Geekish

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

ProgrammableWeb.com » Daily API RoundUp: CronAlarm, The Things Network, TINT, ParallelDots

Wednesday 17 January 23:59:23 UTC 2018

Every day, the ProgrammableWeb team is busy, updating its three primary directories for APIs, clients (language-specific libraries or SDKs for consuming or providing APIs), and source code samples. [Link]

Slashdot » Facebook Is a 'Living, Breathing Crime Scene,' Says Former Tech Insider

Wednesday 17 January 23:30:00 UTC 2018

An anonymous reader quotes a report from NBC News: With more than 2 billion users, Facebook's reach now rivals that of Christianity and exceeds that of Islam. However, the network's laser focus on profits and user growth has come at the expense of its users, according to one former Facebook manager who is now speaking out against the social platform. … [Link]

Mashable » Nintendo Labo is a new DIY way to play games on the Switch

Wednesday 17 January 23:05:14 UTC 2018

Nintendo has revealed a whole new lineup of video game accessories for the Switch … and they're all made of cardboard. SEE ALSO: The Nintendo Switch is the fastest selling console ever in the U.S. Nintendo Labo is a new line of accessories that allow players to transform their Switch console and Joy-Con controllers into new ways to play. The different … [Link]

Slashdot » Project Fi Creates Its Own Version of An Unlimited Plan

Wednesday 17 January 22:50:00 UTC 2018

Google's Project Fi mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) has launched a new feature called Bill Protection that will cap your $10 per GB data bill at $60 a month, while still allowing you to use as much data as you want, essentially creating its own version of an unlimited data plan. The Verge reports: Prior to today, Project Fi users … [Link]

Mashable » Amazon Music Unlimited is getting even more unlimited

Wednesday 17 January 22:33:32 UTC 2018

Every product here is independently selected by Mashable journalists. If you buy something featured, we may earn an affiliate commission which helps support our work. Following the much anticipated, closely analyzed launch of Amazon in Australia, the company is finally gearing up to introduce Amazon Music to the country. Set to launch in Australia and New Zealand on Feb. 1, Amazon … [Link]

Mashable » Your grandparents will love being friends with this robot

Wednesday 17 January 22:23:09 UTC 2018

Meet the friendly robot that is designed to converse… with the elderly. Although human company may be nicer, this robot is quite possibly smarter. It can arrange appointments, remind you to Skype your family and take your medicine, and suggest fun activitiesThis robot could be a great friend. Read more…More about Elderly, Real Time, Real Time Video, Real Time, and Elderly … [Link]

Slashdot » Meteor Lights Up Southern Michigan

Wednesday 17 January 22:10:00 UTC 2018

New submitter Foundryman writes: Amidst fake missile reports in Hawaii and Japan, Michigan gets hit by something real. From a report via Ars Technica: "Early last night local time, a meteor rocketed through the skies of southern Michigan, giving local residents a dramatic (if brief) light show. It also generated an imperceptible thump, as the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed that … [Link]

Mashable » No, you're probably not going to blow a 'sneeze hole' in your throat

Wednesday 17 January 21:56:33 UTC 2018

By now, you've heard the story of the man who blew a hole in his throat while holding back a sneeze. Or, if you haven't heard the story, you've seen at least one alarmist headline while scrolling through Twitter. Don't misunderstand me – I love this story! The patient is 100 percent FINE! And who knew a stifled sneeze could potentially … [Link]

Mashable » Vine's been gone for a year, but we still think about these Vines every day

Wednesday 17 January 21:51:24 UTC 2018

It’s been a year since Vine kicked the bucket, but that doesn't mean we've forgotten our favorite six-second vids. On Jan. 17, 2017, the Vine app became Vine Camera, and users were rendered unable to post new videos to the Vine community. But did this mean we stopped watching Vines? No! Thanks to YouTube and the Vine archive, which works only … [Link]

Slashdot » A Photo Accidentally Revealed a Password For Hawaii's Emergency Agency

Wednesday 17 January 21:30:00 UTC 2018

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Quartz: In the aftermath of an erroneous missile warning that terrified Hawaiians on Saturday (Jan. 13), the state's emergency management agency has come under increased scrutiny, from the poor design of the software that enables alerts to a particularly slapdash security measure by one of its employees. Old photos from the Associated Press … [Link]

Mashable » Justin Timberlake admits he 'stumbled' during the Nipplegate controversy

Wednesday 17 January 21:27:07 UTC 2018

The 2004 Super Bowl halftime show's 'Nipplegate' was truly the Watergate of sports broadcasting: Where were you when Justin Timberlake unexpectedly exposed Janet Jackson's breast to 143.6 million viewers on live television — seemingly, to her utter surprise? In a new interview with Beats 1's Zane Lowe, Timberlake addressed the infamous "wardrobe malfunction" known as Nipplegate, in light of his preparations … [Link]

Mashable » This Ikea magazine ad is also a pregnancy test

Wednesday 17 January 21:20:50 UTC 2018

Ikea collaborated with Medical Lab Mercene Labs to create an ad that doubles as a pregnancy test. Peeing on the marked area will show whether you're pregnant. If you are pregnant, a discounted price will appear right on the ad. Peeing on an ad may be unconventional but it could also be the future of advertising. Read more…More about Tech, Advertising, … [Link]

Mashable » HODL becomes a rallying cry in the midst of cryptocurrency crash

Wednesday 17 January 21:15:25 UTC 2018

Cryptocurrencies are crashing. People are panicking. The crypto faithful, however, abide by one word: HODL. HODL, an intentional typo of "hold," has become the rallying cry for cryptocurrency traders in the face of this recent Bitcoin crash, which has extended to other popular coins like Ethereum and Litecoin. It's an instruction for traders to, um, "hold" their Bitcoin instead of selling … [Link]

Mashable » Activist Patrisse Cullors sets the record straight about Black Lives Matter in new book

Wednesday 17 January 20:57:11 UTC 2018

Every product here is independently selected by Mashable journalists. If you buy something featured, we may earn an affiliate commission which helps support our work. Patrisse Cullors — activist, advocate, community organizer, and co-founder of #BlackLivesMatter — wants to set the record straight: "The story of Black Lives Matter starts before Black Lives Matter. The story of Black Lives Matter, for me, … [Link]

New Scientist – News » Bitcoin’s utopia has failed as big players hold all the power

Wednesday 17 January 20:51:49 UTC 2018

Cryptocurrencies are built on the idea that no one institution holds the power. But for bitcoin and ethereum, that’s no longer true [Link]

New Scientist – News » Trump, this ‘shithole’ continent pioneered heart swaps and more

Wednesday 17 January 20:51:47 UTC 2018

Seeking to understand other people is better than dismissing them with insults. Trump needs lessons in African history, culture and science, says Curtis Abraham [Link]

New Scientist – News » Chit-chat makes humans and robots work together better

Wednesday 17 January 20:51:46 UTC 2018

Introducing some chatter between humans and artificial intelligence improved the amount of collaboration – and results – across hundreds of games [Link]

New Scientist – News » Source of world’s biggest listeria outbreak still unknown

Wednesday 17 January 20:51:45 UTC 2018

There have been almost 750 cases of listeriosis in South Africa so far, and the source of the food poisoning infection remains unknown [Link]

Slashdot » The World's Top-Selling Video Game Has a Cheating Problem

Wednesday 17 January 20:50:00 UTC 2018

China's Tencent Holdings is going after the cheaters and hackers that infest PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds as it prepares to bring the world's top-selling game to its home turf. From a report: Ahead of its official debut this year, the biggest gaming company on the planet has enlisted Chinese police to root out the underground rings that make and sell cheat software. … [Link]

Mashable » This ridiculous electric SUV concept is over the top in every way

Wednesday 17 January 20:45:58 UTC 2018

Chinese EV startup 'BYTON' has an electric SUV concept in the works and it's packed to the brim with unnecessary tech—including a massive 49-inch gesture-controlled dashboard display and a fitness tracker that keeps tabs on your heart rate, blood pressure, and weight. The SUV isn't available for pre-order yet, but the startup plans to add some autonomous driving features in 2019. … [Link]

Mashable » 'Fire and Fury' may become a TV series because there's not enough Trump coverage, I guess

Wednesday 17 January 20:35:35 UTC 2018

Michael Wolff's Fire and Fury could be adapted into a TV series — as if it could somehow top the 24-7 news cycle reality show hellstorm we're already living through. But it's 2018, so here we areThe Hollywood Reporter says that Endeavor Content has purchased the rights to Wolff's controversial tome for seven figures. SEE ALSO: Trump's first presidential physical prompts … [Link]

Mashable » Quit everything, 'Chicken nugget taste-tester is now a job you can have

Wednesday 17 January 20:30:48 UTC 2018

The British retailer B&M posted a job application recently to…wait for it…be a "chicken nugget connoisseur." Cancel everything and buy a plane ticket for the next flight to Merseyside? I don't know where that is, but I'm in. The experience listed on the application is the best part: Image: jobs.bmstores.co.ukI for one will vouch for curly fries over chips until my … [Link]

Mashable » Apple is opening another campus, but won't say where yet

Wednesday 17 January 20:15:24 UTC 2018

A new Apple campus is coming to town — but which town, exactly, remains a mystery. What we do know is that it's happening. Apple's also hiring 20,000 workers and investing $350 billion dollars into the U.S. economy over the next five years, the tech company (which currently has 84,000 employees) announced Wednesday. SEE ALSO: Look out Apple, frenemy Microsoft is … [Link]

Mashable » Dark and Light Side versions of 'The Last Jedi' are a thing — but not in the U.S.

Wednesday 17 January 20:11:10 UTC 2018

You may be a Last Jedi superfan. You may have seen Rian Johnson's galaxy-sized hit five, 10, 15 times. But will you ever truly see it unless you've chosen to be on the Light Side or the Dark Side — with special effects to match? Light Side and Dark Side versions of Last Jedi are a thing in Japan. In the … [Link]

Slashdot » Google Search Will Start Ranking Faster Mobile Pages Higher In July

Wednesday 17 January 20:10:00 UTC 2018

An anonymous reader writes: Google today announced a new project to improve its mobile search results: Factoring page speed into its search ranking. As the company notes, page speed "has been used in ranking for some time" but that was largely for desktop searches. Starting in July 2018, page speed will be a ranking factor for mobile searches on Google … [Link]

Mashable » Dude goes heli-skiing and immediately drops his ski down the mountain

Wednesday 17 January 19:54:40 UTC 2018

Most people take lifts to the top of a mountain at a resort in order to hit the slopes and ski down. But if you want that fresh, untouched powder, you'll need to hire a helicopter to take you to an off-trail slope. Approximately three seconds into his first heli-skiing experience, this dude managed to hit a rock and fall. … [Link]

Mashable » Facebook became your news diet. Now, it's going to serve you junk.

Wednesday 17 January 19:51:09 UTC 2018

Forget about media outlets and Facebook — worry about readers. Facebook's 2 billion monthly users have come to rely on the social network as a way to keep up with the news. Now Facebook is limiting the reach of news publishers, leaving a vacuum to be filled with… well, it's anyone's best guess. The change is simple. Facebook is going to … [Link]

Mashable » Dog in truck gets super excited to see a herd of antelope running on street

Wednesday 17 January 19:45:04 UTC 2018

Fenton! A driver with his dog riding shotgun came across a large herd on antelope running down along Highway 41 in Montana. While the guy was impressed with the scene enough to bust out his camera, his dog could barely contain his excitement. The pup got right on the dash, yelping and whining as the good chase got away. Read … [Link]

Mashable » SchadenCoin: Why you love to celebrate cryptocurrency crashes

Wednesday 17 January 19:41:48 UTC 2018

Remember, remember, the third week of January 2018, during which Bitcoin just fell on its face, worth half of what it was a month ago, down over $10,000 per coin in value. On Tuesday night, the top post on Reddit's r/Cryptocurrency page was a link to a suicide help hotline. No doubt: Anyone who got in on Cryptocurrency a month ago, … [Link]

Mashable » 10 of the Coolest Gadgets from CES 2018

Wednesday 17 January 19:33:32 UTC 2018

Read more…More about Mashable Reels, Ces 2018, Tech, Innovations, and Consumer Tech [Link]

Slashdot » YouTube Toughens Advert Payment Rules

Wednesday 17 January 19:30:00 UTC 2018

YouTube is introducing tougher requirements for video publishers who want to make money from its platform. From a report: In addition, it has said staff will manually review all clips before they are added to a premium service that pairs big brand advertisers with popular content. The moves follow a series of advertiser boycotts and a controversial vlog that featured … [Link]

Mashable » Nicolas Cage's next movie is coming to virtual reality first

Wednesday 17 January 19:20:10 UTC 2018

If anyone can give the VR entertainment business a shot in the arm, it's Nicolas Cage. The cult hero actor's next movie, The Humanity Bureau, is coming to theaters and video-on-demand in April, but it'll debut more than a month before that on unspecified VR platforms. Sort of. SEE ALSO: Google's Daydream VR breaks free of the smartphone with new standalone … [Link]

Mashable » This window lets you experience augmented reality without the glasses

Wednesday 17 January 19:17:56 UTC 2018

Deep Frame is a curved display that overlays projections onto the world around you. Read more…More about Tech, Technology, Windows, 3d, and Virtual Reality [Link]

Slashdot » Apple Says It Will 'Contribute' $350 Billion in the US Economy Over the Next 5 Years

Wednesday 17 January 18:50:00 UTC 2018

Apple said on Wednesday it will invest $350 billion in the U.S. economy over the next five years, touting the creation of 20,000 new jobs and a new campus thanks, in part, to the prospect of tax reform. From a report: The company said it expects tax repatriation payments of about $38 billion, indicating that it will bring a portion … [Link]

Slashdot » Mozilla Restricts All New Firefox Features To HTTPS Only

Wednesday 17 January 18:10:00 UTC 2018

An anonymous reader shares a report: In a groundbreaking statement earlier this week, Mozilla announced that all web-based features that will ship with Firefox in the future must be served on over a secure HTTPS connection (a "secure context"). "Effective immediately, all new features that are web-exposed are to be restricted to secure contexts," said Anne van Kesteren, a Mozilla … [Link]

Mashable » Someone is attacking Apple buses outside of San Francisco

Wednesday 17 January 18:09:24 UTC 2018

The commute for thousands of Apple employees just got a whole lot longer. The tech giant runs shuttle buses full of employees from San Francisco to its headquarters in Cupertino every day, and, according to a source inside the company, someone is attacking those buses — and breaking windows. SEE ALSO: A Google bus was attacked outside of San Fransisco, just … [Link]

Mashable » Ellen Pompeo's ultra-candid chat about equal pay is worth reading — even if you aren't a 'Grey's Anatomy' fan

Wednesday 17 January 18:07:20 UTC 2018

Most actors don't like to discuss what they get paid for any given project, but Ellen Pompeo isn't afraid to flaunt the fact that she's finally getting what she deserves after so many years of kicking ass on TV. In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter, long-time Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo opened up about her 14-year tenure on one … [Link]

Mashable » Nordstrom, Target, Wayfair, and others are having massive kitchen, bath, and bedding sales

Wednesday 17 January 17:58:25 UTC 2018

Heads up: All products featured here are selected by Mashable's commerce team and meet our rigorous standards for awesomeness. If you buy something, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. Semi-annual White Sales are in full swing. Just like November is known for Black Friday and its sales on holiday gifts, electronics, and more, January is known for its sales on bedding, … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » How To Hide API Keys in HTML5 Storage For Public Code Samples

Wednesday 17 January 17:31:18 UTC 2018

JS Bin on jsbin.com [Link]

Mashable » This affordable speaker could very well be an audiophile's dream gadget

Wednesday 17 January 17:30:44 UTC 2018

Heads up: All products featured here are selected by Mashable's commerce team and meet our rigorous standards for awesomeness. If you buy something, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. In 2018, just about everyone has a Bluetooth speaker – and for good reason. Whether you're leading a critical conference call at work or jamming out to your favorite band in the … [Link]

Slashdot » Turning Soybeans Into Diesel Fuel Is Costing Us Billions

Wednesday 17 January 17:30:00 UTC 2018

This year, trucks and other heavy-duty motors in America will burn some 3 billion gallons of diesel fuel that was made from soybean oil. They're doing it, though, not because it's cheaper or better, but because they're required to, by law. From a report: The law is the Renewable Fuel Standard, or RFS. For some, especially Midwestern farmers, it's the … [Link]

Mashable » Yelp reviewers are spamming Trump hotels with "shithole" reviews

Wednesday 17 January 17:16:21 UTC 2018

Since The Washington Post reported that Donald Trump allegedly asked lawmakers, "Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?" during a White House discussion on America's immigration deal, the president has been getting dragged. Trump's offensive words struck a chord with people from El Salvador, Haiti, and countries in Africa, along with many others, and unfortunately for him, … [Link]

Mashable » Instagram is testing another killer feature that could crush Snapchat even more

Wednesday 17 January 17:15:38 UTC 2018

Instagram is not slowing down in 2018. After Instagram crushed Snapchat — seriously, pounded the app into the ground — last year with its own disappearing Stories feature, the Facebook-owned app is now secretly testing a new "Type" feature that'll let users share text-based clips instead of photos or videos. SEE ALSO: 12 awesome Instagram features you're probably not using The … [Link]

Mashable » Set your email free with Mailbird, an organizational app that can change the way you work

Wednesday 17 January 17:08:30 UTC 2018

Heads up: All products featured here are selected by Mashable's commerce team and meet our rigorous standards for awesomeness. If you buy something, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. It’s hard to keep your email organized. You’re always juggling multiple windows and screens and secretly hoping that your boss won’t notice that you haven’t responded to her last 14 emails. There … [Link]

Mashable » Will Smith's trip to the zoo will give you life

Wednesday 17 January 16:55:41 UTC 2018

Will Smith continues to be the audacious king of Instagram and there doesn't seem to be any sign of him stopping soon. The Bright actor is in Australia promoting the new, controversial Netflix film and took some time from interviews to stop by the zoo and graciously show us all around. SEE ALSO: An ode to Will Smith's perfect Instagram account … [Link]

New Scientist – News » All other primates live their lives according to a simple rule

Wednesday 17 January 16:54:30 UTC 2018

Hundreds of species of primate all form groups of the same five sizes, suggesting that the ecosystems in which they live strongly shape their lifestyles [Link]

New Scientist – News » Bowel cancer test may be a much better way to screen for polyps

Wednesday 17 January 16:54:29 UTC 2018

A new blood test seems to be more than twice as good at detecting bowel cancer than the method currently used to screen for polyps and early bowel cancer [Link]

New Scientist – News » Johann Hari doesn’t know depression’s real causes – no one does

Wednesday 17 January 16:54:28 UTC 2018

Taking a view on unsettled science is always likely to cause controversy, but the fiery debate Johann Hari's new book has sparked is worth having, says Samantha Murphy [Link]

New Scientist – News » You may be making cryptocurrency for hackers without realising

Wednesday 17 January 16:54:27 UTC 2018

Thousands of websites are tricking people into mining cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, adblockers might be the only way to stop them [Link]

New Scientist – News » A capsized oil tanker is releasing invisible toxins into the sea

Wednesday 17 January 16:54:25 UTC 2018

The slick of oil condensate from a stricken tanker in the East China Sea is a threat to all marine life, not least because it is invisible [Link]

Mashable » Amazon is having a great sale on Lenovo ThinkPad laptops today

Wednesday 17 January 16:53:31 UTC 2018

Heads up: All products featured here are selected by Mashable's commerce team and meet our rigorous standards for awesomeness. If you buy something, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 laptops are on sale today on Amazon so you don't have to drop a ton of cash to get a new computer. SEE ALSO: Get a webcam cover and … [Link]

Slashdot » Bitcoin Watchers Running Out of Explanations Blame Slump on Moon

Wednesday 17 January 16:50:00 UTC 2018

If regulatory concerns aren't enough to explain Bitcoin's 50 percent slump from its record high reached last month, how about blaming it on the moon? An anonymous reader writes: The Lunar New Year, which marks the first day of the year in the Chinese calendar, is being cited by some as contributing to Bitcoin's slump as Asian traders cash out … [Link]

Mashable » This add-on Android device can help you see into walls

Wednesday 17 January 16:47:10 UTC 2018

Every product here is independently selected by Mashable journalists. If you buy something featured, we may earn an affiliate commission which helps support our work. Walabot DIY lets you see through walls using your phone so you can prevent home improvement mishaps. Read more…More about Android, Mashable Video, Diy, Android Apps, and Construction [Link]

Mashable » Use your neighbors' cameras to monitor your home

Wednesday 17 January 16:33:10 UTC 2018

Ever wanted to keep an eye on your home without actually keeping an eye on your home? With Streetsy app, the whole neighborhood can. While it seems a little invasive, you can opt in and out of which camera you give your neighbors access to. Read more…More about Security, Spy, Security System, Real Time, and Security Camera [Link]

Mashable » Adam Stern is a freediver, he can swim up to 300 feet underwater on a single breath

Wednesday 17 January 16:28:11 UTC 2018

Stern’s deepest dive was 106 meters on a single breath. Now he's training to become the deepest freediver in the world. In the meantime, he spends his underwater days exploring the hidden treasures of the ocean. Read more…More about Sports, Uk, Mashable Video, Diving, and Swimming [Link]

Mashable » 5 social media skills you need to get ahead (and where to learn them)

Wednesday 17 January 16:26:09 UTC 2018

Heads up: All products featured here are selected by Mashable's commerce team and meet our rigorous standards for awesomeness. If you buy something, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. In 2018, social media is life. But is it also your career? It can be. With everyone and their mom using social media, it's no surprise that careers in the space are … [Link]

Slashdot » 'No One Wants Your Used Clothes Anymore'

Wednesday 17 January 16:13:00 UTC 2018

An anonymous reader shares a report: For decades, the donation bin has offered consumers in rich countries a guilt-free way to unload their old clothing. In a virtuous and profitable cycle, a global network of traders would collect these garments, grade them, and transport them around the world to be recycled, worn again, or turned into rags and stuffing. Now … [Link]

Mashable » Ann Curry 'not surprised' by Matt Lauer's sexual misconduct allegations

Wednesday 17 January 16:02:41 UTC 2018

Ann Curry spoke up about the allegations of sexual harassment made against Matt Lauer, saying she was "not surprised" by the accusations and noting that the sexual misconduct reckoning at large is "overdue." SEE ALSO: 2017 was the year women took back their own narratives Curry participated in her first television interview since her departure from NBC in 2015 with CBS … [Link]

Mashable » National Park Service advisory board members resign in protest

Wednesday 17 January 15:50:49 UTC 2018

Nearly all the members of the U.S. National Park Service advisory board announced their sudden resignations on Monday night, in protest of what they say has been a lack of engagement by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke during the past year. In a resignation letter, the members said Zinke refused to meet with the panel, which is legally required to provide input … [Link]

Mashable » Get a lightweight hiking backpack for $16

Wednesday 17 January 15:48:47 UTC 2018

Heads up: All products featured here are selected by Mashable's commerce team and meet our rigorous standards for awesomeness. If you buy something, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. Whether you're taking a hike up a mountain or just trudging through your morning commute, the Venture Pal Backpack can help you hold on to everything you need. SEE ALSO: Solar-charging backpacks … [Link]

Mashable » Cycle ball is the weirdest sport you've probably never heard of

Wednesday 17 January 15:41:24 UTC 2018

Cycle ball is a unique medley between soccer and cycling. The odd sport has been around for over a hundred years, yet is not really well known internationally. But it definitely looks like fun. Read more…More about Mashable Video, Sport, Ball, Cycling, and Bicycle [Link]

Mashable » Susan Sarandon heads jury for the world's biggest short film festival

Wednesday 17 January 15:40:48 UTC 2018

Academy Award winner and five-time Emmy nominee Susan Sarandon will head the jury for the self-proclaimed largest short film festival in the world. Australia's Tropfest announced on Wednesday that Sarandon would be judging the event, set for Feb. 17 in Sydney's Parramatta Park. SEE ALSO: Learn how to be a cinematographer for just $18 Fresh off a Golden Globe nomination for … [Link]

Mashable » Clever YouTuber plays the Cantina theme from 'Star Wars' by solving a Rubik's Cube

Wednesday 17 January 15:36:04 UTC 2018

Whether you asked for it or not, music made with nonmusical things has become a revolution. YouTuber The Cubican is the latest to join, also recreating the "Cantina Theme" from Star Wars but this time with the solving of a Rubik's cube. The only way I solve a Rubik's cube is by peeling off the stickers and putting them back … [Link]

Slashdot » Within Next Five Years Your Pizzas Will Probably Be Delivered by Autonomous Cars, Domino's Pizza CEO Says

Wednesday 17 January 15:34:00 UTC 2018

In an interview with The Street, Domino's Pizza outgoing CEO Patrick Doyle said in three to five years at the earliest he expects driverless cars and voice orders to shift the way the world orders pizza. From the report: "We have been investing in natural voice for ordering for a few years. We rolled that out in our own apps … [Link]

Mashable » Beautiful Australian Shepherd is high as a kite and doesn't care about anything

Wednesday 17 January 15:32:12 UTC 2018

Just imagine Air Bud meets Pineapple Express. That's the current life of this Australian Shepherd. Hank the Aussie Tanks had an eventful Sunday. Though we don't exactly know why, Hank's owner said that the poor pup was home from the vet with morphine in his system. It made for a very amused owner and a very high dog. The pain medication … [Link]

Mashable » These wireless Bluetooth headphones will last up to 16 hours on a single charge — and are on sale for $19

Wednesday 17 January 15:24:11 UTC 2018

Heads up: All products featured here are selected by Mashable's commerce team and meet our rigorous standards for awesomeness. If you buy something, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. If plugging into your phone is so last year, then these Amazon's Choice wireless headphones that are 76% off are definitely up your alley. SEE ALSO: Get earbuds that last 5 times … [Link]

Mashable » The Harry Potter books are getting another swaggy redesign, so guess you're buying more books!

Wednesday 17 January 15:21:35 UTC 2018

In honor of the extended 20-year anniversary of the Harry Potter books – which released in 1997 in the U.K. and 1998 in the U.S. – the books are getting another new set of covers. This time, artist Brian Selznick will design jackets for the seven books. SEE ALSO: These 'Harry Potter' ebook covers were never released (but should have been) … [Link]

Mashable » Woody Allen's actors are turning against him, and it's about time

Wednesday 17 January 15:15:39 UTC 2018

The chorus of voices against Woody Allen is growing louder by the day. Over the past few months, several actors who've starred in Allen's films have come forward to express their regrets – and, in some cases, announce that they're donating their salaries to charity. That list includes multiple stars of Allen's next movie, A Rainy Day in New York. SEE … [Link]

Mashable » Get a webcam cover and ease your anxieties about internet privacy and creepy online hackers

Wednesday 17 January 14:53:34 UTC 2018

Heads up: All products featured here are selected by Mashable's commerce team and meet our rigorous standards for awesomeness. If you buy something, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. Computer webcams are a hot topic for those worried about internet privacy — and we're not just talking about that Season 3 episode of Black Mirror that we all hate. The most … [Link]

Slashdot » Days After Hawaii's False Missile Alarm, a New One in Japan

Wednesday 17 January 14:50:00 UTC 2018

An anonymous reader shares a report: Japan's public broadcaster on Tuesday accidentally sent news alerts that North Korea had launched a missile and that citizens should take shelter — just days after the government of Hawaii had sent a similar warning to its citizens. The broadcaster, NHK, corrected itself five minutes later and apologized for the error on its evening … [Link]

Slashdot » Philippine Lawmakers Worry China Telecom May Be a 'Trojan horse'

Wednesday 17 January 14:08:00 UTC 2018

An anonymous reader shares a report: Opposition members of the Philippine Congress raised concern on Wednesday that China Telecom Corp, which may enter the Philippine industry, could be a "Trojan horse" aimed at giving China access to state secrets. The Southeast Asian country aims to name a third telecom operator within the first quarter that will break the duopoly of … [Link]

Mashable » Chris Christie is the first elected NJ governor in decades who didn't break a leg during his term

Wednesday 17 January 14:06:15 UTC 2018

Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie left office yesterday with a truly dismal approval rating. On the bright side, he also left with two intact legs! As Obama administration alum Eric Columbus pointed out on Twitter Tuesday, Christie is the first elected NJ governor in decades to leave office without having broken a leg. We don't mean in the "Break a … [Link]

Mashable » Seize the Awkward campaign wants to help you talk to a friend about their mental health

Wednesday 17 January 14:00:00 UTC 2018

We’ve all been there before: A friend or loved one feels down, maybe even depressed, but we're not sure how to raise the subject. Will it offend them? Could it make them feel worse? Those fears might convince us that staying silent is the best bet, but a new campaign called Seize the Awkward wants to help people get past such … [Link]

Mashable » This cryptocurrency correction is a good thing

Wednesday 17 January 13:30:27 UTC 2018

Every product here is independently selected by Mashable journalists. If you buy something featured, we may earn an affiliate commission which helps support our work. If you own Bitcoin, Ethereum, or pretty much any other cryptocurrency, your portfolio isn't looking very good today. And you've probably gotten your share of smug looks from folks in the office who'd always said this … [Link]

Mashable » Jane Fonda makes jokes about Megyn Kelly in reply to facelift comment

Wednesday 17 January 13:04:09 UTC 2018

It seems Jane Fonda can't go anywhere without someone bringing up plastic surgery. You might recall that, back in September, Fonda was asked an infuriating question about her plastic surgery by Megyn Kelly during an excruciating interview on the Today show. Though a few months have passed by, Fonda doesn't seem to have forgotten about that rather cringeworthy interaction. SEE ALSO: … [Link]

Slashdot » Salmonella Probably Killed the Aztecs

Wednesday 17 January 13:00:00 UTC 2018

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Guardian: In 1545 disaster struck Mexico's Aztec nation when people started coming down with high fevers, headaches and bleeding from the eyes, mouth and nose. Death generally followed in three or four days. Within five years as many as 15 million people — an estimated 80% of the population — were wiped … [Link]

Mashable » AI Everywhere: Surprising ways we already interact with artificial intelligence

Wednesday 17 January 12:58:02 UTC 2018

Paid Content byIBMIf someone were to say to you that you’ve spent all day interacting with artificial intelligence, you’d probably stop and try to recount any instances of accidentally running into a robotDespite what’s constantly being hammered into our brains via science fiction movies and television, AI comes in many forms, which may surprise you. Not only has artificial intelligence become … [Link]

Mashable » Hello, Watson: How AI actually learns how to think

Wednesday 17 January 12:57:37 UTC 2018

Paid Content byIBMPeople understandably have a lot of questions about how exactly artificial intelligence works. How could a machine understand nuance and context like a human brain can? Is creating Artificial Intelligence (AI) that sophisticated really possible?Your answers lie with AI systems like Watson: IBM’s boundary-pushing technology, a collaborative effort designed to amplify human intelligence. Watson is on the cutting edge of … [Link]

Mashable » Someone actually said 'Gucci Gang' a million times for charity because this is 2018

Wednesday 17 January 12:52:25 UTC 2018

Heroes come in many different forms. Some people rescue others from burning buildings, or save the lives of puppies. Some wear capes and zoom around the earth. Others, meanwhile, raise money for charity by saying "Gucci Gang" a full one million times. Seriously, though, stop and think about that for a moment: 1 million times. SEE ALSO: Youtuber uses only his … [Link]

Mashable » Penguin jumps into man's boat for a quick hi-bye

Wednesday 17 January 12:45:17 UTC 2018

Hello yes, I would like to apply to be a member of the Australian Antarctic Division team. Oh and also, I'm a penguin. SEE ALSO: 10 of the most incredible moments from 'Blue Planet II' Footage released on Wednesday by the Australian Antarctic Division shows a penguin quickly dropping in on communications specialist Matthew McKay, who was travelling through sea ice … [Link]

Mashable » Thread about the 'grey areas' of bad sexual encounters is required reading in the wake of Aziz Ansari allegations

Wednesday 17 January 12:21:00 UTC 2018

Set aside your feelings about the slew of hot takes that have emerged after the publication of a report accusing Aziz Ansari of sexual misconduct, and please give this powerful Twitter thread your undivided attention. Writer and radio host Ashley C. Ford shared an arresting anecdote about the grey areas of "bad sexual encounters," highlighting the need for specific language to … [Link]

Mashable » You can track gritters in Scotland and they have incredible names

Wednesday 17 January 12:04:25 UTC 2018

Fasten your seatbelt, because this is one wild ride. SEE ALSO: Public road gritter naming contest winner will make wordplay enthusiasts proud There's nothing we Brits love more than silly names for vehicles. Combine that with the excitement of live gritter tracking, and you've got yourself a social media hit. Scotland's gritters have risen to prominence thanks to a website that … [Link]

Mashable » 50 Cent explains why he called Jay-Z's new album 'golf-course music'

Wednesday 17 January 11:35:05 UTC 2018

So what exactly is "golf-course music"? SEE ALSO: 50 Cent and Gerard Butler are big goofballs on Instagram 50 Cent was a guest on Conan on Tuesday night and O'Brien asked him to clarify what he meant when he described Jay-Z's new album in that way. "Hip-hop culture is connected to youth culture," he said. He claimed that, "maturity bled … [Link]

Mashable » Politician casually falls asleep on live TV mid-way through debate

Wednesday 17 January 11:21:59 UTC 2018

It’s a well-established fact that politics is super-duper boring. Long, waffling speeches. Dull meetings. Arguments that go on for hours. SEE ALSO: 16 times Ed Miliband was the sassiest politician on Twitter If you happen to actually be a politician, though, it's good to show at least a tiny bit of interest. Or, if you happen to be UK MP Sir … [Link]

Mashable » Kimmel gets couples to compare how long they think their sexual encounters last

Wednesday 17 January 10:37:13 UTC 2018

How long should sex last? Don't worry, you don't have to answer. SEE ALSO: Jimmy Kimmel is all about Oprah in 2020 Inspired by a study of how long men and women think sex should last, Jimmy Kimmel Live took to the streets to ask couples how long their lovemaking lasts. The catch? They had to answer without consulting each … [Link]

Mashable » 'Star Wars' stars totally shut down the men who edited the film to remove all the women

Wednesday 17 January 10:25:03 UTC 2018

If you're going to spend a large amount of time editing a whole new cut of The Last Jedi that removes pretty much all the women, you'd better be prepared for some feedback. Lots of feedback. SEE ALSO: A side-by-side comparison of the 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' Homemade Trailer Earlier in the week, Pedestrian reported that a 46-minute cut of … [Link]

Slashdot » America's Fastest Spy Plane May Be Back — And Hypersonic

Wednesday 17 January 10:00:00 UTC 2018

A Lockheed Skunk Works executive implied last week at an aerospace conference that the successor to one of the fastest aircraft the world has seen, the SR-71 Blackbird, might already exist. Previously, Lockheed officials have said the successor, the SR-72, could fly by 2030. Bloomberg reports: Referring to detailed specifics of company design and manufacturing, Jack O'Banion, a Lockheed vice … [Link]

Slashdot » Hackers Seem Close To Publicly Unlocking the Nintendo Switch

Wednesday 17 January 7:00:00 UTC 2018

Ars Technica reports that "hackers have been finding partial vulnerabilities in early versions of the [Nintendo] Switch firmware throughout 2017." They have discovered a Webkit flaw that allows for basic "user level" access to some portions of the underlying system and a service-level initialization flaw that gives hackers slightly more control over the Switch OS. "But the potential for running … [Link]

Mashable » David Harbour from 'Stranger Things' makes another big fan promise for lots of retweets

Wednesday 17 January 6:49:34 UTC 2018

Good guy David Harbour is back with his big promises. The Stranger Things star has pledged to become ordained and preside over the wedding ceremony of Twitter user @ErickaElizabth, but only if he gets 125,000 retweets. SEE ALSO: Millie Bobby Brown wants people to know that hair does not equal beauty There's a bit of time though, the wedding is slated … [Link]

Mashable » TV channel Spike is no longer, so its social media manager had a field day

Wednesday 17 January 6:18:54 UTC 2018

Better to go out with a bang than a whimper, we guess. TV channel Spike is going to be rebranded as the Paramount Network on Thursday, as owner Viacom looks to general entertainment programming on the 34-year old basic cable network. SEE ALSO: 10 TV shows we can't wait to see in 2018 So, as the days become numbered, Spike's social … [Link]

Mashable » Anna Kendrick was confused for another Anna K. Oh, she noticed.

Wednesday 17 January 4:47:33 UTC 2018

Anna Kendrick didn't just welcome twins with Enrique Iglesias. But a news story using the wrong image has the Pitch Perfect star taking to Twitter with a hilarious thread about the mistake. Yahoo News ran a story about the "Hero" singer reportedly sharing photos of his new babies with tennis star Anna Kournikova — but it used the wrong Anna K's … [Link]

Mashable » Trump's first presidential physical prompts 'girther' conspiracy

Wednesday 17 January 4:46:19 UTC 2018

A usually routine affair, there has been a lot of interest over Trump's first presidential medical exam. It comes off the back of talk about Trump's insatiable appetite for McDonald's burgers and relative lack of exercise (aside from the occasional spot of golf). SEE ALSO: How to worm your way into Trump's inner circle (Hint: Red and pink Starbursts) Despite all … [Link]

Mashable » People totally freaked out over a 'likely meteor'

Wednesday 17 January 4:05:27 UTC 2018

Was it … Superman? No, but the super bright light in the sky certainly freaked people out. Residents of southeast Michigan reported a white ball of light paired with a loud boom on Tuesday night, capturing some seriously impressive footage of the event around 8:15 p.m. ET. SEE ALSO: This is what a meteor looks like from space The National Weather … [Link]

Slashdot » Lawsuit Filed By 22 State Attorneys General Seeks To Block Net Neutrality Repeal

Wednesday 17 January 3:30:00 UTC 2018

An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: A lawsuit filed today by the attorneys general of 22 states seeks to block the Federal Communications Commission's recent controversial vote to repeal Obama era Net Neutrality regulations. The filing is led by New York State Attorney General Schneiderman, who called rollback a potential "disaster for New York consumers and businesses, and … [Link]

Mashable » 'Super Mario 64' meets 'Banjo-Kazooie' in the mash-up of your '90s dreams

Wednesday 17 January 3:14:43 UTC 2018

Imagine, two of the greatest Nintendo 64 games, mashed up into one epic late '90s adventure featuring a lot of wahoo-ing. Modders Trenavix, Waschpenner and Shyguyhex have thrown favourites Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie together — and it works pretty damn well. Using the SM64Paint program, the modders have dropped your ol' pal Mario right into the "Spiral Mountain" level … [Link]

Mashable » The Bitcoin community reacts to crash

Wednesday 17 January 3:06:31 UTC 2018

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies crashed hard, and many people aren’t taking it well. Down from the near-$20,000 highs of early December, Bitcoin plummeted 25 percent on Tuesday to as low as $10,194. This hasn't gone over so well with those who poured their life savings into cryptocurrency. SEE ALSO: You know who's not loving Bitcoin's rise? Speed freaks. Just how … [Link]

Slashdot » New Study Claims That the 'Black Death' Was Spread By Humans, Not Rats

Wednesday 17 January 1:45:00 UTC 2018

dryriver shares a report from BBC: Rats were not to blame for the spread of plague during the Black Death, according to a study. The rodents and their fleas were thought to have spread a series of outbreaks in 14th-19th Century Europe. But a team from the universities of Oslo and Ferrara now says the first, the Black Death, can … [Link]

Mashable » Crowd imitates tennis player's very loud shrieking when hitting the ball

Wednesday 17 January 1:27:18 UTC 2018

Surely you'd be used to hearing the shrieks of tennis players hitting the ball by now. But it was on a whole new level with Belarusian teenager Aryna Sabalenka, who was playing Aussie player Ashleigh Barty at the Australian Open on Tuesday. SEE ALSO: Will Ferrell crashes on-court interview with Roger Federer and asks all the hard-hitting questions Sabalenka has gained … [Link]

Mashable » Dylan Farrow talks about Woody Allen abuse for first time on TV

Wednesday 17 January 0:53:02 UTC 2018

The #MeToo moment finally appears to be closing in on Woody Allen — and it's about damn time. On Thursday, Jan. 18, his adoptive daughter Dylan Farrow will finally get the chance she deserved years ago, to talk about her accusation of sexual abuse in her first ever televised interview. SEE ALSO: Dylan Farrow slams stars supporting Time's Up, but working … [Link]

Slashdot » Many Enterprise Mobile Devices Will Never Be Patched Against Meltdown, Spectre

Wednesday 17 January 0:50:00 UTC 2018

Mark Wilson shares a report from BetaNews: The Meltdown and Spectre bugs have been in the headlines for a couple of weeks now, but it seems the patches are not being installed on handsets. Analysis of more than 100,000 enterprise mobile devices shows that just a tiny percentage of them have been protected against the vulnerabilities — and some simply … [Link]

Mashable » Alec Baldwin says Woody Allen backlash is 'unfair and sad'

Wednesday 17 January 0:12:37 UTC 2018

Woody Allen, who was accused of sexual assault by his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow, has a new public supporter in Alec Baldwin. Baldwin hopped on Twitter on Tuesday to broadcast his two cents on the situation, writing that working with Allen three times "was one of the privileges of my career," and that the backlash against him is "unfair and sad." … [Link]

Slashdot » Google Home and Chromecast Could Be Overloading Your Home Wi-Fi

Wednesday 17 January 0:10:00 UTC 2018

Google Cast products could be to blame for your wonky internet connection. According to TP-Link, "The Cast feature normally sends packets of information at regular intervals to keep a live connection with products like Google Home," reports The Verge. "However, if the device is awakened from a 'sleep' mode, it will sometimes send a burst of information at once, which … [Link]

John Gordon Ross

A Man for All Reasons