our air and water? Now's your chance to say so. SEE ALSO: Interior Dept. agency changes website from family visiting … [Link]

Mashable » Bill Gates challenges you to find lifesaving innovations hiding in this VR game

Wednesday 12 April 17:43:17 UTC 2017

Long before Bill Gates made loads of money off Microsoft or set out to change the world with his foundation, he was probably just a boy playing hide-and-seek. Now, the noted philanthropist wants you to join him for a virtual throwback round of the childhood game. And it's all an effort to celebrate the impact of life-altering social innovation. SEE ALSO: … [Link]

Mashable » Airbnb will now collect taxes at Coachella (and France and Texas)

Wednesday 12 April 17:38:50 UTC 2017

If you're going to Coachella, enjoy your last year not paying taxes on your Airbnb.  The home-rental company will start collecting hotel and tourist taxes May 1 in 10 more U.S. cities and counties, plus the entire state of Texas and 31 cities in France. (Coachella is this April.)  That brings the places where Airbnb collects taxes up to 250 jurisdictions … [Link]

Mashable » 4 fascinating details after a closer look at the 'Star Wars: Battlefront II' leak

Wednesday 12 April 17:36:23 UTC 2017

The Force is with us this week, Star Wars friends. On the eve of the latest Star Wars Celebration — which unfolds April 13-16 in Florida — we got an unexpected early look at Star Wars: Battlefront II. We already knew a Celebration reveal was happening, but this makes the wait easier to bear. SEE ALSO: Yes, you can appear in … [Link]

Mashable » Spot-on sketch perfectly portrays Australian gold thief

Wednesday 12 April 17:35:12 UTC 2017

Heads up, residents of Ballarat, Australia: A man is wanted for stealing $70,000 worth of gold bullion from a home. If you need help identifying the perpetrator, he looks exactly like this very professional portrait: A man who looks exactly like this might be behind the theft of $70,000 of gold bullion in Ballarat: https://t.co/AZ1oYVKPyO pic.twitter.com/YZ2s15TcC9 — PEDESTRIAN.TV (@pedestriandaily) April 12, … [Link]

Mashable » 'Fantastic Beasts' casts Young Dumbledore

Wednesday 12 April 17:25:19 UTC 2017

Fantastic Beasts has found its young Dumbledore.  Warner Bros. officially announced today that Jude Law has been cast as Albus Dumbledore for the sequel, opposite Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald.  SEE ALSO: J.K. Rowling teases next 'Fantastic Beasts' movie with one perfect tweet Dumbledore was previously played by Richard Harris and then Michael Gambon in the Harry Potter movies.  However, Fantastic … [Link]

Mashable » Trump remembers what cake he ate but not what country he bombed and help us somebody please

Wednesday 12 April 17:21:38 UTC 2017

You know that thing where you see a piece of cake so beautiful you momentarily forget the target of your 59 cruise missiles? I see your point. It's not a relatable situation. SEE ALSO: 800 wildlife species at risk from Trump's 'beautiful' border wall President Donald Trump recently described what he was eating while he ordered a missile strike on Syria … [Link]

Popular Science » How to not get a horrible brain parasite on your trip to Hawaii

Wednesday 12 April 17:20:45 UTC 2017

Health It's one souvenir you really don't want to bring home Cases of the super-grossly-named Rat Lungworm parasite are on the rise in Hawaii. Here's how to stay out of trouble in paradise. [Link]

Slashdot » Silicon Valley Kicks Off Fight On Net Neutrality

Wednesday 12 April 17:20:00 UTC 2017

Web companies met with FCC Ajit Pai on Tuesday and urged him not to gut the net neutrality rules that protect their traffic, a week after he met with broadband providers that have tried to kill the Obama-era regulations. From a report: The Internet Association, a trade group representing companies like Facebook, Google, and Amazon, stressed the importance of defending … [Link]

Mashable » Motorola's upcoming Moto C will be the Two-Buck Chuck of smartphones

Wednesday 12 April 16:49:01 UTC 2017

Motorola’s upcoming Moto C looks to be the company's most affordable phone yet. Since Lenovo's acquired the company back in 2014, the future of the Motorola brand didn't look good, but now it's making a comeback by looking beyond — or rather, below — the high-end smartphone market. The upcoming Moto C, per a VentureBeat report, show Motorola will keep leaning … [Link]

Popular Science » Our rivers and lakes contain a scary number of pesticides and pharmaceuticals

Wednesday 12 April 16:46:45 UTC 2017

Environment And they only tested for a fraction of the 85,000 known chemicals Human chemicals are drifting into the broader environment and that's a problem. Read on. [Link]

Popular Science » There’s a treasure trove on the seafloor—and that could be a bad thing

Wednesday 12 April 16:42:07 UTC 2017

Science There are precious minerals to mine, but no regulations in place Rare minerals might not sound as exciting as sunken treasure to you, but to the mining community those materials could be literally more valuable than gold. And we're… [Link]

Slashdot » We Tracked Every Dollar 235 US Households Spent for a Year, and Found Widespread Financial Vulnerability

Wednesday 12 April 16:40:00 UTC 2017

Income inequality in the United States is growing, but the most common economic statistics hide a significant portion of Americans' financial instability by drawing on annual aggregates of income and spending. An article on the Harvard Business Review adds: Annual numbers can hide fluctuations that determine whether families have trouble paying bills or making important investments at a given moment. … [Link]

Mashable » Red panda encountering small obstacle is uncomfortably relatable

Wednesday 12 April 16:37:23 UTC 2017

This red panda has just seen something on a rock. Because of the way the panda is acting, it is probably something new, perhaps an insect — something that the panda has never seen before. Perhaps the rock itself is new. Let's be clear: this is a very cute GIF (look at those paws). However, it also awakened in me an … [Link]

Mashable » Three companies that disrupt the system every day

Wednesday 12 April 16:36:24 UTC 2017

No one ever said you had to go by the book. In a world where everyone’s doing a slight variation on the same thing, you’ve got to hand it to the companies that challenge the way people do things by forging their own paths instead of taking the easy route.     These three companies went above and beyond their limitations to … [Link]

Mashable » Spicer apologizes for saying Hitler didn't use chemical weapons—and he's sorry for letting Trump down

Wednesday 12 April 16:34:30 UTC 2017

You know when you're watching a bad horror movie there's always this one idiot character who's walking along some dark hallway toward a room with a banner that says "you will die here," and you're screaming at the TV like, "DON'T GO IN THERE DON'T DO IT AH GOD WHY OH GOD STOP IT OH YOU'RE SO DUMB WHY?"  That's what … [Link]

Mashable » Microsoft sends out invites for big spring product event

Wednesday 12 April 16:26:25 UTC 2017

Microsoft can't wait for mid-May. The Windows creator and Surface propagator is just weeks away from its three-day developer's conference in Seattle, but that's not stopping it from hosting a consumer product event in New York City on May 2.  Microsoft quietly sent out invites on Wednesday. SEE ALSO: Back from the sea, Joe Belfiore is ready to help Microsoft win … [Link]

Popular Science » Take better smartphone photos with these simple tips and tricks

Wednesday 12 April 16:22:18 UTC 2017

DIY Lights, smartphone camera, action Don't settle for substandard snaps from your phone. This guide to taking photos on the go will help your shots look the best they can be. [Link]

Mashable » Chrissy Teigen, Josh Gad and more are just as pissed as you are about United Airlines

Wednesday 12 April 16:20:26 UTC 2017

It’s been impossible not to talk about the incident that lost United Airlines $800 million in value this week.  After a doctor was physically removed from his seat on an aircraft Sunday, the internet exploded with disgust, memes, and new slogans — and of course, a host of celebrities had something to say about the viral incident and horrible PR situation.  … [Link]

Mashable » Of course some people actually liked that Pepsi ad

Wednesday 12 April 16:11:08 UTC 2017

Pepsi's disastrous advertising foray into race relations was near-universally reviled the instant it hit social media last week. But a new poll suggests that the public at large may not have been as put off by the ad as the internet outrage might imply. SEE ALSO: Pepsi autopsy: How the brand got its commercial so massively wrong Polling research firm … [Link]

Mashable » Nintendo will pay you up to $20,000 if you can hack the Switch

Wednesday 12 April 16:00:53 UTC 2017

Calling all hackers — Nintendo is offering up a whole bunch of money to security-savvy Switch owners that can find vulnerabilities in the company's latest console. Finding and submitting a big security problem could see you walking away with a cool $20,000. Nintendo expanded its public security flaw hunt to the Nintendo Switch yesterday, offering up compensation to anyone who finds … [Link]

Slashdot » The First Manned Space Flight Was the Rocket Designer's Victory as Much as Yuri Gagarin's

Wednesday 12 April 16:00:00 UTC 2017

From an article on the Smithsonian magazine: On this day in 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space. And given the risks inherent to early spaceflight, he certainly deserves his place in history. But what about the man who designed the rocket that got Gagarin there? His name was Sergei Korolev, and his influence on the Soviet space … [Link]

Mashable » Like it or not, Facebook Messenger is unstoppable

Wednesday 12 April 16:00:00 UTC 2017

Facebook Messenger may still have its fair share of haters but, chances are, even they are still using the app.  The service now counts more than 1.2 billion monthly active users, Facebook announced Tuesday. That's up from 1 billion users last July. SEE ALSO: If you hate Messenger, you're really not gonna like Facebook's latest update Facebook attributes much of the … [Link]

Mashable » No, Chelsea Handler doesn't want Trump on Season 2 of her show

Wednesday 12 April 16:00:00 UTC 2017

Chelsea Handler is never one to shy away from politics. Season one of her Netflix show Chelsea tackled a ton of topics  — ranging from education to the election — and the talk show host led and organized a star-studded Women's March at Sundance Film Festival.  Now that President Trump is in office, the on-air personality is ready to make the … [Link]

Mashable » Mark this as the moment when United trolling jumped the shark

Wednesday 12 April 15:57:36 UTC 2017

Good one, Qatar Airways, you’ve “united” …*snicker*… to accommodate passengers and your app “Doesn’t support drag and drop.” You are hilarious.  Congratulations on your tweet. It means the United Airlines trolling has officially jumped the shark.  SEE ALSO: People are trolling United Airlines with these brutal new slogans I get it. When United dragged a passenger literally kicking and screaming off … [Link]

Mashable » Musical chicken wows again with beautiful piano rendition of operatic aria

Wednesday 12 April 15:56:55 UTC 2017

We've been blessed, once again, by the magical, talented being that is Jokgu. Who is a chicken. That plays piano. Seriously. For the uninitiated, Jokgu is a member of The Flockstars, a musical chicken band managed by Two Creative Chicks. He previously blew us away with a beautiful rendition of "American the Beautiful" and we didn't think it could be … [Link]

Mashable » Here's a helpful* video on how to defend yourself with jiu-jitsu the next time United Airlines tries to drag you off a plane

Wednesday 12 April 15:55:49 UTC 2017

The recent incident on a United Airlines airplane, in which a passenger was forcibly removed from his seat and dragged out of an over-booked plane, has prompted a reaction from pretty much everyone on the internet.  Now, a pair of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts—brothers Rener and Ryron Gracie—have added their expertise to the mix, posting a video that shows you how … [Link]

Mashable » The Dodge Demon is a wheelie-popping, world record-setting hellion of a muscle car

Wednesday 12 April 15:47:46 UTC 2017

Dodge is ready to take the title of the world's fastest production car — and it's not content to just zoom through the line with the quickest time.  The automaker's primed to wrestle the top spot away from its competitors with a roar, muscling them out of contention with a brash, bold monster of an automobile: the 2018 Challenger SRT Demon, … [Link]

Mashable » Students build an electric wheelchair that can climb stairs

Wednesday 12 April 15:30:27 UTC 2017

Students in Switzerland have developed a prototype called Scewo, a wheelchair that can climb stairs by incorporating three components of traction. Read more…More about Real Time Video, Real Time Video, Disabled, Disability, and Future Tech [Link]

Mashable » Angela Merkel picks hanging out with Obama over hanging out with Trump. Can you blame her?

Wednesday 12 April 15:27:44 UTC 2017

The 2016 election may be in our rearview mirror but former president Barack Obama will still have a chance to perturb current president Donald Trump. SEE ALSO: Angela Merkel's powerful side-eye at Ivanka Trump is asking the question we're all wondering Obama will be reunited with German chancellor and BFF Angela Merkel on May 25 in Berlin for a panel titled … [Link]

Slashdot » How Google Book Search Got Lost

Wednesday 12 April 15:20:00 UTC 2017

Google Books was the company's first moonshot. But 15 years later, the project is stuck in low-Earth orbit, argues an article on Backchannel. From the article: When Google Books started almost 15 years ago, it also seemed impossibly ambitious: An upstart tech company that had just tamed and organized the vast informational jungle of the web would now extend the … [Link]

Mashable » These 25 companies will pay you the highest salaries, according to Glassdoor

Wednesday 12 April 15:18:26 UTC 2017

Shocker: for the highest salaries, go to Google.  Glassdoor put together a list of the 25 companies that pay the highest salaries in the United States, and the results aren't that surprising. Most of the high-rolling employers are in tech, plus a few consulting firms. Other fields that offer some of the highest-paying jobs, especially healthcare, don't make the cut because … [Link]

Popular Science » Adobe is using AI to make your selfies look like actual photography

Wednesday 12 April 15:09:57 UTC 2017

Technology Making complex photo editing selfie-friendly These image editing technologies already exist, but AI is making them much more accessible. Read on. [Link]

Mashable » Turns out, Sean Spicer would fit right in as a character on 'Veep'

Wednesday 12 April 14:59:48 UTC 2017

HBO's comedy Veep is about the historic journey of a female vice president as she becomes president and then attempts to stay president. But at its core, VEEP is also about politicians royally screwing up, usually in the form of publicly saying things that they should not be saying. Cut to our reality today, and it seems kind of like … [Link]

Mashable » 'Girlboss': Yet another show about an entitled millennial, blerg

Wednesday 12 April 14:51:53 UTC 2017

Here’s a confession: I love watching awful people on TV. FX's You're the Worst, for example, is one of my favorites. I like Jimmy's snarkiness, Gretchen's instability, their overall messed up relationship, their Sunday Funday squad, etc. I even tolerated Netflix's Love (Season 1, at least), despite my actual hatred for the lead characters Gus and Mickey. So Girlboss, loosely based … [Link]

Mashable » 'Fear Factor' reboot hosted by Ludacris is coming whether you like it or not

Wednesday 12 April 14:48:24 UTC 2017

When the audience speaks, MTV answers. What's that you say? You didn't ask for a reboot of Fear Factor, the terrifying early-2000s reality show in which people frequently lay in coffins full of rats and roaches or whatever?? You didn't just think about that show and go "Hey, I know who should host this: Christopher Brian 'Ludacris' Bridges, rapper extraordinaire and … [Link]

Mashable » 'Fat or pregnant?' game show offends everyone. Surprise!

Wednesday 12 April 14:41:46 UTC 2017

There are a few hard and fast rules in life and one of them is this: never call a fat person pregnant or a pregnant person fat. It’s pretty simple, really. Yet a Dutch TV show managed to piss off everyone recently with a segment called, “Fat or pregnant?” Oops. It was part of “Neem je zwemspullen mee,” a satirical … [Link]

Slashdot » BlackBerry Awarded $815 Million in Arbitration Case Against Qualcomm

Wednesday 12 April 14:40:00 UTC 2017

BlackBerry, the former smartphone maker, was awarded $814.9m in an arbitration decision against Qualcomm over a dispute relating to royalty payments. The two companies entered into arbitration talks in February about Qualcomm's "agreement to cap certain royalties applied to payments made by BlackBerry under a license agreement between the parties," BlackBerry said in a statement. From a report: BlackBerry argued … [Link]

Mashable » Stop it with all the random 'National Day' hashtags already

Wednesday 12 April 14:31:25 UTC 2017

I noticed something a bit strange as I was scrolling through my Twitter feed last weekend: I was being bombarded with unicorns.  #BelieveinYOUnicorns was a top trending topic, and, after poking around, I found out I was late to the party to celebrate National Unicorn Day.  SEE ALSO: Retro tech is huge right now because the present is a depressing nightmare … [Link]

Mashable » A man turns around to find over a dozen horses barreling through traffic

Wednesday 12 April 14:28:44 UTC 2017

Imagine strolling along what's usually a calm street and turning around to see over a dozen horses running towards you.  SEE ALSO: Unlikely animal friendship blossoms when a carriage-pulling horse shares its food with pigeons In the video above, a man whips out his phone and hits record when he finds himself in the path of a determined herd of … [Link]

Mashable » Summer movie preview: What to watch if you want to feel a chill down your spine

Wednesday 12 April 14:19:41 UTC 2017

All week, we'll be running our 2017 summer movie preview. Earlier this week, we talked up our most-anticipated comedies and actioners. Today: thrills and chills.  There's nothing like escaping to the cool dark of a movie theater in the heat of summer. And for an extra chill, there's nothing quite like a fright to get you shivering.  SEE ALSO: Summer movie … [Link]

Mashable » It's official: Samsung's Bixby won't be ready for the Galaxy S8 launch

Wednesday 12 April 14:18:21 UTC 2017

Bixby, Samsung's smart assistant and one of the most important features in the company's new flagship, the Galaxy S8, will be a little late for its own launch, at least in the U.S. The company told Axios that an important element of Bixby, the one that lets you issue voice commands to the phone, will be available in the U.S. "later … [Link]

Mashable » 'Detroit' trailer sends John Boyega back into the 1960s

Wednesday 12 April 14:15:58 UTC 2017

Before John Boyega returns to the Star Wars galaxy this winter, he'll be making a stop a little closer to home.  The British star leads the ensemble cast of Detroit, set during the civil unrest that rocked the city in the summer of 1967.  And if it's anything like director Kathryn Bigelow's last few films, including The Hurt Locker and … [Link]

Mashable » Snapchat's finally offering more location data to advertisers

Wednesday 12 April 14:14:28 UTC 2017

Snap here. Snap there. Snap everywhere — especially in stores.  Snapchat, the disappearing messaging turned mobile storytelling app, released a new ad product Wednesday that is a quick swipe at Facebook's big offer to advertisers and retailers: online to offline conversions. SEE ALSO: A millennial reports from the NYSE floor on Snapchat's IPO day That's jargon for Snapchat's pitch to help … [Link]

Mashable » The 'Thor: Ragnarok' trailer just broke a huge Disney record

Wednesday 12 April 14:08:01 UTC 2017

The Marvel machine ain't losing steam any time soon. The teaser trailer for Thor: Ragnarok, which debuted on Monday, racked up a record 136 million views in its first 24 hours, making it the highest viewed trailer debut for Marvel and Disney to date. SEE ALSO: Tale as old as time: Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' debuts at $170 million … [Link]

Mashable » Gus Fring from 'Breaking Bad' wants you to try his curly fries

Wednesday 12 April 14:06:27 UTC 2017

Gus Fring's 'Los Pollos Hermanos' fast food chicken restaurant made an appearance in lower Manhattan and Gus has an offer nobody could refuse – try his curly fries or your money back. Gus is coming back in the AMC Breaking Bad spinoff prequel, Better Call Saul.   Read more…More about Los Pollos Hermanos, Pop Up, Pop Up Shop, Real Time Video, … [Link]

Popular Science » Read and edit PDFs at lightning speed with this best-selling app

Wednesday 12 April 14:01:31 UTC 2017

Sponsored Post PDF Expert for Mac is an award-winning Preview alternative—now at half price Read and Edit PDFs at Lightning Speed with this Best-selling App. Read on. [Link]

Slashdot » Are Chromebooks Responsible For PC Market Growth?

Wednesday 12 April 14:00:00 UTC 2017

From a report on The Verge: IDC claims the PC market is "up slightly," recording its first growth in five years. It's a tiny growth of just 0.6 percent, but it's a flattening of the market that Microsoft and its PC maker partners have been looking for after years of decline. While percentage growth looks good on paper, it doesn't … [Link]

Mashable » This paper can fold itself into a beautiful crane

Wednesday 12 April 13:30:00 UTC 2017

Scientists at the MIT Media Lab have created 'aeroMorph,' a technology that turns flat paper into 3D shapes through inflation. The shapes are designed in a software program, then exported to a heat-sealing machine, which creates precise air pockets within the material. Read more…More about 3d, Technology, Paper, Real Time Video, and Real Time Video [Link]

Mashable » Cat struts onto field during baseball game, makes new home in home run statue

Wednesday 12 April 13:26:06 UTC 2017

A Miami Marlins game was delayed briefly Tuesday night when an unexpected visitor decided to join the game: a lone gray cat running across the field. The Marlins dubbed the mysterious new player "RallyCat" and tweeted updates about its status throughout the game. SEE ALSO: 9 ways the MLB can make baseball more exciting So… what should we name our #RallyCat? … [Link]

Mashable » Optimus Prime meets his maker in the 'Transformers: The Last Knight' trailer

Wednesday 12 April 13:25:36 UTC 2017

It's the legend of King Arthur like you've never seen it before: with way more giant robots from outer space. Yep, Transformers: The Last Knight goes all the way back to medieval times to show the Autobots at the Round Table … and then skips ahead to the present day, where Mark Wahlberg is giving a little girl some clichéd … [Link]

Mashable » Your emotions could be worth $$$ in the form of GIFs (seriously)

Wednesday 12 April 13:23:30 UTC 2017

Think of the last GIF you sent a friend. Here's mine:  Confused GIF from Confused GIFs That GIF might be summed up as saying "what the hell?" which is the kind of sentiment I was trying to pass along at the time.  Tenor sees an opportunity here. The GIF platform (known best for its GIF keyboards) has announced that it's going … [Link]

Mashable » A startup will bring Gucci to your door in 90 minutes (for some reason)

Wednesday 12 April 13:20:28 UTC 2017

Thanks to a partnership with London-based fashion technology company Farfetch, you can soon get Gucci clothing and accessories whisked to your door within 90 minutes.  Farfetch announced the partnership Wednesday, as the company showcases what it’s calling "The Store of the Future" — software and devices that aim to help luxury brands gather more information on customers in stores and online. … [Link]

Mashable » Google's new video to push Pixel phones is going viral

Wednesday 12 April 13:03:34 UTC 2017

Google's new video to promote the Pixel phone in India is quite popular with 15 million views across Facebook and YouTube. The film starring popular Indian writer-columnist Mrs. Funnybones focuses on the all-round utility of Google Assistant — the feature integral to the Pixel device. SEE ALSO: Google wants to know what you'd like to see in the Pixel 2 … [Link]

Mashable » Airlines suck because you let them

Wednesday 12 April 13:00:00 UTC 2017

Business can, at times, be so simple. For example: 1. Fewer companies means less competition.  2. Less competition means less incentive for companies to be great to customers, who have less choice.  3. Less incentive to serve customers… can end with a guy being dragged off an airplane, bloodied, after he'd already been seated.  If only someone could've seen this coming.  … [Link]

Mashable » When it comes to searching for porn, women don't mess around

Wednesday 12 April 13:00:00 UTC 2017

Spoiler alert: Women watch porn! (Duh.) YouPorn, one of the largest adult video sites, surveyed 24,000 of their female users during a one month period, and the results prove there's no shortage of ladies looking for porn. We know what we're after, and we're not messing around. One in four visitors to their site are female, according to YouPorn, and the … [Link]

Slashdot » Tennessee Could Give Taxpayers America's Fastest Internet For Free, But It Gave Comcast and AT&T $45 Million Instead

Wednesday 12 April 13:00:00 UTC 2017

Chattanooga, Tennessee is home to some of the fastest internet speeds in the United States, offering city dwellers Gbps and 10 Gpbs connections. Instead of voting to expand those connections to the rural areas surrounding the city, which have dial up, satellite, or no internet whatsoever, Tennessee's legislature voted to give Comcast and AT&T a $45 million taxpayer handout. Motherboard … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Sea urchin emits a cloud of venomous jaws to deter predators

Wednesday 12 April 12:07:00 UTC 2017

When predators get too close, this normally serene pincushion releases hundreds of tiny “jaws” that pack a nasty chemical punch [Link]

New Scientist – News » Physics of shoelaces shows why they come undone when you run

Wednesday 12 April 12:03:00 UTC 2017

Slow-motion video and weights tied to the ends of pendulums reveal that the stomping and whipping of our feet cause shoelaces to unknot [Link]

Mashable » 'Fawlty Towers' fans, rejoice: John Cleese is returning to the BBC for a new sitcom

Wednesday 12 April 11:46:20 UTC 2017

It’s been quite awhile since John Cleese was in a sitcom. He popped up in a couple of episodes of the U.S. show Whitney five years ago and he's cameoed in the likes of Will and Grace, but the legendary days of Fawlty Towers are now a full 40 years behind us. SEE ALSO: John Cleese delivers the ultimate 'Walking Dead' … [Link]

Popular Science » Ants perfected farming 30 million years ago in the desert

Wednesday 12 April 11:30:00 UTC 2017

Animals And you can’t even keep your succulent alive Ants are good at a lot. Carrying food, cutting leaves, biting people, and perhaps least well known: farming fungus. Read on. [Link]

New Scientist – News » Unprotected sex may disrupt the microbiome in vagina

Wednesday 12 April 11:30:00 UTC 2017

Women who have unprotected sex with men seem to have more bad types of bacteria in their vaginas, which may make them more prone to infection and disease [Link]

New Scientist – News » Robot volleyball machine helps Japan team practise attacks

Wednesday 12 April 11:26:00 UTC 2017

Robotic arms whizz along the net so volleyball players can rehearse “spikes” against defensive blockers, and the system can be set-up to mimic opposing teams [Link]

Mashable » Mum says what everyone's thinking about prams being used as a status symbol

Wednesday 12 April 11:24:53 UTC 2017

A mother of one from Cornwall, UK, has hit out at the world of "pram snobbery" and the pressure to buy expensive parenting products. In a Facebook post, Gylisa Jayne vented her frustration at the expensive price tags attached to many prams on sale in high street stores. Jayne says her excitement for having a baby was shattered when she went … [Link]

Popular Science » 10 too-cute bunny items because, well, 'tis the season

Wednesday 12 April 11:21:00 UTC 2017

Gadgets Here's what's up, doc. Everyone loves bunny rabbits. Read on. [Link]

Mashable » This little piggy brought traffic to a grinding halt

Wednesday 12 April 11:05:15 UTC 2017

Being so new to the world, this baby pig must not have received the memo that highways aren't animal friendly.  SEE ALSO: This sheep with its head stuck in a straw bale is our spirit animal A 7-week-old male piglet made a great escape from a moving vehicle on a highway south of Leeds.  He began wandering the open motorway, causing … [Link]

Mashable » 10 stunning photos from India's rare queer pride march

Wednesday 12 April 10:47:48 UTC 2017

One of India's ancient-most cities, Lucknow, held its first-ever queer parade that saw color and optimism spilling on its streets.  It is widely believed that this north Indian city was the "epicenter of queer culture" during British India as its literature testifies, but the queer community was suppressed thereafter. SEE ALSO: Crowdfunded LGBTQ film from India is hoping for a Cannes … [Link]

Mashable » Hear the new Gorillaz album early with their cool augmented reality app

Wednesday 12 April 10:29:54 UTC 2017

If you like your augmented reality cartoony and Gorillaz-themed, you're in luck. SEE ALSO: Gorillaz announce a new album with a bonkers list of collaborators On Tuesday, the band released a trailer for their new app, which allows fans to "step inside the hallowed halls of the Gorillaz house."  Users will also be able to use it to listen to … [Link]

O'Reilly News and Commentary » #Ebook Deal/Day: TensorFlow for Deep Learning – $19.49 (Save 50%) Use code DEAL

Wednesday 12 April 10:26:49 UTC 2017

Get "TensorFlow for Deep Learning" today using code DEAL and save 50%!This sale ends at 2:00 AM 2017-04-13 (PDT, GMT-8:00). [Link]

Mashable » Model shares photo of her cellulite on Instagram to show 'how bloody natural it is'

Wednesday 12 April 10:16:40 UTC 2017

A British model has shared a photo of her cellulite on Instagram to show "it's nothing to be ashamed of" and that it's "bloody natural".  SEE ALSO: Lena Dunham gives props to magazine for leaving her cellulite alone Model and body positive activist Charli Howard, who's signed to agency Muse NYC in the U.S., talked about the pressure she felt at … [Link]

Mashable » Internet giants on net neutrality repeal: please don't do this

Wednesday 12 April 10:01:00 UTC 2017

Google, Facebook, Amazon, Airbnb, Uber, eBay, and plenty of others have a message: Net neutrality is good and we should leave it in place.  Why is that worth saying for the umpteenth time? Because the one person who could lead the charge in destroying net neutrality doesn't quite agree. Less than three months into his role as Chairman of the … [Link]

Slashdot » Investigation Finds Inmates Built Computers, Hid Them In Prison Ceiling

Wednesday 12 April 10:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from WRGB: The discovery of two working computers hidden in a ceiling at the Marion Correctional Institution prompted an investigation by the state into how inmates got access. In late July, 2015 staff at the prison discovered the computers hidden on a plywood board in the ceiling above a training room closet. The computers … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Mega-canals could slice through continents for giant ships

Wednesday 12 April 10:00:00 UTC 2017

The Panama Canal may soon have a giant neighbour across Nicaragua – and two huge waterways could be built in Asia. Will they help or hurt the environment? [Link]

Mashable » Armani model and math teacher gets blasted for racist stereotypes in 'workout video'

Wednesday 12 April 9:50:13 UTC 2017

You may recognise Armani model Pietro Boselli as "the world's hottest math teacher," which made headlines last year. But more recently, he's gotten in a bit of hot soup after posting a "workout video" of him lifting a Filipino man. SEE ALSO: Airbnb host banned after sending racist messages to Asian woman "I need to find something to repeatedly lift, … [Link]

Mashable » Uber's chief of communications is the latest to leave the company

Wednesday 12 April 9:45:12 UTC 2017

Another day, another Uber executive leaving the company. This time it's Rachel Whetstone, head of communications and policy.  In an email to staff, CEO Travis Kalanick sang Whetsone's praises and indicated that the departure was amicable: “Since joining in 2015, Rachel has blown us all away with her ability to get stuff done. She is a force of nature, an extraordinary … [Link]

Mashable » Man makes impressively bizarre hotel request, hotel delivers

Wednesday 12 April 9:35:21 UTC 2017

Making special requests when booking a hotel isn't exactly uncommon. Maybe you'd like a wake-up call, for instance, or some room service. Perhaps you'd like toothpaste. What's less common, though, is asking specifically for a photograph of actor Christopher Walken. SEE ALSO: Hotel humors a guest's request for framed pictures of Jeff Goldblum Last week, Daniel Buckley booked a room at … [Link]

Mashable » This is how inaccessible tech was for blind people 20 years ago

Wednesday 12 April 9:31:16 UTC 2017

He plays on an Xbox, navigates his way using a GPS and knows when to turn the lights off — but life wasn't always this easy for David Woodbridge. Woodbridge, who lost his sight when he was 8 years old, says things were very different 20 years ago. SEE ALSO: Apple’s cheap iPad is tailor-made for education "I had to do … [Link]

Mashable » Amazing Mom throws her daughter the ultimate poop-themed party

Wednesday 12 April 9:26:26 UTC 2017

When Rebecca Marose asked her 3 year old Audrey what kind of birthday party she wanted, the consistent answer was "poop." SEE ALSO: The cutest great-grandma busts out the best moves at her 100th birthday party "For months, every time we mentioned her party, Audrey requested 'poop balloons and a poop cake,'" said Rebecca in an interview with Huffington Post, The … [Link]

Mashable » Policeman's safe cycling demonstration goes very wrong, very fast

Wednesday 12 April 8:54:17 UTC 2017

You know exactly what's going to happen in the clip below the minute you start watching it. All the elements are there: the crowd of onlookers, the steep flight of concrete steps, and the policeman in the helmet and the high-vis yellow jacket, who was apparently on hand to demonstrate cycling safety to children. It was only ever going to go … [Link]

Mashable » 82-year-old woman spins hot beats as a club DJ in trendy Tokyo

Wednesday 12 April 8:47:49 UTC 2017

Japan's first octogenarian DJ can spin a mean beat. 82-year-old Sumiko Iwamuro, who goes by "DJ Sumirock," is a monthly fixture at DecabarZ, a club in the heart of Shinjuku, Tokyo. SEE ALSO: 81-year-old woman makes iPhone app after only starting to use computers at 60 And boy can she play.  Iwamuro, who's spent over 50 years running a gyoza … [Link]

Mashable » Google's new AutoDraw wants to make drawing easier for everyone

Wednesday 12 April 7:56:42 UTC 2017

Your doodles are about to get a whole lot better. Part of Google's new A.I. Experiments collection, AutoDraw is like an AI-powered Microsoft Paint. The app combines conventional doodling with art from professionals to enhance your doodles and help create better art.  SEE ALSO: Google's new drawing game is fun even if you can't draw The app works by trying … [Link]

Mashable » People have some pretty savage things to say about Louis Vuitton's new collection

Wednesday 12 April 7:49:04 UTC 2017

Louis Vuitton's bags usually cause a stir when new designs are released, but its latest collection is not going down in quite the same way.  Makers, the luxury maker's new collection in collaboration with American artist Jeff Koons, features iconic works by Old Masters Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh, and Titian, among others. SEE ALSO: Granny uses her $1200 Louis … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Restlet Studio Supports RAML 1.0 API Specification

Wednesday 12 April 7:08:12 UTC 2017

Restlet today announced the release of a new version of Restlet Studio with support for the latest RAML 1.0 specification, in addition to full support for OAS 2.0. Restlet Studio is used by businesses of any size to visually and collaboratively design and document REST APIs that are at the core of their digital projects. [Link]

Mashable » This startup wants Uber drivers to help deliver breaking news footage

Wednesday 12 April 7:04:24 UTC 2017

Your next Uber driver could deliver you and some breaking news. An Australia startup aims to enlist drivers in the delivery of real-time news footage, according to the Financial Review. Uber drivers can be found all over the city, so when an event occurs, NewsCar will help news networks direct nearby members to the scene. From there, they can shoot TV-ready … [Link]

Slashdot » Glowing Bacteria Detect Buried Landmines

Wednesday 12 April 7:00:00 UTC 2017

sciencehabit quotes a report from Science Magazine: More than 100 million landmines lay hidden in the ground around the world, but glowing bacteria may help us find them, according to a new study. The approach relies on small quantities of vapor released from the common explosive TNT. Previously, researchers engineered E. coli to glow green upon detection of DNT, a … [Link]

Mashable » Court rules to shut down a mobile tower after a man alleges he got cancer from it

Wednesday 12 April 4:39:25 UTC 2017

In a unique ruling, India’s Supreme Court has ordered to shut down a mobile tower after a man alleged that he got cancer from its radiation.  Last year, Madhya Pradesh-resident Harish Chand Tiwari had approached India's apex court, the highest judicial forum in the country, alleging that a mobile tower from state-run telecom operator BSNL exposed him to harmful radiation. SEE … [Link]

Mashable » Walmart will give you a discount if you pick up your online order from a Walmart store

Wednesday 12 April 4:01:00 UTC 2017

In the fight for online shoppers, Walmart has one thing Amazon doesn't: stores. Lots of em. The retail giant is taking advantage of its one upper hand with a new way to get discounts when you shop online. For 10,000 of the most popular items sold only on Walmart.com, you'll get a discount if you ship them to a local Walmart … [Link]

Mashable » The hottest Aussie city just had its coldest day and people really freaked out

Wednesday 12 April 3:44:10 UTC 2017

Australia’s hottest capital city, Darwin, has two distinct seasons: Wet and Dry. None of the namby-pamby Spring, or Autumn business up there. But the flip-flop-loving residents of the fair subtropical city got one hell of shock on Tuesday, when temperatures hit a frosty low of 19 degrees Celsius (66.2 Fahrenheit).  It might not seem cold, but for a town used to … [Link]

Mashable » What these soccer fans did after terrifying explosions will restore your faith in humanity

Wednesday 12 April 3:43:20 UTC 2017

What should have been a festive occasion turned scary when a Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and AS Monaco was postponed Tuesday after three explosive devices blew up near the German side's bus.  But what happened next showed the powerful potential of the human spirit.  SEE ALSO: The uncomfortable dark side of Steph Curry's stunning rise to NBA stardom The … [Link]

Mashable » 'Star Wars: Battlefront II' trailer leaks early, looks amazing

Wednesday 12 April 3:36:45 UTC 2017

Our first look at the next chapter in EA's Star Wars: Battlefront series is here, a little earlier than expected. We'll take it. The short, 30-second commercial clip crams in quite a few details if you look closely — as Star Wars fans are already doing, naturally.  First, we have the protagonist of the single-player campaign, who appears to be … [Link]

Slashdot » US Dismantles Forensic Science Commission

Wednesday 12 April 3:30:00 UTC 2017

hondo77 writes a report via Washington Post: Thought the Trump Administration's war on science was just about climate change? Think again. "Attorney General Jeff Sessions will end a Justice Department partnership with independent scientists to raise forensic science standards and has suspended an expanded review of FBI testimony across several techniques that have come under question, saying a new strategy … [Link]

Mashable » Not again. Another story about a United passenger emerges—this one with handcuffs.

Wednesday 12 April 3:18:14 UTC 2017

Yet another story about a mistreated United passenger has made the news.  Geoff Fearns, president of Tripacific Capital Advisors, told the LA Times that last week—before the viral incident involving a man being dragged off a plane—that he was threatened with handcuffs for refusing to give up his $1,000 seat on a flight from Kauai to Los Angeles for "somebody … [Link]

Mashable » Scientists find 50 exciting new spider species, and arachnophobes will be thrilled

Wednesday 12 April 2:49:30 UTC 2017

The world is full of surprises, and as it turns out, most of them are spiders. Scientists discovered 50 new spider species during a research trip to Australia's Cape York Peninsula, including a new species of peacock spider, which dances as part of an elaborate courting ritual, and an ant-eating spider, which imitates its prey. SEE ALSO: This startup wants to … [Link]

Mashable » Fitbit's smartwatch is reportedly not coming along very well

Wednesday 12 April 2:06:41 UTC 2017

Fitbit’s primed to finally break out of the fitness tracking vertical with a smartwatch built for mass appeal — but the company's apparently having a hard time even bringing a device to the starting line.  A Yahoo Finance report claims that Fitbit's had so much difficulty developing the smartwatch that its launch was pushed from spring to later in the year, … [Link]

Mashable » The cast of 'Silicon Valley' is totally divided on Snapchat

Wednesday 12 April 1:36:39 UTC 2017

Snapchat or Instagram Stories? It's the eternal question of the social-media age, and the cast of HBO's Silicon Valley is wrestling with it just like the rest of us.  SEE ALSO: 5 Ways HBO's 'Silicon Valley' Is Just Like the Real Thing Just as Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wants to copy Evan Spiegel's Snapchat into oblivion, the cast of HBO's Silicon … [Link]

Mashable » Hero dog opens 3 doors and escapes an animal hospital

Wednesday 12 April 1:35:42 UTC 2017

A dog named General managed to escape an animal hospital in Stafford, Virginia after opening three doors with his mouth. General is a true hero to doggos across the world.  The 10-year-old Great Pyrennes was staying at the Aquia-Garrisonville Animal Hospital while his family was at Virginia Beach on vacation when the great escape took place, according to local ABC … [Link]

Slashdot » Firefox To Let Users Control Memory Usage

Wednesday 12 April 1:25:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from BleepingComputer: Mozilla engineers are working on a new section in the browser's preferences that will let users control the browser's performance. Work on this new section started last Friday when an issue was opened in the Firefox bug tracker. Right now, the Firefox UI team has proposed a basic sketch of the settings … [Link]

Mashable » Newsreader trolls tabloids after being dissed for (gasp) wearing the same blouse twice

Wednesday 12 April 1:04:48 UTC 2017

You know what they say: When a tabloid news publication trolls you, you troll them right back.  Nobody says this? Well, they should start, because Australian presenter of morning show Today, Lisa Wilkinson, has done just that.  SEE ALSO: TV host wore the same suit for one year, and no one noticed On Tuesday, the Daily Mail published a "story" lightly … [Link]

Mashable » An ode to the Twitter bot that tweets every color imaginable

Wednesday 12 April 1:00:00 UTC 2017

Too much of one thing isn't good for you, the saying goes. But whoever first uttered that sentiment wasn't talking about Twitter. Jokes from your favorite 140-character comedians, tweets from your high school friends and breaking news all have their place on the timeline — but sometimes you need to shake up your routine. Enter Every Color Bot, what might be … [Link]

Mashable » Seth Rogen's North Korea tweet is too real

Wednesday 12 April 0:46:34 UTC 2017

Celebrities and politics, am I right? Seth Rogen doesn't seem the likeliest candidate for outspoken activism, but his unique career experiences do address one subject: North Korea. "I don't have much authority to speak on political matters," Rogen tweeted on Tuesday. "But one thing I can DEFINITIVELY say: Don't fuck with North Korea." His comments came after Donald Trump tweeted that … [Link]

Slashdot » Scientists Prove Your Phone's PIN Can Be Stolen Using Its Gyroscope Data

Wednesday 12 April 0:45:00 UTC 2017

A team of scientists at Newcastle University in the UK managed to reveal a user's phone PIN code using its gyroscope data. "In one test, the team cracked a passcode with 70 percent accuracy," reports Digital Trends. "By the fifth attempt, the accuracy had gone up to 100 percent." From the report: It takes a lot of data, to be … [Link]

Mashable » Woman barely escapes getting struck by a train

Wednesday 12 April 0:38:49 UTC 2017

A pedestrian in New Zealand came just inches from being struck by a train because she didn't look both ways before crossing. Parents across the world are violently shaking their heads after reading that sentence.  Officials for the Auckland Transport released footage of a distracted woman crossing the tracks at the Mount Eden station on Friday in an attempt to … [Link]

Mashable » 800 wildlife species at risk from Trump's 'beautiful' border wall

Wednesday 12 April 0:38:48 UTC 2017

The 2,000-mile border joining the U.S. and Mexico is lined with lush jungles, sandy deserts, soaring mountains, and roaring rivers. Wildlife and flora effortlessly cross this boundary every day.  But turn that invisible line into a towering wall of metal and concrete, and those fragile ecosystems will quickly erode, scientists warn. At least 800 animal species would be adversely affected by … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook Messenger just got more like Venmo

Wednesday 12 April 0:38:47 UTC 2017

Facebook Messenger just made it easier to send friends money. The app now allows users to exchange money within group messages, Facebook announced. The feature is live now on desktop and Messenger's Android app and will roll out to iOS "soon." SEE ALSO: Facebook's fundraisers now help you raise money for yourself and friends Though Messenger has allowed payments since 2015, … [Link]

Mashable » Cinder will slow-cook its way into your steak-loving heart

Wednesday 12 April 0:08:40 UTC 2017

I haven’t grilled a steak indoors in 15 years. Good beef means high heat, open flames and fast reflexes. You don’t cook a steak for 45 minutes, you give it four searing minutes on each side. It’s simple and deceptively easy to screw up. Cinder’s method of steak cookery goes against every meat-eating, steak-grilling instinct I have.  SEE ALSO: Gordon … [Link]

Slashdot » Alphabet Wants Its Lawsuit Against Uber To Play Out Publicly

Wednesday 12 April 0:05:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Recode: The company filed an opposition request late last night to Uber's motion for arbitration. If the case went to arbitration, an alternate form for dispute resolution, it would remain in private. Alphabet self-driving subsidiary Waymo "has not consented to arbitrate this dispute with Uber," the new filing said, "and Waymo cannot be … [Link]

Archive

19 Apr 2024  18 Apr 2024  17 Apr 2024  16 Apr 2024  15 Apr 2024  14 Apr 2024  13 Apr 2024  12 Apr 2024  11 Apr 2024  10 Apr 2024  09 Apr 2024  08 Apr 2024  07 Apr 2024  06 Apr 2024  05 Apr 2024  04 Apr 2024  03 Apr 2024  02 Apr 2024  01 Apr 2024  31 Mar 2024  30 Mar 2024  29 Mar 2024  28 Mar 2024  27 Mar 2024  26 Mar 2024  25 Mar 2024  24 Mar 2024  23 Mar 2024  22 Mar 2024  21 Mar 2024  20 Mar 2024  19 Mar 2024