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.

Slashdot » Facebook Admits that Some Social Media Use Can Be Harmful

Friday 15 December 23:20:00 UTC 2017

In a new installment of its "Hard Questions" series, Facebook acknowledged on Friday that social media can have negative effects on people, depending on how they use it. From a report: This might be the first public acknowledgment from the company that its product — and category in general — can have detrimental effects on people. Facebook is also addressing … [Link]

Mashable » Over 100,000 people sign petition calling on FCC chairman Ajit Pai to resign

Friday 15 December 22:51:23 UTC 2017

We knew it was likely, but that hasn't made it any more popular. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to kill net neutrality Thursday, ushering in an era of new power for internet providers. Now people are calling for the head of the FCC's head. SEE ALSO: Dude who ruined the internet with ‘Harlem Shake’ goes after the FCC for making … [Link]

Mashable » Google Chrome now lets you mute those annoying autoplay videos

Friday 15 December 22:50:31 UTC 2017

Google Chrome just made surfing the web way less annoying. Chrome developers announced Thursday that the newest Chrome update, Chrome 64 Beta, will allow you to mute annoying autoplay videos. This is one of several features intended to help users circumvent obnoxious advertisements in the new update, reports Gizmodo. To use the feature (once you've downloaded the new update), click the … [Link]

Mashable » Why the 'Last Jedi' Rotten Tomatoes audience score is way below its critics score

Friday 15 December 22:44:47 UTC 2017

If you ask the critics, The Last Jedi is an unequivocal win for the Star Wars franchise. It's stunning, it's heartbreaking, it's cute af and clever to boot. If you ask the fans who aren't critics? Well … that's where things get complicated. SEE ALSO: Critics swoon over 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' As of writing, The Last Jedi has a … [Link]

Mashable » This man rescued a turtle after it got stuck on a fishing hook

Friday 15 December 22:44:20 UTC 2017

A man was fishing in Florida when he felt something tug at his line. It turned out to be a giant sea turtle. That's when another guy jumped in the ocean to take action. Watching him save the sea turtle is a beautiful thing. Read more…More about Animals, Mashable Video, Animal, Florida, and Social Good [Link]

Mashable » Here's how women in Hollywood want to protest harassment this awards season

Friday 15 December 22:41:53 UTC 2017

Actresses are planning to wear black this awards season to protest sexual misconduct in Hollywood. Read more…More about Celebrities, Fashion, Mashable Video, Red Carpet, and Awards Ceremony [Link]

Slashdot » Coinbase Wants Wall Street To Resolve Its Bitcoin Trust Issues

Friday 15 December 22:40:00 UTC 2017

In an effort to use digital money to reinvent finance, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase is trying to legitimize itself by convincing big money managers to trust it enough to trade on its exchange. They need to "reassure regulators that bitcoin isn't a silk road for hackers, money launderers and tax evaders," reports Bloomberg. From the report: Despite the table tennis, Coinbase … [Link]

Mashable » Hillary Clinton has a new role: Cheerleader for teen girls

Friday 15 December 22:32:22 UTC 2017

After months of explaining what happened during the 2016 election to stunned supporters on her book tour, Hillary Clinton finally got to talk about the future, one in which women are no longer the minority when it comes to holding office or STEM careers. Before a crowd of more than 10,000 at the Los Angeles Convention Center Friday morning, most of … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook made a game with Porgs and that's really all you need to know

Friday 15 December 22:27:38 UTC 2017

If there's one thing we should all be able to agree on about The Last Jedi it's most definitely the Porgs. Now, Facebook is helping you relive all the best Porg moments from The Last Jedi and then some, thanks to the social network's new Porg Invasion game. SEE ALSO: Everything You Need to Know About Porgs Playable on Facebook's app … [Link]

Mashable » Whatever you do, don't watch 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' in 3D

Friday 15 December 22:17:46 UTC 2017

“Let the past die. Kill it!" Kylo Ren's calm, yet threatening monologue from Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi (this isn't a spoiler — it's in the trailer) couldn't be more apt for the 3D version of the movie. It sucks. It's the worst way to watch Rian Johnson's flick. 3D movies — as a format in movie theaters … [Link]

Mashable » AI-powered tool helps domestic violence survivors file restraining orders

Friday 15 December 22:13:26 UTC 2017

When a domestic violence survivor files the legal paperwork for a restraining order against an abuser, the process is often complicated, emotional, and time-intensive. While there's no shortcut to make that experience less painful or nerve-wracking, Dorna Moini, a lawyer who's represented numerous survivors pro-bono, wants to make it more efficient. That's why she launched HelpSelf Legal, a fee-based site that … [Link]

Mashable » This mysterious patent may mean Microsoft is making a sick smartphone

Friday 15 December 22:06:37 UTC 2017

The last time Microsoft tried releasing a phone, it didn't go so well. Even so, rumors have been circulating for months about the possibility of a new phone from the company, the Surface Phone, which could actually be awesome. Thursday, the World Intellectual Property Organization granted Microsoft a mysterious patent. The patent, filed in June, contains sketches and descriptions of what … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Updates to Walgreens API Platform Coming Soon

Friday 15 December 22:02:59 UTC 2017

Walgreens has announced that a number of updates are coming soon to the company’s API Platform. The company plans on rolling out feature enhancements and new APIs by the end of January 2018. Among the platform updates are the addition of a Store Number List Endpoint to the Store Locator API, the launch of the new Add To Cart API … [Link]

Slashdot » ISPs Won't Promise To Treat All Traffic Equally After Net Neutrality

Friday 15 December 22:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader writes: The FCC voted to put an end to net neutrality, giving internet providers free rein to deliver service at their own discretion. There's really only one condition here: internet providers will have to disclose their policies regarding "network management practices, performance, and commercial terms." So if ISPs want to block websites, throttle your connection, or charge … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Twitch Adds API Endpoints, Starts Rate Limit Increase Discussion

Friday 15 December 21:58:23 UTC 2017

Twitch made API news this week by launching new endpoints to the Twitch API and opening discussion with its developer community regarding rate limits. The new endpoints allow for retrieving and creating Clip data, and the ability to retrieve the top games on Twitch. Regarding rate limits, Twitch announced that it receives frequent questions on the topic, and it is … [Link]

Slashdot » NVIDIA Titan V Benchmarks Show Volta GPU Compute, Mining and Gaming Strength

Friday 15 December 21:20:00 UTC 2017

MojoKid shares a report from Hot Hardware: Although NVIDIA officially unveiled its Volta-based GV100 GPU a few months ago, the NVIDIA TITAN V featuring the GV100 began shipping just this past week. The card targets a very specific audience and is designed for professional and academic deep learning applications, which partly explains its lofty $3,000 price tag. Unlike NVIDIA's previous-gen … [Link]

Mashable » Toast, the internet's most fashionable dog, has died

Friday 15 December 20:48:05 UTC 2017

Sad news in the world of Instagram-famous pups: Toast Meets World, the internet's most fashionable dog, has died. News of Toast's passing comes from a statement posted Friday to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's social accounts. SEE ALSO: Toast the dog is your new favorite runway model "Heaven has a new star tonight," the statement reads. "We're heartbroken to share the … [Link]

Mashable » Learn how to build advanced voice and chatbot interfaces plus more with these online courses

Friday 15 December 20:47:13 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. There’s a lot we don’t know about the future, but it's a pretty good bet that many of our systems and infrastructure will be automated. From thermostats to speakers to robot butlers, the Utopian version of Terminator 2 is almost becoming a reality. And … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » When Push and Streaming APIs Are Just Too Hard To Do, Outsource Them

Friday 15 December 20:47:11 UTC 2017

This is the fifth and final part of our series on push technologies. In part four, we looked at a number of alternative push alternatives. In this part, we will look at some turnkey push API infrastructure providers. [Link]

Slashdot » Norway Becomes First Country To Switch Off FM Radio

Friday 15 December 20:40:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Local Norway: Norway on Wednesday completed its transition to digital radio, becoming the first country in the world to shut down national broadcasts of its FM radio network despite some grumblings. As scheduled, the country's most northern regions and the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic switched to Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) in … [Link]

Mashable » You'll never get lost in an airport again with Apple Maps' indoor mapping

Friday 15 December 20:21:23 UTC 2017

Every editorial product is independently selected by Mashable journalists. If you buy something featured, we may earn an affiliate commission which helps support our journalism. Raise your hand if you remember what a joke Apple Maps was when it launched? It was a complete disaster. These days, Apple Maps isn't as embarrassing and actually pretty feature-packed. And in some ways it's … [Link]

Mashable » How cheap Fire TV devices power Amazon's streaming war

Friday 15 December 20:05:53 UTC 2017

Every editorial product is independently selected by Mashable journalists. If you buy something featured, we may earn an affiliate commission which helps support our journalism. If you did some online shopping this holiday season, chances are you bought something from Amazon. And if you did, you certainly saw a splash ad for the company's own devices, including one for the Fire … [Link]

Slashdot » Canadian Cellphone Bills Are Some of the Highest In the World, Says Report

Friday 15 December 20:03:00 UTC 2017

Freshly Exhumed shares a report from Straight: A report released this week by the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED) confirms that Canada ranks among the top three most costly countries for mobile wireless plans. Comparing the U.K, Italy, France, Australia, Japan, and the U.S. on six tiers of pricing — which looked at talk-time, texts, and data … [Link]

Mashable » Get the newest game in 'Sid Meier’s Civilization' series for 50% off

Friday 15 December 20:01:03 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. If you’re already familiar with Sid Meier’s Civilization, you can keep scrolling to get to the good stuff. If you’re not familiar, allow us to introduce you. The turn-based strategy game has won 15 E3 awards, including Best PC Game and Best Strategy GameCiv … [Link]

Mashable » The internet companies working to save net neutrality

Friday 15 December 19:59:52 UTC 2017

The government didn't completely kill net neutrality, as long as companies that offer our internet access enforce its principles. Some probably won't. Comcast, America's most-hated company, has hinted at creating "fast lanes" where internet companies would have to pay for better access to the network. (After this article was posted, a Comcast spokesperson described those reports as mischaracterization — see full … [Link]

Mashable » Kid steals baby Jesus during Christmas play and all hell breaks loose

Friday 15 December 19:47:45 UTC 2017

Put down the baby Jesus, child. A nativity play at the First Baptist Church of White Pine in Tennessee went completely off the rails when one of the children playing a sheep was inspired by the Lord's good jams, picked up baby Jesus, and started an impromptu dance party. The child playing Mary did not appreciate the theft of baby … [Link]

Mashable » Fountain at EPA office reportedly spews sewage in the best metaphor of 2017

Friday 15 December 19:45:00 UTC 2017

2017 is the year irony didn't just die, it went to hell. On Wednesday, the Safe Climate Campaign reported that a water fountain in the EPA headquarters had begun to leak black sewage. Photos of the all-too-metaphorical spill immediately went viral. SEE ALSO: 49 times we thought 2017 couldn't get any worse, and then oh god "It is evidently sewage at … [Link]

Mashable » Why does the EPA need a Republican opposition research firm?

Friday 15 December 19:43:07 UTC 2017

No organization has embraced Donald Trump's war on the press like the Environmental Protection Agency. Now, the EPA has gone beyond even the president's tough talk and into the dark world of political opposition research. The Environmental Protection Agency has reportedly been using taxpayer money to pay a well-known research firm popular with Republicans in order to monitor — and possibly … [Link]

Mashable » One app allows you to send coal to the naughtiest person of 2017

Friday 15 December 19:38:17 UTC 2017

Christmas is around the corner and it's time to figure out who's been naughtiest this year. The Felt app, an app which allows you to send handwritten cards, is making it super easy for you to add people on to a naughty list and possibly send them lumps a coal for the holidays. Why count on Santa to make sure they're … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Know Your Tool Options for API Testing and Monitoring

Friday 15 December 19:37:41 UTC 2017

This is part three of our API testing series. In part 2 we looked at how API testing workflows help teams figure out where to start, and know when they're done. [Link]

Mashable » HQ Trivia's comments are just one more place to fear 'Last Jedi' spoilers

Friday 15 December 19:32:15 UTC 2017

There may truly be no haven from Star Wars: The Last Jedi spoilers. While playing our office's favorite daily trivia game yesterday (which I'm still sure will be gone in six months), we were alarmed to see something in the comments that we didn't want at all. Among all the "dilly dillys" and "Abby from Brooklyns," we started seeing character names … [Link]

Slashdot » Lock Out: the Austrian Hotel That Was Hacked Four Times

Friday 15 December 19:20:00 UTC 2017

AmiMoJo shares a BBC report: Christoph Brandstatter is managing director of the four-star Seehotel, Jagerwirt, in Austria's Alps. His hotel's electronic door locks and other systems were hacked for ransom four times, between December 2016 and January 2017. "We got a ransomware mail which was hidden in a bill from Telekom Austria." His hotel's door keys became unusable after he … [Link]

Mashable » We need to lay off the overzealous hero-worship of Elon Musk

Friday 15 December 19:11:11 UTC 2017

After a year of making headlines for groundbreaking achievements and troubling controversies, it's become nearly impossible to avoid the cult of personality surrounding Elon Musk. SEE ALSO: Our dystopian future isn’t found in '1984' — it’s 'Brave New World' and 'Infinite Jest' The multi-hyphenate CEO billionaire is undeniably one of the most visible figures in the modern world. He leads multiple … [Link]

Mashable » Drake got stood up by an Angelina Jolie fan account 🙁

Friday 15 December 19:10:26 UTC 2017

Poor Drake. It's rare that the Canadian takes any L's. He's laid relatively low in 2017, releasing the playlist "More Life" earlier this year and touring for the rest of the year. But the 6 god got vulnerable this week when he shared his lowest of lows with the world, posting an Instagram picture of him looking very lonely at a … [Link]

Mashable » This company is encouraging employees to take part of their salary in Bitcoin

Friday 15 December 18:58:55 UTC 2017

With cryptocurrency values to continuing to skyrocket, at least one company is going to try to give its employees an incentive to invest in Bitcoin by offering it as a salary option. SEE ALSO: How to make sure you don't get swindled in an ICO Japanese internet company GMO Internet Group will be rolling out the system in February 2018, according … [Link]

Mashable » SpaceX outdid themselves with a picture-perfect rocket landing

Friday 15 December 18:57:05 UTC 2017

Https%3a%2f%2fvdist.aws.mashable.com%2fcms%2f2017%2f12%2f138f8174 241d edc7%2fthumb%2f00001 Read more… {"player":{"descript~ number 20.","image":"h~ 20th successful rocket landing was just as amazing as its 1st","sources":[{&qu~ space station,elon musk,rockets,spacex,rocket landing,rocket launches","sec0":nul~ space station,elon musk,rockets,spacex,rocket landing,rocket launches","videoSeriesNam~ More about Space, Nasa, Science, Rocket Launch, and Elon Musk [Link]

Mashable » 6 ways holiday traditions make life so much better

Friday 15 December 18:54:02 UTC 2017

Every year, the holidays sneak up on us and propel us to actions so ingrained in tradition they’re almost beyond our control. Dig up the box of holiday decorations and commence the spewing of sparkles, lights, and poinsettias on every available surface. Put forth another valiant attempt to make bubby’s prized kugel dish. At times, it’s hard to remember when … [Link]

Mashable » Carrie Fisher's dog loved 'The Last Jedi' and we're crying

Friday 15 December 18:53:43 UTC 2017

The most important fan has finally seen The Last Jedi: Carrie Fisher's French Bulldog, Gary. All Star Wars fans know Gary has been waiting for this moment since he first saw his late owner in The Last Jedi trailer, and a Friday screening his dreams came true. ABC 7 reporter Veronica Miracle tweeted a video of Gary post-screening, showing off his … [Link]

Mashable » This 400-pound, sidewalk-roaming security robot just got fired

Friday 15 December 18:46:50 UTC 2017

A five-foot tall, 400-pound robot with four surveillance cameras just got fired from its security job. Right before Christmas. The San Francisco animal welfare non-profit, SF SPCA, rented the 'bot to roam its parking lot and grounds, ostensibly in response to a recent burglary. But to the dismay of neighbors, the SPCA also let the robot patrol the public sidewalk outside … [Link]

Mashable » Peter Jackson alleges Harvey Weinstein sabotaged careers of women who refused him

Friday 15 December 18:45:42 UTC 2017

Director Peter Jackson, who worked with Harvey Weinstein decades ago, said he now suspects Weinstein and his brother were deliberately badmouthing Hollywood actresses because they refused sexual advances behind closed doors. "I recall Miramax telling us they were a nightmare to work with and we should avoid them at all costs. This was probably in 1998," Jackson told Stuff. Actresses Ashley Judd and … [Link]

Slashdot » Feds Moving Quickly To Cash in on Seized Bitcoin, Now Worth $8.4 Million

Friday 15 December 18:40:00 UTC 2017

A federal judge in Utah has agreed to let the US government sell off a seized cache of over 513 bitcoins (BTC) and 512 Bitcoin Cash (BCH). At current prices, that would yield approximately $8.4 million for the bitcoins and nearly $1 million for the BCH. From a report: In a court filing, prosecutors noted that due to the volatility … [Link]

Mashable » Could Chico be a Jack Russell Terrier?

Friday 15 December 18:07:57 UTC 2017

On What's Your Mutt? we test the doggy DNA of one pooch to reveal its exact breed mix and genetic makeup, once and for all! Don't miss the shocking results of our “pawternity” tests, each week! For over a decade, Chico's owner has been asking him "Who do you think you arf?" Thanks to genetic testing, now they'll finally find out … [Link]

Mashable » Is tap water safe to drink?

Friday 15 December 18:05:58 UTC 2017

This is an age-old question: is tap water okay to drink? In countries like the U.S., you may not think twice about grabbing water straight from the tap and gulping it down. However, in light of tragedies in places like Flint, Michigan, we should evaluate whether or not tap water is as reliable as you think. Read more…More about Science, Health, … [Link]

Slashdot » China's Top Phone Makers Huawei and Xiaomi In Talks With Carriers To Expand To US Market

Friday 15 December 18:00:00 UTC 2017

From a report: Huawei and Xiaomi are in talks with U.S. wireless operators about selling flagship smartphones to American consumers as soon as next year, according to people familiar with the matter. The handset makers are negotiating with carriers including AT&T and Verizon, said the people, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. Talks are still fluid … [Link]

Mashable » This $12 lens kit will be your smartphone's newest sidekick

Friday 15 December 17:44:04 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. Sure, your smartphone camera is great. But don't you wish it could do a little more? SEE ALSO: This DSLR camera has 'food mode' and it's $300 off at Target today The RAWtronics Universal 3-in-1 Lens Kit will be your smartphone's new sidekick. As the … [Link]

Mashable » BB-8 is getting a vacation from saving the galaxy and is here to charge your devices in the car

Friday 15 December 17:31:18 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. With The Last Jedi finally here, there's no better way to celebrate than tricking your car out with a handy BB-8 car charger. SEE ALSO: Star Wars kitchen items for the fans that already have everything else This USB-enabled charger fits snugly into your … [Link]

Slashdot » One of Australia's Richest Men Lost $1 Million To Email Scam

Friday 15 December 17:20:00 UTC 2017

Kaye Wiggins, reporting for Bloomberg: The multi-millionaire founder of Twynam Agricultural Group lost $1 million in an email fraud, a London court heard Thursday. The British man who facilitated the theft says he's a victim too. John Kahlbetzer, who is on the Forbes list of the 50 richest Australians, lost the money when fraudsters tricked the administrator of his personal … [Link]

Mashable » Here's a breakdown of the beloved 'Star Wars' character, the porg

Friday 15 December 17:17:32 UTC 2017

The most anticipated character from 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' is the porg. From its origins to how they are brought to movie-life, here's everything you need to know about the porg. Read more…More about Movies, Christmas, Disney, Holidays, and Mashable Video [Link]

Mashable » Oh god, here's Barack Obama playing Santa Claus

Friday 15 December 17:14:25 UTC 2017

We assume that if you clicked on a story about Barack Obama playing Santa Claus, you are prepared to cry. And so we cannot say we didn't warn you. The president visited the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington on Thursday to deliver gifts to a few middle schoolers. He wore a leather jacket and a Santa hat, and whatever … [Link]

Mashable » The oldest U.S. polar bear turned 37 years old and she had a better birthday than you

Friday 15 December 17:06:25 UTC 2017

Coldilocks is the oldest Polar Bear in the United States and she celebrated her 37th birthday on Thursday at the Philadelphia Zoo. Happy birthday to Coldilocks! At 37 years old, Coldilocks in the oldest #polarbear in the country! Join us tomorrow as we celebrate Coldi's birthday with treats, presents, singing, BEARthday cake and more! pic.twitter.com/dwymK59dj4 — Philadelphia Zoo (@phillyzoo) December … [Link]

Mashable » Everybody is cringing at a judicial nominee's inability to answer basic legal questions

Friday 15 December 17:04:26 UTC 2017

On Wednesday, the Senate judiciary committee questioned Trump's district judge nominees. Things got awkward real quick. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) initiated a line of questioning that revealed that one nominee, Matthew S. Peterson, doesn't know the first thing about the workings, laws, and procedures necessary for running a courtroom. SEE ALSO: Gross bacon tweet comes back to haunt this Trump nominee … [Link]

Mashable » Thin ice didn't stop firefighters from saving this stranded dog

Friday 15 December 16:58:49 UTC 2017

Swift Current Fire Department saved a dog which had fallen through ice in a creek. The owner allowed their dog to run off leash when the dog fell through the thin ice. A fireman managed to save the dog after nearly slipping in himself. Read more…More about Dogs, Mashable Video, Police, Canada, and River [Link]

Mashable » OK, fine, some of these holiday puns are actually pretty good

Friday 15 December 16:57:21 UTC 2017

Let's take a moment to appreciate how much work this couple put into their 2017 Christmas decorations. The props! The puns! The glass of red wine! It all comes together in this clip from YouTube user Kyle Gunderson. While those hoping to guess the puns on their own can simply mute the volume, we recommend watching with the sound on … [Link]

Mashable » Upgrade your holiday with app-controlled lights

Friday 15 December 16:56:31 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. The holidays are nearly upon us and if you haven't already decked your halls or are looking to take things full Griswold this year, may we suggest these super cool app-controlled twinkle lights. Image: ThinkGeek Image: ThinkGeek Whether you're decorating a Christmas tree or … [Link]

Mashable » Strange iPhone Cases That Are Good Enough to Eat

Friday 15 December 16:54:47 UTC 2017

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

Mashable » This is how much you aged in 2017, the longest year in history

Friday 15 December 16:51:41 UTC 2017

2016, I'm apologize for anything I subtweeted about you. I'll do anything to get you and your nice dead celebrities back. Thanks to Donald Trump and a little shit named Jared Kushmer, Americans have undergone an accelerated aging process in the past year. News cycles that used to go on for months now last about, oh, an hour. We don't have … [Link]

Mashable » 'The Last Jedi' had the second biggest Thursday opening ever

Friday 15 December 16:47:55 UTC 2017

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is up against some tough box office records, but it's starting with the second-highest domestic preview opening of all time, Disney confirmed Friday. The film opened Thursday to an estimated $45 million, ahead of 2016's Rogue One ($29 million) and a little shy of 2015's The Force Awakens ($57 million, the all-time record). It has already … [Link]

Mashable » It's easier than ever to take a break from annoying Facebook friends

Friday 15 December 16:40:52 UTC 2017

Facebook has launched a feature to let you temporarily hide annoying friends from your newsfeed. The feature, Snooze, allows you to unfollow a person, page, or group for 30 days. SEE ALSO: Here's what Facebook's Australian users talked about the most in 2017 With Snooze, you can clear your News Feed of friends you still like, but who currently won't stop … [Link]

Slashdot » Contact Lens Startup Hubble Sold Lenses With a Fake Prescription From a Made-up Doctor

Friday 15 December 16:40:00 UTC 2017

Alison Griswold, reporting for Quartz: The Hubble contacts sitting in front of me are everything the ads promised: two weeks' worth of soft, daily lenses in robin's-egg-blue packaging. They arrived promptly, one week after I placed an order on Hubble's website, and three days after the company notified me the contacts had shipped. The lenses were packed in cream-colored boxes … [Link]

Mashable » Everything You Need to Know About Porgs

Friday 15 December 16:38:24 UTC 2017

Read more…More about Star Wars, The Last Jedi, Mashable Reels, Porgs, and Entertainment [Link]

Mashable » Got $40? You're well on your way to Salesforce savviness and a career in marketing.

Friday 15 December 16:28:46 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. What do Spotify, Amazon Web Services, (RED), U.S. Bank, Toyota, Macy's, T-Mobile, Aldo, The New York Post, American Express, Canon, the American Red Cross, L'Oréal Americas, NBCUniversal, and the Hershey Company all have in common? They rely on Salesforce. SEE ALSO: Ever wondered how Spotify works? … [Link]

Mashable » You're probably gonna need a 'fidget dreidel' to celebrate Chanukah in 21st century style

Friday 15 December 16:23:17 UTC 2017

Nothing says Chanukah like putting a twist on an old tradition. A company is selling fidget spinners, but with a dreidel flair. They combine the old traditional toy with what was once the hottest product in the market for kids (and some adults) this year. SEE ALSO: Will this phone-sized fidget device fix your mobile addiction? Fidget Dreidel is not the … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook tests posting only to profile or to News Feed to spur more sharing

Friday 15 December 16:21:39 UTC 2017

Facebook is allowing its users to be more choosy with where their posts are shared. SEE ALSO: Facebook steps on YouTube's turf with a creator-focused video app The social network is testing a status option that lets users select if a post shows on their profile or just in Facebook News Feed. The feature was spotted by The Next Web's Matt … [Link]

Mashable » Somebody combined Furby with an Amazon Echo to make 'Furlexa'

Friday 15 December 16:19:28 UTC 2017

The creative master minds of howchoo.com have engineered a 'Furlexa'—a Furby with the mind of Amazon Echo. The creator outfitted Furby with a small computer and rewired Furby's hardware to sync Furby's mouth with Alexa's voice. Technology has never been cuter or more terrifying. Make your own by following this guide. Read more…More about Amazon, Mashable Video, Nostalgia, Toys, and Raspberry … [Link]

Mashable » 2017's most popular Twitch streamer going on hiatus after cheating on wife

Friday 15 December 16:15:55 UTC 2017

One of the most popular streamers on Twitch, Guy "Dr. Disrespect" Beahm, announced he'll be taking some time off after admitting to being unfaithful to his wife. SEE ALSO: Clever UFC fan fools the system, streams a pay-per-view UFC event by pretending to play it Beahm hosted a short live stream Thursday in which he appeared without his iconic black wig, … [Link]

Mashable » It's a portable, inflatable hot tub and it's on sale. 'Nuff said.

Friday 15 December 16:14:10 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. There are few combinations of words that get us as excited as "inflatable hot tub," and now you can get your hands on your own for 29% off. SEE ALSO: Yummy flash drives you didn’t know you needed The inflatable hot tub by SalúSpa … [Link]

Mashable » The Decemberists kick off Lin-Manuel Miranda's new 'Hamilton' project with an educational jam

Friday 15 December 16:11:08 UTC 2017

It seems the potential of Hamilton knows no bounds. On Thursday, Lin-Manuel Miranda announced "The Hamildrops," a new project where Miranda will release new Hamilton content every month until Dec. 2018. and now we have the first Hamildrop release. The Decemberists kicked off the project by releasing a recording of "Ben Franklin's Song," which creator Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote but didn't end … [Link]

Mashable » Looking for 'Stars Wars' porn? You're not alone.

Friday 15 December 16:08:05 UTC 2017

Turns out there's more than one way to get, errrm, excited about the The Last Jedi coming out… Porn platform xHamster reports that searches for "Star Wars" are surging ahead of the release of The Last Jedi today. And interest seems to be much higher around this release than other movies in the franchise. Image: xhamsterWhat exactly will searching for Star … [Link]

Slashdot » Microsoft Considers Adding Python As an Official Scripting Language in Excel

Friday 15 December 16:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader writes: Microsoft is considering adding Python as one of the official Excel scripting languages, according to a topic on Excel's feedback hub opened last month. Since it was opened, the topic has become the most voted feature request, double the votes of the second-ranked proposition. "Let us do scripting with Python! Yay! Not only as an alternative … [Link]

Mashable » Eminem returns with 'Revival,' his first album in 4 years

Friday 15 December 15:59:07 UTC 2017

Four years ago, Barack Obama was still president, North West entered this world and Eminem gave us the Marshall Mathers LP 2. Today, the Detroit rapper released his ninth studio album Revival. It's a hefty project, with his lead singles "Walk On Water" and "Untouchable" appearing amidst the 19 tracks. Eminem also snags features with a host of big names including … [Link]

Mashable » 6 Unique gifts you can't wrap in a box

Friday 15 December 15:54:24 UTC 2017

There’s a cultural shift in holiday shopping this year, with 39% of budgets going to experiences rather than things. Whether it’s because of diminishing living spaces or a need to have an Instagrammable life, a nice gray sweater just doesn’t make the cut for some people. If you’re looking for gift ideas that aren’t just material, we’ve rounded up unique … [Link]

Mashable » SpaceX's 20th successful rocket landing was just as amazing as its 1st

Friday 15 December 15:52:32 UTC 2017

Https%3a%2f%2fvdist.aws.mashable.com%2fcms%2f2017%2f12%2f138f8174 241d edc7%2fthumb%2f00001 Read more… {"player":{"descript~ 20th successful rocket landing was just as amazing as its 1st","sources":[{&qu~ More about Space, Nasa, Science, International Space Station, and Elon Musk [Link]

Mashable » This futuristic street light design is surprisingly eco-friendly

Friday 15 December 15:52:02 UTC 2017

The 'Gates of Light' is a design project that hopes to eliminate the need for electric street lights and limit light pollution. Designers from Studio Roosegaarde lined these floodgate structures on a causeway in the Netherlands with a retro-reflective material to reflect light from a car's headlights as it passes. Read more…More about Technology, Design, Mashable Video, Environment, and Light [Link]

Mashable » Watch Blue Origin's 'Mannequin Skywalker' ride into space

Friday 15 December 15:43:19 UTC 2017

Behold one of history's greatest partnerships: Man and mannequin, working together so that both may be joined in eternal embrace beyond the stars. SEE ALSO: Blue Origin shares a preview of its giant New Glenn rocket Earlier this week, we excitedly shared video of a successful rocket launch by Jeff Bezo's spaceflight company Blue Origin. In that video, the company … [Link]

Mashable » 'Resident Evil 7' was the most attention-grabbing game of 2017

Friday 15 December 15:42:15 UTC 2017

There was no game more gripping, more intense, or more environmentally compelling in 2017 than Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. With Resident Evil 7, Capcom took its 21-year-old series and gave it new life in first-person, dialing back on the grandiose scope that has hung over the most recent entries in the series and focusing on what the series did best in … [Link]

Mashable » YouTuber absolutely nails every part of a 'Beauty and the Beast' song

Friday 15 December 15:40:32 UTC 2017

If we ever needed someone for an epic karaoke night, we know just who to call. Not only does YouTuber Brian Esposito have an amazing voice, but he single-handedly nails all of the vocal parts to Beauty and the Beast's "Little Town (Belle's Song)." At the end of his daring and shocking performance, the singer took a rightful bow followed … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook on how it affects your mental health: It's you, not them

Friday 15 December 15:30:00 UTC 2017

Facebook is a symbol of one of the great debates of the 21st century: Is social media a gift to humanity, or is it a curse that drives us further apart and deeper into our own ideological echo chambers? There is no simple answer to that question, which is why it frequently becomes a cultural obsession as it did this week, … [Link]

Mashable » Catch up on some sleep with these sleeping earbuds that are on sale

Friday 15 December 15:20:55 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. Whether you're having trouble falling asleep on a plane or are just trying to get a few more hours of rest at home, these sleep earplugs can help you out. SEE ALSO: This sleeping companion is your new best friend According to the product … [Link]

Slashdot » Google Is Using Light Beam Tech To Connect Rural India To the Internet

Friday 15 December 15:20:00 UTC 2017

Google is preparing to use light beams to bring rural areas of the planet online after it announced to a planned rollout in India. From a report: The firm is working with a telecom operator in Indian state Andhra Pradesh, home to over 50 million people, to use Free Space Optical Communications (FSOC), a technology that uses beams of light … [Link]

Mashable » Trump loved net neutrality once upon a time

Friday 15 December 15:17:01 UTC 2017

You know the joke that there's an old Donald Trump tweet expressing the opposite of every single one of his administration's policies? Well, one exists for net neutrality as well. As the FCC voted Thursday to hand control of the internet over to massive corporations, it didn't take long for Twitter detectives to find out that President Trump used to be … [Link]

Mashable » 'The Last Jedi' destroyed me and I am not OK: How to process the big surprise

Friday 15 December 15:13:24 UTC 2017

Every editorial product is independently selected by Mashable journalists. If you buy something featured, we may earn an affiliate commission which helps support our journalism. WARNING! In case it wasn’t clear from the headline, this is only for people who’ve seen The Last Jedi already. DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN IT! Save this page for when you have, and … [Link]

Mashable » I'm a secret Slack lurker and it's ruining my time off

Friday 15 December 15:00:00 UTC 2017

Sitting in an armchair by the fire in a cottage in France with a glass of wine in hand, I look like the very epitome of holiday bliss. Except for one rather crucial detail: despite my surroundings, I can't tear myself away from Slack. I'm not sure quite what I'm looking for as I scroll aimlessly through channel after channel, but … [Link]

Slashdot » Samsung Targets First Half of 2018 for Smart Speaker

Friday 15 December 14:40:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader shares a report: Samsung is aiming to introduce a smart speaker in the first half of 2018, entering a crowded field of voice-controlled devices from Amazon, Apple and Alphabet, people briefed on the plans said. The device by the South Korean technology giant will have a strong focus on audio quality and the management of connected home … [Link]

Slashdot » Motherboard and VICE Are Building a Community Internet Network

Friday 15 December 14:00:00 UTC 2017

In order to preserve net neutrality and the free and open internet, we must end our reliance on monopolistic corporations and build something fundamentally different: internet infrastructure that is locally owned and operated and is dedicated to serving the people who connect to it, writes Jason Koebler, editor-in-chief of Vice's Motherboard news outlet. He writes: The good news is a … [Link]

Slashdot » CIA Captured Putin's 'Specific Instructions' To Hack the 2016 Election, Says Report

Friday 15 December 13:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Daily Beast: When Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr., CIA Director John Brennan and FBI Director James B. Comey all went to see Donald Trump together during the presidential transition, they told him conclusively that they had "captured Putin's specific instructions on the operation" to hack the 2016 presidential election, … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Zombie fungus infects fruit flies and turns them into slaves

Friday 15 December 12:27:32 UTC 2017

For the first time, a parasitic fungus has been spotted that manipulates the brains of fruit flies before they die, and might allow biologists to work out how they do it [Link]

New Scientist – News » Young female monkeys use deer as ‘outlet for sexual frustration’

Friday 15 December 12:27:31 UTC 2017

Adolescent female Japanese macaques mount deer and rub on their backs, perhaps as a way to practise sexual behaviour before they are old enough to mate [Link]

Mashable » Liam Gallagher voices alternative Christmas ad with a heartbreaking message about climate change

Friday 15 December 11:30:37 UTC 2017

Liam Gallagher is living a second life as a Twitter celebrity, thanks to his sweary, rants-laden posts in which he often lashes out at his brother Noel. But this Christmas has softened the legendary, bantering Mancunian — though it's for a good cause. Gallagher is narrating an alternative Christmas ad from the Climate Coalition, warning about the dire consequences of … [Link]

Mashable » We updated the 12 Days of Christmas, so you'll be getting the tech gifts you really want

Friday 15 December 11:24:55 UTC 2017

‘Tis the season of giving, and perhaps no song celebrates that better than the classic Christmas carol “The 12 Days of Christmas.” First appearing sometime in the 1700s, the song focuses on the 12 days between Christmas and Jan. 6, when the three kings are said to have arrived with gifts honoring Jesus’ birth. On the list of must-haves back then: … [Link]

Mashable » The Rock literally takes a giant portable gym with him wherever he goes

Friday 15 December 11:13:43 UTC 2017

Ever wondered how The Rock manages to stay so shirt-rippingly huge the whole time? Well, Bryan Cranston has. And in The Late Late Show clip above, he manages to get to the bottom of it. SEE ALSO: 'The Rock' discusses the possibility of running for President in 2020 "I figured the easiest thing for me to do was to create … [Link]

Mashable » Nobody has ever heard of Oxford Dictionary's word of the year

Friday 15 December 10:41:47 UTC 2017

Online dictionaries like Merriam-Webster and Dictionary.com pick their words of the year based on the frequency of lookups, hence the presence of popular words such as "feminism" and "complicit". SEE ALSO: Merriam-Webster's word of the year is a beacon of hope after an eventful 2017 Oxford Dictionaries, instead, opts for a different, more complicated process, trying to select a word that … [Link]

Mashable » Adam Driver and Stephen Colbert gleefully re-enact 'Star Wars' with tiny action figures

Friday 15 December 10:30:04 UTC 2017

Adam Driver may be wearing a fully black outfit, but the soles of his shoes are spectacularly red and shiny. Also he's very good at improvising Star Wars scenes using tiny toy dolls. SEE ALSO: Mark Hamill's tweet about 'Star Wars' reviews is peak Mark Hamill To make up for the fact they didn't have a clip from The Last … [Link]

Mashable » Watch these guys smack a wrecking ball into cars in slow-mo

Friday 15 December 10:23:59 UTC 2017

They came in like a… pair of Youtubers. SEE ALSO: These guys slicing water bottles in slow-mo with a katana sword is ultimate satisfaction Youtube duo The Slow Mo Guys take slow motion destruction to maximum levels in the clip above when they film the smacking of a wrecking ball into various automobiles. The results aren't exactly surprising, but they … [Link]

Mashable » Jack Black thinks Donald Trump stole Tenacious D's magic

Friday 15 December 10:02:26 UTC 2017

Donald Trump will soon pass a bill to raise us all high above the mucky-muck. SEE ALSO: Jack Black gave people a taste of the 'Jumanji' theme song he wrote with Nick Jonas Jack Black was a guest on Conan on Thursday night, and Conan O'Brien asked him if he thought his brash style as frontman for Tenacious D had … [Link]

Slashdot » What Disney's Acquisition of Fox Means For the Future of Film and TV

Friday 15 December 10:00:00 UTC 2017

Disney announced on Thursday it had reached a $52 billion deal to buy most of the assets of 21st Century Fox. It is "the biggest and most consequential media merger in an era of big and consequential media consolidation deals," reports Quartz. "The deal will have a lasting effect on film, television, and the internet." From the report: If the … [Link]

Mashable » Mark Hamill's tweet about 'Star Wars' reviews is peak Mark Hamill

Friday 15 December 9:55:43 UTC 2017

So the Star Wars: The Last Jedi reviews are in, they're overwhelmingly positive, and nobody is happier about that than everyone's favourite Jedi. SEE ALSO: 'The Last Jedi' zero-spoiler review: See it. Just see it. On Friday morning, Mark Hamill took to Twitter to share his glee about the reviews — and he did it in absolutely classic Hamill fashion. Someone … [Link]

Mashable » 'Harry Potter' written by a bot is gloriously illustrated by a human

Friday 15 December 9:45:42 UTC 2017

To be fair, how could you not illustrate Harry Potter and the Portrait of what looked like a large Pile of Ash? SEE ALSO: 'Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery' finally lets you fulfill your fantasy of attending Hogwarts After a bot wrote an absolutely incredible chapter of Harry Potter, one artist saw the opportunity of a lifetime. I have to draw some … [Link]

New Scientist – News » NASA has discovered our solar system’s twin with 8 planets

Friday 15 December 8:43:16 UTC 2017

The Kepler telescope has revealed a new planet in a system like ours. It shares a star with 7 other planets, tying our record for most worlds in a solar system [Link]

New Scientist – News » Venice may be almost 200 years older than anyone thought

Friday 15 December 8:43:15 UTC 2017

Two peach stones found in sediment beneath Saint Mark’s Basilica could extend the history of Venice by 180 years [Link]

Mashable » Jimmy Kimmel slams 'absolutely despicable' decision to end net neutrality

Friday 15 December 8:37:19 UTC 2017

First, Jimmy Kimmel slammed the government over not funding children's healthcare. Now, like many Americans, he's angry about the death of net neutrality. "The FCC did something absolutely despicable today," he said Thursday on Jimmy Kimmel Live! "They voted to put an end to net neutrality." SEE ALSO: Net neutrality is officially dead "Internet service providers will be allowed to … [Link]

Slashdot » Astronomers Have Come Up With a Better Way To Weigh Millions of Solitary Stars

Friday 15 December 7:00:00 UTC 2017

Science_afficionado writes: By measuring the flicker pattern of light from distant stars, astronomers have developed a new and improved method for measuring the masses of millions of solitary stars, especially those hosting exoplanets. Stevenson Professor of Physics and Astronomy Keivan Stassun says, "First, we use the total light from the star and its parallax to infer its diameter. Next, we … [Link]

Slashdot » A Cryptocurrency Without a Blockchain Has Been Built To Outperform Bitcoin

Friday 15 December 3:30:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from MIT Technology Review: Bitcoin isn't the only cryptocurrency on a hot streak — plenty of alternative currencies have enjoyed rallies alongside the Epic Bitcoin Bull Run of 2017. One of the most intriguing examples is also among the most obscure in the cryptocurrency world. Called IOTA, it has jumped in total value from … [Link]

Mashable » 'The Last Jedi' gave us the perfect answer to the question of Rey's parents

Friday 15 December 3:15:00 UTC 2017

Spoiler alert: This post contains major spoilers for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. As promised, Star Wars: The Last Jedi gives us a definitive answer to the question of who Rey's parents are. And with apologies to every fan who's spun an elaborate theory about why she's definitely a Kenobi, or a Skywalker, or a Solo, or a Palpatine, or what … [Link]

Mashable » Dating show promotes openly sexist dude, and like, read the damn room

Friday 15 December 3:07:12 UTC 2017

If you lived under a rock during 2017 (can I come too?), it was a year in which various sexual harassers were outed for being awful. It was a year that the conversation around harassment, power and abuse started to be taken seriously, but it seems like Australian television station Channel Nine — who had its own problems recently, missed the … [Link]

Mashable » Sia's delightful new video for 'Under the Mistletoe' will melt your jaded holiday heart

Friday 15 December 3:04:55 UTC 2017

We just finished watching Sia's adorable new video for her holiday single "Under the Mistletoe" and we're a little teary-eyed. Originally released Nov. 17, the lovelorn holiday ballad comes from Sia's first-ever Christmas album, Everyday Is Christmas. Now, the single has a delightful video to match, which reminds us of Raymond Briggs' classic holiday story The Snowman. It follows the … [Link]

Mashable » The city where Jesus grew up canceled Christmas because of Trump

Friday 15 December 2:52:19 UTC 2017

The mayor of Nazareth is canceling Christmas, and he's blaming Donald Trump. Ali Salam, who is Muslim in the Muslim-majority city, shut down all Christmas festivities in the city in protest of Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital. SEE ALSO: Net neutrality is officially dead “Our identity and faith aren’t up for debate,” Salam said, according to the … [Link]

Mashable » Y Combinator's Sam Altman wishes San Francisco was more open-minded, like China

Friday 15 December 2:15:18 UTC 2017

Sam Altman is a Silicon Valley kingmaker. Sam Altman is rich. Sam Altman wears cargo shorts. Sam Altman is awful. As president of Y Combinator, an internationally renowned startup accelerator based in Mountain View, California, the 32-year-old has an outsized influence on the world of tech. The seed money his company doles out has both life-changing effects on its recipients and … [Link]

Mashable » Tobacco company makes a hard pivot to cryptocurrency mining

Friday 15 December 1:50:15 UTC 2017

Rich Cigars just made the ultimate pivot: from high-end cigars and tobacco products to cryptocurrency. The Miami-based company announced Thursday it had become Intercontinental Technology, Inc., and was phasing out the cigar part of the business — aka its entire premise. Instead the company is jumping into two very not tobacco-related industries: patents and "aggressive cryptocurrency mining." And it initially seems … [Link]

Slashdot » Noninvasive Radiation Therapy Halts Deadly Heart Rhythm

Friday 15 December 1:50:00 UTC 2017

schwit1 shares a report from The New York Times (Warning: source may be paywalled; alternative source): The patients were gravely ill, their hearts scarred by infections or heart attacks. In each, the electrical system that maintains a regular heartbeat had been short-circuited. They suffered frequent bursts of rapid heartbeats, which can end in sudden death. The condition kills an estimated … [Link]

Mashable » People are asking Tommy Wiseau for life advice and his answers are actually awesome

Friday 15 December 1:12:56 UTC 2017

Despite all the press surrounding The Disaster Artist, there's still plenty of unanswered questions about Tommy Wiseau. Where did he get all the money to finance The Room? Where is he really from? How old is he? Is Tommy Wiseau even his real name? And so on and so forth. SEE ALSO: Should you watch 'The Room' before seeing 'The Disaster … [Link]

Slashdot » DOJ Confirms Uber Is Being Investigated For Criminal Behavior

Friday 15 December 1:10:00 UTC 2017

A newly released letter from the Department of Justice has formally acknowledged that federal prosecutors have an open criminal investigation into Uber. Ars Technica reports: Late last month, as part of the proceedings in the high-profile and ongoing Waymo v. Uber trade secrets lawsuit, U.S. District Judge William Alsup said that on November 22 he had received a letter from … [Link]

Mashable » Dude who ruined the internet with ‘Harlem Shake’ goes after the FCC for making it worse

Friday 15 December 0:51:38 UTC 2017

Baauer’s "Harlem Shake" may have obliterated the internet in 2012, but now the producer is taking on the FCC for using it in a (very dumb) net neutrality repeal video without permission. SEE ALSO: Net neutrality is officially dead The creator of the viral track, which became a 2013 meme thanks to thousands of dancing challenge YouTube videos, has vowed revenge … [Link]

Slashdot » Facebook Will Introduce Ads As Videos Start Playing

Friday 15 December 0:30:00 UTC 2017

Facebook is going to start running pre-roll ads on its "Watch" videos next year. While you won't see your News Feed full of video ads, you will start to see pre-rolls, which will run for up to six seconds, on videos in Facebook's "Watch" hub. Recode reports: Facebook launched its Watch hub earlier this year, using "mid-roll" ads (another ad … [Link]

Mashable » That interstellar asteroid probably isn't aliens, but the hunt continues

Friday 15 December 0:06:28 UTC 2017

Well, it should come as no surprise, but the interstellar asteroid astronomers discovered in October doesn't appear to be a piece of alien technology. According to initial observations made by a radio telescope on Wednesday, the asteroid, named ‘Oumuamua, doesn't appear to have any obvious "artificial signals" coming from it. But the hunt isn't over yet. SEE ALSO: A group of … [Link]

John Gordon Ross

A Man for All Reasons