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 » Why Facebook’s AR announcement should excite iPhone fans

Tuesday 18 April 23:40:57 UTC 2017

Facebook’s big augmented reality announcements at its F8 developer’s conference in California are the clearest sign the next iPhone will have built-in AR hardware. SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about what Facebook announced at F8 It’s true, Apple’s interest in and affinity for augmented reality is not news. Ask Apple CEO Tim Cook about virtual reality and he … [Link]

Mashable » Ellen has a proposition for the Wendy's chicken nugget teen

Tuesday 18 April 23:25:10 UTC 2017

The nugget kid is quickly approaching Ellen's record for most retweeted tweet and she is not happy about it. Her famous Oscar selfie garnered over 3.3 million retweets, whereas nugget kid's tweet is sitting at 3.1 retweets and climbing The daytime host absolutely refuses to lose her crown so she had him on her show to come up with a … [Link]

Mashable » 'Pretty Little Liars' boss teases 'brutal' Season 7 endgame

Tuesday 18 April 23:20:50 UTC 2017

Pretty Little Liars is poised to return Tuesday (April 18) for the final time, airing its last 10 episodes as fans say goodbye to their Rosewood besties after seven action-packed seasons. But the final episodes aren't going to be some kind of soft-focus, sentimental send-off — at least, not for a while. Showrunner Marlene King dished the dirt to Mashable … [Link]

Slashdot » StarCraft Is Now Free, Nearly 20 Years After Its Release

Tuesday 18 April 23:20:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: Nearly two decades after its 1998 release, StarCraft is now free. Legally! Blizzard has just released the original game — plus the Brood War expansion — for free for both PC and Mac. You can find it here. Up until a few weeks ago, getting the game with its expansion would've cost … [Link]

Slashdot » Boeing To Lay Off Hundreds of Engineers Amid Sales Slowdown

Tuesday 18 April 23:00:00 UTC 2017

According to Reuters, Boeing has warned its employees that it "planned another round of involuntary layoffs that would affect hundreds of engineers at its commercial airplanes unit." From the report: The latest job cuts followed a prior involuntary reduction of 245 workers set for May 19 as the company responded to increasing competition and slowing aircraft sales. The additional layoffs … [Link]

Mashable » Why Trump's latest speech is a big deal for Silicon Valley

Tuesday 18 April 22:56:09 UTC 2017

President Donald Trump was in Wisconsin on Tuesday, but his words probably resonated most in California.  He announced a plan to overhaul an American visa program that brings tens of thousands of workers and students to the United States every year, many of whom find work in tech-related jobs in Silicon Valley. SEE ALSO: Trump just dropped the hammer on Silicon … [Link]

Slashdot » Microsoft's Cool Quantum Computing Plan Embraces Cryogenic Memory

Tuesday 18 April 22:40:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader shares a PCWorld report: Microsoft has crazy quantum computing plans: first, it built hardware based on a particle that hasn't even been discovered. Now, it's hoping to co-design super-cool memory for quantum computers. The company is working with Rambus to develop and build prototype computers with memory subsystems that can be cooled at cryogenic temperatures, typically below … [Link]

Mashable » Apple finally made these apps free for all users

Tuesday 18 April 22:11:00 UTC 2017

Good news for people with old or used Macs.  Apple updated several Mac and iOS apps—including iMovie, Numbers, Keynote, Pages and GarageBand—to make them free for all users, MacRumors reports. SEE ALSO: Apple may be testing an iPhone 8 with a dual selfie camera Previously, the apps were free for users who purchased a new Mac, iPad or iPhone since 2013, … [Link]

Slashdot » Salt Makes You Hungry, Not Thirsty, Study Says

Tuesday 18 April 22:00:00 UTC 2017

wisebabo writes: Salty diet makes you hungry, not thirsty. Science Daily reports: "In a study carried out during a simulated mission to Mars, an international group of scientists has found exactly the opposite to be true. 'Cosmonauts' who ate more salt retained more water, weren't as thirsty, and needed more energy." So if you don't want to gain weight on … [Link]

Mashable » Hey, hiring managers — throw that beer test out the window

Tuesday 18 April 21:52:24 UTC 2017

Over the last few years, the notion of passing a so-called "beer test" has become a pretty popular step of the interview process for deciding which employee candidates may be the next best cultural fit for your brand.   Personally, after years of running a global recruitment firm, I have found that this test – if you can call it that … [Link]

Mashable » The plan to get Congress super stoned on 420

Tuesday 18 April 21:37:24 UTC 2017

The same group that offered a free joint to Inauguration Day attendees is puff, puff, passing along the free cannabis to Capitol Hill workers. To properly celebrate 420 in the nation's capital, on Thursday from (high) noon until 4:20 p.m., the pro-marijuana group DCMJ is handing out two free joints to members of Congress and congressional staffers, interns, and other workers … [Link]

Mashable » Justin Trudeau finally got something wrong, and it took a climate activist to call him out

Tuesday 18 April 21:33:25 UTC 2017

Justin Trudeau, the handsome, worldly prime minister of Canada seems to do no wrong, but when it comes to climate change, he's a complicated figure. The prime minister boldly declared that "Canada is back" at the negotiating table for U.N. climate talks during a speech at the Paris negotiations in 2016, garnering a standing ovation.  But a well-known climate activist wants … [Link]

Mashable » Petsmart bought Chewy.com in what's reported to be the biggest e-commerce deal ever

Tuesday 18 April 21:23:57 UTC 2017

Petsmart just snapped up pet supply site Chewy.com in what's reported to be the biggest e-commerce deal in history. The big box store paid around $3.35 billion for the online outlet, according to Recode's sources — slightly more than the $3.3 billion Walmart spent on Jet.com in another monster online shopping acquisition last year. The deal is also all the more … [Link]

Slashdot » User-Made Patch Lets Owners of Next-Gen CPUs Install Updates On Windows 7 & 8.1

Tuesday 18 April 21:20:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from BleepingComputer: GitHub user Zeffy has created a patch that removes a limitation that Microsoft imposed on users of 7th generation processors, a limit that prevents users from receiving Windows updates if they still use Windows 7 and 8.1. This limitation was delivered through Windows Update KB4012218 (March 2017 Patch Tuesday) and has made … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Google Expands WebVR Support to Cardboard

Tuesday 18 April 20:59:45 UTC 2017

Google recently announced that it has expanded its support for WebVR to Google Cardboard. Previously, Google had limited access to WebVR to Chrome on Daydream-ready phones through the use of the WebVR API and Gamepad API extensions. [Link]

Popular Science » Facebook’s new Camera Effects Platform wants to augment your entire reality

Tuesday 18 April 20:50:16 UTC 2017

Technology See the world through Facebook's eyes. Facebook wants to be a part of your reality, whether its virtual or augmented. [Link]

Slashdot » Malaysia Air Is First Airline to Track Fleet With Satellites

Tuesday 18 April 20:35:00 UTC 2017

From a report: Malaysia Air, which lost a wide-body jet with 239 people aboard three years ago in one of history's most enduring aviation mysteries, has become the first airline to sign an agreement for space-based flight tracking of its aircraft. The subsidiary of Malaysian Airline System Bhd reached a deal with Aireon LLC, SITAONAIR and FlightAware LLC to enable … [Link]

Mashable » Internet collectively shouts 'too soon' after Adidas' terrible marathon email

Tuesday 18 April 20:30:54 UTC 2017

Welcome to the club, Adidas. The company is the latest in a string of brands to find itself frantically apologizing for doing something stupid.  On Tuesday, the sportswear company had its very own SMH moment after sending out a mass email about the 121st Boston Marathon, which took place on Monday. The email in question arrived bearing the subject line: "Congrats, … [Link]

Mashable » Hodor considers entering politics to fight for marriage equality

Tuesday 18 April 20:25:27 UTC 2017

Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn is saying a lot more than "Hodor!" these days.  The Northern Ireland native, known for acting in HBO's Game of Thrones and for his DJ sets on his "Rave of Thrones" tour, is speaking out for same-sex marriage in his country. In an interview with Northern Ireland's Belfast Telegraph Tuesday, he said he hopes the … [Link]

Mashable » Watch bewildered bartenders try to identify people who are underage

Tuesday 18 April 20:24:24 UTC 2017

For bartenders, being able to quickly identify underage patrons seems like a useful skill. But only if they're good at it.  And, judging by this new clip from WatchCut, it's way harder than it looks. (See for yourself and play along.) So maybe we should just keep relying on those confusing ID holograms, yes? Read more… More about Bartender, Drinking, … [Link]

Popular Science » Pushing the limits of assistive technology during the Boston Marathon

Tuesday 18 April 20:16:55 UTC 2017

Technology What an ambitious test tells us about the state of remote guidance for the visually impaired Erich Manser finished his eighth Boston Marathon on Monday, but this race was different: It was his first time completing the course with a system called Aira. Read… [Link]

Mashable » Serene underwater footage shows whale's-eye view of Antarctica

Tuesday 18 April 20:16:41 UTC 2017

Scientists are diving deep off the coast of Antarctica to help protect whale feeding areas. But they're not jumping into the frigid Southern Ocean themselves. Instead, a team of researchers has attached non-invasive sensors and cameras to the backs of humpback and minke whales. The project, supported by World Wildlife Fund's Australia office, has gathered a bounty of information so … [Link]

Mashable » 'Take that for data!' is already the NBA Playoffs' championship meme

Tuesday 18 April 19:52:34 UTC 2017

His Memphis Grizzlies lost the game, but coach David Fizdale definitely won the internet.  So, uh, take that for data!  SEE ALSO: How Derek Jeter's once-mocked startup became a sports media powerhouse Fizdale's Grizzlies faced the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night in the opening game of their first-round NBA Playoffs series. Memphis mounted a furious comeback after getting blown out … [Link]

Mashable » Kendrick Lamar and Don Cheadle face off in crazy video for 'DNA'

Tuesday 18 April 19:49:39 UTC 2017

Not even a full week after the release of DAMN., Kung Fu Kenny delivers again. No, it's not another album—but if you love Don Cheadle then this just might be better.  The actor and Kendrick Lamar battle back and forth to the ferocious song "DNA," which appears on his latest studio album. Lamar is handcuffs in the midst of a … [Link]

Mashable » Tough goose spotting walking around New York with an arrow through its neck

Tuesday 18 April 19:47:21 UTC 2017

Residents in Amherst, New York have been on a wild goose chase for more than a month looking for a Canada goose walking around with an arrow through its neck.  Yes, you read that correctly. There's an actual arrow stuck in a goose's neck. And the goose is still alive and kicking and balancing her long neck pretty well between … [Link]

Popular Science » Running might be kind of contagious

Tuesday 18 April 19:41:04 UTC 2017

Health Are you working out today because your friend went jogging yesterday? A new study out this week suggests that the act of running might be contagious among groups and between pairs of friends. Read on. [Link]

Mashable » Facebook to developers: Help us destroy Snapchat

Tuesday 18 April 19:37:22 UTC 2017

Mark Zuckerberg cares about a few things: his family (including his dog Beast), live video and VR, and destroying Snapchat.  SEE ALSO: No assholes allowed at Facebook's big conference The 32-year-old billionaire CEO made that clear in his keynote during Facebook's annual F8 developers conference. When most of the world was seeing flashing headlines on CNN about a man who leveraged … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » How ESPN Quintupled Efficiency in Its Massive, Real-Time API Program

Tuesday 18 April 19:31:53 UTC 2017

Some of the most exciting and sometimes most disappointing APIs are popping up in media. As traditional television looks to reach its new multi-device, multi-platform, commercial-hating, social media-addicted audience, the API is a way for networks to reuse and recycle content in a way that broadens the customer base. [Link]

Slashdot » Apple Makes iMovie, GarageBand, and iWork Apps for Mac and iOS Free for All Users

Tuesday 18 April 19:30:00 UTC 2017

Apple today updated several of its Mac and iOS apps, making them available for all Mac and iOS users for free. From a report: iMovie, Numbers, Keynote, Pages, and GarageBand for both Mac and iOS devices have been updated and are now listed in the App Store for free. Previously, all of these apps were provided for free to customers … [Link]

Mashable » The best stoned news bloopers will give you the giggles

Tuesday 18 April 19:25:44 UTC 2017

Don't watch the news stoned — it'll only freak you out, man.  Live interviews on the local news always bring a wealth of interesting characters to the TV. It's inevitable that a few of those people will be blazed out of their minds. Hey, at least it makes for great television.  Read more… More about 420, Marijuana, Viral Videos, Funny, … [Link]

Mashable » Mental health org and 'Stranger Things' star send warnings about '13 Reasons Why'

Tuesday 18 April 19:21:51 UTC 2017

The handwringing over Netflix's 13 Reasons Why continues, with an Australian mental health organization and fellow-Netflix cast member who plays 'Barb' from Stranger Things coming out with concerns about the subject matter of the show. Soon after 13 Reasons Why premiered on the streaming site on March 31, the Netflix original sparked a great deal of discussion surrounding sensitive issues such … [Link]

Mashable » Everything you need to know about what Facebook announced at F8

Tuesday 18 April 19:17:46 UTC 2017

Facebook just showed the world some big plans. CEO Mark Zuckerberg kicked off its F8 developer conference with a new mission focused on community, some obvious movie references, and tons of dad jokes. After the scattershot intro, Facebook got to business — revealing the new tools and platforms for its developer community, which foreshadow where the company and its family of … [Link]

Popular Science » How humans have fought over—and weaponized—water

Tuesday 18 April 19:06:00 UTC 2017

Environment A timeline of all the reasons we've gone to battle over the H2O. Whether we're poisoning, drowning, or dehydrating our enemies into submission, we humans have long fought over—and weaponized—water. [Link]

Popular Science » Most scientific studies only use male subjects. Here's why that's a terrible idea.

Tuesday 18 April 19:05:43 UTC 2017

Science It's birdbrained Most scientific studies on animals only use male subjects. Here's why that's a terrible idea. [Link]

Mashable » Your overbearing dad Mark Zuckerberg told some rough jokes at F8

Tuesday 18 April 19:04:33 UTC 2017

In many ways, Mark Zuckerberg is like your dad. He insists on ever-increasing control of your internet experience. He tells bad jokes. At Facebook's F8 developer conference held Tuesday held in San Jose, Zuckerberg opened the show with a series of increasingly rough one-liners. via GIPHY First up: He shared a few of his best F8/The Fate of the Furious crossover … [Link]

Mashable » Rejoice! Oculus Rift owners can now experience the awesomeness of Google Earth VR

Tuesday 18 April 19:04:24 UTC 2017

Google just made becoming Superman in virtual reality a lot easier.  How so?   The search giant finally answered the requests of many VR users by opening Google Earth VR up to Oculus Rift users, and the update includes Oculus Touch controller support.  SEE ALSO: Oculus Rift promised us the future of VR. Here's what really happened. For the uninitiated, Google … [Link]

Mashable » You can now 'feel' objects in VR, thanks to this wearable feedback system

Tuesday 18 April 19:02:45 UTC 2017

Convincing the human eye to believe virtual reality objects are real has been achieved through high-end headsets and immersive software experiences, but what about the other senses? Will VR ever be able to complete the illusion of reality through additional sensory input like touch?  A new experiment involving haptic feedback may have just paved the way for VR users to now … [Link]

Mashable » Uber's complicated, messy history with tipping

Tuesday 18 April 18:59:27 UTC 2017

What’s one problem Uber has that's just the usual level of upsetting, and not totally horrifying? Tipping.  The ride-hailing giant has for years stood strong against letting customers tip their Uber drivers within the Uber app. Lyft started letting riders tip their drivers in 2012, and Uber still hasn't gotten on board. The issue has been one of the stickiest for … [Link]

Mashable » Han Solo movie directors 'accidentally' reveal secret creature on set

Tuesday 18 April 18:58:16 UTC 2017

No entertainment company on Earth loves to play the cat-and-mouse game of spoilers with its fans like Lucasfilm does—especially when it's for charity. SEE ALSO: Yes, you can appear in the Han Solo movie Star Wars Celebration came and went last week with nary a word announced about the untitled Han Solo movie currently being filmed. On Twitter Monday, directors Phil … [Link]

Slashdot » Facebook Adds a Login Shortcut To Other Android Apps

Tuesday 18 April 18:50:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader shares a report: Today at F8, Facebook announced it's giving the developers of third-party Android apps the ability to recognize if you've already linked a service with the social network. Soon when you download or reinstall something like Pinterest, you won't have to wonder what your password is if you've already installed Facebook. The supported app will … [Link]

Mashable » Completely understandable reasons why Trump and I both won't release our tax returns

Tuesday 18 April 18:43:30 UTC 2017

President Trump has resisted extraordinary pressure to release his tax returns, and as someone who struggles with some of the very same issues, I can completely sympathize. Sure, I may not *technically* be leader of the free world. I'm not shattering decades of historical precedent and my returns probably won't reveal any collusion with one of our leading foreign adversaries. Still, … [Link]

Popular Science » Everything you need to know about geoengineering

Tuesday 18 April 18:40:51 UTC 2017

Environment Scientists may finally put some of the basic principles to the test in 2018—and not everyone is happy about that While federal scientists are avoiding terms like “climate change” in their budget proposals, one word has been resurfacing in the media: geoengineering. [Link]

Mashable » Watch out, Ticketmaster: SeatGeek spends $56 million on TopTix

Tuesday 18 April 18:38:41 UTC 2017

SeatGeek is serious about defeating Ticketmaster.  The ticketing platform just spent $56 million on the ticketing tech company TopTix. SeatGeek paid for that acquisition by raising $57 million in its own Series D funding round. Before this round, SeatGeek had already raised over $100 million in funding.  TopTix is an Israeli company, and a lot of its technology is used internationally. … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook Spaces will give you and your friends a place to hang in VR

Tuesday 18 April 18:30:50 UTC 2017

Facebook is ready to give you and your friends a new place to hang out — in VR. Still, for some reason, there will be selfie sticks. The newest "platform" from the social network, Facebook Spaces, takes place entirely in VR using the Oculus Rift. It gives you the ability to create your very own personalized avatar using your Facebook photos, … [Link]

Mashable » 'The Godfather' turns 45 and we've got secrets from the set

Tuesday 18 April 18:30:00 UTC 2017

The Godfather just had its 45th anniversary, so what better time to share some things about it with you guys? As always, there are some bonus things in there too, so make sure you watch to the end! Visit CineFix for more episodes and movie-related content. Read more…More about James Caan, Francis Ford Coppola, Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, and The Godfather … [Link]

Mashable » Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man will swing by for 'Avengers 4'

Tuesday 18 April 18:27:40 UTC 2017

Here’s hoping you liked Tom Holland as Peter Parker in Captain America: Civil War, because you're going to be seeing a lot of him over the next few years. Marvel Studios has officially confirmed Spider-Man will return for Avengers 4, due out in 2019. SEE ALSO: Marvel plans to keep making movies until you're dead and your children are old Kevin … [Link]

Mashable » The internet redeems itself by rallying around bullied deaf and blind 'Counter-Strike' player

Tuesday 18 April 18:19:51 UTC 2017

The internet — and in online gaming especially — can be full of terrible people.  But every once in a while, a tidal wave of positivity can swell and submerge the hatred so quickly and deeply that it restores your faith in humanity. Even just for a little while. Adam "Loop" Bahriz was playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on Monday morning, grouping … [Link]

Mashable » We're not totally sure Trump knows who's leader of North Korea

Tuesday 18 April 18:15:30 UTC 2017

Look, governing is hard, O.K.? Did you know there are seven — SEVEN — continents?! That's as many continents as there were people helping out Snow White and who can really rattle off the names of all those little guys off the top of their head? SEE ALSO: Trump remembers what cake he ate but not what country he bombed and … [Link]

Mashable » Harry Styles correctly states that teen girls are the absolute best

Tuesday 18 April 18:05:53 UTC 2017

Harry Styles season is in full swing, so you should just assume your heart is going to remain a puddle for all of the foreseeable future.  In a new effort to completely monopolize our hearts, One Direction's boy wonder appears on the cover of Rolling Stone and is featured as the subject of a new magazine story story written by Cameron … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook is giving Messenger bots a massive overhaul

Tuesday 18 April 18:05:47 UTC 2017

Facebook is making its Messenger bots a lot more useful.  Today, at its F8 developer conference, the company introduced a new type of Messenger bot that allows people to access developers' bots inside of existing conversations on the messaging app.  SEE ALSO: Facebook just reinvented Clippy That may sound like a small change but it could be transformational. Instead of … [Link]

Mashable » Scientists discovered a rare giant black worm monster in the Philippines

Tuesday 18 April 18:05:06 UTC 2017

A team of scientists from Northeastern University and University of Utah discovered the first living specimen of an elusive shipworm in a Philippines bay. Read more…More about Real Time Video, Cool, Gross, University, and Discovery [Link]

Mashable » Our eyes reveal when we're about to have an epiphany

Tuesday 18 April 18:04:49 UTC 2017

When an epiphany strikes, it's rare and fleeting. Something clicks in our minds, and what was once confusing is suddenly obvious, illuminating, and even exciting. Such moments are not purely internal events, it turns out. Our eye movements and pupils can broadcast these "aha!" moments, making it possible to predict epiphanies even before they occur, a new study found. Scientists at … [Link]

Slashdot » Apple To Launch Three New iPhones This Year: Bloomberg

Tuesday 18 April 18:02:00 UTC 2017

Apple is reportedly building three new iPhones, though the one with the most new features might not launch until a couple of months after the others. According to a report on Bloomberg, Apple is testing three new phones that it plans to launch this fall, including two with the same screen sizes as the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook Workplace gets equipped with doc sharing, legal compliance and video

Tuesday 18 April 18:00:00 UTC 2017

Facebook has created a new empire over the last six months. It has nothing to do with Snapchat or even virtual reality, and it's not just about video. SEE ALSO: Facebook wants your boss to let you use Facebook Facebook Workplace is the social network's effort to get serious about getting into the business world, and Facebook is making a serious … [Link]

Mashable » Zuckerberg: Facebook's next focus is building community

Tuesday 18 April 17:52:00 UTC 2017

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg had a lot of products to announce as he kicked off this year's F8, the conference for developers and other entrepreneurs who use Facebook in their products, but he first wanted to talk about relationships.  "For the past decade, Facebook has focused on friends and family," Zuckerberg said. "Our next focus is building community."  SEE ALSO: … [Link]

Mashable » Starbucks unicorn frappuccinos to grace Earth for a limited time

Tuesday 18 April 17:45:33 UTC 2017

Usually rumors are just rumors, but this time they have proven true. Starbucks has confirmed that the Unicorn Frappuccino is making its way to the chain's menu from April 19-23 in U.S., Canada, and Mexico. In the press release, Starbucks explains that the drink is made "with a sweet dusting of pink powder blended into a crème Frappuccino with mango syrup, … [Link]

Mashable » Why Tony Robbins, Steve Case, Magic Johnson and others invested millions in this pro gaming team

Tuesday 18 April 17:39:52 UTC 2017

What started as fun and games has turned into big business. Esports is one of the fastest growing trends in the world, and investors have taken notice. Investment group ‘aXiomatic’ have done more than take notice. In 2016, the group purchased one of the largest teams in esports: Team Liquid. Investors include Steve Case, Magic Johnson, Tony Robbins, and a … [Link]

Mashable » Eric Trump is now a front-runner for the Most Oblivious Thing Ever Said About the Internet by Anyone, Anywhere

Tuesday 18 April 17:39:52 UTC 2017

It seems highly unlikely, given the amount of controversy most of President Trump's Tweets generate, that anyone in the Trump family hasn't seen what their patriarch has wrought on Twitter. And yet: Recent comments made in an interview with an Irish newspaper seem to indicate otherwise. You see, Eric Trump—the Middle Son—took time during his interview with The Independent to complain … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook fires directly at Snapchat with augmented-reality platform, 'Camera'

Tuesday 18 April 17:39:08 UTC 2017

During the opening moments of this year's F8 conference, Mark Zuckerberg began showing off the company's augmented reality strategy, and it's looks pretty damn amazing.  Announcing Facebook's new augmented reality platform, called Camera, as an open beta starting today, Zuck showed off a number of examples of what will be possible with the AR platform. SEE ALSO: Snapchat needs to evolve—or … [Link]

Mashable » A group of super-rich investors including Steve Case and Tony Robbins are tapping into this quietly booming industry

Tuesday 18 April 17:36:31 UTC 2017

The fast-growing industry of esports, with its large youth audience, has caught the attention of wealthy investment groups from the traditional sports world. 'aXiomatic' is one such group, consisting of executives from the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Dodgers, and household names like Magic Johnson, Steve Case, and Tony Robbins. In 2016, they purchased one of the largest organizations in esports: … [Link]

Popular Science » A look at China's most exciting hypersonic aerospace programs

Tuesday 18 April 17:30:00 UTC 2017

From Our Blogs: Eastern Arsenal The latest scramjets, near-space planes, and super wind tunnels. The 21st International Space Plane and Hypersonic Systems and Technology in Xiamen, China, offers details on key fast technologies. Read on. [Link]

Mashable » An astronaut made a treasure map from space, and this man is hunting the gold

Tuesday 18 April 17:25:04 UTC 2017

There are two things Hollywood has been reliably obsessed with for decades: treasure hunts, and space exploration.  Discovery's new documentary series, Cooper's Treasure, combines the two in a compelling new tale, which began when one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts, Gordon Cooper, discovered anomalies — dark spots — in the ocean while searching for nuclear test sites during one … [Link]

Slashdot » Facebook Launches Augmented Reality Camera Effects Developer Platform

Tuesday 18 April 17:23:00 UTC 2017

From a report: Facebook will rely on an army of outside developers to contribute augmented reality image filters and interactive experiences to its new Camera Effects platform. Later today the first effects will become availabe inside Facebook's Camera feature on smartphones, but the Camera Effects platform is designed to eventually be compatible with future augmented reality hardware such as eyeglasses. … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Fleet of CubeSats launches to study the neglected ‘ignorosphere’

Tuesday 18 April 17:20:00 UTC 2017

Today 28 boxy satellites blasted off for the International Space Station, on a mission to study a stubbornly inaccessible region of Earth's atmosphere [Link]

Mashable » Ohio inmates used illegal DIY computers to, big surprise, go on a cybercrime spree

Tuesday 18 April 17:15:26 UTC 2017

When you're browsing online at work, you might sometimes feel like you're engaging in borderline criminal activity – but hey, at least you're not an actual prisoner while you're booking your next vacation while you're on the clock.  Two inmates serving sentences in an Ohio prison went on an actual illicit internet spree using computers cobbled together from parts salvaged from … [Link]

Mashable » Badass kicker becomes first woman to earn NCAA football scholarship

Tuesday 18 April 17:11:28 UTC 2017

College football got a little more interesting this year.  One high school senior just made history by becoming the first female to receive a football scholarship at an NCAA Division II school or higher. SEE ALSO: First woman to run Boston Marathon returns, and this time she has another powerful message Becca Longo signed with Adams State University in Colorado as … [Link]

Mashable » If you haven't seen 'Broadchurch' Season 3, you're missing out

Tuesday 18 April 16:53:51 UTC 2017

I’m not going to say that the final season of Broadchurch is the best British drama of the past five years, but it's got to be pretty high up there.  SEE ALSO: 'Broadchurch' is the best British crime show you're not watching The finale of the third series of the Dorset-based crime drama aired on Monday night to a peak of … [Link]

Popular Science » How to turn used plastic bottles into skylights and street lamps

Tuesday 18 April 16:48:40 UTC 2017

From Our Blogs: Nexus Media News Let the sunshine in Alfred Moser had a eureka moment involving an old Coke bottle and a spoonful of bleach. His makeshift lightbulb illuminates homes across the developing world. [Link]

Mashable » Someone combined the best parts of the Kindle and iPad

Tuesday 18 April 16:45:51 UTC 2017

reMarkable is a "paper tablet" and features a “canvas” display that looks and feels like real paper. Read more…More about Real Time Video, Real Time Video, Real Time, E Ink, and Invention [Link]

Mashable » Luke's shocking line in 'The Last Jedi' trailer may mean something else

Tuesday 18 April 16:44:21 UTC 2017

“I only know one truth: it's time for the Jedi to end."  That mic drop of a Luke Skywalker line from the Last Jedi teaser trailer reverberated around the world Friday, with most fans assuming it meant Luke wanted to destroy the Force-filled order to which he had devoted his life.  But in France, at least, Star Wars fans heard something … [Link]

Mashable » 'American Assassin' trailer is here for your insatiable spy thriller thirst

Tuesday 18 April 16:43:44 UTC 2017

If "American man with troubled past turns to spy agency and suddenly becomes gifted killer" sounds like a familiar movie plot, that's because it is. But that won't stop folks from watching Dylan O'Brien as younger-Matt-Damon-with-much-more-h~ Mitch Rapp in The Bourne Identity Part 8 American Assassin.  The movie's based on a book of the same name, and features a young … [Link]

Slashdot » AMD Launches Higher Performance Radeon RX 580 and RX 570 Polaris Graphics Cards

Tuesday 18 April 16:43:00 UTC 2017

Reader MojoKid writes: In preparation for the impending launch of AMD's next-generation Vega GPU architecture, which will eventually reside at the top of the company's graphics product stack, the company unveiled a refresh of its mainstream graphics card line-up with more-powerful Polaris-based GPUs. The new AMD Radeon RX 580 and RX 570 are built around AMD's Polaris 20 GPU, which … [Link]

Mashable » Spotify, data, and how to become indispensable to the music industry

Tuesday 18 April 16:35:26 UTC 2017

Maybe a million streams on Spotify won't make a musician rich, but Spotify believes it will help them get rich. Spotify launched "Spotify for Artists" on Tuesday, a one-stop shop for the industry to tap into the company's listening data.  The pitch is simple: Spotify knows who is listening to what music, where they are, when they're listening, how long they … [Link]

Mashable » The NBA Playoffs just started and it's already blessed the world with a legendary new meme

Tuesday 18 April 16:14:50 UTC 2017

You don't even need to like sports to appreciate just how much athletes give to this world. Particularly in the form of extremely GIF-able moments. A perfect example of one such moment occurred Monday night, when the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Portland Trailblazers in the first game of their playoff series. During the game, Warriors' Draymond Green turned … [Link]

Mashable » Man finally dies peacefully after being told Trump was impeached

Tuesday 18 April 16:10:48 UTC 2017

Michael Garland Elliott died on April 6, but not before hearing a little white lie.  The last words the 75-year-old Oregon resident heard before passing away was that Donald Trump had been impeached. Upon learning of his alleged impeachment, Elliott took his final breath, according to an obituary published in Oregon Live. SEE ALSO: Trump's ties are already long, but this … [Link]

Mashable » Hold onto your Expedit: Ikea restaurants are coming

Tuesday 18 April 16:06:12 UTC 2017

If you've ever spent three hours in Ikea, chances are you weren't there just for the dirt-cheap furniture and the opportunity to go home later and sob as you try to put that damn bed together. You were there for the meatballs.  Going to IKEA to get new boxes and lots of food 😊😊 And to eat in their restaurant ahhh… … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook gives employees the thumbs up to protest Trump on International Workers' Day

Tuesday 18 April 16:02:13 UTC 2017

International Workers' Day is right around the corner and this year Facebook is giving its employees full permission to protest President Trump. According to Bloomberg, the company announced via an internal forum on April 14 that employees would be free to take time off to participate in the many protests challenging Trump's immigration policies being held on May 1. SEE ALSO: … [Link]

Mashable » The women of 'Black Panther' steal the show in first Marvel footage

Tuesday 18 April 16:00:00 UTC 2017

The Dora Milaje are coming so, to quote the warriors of Wakanda, move or you will be moved. Marvel sneaked a Black Panther sizzle reel and some hot-off-the-set dailies at the studio's open house event Monday night. It was the first Black Panther footage seen anywhere, and it came as a surprise for reporters where just expecting a walkthrough of Marvel's … [Link]

Slashdot » Despite Well Known Risks, Survey Finds Most People Use Smartphones While Driving

Tuesday 18 April 16:00:00 UTC 2017

From a report: Everyone knows it's dangerous, but a lot of people are still doing it — driving while distracted. In a survey of 3-million motorists, almost 9 out of 10 admitted to using their smartphone behind the wheel. According to a report by Zendrive, which studied device use among 3.1 million drivers over 5.6 billion miles of driving, in … [Link]

Mashable » Marvel plans to keep making movies until you're dead and your children are old

Tuesday 18 April 15:59:00 UTC 2017

Marvel fans of a certain age, it's time to start worrying.  This film franchise is almost certainly going to outlive us. Not even our kids are safe to live to see the endgame. Marvel has made no secret of its tendency to plan things long-term — a merchandising executive once told me at Comic-Con that they get basic blueprints no less … [Link]

Mashable » Marlon Brando's extensive makeup routine and other things you didn't know about 'The Godfather'

Tuesday 18 April 15:58:36 UTC 2017

The Godfather just celebrated its 45th anniversary, so it's a great time to learn about some things you probably didn't about the iconic movie. As always, there's some bonus content so make sure you watch until the end. Visit CineFix for more episodes and movie-related content. Read more… More about 45, Coppola, Francis Ford Coppola, James Caan, and Al Pacino … [Link]

Mashable » This 'dick code' will help you send a dick pic without taking a single photo

Tuesday 18 April 15:54:27 UTC 2017

Sexting is a scary business. The idea of sending out an intimate photo of your genitals to someone you quite fancy is terrifying. And, sometimes a simple 🍆  just won't cut it. Behold the "Dick Code," a way to share a unique and anatomically accurate image of your penis without actually taking a photo of it.  SEE ALSO: How to explain … [Link]

Mashable » Large group of cows elect unsuspecting beaver as their leader

Tuesday 18 April 15:48:41 UTC 2017

Congratulations to these cattle on discovering the democratic process. Saskatchewan ranch owner Adrienne Ivey and her husband paid a visit to their herd of 150 heifers on Friday, only to discover that the cattle had recently held a free and fair presidential election. SEE ALSO: Just try not to obsess over this giant, fluffy cat And their new leader was a … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Internal migration of millions as seas rise will rattle whole US

Tuesday 18 April 15:45:00 UTC 2017

It's not just coastal areas that will be affected by rising waters, and the US might be hopelessly underprepared unless planning starts now, says Jeff Goodell [Link]

Mashable » This magician can effortlessly control 8 drones at once — or can he?

Tuesday 18 April 15:38:17 UTC 2017

Is it possible to create illusions in a world where technology makes anything possible? It's the question tech-magician Marco Tempest asks and answers in his mesmerizing mini-drone swarm video. Tempest, who has been making magic with everything from Apple iPads to robots for years, took eight $120 Parrot drones and some technology from Dronsis to create the illusion that he … [Link]

Popular Science » The best ways to clean up your Facebook News Feed

Tuesday 18 April 15:38:06 UTC 2017

DIY More of what you want to see, less of what you don't You're going to care about some of the updates in your Facebook News Feed a lot more than others. So here's how to customize the stories that get displayed. [Link]

Mashable » White nationalist caught assaulting protester on viral video blames President Trump in court

Tuesday 18 April 15:29:30 UTC 2017

A white nationalist caught shoving a black protestor at a Trump rally has a creative defense for why he should be let off the hook: Trump told him to do it. Matthew Heimbach, the chairman of the unabashedly white nationalist Traditionalist Workers Party, shoved Kashiya Nwanguma while she was protesting at a Trump campaign rally on March 1, 2016. She and … [Link]

Slashdot » Google Earth Gets a New Home On the Web

Tuesday 18 April 15:20:00 UTC 2017

To celebrate the Earth Day, Google says it is rolling out what was a two-year in the making major update to Google Earth. From a report: V9 is designed to run in a Web browser (just Chrome for now), but there's now a standalone home for Google Earth. The Android app has been updated, too (iOS is coming soon). Version … [Link]

Mashable » Secrets development tricks are still hiding just beneath the surface in 'Portal 2'

Tuesday 18 April 15:13:50 UTC 2017

It's amazing what the right kind of lighting and special effects can do. It can convince you that brown structures and basic textures are actually the backdrop to an eerie, post-apocalypse-set dilapidated laboratory.  But that's the least tricky development trick that YouTube user Shesez — whose Boundary Break series takes viewers beyond the bounds of the camera tied to the … [Link]

Mashable » Guy eats a vinyl record because Kendrick didn't release a second album

Tuesday 18 April 15:04:36 UTC 2017

Hey, man, you don't always have to keep your promises. No one was going to hold you to that promise you made to eat a vinyl if Kendrick Lamar didn't release a second album last Sunday.  The much-circulated rumor that a second half of DAMN., rumored to be called NATION., crashed and burned Sunday when um, just, nothing happened. Redditor/vinyl-eater/internet … [Link]

Mashable » Live blog: Follow Mashable on the ground at Facebook's F8 Developer Conference

Tuesday 18 April 15:00:00 UTC 2017

FOLLOW US LIVE ON THE GROUND Tweets from https://twitter.com/jennijenni/list~ Share this story Share Tweet Photograph David Ramos/Getty Editor Tim Chester Read more… More about Live Blog, Facebook Conference, F8 Conference, F8, and Facebook [Link]

Mashable » Samsung's Galaxy S8 and S8+ prove you can never have too much screen

Tuesday 18 April 15:00:00 UTC 2017

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is good enough to make people forget the Note7. Beautiful, thin, and wrapped in glass, it’s a handset that elicits ooh's, ah’s and requests for more time with it. That isn’t the only measure of a good smartphone, but it’s a start. SEE ALSO: Samsung DeX transforms the Galaxy S8 into a legit desktop computer For Samsung, … [Link]

Mashable » Samsung Gear VR and Controller is a virtual reality marriage made in heaven

Tuesday 18 April 15:00:00 UTC 2017

Virtual reality is fun, but it isn’t always easy. The headsets that immerse you in fantastic worlds and experiences also cut you off from the outside world. Since the more affordable headgear, like the original Google Cardboard and Samsung’s popular Gear VR, lacked controllers, they made your feel like you were sticking your head in amazing box while your hands … [Link]

Mashable » The first reactions to 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' have hit social media

Tuesday 18 April 14:51:58 UTC 2017

It’s showtime, a-holes. The first press screenings for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 have begun – and that means the first wave of social media reactions for Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 are in.  SEE ALSO: You, too, can help guard the galaxy by participating in Marvel’s #GrootDancebomb challenge Yours truly was one of the critics who got … [Link]

Mashable » This woman's outraged response to the general election has gone gloriously viral

Tuesday 18 April 14:50:39 UTC 2017

When it comes to politics, British people agree on very, very little. But there's one thing they do agree on: Brenda from Bristol is the new hero the nation so badly needs. On Tuesday, shortly after Britain had been thrown into chaos over Theresa May's general election announcement, BBC journalist Jon Kay took to the streets of Bristol to get reactions … [Link]

Slashdot » Google's Featured Snippets Are Damaging To Small Businesses that Depend On Search Traffic

Tuesday 18 April 14:40:00 UTC 2017

The Outline tells the story of CelebrityNetWorth.com, a website launched in 2008 that tells you how much a celebrity is worth. The site was an instant success, but things have turned sore in the last two years. The creator of the website Brian Warner blames Google for it. From the article: For most of its history, Google was like a … [Link]

Popular Science » Are ultra-long airplane flights bad for your health?

Tuesday 18 April 14:09:15 UTC 2017

Aviation Flying comes with a few health risks—but the biggest one might not be felt by passengers There are a few health risks linked to flying. What harm could a few extra hours do? Read on. [Link]

Popular Science » The Oco smart security camera is your high-definition guard dog

Tuesday 18 April 14:01:00 UTC 2017

Sponsored Post Protect your most valuable assets, now 20 percent off MSRP. Protect your most valuable assets, now 20 percent off MSRP. Read on. [Link]

Slashdot » Steve Ballmer's New Project: Find Out How the Government Spends Your Money

Tuesday 18 April 14:00:00 UTC 2017

Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer isn't satisfied with owning the Los Angeles Clippers and teaching at Stanford and USC. On Tuesday, the billionaire announced USAFacts, his new startup that aims to improve political discourse by making government financial data easier to access. A small "army" of economists, professors and other professionals will be looking into and publishing data structured similarly … [Link]

Slashdot » Trump To Overhaul H-1B Visa Program To Encourage Hiring Americans

Tuesday 18 April 13:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Guardian: In a bid to court working class voters, Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Tuesday to revamp a temporary visa program used to bring foreign workers to fill jobs in the U.S. The president will use a visit to a manufacturing company in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a crucial state he … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Odds that Tasmanian tigers are still alive are 1 in 1.6 trillion

Tuesday 18 April 12:45:00 UTC 2017

Supposed sightings have kept the dream of finding thylacines alive but mathematical models pour cold water on the claims [Link]

New Scientist – News » Satellite swarms could increase space junk risk by 50 per cent

Tuesday 18 April 12:17:00 UTC 2017

Space-flight firms hope to democratise global internet access with thousands of new satellites, but that could catastrophically overcrowd low Earth orbit [Link]

Popular Science » Why basic biology is so important in biomedical research

Tuesday 18 April 12:00:00 UTC 2017

Health Excerpt: Rigor Mortis The search for a treatment for this deadly degenerative disease is rife with studies so poorly designed that they offered nothing more than false hope for people… [Link]

Mashable » Riz Ahmed destroys James Corden in brutal rap battle

Tuesday 18 April 10:02:44 UTC 2017

If Riz Ahmed ever gets fed up with the whole acting thing, he could well have a future in the world of rap battles. In the segment above filmed for The Late Late Show, Ahmed and Corden go head-to-head for seven minutes of sweet, insult-trading goodness. SEE ALSO: Cara Delevingne, Dave Franco and James Corden drop sick burns in a … [Link]

Mashable » How to watch Mark Zuckerberg's keynote at the Facebook F8 conference

Tuesday 18 April 10:00:43 UTC 2017

Facebook will soon kick off one of its biggest events of the year: its annual F8 developer conference. In addition to the annual updates on the number of users across platforms, the company is expected to comment on social VR, the battle against "false news" and more. SEE ALSO: 5 questions we want Facebook to answer at F8 Mark Zuckerberg's … [Link]

Mashable » The new Google Earth puts stunning Earth porn right in Chrome

Tuesday 18 April 10:00:00 UTC 2017

Google Earth has been reborn. Google unveiled a completely redesigned Google Earth and it does away with the single worst thing about the previous version of the software. Out now for desktop and Android, it no longer requires a separate download — it's available directly in Chrome. SEE ALSO: Google Maps can now take you deep inside this fiery volcano The … [Link]

Slashdot » Google Agrees To Open Android To Other Search Engines In Russia

Tuesday 18 April 10:00:00 UTC 2017

Google has reached a $7.8 million antitrust settlement with Russian watchdog group FAS. According to BGR, the company will loosen restrictions on Android's built-in search engines to allow for Russian competitors to take a share of the pie. From the report: Android's heavy reliance on Google services is to be expected, but in 2015 the Russian antitrust group — officially … [Link]

Mashable » How photographers use iPhones to get gorgeous shots of a massive water festival

Tuesday 18 April 9:20:31 UTC 2017

Over the weekend, Thailand soaked up the festivities during its annual mass water fight, Songkran. The Thai new year marks the arrival of spring, but visitors to the country also know it as a weekend-long water fight, as major streets get closed, and people arm up with water guns and buckets. SEE ALSO: This photographer is documenting the resistance — and … [Link]

Mashable » Scientists discover a giant black worm monster in the Philippines

Tuesday 18 April 9:17:39 UTC 2017

Hidden beneath its tusk-like shell is a jet-black, slippery and slimy sea creature that looks like it came off the set of Alien. Scientists said on Monday that they've discovered the first living specimen of a giant shipworm in a Philippine bay. SEE ALSO: Killer whales toss boats like toys while hunting a sea lion People have known of the huge … [Link]

Mashable » Man's attempt to down fiery shot ends in predictable disaster

Tuesday 18 April 9:15:07 UTC 2017

The idea of downing a flaming shot may sound sort of exciting, but — like with many things in life — the reality doesn't quite match up to the expectation. SEE ALSO: This may be the worst ever cheating fail on a pub quiz Take the video below, for example. It starts with a Scottish man tentatively raising a shot glass … [Link]

Mashable » Lady Gaga FaceTimed Prince William to talk about mental health and you have to watch it

Tuesday 18 April 8:55:18 UTC 2017

British Royalty and Pop Royalty joined forces today to create a powerful video encouraging people to speak more openly about mental health.  The video — which starts at 1:50 — shows Lady Gaga sipping her morning coffee in her Hollywood abode as she FaceTimes Prince William, who's sitting in his study at Kensington Palace. The pair chatted about the importance … [Link]

Mashable » Legendary sportsperson's response to fan letter wows Instagram

Tuesday 18 April 8:51:20 UTC 2017

The 'God of Cricket' must be receiving fan letters by the thousands. But when US-based Karan Gandhi penned a handwritten note to Sachin Tendulkar, he responded by uploading it on Instagram along with a sweet, little acknowledgement.  SEE ALSO: Sachin Tendulkar's upcoming biopic will give you all the feels Tendulkar, who shouldered Indian cricket for over two decades, wrote, "Thank you … [Link]

Mashable » Chinese 'Breaking Bad' professor cooked 425 lbs of methylone after realising there was heavy demand

Tuesday 18 April 8:49:09 UTC 2017

It’s basically Breaking Bad IRL.  A Chinese associate chemistry professor was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for manufacturing drugs and selling them abroad. SEE ALSO: Watch the Honest Truth About 'Breaking Bad' The prof, named only as Zhang, made more than 4 million yuan ($582,000) in profit annually with his partner, according to a report by the China News … [Link]

Mashable » Those food stalls you love about Bangkok are about to disappear from Bangkok

Tuesday 18 April 8:25:59 UTC 2017

Bangkok’s iconic bustling streets, lined with food vendors may soon vanish. The government is moving to ban these food carts and makeshift clothing stalls from the capital's main roads, as part of a campaign to clean up the city. SEE ALSO: Are foodie millennials really fueling food waste? "All types of stalls including clothes, counterfeit goods and food stalls will be … [Link]

Mashable » Tesla cuts the starting price of Model S by $5,000

Tuesday 18 April 7:51:49 UTC 2017

If you're thinking of buying the entry-level Tesla Model S, we've got good news for you: Not only is it cheaper, it also comes with some free extras.  The changes, which went live Monday, are as follows: Tesla Model S 75, which comes with a 75kWh battery, and the all-wheel drive variant 75D, are now $5,000 cheaper and cost $69,500 and … [Link]

Mashable » Netflix is all set to hit a major milestone this weekend

Tuesday 18 April 7:46:57 UTC 2017

Nearly 10 years after Netflix began offering online streaming of movies and TV shows, the company says it's all set to hit the 100-million subscribers mark. SEE ALSO: After bagging Shah Rukh Khan, Netflix nears deal with Aamir Khan The California-based company says it expects to hit the milestone this weekend. "It’s a good start," the company wrote (PDF) to shareholders … [Link]

Mashable » UAE billionaire is funding India's most expensive film of all time

Tuesday 18 April 7:46:32 UTC 2017

That India is the world's most prolific film-producing nation is well-known.  It makes over 2,000 films in more than 10 languages every year — a feat unmatched elsewhere in the world. And grand dreams require grand budgets.  One such is The Mahabharata, a multi-lingual retelling of the Sanskrit epic, that will be the costliest Indian movie ever made. SEE ALSO: 'Dangal' … [Link]

Mashable » Dude's hack for walking on hot sand is clever, if odd

Tuesday 18 April 7:45:05 UTC 2017

Walking on a searing hot beach is the worst. Especially if you hate sand. You have to choices: Either tip-toe and face the consequences, or experience the dread of getting sand in your precious shoes. But never fear: There's another way. SEE ALSO: People are kissing a car on Facebook Live for a chance to win it, and yes, it's dark … [Link]

Slashdot » Netflix Nears 100 Million Subscribers

Tuesday 18 April 7:00:00 UTC 2017

With the release of its first-quarter earnings, Netflix predicted it will surpass 100 million global subscribers this weekend. "The service added nearly 5 million subscribers during the first three months of the year, and will end March with 98.7 million customers in roughly 190 countries," reports ABC News. From the report: About 51 million of Netflix's subscribers are in the … [Link]

Mashable » Australia's back in the satellite game with a teeny tiny new launch

Tuesday 18 April 6:05:46 UTC 2017

The first Australian-built satellites to be launched in 15 years are set to take off this week from Cape Canaveral in Florida. Unlike the enormous satellites Australia uses for telecommunications, each of these new satellites (or cubesats) is the size of a loaf of bread. But although small, they may provide a key step in enabling Australia’s entry into the global … [Link]

Mashable » People are kissing a car on Facebook Live for a chance to win it, and yes, it's dark

Tuesday 18 April 5:25:01 UTC 2017

I’ve waited hours for things before, so I can assure you: Standing around with little sign of a foreseeable end is pure and utter misery. But because humans seem to delight in public schadenfreude, we now have ways to broadcast that misery. And it's bleak.  Take the thousands of viewers livestreaming a current "Kiss a Kia" contest on Facebook. Participants are … [Link]

Mashable » Amazon is closing in on Flipkart in India, one metric at a time

Tuesday 18 April 4:12:02 UTC 2017

Amazon’s big $5 billion bet in India might be enough for the company to win the country’s ecommerce race. SEE ALSO: Amazon just cleared its biggest hurdle for payments in India Amazon India is quickly closing in on the lead Flipkart assumes in the country's ecommerce space, according to data from intelligence firm 7Park Data. At least in some metrics. When … [Link]

Mashable » Even LeBron wants to be at Coachella right now

Tuesday 18 April 3:41:47 UTC 2017

Stuck at work while everyone else is partying at Coachella? Don't worry, even basketball superstars know how you feel.  SEE ALSO: Naturally, weed floral crowns will be for sale near Coachella After his Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the first round of the NBA playoffs, LeBron James expressed some serious FOMO to a reporter from ESPN: … [Link]

Slashdot » AI Can Predict Heart Attacks More Accurately Than Doctors

Tuesday 18 April 3:30:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Digital Trends: Scientists from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom have managed to develop an algorithm that outperforms medical doctors when it comes to predicting heart attacks. As it stands, around 20 million people fall victim to cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attacks, strokes, and blocked arteries. Today, doctors depend on … [Link]

Mashable » Family on a stroll discover a zoo's lost crocodile, casually put it in their bathtub

Tuesday 18 April 3:10:45 UTC 2017

Even though Australia is famed for its crocodiles, they're rarely found in the middle of Sydney. No wonder local dude Aaron Hughes was taken aback. He spotted a young freshwater crocodile lying on the muddy banks of the Georges River, while on a family walk on Sunday. SEE ALSO: Intense video captures crocodile biting an elephant's trunk because nature has absolutely … [Link]

Mashable » How Lorde's synesthesia helped her write 'Melodrama'

Tuesday 18 April 2:32:30 UTC 2017

Who knew "Green Light" was so literal?  Unless you're a loyal fan, you might not realise that New Zealand musician and young genius Lorde has synesthesia. But she does. And it informs her songwriting more than you might think.   The 20-year-old Ella Yelich-O'Connor has sound-to-colour synesthesia, otherwise known as chromesthesia. That means for notes and sounds that she hears, corresponding … [Link]

Mashable » Uber driver deserves 5 stars for the NES Classic in his back seat

Tuesday 18 April 2:19:07 UTC 2017

One Uber passenger had the ride of your childhood dreams.  User Okdiv posted a photo on Reddit of an Uber tricked out with a NES Classic—the much desired, recently discontinued take on the 1985 original.  The system was set up behind the passenger seat. In the comments, Okdiv said they picked The Legend of Zelda from a selection of games "because … [Link]

Slashdot » New Approach To Virtual Reality Shocks You Into Believing Walls Are Real

Tuesday 18 April 2:10:00 UTC 2017

A team of researchers from Germany's Hasso-Plattner Institute is trying to find an effective way to trick the mind into thinking a virtual object or wall is real. They have developed a new device that "sends little electric shocks to sensors on your arms that stimulate your muscles whenever you press against a wall or try to lift a heavy … [Link]

Mashable » First woman to run Boston Marathon returns, and this time she has another powerful message

Tuesday 18 April 1:32:31 UTC 2017

Fifty years ago, a clever, determined woman named Kathrine Switzer crossed the finish line at the Boston Marathon — but not before an official tried to drag her from the course.  See, at the time, only men competed in the race. Switzer signed her registration as "K.V. Switzer," was accepted and, despite efforts to remove her from the 26.2 mile competition, … [Link]

Slashdot » Chinese Warehouse Cut Labor Costs In Half With a Fleet of Tiny Robots

Tuesday 18 April 1:30:00 UTC 2017

Many people around the world fear their job will eventually be replaced by a machine, including many Slashdotters. But workers in China may be the most fearful as Asia produces more robots than the rest of the world combined. Last week, a Chinese shipping company, called Shentong Express, showed off a mildly-dystopian automated warehouse that reportedly cut its labor costs … [Link]

Mashable » Little kid dancing at Coachella steals the show

Tuesday 18 April 1:24:05 UTC 2017

Weekend one of Coachella was this past weekend, and we know, you probably don't care.  However, among the sea of flower crowns and face paint, one good thing did come out of the Southern California festival: this kid having the time of his life dancing to Migos and Drake.  Now, we're not sure why you would want to bring your kid … [Link]

Mashable » iPhone 8 could be delayed because of this cool feature

Tuesday 18 April 1:24:04 UTC 2017

A shiny new iPhone is expected on the device’s 10th anniversary—but a new report hints there could be delays.   One of the features expected in the upcoming iPhone 8 is a fingerprint sensor placed under the phone's glass exterior. The result would be an even sleeker, seamless design and, presumably, more space for the iPhone's display.  SEE ALSO: Uh oh: … [Link]

Mashable » Field covered in 'spider bum parachutes' is nightmarish but kinda cool

Tuesday 18 April 1:19:46 UTC 2017

If the sight of spiders freaks you out, well, just cast your eyes on this massive 30-metre (30 yard) cobweb that was found by Tracey Maris and her daughter on a field in Tauranga, New Zealand on Sunday. "We were down below the newly-made tsunami evacuation mound on our local football field and there was a bright glistening coming from … [Link]

Slashdot » Dingo Wins The World's Most Interesting Genome Competition

Tuesday 18 April 1:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader shares a report: It sounds like an argument scientists might have during a night of drinking: Which creature has the most interesting genome in the world? But the question is more than a passing musing. San Francisco biotech company Pacific Biosciences held a public competition to determine which critter should receive the honor. The winner: Sandy Maliki, … [Link]

Mashable » Sean Spicer doesn't watch Melissa McCarthy's perfect 'SNL' skits because he's sleeping ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Tuesday 18 April 0:55:17 UTC 2017

Being spoofed on Saturday Night Live is a time-honored tradition and most politicians — of both parties — realize, at minimum, the PR advantages of appearing to be in on the joke. Not so for White House press secretary Sean Spicer.  At the Easter Egg Roll Monday, Spicer was questioned by CNN about the latest Melissa McCarthy sketch spoofing him this … [Link]

Mashable » Marines are trying out a throwaway delivery drone

Tuesday 18 April 0:45:44 UTC 2017

The U.S. Marine Corps is reportedly testing an innovative new way of getting care packages to its troops in the field: disposable drones. The Tactical Air Delivery gliders, as they're calling them, would be able to deliver up to 700 pounds of food and other supplies, according to IEEE Spectrum. They can then be left to rot where they landed. The … [Link]

Mashable » Samsung really doesn't want you to mess with the Galaxy S8's Bixby button

Tuesday 18 April 0:45:30 UTC 2017

Samsung’s digital assistant Bixby is here to help, whether or not you want it to.  In fact, Samsung is so sure that you're going to love the groundbreaking power of Bixby that it preemptively blocked users' ability to decouple the service from one of the phone's few actual buttons.  SEE ALSO: Samsung's Galaxy S8 and S8+ are gorgeous—but far from perfect … [Link]

Mashable » This marathon VR binge-watching session is a new Guinness World Record

Tuesday 18 April 0:30:12 UTC 2017

The art of binge-watching has already been perfected by TV addicts. But this weekend, a new kind of binge-watching took place—setting a  Guinness World Record for the most time spent watching visual content in virtual reality.  SEE ALSO: Oculus software update harnesses power of new Gear VR controller Using Oculus Rift VR headsets, two participants, Alex Christiso and Alejandro Fragoso, binge-watched … [Link]

Slashdot » For the First Time On Record, Human-Caused Climate Change Has Rerouted an Entire River

Tuesday 18 April 0:30:00 UTC 2017

A team of scientists on Monday documented what they're describing as the first case of large-scale river reorganization as a result of human-caused climate change (Editor's note: could be paywalled; alternative source). From a report: They found that in mid-2016, the retreat of a very large glacier in Canada's Yukon territory led to the rerouting of its vast stream of … [Link]

Mashable » United Airlines will hate the results of this new poll

Tuesday 18 April 0:16:24 UTC 2017

Are people actually going to #BoycottUnited? A new poll says yes—more bad news for the airline after it was slammed on social media for dragging a doctor off a flight and botching the apologies.   SEE ALSO: The internet is trolling United so hard right now More than 40 percent of people who heard about the scandal say they would pay … [Link]

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