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Google Knows the Wi-Fi Passwords of All Android Users

A new privacy fuss is kicking off around Google’s Android mobile OS, with security boffins claiming that the software’s backup tools mean that a copy of everyone’s Wi-Fi password history is now saved to Google’s servers. Which may mean it could be legally compelled to hand them out, should a government come calling. The key…

This Mug Screws Into Soft Ground to Stay Upright

If you’ve ever struggled to keep your drinks in their receptacle at the beach, this concept will have your pretty excited: Screw Cup is a mug that can be driven into the ground to help it stay upright. Designed by Barcelona-based Minji Jung, the cup screws into sandy beaches—or, presumably, other soft ground—to ensure it…

Inside CERN’s Massive Computer Center

Given how much data the scientists at CERN have to crunch through, it’s not surprising that it take its computing power seriously. This video takes a look inside the massive computer center that allows the magic to happen. In what is essentially the brain of the Large Hadron Collider it is noisy, hot—and incredibly powerful.…

Intel Has Made a Processor That’s Powered By Wine

The Intel Developer Forum is coming to an end, meaning its execs get to go wild and show some of the oddball concepts under way at the tech giant. These include a processor so efficient it can pull all the energy it needs to run from a glass of red wine. Intel’s Dr Genevieve Bell…

The NSA Spies on International Payments

German newspaper Spiegel Online reports that the NSA has its own financial database to track money flows through a “tailored access operations” division. According the newspaper, a special NSA branch called “Follow the Money” (FTM) “widely monitors international payments, banking and credit card transactions” around the world. The newspaper, which cites documents leaked by Edward…

Google Glass seems to no longer require a tethering plan to share data with a smartphone—which, uh, saves a tiny proportion of the cost of the device as it stands. Great!

NYT: Rdio Will Have a Free Streaming Radio Service This Year

The New York Times is reporting that Rdio is partnering with Cumulus Media—a company that owns, like, real radio station—to provide a free version of its audio streaming service. According to the Times, Rdio will trade a stake in its parent company, Pulser Media, for the ability to use chunks of Cumulus programming and promos…

All the holiday paradises visited by Google execs using your tax money

Google and the Department of Defense signed a weird deal in 2007: the former would let the latter use a federal airfield and buy government jet fuel at half the normal price—for scientific and official purposes. However, Google’s top brass used tons of this fuel to travel to these hot playgrounds. Fort-de-France, Martinique, Caribbean San…

Chiddy Bang (ft. Mac Miller): Heatwave

Guys I think summer might be over. I know it was Labor Day already and everything, but now I see that I’ve been in denial. I mean fall is great, but I just didn’t really think it was time. It’s almost as devastating as when Chiddy Bang broke up in May. I’m flexible, though. I…

Gilded airships float from their towering docks

Unfortunately for the people still on the ground, they’ve missed the aerial boat. Concept artist Min Nguen fills the skies with these elegant airships. Airships [Min Nguen via reddit]

Who Owns The Moon?

The moon is not as far away as some things, but it’s definitely farther away than your nearest McDonalds or the bottom of the ocean or, you know, anything on Earth at all. Basically it’s not easily accessible. So it would be pretty presumptuous for a person or group to say that they owned a…

The Motion Of A Train Drawn By A Train

Station to Station is a project that brings “cultural interventions” to nine cities around the U.S.. Basically it’s a tricked out train with lots of art installations and other pieces on board. And when the train stops in each city, there are additional local events planned. If you want to see what goes on on…

A boy strikes a bargain with a dying wolf in this animated fable

Lost in a cold and dark wood, a young boy encounters a dying wolf, who asks him for a favor. But will the boy be able to fulfill his promise in the end? The stylized darkness of Jeff Le Bars’ Carn is wonderful, as if its characters stepped out of a truly Grimm fairytale. And…

There’s an App For Legally Binding Contracts

Signing something on a smartphone may not feel very legit, but be careful where you squiggle because mobile contracts are for real. And if you’re trying to keep legal fees down, a contracts app like Shake may actually help. Shake’s CEO claims that $1 million worth of contracts have already been signed on the app,…

These rules helped make the Bill Nye the Science Guy show great

It’s always wonderful to see children’s television staffers pay care and attention to the important details of their shows. And this short list of Bill Nye the Science Guy’s “Rules of the Road” lays out the basics of creating an engaging show that gets people excited about learning. You can read a transcript of this…

Japan’s Rocket Launch Was Totally On The Cheap

Yesterday the Japanese space agency Jaxa successfully launched the Epsilon rocket, which is carrying a telescope, Sprint-A, for planetary observation. Jaxa was able to complete the launch for about $37 million, half the cost of previous Jaxa rockets and cheap compared to an average $450 million NASA launch. To scrimp and save, Jaxa built Epsilon…

This dazzlingly bright star is a cosmic lighthouse

This star is RS Puppis, and it isn’t just the stellar equivalent of a pretty face; it’s absolutely crucial to our understanding of the universe. This is a Cepheid variable star, which in part means its brightness increases and decreases on an exact, predictable schedule. And because it’s surrounded by a giant nebula that reflects…

Please don’t try to turn the Star Trek movies into Deep Space 9

One of the things that surprised many viewers of Star Trek Into Darkness is that the film portrayed a less than virtuous Starfleet, something some folks have likened to the series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. But Deep Space Nine’s portrayal of Starfleet reflects that series’ role in the larger Star Trek universe and doesn’t…

Wow, This Is a Hilariously Dumb Thing To Do With a Toaster

When you stick anything metal into a toaster that’s plugged in, something like this will happen. This is a pretty extreme/dumbass case, but something bad will happen. Every time. No no. No need to test it. This is what’s up. What if it’s a fork? Risk of electrocution. Spatula? Explosion. Tongs? Kaboom. If you’re still…

Our Favorite TV Shows Never Really Leave Us

Everyone has favorite shows. Look at Breaking Bad. Fans are everywhere right now. And like Breaking Bad all shows must meet a noble or ignominious end. But that doesn’t mean we stop loving them. Or hating them so much that we are oddly fascinated and can’t stop watching. That’s why Offerpop took a look at…