Geekish

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.

ProgrammableWeb.com » Amazon Launches Route 53 Auto Naming API for Microservices

Thursday 7 December 23:49:56 UTC 2017

This week, Amazon announced the launch of a new Route 53 Auto Naming API that allows developers to automate the registration of DNS for microservices. Route 53 is an Amazon AWS offering that handles Domain Name System (DNS) services in the cloud. [Link]

Slashdot » Bank of America Wins Patent For Crypto Exchange System

Thursday 7 December 23:30:00 UTC 2017

New submitter psnyder shares a report from CoinDesk: [The patent] outlined a potential cryptocurrency exchange system that would convert one digital currency into another. Further, this system would be automated, establishing the exchange rate between the two currencies based on external data feeds. The patent describes a potential three-part system, where the first part would be a customer's account and … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » How to Create a Quick and Dirty Example of The Proposed Standard for In-Band API Service Warnings

Thursday 7 December 23:16:28 UTC 2017

A few weeks back, I reported on the developer outrage that was provoked by Yahoo!’s sudden and unexpected shutdown of a service that, for well-more than a decade, was being consumed as an API by an untold number of apps. All of those applications broke. Never ones to be shy, developers voiced their displeasure. [Link]

Mashable » Photos show the surreal devastation from Southern California's wildfires

Thursday 7 December 23:15:05 UTC 2017

Southern California is no stranger to wildfires, but even by historical standards, the events of early December 2017 stand out. The dreaded Santa Ana winds, which transport warm, dry air from inland toward the coast, have been unceasing. The air is dry enough to ignite any vegetation exposed to a spark, be it a downed power line, carelessly-discarded cigarette, or an … [Link]

Mashable » Budweiser beer could be shipped by Tesla Semi trucks starting in 2019

Thursday 7 December 23:09:09 UTC 2017

Tesla’s Semi has a famous new customer: Budweiser. SEE ALSO: Tesla switches on the world's largest lithium ion battery Anheuser-Busch, which makes the über patriotic lager, just announced it had reserved 40 of Elon Musk's all-electric big rigs. So it looks like the company's famous Clydesdales will have to make some extra room in the stables for the all-electric trucks. The … [Link]

Mashable » Tim Cook 'optimistic' Chinese cyber regulators will allow pulled apps back on iPhone

Thursday 7 December 23:06:30 UTC 2017

Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed 'hope' that the communist Chinese government will allow Apple to reinstate certain apps to the tech giant's App Store on Wednesday. Earlier this year, Apple removed some messaging and VPM apps — which allow users to mask their IP address and access websites censored by the authoritative Chinese government — from the App store at the … [Link]

Mashable » Adobe claims it has finally closed the gender wage gap

Thursday 7 December 22:58:11 UTC 2017

In July 2016, female Adobe employees based in the U.S. were making 99 cents to every dollar that the company's male employees were making. The software company vowed to close that pay gap by the end of the fiscal year. On Thursday, Adobe announced that it has followed through on its promise, Fortune reports. Women in Adobe's U.S. offices, the company … [Link]

Mashable » Dramatic photos show the devastating Southern California wildfires from space

Thursday 7 December 22:52:08 UTC 2017

As wildfires in California rage on Earth, astronauts watch from space. Crewmembers onboard the International Space Station have taken some particularly arresting images of smoke plumes pouring out of the fires burning more than 100,000 acres of land in Southern California. SEE ALSO: Thursday is one of the most dangerous wildfire days in recent Southern California history "Thank you to all … [Link]

Slashdot » Apple Has Ruined Its Podcasts App

Thursday 7 December 22:50:00 UTC 2017

Mike Pesca, host of Slate's daily podcast The Gist, writes about the recent interface changes to Apple's Podcasts app (condensed): Up until two months ago, the Apple Podcasts app was the only podcasting app I used. It gave me a nice, workable list of the shows I liked; let me know when those shows were updated; played the shows easily … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Robot’s terrible jokes are a new test of machine intelligence

Thursday 7 December 22:44:00 UTC 2017

An AI trained to improvise jokes around topics suggested by an audience is testing the ways we perceive and interact with intelligent machines [Link]

Mashable » The most difficult kind of computer systems to hack

Thursday 7 December 22:38:52 UTC 2017

We spoke with Ed Amoroso, who's the CEO of cybersecurity firm TAG Cyber, about what it takes to make a computer hard to hack and how power plants can remain safe from any external hacking threat. Read more…More about Mashable Video, Cybersecurity, Hackers, Hacking, and Mashable Video [Link]

Mashable » Somnox might be the first robot you'll want to cuddle

Thursday 7 December 22:19:04 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. They love being the little spoon, they meditate, and they promise to wake you up gently after your night together. No, it's not your latest Tinder match, it's Somnox, the "world's first sleep robot" that's currently seeking funding on Kickstarter. SEE ALSO: Get a … [Link]

Mashable » 20 pop culture duos that warmed our souls and broke our hearts in 2017

Thursday 7 December 22:18:37 UTC 2017

Pop culture is nothing without the sparks that fly between characters – whether we're talking about the glowing embers of an old friendship, the electric crackle of a new romance, or the destructive blaze of a longtime grudge. SEE ALSO: 17 pop culture moments that made us yell 'NOPE!' at our screens this year But the very best of these pairings … [Link]

Mashable » 23 unrealistic stocking stuffer gifts just for millennials

Thursday 7 December 22:17:10 UTC 2017

Navigating through life as a twenty something this day and age can be the most exhausting, confusing and rewarding experience for a young person. Whether you've just graduated from college, searching for a new job or just trying to adult, being a millennial is hard work – especially when you're blamed for practically everything wrong with the world. In order to … [Link]

Slashdot » Tesla Could Be Hogging Batteries and Causing a Global Shortage, Says Report

Thursday 7 December 22:10:00 UTC 2017

According to a report from the Korea news outlet ETNews, Tesla's solution to fixing a manufacturing bottleneck responsible for a $619 million loss last quarter could be causing a global battery shortage. Panasonic reportedly gave most of its cache of batteries in Japan to Tesla so that the automaker and Gigafactory 1 energy-storage company could keep up with its ambitious … [Link]

Mashable » You can now search for love without swiping on OkCupid

Thursday 7 December 22:02:09 UTC 2017

Tired of the endless swiping game that is online dating? OkCupid is trying something a bit different. Starting today they're rolling out a feature that lets you search profiles based on keywords. It's currently available on desktops and for users of their iPhone app. SEE ALSO: Mark Cuban bets big on dating app Hater You can search for about 20,000 different … [Link]

Mashable » Ridiculous Star Wars holiday decor will make your house the best on the block

Thursday 7 December 21:57:05 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. Star Wars fans don't get days off, not even for the holidays. While the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special was a bust, Star Wars and holidays still go together, and there's simply nothing better than getting to infuse your favorite epic space opera franchise … [Link]

Mashable » Gift Colorfully: 10 holiday gifts everyone on your list will appreciate

Thursday 7 December 21:56:38 UTC 2017

Paid Content | eBayThis year, let’s bring back what makes gift-giving special. Head to eBay for gifts that are perfect for everyone on your list, and enjoy a stress-free holiday season.Sometimes the most stressful part of the holidays is finding gifts that are as unique as each person on your list. It can be tempting to play it safe with a … [Link]

Mashable » Bitcoin and the millennials may have created a perfect storm

Thursday 7 December 21:54:06 UTC 2017

When you take a cool photo and share it online, do you care if it disappears tomorrow? If you don't, I'd say there's a good chance you're younger then 30. I know this because Snapchat, the popular photo-sharing app which (typically) makes your photos disappear after a while, has a predominantly young user base: 60% of its users are below 24, … [Link]

Mashable » This $400 weed wreath will light up your holiday

Thursday 7 December 21:53:17 UTC 2017

Wreaths aren't exactly the most exciting thing about the holidays — unless they come loaded with weed, dude. Cannabis company Henry's Original has unveiled a limited-edition handcrafted holiday wreath, which you'll probably want to hang on the inside of your door instead of the outside, because it comes loaded with a full ounce of marijuana flower. The actual wreath is made of … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Google Cloud Video intelligence API Now Public Beta, Cloud Vision API Updated

Thursday 7 December 21:46:50 UTC 2017

Google has announced that the Google Cloud Video intelligence API is now in public beta and the Google Cloud Vision API has been updated with enhancements to existing features. [Link]

Mashable » Someone decked out their grandma's mobility scooter to accelerate like a Tesla

Thursday 7 December 21:43:08 UTC 2017

Let's start off by noting that this scooter is super dangerous and has no place on the road. Now that the disclaimer portion is out of the way, check out this ridiculously fast "Telsa" mobility scooter, which apparently has a top speed of about 62 mph and can accelerate faster than anyone would ever want to go on an unprotected … [Link]

Mashable » Spotify's most streamed artists are all men. The music industry needs to do better.

Thursday 7 December 21:32:07 UTC 2017

Every holiday season, Spotify drops personal year-end playlists, and reveals the most streamed artists and songs of the year — which this year included no women, as individuals or performing in groups. Seriously. No women. That says something disturbing about gender inequality in the music industry. SEE ALSO: Ed Sheeran takes Drake's crown to become Spotify’s most streamed artist of 2017 … [Link]

Slashdot » Volkswagen Executive Sentenced To Maximum Prison Term For His Role In Dieselgate

Thursday 7 December 21:30:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: On Wednesday, a U.S. District judge in Detroit sentenced Oliver Schmidt, a former Volkswagen executive, to seven years in prison for his role in the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal of 2015. Schmidt was also ordered to pay a criminal penalty of $400,000, according to a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) press … [Link]

Mashable » Gun sales spiked after Sandy Hook. So did people being shot and killed.

Thursday 7 December 21:29:56 UTC 2017

Gun sales in the United States spiked dramatically after a shooter walked into Connecticut's Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012 and killed 26 people, 20 of whom were children. Now researchers say that as a result of that rush in gun purchases, 60 additional Americans — 20 of whom were children — were killed by accidental gunshots in the … [Link]

Mashable » How to help victims of the Southern California wildfires

Thursday 7 December 21:23:04 UTC 2017

The fires consuming parts of Southern California have moved rapidly since breaking out a few days ago. The Thomas Fire, a blaze in Ventura County, has already claimed 90,000 acres. The fires have collectively led to the evacuation of more than 200,000 residents, according to news reports. There are numerous efforts underway to aid survivors, who may have fled wearing only … [Link]

Mashable » Instagram's favorite cat Lil Bub was hacked because we can't have nice things

Thursday 7 December 21:22:25 UTC 2017

Something terrible just went down on Instagram. Lil Bub, one of the app's most popular celebrity pets, was hacked. SEE ALSO: Instagram's most popular posts of 2017 The account has since been restored to its rightful owner, Mike Bridavsky, but not before the alleged teen hacker posted expletive-filled videos and live streams to the account's 1.7 million followers. It's not clear … [Link]

Mashable » Someone captured footage of this electrical storm and it's, well… electric

Thursday 7 December 21:19:47 UTC 2017

This rare sight was captured on video over northwest Australia. Read more…More about Australia, Mashable Video, Lightning, Electricity, and Mashable Video [Link]

Mashable » Learn from Bobbi Brown how to let go of your success and start over

Thursday 7 December 21:10:40 UTC 2017

Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint api production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fvideo uploaders%2fdistribution thumb%2fimage%2f83621%2f016e1f79 58c7 4b93 8184 44a7925c4728 Read more… {"player":{"descript~ easiest thing to do as an entrepreneur is step away from the business you helped grow from the ground up," said no one ever.","image":&quot~ from Bobbi Brown how to let go of your success and start over","sources":[{&q~ business,startup culture","sec0":null~ business,startup culture","videoSeriesName~ More about Business, Startups, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneur, and Small Business [Link]

Slashdot » Cryptocurrency Miners Are Using Old Tires to Power Their Rigs

Thursday 7 December 20:50:00 UTC 2017

Christopher Malmo, writing for Motherboard: An entrepreneurial cryptocurrency mining company has just announced an unusual deal: it has partnered with a tire-based waste-to-energy company in the United States to power its mining computers. Standard American Mining and PRTI, a tire "thermal demanufacturing" company based in North Carolina, are powering graphics cards-based mining equipment to earn a range of alternative cryptocurrencies … [Link]

Mashable » The Most Popular Emoji on iOS

Thursday 7 December 20:47:20 UTC 2017

Read more…More about Ios, Emoji, Mashable Reels, Tech, and Iphone [Link]

Mashable » Ford will roll out a new self-driving car design and strategy next year

Thursday 7 December 20:32:53 UTC 2017

Ford is changing the focus its self-driving car platform as early as next year. The company says it now plans to focus on features beyond just enabling a computer system to drive from point A to B. SEE ALSO: Lyft's self-driving cars are now on the road in Boston The company's president of global markets Jim Farley wrote about the new … [Link]

Mashable » Let this dent in a dude's head remind you to wear sunscreen

Thursday 7 December 20:25:04 UTC 2017

This is a perfect example of always applying sunscreen at ALL times. Cade Huckabay gave us all that reminder in a very special tweet Monday. He shared pictures with got a serious sunburn and discovered his head was so swollen he can make a dent in his head. No big deal or anything. SEE ALSO: Hot person Alexander Skarsgård is now … [Link]

Mashable » 10 TV moments that made us ugly-cry in 2017

Thursday 7 December 20:23:53 UTC 2017

Television giveth and television taketh away; where there may be hardy laughs one week, there may be utter devastation the next. But it's okay – sometimes we need a good cathartic cry over fictional characters to keep us sane out in the real world (which hasn't exactly had a banner year). Here are the 10 primetime TV moments (unranked) that made … [Link]

Slashdot » No One Makes a Living on Crowdfunding Website Patreon

Thursday 7 December 20:10:00 UTC 2017

Brent Knepper, writing for The Outline (condensed): Patreon is basically a payments processor designed like a social network. Every creator sets up a profile where they fill out a prompt about what they're making: "Oliver Babish is creating cooking videos," or "Hannah Alexander is creating Art and Costume Designs inspired by pop culture and Art Nouveau." Patreon encourages creators to … [Link]

Mashable » Rage against the FCC: Musicians say killing net neutrality threatens art

Thursday 7 December 19:47:21 UTC 2017

Net neutrality's day of reckoning is fast approaching, and musicians of all persuasions – pop, rock, rap – are making noise about Federal Communication Commission Chairman Ajit Pai's intentions to quash Obama-era internet equality rules. The decision will be made by the FCC's five commissioners in a vote on Dec. 14. Three are Republicans (including Pai), two are Democrats, and they … [Link]

Mashable » Battling Amazon Alexas just can't seem to agree on what tin foil is made of

Thursday 7 December 19:45:22 UTC 2017

When you get an Amazon Echo and a Amazon Echo Show together they may start arguing about some very basic ideas. Jamielliottg uploaded a video to Youtube on Wednesday, showing the two Alexa devices going back and forth about the properties of tin foil. Alexa first stated that tin foil was made of aluminium, which is the UK way … [Link]

Mashable » The 12 Days of Christmas can last all year thanks to these Cratejoy deals

Thursday 7 December 19:42:29 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. On the 12th Day of Christmas my true love sent to me: an email confirming my subscription to a year of cute stickers. SEE ALSO: Ladies, get your geek on with these femme-focused subscription boxes Sure, that doesn't have the same ring to it, … [Link]

Mashable » This startup thinks it can share product reviews better than YouTube

Thursday 7 December 19:36:38 UTC 2017

Two of the biggest tech companies, Google and Facebook, have been competing as the internet's biggest destinations for video. And yet, a small startup is betting it has a shot of nabbing their views by narrowing in on one of YouTube's most popular styles. Eight TV is an app focused on product reviews — by anyone and for anyone (anyone who … [Link]

Mashable » Practical gift ideas for telling your son it's time to move out

Thursday 7 December 19:34:25 UTC 2017

Christmas is a great time to show your loved ones that you care with great presents. But it can also be a good time to show your loved ones they're long overdue for moving out of your house. As much as you love them, you know it's time. And you just want your damn life back. This Christmas, consider these practical … [Link]

Slashdot » Inside Oracle's Cloak-and-dagger Political War With Google

Thursday 7 December 19:30:00 UTC 2017

schwit1 shares a Recode report: The story that appeared in Quartz this November seemed shocking enough on its own: Google had quietly tracked the location of its Android users, even those who had turned off such monitoring on their smartphones. But missing from the news site's report was another eyebrow-raising detail: Some of its evidence, while accurate, appears to have … [Link]

Mashable » Learn how to get your big idea off the ground with crowdfunding

Thursday 7 December 19:05:20 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. Instead of fielding requests from your friends to donate to their Kickstarter or Indiegogo campaigns, why not raise money for yourself? Whether you're trying to fund your newest invention or just raising some cash for a new business idea, managing a crowdfunding campaign isn't rocket science. … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook's 'Year In Review' just summed up how bad 2017 really was

Thursday 7 December 19:03:04 UTC 2017

Facebook just proved to us yet again why 2017 was the worst. The social network just released their 2017 year in review videos to individual users and the last thing anyone wants to do is relieve this terrible year over again. SEE ALSO: Here's how to get your Spotify 2017 listening history (and yeah, it's going to get a little embarrassing) … [Link]

Slashdot » Google's Mobile Search Results Now Include Videos Of Celebrities Answering Your Questions

Thursday 7 December 18:50:00 UTC 2017

Google is testing a new feature that will allow celebrities and other notable figures to answer users' search queries directly in the form of "selfie" videos posted in the Google Search results. From a report: The company says this program is initially being piloted on mobile with a handful of people for now, including Priyanka Chopra, Will Ferrell, Tracee Ellis … [Link]

Mashable » Sophie Turner defends Taylor Swift's 'Time' cover and is here to support all 'The Silence Breakers'

Thursday 7 December 18:46:25 UTC 2017

When Time unveiled its person of the year, "The Silence Breakers," yesterday, it caused quite the stir. Much of that was because of one particular person on the front cover — Taylor Swift. The superstar received some blowback from appearing on the magazine cover, even after she took the stand earlier this year to testify against a DJ who was later … [Link]

Mashable » Learn how to create Arduino wearables, robotic projects, and more with this e-book collection

Thursday 7 December 18:32:26 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. If you haven’t gotten on the Arduino train, now is a good time. The open-source platform is used for building some amazing electronics projects, using just a programmable circuit board and simple software. It’s awesome for those just starting out with electronics because it … [Link]

Mashable » 10 stocking stuffers under $25 for everyone in your squad

Thursday 7 December 18:19:41 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. No one needs another mug. Or a personalized keychain. Or homemade socks. It's time we all get a little more creative with our gift-giving, right? SEE ALSO: Your home needs these 10 gadgets — and they're all on sale for Black Friday Here are … [Link]

Mashable » Ed Sheeran is interested in performing at the next royal wedding

Thursday 7 December 18:10:00 UTC 2017

Ed Sheeran may be performing at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's royal wedding. That is, if the couple asks him first. Sheeran expressed interest in performing for the royal couple on their wedding day when reporters asked him if he'd be up for the task if they give him a call, People reported Thursday. "Yeah, why not?" he said. SEE ALSO: … [Link]

Slashdot » Amazon Opens Registration For .BOT Domain Name

Thursday 7 December 18:10:00 UTC 2017

Amazon began accepting registration requests for .BOT domain name from the public this week as the e-commerce giant comes to realize the potential of the top level domain name it secured rights for two years ago. For now, Amazon is keeping the registration for .BOT domains limited. "Creators with published bots who use Amazon Lex, Microsoft Bot Framework and Dialogflow … [Link]

Mashable » The Trumps bungle Pearl Harbor Day on Twitter

Thursday 7 December 18:06:28 UTC 2017

It’s been 76 years since the attack on Pearl Harbor, and on this day of historical remembrance both Donald and Melania Trump are posting error-filled tweets. Surprise! While the president carelessly misquoted a pretty famous line from President Roosevelt's famous Pearl Harbor address, Melania straight-up tweeted the wrong date of the attack. It's pretty simple: Edit. Before. You. Tweet. SEE ALSO: … [Link]

Mashable » Sorry internet: Reddit just sold its soul to brand engagement

Thursday 7 December 18:04:54 UTC 2017

Last month, someone posted a request on Reddit titled "Mission Impossible." SEE ALSO: Something insane is happening on Reddit right now The Redditor @aishaboya was on the hunt for a Tonka Hummer truck that would be used as a very special present for their brother and asked if anyone had one of them "in their attics" to "throw it on eBay!" … [Link]

Mashable » Franken's resignation shines a bright light on GOP hypocrisy

Thursday 7 December 18:03:31 UTC 2017

On Thursday, Senator Al Franken (D-MN) announced his resignation following weeks of mounting allegations of sexual harassment and calls from colleagues to step down. But even as Franken stepped aside, the spotlight on the GOP side of things only shines brighter. Though Franken remained defiant in his speech, saying some of the allegations were untrue and claiming he remembered some of … [Link]

Mashable » Dylan Farrow questions Hollywood's enduring blind spot for Woody Allen

Thursday 7 December 17:59:17 UTC 2017

Hollywood is in the middle of the movement, and while it continues to topple powerful men, at least one has thus far proved immune: Woody Allen. In an opinion column for the Los Angeles Times, Dylan Farrow, whom Allen and Mia Farrow adopted, questioned how the industry that finally toppled Harvey Weinstein and quickly turned on Louis C.K. continues to support … [Link]

Mashable » 'Stranger Things' Nancy and Jonathan are officially a real life couple

Thursday 7 December 17:53:42 UTC 2017

After months of rumors, Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton who play Nancy and Jonathan in the Netflix original series 'Stranger Things,' are officially a couple. The pair appeared together at the Fashion Awards in London. Their onscreen romance begins in the first season, when Nancy and Jonathan set out to discover the upside down. In the second season, Nancy ends her … [Link]

Mashable » This giant skateboard is actually a car's base frame

Thursday 7 December 17:44:05 UTC 2017

Rinspeed, a think tank for the automotive industry, presented a modular driverless concept carSnap consists of a giant skateboard, on top of which a passenger pod can be attached. Once detached, the pod can be used as a camping pod or even as a pop up store. Read more…More about Transportation, Robots, Mashable Video, Robot, and Pod [Link]

Mashable » A 3D-printed death chamber will take you out of this cold, dark world

Thursday 7 December 17:39:39 UTC 2017

Physician-assisted suicide is a controversial topic, but that hasn't stopped the ceaseless march of technology from innovating the practice, which remains illegal in most of parts of the world. SEE ALSO: The FDA just approved the 1st pill that tells your doctor when you swallow it Case in point: The Sarco machine, a 3D-printed pod that aims to give terminally ill … [Link]

Mashable » Finally, there's a vibrator that plays Christmas carols

Thursday 7 December 17:34:26 UTC 2017

Are you longing to bring the holiday spirit to your most private parts? Now you can, thanks to the folks at MysteryVibe. Today they’re releasing a new set of vibrations for their Crescendo device that play along with all your favorite Christmas carols. This will give a whole new meaning to Jingle Bells. If you already have a Crescendo, you’ll get … [Link]

Slashdot » Kaspersky To Close Washington Office But Expand Non-State Sales

Thursday 7 December 17:30:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader shares a report: A Russian software-maker, whose products are banned for use in federal information systems by the U.S. government, is seeking to remain in the North American market and prove its products have no hidden capabilities. Kaspersky Lab Inc. will close its Washington D.C. office that was selling to the government and will keep working with … [Link]

Mashable » Everyone's sharing this video of a man saving a rabbit from the California wildfires

Thursday 7 December 17:28:15 UTC 2017

Destructive wildfires have torn across thousands of acres in Southern California since Monday night, destroying homes, forcing evacuations, and displacing thousands of residents as a result. In the days since, nightmarish photos and videos of three massive wildfires in the Los Angeles area have been widely circulated. On Thursday morning, one video in particular seems to have struck a chord for … [Link]

Mashable » Busting myths about virtual reality in cinema

Thursday 7 December 17:19:39 UTC 2017

From The Matrix to Black Mirror even all the way back to Lawnmower Man, virtual reality in movies has been pure science fiction. But how close are we to making it a reality? Reelistic welcomes the founder of within, Aaron Koblin (@AaronKoblin), to tell us how much The Matrix actually got right. Subscribe to CineFix for more movie-related content. Read more…More … [Link]

Mashable » J.K. Rowling's Johnny Depp response raises more questions than it answers

Thursday 7 December 17:09:08 UTC 2017

J.K. Rowling, who has been criticized for her silence regarding Johnny Depp's continued involvement with the Fantastic Beasts film franchise, posted a statement to her personal website on Thursday that offers little explanation – just in more words than a tweet. Rowling said her instinct was to be excited about Depp's casting, that she and many others involved in the films … [Link]

Mashable » How killing net neutrality will hurt online protests and free speech

Thursday 7 December 17:00:00 UTC 2017

Editor’s note: Jonathan Perri is the North American Director of Campaigns & Partnerships at Change.org. Last month, Change.org reached a milestone of 200 million people having signed or started a petition on our platform in the last 10 years. We've always viewed our free petition tools as a resource for the underdogs, the Davids fighting Goliaths to make the world a … [Link]

Mashable » Florida man hacked Uber in 2016

Thursday 7 December 16:58:19 UTC 2017

A report from Reuters finally revealed the person behind Uber's massive 2016 data breach: a 20-year-old man from Florida. Florida Man, you might say. A source told the publication that the man responsible for the hack — which Uber revealed in a November blog post had affected 57 million customers around the world — was reportedly "living with his mom in … [Link]

Slashdot » San Francisco To Restrict Goods Delivery Robots

Thursday 7 December 16:40:00 UTC 2017

San Francisco officials have voted to restrict where delivery robots can go in the city, in a blow for the burgeoning industry. From a report: Start-ups will have to get permits to use such bots, which will be restricted to less crowded urban areas. Opponents are concerned about the safety of pedestrians, particularly elderly people and children. Walk San Francisco, … [Link]

Mashable » Splitting Instagram Direct into its own messaging app might be a big mistake

Thursday 7 December 16:39:33 UTC 2017

Stop me if you've heard this one before: A popular app is splitting one of its fastest growing features into its own app. Facebook made this exact type of decision when it broke out direct messaging into the Messenger app two years ago. This time, Instagram is doing the same for users in select countries with a new app called Direct. … [Link]

Mashable » This supermarket might have the solution for 'avocado hand'

Thursday 7 December 16:12:38 UTC 2017

Earlier this year, doctors raised a scary warning for brunch-loving millennials: mishandling avocado can injure your hand. Seriously. SEE ALSO: 9 mind-blowing facts about the avocado An improper use of the knife while trying to remove the fruit's inner stone can cause life-changing tendon and nerve injuries, the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) said. Its secretary, Simon … [Link]

Mashable » Hackers pull of mega-heist, swipe nearly $70 million worth of bitcoin

Thursday 7 December 16:00:30 UTC 2017

Cryptocurrency marketplace NiceHash has reported that nearly $70 million in bitcoin has been swiped from its service by hackers, a revelation that comes as bitcoin continues to climb to new heights of value. SEE ALSO: Bitcoin just made the Winklevoss twins billionaires NiceHash announced the thievery on their Facebook page, saying, "Clearly, this is a matter of deep concern and we … [Link]

Slashdot » Bitcoin Nears $17,000 After Climbing About $4,000 in Less Than a Day

Thursday 7 December 15:57:00 UTC 2017

As economists attempt to make sense of Bitcoin, the cryptocurrency rocketed above $17,000 for the first time moments ago, adding about $4,000 to its price in fewer than 24 hours. Security reporter Brian Krebs tweeted on Thursday, "Closing in on $17k per bitcoin now (mind you, it was almost at $16k less than an hour ago. This is totally fine." … [Link]

Mashable » Everything you buy in this pop-up store will be given to refugees

Thursday 7 December 15:54:38 UTC 2017

“Choose Love" in central London is a peculiar kind of pop-up store where you purchase stuff but don't actually bring anything home. SEE ALSO: Heart-wrenching newspaper feature lists names of 33,000 dead refugees Do not worry, though, we are not talking about a scam or a twisted art installation, but a particularly effective and visually catchy way to help refugees and … [Link]

Mashable » Jinx surprises 'Overwatch' fans with a limited edition blue D.Va hoodie

Thursday 7 December 15:44:59 UTC 2017

Jinx has a special treat for all you D.Va mains out there. Starting on Friday, Dec. 8 at 8 a.m. PST, Overwatch fans will be able to nab a limited edition blue D.Va hoodie from the geek fashion brand's website. It's part of the Overwatch Ultimate Hoodies line, and will be available right here. SEE ALSO: This is what it's really … [Link]

Mashable » Fatherhood has changed, and so have the stock photos

Thursday 7 December 15:30:03 UTC 2017

A father leans in, watching his daughter as she paints his nails. He’s sporting a feather boa, she’s wearing a tiara. Another man smiles as he listens to his kid sitting on the kitchen counter next to a rolling pin, measuring cups, and a laptop. She’s stirring ingredients as he steadies the bowlThese are the scenes depicted in two of Getty … [Link]

Mashable » Thursday is one of the most dangerous wildfire days in recent Southern California history

Thursday 7 December 15:30:01 UTC 2017

Thursday looks to be a pivotal, frightening day in Southern California's battle against a wildfire siege that began early this week and has since spread out of control. At least three large fires are currently burning in and around Los Angeles, including one — the Thomas Fire — which has already burned at least 90,000 acres near Ventura. Early Thursday morning, … [Link]

Mashable » Here are 6 more of the best shots in Hollywood history

Thursday 7 December 15:23:27 UTC 2017

Picking back up our Best Shots of All Time series, for this installment we're looking at the most essential camera moves. Pans, tilts, cants, and rolls can just be convenient ways to follow action, but they can also express a filmmakers intent in very cool ways. These are 6 more of the best shots of all time. Subscribe to CineFix for … [Link]

Slashdot » Uber Paid 20-year-old Florida Man To Keep Data Breach Secret

Thursday 7 December 15:20:00 UTC 2017

A 20-year-old Florida man was responsible for the large data breach at Uber last year and he was paid by the company to destroy the data through a so-called "bug bounty" program, three people familiar with the events have told Reuters. From the report: Uber announced on Nov. 21 that the personal data of 57 million users, including 600,000 drivers … [Link]

Mashable » Ryan Reynolds to voice the titular Pikachu in 'Detective Pikachu' movie

Thursday 7 December 15:16:29 UTC 2017

Not only does this Pikachu solve crimes, he speaks English and does so in shockingly deep voice. Ryan Reynolds was cast to voice Detective Pikachu in the upcoming live-action movie Detective Pikachu, The Hollywood Reporter reported WednesdayDetective Pikachu is set to start filming early next year and will be the first official live-action Pokémon movie in the franchise's 21-year history. SEE … [Link]

Mashable » Making pizza in space is incredibly hard, ya'll

Thursday 7 December 15:13:27 UTC 2017

NASA’s Space Station program manager Kirk Shireman wanted to throw a pizza party for Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli. In mid-November, he ordered up pizza ingredients on an Orbital ATK capsule and enjoyed the feast with his fellow astronauts. Read more…More about Space, Nasa, Food, Mashable Video, and International Space Station [Link]

Mashable » Sophie Turner burns bright in the first look at 'X-Men: Dark Phoenix'

Thursday 7 December 15:13:14 UTC 2017

Prepare for the rise of #DarkPhoenix@SophieT is ready to play with fire in the upcoming #XMen film: https://t.co/9eK1K0AItH 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SfOnRgHkTF — Entertainment Weekly (@EW) December 7, 2017 Sophie Turner is on fire. Literally. That's her burning up on the cover of the new Entertainment Weekly, giving us our first look at next year's X-Men: Dark Phoenix. SEE ALSO: Justin Trudeau, … [Link]

Mashable » This is the best response to someone who asks you where you're 'really' from

Thursday 7 December 14:50:24 UTC 2017

How many times do people get asked the uncomfortable question: "No, but where are you really from?" because of their ethnicity? SEE ALSO: Donald Trump just retweeted anti-Muslim videos from a British extreme far-right group It still happens quite a lot, despite it being a form of "microaggression," according to some social scientists. A similar incident just occurred to London Mayor … [Link]

Slashdot » Keylogger Found On Nearly 5,500 WordPress Sites

Thursday 7 December 14:40:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader writes: Nearly 5,500 WordPress sites are infected with a malicious script that logs keystrokes and sometimes loads an in-browser cryptocurrency miner. The malicious script is being loaded from the "cloudflare.solutions" domain, which is not affiliated with Cloudflare in any way, and logs anything that users type inside form fields as soon as the user switches away from … [Link]

Slashdot » The Firestorm This Time: Why Los Angeles Is Burning

Thursday 7 December 14:01:00 UTC 2017

The Thomas Fire spread through the hills above Ventura, in the northern greater Los Angeles megalopolis, with the speed of a hurricane. Driven by 50 mph Santa Ana winds — bone-dry katabatic air moving at freeway speeds out of the Mojave desert — the fire transformed overnight from a 5,000-acre burn in a charming chaparral-lined canyon to an inferno the … [Link]

Mashable » Google is adding vertical videos recorded by celebrities to search results

Thursday 7 December 14:00:58 UTC 2017

Google is taking another step toward making search more fun. The company is testing a new feature that allows celebrities and influencers to record vertical video clips answering common search questions about themselves. SEE ALSO: Google's latest Pixel feature is your first look at the future of search The new videos will appear when you search for relevant questions about celebrities. … [Link]

Mashable » Donald Trump's slurred speech confuses the hell out of Trevor Noah

Thursday 7 December 13:48:35 UTC 2017

Donald Trump's announcement that the United States will recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel risks causing further instability in the Middle East. But leaving aside geopolitics, something quite disturbing happened during Trump's speech, as noted by many commentators and late-night hosts. Toward the end of the speech announcing the change, Trump appeared to slur words such as "Jerusalem" and "United … [Link]

Mashable » Sia responds on Twitter to article questioning the ethics of putting child dancer in the limelight

Thursday 7 December 13:21:54 UTC 2017

The singer Sia is now known for her iconic face-covering wig to evade the trappings of fame. So if she is so adverse to the limelight, should she expose a child to it? SEE ALSO: Sia responds to creeper selling her nudes by giving it away Today Sia addressed an article by Guardian columnist Bonnie Malkin, in which she discussed the … [Link]

Slashdot » Airlines Restrict 'Smart Luggage' Over Fire Hazards Posed By Batteries

Thursday 7 December 13:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from NPR: Airlines including American, Delta and Alaska have announced restrictions on so-called smart luggage because the lithium-ion batteries found in many of these suitcases pose a fire risk. "Beginning Jan. 15, customers who travel with a smart bag must be able to remove the battery in case the bag has to be checked … [Link]

Mashable » Kristen Wiig dealt with an embarrassing astrology tattoo in a very inventive way

Thursday 7 December 12:35:23 UTC 2017

How best to deal with an embarrassing astrology symbol? Let Kristen Wiig enlighten you… SEE ALSO: James Corden tests how much 2 daughters know about their dads and it gets super awkward Kristen Wiig and Seth MacFarlane were guests on The Late Late Show on Wednesday, and Wiig told how she dealt with her astrology symbol tattoo. First she turned … [Link]

Mashable » SYFY launches Snapchat Show 'GEEKLY' as Snap strips ephemerality from product

Thursday 7 December 11:17:53 UTC 2017

Snapchat is getting a little geekier. SYFY WIRE has launched GEEKLY, a Snapchat Show that covers science fiction, fantasy, paranormal horror, and superhero news and culture as Snap and SYFY expand their digital entertainment programming. SEE ALSO: Snapchat just completely redesigned its app. Here's why. Premiering Thursday with new episodes dropping weekly at 6 a.m. ET, GEEKLY will cover "what’s going … [Link]

Mashable » Learn Spanish with this innovative podcast

Thursday 7 December 11:00:00 UTC 2017

If you've ever tried to learn a language, you'll know how important listening can be. That's why Duolingo has launched the Duolingo Spanish Podcast, for English speakers who are learning Spanish. The first episode is available for free on Duolingo's website, iTunes, Google Play Music, Spotify, and Stitcher. New episodes will roll out every Thursday. SEE ALSO: Finally, you can learn … [Link]

Mashable » John Cena is better at 'Mad Libs' than you, and there's a Christmas play to prove it

Thursday 7 December 10:46:33 UTC 2017

That man is a born performer. SEE ALSO: Patton Oswalt as Roy Moore wanted to tell Jimmy Fallon his new campaign slogans John Cena was a guest on The Tonight Show on Wednesday, and he played a game of Mad Libs with host Jimmy Fallon. Not only were his answers absolutely top-notch, they were turned into an improvised piece of … [Link]

Mashable » Neil Patrick Harris wants you to guess if these kids are meeting Santa or getting a shot

Thursday 7 December 10:00:04 UTC 2017

The best of games consist of a mixture of excitement and trauma. SEE ALSO: Tracee Ellis Ross explains how not to sexually harass women with children's book 'The Handsy Man' As guest host on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday night, ultimate showman Neil Patrick Harris played a game with his audience. He showed photographs of children's faces, and made the … [Link]

Slashdot » Jordan Peele To Executive Produce CBS 'The Twilight Zone' Reboot

Thursday 7 December 10:00:00 UTC 2017

A couple of weeks ago, CBS CEO Leslie Moonves revealed that the network was planning to reboot the classic fantasy science-fiction TV series "The Twilight Zone." Few details about the show were available at that time, but we have now learned that Jordan Peele, director of the mystery/thriller Get Out, will co-executive produce the show. Engadget reports: The show will … [Link]

Mashable » Bitcoin hits $15,000 and is already trading at $19,000 in Korea

Thursday 7 December 9:48:52 UTC 2017

If you bought 1 bitcoin yesterday, it would've cost you $12,000 and someone in your family probably would've called you a mad man. Just one day later, however, you'd be able to sell that bitcoin for $15,000. The market cap of the world's most popular cryptocurrency is currently at $252 billion, and the total market cap of all cryptocurrencies just crossed … [Link]

Mashable » Gal Gadot just presented the first 'Wonder Woman' scholarship and it's magical

Thursday 7 December 9:38:39 UTC 2017

Who needs an invisible plane when you have a college degree? SEE ALSO: Homemade side by side comparison of the 'Justice League' trailer proves you don't need an enormous budget On Wednesday at the Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment breakfast, Gal Gadot surprised a young woman with the first ever Wonder Woman scholarship to Loyola Marymount University. "I’ve had the … [Link]

Mashable » Apple's most downloaded apps of 2017

Thursday 7 December 9:00:00 UTC 2017

Snap may have had a rough year, but you wouldn't know it from the App Store charts. Apple just revealed the most popular apps of 2017 and Snap nabbed the top two spots on the list, beating out Facebook, Google, and Netflix. SEE ALSO: The best tech of 2017 While Snapchat was the most downloaded app of 2016, it slipped to … [Link]

Mashable » Marriage equality has finally become law in Australia, at last

Thursday 7 December 7:24:25 UTC 2017

It was left to the last minute, but marriage equality is finally legal in Australia. The country's federal parliament passed legislation allowing LGBTQ couples to marry on Thursday, the last day for politicians to decide on laws like this before the summer break. SEE ALSO: How Grindr — yes, Grindr — launched one of the best new magazines on the internet Marriage equality … [Link]

The Joy of Tech » JoT #2474: The ads are snitching on us!

Thursday 7 December 7:11:13 UTC 2017

JoT thumb Don’t judge me by my feed! [Link]

Slashdot » Earth Will Likely Be Much Warmer In 2100 Than We Anticipated, Scientists Warn

Thursday 7 December 7:00:00 UTC 2017

According to a new analysis of the most realistic climate models to date, global temperature rise by 2100 could be 15 percent higher than the highest projections from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). What this means is that cuts in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) will have to be even greater than expected to meet … [Link]

Mashable » Stephen Colbert slams Al Franken for latest sexual misconduct allegation

Thursday 7 December 6:08:11 UTC 2017

Stephen Colbert slammed Al Franken again on Wednesday night after the Minnesota senator denied charges of sexual misconduct. “It seems like every day a new man is being accused of sexual misconduct. But not today. Today it’s the same man," said Colbert in his opening monologue on The Late Show. SEE ALSO: Female senators lead the way in calling for Al … [Link]

Mashable » Steam no longer accepting Bitcoin as payment, because it's too volatile

Thursday 7 December 6:08:10 UTC 2017

The rise and rise of Bitcoin might make some people richer, but it's been a headache for companies that accept it. Steam, the gaming digital distribution service owned by Valve, will no longer take Bitcoin as a form of payment. SEE ALSO: This was Bitcoin's big year, but where does it go from here? In a blog post on Wednesday, Valve … [Link]

Mashable » LAPD warns that navigation apps are steering people to neighborhoods on fire

Thursday 7 December 6:07:52 UTC 2017

There are currently multiple fires raging across Southern California, one of which forced the notoriously clogged 405 Freeway in Los Angeles to shut down. Big fires force people to find new routes — including people using apps like Waze and Google Maps. SEE ALSO: Wildfires lead to hellish scenes for Los Angeles commuters The problem? Those apps look for roads without … [Link]

Mac For Translators » Automation + Scheduling file and application opening…

Thursday 7 December 5:23:00 UTC 2017

How do you automate the scheduling of a script/application launching (or any kind of file opening)?macOS provides at least two solutions when it comes to scheduling file opening and application launching. One is the "open file alert" thing in Calendar and the other is launchd.If you don't need to automate the creation of open file alerts and have no problem … [Link]

Mashable » Quincy Jones is about to launch the 'Netflix of jazz'

Thursday 7 December 4:30:30 UTC 2017

Now here's a strong niche. Legendary producer Quincy Jones has jumped into the streaming pool with a new video platform for hardcore jazz lovers. Dubbed the "Netflix of jazz" by Kevin Le Gendre of BBC Radio 3, Qwest TV is apparently the world’s first subscription video-on-demand platform dedicated to jazz. SEE ALSO: What to stream on Netflix in December Set to … [Link]

Mashable » 'Game of Thrones' star says final season won't premiere until 2019

Thursday 7 December 3:52:35 UTC 2017

Jon Snow knows nothing, but Sansa Stark apparently knows plenty — including when the final season of Game of Thrones will air. Speaking to Variety, Sophie Turner seemed to confirm months of speculation that Game of Thrones won't launch its eighth and final season next year, but will instead hold the much anticipated series finale until 2019. SEE ALSO: 'Game of … [Link]

Slashdot » Victims of Mystery Attacks In Cuba Left With Anomalies In Brain Tissue

Thursday 7 December 3:30:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: American victims of mysterious attacks in Cuba have abnormalities in their brains' white matter, according to new medical testing reported by the Associated Press. But, so far, it's unclear how or if the white-matter anomalies seen in the victims relate to their symptoms. White matter is made up of dense nerve … [Link]

Mashable » Female senators asked Al Franken to resign. The GOP could learn something from their example.

Thursday 7 December 3:24:26 UTC 2017

The nation's capital is not where most Americans look for leadership on sexual harassment and assault. President Donald Trump's aides, supporters, and even the Republican party still insist he never committed sexual assault, despite the fact that more than a dozen women have shared credible evidence to the contrary — and he admitted to such predatory behavior on a hot mic. … [Link]

Mashable » Freddie Mercury biopic replaces director Bryan Singer

Thursday 7 December 2:50:11 UTC 2017

The upcoming Freddie Mercury biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, lost its director Bryan Singer on Monday. But by Wednesday, a new director was announced: Dexter Fletcher. SEE ALSO: We can't get enough of Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury so here's more Fletcher, a British actor who has directed three other films including 2016's Eddie the Eagle, was tapped after Twentieth Century Fox fired … [Link]

Slashdot » Judge Dismisses Lawsuit That Claims Google Paid Female Employees Less Than Male Colleagues

Thursday 7 December 2:30:00 UTC 2017

A California judge has rejected a class action claim against Google for alleged gender inequity. In September, three female Google employees filed a lawsuit against Google, claiming the search giant "engaged in systemic and pervasive pay and promotion discrimination." They sought class action status on behalf of women who have worked at Google in California for the past four years. … [Link]

Mashable » 'Game of Thrones' star admits he was totally confused by the show

Thursday 7 December 2:00:36 UTC 2017

The sprawling, interconnected storylines of Game of Thrones can sometimes be confusing for even the most dedicated viewer, so it's reassuring to know that sometimes the cast struggles to keep up with the plot twists just as much as we do. Stephen Dillane, who played Stannis Baratheon from Season 2 through Season 5 of the HBO hit, recently revealed to the … [Link]

Slashdot » Warrantless Surveillance Can Continue Even If Law Expires, Officials Say

Thursday 7 December 1:50:00 UTC 2017

According to a New York Times report citing American officials, the Trump administration has decided that the National Security Agency and the FBI can lawfully keep operating their warrantless surveillance program even if Congress fails to extend the law authorizing it before an expiration date of New Year's Eve. The Verge reports: The White House believes the Patriot Act's surveillance … [Link]

Slashdot » ReactOS 0.4.7 Released

Thursday 7 December 1:30:00 UTC 2017

jeditobe writes: OSNews reports that the latest version of ReactOS has been released: "ReactOS 0.4.7 has been released, and it contains a ton of fixes, improvements, and new features. Judging by the screenshots, ReactOS 0.4.7 can run Opera, Firefox, and Mozilla all at once, which is good news for those among us who want to use ReactOS on a more … [Link]

Slashdot » FCC Chair Ajit Pai Falsely Claims Killing Net Neutrality Will Help Sick and Disabled People

Thursday 7 December 1:10:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Motherboard: One popular claim by the telecom sector is that net neutrality rules are somehow preventing people who are sick or disabled from gaining access to essential medical services they need to survive. Verizon, for example, has been trying to argue since at least 2014 that the FCC's net neutrality rules' ban on … [Link]

Slashdot » AMD Quietly Made Some Radeon RX 560 Graphics Cards Worse

Thursday 7 December 0:40:00 UTC 2017

Brad Chacos: When the Radeon RX 560 launched in April it was the only RX 500-series card with a meaningful under-the-hood tech boost compared to the RX 400-series. The graphics processor in the older RX 460 cards packed 14 compute units and 896 stream processors; the upgraded Radeon RX 560 bumped that to 16 CUs and 1,024 SPs. Now, some … [Link]

Slashdot » Ask Slashdot: How Do I Explain Copyright To My Kids?

Thursday 7 December 0:20:00 UTC 2017

orgelspieler writes: My son paid for a copy of a novel on his iPad. When his school made it against the rules to bring iPads, he wanted to get the same book on his Kindle. I tried to explain that the format of his eBook was not readily convertible to the Kindle. So he tried to go on his schools … [Link]

John Gordon Ross

A Man for All Reasons