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Tech News
This Clever App Turns Your Chromecast Into a Bootleg Wii
Chromecast’s new mirroring feature lets users pull up an Android phone screen onto a TV. And why would you want to put your little screen on your bigger screen? If game maker Rolocule has its way, to play Nintendo Wii-like games without bothering with a console. Rolocule has introduced its Motion Tennis to the Googlesphere. … Continued
By Kate Knibbs -
Tech News
Ikea’s Most Iconic Bookcase Just Got a Whole Lot Better
If moving away to college involved finding a cheap apartment and filling it with even cheaper furniture, there’s a strong chance you had at least one of Ikea’s Billy bookcases filled with textbooks. The Billy has been one of Ikea’s most iconic—and cheapest—pieces for over 30 years, and it’s now getting some upgrades to help … Continued
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Tech News
This Artist Sculpts Panes of Glass Into 3D Oceans
Ben Young taught himself everything he knows about sculpture. Over the course of the past decade, he’s perfected a method of cutting panes of glass into unusual shapes and fusing them together to make beautiful sculptures. They’re beautifully intriguing. Some look like oceans. Some look like objects. Some just look impossible. But all of the … Continued
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Tech News
How To Poop In The Woods
Does a person poop in the woods? Not if they don’t have to. Get it wrong and it can be messy, painful, unhealthy and embarrassing. Here’s how to get outdoor bowel movements right. Poop’s Problem: According to the Outdoor Foundation, around 7.9 million people go backpacking every year in the US. That’s a lot of … Continued
By Wes Siler -
Tech NewsSploid
I wish they made an animation series out of these sci-fi illustrations
These are the cool monstrous creations of Brian Miller. He recently completed them for The Robot Workshop activity book. Someone should turn his work into a sci-fi animation series a la Samurai Jack. Giant Moster Smash!: I actually had a few different options for the spread which included a more pulled out view of the … Continued
By James Baker -
Tech News
The second person to survive a trip over Niagara Falls later died after slipping on an orange peel
In 1911, Bobby Leach became the second person to survive going over Niagara Falls in a large steel barrel. Despite his incredible feat of bravery/stupidity, his death years later was from something rather mundane: The former daredevil slipped on an orange peel. The New Zealand newspapers seemed to think Leach’s injury wasn’t such a big … Continued
By Matt Novak -
Tech NewsApple
Why Your iPhone Needs a “Good Samaritan” Button
Smartphones have become a necessary appendage in our digital lives. They’re our cameras, GPS navigation, alarm clocks, wallets, personal assistants, trainers, and favorite time killers. But if someone suddenly finds themselves without one, a cloud of worry and confusion overtakes them. “How do I check my email?” “Is it going to rain?” “That would have … Continued
Dana ODell -
Tech News
This Getty photo from March 13, 1957 shows caricatures of Dwight Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson printed by a Universal Automatic Computer, commonly called a UNIVAC. We often think of ASCII-style art as a modern thing, but the art form has a long history, dating back to the typewriter era. Factually is Gizmodo’s new blog of … Continued
By Matt Novak -
Tech NewsGadgets
A Rechargeable Tower Fan That Lets You Take a Breeze Wherever You Need
A fan is only a useful way to beat the summer heat if you’re in range of its blast. So to ensure the use of this GreenFan isn’t limited by the location of your outlets or the length of its cord, it features an optional rechargeable battery so you can place it exactly where you … Continued
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Tech News
Shooting Challenge: Fireworks GIFs
It’s the 4th of July this Friday. So grab your cameras and some fireworks. Let’s make some sparkly GIFs. The Challenge Make a GIF of fireworks—the big kind or the small kind. Good old snakes and sparklers are encouraged. Please don’t hurt yourselves. Save the file as 640 pixels wide. 3.5MB file max (but even … Continued
By Mark Wilson -
Tech News
This Is Still the Most Beautiful Way to Learn How to Code
Regardless of whether or not you agree with the “code or die ” sentiment that’s been floating around the internet, if you have decided to teach yourself to code, the sheer number of learn-to-code sites alone is overwhelming. So do yourself (and your eyes) a favor and pick up Jon Duckett’s JavaScript and jQuery book … Continued
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Tech News
It’s a myth that lightning never strikes the same place twice
You’ve probably heard the saying, “lightning never strikes the same place twice.” But it’s actually a myth. From NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center: NASA-funded scientists have recently learned that cloud-to-ground lightning frequently strikes the ground in two or more places and that the chances of being struck are about 45 percent higher than what people … Continued
By Matt Novak -
Tech News
A Massive New Levee Could Add Two New City Blocks To Manhattan
The footprint of Manhattan’s been expanding since the 17th century, when early New Yorkers began their first project to infill its shoreline. A huge part of the island we know today is built on artificial pilings. Now, it might get its biggest expansion in years. Next City reports on a new feasibility study released by … Continued
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Tech News
How 70 Year Old Machines Make Chrome’s Tough, Cheap Sneakers
Cycling outfitter Chrome Industries makes solid gear that’s designed to last even the hardest rider for the long haul. To make its super tough new sneakers, it picked up 86 World War II boot making machines from Slovakia. The $85 Forged Rubber shoes they make will kick the crap out of your Chucks. The 70-year-old … Continued
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Tech NewsGadgets
Radar For Your Bike Gives You Long-Range Eyes on the Back of Your Head
When you’re riding a bike, the world is an endless barrage of obstacles, hazards, and other vehicles sharing the road you need to avoid. Mirrors let you keep an eye on what’s going on behind your cycle, but the Backtracker promises to spot vehicles up to 450 feet away using radar, and warn you to … Continued
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Tech News
About 90% of the movies made before 1929 are lost forever
Recognizing the importance of film preservation is a relatively recent phenomenon in Hollywood. Early motion picture film was especially prone to destruction by fire thanks to its nitrate base. And early films that haven’t yet been destroyed by fire can deteriorate in any number of other ways. In fact, it’s estimated that over 90 percent … Continued
By Matt Novak -
Tech News
A Gas Station Frank Lloyd Wright Designed 87 Years Ago Is Now Finished
In 1927, acclaimed architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed a gas station for Buffalo, New York, envisioning a gleaming center of commerce and social interaction for the bustling industrial city. Almost 90 years later, the structure has finally been completed—in the lobby of an automobile museum. The Pierce-Arrow Museum has been working to build the service … Continued
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Tech NewsSploid
Scientist creates new flu virus that can kill all of humanity
Working at a lab with a relatively low level-two biosafety rating, University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Yoshihiro Kawaoka has created a strain of flu that can completely escape the human immune system. The new genetically-engineered virus is based on H1N1, which may have killed 500,000 people just five years ago. Most people today have a level … Continued
By James Baker -
Tech NewsSploid
This is the coolest demonstration of self-driving cars I’ve ever seen
If Volvo had to appeal to Van Damme’s epic splitto sell more trucks, Hyundai just released this insane self-driving demonstration to try to sell their vehicles: A group of stuntmen jump from the roof of moving cars leaving them on their own. It’s impressive to see the cars driving and braking without a driver. SPLOID … Continued
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Tech News
Deals: In-Home Coffee Shop, Gunnar Optiks, Home Security
If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to buy your own 3D printer, here you go: A refurbished Makerbot 2 for $1200. That’s $1000 less than retail for a new one, and a fantastic entry price for the most popular consumer 3D printer around. [Refurb Makerbot 2, $1200] Update: Expired Coffee snobs will be excited … Continued