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Google Hides a Puzzle in CR-48 Video and Awards Solver a Laptop Prize

If you’re clued-up on math equations, lend your eye to Google’s video down below, and see what it took for chancer Sylvain to win one of the CR-48 laptops. Flunked math? Nevermind, you should watch it anyway! https://gizmodo.com/q-what-happens-when-you-destroy-your-chrome-os-noteboo-5710872 Apparently once the equation was solved (it spells out “speed and destroy” for those unable to add…

Control4 Home Automation Review: Access Anything from Anywhere

Now that you’re familiar with the general home automation scene (read that first if you haven’t) we can talk specifics. Like the Control4 system. https://gizmodo.com/home-automation-what-you-need-to-know-to-not-be-dumb-5647352 Control4 is a more entry-level solution to home automation, and they compete mostly with Crestron’s Prodigy line, which is also targeted towards lower-budget installs. “Lower budget” is a relative term,…

More concept art from Tim Burton and Nic Cage’s Superman that never was

Holy crap, Nic Cage and Tim Burton’s Superman movie would have been one demented discotheque! A new crop of concept art from Superman Lives, the failed superhero collaboration between the two, has surfaced. Showing sparkly new suits, Doomsday and more. Back in October, costume and special effects designer Steve Johnson gave us a special insiders…

When Office Bots Attack!

Sometimes going to work on Monday morning makes you feel like an office bot on a rampage. This one went from mild-mannered database server to corporate destroyer. Concept artist Andrée Wallin has more rampages in store for you. Wallin lives in Sweden and works full-time as a concept designer on video games and graphic novels.…

The Real Da Vinci Code Discovered In Mona Lisa’s Eyes

This is not part of Dan Brown’s novel. Researcher Silvano Vinceti— chairman of the Italian national committee for cultural heritage—has found a secret code in the Mona Lisa by scanning her eyes. A code that could reveal her mysterious identity: Leonardo was keen on symbols and codes to get messages across, and he wanted us…

Would You Ride This Crazy Student-Made Roller Coaster?

The Reverse Cowgirl, designed by college students, “dropped its riders vertically, then turned them face down as they skimmed 2 feet above the ground, face down and strapped with their backs to the cart.” Suddenly Six Flags seems so safe. The Cowgirl, built for a rush event at MIT, is equal parts impressive and terrifying.…

Reese Witherspoon says robots and superheroes have helped push her out of movies

In the new Entertainment Weekly, the Legally Blonde star is asked why she hasn’t been in too many movies lately… and she blames the onslaught of giant robot and superhero films. Says Witherspoon: The movies that are being made feel different. There are a lot of really, really, really big movies about robots and things…

Put On Your Developer Caps

Everyone and their mom has created a smartphone app, but what tech lovers and developers alike are really excited about are applications designed for next-gen netbooks. Which is why—thanks to the Intel AppUpSM Developer Program and Dixons—your brilliant app idea could score you $15,000! The netbook has become one of the most popular consumer devices…

The search for unexplained “spook lights”

Mysterious lights are seen at sunset and during the night. They reappear again and again, in all kinds of weather conditions, causing no damage. What could they be? Have you seen them? If you live around Joplin, St Louis, or Sarasota, you may have seen an interesting phenomenon. Spook lights are lights without obvious source…

“Mummy, I Want That Little Girl Inside the Claw Machine”

A two year old girl somehow crawled into one of those claw machines you often see in arcades—you know, with stuffed toys which you try and pick up with a claw—and had to be rescued by the fire-department. Rescuing a girl from a toy machine is probably one of the stranger emergency calls made to…

Major Hollywood star could be joining the District 9 followup, plus hear the cast explain Tron Legacy!

District 9 director Neil Blomkamp’s next film could feature a huge star. The Spider-Man reboot casts a super-villain’s child, while we learn who won’t be in Captain America and The Avengers. Which actress will be the new Barbarella? Spoilers! Captain America Marvel Studios exec Kevin Feige confirmed that Nick Fury and the Invaders superhero team…

When a Fanboy Meets a Fangirl

Andy works for LG. Kaylee works for T-Mobile. They both love Android, and they weren’t afraid to use their wedding cake to show it. Andy writes: We got the idea in the middle of planning the wedding and found a great cake maker who was able to pull it off. As well I designed the…

You Can Download the Free Google Latitude iPhone App From…Now!

After briefly appearing in Japan’s App Store, Google’s Latitude app is now in your App Store—and this time, it doesn’t look like an accident. Stalk friends! Be stalked! It’s free! [iTunes via RedmondPie] https://gizmodo.com/hey-did-you-know-theres-a-google-latitude-iphone-app-n-5708970

Over 25 Billion Tweets Were Sent in 2010, and the iPad Was the Top Tech Subject

The year is only just grinding to a halt, but Twitter’s already released its list of the top subjects tweeted about in 2010. Of the 25 billion tweets published, BP’s Gulf oil spill disaster was the most tweeted-about term. Following the disaster, it was the FIFA World Cup; the movie Inception; the Haiti earthquake; and…

Amazon Rainforest’s Trees Will be Microchipped Just Like Your Dog

If a tree has been cut down and there aren’t any witnesses, was it really cut down? So goes the thinking behind the group of people tagging Amazon rainforest trees, who wish to stop illegal logging for good. Implanting a microchip into the base of a tree will help determine where the wood has come…

Leaked Photo of HTC’s EVO Shift 4G Shows It’s Got a Sliding Keyboard

Another 4G Android phone with a sliding keyboard is on its way out, with the first photo of HTC’s EVO Shift 4G appearing over the weekend. Rumored to be a small-statured phone, it also looks to be wearing a case. https://gizmodo.com/htc-evo-shift-4g-appears-in-trademark-filing-5689773 Supposedly screen size is at 3.7-inches, and it’ll run Android 2.2—though that’s obviously not…

Amazon Went Offline in Europe, But Not Due to Wikileaks’ Supporters

Last Thursday, a Twitter account purported to be from Wikileaks’ Anonymous supporters (the same group which brought down PayPal, Mastercard and Visa’s websites) threatened to take down Amazon in a similar DDoS attack. Seemingly it failed, but Amazon’s websites in the UK, Italy, Germany and Spain went offline for about 30 minutes each last night,…

It Costs $82,000 to Light the One Million Christmas Lights at this House

The Faucher Family in Delaware have built extravagant Christmas lights setups for 25 years now. How extravagant? They use 1,000,000 lights. So how much does it cost them to run the lights for a month? $82,320. Gulp. HouseLogic estimated the total cost by using the average price per kWh in the Faucher Family’s region and…

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Watch the Metrodome Collapse from the Inside

The giant inflatable roof of Minneapolis’ Metrodome stadium collapsed this morning under the weight of heavy snowfall. Here’s some apocalyptic video taken inside the stadium as the roof tears open and snow cascades onto the turf. Oh come on, they could still play that Vikings-Giants game tomorrow. Snowball fight! [via SB Nation]