Monday, November 12, 2012

Mashable: Latest 27 News Updates - including “Kim Dotcom Chooses New Zealand as Home for His ‘Mega’ Project”

Mashable: Latest 27 News Updates - including “Kim Dotcom Chooses New Zealand as Home for His ‘Mega’ Project”


Kim Dotcom Chooses New Zealand as Home for His ‘Mega’ Project

Posted: 12 Nov 2012 04:19 AM PST


mega

After being forced out of the Me.ga web domain by the Gabon authorities, Kim Dotcom has found a new home for the project: New Zealand.

Dotcom has moved the project (which currently consists of little more than a splash page) to a new web domain, Mega.co.nz, and announced the change on Twitter.

New Zealand will be the home of our new website: Mega.co.nz - Powered by legality and protected by the law.— Kim Dotcom (@KimDotcom) November 12, 2012

Mega is an upcoming online file storage and sharing service, envisioned as a legal successor to Megaupload, which was shut down by the US Department of Justice in January 2012 due to accusations of piracy.

Dotcom was arres…
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More About: Kim Dotcom, Mega, new zealand


Ultra-Cheap Android Tablet Comes to India

Posted: 12 Nov 2012 03:23 AM PST


aakash 2

UK company Datawind has launched its Aakash 2 tablet in India. It's an Android device which will be available to students at an extremely low price.

The Aakash 2 can be bought for Rs 3,500 ($64) on the market, but it will cost the Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development Rs 2,263 ($41), and with government subsidies it will be available to students at only Rs 1,130 ($21)

The Aakash 2 tablet sports a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of memory (expandable to 32GB via a microSD card) and a 7-inch capacitive display with a 800×480 pixel resolution -- not exactly top of the line, but enough to get most tasks done.

The tablet will run on Android 4.0, another big imp…
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More About: Aakash 2, Tablet, india


Skype for Windows Phone 8 Preview Now Available

Posted: 12 Nov 2012 12:35 AM PST


Microsoft's Skype for Windows Phone 8 is now available for download as Preview.

We've reviewed the beta version of the app in October, and found much to like -- in particular, the smart layout, call reliability and fast operation.

The Preview version of the app is not for everyone, though -- Microsoft notes that the "experiences" in the app are "not yet final." Specifically, Microsoft says there might be issues with "call reliability and the ability to receive incoming calls and chat notifications when outside of the app."

Still, if you're aware of the potential issues, Skype for Windows 8 Phone Preview is a good choice if you want to see a very smart and stylish Windows…
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More About: Skype, Windows Phone 8, microsoft


‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 2′ Will Be Holiday Season’s Best-Selling Game, Bookies Say

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 11:39 PM PST


Holiday shopping has become a bit of spectacle. Between the rise of Black Friday sales and the mass hysteria that can ensue over "it-gifts," it's not hard to see how you could get a sort of disturbing, secret enjoyment over watching the mad dash to buy the right presents. For some of us, though, watching simply won't be enough ... which is why a couple of UK-based online bookies are setting odds for what video game will sell the most copies this holiday season.

Of course, the odds heavily favor Call of Duty: Black Ops II. With Call of Duty games winning the holiday race for the last three years, how could they not?

Both Paddie Power and Ladbrokes.com are basing their analyses on s…
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‘Angry Birds Star Wars’ is More Addictive Fun Fans Want [REVIEW]

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 10:59 PM PST


Last month, Rovio announced a major partnership with Lucasfilm to create Angry Birds Star Wars. The game, out this week, represents a hybrid of the two powerful brands, and provides enjoyable gameplay for fans of both franchises.

For those unsure about the union, "I find your lack of faith disturbing." Rovio has shown in Angry Birds Star Wars that it can create a fun, challenging game that doesn't besmirch our favorite characters. Instead, laugh at images of Stormtroopers as pigs and Chewbacca as a giant, furry bird.

Creative Twists on Classic Gameplay

Angry Birds Star Wars doesn't deviate from the main concept behind the series. The slingshot is back, and you've got to propel b…
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More About: Feature, Gaming, Star Wars, angry birds, angry birds star wars, review, rovio


‘Disappearing Romney’ Website Tracks Governor’s Declining Facebook Likes

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 10:29 PM PST


Whether it's with glee or horror, political observers can now watch Mitt Romney's fall from social-media grace in real-time.

The former Republican presidential candidate has been bleeding likes since losing the U.S. election last Tuesday, with users unliking Romney's Facebook page at a rate of 847 an hour.

Website DisappearingRomney.com details this loss in two graphs: "Recent Like Count For Mitt Romney" and "Realtime Like Count for Mitt Romney." The former indicates the overall downward trend, while the latter shows the decline as it happens.

Currently, Romney's Facebook page has just over 12,042,000 likes.

What do you think of the Disappearing Romney website? Why do you t…
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More About: 2012 election, Facebook, Mitt Romney


10 Customized Kindle Cases for Your Special Someone

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 09:57 PM PST


1. Personalized Leather Kindle Cover by Little Red Designs




This lovely leather cover comes in a range of colors, both for the lining and the outer parts. You can personalize the text with a name or message of your choosing. Cost: $89.39

Click here to view this gallery.


The content on your Kindle is utterly personal, so why not choose a cover to suit?

SEE ALSO: 10 Kindle Cases That Look Like Books

Whether you're shopping for a treat for yourself or for a Kindle-owning buddy, take a peek at these 10 cool, customized cases. Let us know in the comments below what you'd have inscribed on your perfect Kindle case.

Thumbnail image courtesy of Little Red Designs/Notonthehighstreet

More About: Gadgets, Kindle, Lifestyle, Tech, accessories, features, gift, work and play


8 Holiday Family Photo Alternatives, No Ugly Sweaters Required

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 09:02 PM PST


1. 'Shopping Memories




Flex your Photoshop muscles to create an action shot that looks like something out of a Michael Bay movie. Image courtesy of Dustin Diaz

Click here to view this gallery.


'Tis the season for holiday cards, humblebrags and festive cheer. A sleigh's-worth of joy-stuffed greetings will soon crowd your friends and relatives' mailboxes. That means your wimpy card will seem like a gift-wrapped pair of socks on Christmas morning.

Instead, skip the family photograph (with beaming smiles that rival toothpaste commercials) and opt for a more memorable visual greeting.

SEE ALSO: Watch Out Rebecca Black: Is 'Thanksgiving' the New 'Friday'?

Zombies, stamps or creepy face swaps -- we collected eight ideas for an alternative family snapshot, varying from silly to superhero. Say cheese -- or braaiiiins!

Thumbnail courtesy of Zombie Portraits

More About: Christmas, Watercooler, family, holidays 2012, zombies


4 Tips for Finding a Job in Your Niche

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 08:03 PM PST


With an overwhelming amount of employment websites, how can job seekers be sure they are doing all within their means to completely immerse themselves in their job search? The answer: Search within your niche. Searching for a job in a specialized market can transform your search, and also boost your odds of actually connecting with key players in your industry.

Job seekers can benefit by redeveloping their job search strategy to emphasize the niche of their industry or their personal qualifications. By taking a step back from large job boards and attempting to gain exposure in their specialized industry, job seekers can revitalize their search. The following are four tips for finding…
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More About: features, job search series, job seekers, mashable


Why Doesn’t MTV Play Music Videos?

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 06:56 PM PST


It's a burning question from music aficionados: "Why doesn't MTV play music videos anymore?"

Sketch comedy duo Brian Firenzi and Maria Carmen attempt to provide an answer in the above clip in which he plays a MTV executive and she acts as Natalie Jones, a concerned viewer in her mid-20s.

The faux exec rips into Natalie and her generation, blaming them for the downfall of music videos and pointing her to the obvious places -- like YouTube -- to find what she so dearly wants.

SEE ALSO: Linkin Park Music Video Puts Your Facebook Photos in Emotional Tale

One can't help but wonder if there's truth to the biting humor, so Mashable contacted MTV for a comment.

"F**k that," an…
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More About: Entertainment, humor, mtv, music videos, viral videos


Sphero Is the Gift for Mobile Gamers Who Have Everything

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 06:15 PM PST


Gift of the DayMashable's Gift of the Day series highlights cool, interesting and fun products for that special someone on your holiday list.

Sphero, the robotic ball.

If you're stumped shopping for the smartphone-touting gamer in your life, Sphero may be the perfect gaming accessory he or she never considered.

Sphero is a robotic ball remotely controlled by apps on your smartphone. You can "drive" it around the room and over obstacles — it makes an entertaining gadget for any age.

Sphero has more than 20 free apps on both iOS and Android. With them, players can play golf with Sphero, play tag among a group of Spheros, or even turn Sphero into an innovative game controller. Because developer Orbotix has released Sph…
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More About: Entertainment, Gaming, Gift of the Day, holidays 2012, robots


FloJack Brings NFC to Apple Devices For First Time [VIDEO]

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 05:09 PM PST


Apple has been reluctant to bring near field communication technology to the iPhone and iPad, but now one company hopes to beat Apple to it.

More About: ipad, iphone, kickstarter, nfc


Viral Video Recap: Memes of the Week

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 04:00 PM PST


The 2012 U.S. presidential election, fittingly dubbed the first meme election by some people, came to end this week when Americans re-elected Barack Obama.

While his victory messages went viral across Facebook and Twitter, other candid moments and political parodies caught people's attention on the web (watch the video).

SEE ALSO: Type 'Completely Wrong' in Google Images for a Romney Surprise

Never ones to stray away from attention, cats also clawed their way into the spotlight, as did Angry Birds.

BONUS: Speaking of Cats ...

More Coverage of Election 2012


Special Report: Politics Transformed E-Book

Mashable explores the trends changing politics in 2012 and beyond in Politics Transformed: The High Tech Battle for Your Vote, an in-depth look at how digital media is reshaping democracy.

Read a few of the top posts from the series:

Take it with you, buy Politics Transformed: The High Tech Battle for Your Vote on e-book and get access to four exclusive interviews!

More About: 2012 presidential campaign, Newsy, Politics, Viral, angry birds, animals, cats, mashable video, memes, trending, viral videos


Scientists Use Their Braaaaains to Find Perfect Product Tester [SUNDAY COMICS]

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 02:48 PM PST


When you want to test a pedometer, who you gonna call? Nitrozac and Snaggy of "The Joy of Tech" used their braaaaains to find the ideal product tester.

More About: Sunday Comics, trending, zombies


Top 5 Apps Your Kids Will Love This Week

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 02:04 PM PST


If you're getting in the mood for the holiday season, A Charlie Brown Christmas is one app that both kids and nostalgic parents are sure to enjoy. And while you're sharing, why not stretch your brain and see if you remember those isosceles triangles and quadrilaterals as well as your kids do. Those are just some of the apps in store for you this week!

SEE ALSO: What Do You Do With Tech-Obsessed Kids When The Lights Go Out?

The folks at Children's Technology Review shared with us these five top apps from their comprehensive monthly database of kid-tested reviews. The site covers everything from math and counting to reading and phonics.

Check back next week for more…
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More About: Top Kids Apps, contributors, features, kids apps, trending


Apple Pays Swiss Federal Railways $21 Million For Clock Icon [VIDEO]

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 01:28 PM PST


Apple reportedly paid $21 million to license the clock icon for use on the iPad, after the company was accused of copying it from Swiss Federal Railways.

More About: apple, iOS, trending


Number of Female Senators Tripled in the Last 20 Years [INFOGRAPHIC]

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 12:46 PM PST


There aren't 51 female senators out of 100 (accurately reflecting the U.S. population), but we've come a long way in a relatively short time.

More About: Female Senators, Politics, U.S. Congress


Top 10 Tech This Week

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 12:23 PM PST


After weeks of exciting product launches, this week in tech it was time to take a deep look at those exciting new gadgets. This week we had full and in-depth reviews of the iPad Mini, the iPad 4, the Google Nexus 10 and the Windows 8-powered Nokia Lumia 920.

But it wasn't all mainstream gadgets.

Have you ever wanted a rocking chair that lets you connect your iPad to charge it while you read and listen to music? That's now possible. Have you ever felt the need for a power nap at work but you don't have a comfortable place to do it? Enter the CalmSpace, an immersive cabin where you can rest for a short time and be energized for the rest of the day.

SEE ALSO: Previous edition
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More About: Top 10 Tech, trending


Katy Perry Talks ‘Sims 3 Seasons,’ Social Media and More [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO]

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 12:14 PM PST


Katy Perry is a woman of many talents. She's a musician, an actress and she had one of her earliest singles, Hot and Cold, translated into "Simlish." How cool is that? Katy's most recent project with The Sims is her involvement in The Sims 3 Seasons expansion pack, available on Tuesday.

Mashable got a chance to talk to Katy about her partnership with the video game franchise, her thoughts on social media and her need for some reality time.

In an exclusive Skype interview, Katy told me she's excited about The Sims 3 Seasons. For one thing, you can finally make a snow angel or watch the leaves falling while you're carving pumpkins in the Sims unive…
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More About: katy-perry, the sims 3, trending


Mokiki’s Sloppy Swish is the Next ‘Gangnam Style’

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 11:39 AM PST


"Mokiki does the Sloppy Swish. It makes his dance literally contagious!" Remember that.

Saturday Night Live's latest digital short introduces us to Mokiki, a medical lab test patient turned dance machine, who roams New York City performing the Sloppy Swish.

The what? The Sloppy Swish -- a crazy-looking dance move already catching popularity online. Don't be surprised if Sloppy Swish reaches the viral proportions of Psy's horse-riding prance from "Gangnam Style."

Kenan Thompson rhythmically narrates the digital short, giving us the history of Mokiki and the powers he possesses. "It's a really stupid dance created by a crazy person," utters Thompson to end the digital short.…
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More About: Meme, Mokiki, Sloppy Swish, TV, gangnam style, humor, saturday night live, snl, trending, viral videos


Tech Companies’ Douchebaggery Reaches New Low [SUNDAY COMICS]

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 11:20 AM PST


Whatever happened to Google's admirable motto, "don't be evil?" Maybe the prospect of proliferating profits got in the way -- and Google's not the only one.

More About: Facebook, Google, Sunday Comics, The Joy of Tech, Twitter, apple, microsoft, trending


Windows 8 Will Get Big Role at MTV Europe Music Awards

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 10:53 AM PST


MTV Europe Music Awards will infuse Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system — and colorful tiles interface — during its Nov. 11 broadcast. Here's the digital low-down on the show.

More About: Entertainment, Music, TV, celebrities, gangnam style, mtv, psy, social tv


Apple and HTC End Their Global Patent Battle

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 10:27 AM PST


Apple and HTC announced late Saturday night that they have resolved all of their patent disputes and are entering into a 10-year patent licensing agreement.

More About: apple, htc, samsung, trending


Rihanna Turns ‘SNL’ Stage Into Sensational Screensaver [VIDEO]

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 10:10 AM PST


Rihanna transformed the Saturday Night Live stage -- typically designed as a train station -- into a green screen experience that looked like an ever-changing animated desktop screensaver.

For Rihanna's performance of "Diamonds," the green screen and even the band members' T-shirts lit up with visual effects. Like clockwork, viewers quickly reacted to the unusual artistic display on Twitter:

Really cool of Rihanna to perform in front of a Windows 98 screensaver. #SNL— Jonah Grant (@jonahgrant) November 11, 2012

Umm... @rihanna's green-screen #SNL performance freaking me out a bit. Can't imagine how stoned viewers are dealing right now. #WallsMelting— Corey Clayton…
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More About: Entertainment, Music, Saturdayy Night Live, celebrities, rihanna, snl


Where America’s Racist Tweets Come From

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 10:02 AM PST


Researchers analyzed racist tweets by location, and came up with revealing results. Warning: This post contains harsh, vulgar and racist words.

More About: 2012 Presidential Election, Twitter, racism, trending


What Have Guys Named ‘James Bond’ Done For a Living?

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 08:53 AM PST


Bond. James Bond. Usually, that name conjures up images of a fictional British spy. To others, the "James Bond" in their lives was never a secret agent.

More About: Entertainment, Family History, Film, James Bond, Skyfall, ancestry, trending


Watch Mitt Drink Away Election Loss With Cartons of Milk on ‘SNL’

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 08:04 AM PST


"I still love you America, I do," Romney's character says on SNL while drowning his sorrows with milk, "but you've hurt my feelings very, very much."

More About: Mitt Romney, saturday night live, trending


Grasket App Helps Deployed Troops Share Wish Lists With Loved Ones Overseas

Posted: 11 Nov 2012 07:14 AM PST


A new online app aims to help deployed troops send wish lists to friends and family overseas.

Grasket describes itself as a "modern-day care package creation tool."

Targeted to deployed soldiers, sailors and airmen, users sign up for the service with their military-linked Facebook accounts or email addresses. They then place items that are sold online from any website into their "grasket," and share the list over Twitter, Facebook or email. To see the process in detail, check out the video above.

"We...make it easy for others to purchase the things that you have earmarked," creator Tim Fisher said in a Q&A.

Fisher, who served in the United States Army, developed Grasket as a…
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More About: Grasket, apps, military


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