John Gordon Ross

Anyone who works as a freelancer these days has to be at least a bit familiar with techie things. But it isn’t just that. When I was a kid and those vaguely SF puppet shows were on the television and all the other kids wanted to be Greg Gogetem or Steve Savetheuniverse, I wanted to be the guy in a white coat and glasses called Doc or Brains. Here are some technology-related feeds I find useful and/or entertaining.

Mashable » Hyperloop One races to new top speed, and a famous billionaire chairman

Tuesday 19 December 23:59:58 UTC 2017

Hyperloop One set a new company record when it reached a blistering 242 mph outside of Las Vegas on Friday — and days later, it gained a famous billionaire.  The company named Richard Branson its chairman on Monday, rebranding itself as Virgin Hyperloop One, Axios reports. It hopes to one day zip commuters across the country at 700 mph.  Virgin Hyperloop … [Link]

Mashable » 'Rogue One' set up this 'The Last Jedi' storyline and you probably didn't realize it

Tuesday 19 December 23:42:43 UTC 2017

Spoilers for Star Wars: The Last Jedi follow. Consider yourself warned.  Rogue One and The Last Jedi may not seem to have much direct connection. Though the two movies were released a year apart, they are set decades apart in the Star Wars timeline. Only one character (Leia, who shows up at the end of Rogue One for five seconds) appears … [Link]

Mashable » ‘She Knew’ posters accuse Meryl Streep of keeping quiet about Weinstein’s abuse

Tuesday 19 December 23:37:39 UTC 2017

Throughout Los Angeles, posters of Meryl Streep smiling while standing alongside predatory producer Harvey Weinstein now hang. The actress's eyes are blocked in the image, and within that block is the statement, "She Knew." It's not known who's behind the street art, but the message is pretty clear: The actress is being accused of enabling years of sexual harassment and assault … [Link]

Mashable » Think of Codeanywhere as Google Drive for developers

Tuesday 19 December 23:27:25 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. Whether you code as part of your 9-5 job or as a hobby, having your projects available anytime, anywhere, from any device can be a major contributor to your productivity. The solution: Codeanywhere. SEE ALSO: Net Neutrality is dead and your privacy is at … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » RESTyped Aims to Help Bridge the Gap Between API server and Clients

Tuesday 19 December 23:26:53 UTC 2017

Arman Dezfuli-Arjomandi, a designer, developer, and creator of Falcross, has launched RESTyped, a specification for end-to-end typing for REST APIs with TypeScript. RESTyped was created to bridge the gap between an API server and clients. It does this by providing developers an easy way to share API request and response types between a public or private client and an API … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Why the Push/Streaming API Architectural Style is More Prominent Than Ever

Tuesday 19 December 23:26:52 UTC 2017

Back in 2014, unbeknownst to most ProgrammableWeb users (because the change was so deep under the hood), we launched the first phase of what would be a multi-phase migration of the data model behind our various directories; for example, our flagship API directory and our fast growing SDK directory (which, behind the scenes, is directly tied to the API directory). … [Link]

Slashdot » Your Phone May Send You 'Blue Alerts' To Warn You When Local Police Are In Danger

Tuesday 19 December 23:20:00 UTC 2017

The FCC recently announced a new alert program called "Blue Alert" that will notify the public of threats to law enforcement in real time. "With the creation of a dedicated Blue Alert event code in the Emergency Alert System, state and local law enforcement will have the capability to push immediate warnings out to the public via broadcast, cable, and … [Link]

Mashable » Deck Out Your iPhone With These A+ Accessories

Tuesday 19 December 23:02:40 UTC 2017

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

Mashable » You need a new belt and this is the one you should get

Tuesday 19 December 22:46:08 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. Maybe it's because they serve a strictly utilitarian purpose, or maybe it's because your sports coat covers 'em anyway, but belts tend to be a sartorial afterthought. SEE ALSO: Net Neutrality is dead and your privacy is at risk. Here are 5 VPNs that … [Link]

Slashdot » Microsoft Removes Google's Chrome Installer From the Windows Store

Tuesday 19 December 22:40:00 UTC 2017

Not too long after Google published a Chrome app in the Windows Store, Microsoft removed it, claiming it "violates our Microsoft Store policies." The Verge reports: Citing the need to ensure apps "provide unique and distinct value," Microsoft says "we welcome Google to build a Microsoft Store browser app compliant with our Microsoft Store policies." That's an invitation that Google … [Link]

Mashable » Scientists and advocates aren't buying the Trump administration's anti-science bullsh*t

Tuesday 19 December 22:11:22 UTC 2017

The scientific community's response to the reported Trump administration "word ban" has been swift and fierce.  SEE ALSO: 7 words the CDC is reportedly banned from using include 'transgender' and 'science-based' In a call on Tuesday, representatives from LGBTQ as well as women's and family health organizations strongly condemned the reported ban of seven words including “vulnerable,” “entitlement,” “diversity,” “transgender,” “fetus,” … [Link]

Mashable » Save on a turntable that will help you digitize your (Dad's) vinyl collection

Tuesday 19 December 22:07:03 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. Vinyl is back in a big way.  In the last few years, this resurgence has drastically improved the availability of vinyl records, from both classic and modern artists. The audio hardware industry has been quick to respond, offering updated turntables with modern day features that … [Link]

Mashable » Political debates have seeped into everything this year, including Taylor Swift's new app

Tuesday 19 December 22:00:53 UTC 2017

Politics has successfully seeped into every bit of our consciousness this year. Sure, it's always impacted our lives, but these days, even playing a particular song or supporting a specific artist can have intense ramifications. That goes for Taylor Swift, too.  The singer, who released her sixth record, reputation, this year, is as much known for her songwriting skills as for … [Link]

Slashdot » 'Loapi' Cryptocurrency Mining Malware Is Causing Phone Batteries To Bulge

Tuesday 19 December 22:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Newsweek: Security researchers have discovered a new form of powerful malware that secretly mines cryptocurrency on a person's smartphone, which can physically damage the device if it is not detected. Researchers from the Russia-based cybersecurity firm Kaspersky investigated the malware, dubbed Loapi, which they found hiding in applications in the Android mobile operating … [Link]

Mashable » How running a fake 'Last Jedi' porg fan account taught me to let go of my anger

Tuesday 19 December 21:54:57 UTC 2017

I remember the first time I saw a porg, I thought, "I have a bad feeling about this."  Porgs, a small aquatic alien species native to the planet Ahch-To, debuted earlier this year in a behind-the-scenes video for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. They have been hanging out with Luke Skywalker during his self-imposed exile and who could ask for better … [Link]

Mashable » Sip, sip, pass—wine with THC is here

Tuesday 19 December 21:49:52 UTC 2017

Rebel Coast Winery is now selling wine that won't give you a hangover, but will surely leave you feeling lit. Read more…More about Mashable Video, California, Marijuana, Wine, and Alcohol [Link]

Mashable » This Star Wars super fan built a life-size Millennium Falcon on top of his house

Tuesday 19 December 21:45:12 UTC 2017

Star Wars fan, Colby Powell, built a Millennium Falcon on his roof in preparation for 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'. He used wood, bolts and a military-surplus parachute to create the replica. He also added LED lights to the structure. Family and friends also pitched in to bring the spaceship to life.  Read more…More about Watercooler, Youtube, Space, Mashable Video, and … [Link]

Mashable » 50 geeky gifts for the pop culture-obsessed person in your life

Tuesday 19 December 21:42:42 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. It's no secret that we here at Mashable are huge nerds. From lining up for latest tech and seeing the latest Star Wars movie on opening night to catching Pokémon to losing ourselves in our favorite comic books, we indulge our nerdiness on a … [Link]

Mashable » Nearly the entire U.S. is going to have a colder than normal Christmas week: NOAA

Tuesday 19 December 21:26:36 UTC 2017

The U.S. weather pattern during Christmas week is going to be what forecasters call "highly amplified." This means that the jet stream, which separates air masses and steers weather systems, will be undulating sharply — with large northward bulges, or high pressure ridges, and deep dips, or low pressure troughs, toward the South.  For Christmas week, this jet stream configuration will allow … [Link]

Slashdot » Chinese Backdoor Still Active on Many Android Devices

Tuesday 19 December 21:20:00 UTC 2017

Catalin Cimpanu, writing for BleepingComputer: Many Android users may still have a backdoor on their device, according to new revelations made today by the Malwarebytes' mobile security research team. Their discovery is related to the Adups case from last year. Back in mid-November 2016, US cyber-security firm Kryptowire revealed it discovered that firmware code created by a Chinese company called … [Link]

New Scientist – News » People without electricity could end up living the energy dream

Tuesday 19 December 21:13:26 UTC 2017

Solar power is giving millions of people access to electricity for the first time – could they bypass traditional fossil fuel grids altogether? [Link]

New Scientist – News » The body’s killer immune cells also feed fetuses in the womb

Tuesday 19 December 21:13:25 UTC 2017

Natural killer cells – which destroy cancer cells and pathogens – also help early fetuses grow, a finding that may lead to treatments to prevent miscarriage [Link]

New Scientist – News » Genital parasite crabs are struggling to find sex partners

Tuesday 19 December 21:13:24 UTC 2017

Parasitic crustaceans called castrator pea crabs spend most of their lives hiding in the sex organs of limpets, and that makes it difficult to find a mate [Link]

New Scientist – News » Exclusive: NASA has begun plans for a 2069 interstellar mission

Tuesday 19 December 21:13:22 UTC 2017

NASA is sketching out plans to send a probe to visit Alpha Centauri, our nearest star system, along with a massive telescope to watch its journey from home [Link]

Mashable » #MeToo creator Tarana Burke will drop the Times Square ball on New Year's Eve

Tuesday 19 December 21:00:14 UTC 2017

Tarana Burke, the activist who created the "Me Too" campaign back in 2007, which recently inspired an online movement against sexual assault and harassment, is leading us all into 2018. Burke will be participating in New York's traditional New Year's Eve ceremony, according to a Monday press release. In honor of her efforts and social impact, she was chosen as the … [Link]

Mashable » 2017 will be one of Earth's top 5 warmest years, scientists say

Tuesday 19 December 20:56:44 UTC 2017

This year will almost certainly rank as one of the planet's top five warmest years on record, according to new data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA. In fact, the top NASA climate scientist reported Monday that 2017 is likely to be the second-warmest year on record, behind 2016, which in turn displaced 2015 from the top … [Link]

Mashable » This is how the 'Simpsons' house would fare on 'House Hunters'

Tuesday 19 December 20:50:00 UTC 2017

If you want to know whether your house has any worth in this world, check with the most powerful influencers in the home design game, the House Hunters community. For over 100 seasons now, House Hunters couples have offered their mostly bad judgement on everything, from the necessity of having a double sink in a bathroom (lame) to the privilege of … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Good news: Demand for coal is plummeting towards a record low

Tuesday 19 December 20:40:00 UTC 2017

The global demand for coal has fallen 4.2 per cent over the last two years, one of the biggest drops on record [Link]

Slashdot » 'Productivity Is Dangerous'

Tuesday 19 December 20:40:00 UTC 2017

Vincent Bevins, writing for The Outline: So every morning, I get messages asking me to click through to articles like "How I Optimized My Morning Routine To Get More Done Than ever — before 8 a.m.!" The people posting links like this have a sickness, and we need to stop it before it gets out of hand. Of course, if … [Link]

Mashable » Ranking the romances (real and imagined) of 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'

Tuesday 19 December 20:20:57 UTC 2017

Spoiler alert for those who haven't seen Star Wars: The Last Jedi It's time to talk about the ships of The Last Jedi, and we don't mean the vehicular kind. We're talking about the bad romances and sweet flirtations, the canon relationships and the fanfic-only hookups.  SEE ALSO: 'The Last Jedi' has a secret 'Game of Thrones' connection Never mind that … [Link]

Mashable » Regenerate just like a Time Lord with this Doctor Who Facebook lens

Tuesday 19 December 20:16:06 UTC 2017

It’s the end … but the moment has been prepared for. Peter Capaldi's run as the Doctor will finish after this year's Christmas episode of Doctor Who. Capaldi passes the reins to Jodie Whittaker, the first woman cast in the role. Now, just days before the special airs, the folks at the BBC are helping fans get ready for the transition … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Exclusive: Most premature baby ever to survive born at 22 weeks

Tuesday 19 December 20:15:00 UTC 2017

A baby born more than four months before her due date has been revealed as the youngest premature baby ever to survive. The girl is now a healthy 5-year-old [Link]

Mashable » Why 2017 Was the Best Year for Video Games

Tuesday 19 December 20:14:18 UTC 2017

Read more…More about Gaming, Nintendo, Video Games, Mashable Reels, and Entertainment [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Sony Launches Audio Control API

Tuesday 19 December 20:13:09 UTC 2017

Sony recently launched an Audio Control API. The API enables developers to control certain functionality of compatible Sony devices through smart home automation apps. At launch, developers can control power, volume, and other audio features for three Sony products (i.e. a streaming soundbar, wireless speaker, and an AV receiver). [Link]

Mashable » People think Disney's Donald Trump robot looks like Hillary Clinton and you can't unsee it

Tuesday 19 December 20:07:10 UTC 2017

Strap in for a new political conspiracy theory involving Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and … Disney World?  The most magical place on Earth delivered a sneak peek of its newly refurbished Hall of Presidents exhibit Monday with a new addition: Donald Trump. Yes, there is a now a creepy, talking robot version of Donald Trump at Disney World. While there were … [Link]

Slashdot » Tesla Big Battery Outsmarts Lumbering Coal Units After Loy Yang Trips

Tuesday 19 December 20:00:00 UTC 2017

The Tesla big battery is having a crucial impact on Australia's electricity market, far beyond the South Australia grid where it was expected to time shift a small amount of wind energy and provide network services and emergency back-up in case of a major problem. From a report: Last Thursday, one of the biggest coal units in Australia, Loy Yang … [Link]

Mashable » Republicans are coming out with a 'net neutrality' plan that will only please internet providers

Tuesday 19 December 19:24:21 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. Fresh off the gutting of net neutrality rules by the Federal Communications Commission, Republicans in Congress are working on a bill that would allow internet providers to create fast lanes, according to a source that has … [Link]

Slashdot » Apple Seems To Have Forgotten About the Whole 'It Just Works' Thing

Tuesday 19 December 19:20:00 UTC 2017

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, writing for ZDNet: "It just works." This is the phrase that Steve Jobs trotted out year after year to describe products or services that he was unveiling. Well, Steve is now long gone, and so it the ethos of "it just works." 2017 was a petty bad year for Apple software quality. Just over the past few weeks … [Link]

Mashable » Pack up with a backpack like Rey's for your next ride on the Millennium Falcon

Tuesday 19 December 19:19:19 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. We first met Rey in The Force Awakens scavenging for ship parts on Planet Jakku, armed only with  whatever she could fit in her trusty bag.  SEE ALSO: Make the season brighter than a lightsaber in Star Wars holiday sweaters This faux leather backpack … [Link]

Mashable » Gorgeous 'Gorogoa' is a refreshing new take on puzzle games

Tuesday 19 December 19:06:17 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. Gorogoa is one of the most inventive and beautiful puzzle games ever created, and it's here just in time to distract from the stresses of the holidays. Gorogoa, available for iOS, PC, and Nintendo Switch, is … [Link]

Geek Culture » Oumuama: First Interstellar Asteroid!

Tuesday 19 December 19:04:58 UTC 2017

[Link]

Mashable » Why smartphone cameras were the most important tech of 2017

Tuesday 19 December 18:51:28 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. Your smartphone camera is about to reshape everything, but it has nothing to do with snapping photos.  Sure, phone makers are getting really, really good at creating cameras. Between hardware improvements and advancements in computational photography, … [Link]

Slashdot » Geekbench Results Visualize Possible Link Between iPhone Slowdowns and Degraded Batteries

Tuesday 19 December 18:40:00 UTC 2017

Earlier this month a post on social media which suggested that Apple might be deliberately downgrading performance on iPhone models with degraded battery was widely circulated. Benchmark Primate Labs' Geekbench has looked into the matter and is corroborating the claims. From a report: Primate Labs founder John Poole has plotted the kernel density of Geekbench 4 scores for iPhone 6s … [Link]

Mashable » 'The Last Jedi' creative process, much like the movie itself, meant ditching old ideas

Tuesday 19 December 18:31:27 UTC 2017

SPOILERS AHEAD. If you haven't seen Star Wars: The Last Jedi yet, turn back now or risk spoiling yourself on some big surprises. Love it or hate it, Star Wars: The Last Jedi feels distinctly like the work of its auteur filmmaker, Rian Johnson. In one of the movie's last and most stirring shots, a dying Luke Skywalker gazes out … [Link]

Mashable » The only app that matters this year is Signal

Tuesday 19 December 18:20:58 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. Pull out your smartphone and scroll through your list of recently downloaded apps. What do you see — Snapchat, HQ Trivia, or maybe some random face-filtering nonsense? Is Signal in there? If not, you've messed up … [Link]

Mashable » How a simple app exposed some Apple suppliers for the toxic polluters they are

Tuesday 19 December 18:18:15 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. Almost 200 Apple suppliers are really, really bad for the environment.  An app called Blue Map, created by environmentalist Ma Jun and backed by Chinese retailer Alibaba, found that the suppliers were violating Apple's environmental guidelines. … [Link]

Mashable » Dad shaves his head to help his daughter who has alopecia

Tuesday 19 December 18:15:23 UTC 2017

Riley is a normal girl, and her parents went above and beyond to show her how special and loved she is. Riley has alopecia, a condition that causes her to have no hair. When she told her parents she didn't feel beautiful, her father showed her love and compassion with a pep talk, and by shaving his head so they can … [Link]

Mashable » This revolutionary device may one day diagnose melanoma early

Tuesday 19 December 18:06:14 UTC 2017

A group of engineering students at McMaster University created 'sKan', a proof-of-concept designed to detect the thermal energy of skin cancer. Developed by Michael Takla, Rotimi Fadiya. Shivad Bhavsar, and Prateek Mathur, 'sKan' may one day increase early detection of melanoma and create a non-invasive way to diagnose the prevalent condition. Read more…More about Mashable Video, Cancer, Award, Dyson, and James … [Link]

Mashable » The death of 'LA Weekly' caps off a brutal 2017 for local news

Tuesday 19 December 18:04:34 UTC 2017

On Dec. 8, LA Weekly had a funeral for itself. Employees and supporters gathered outside the company's office in Culver City. Some held "Boycott LA Weekly" signs. A white coffin held old editions of the paper. It even streamed on Facebook.  The beloved weekly alternative paper, however, isn't dead yet. Rather the group of former writers and editors joined together with … [Link]

Mashable » This screen protector will give you a firm grip on your huge smartphone

Tuesday 19 December 18:03:53 UTC 2017

The Intelli+ screen protector is like no other. As a smart screen protector, Intelli+ allows you to navigate your iPhone screen without reaching your thumb up. All of the controls happen at the bottom of the phone. It even includes a back button! Tiny thumbs rejoice! Read more…More about Iphone, Mashable Video, Screen, Iphone 7, and Iphone 6s [Link]

Slashdot » Facebook Will Use Facial Recognition To Tell You When People Upload Your Picture

Tuesday 19 December 18:00:00 UTC 2017

If someone uploads a photo of your face to Facebook, the company usually knows that it's you thanks to facial recognition technology. Now Facebook won't just know it's you — it'll tell you about the photo, too. From a report: Facebook is expanding its use of facial recognition technology and will now alert people that a friend, or a friend … [Link]

Mashable » Netflix is turning up the cheese-factor with these holiday originals

Tuesday 19 December 17:58:55 UTC 2017

Netflix has released two original Christmas movies to keep fans warm and cozy this holiday season.  Although even the streaming service recognizes they’re not exactly Oscar-quality, tweeting quips about fans who can’t stop watching. Read more…More about Film, Movies, Netflix, Christmas, and Holidays [Link]

Mashable » This hand amputee can play the piano thanks to this 'Luke Skywalker Prosthesis'

Tuesday 19 December 17:58:15 UTC 2017

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have created a Luke Skywalker-inspired robotic hand that can help amputees play the piano. Read more…More about Music, Health, Social Good, Piano, and Musician [Link]

Mashable » Please god no, don't revive 'The Office'

Tuesday 19 December 17:56:46 UTC 2017

As a self-appointed honorary Dunder Mifflin employee I can't believe I'm about to type these words. But please, for the love of all that remains good in this world, DO NOT revive The Office. I am obsessed with the show. I consider myself best friends with all cast members — though I have never technically met any of them — and … [Link]

Mashable » Sister surprises little brother with Lady Gaga tickets and his reaction is too cute

Tuesday 19 December 17:55:18 UTC 2017

Christmas came early for one 9-year-old super fan after a bad day at school.  Trenton's classroom frog died Thursday morning and his sister decided to cheer him up by surprising him with tickets to see Lady Gaga on the same night.  SEE ALSO: Lucky 'Star Wars' fans got a surprise visit from Mark Hamill during a tour at Disneyland His reaction … [Link]

Mashable » How to be a responsible citizen of the internet in a post-net neutrality world

Tuesday 19 December 17:44:27 UTC 2017

It’s now up to you and everyone else surfing the internet to make sure companies don't destroy it. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to end net neutrality on Thursday, which could mean the end of the open internet as we know it. While there will be long court battles ahead as agencies attempt to undo or block the FCC's decision, … [Link]

Mashable » Watch the moment this 16-year-old found out he got into Harvard

Tuesday 19 December 17:32:42 UTC 2017

A video of a 16-year-old student in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana has gone viral. The video shows him and his fellow classmates celebrating after he found out he got accepted to Harvard.  It's truly a beautiful thing to watch.  Read more…More about Education, Mashable Video, Inspiring, Viral Videos, and Beautiful [Link]

Mashable » You wouldn't complain about getting socks as a gift if you got these

Tuesday 19 December 17:22:08 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. Socks. Just what you wanted, right? *eye roll* The disappointment of receiving socks as a gift is universal — no matter how old you are or where you're from, some relative always ends up giving out socks. And they're usually so, so lame.  We … [Link]

Slashdot » New York City Moves To Create Accountability For Algorithms

Tuesday 19 December 17:20:00 UTC 2017

The algorithms that play increasingly central roles in our lives often emanate from Silicon Valley, but the effort to hold them accountable may have another epicenter: New York City. From a report: Last week, the New York City Council unanimously passed a bill to tackle algorithmic discrimination — the first measure of its kind in the country. The algorithmic accountability … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » How Meltwater Used RSpec to Test Its NGINX API Gateway

Tuesday 19 December 17:06:58 UTC 2017

Editor's Note: This article was originally posted as Lightweight Tests for your Nginx API Gateway on underthehood.meltwater.com. [Link]

Mashable » High tech hair and beauty products to take your Instagram game up a notch

Tuesday 19 December 16:59:43 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. Makeup Twitter, meet tech Twitter. Over the past few years, we've seen an explosion of beauty gurus and makeup tutorials on social media. There's been a similar trend in the tech market, with robots and smart devices popping up for mainstream use as a … [Link]

Mashable » Someone overdubbed the Trump's new 'Hall of Presidents' robot with some of his horrible speeches

Tuesday 19 December 16:58:18 UTC 2017

The only thing good thing to come out of Donald Trump induction of Disney World's Hall of Presidents is the internet's reactions to it.  Some people popped their jokes off on the social media platform, while another Twitter user—@DustinGiebel— took the time to dub the video of the animatronic Trump with actual horrible things the president has said.  Brace yourselves.  SEE … [Link]

Slashdot » Belgium Ends 19th-Century Telegram Service

Tuesday 19 December 16:40:00 UTC 2017

Belgium's telegram service is about to stop. From a report: One hundred and seventy-one years after the first electrical message was transmitted down a line running alongside the railway between Brussels and Antwerp the final dispatch will be sent and received on 29 December. The fact that this 19th-Century technology is still up and running in the age of Instagram … [Link]

Mashable » Make the season brighter than a lightsaber in Star Wars holiday sweaters

Tuesday 19 December 16:27:26 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. It's the most wonderful time of the year. Bells are jingling, spiked egg nog abounds — that's right, The Last Jedi Christmas is here. Whether you're curled up in front of the TV watching the Star Wars Holiday Special or braving the cold weather to … [Link]

Mashable » 'Pitch Perfect 3' is…fine, and you can't have expected more than that

Tuesday 19 December 16:25:06 UTC 2017

Why make a successful movie if you can't eventually exhaust its resources? The third Pitch Perfect film releases on Friday, and the final song for the Barden Bellas is hardly as revolutionary as the 2012 original, but it's fine and fun if you lower your expectations. For more on what critics thought of Pitch Perfect 3, read on. SEE ALSO: … [Link]

Mashable » RIP: The country's most tragic Christmas tree has died

Tuesday 19 December 16:24:59 UTC 2017

Better luck next Christmas, Rhode Island. The Christmas tree in the rotunda at the Rhode Island statehouse has died, the Associated Press reported Friday. The pine's demise comes after it lost a shocking number of needles over the last month, which by this week had blanketed the fake snow around its trunk.  SEE ALSO: What's with all the upside-down Christmas trees … [Link]

Mashable » Best gifts for the hangover-prone friend in your life

Tuesday 19 December 16:21:04 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. We've all woke up hungover and regretted every drink consumed the night before.  There are some lucky people who are immune to the side effects of alcohol, and then there are the rest of us who … [Link]

Mashable » Apple will probably launch new AirPods in the second half of 2018

Tuesday 19 December 16:17:37 UTC 2017

Apple AirPods are sold out on its online store until next year — but the wireless earbuds may still get a major refresh in 2018.  A leading Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, released a memo on Tuesday predicting that Apple will offer a new version of AirPods in the second half of 2018. The rumor blog Apple Insider spotted … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook will let you turn off facial recognition with one switch

Tuesday 19 December 16:11:22 UTC 2017

Facebook is letting you decide whether or not you want your face to be recognized. On Tuesday, Facebook released a new setting that lets users easily manage the facial recognition software across the social network, the company announced in a blog post.  SEE ALSO: Facebook's new facial recognition efforts help blind users know exactly who's in photos For those who don't … [Link]

Mashable » 'Silicon Valley' actor T.J. Miller accused of sexual assault

Tuesday 19 December 16:10:07 UTC 2017

A woman has accused comedian T.J. Miller of physically and sexually assaulting her in college. Though the matter was addressed in part by a student court, she revealed her full story anonymously to The Daily Beast in a story published Tuesday morning in light of Hollywood's ongoing revelations about systemic sexual assault and harassment. She detailed two separate incidents of alleged … [Link]

Mashable » 'Starwars,' 'football,' and 23 more horrific passwords people actually used in 2017

Tuesday 19 December 16:08:52 UTC 2017

2017 was a year of fake news, security breaches, bitcoin, net neutrality, Elon Musk, and more.  And with all the new news came a slew of horrible passwords. Security software company SplashData has compiled a list of the most commonly used passwords of 2017.  SEE ALSO: Google investigators find hackers swipe nearly 250,000 passwords a week And some of these are … [Link]

Slashdot » A Small Fintech Stock Surged 2,600 Percent in a Week After Announcing It's a Crypto Company

Tuesday 19 December 16:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader shares a report: Fintech plus cryptocurrency equals about $7 billion. That's how much the value of LongFin surged to after the microcap's stock rocketed by as much as 2,600 percent since debuting Wednesday. Most of the gains came since Friday, when the company issued a press release saying it bought Ziddu.com, "a blockchain-empowered global micro-lending solutions provider" … [Link]

Mashable » Artificial stars and liquid metal: A startup is still working toward fusion

Tuesday 19 December 15:48:08 UTC 2017

It sounds like science fiction.  At a laboratory in Vancouver, Canada, scientists donning red coats say they have recreated the scorching, 100-million degree conditions inside the core of our sun. They use a two-story-high, octopus-like metal apparatus to collapse walls of silver liquid metal over hydrogen atoms, fusing the particles together and releasing heat. This heat is then turned into carbon-free … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook's new facial recognition efforts help blind users know exactly who's in photos

Tuesday 19 December 15:45:46 UTC 2017

Facebook is working to make its platform even more accessible for blind users and people with low vision. In a series of updates announced Tuesday, the company revealed that it will begin using its already-existing face recognition technology to identify people in photographs for Facebook users with screen readers. Facebook's director of applied machine learning, Joaquin Candela, wrote in a blog … [Link]

Mashable » Adam Driver and Keanu Reeves got face-swapped and the result made us say 'Woah'

Tuesday 19 December 15:39:02 UTC 2017

What’s better than one Keanu Reeves or Adam Driver? Two Keanu Reeves' or Adam Drivers.  Thanks to an strange, older face-swap that has reemerged in the wake of the Last Jedi, we've got just that.  SEE ALSO: Adam Driver and Stephen Colbert gleefully re-enact 'Star Wars' with tiny action figures "Face-Swap Adam Driver and Keannu Reeves and you just feel confused … [Link]

Mashable » Hillary Clinton busts out some impressive vocals in 'Song for Women 2017' by 'The Daily Show'

Tuesday 19 December 15:37:43 UTC 2017

The Daily Show appropriately celebrated the end of 2017 with a tribute song to women, which included a special cameo from one particular woman who won the popular vote for the United States' 2016 presidential race. Around 5:15 into the video, Hillary Clinton makes an appearance, dishing out some impressive and totally real vocals in direct response to DJ Mansplain. … [Link]

Mashable » This is how the cast of 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' trained for their roles

Tuesday 19 December 15:30:21 UTC 2017

The cast of 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' trained for months before the shoot to embody their intergalactic counterparts. This involved sword training, martial arts, and stunt work. Read more…More about Movies, Celebrities, Mashable Video, Train, and Star Wars [Link]

Mashable » These delicate, mist-filled bubbles will bounce off a special material

Tuesday 19 December 15:29:54 UTC 2017

Fashion retailer COS and Studio Swine collaborated on an interactive installation which features a tree-like sculpture that blossoms with mist-filled bubbles. The bubbles are engineered to burst once they touch skin, but they live longer if you catch them with special gloves. The installation debuted at Salone del Mobile in Milan in April 2017, but it was enlarged and recreated for … [Link]

Slashdot » Microsoft Backs Bill To Give Harassment Cases Their Day in Court, Waives Its Own Arbitration Clauses

Tuesday 19 December 15:20:00 UTC 2017

Microsoft is throwing its weight behind a Senate bill that aims to ensure victims of workplace sexual harassment can make their case in court. In doing so, Microsoft has become the first Fortune 100 company to back the bipartisan effort to ensure that companies aren't able to keep such allegations from becoming public. From a report: The tech giant says … [Link]

Mashable » These straws are edible and could help reduce plastic waste

Tuesday 19 December 14:48:40 UTC 2017

LOLISTRAW is an edible, hyper-compostable straw. The straws are made of seaweed and can be turned into fertilizer. Their goal is to replace the 500 million plastic straws that are used and discarded every day in the U.S.  Read more…More about Watercooler, Kickstarter, Mashable Video, Ocean, and Organic [Link]

Mashable » Anna Kendrick and Darlene Love covered 'Christmas' on classroom instruments and it's epic

Tuesday 19 December 14:45:01 UTC 2017

Surely there are few things more wholesome than the sight of Anna Kendrick, Darlene Love, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots cheerily thumping classroom instruments while singing a cove of "Christmas"? SEE ALSO: One Direction, Jimmy Fallon remix 'Santa Claus Is Coming to Town' with classroom instruments On Monday night's edition of The Tonight Show, Fallon & Co. busted out their … [Link]

Slashdot » US Says North Korea 'Directly Responsible' For WannaCry Ransomware Attack

Tuesday 19 December 14:40:00 UTC 2017

The White House has publicly blamed North Korea for a ransomware attack in May that locked more than 300,000 computers in 150 countries. From a report: In an opinion piece published in The Wall Street Journal on Monday, Homeland security adviser Tom Bossert writes that after careful investigation, Washington can say that Pyongyang is "directly responsible" for the WannaCry virus. … [Link]

Mashable » This graphic PETA ad just got banned from London buses

Tuesday 19 December 14:38:36 UTC 2017

PETA has a pretty blunt message for Londoners this festive season; one involving graphic images of a pet dog being served for Christmas dinner.  But, that message didn't quite make it to the public because London Buses refused to run the advert due to concerns over the "offensive" nature of the content.  SEE ALSO: PETA's new formula: deception, manipulation, and fake … [Link]

Mashable » U.S. government says North Korea was behind WannaCry cyberattack and ransomware

Tuesday 19 December 14:09:27 UTC 2017

The U.S. government has named North Korea as the source of the devastating WannaCry cyberattack.  In a Wall Street Journal op-ed Monday, Thomas Bossert, Trump's homeland security assistant, wrote that North Korea is "directly responsible" for the attack that "was widespread and cost billions."  SEE ALSO: North Korea, exiled from the global economy, turns to bitcoin WannaCry was a ransomware program … [Link]

Slashdot » Think Twice About Buying Internet-connected Devices Off Ebay

Tuesday 19 December 14:00:00 UTC 2017

If you're thinking about buying gadgets from auction sites such as Ebay, you will want to consider the potential risks. From a report: When you're buying from a third-party seller, it's a lot more difficult to tell where products have come from, whether you're getting exactly what you think you're getting, and if anything has been done to the product … [Link]

Mashable » 'Last Jedi' haters are nothing new. Plenty of fans hated 'Empire Strikes Back' too

Tuesday 19 December 13:37:20 UTC 2017

The darker middle chapter of an expected trilogy was a crushing disappointment for many Star Wars fans. People had waited years for this sequel, and what did they get? Two main characters became uncomfortably connected. A whole middle-of-the-movie subplot went nowhere. And Luke Skywalker seemed irrevocably tainted after a surprise revelation.  We speak not of The Last Jedi, which — mild … [Link]

Mashable » The top 10 tech stories of 2017

Tuesday 19 December 13:00:00 UTC 2017

This was a wild and tumultuous year in tech, with game-changing scandals, staggering displays of incompetence, and chin-scratching revelations.  And while we may prefer to forget the dumpster fire that was the last 12 months, it's worth taking a moment to sit back, kick your feet up, pour a tall glass of something strong, and stroll down this perfectly decrepit memory … [Link]

Slashdot » Internal FCC Report Shows Republican Net Neutrality Narrative Is False

Tuesday 19 December 13:00:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Motherboard: A core Republican talking point during the net neutrality battle was that, in 2015, President Obama led a government takeover of the internet, and Obama illegally bullied the independent Federal Communications Commission into adopting the rules. In this version of the story, Ajit Pai's rollback of those rules Thursday is a return … [Link]

Mashable » The first 'Ocean's 8' trailer is here and why can't it be June 2018 already

Tuesday 19 December 12:40:23 UTC 2017

Time will tell if 2018 turns out to be any better than the hell year that was 2017. But at least 2018 has one thing going for it already: the upcoming release of Ocean's 8.  SEE ALSO: Rihanna, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter join all-female 'Oceans Eight' cast Sandra Bullock stars as the sister of Danny Ocean (George Clooney's … [Link]

Mashable » The Uber ban in London only hurts the people who need it the most

Tuesday 19 December 12:05:06 UTC 2017

When Transport for London (TfL) announced in September that it was planning to rescind Uber’s licence to operate in the city, a lot of people were shocked. Twitter was ablaze with angry comments, op-eds were published across the country, and an online petition to save the company began to circulate, quickly becoming the fastest growing Change.org petition of the year, as … [Link]

Mashable » Man asks the internet for Photoshop help, gets inevitable response

Tuesday 19 December 11:58:08 UTC 2017

Nowadays, trolling someone's innocent Photoshop request is essentially an internet tradition. SEE ALSO: Trump drinking water turned into a Photoshop battle real quick It's a trend which has been going on for many years now, and which was further popularised recently by designer James Fridman (who has essentially made Photoshop-based trolling an art form). On Monday, YouTuber Mark Fischbach (a.k.amarkiplier) got … [Link]

Mashable » 'The Last Jedi' star overhears fans gushing about her, goes over and introduces herself

Tuesday 19 December 11:38:30 UTC 2017

Never mind porgs, we have a new favourite The Last Jedi star: Kelly Marie Tran a.k.a. Rose Tico.  SEE ALSO: 'Last Jedi' star played the best Pokémon Go prank on director Rian Johnson When Tran overheard Star Wars fans gushing about her character when she was out at a pub, she did something truly wonderful. She recorded her reaction and then … [Link]

Mashable » This student's story about her first college exam is so hilariously cringy

Tuesday 19 December 11:06:37 UTC 2017

Exams are stressful enough without worrying about having the right notebook. Or worrying about finding the right building, or worrying about getting there on time. Or worrying about running into a glass window. As nightmarish as it sounds, this is the tale of student Ann Mark's first college final exam — in all its cringe-inducing, hilarious glory. SEE ALSO: Student discovers … [Link]

Mashable » How to experience New York City like a local

Tuesday 19 December 10:31:52 UTC 2017

New York City is more than a destination to check off your bucket list. It’s The Big Apple, The City That Never Sleeps, and for many New Yorkers — the center of the world. With 8.5 million residents across the five boroughs, the city offers nearly as many activities to choose from at every budget and for every occasion, living up … [Link]

Mashable » Princes Harry and William held a house party for the 'Star Wars' cast and it sounded epic

Tuesday 19 December 10:12:50 UTC 2017

Ain't no party like a Star Wars party — especially when the party in question happens to be hosted by royalty. In the clip above, the cast of The Last Jedi described to Graham Norton how Princes William and Harry hosted an after-party for the cast at none other than Kensington Palace. SEE ALSO: Daisy Ridley couldn't celebrate properly when … [Link]

Slashdot » Venezuela Will Force Bitcoin Miners To Register With the Government

Tuesday 19 December 10:00:00 UTC 2017

schwit1 shares a report from The Merkle: No one will be surprised to hear the Venezuelan government isn't too keen on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Since Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies can't be regulated or controlled by the government in any official capacity, they could damage the country's brittle economy even further. As a result, the government has imposed new rules … [Link]

Mashable » Bitcoin takes a break but Ethereum and other cryptocoins reach new highs

Tuesday 19 December 9:51:31 UTC 2017

Ethereum, the second largest cryptocurrency by market cap, is having a field day. It's currently trading at $850, a new all-time-high, after an incredible rally in which it nearly doubled its price in nine days.  Ethereum's current market capitalization is $82 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.  SEE ALSO: Bitcoin tycoon promises to give away $86 million worth of bitcoins to charity Bitcoin, … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Space-time and gravity might be born from the quantum world

Tuesday 19 December 7:32:40 UTC 2017

To reconcile quantum mechanics and gravity, a new theory flips the usual script. Space-time and gravity may emerge from quantum effects, not the other way round [Link]

New Scientist – News » Will supersonic air travel’s return be another white elephant?

Tuesday 19 December 7:32:39 UTC 2017

Fifty years after the unveiling of Concorde – the flawed, first supersonic airliner – its successors are coming. Maybe they’ll be the real deal, says Paul Marks [Link]

Mashable » Oh nothing, just 'spider lightning' dancing across a stormy sky in Australia

Tuesday 19 December 7:00:24 UTC 2017

"Spider lightning": It's a thing. An especially hard weather phenomenon to catch on film but one savvy videographer managed to capture it illuminating the sky in South Australia. During an electrical storm illuminating the seaside suburb of Glenelg outside of Adelaide, local man Caleb Travis shot the stunning lightning on Monday night. What's spider lightning? It occurs when lightning bolts … [Link]

Slashdot » Scientists Confirm There Was Life On Earth 3.5 Billion Years Ago

Tuesday 19 December 7:00:00 UTC 2017

Paleobiologists have confirmed today that life forms existed some 3.5 billion years ago. The new study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, uses the latest techniques to date the most aged remains available. Quartz reports: The research, led by paleobiologist William Schopf of the University of California-Los Angeles and geoscientist John Valley of the University … [Link]

Mashable » All praise the giant roadside Milo tin, which is set to become a reality

Tuesday 19 December 6:57:38 UTC 2017

Australia is perhaps famed for its gluttony of big things on the sides of roads. There's the Big Banana, the Big Prawn, the Big Trout, the Big Golden Gumboot, and so on and so forth. Now the Big Milo (no, not that other one) might just be around the corner. SEE ALSO: This building's exterior can completely transform in seconds Milo, … [Link]

Mashable » Loved 'Cat Person'? The author just landed a book deal

Tuesday 19 December 6:02:33 UTC 2017

It was The New Yorker's most read fiction of 2017.  Now, the author behind viral short story Cat Person has landed a book deal. Her very first one. SEE ALSO: MashReads Podcast: 'Cat Person' perfectly taps into the murky ambivalence of millennial dating After her relatable tale about grim dating experiences went viral, author Kristen Roupenian has sealed the deal on … [Link]

Mashable » Damn, don't mess with Jane Austen Twitter

Tuesday 19 December 4:05:07 UTC 2017

Literary Twitter is all in a tizzy, and we couldn't be more delighted, because the burns are piping hot, and the subject of the controversy is novelist extraordinaire Jane Austen.  SEE ALSO: Here are the winners of the 2017 National Book Awards On Friday, the Washington Post ran an essay about the fact that Jane Austen never married, despite the fact … [Link]

Slashdot » Older Adults' Forgetfulness Tied To Faulty Brain Rhythms In Sleep, Study Says

Tuesday 19 December 3:30:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes a report from NPR: Older brains may forget more because they lose their rhythm at night. During deep sleep, older people have less coordination between two brain waves that are important to saving new memories, a team reports in the journal Neuron. The finding appears to answer a long-standing question about how aging can affect memory … [Link]

Mashable » Disney's Trump robot is as creepy as you'd expect

Tuesday 19 December 2:51:03 UTC 2017

He’s here. Following protracted delays, a robotic version of Trump has been installed into Disney World's Hall of Presidents. The hall was meant to reopen on Jun. 30, but will now be open from Tuesday after a year-long transformation.  SEE ALSO: Someone shaved Donald Trump into the back of their head and it's frightening AF Contrary to initial reports that he … [Link]

Mashable » Matt Damon has more to say about sexual harassment and, oh boy …

Tuesday 19 December 2:26:01 UTC 2017

Matt Damon needs to stop talking about sexual harassment until he actually gets it. After a whole week of being lambasted by folks like Alyssa Milano following his unfathomably misinformed ABC News interview, the Hollywood star has more to add. More! SEE ALSO: Matt Damon attempts to speak about sexual harassment and shows he STILL doesn't get it In fact, Damon … [Link]

Mashable » This bird sings the iPhone ringtone when it gets upset

Tuesday 19 December 2:18:31 UTC 2017

A sweet cockatiel knows exactly how to get its owner's attention: imitate an iPhone. Vimeo user Ben Pluimer posted a video to his page on Monday featuring his friend's pet bird perfectly recreating that classic iPhone default ringtone.  "When my friend's cockatiel gets upset, it sings an Apple ringtone," he wrote in the clip.  According to Pluimer, the bird usually … [Link]

Mashable » Woman expertly trolls text scammer who claimed she won a free laptop

Tuesday 19 December 1:59:22 UTC 2017

There’s no better feeling than trolling someone that tried to scam you out of money. Shaina Gimao received an obviously scammy text message recently, probably similar to one you may have received before. Surprise! She won a new laptop, chosen randomly through her phone number.   Smelling an obvious scam, Gimao decided to troll the scammer back. SEE ALSO: DO NOT … [Link]

Mashable » The dispute between Rose McGowan and Meryl Streep is important, but it's distracting us from the real problem

Tuesday 19 December 1:57:30 UTC 2017

As the Harvey Weinstein wounds still fester, women in Hollywood are figuring out how to respond, and not everyone's on the same page. Case in point: The recent dispute featuring Rose McGowan, Amber Tamblyn, and Meryl Streep.  The three have recently expressed, or been linked to, differing opinions on how to call for change in the entertainment industry. The online bickering … [Link]

Mashable » This genius scale doesn't actually tell you how much you weigh

Tuesday 19 December 1:28:22 UTC 2017

A startup just released the least judgmental scale you've ever seen — and it's powered by AI.  The scale, called Shapa, looks like any normal scale, with one key difference: It doesn't tell you how much you weigh.  Hear me out on this.  SEE ALSO: Stop measuring things while baking and let this smart scale do it for you When you … [Link]

Mashable » China reminds Google and Facebook to play by the rules if they want access

Tuesday 19 December 1:22:52 UTC 2017

China has more than 700 hundred million internet users, but if tech companies want a slice of the action, they'll have to abide by the country's tight censorship laws. The reminder comes from Qi Xiaoxia, director general of the Bureau of International Cooperation at the Cyberspace Administration of China, who spoke at the UN's Internet Governance Forum in Geneva, according to … [Link]

Mashable » Alamo Drafthouse wants you to rent VHS tapes like it's the 1990s

Tuesday 19 December 0:45:37 UTC 2017

Alamo Drafthouse is about to put your '90s nostalgia into overdrive. The movie theater chain is bringing back an authentic video store. Yes, we're talking about VHS.  SEE ALSO: These 10 movies turning 10 in 2018 will make you feel old The store, Video Vortex, will be part of an 11-theater cineplex expected to open early next year in Raleigh, North … [Link]

Slashdot » WhatsApp Ordered To Stop Sharing User Data With Facebook

Tuesday 19 December 0:45:00 UTC 2017

France's privacy watchdog CNIL has ordered WhatsApp to stop sharing user data with its parent company Facebook. According to a public notice posted on the French website, WhatsApp has a month to comply with the order. The Verge reports: The query began after WhatsApp added to its terms of service last year that it shares data with Facebook to develop … [Link]

Slashdot » Plexamp, Plex's Spin on the Classic Winamp Player, Is the First Project From New Incubator Plex Labs

Tuesday 19 December 0:03:00 UTC 2017

Media software maker Plex today announced a new incubator and community resource called Plex Labs. "The idea here is to help the company's internal passion projects gain exposure, along with those from Plex community members," reports TechCrunch. "Plex Labs is also unveiling its first product: a music player called Plexamp," which is designed to replace the long-lost Winamp. From the … [Link]

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