Friday, November 30, 2012

Mashable: Latest 29 News Updates - including “Augmented Light Bulb Turns Desk Into a Touchscreen”

Mashable: Latest 29 News Updates - including “Augmented Light Bulb Turns Desk Into a Touchscreen”


Augmented Light Bulb Turns Desk Into a Touchscreen

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 04:37 AM PST


Powerful computers are becoming small and cheap enough to cram into all sorts of everyday objects. Natan Linder, a student at MIT's Media Lab, thinks that fitting one inside a light bulb socket, together with a camera and projector, could provide a revolutionary new kind of interface—by turning any table or desk into a simple touchscreen.

The LuminAR device, created by Linder and colleagues at the Media Lab, can project interactive images onto a surface, sensing when a person's finger or hand points to an element within those images. Linder describes LuminAR as an augmented-reality system because the images and interfaces it projects can alter the function of a surface or object…
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More About: light bulb, second screen, touchscreen


The 14 Most Inspirational Kids of 2012

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 02:47 AM PST


1. Nine-Year-Old Caine Monroy




Caine Monroy, 9, spent a summer building an awe-inspiring cardboard game arcade at his father's East Los Angeles used car parts store. Filmmaker Nirvan Mullick was one of Caine's first and only customers — that is, before Mullick orchestrated a flashmob of supporters to play with Caine's creative cardboard games. Each time a player scored, Caine would crawl under the box to dispense a thread of arcade tickets through a small slice in the box. Mullick's 11-minute film about Caine's Arcade has been viewed more than 7 million times since it was uploaded in April. Caine's story sparked the imagination of kids around the world who have seen his project. The Imagination Foundation was founded this year, in honor of the cardboard creation movement, to "find, foster and fund creativity and entrepreneurship in kids." Nearly $220,000 has been donated to Caine's Arcade Scholarship Fund.

Click here to view this gallery.


This year, children and teens have displayed an incredible amount of passion, determination and vigor to help others. Meet 11 inspirational young people who have already accomplished huge feats this year, and it's only the beginning of their careers.

One young activist prompted a major American magazine to ban heavily airbrushed photos. Another young Californian boy crafted an elaborate cardboard cut-out arcade and sparked the imaginations of hundreds of kids around the world.

SEE ALSO: Cellphone Heart Test's Young Inventor Doesn't Own a Smartphone

These young innovators are set to discover a cure for cancer, save lives by pinpointing abandoned landmines and generally inspire th…
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More About: Kids, Science, Tech, World, Year End 2012, features


You Can Now Buy an Unlocked iPhone 5 in the U.S.

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 01:25 AM PST


iphone 5

Besides the standard 2-year contract option, Apple now sells the iPhone 5 contract-free.

Both the white and the black iPhone 5 are available, with prices being $649 for the 16GB variant, $749 for the 32GB one and $849 for the version with 64GB of storage.

Purchases are limited at two per customer, and the shipping time is estimated at one week.

Apple notes that the unlocked iPhone 5s are GSM only meaning they support AT&T and T-Mobile in the US, but will not work on CDMA bands.

Additionally, 9to5Mac's sources claim Apple will also start selling the unlocked iPhone 5 at its retail stores, perhaps as early as Friday.

More About: trending


Take a Tour Through China With This Mesmerizing Time-Lapse Video

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 01:06 AM PST


If you have yet to check China off your sight-seeing to-do list, let this video be your instant tour guide. Pop into the streets of Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen to see the sights and culture of a truly vibrant nation.

SEE ALSO: Stunning Time-Lapse Video Shows Beauty of Our World

Created by Artem Pryadko and Dmitry Shishkovski, this video captures everything from highways to high-rises, trains to tourists and all the glamourous neon lights and day-to-day activities in between.

What's the best time-lapse video you've seen? Share in the comments below.

Video courtesy of Artem Pryadko.

More About: china, time-lapse


Japan’s Fastest Train Floats on Magnetic Tracks

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 11:57 PM PST


Japan's JR Central Railway Company recently unveiled plans for a new high-speed train propelled by magnetic fields.

More About: japan, trains, transportation


This Keychain Lightning Connector Is Perfect for Emergency Charges

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 08:54 PM PST


If you're spending long hours at the office or in school, we're betting your smartphone doesn't survive the day without a full charge away from home.

But, what happens when you forget your Lightning connector at home and all your friends carry Apple 30-pin cables? A new Kickstarter project provides a portable charging solution. The Nomad boils the Apple Lightning cable down its two most important parts -- the USB port and the 8-pin connector. With the cable, users can charge an iPhone 5, iPad mini or iPad 4 anywhere there's a computer or power adapter.

The three-inch charging cable that fits on a keychain is gaining swift support on Kickstarter…
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More About: Video, iPhone 5, kickstarter


10 Ambitious iPhone Apps, Accessories for Your Workout

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 08:14 PM PST


1. Withings Smart Scale and Health Companion App




The Withings Health Companion iPhone app helps your overall health, whether you aim to lose weight, stay fit, keep a low blood pressure or sleep better. If you hope to lose weight before this season's holiday parties, use the Withings Smart Scale, which works like any old scale – except that it automatically records your weight, fat mass and BMI and syncs with your computer or iPhone using Bluetooth technology, so you can track your progress. Price: Withings Health Companion App — Free; Withings Smart Scale — $199

Click here to view this gallery.


So begins the busiest time of year — the holiday season. What with end-of-year product announcements, family plans, travel arrangements and flu season, health and fitness might not be top of mind.

Whether it's getting a head start on New Year's resolutions or preventing holiday weight gain, the tech and social-savvy individual can now prepare with the latest iOS apps and companions. Some of the most exciting mobile technology surrounding health and fitness incorporates Bluetooth, scanners, pedometers, scales, headsets and social media.

SEE ALSO: 10 Motivational Apps for Runners

There is an app (and a device companion) for everyone, whether your goals are weight loss, lowe…
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More About: Gadgets, Lifestyle, apps, contributor, features, health & fitness, iphone


Your Smartphone Knows You So Well It’s Scary

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 07:28 PM PST


Does your smartphone know you a little too well? The amount of personal information your favorite device tracks and stores may shock you, as detailed in this infographic.

More About: infographics, smartphones


14 Bizarrely Awesome Rap Cover Videos

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 06:49 PM PST


1. 'Look At Me Now' -- Paul Vlahos


Paul Vlahos, a Sacramento, Calif.-based voice actor, gives spot-on impersonations of the Family Guy cast while rapping Chris Brown's "Look At Me Now." Peter, Cleveland, Joe, Herbert and, yes, even Stewie drop verses. There are a few FG references thrown into the mix, too. It's nothing short of a spectacle. Original song.

Click here to view this gallery.


Watch your throne, Kanye. Here are 14 impressive -- and, yes, somewhat strange -- covers of popular rap songs.

More About: Watercooler, hip-hop, online music, viral videos


Alleged WikiLeaks Source Bradley Manning Takes the Stand

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 06:00 PM PST


Bradley Manning

Bradley Manning, the army private accused of leaking diplomatic documents and secret files to WikiLeaks, finally made his voice heard Thursday, as he took the stand at a pretrial hearing in Fort Meade, Md. Manning's lawyers are asking the judge to drop all charges on the grounds that his treatment following arrest in Baghdad was too harsh ("unlawful pretrial punishment" in legal lingo).

Manning recounted his experience after his arrest on May 26, 2010, when he was detained at Camp Arifjan, in Kuwait. "I remember thinking, 'I'm going to die. I'm stuck inside this cage,'" Manning said to defense attorney David E. Coombs. "I just thought I was going to die in that cage. And that's how I…
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More About: bradley manning, cablegate, julian assange, whistleblowing, wikileaks


NFL Star Tweets to Fan: “F ur” Fantasy Points

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 05:38 PM PST


Fans constantly harangue athletes on Twitter over fantasy sports but NFL star Chris Johnson, it seems, has had enough.

More About: Sports, nfl


‘Fantastical’ Mac Calendar App Makes its Way to iPhone

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 05:17 PM PST


Fantastical, the popular OS X calendar, released an app for iPhone Thursday.

Sharing many of the same features as the Mac version of the app, Fantastical makes keeping up with both your work and home life easy to do.

A DayTicker at the top of the screen in the app lets you swipe through your upcoming calendar. Each date shows a small visual representation of what you have scheduled for the day, with specific events listed below the particular day you have selected.

Pulling down the DayTicker from the top of the screen will bring up a full calendar view. Sporting a look somewhat similar to Apple's built-calendar, the calendar's month view has dots displayed on dates you have…
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More About: App, calendar, iOS, iphone


Bo Woofs Around the White House Christmas Tree

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 04:57 PM PST


We all wish for a white Christmas, but what about a White House Christmas?

Things around the presidential suite get jolly this time of year and who better to show us the tree and presents than the First Dog? Bo gives us a first-paw look at what it's like to celebrate the holidays with the Obamas, complete with a sculpture of himself.

SEE ALSO: Everything You've Ever Wanted To Know About Presidents' Dogs [INFOGRAPHIC]

Look out Rudolph, this furry politician's pal may be rallying to take over as head of state -- of the North Pole.

More About: Watercooler, White House, barack obama, puppies


Gadget-Charging Backpack Is a Clever Gift for Globetrotters

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 04:35 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.

The gadget-charging Powerbag is a (battery) lifesaver for commuters and travelers who like to occupy their time during layovers with texts, emails, games and e-books.

The sturdy backpack can charge up to four devices at once with its in-house Apple 30-pin, micro-USB, mini-USB and USB port connectors. If you're lucky enough to find a free outlet in the airport or at a cafe, plug in the Powerbag directly to charge the connected devices, plus the pack's backup battery. While the Powerbag doesn't charge laptops, it can hold and protect all your devices from damage. The Powerbag is the perfect gift for any digitally connected commuter, business traveler or student…
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More About: Gift of the Day, Mobile, accessories, fashion, holidays 2012, travel


What DNA Actually Looks Like

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 04:17 PM PST


Scientists have developed a new method of imaging the building blocks of life. It involves an electron microscope and a bed of nails.

More About: DNA, Science, medical science


How Facebook Tagged Me as a Copyright Violator

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 04:05 PM PST


Mashable OP-ED

Doctor Who Snowmen No

I am a copyright violator, and Facebook knows it. At least, I was up until early this morning, when Facebook took action to enforce the copyright on the cover photo I had uploaded the day before.

As a fan of the UK show Doctor Who, I was excited to see BBC America release a couple of preview photos from the program's Christmas special, including a compelling picture of a couple of scary-looking snowmen -- very Nightmare Before Christmas stuff. As with other notable pop culture events, I wanted to share my excitement on Facebook.

The thing that provoked the strongest reaction was the photo itself, and it happened to be the perfect dimensions as my cover photo, I ch…
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More About: Facebook, copyright, cover photos, facebook timeline


Band Constructs Stop-Motion Music Video With Instagram

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 03:56 PM PST


Indie band The Plastics Revolution of Tres Marías, Mexico, created a dreamy music video for the cheerful song "Invasión" with 1,905 Instagram photos.

Instead of video, the filmmakers shot still photography, which they ran through Instagram filters for the finished product. The motion you see in the video is a result of stitching snapshots together.

SEE ALSO: How to Master Instagram Tilt-Shift

This isn't the first music video made entirely of Instagram photos. In August, British songstress Ellie Goulding premiered the music video for single "Anything Could Happen," which featured 1,200 Instagram photos from her fans.

Watch The Plastics R…
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More About: Music, Video, instagram


Nobody Knows Where Countries That Voted Against Palestine Are

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 03:43 PM PST


Lesser-known countries Micronesia, Palau and Nauru are among the nine states that voted against Palestine's statehood bid in the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday afternoon. That lead many a Twitter user to wonder: Where in the world are these places?

Y'all seriously didn't know there was a country called Micronesia? US still controls parts of it: Guam, Wake Island, the Northern Marianas.— Torie Rose DeGhett (@trdeghett) November 29, 2012

Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau voted down Palestine's UN bid. The population of the four countries can fit into a large stadium.— Iyad El-Baghdadi (@iyad_elbaghdadi) November 29, 2012

@jonniemarbles But whe…
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More About: Twitter, World


This Facebook App Gives Annoying Friends a ‘Time Out’

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 03:36 PM PST


Sure, you have the option to hide any objectionable post in your News Feed (it's under a small arrow that appears to the right of any given post). You can also mute or unfriend people entirely.

But where's the fun in that? How will your offensive friends know that they need to mend their posting ways?

Enter Defriendtion, a free Facebook app that posts a detention note-style warning to any given friend's Timeline. You can choose how long of a "time out" you're going to give them, and also post the warning to Twitter.

The app doesn't actually restrict your friends' content in any way. We'd love it if there were some way to automate the process of muting and unmuting someone, so…
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More About: Facebook, apps


Starbucks $7 Coffee or Regular Joe? These People Don’t Know

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 03:25 PM PST


Starbucks seemed to be running out of ideas when it announced its new super premium coffee, grown from a special plant, that will cost coffee-lovers $7 a cup. And no, it's not that good.

Jimmy Kimmel took to Hollywood Boulevard with a double-blind test for Sunshine State coffee drinkers. Between two Starbucks cups, participants were asked to pick which one was the higher quality. The catch? Each cup was filled with regular store-bought coffee.

The street connoisseurs quickly side with one over the other remarking the distinct flavor notes and tones between the two. Only one keen taster got it right.

Watch the video above and let us know other drinks that you could spend your $7…
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More About: Coffee, jimmy kimmel, starbucks


UN Vote on Palestinian Statehood Celebrated, Criticized on Social Web

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 03:15 PM PST


Alex Fitzpatrick co-reported this story.

Following a historic United Nations General Assembly vote, which elevated the status of Palestine from "observer" to "non-member observer state," Palestinians celebrated in the streets, sharing photos to Instagram and Twitter.

The vote implicitly recognizes Palestinian statehood, upgrading the delegation from representing an "entity" to representing a "non-member state."

UN, Palestine, #UNBid, Estado Observador and U.N. General Assembly, among other topics relating to the decision, trended on Twitter.

The UNGA resolution was overwhelmingly approved by a vote of 138 to 9, with 41 abstentions.

For Palestinians, this decision means v…
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More About: Israel, Palestine, United Nations, virtual world


Relive Fall in Central Park With Time-Lapse Video

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 03:09 PM PST


Watch this iconic park turn from green to gold in a beautiful timelapse video by filmmaker, Jamie Scott.

More About: autumn, central park, new york city, time-lapse


YouTube’s 18 Most Epic Sports Meltdowns

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 02:54 PM PST


1. Handball Player Drops His Shorts and, Uh, Does Other Things Too


This Italian handball player instantly entered the pantheon of all-time sports meltdowns recently when he, shall we say, overreacted to a sarcastic peck from an antagonistic opponent.

Click here to view this gallery.


Freak-outs, meltdowns, tantrums, hissy fits -- call 'em what you want, but sports figures losing their cool in public is highly entertaining. From thrown chairs to ejected players, head-butts to grabbed nuts, other people's indignation never fails to draw a laugh.

SEE ALSO: 25 of YouTube's Funniest Sports Fails

Thanks to YouTube, we get to relive classic moments over and over again. That means we'll never be without John McEnroe calling a line judge a jerk, or Mike Gundy being a man who is 40, or Brian Wilson taking a bat to a Gatorade cooler in the San Francisco Giants' dugout. It's the small mercies that make being a sports fan in the digital age so worthwhile.

So, without fur…
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More About: Entertainment, Sports, Video, YouTube, features, humor


4.5 Billion Years of Earth’s Evolution Boiled Down to 2 Minutes

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 02:54 PM PST


Ever wonder how you got here?

What multi-cellular lives and organisms and stars in the universe had to line up for you to be born?

It's 4.5 billion years in the making -- quite a bit to muddle through to find where your life fits into the history book that starts at Earth's earliest days.

SEE ALSO: Want to Learn About Evolution? Here Are 300+ YouTube Videos

ASAP Science condensed that expansive history and stuffed it into one 24-hour day. From sea life to dinosaurs, from apes ruling the world to the Greek and Roman Empires, this two-minute video shows the barely recognizable impact of humans on this planet.

Turns out that we make up just slightly more than one minute o…
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More About: Earth, Watercooler, evolution, viral videos


Post Sandy, Watch Out for Flood Damaged Used Cars

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 02:43 PM PST


Car buyers beware: Used cars damaged by Hurricane Sandy may soon be coming to a dealership near you.

Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast one month ago this Thursday. As East Coast communities rebuild after the hurricane, consumers across the country need to be wary of unknowingly buying a flood-damaged used car.

"If you know what you're buying it may not be a bad purchase, but the unpredictability of water can make these vehicles some of the most dangerous on the road," Chris Basso, public relations manager for Carfax, tells Mashable.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that so far,230,000 insurance claims have been submitted for flood damaged cars. And that number is e…
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More About: Hurricane Sandy, carfax, cars, consumer warning


10 Pro Camera Accessories for the iPhone 5

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 02:28 PM PST


1. iZZi ORBIT




Made from duraluminum, this case is tough and rugged. Equipped with the iDial, it boasts three cameras -- fisheye, telephoto and wide-angle. The hefty price tag means this case is for the photographer and power user. $ 239.99

Click here to view this gallery.


If you're like most iPhone 5 owners you use your smartphone's camera as your primary photo- and Instagram-capturing tool. With more and more photo taking and sharing apps appearing and plenty of filters to fit any occasion, enhance your photos with professional photography cases and lenses designed just for your iPhone 5.

SEE ALSO: 14 iPhone 5 Cases You'll Love

Whether you're looking for a micro lens to take up-close pictures of insects or a telescopic lens for capturing something in the distance, we've got you covered. Click through the gallery above and if you already have one of these cases tell us what you think in the comments.

BONUS: 20 Cases For Your New iPhone 5

More About: cameras, cases, iPhone 5


How to Avoid Your Own Email Replyallpocalypse

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 02:27 PM PST


For some, it's a nightmare as horrifying as going to class pantsless: the dreaded email thread faux pas.

When a student at NYU attempted to forward an email from the college bursar's office to his mother, he instead hit "reply all" and exposed a bug in the school's email system.

The result? He directly emailed almost 40,000 of his fellow students. When some of those students realized this bug in the email system was oh-so-exploitable, all hell broke loose. They began trading jokes, pictures of professional meme Nicolas Cage and –- in some cases –- pleas to end the madness. But for 24 hours, NYU endured what can only be called Replyallpocalypse.

SEE ALSO: How to Avoid Email
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More About: How-To, Social Media, email, features, gmail


Fuze Is the First Native Video Conferencing App for Mac

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 02:12 PM PST


FuzeBox launched Fuze for Mac Thursday, the world's first native video-conferencing app for OS X. The app joins FuzeBox's apps for iOS giving the company full native support on Apple devices.

"We went super native on the Mac," FuzeBox CEO Jeff Cavins told Mashable.

In development for the past two years, Cavins says that company's decision to go native on the Mac was made in part due to a conversation with Steve Jobs. In that conversation Cavis says Jobs indicated that Apple as a company would be evolving away from browser-based languages and more toward a native app-based culture.

FuzeBox is one of the only apps that was built on Apple's campus. By going native on…
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More About: App, ipad, mac


Rainbow Lights Shine in NYC for Hurricane Sandy Victims

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 02:11 PM PST


New Yorkers who look up in the night sky on Thursday will see a giant glowing rainbow light, pointing to regions greatly affected by Hurricane Sandy.

More About: Hurricane Sandy, Watercooler


This Robot Runs on Sewage Waste

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 01:58 PM PST


Scientists in the UK have developed a robot that is powered with sewage waste, or, in more layman's terms, poo.

Called the EcoBot III, it's entirely powered by energy processed by its microbial fuel cells, which turn waste into energy. Using this mechanism, a robot could be capable of refueling itself autonomously by picking up waste material from the environment.

The robot was built by a joint venture of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory -- itself a collaborative research project of the University of Western England and the University of Bristol -- and Wessex Water, a regional water and sewage treatment business. The idea behind the project is t…
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More About: green energy, popular science, robotics, robots


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