Tech News

How Darth Vader’s “I am your father” sounds in 20 different languages

Youtube user DBZGTBGM1991 compiled this neat video showing how Darth Vader’s “I am your father” line—probably the most famous line in movie history—sounds in 20 different languages. My favorites are Japanese and German—because they sound pretty scary. SPLOID is delicious brain candy. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Has Your Network-Connected Back-Up Drive Been Indexed By Search Engines?

Connecting a hard drive to your home network is a smart idea: it can let you access your files no matter where you are. But now it seems that, in some cases, Google has been indexing the private files held on such devices. An investigation by CSO reveals that some mis-configured personal cloud devices and…

This is how artists create their fascinating infinite loop GIFs

We’ve previously featured the fascinating and yet disturbing black and white animations by Kevin Weir. This interesting short documentary shows how his creative process works: From finding the old black and white pictures to the animation of his perfect loops. SPLOID is delicious brain candy. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

How Technological Advances Have Affected Sleep Deprivation

Out of the dark came fire, and it fascinated cave men through to the the small hours as they watched it flicker and burn, until they were tired to their bones. Then, there was the smartphone, and everyone stared a the glowing glass slabs until there was absolutely no hope of sleep whatsoever. [Doghouse Diaries]

Why the Ocean Needs Digital Technology to Create Our Energy

Almost one third of our electricity needs can be met by a predictable, renewable and yet largely untapped resource: ocean waves. Generated by wind blowing over ocean waters, ocean waves travel large distances with little loss of energy. As such, they are a renewable resource that is more consistent and predictable than wind or solar…

You Can Pre-Order an Apple Watch Right Now

Apple Watch pre-orders just went live. If you want to carry a little piece of Apple around on your wrist from launch day, then you should head over to the Apple Store right now to get one. In fact, the onlyway to make sure you get an Apple Watch on launch day—April 24th—is to pre-order…

This Craigslist Ad for a Genetic Engineer Is Pure Wonderful Madness

I have loved a lot of Craigslist ads in my time, but I truly love this one the most. It sounds like a plot ripped from The Avengers or Fantastic Four, crossed with VC-funded biotech startup madness. Here’s what the ad says: I am a billionaire who needs help creating a mouth wash.solution.gum with CRISPR-Cas9…

The Future Of Watching Netflix, Or Why Smartwatches And VR Are Dumb

Netflix is about a week late to the April Fool’s Day party with a new video that jokes about the streaming company releasing a comically-huge smartwatch for you to stream your content to. Jokes aside, we spoke to Netflix’s Chief Product Officer about whether it will work on pilot apps for smartwatches, virtual reality and…

Watch A Facebook For Windows App Being Built In Three Minutes Flat

We’re always being told (via the medium of pop-up ads) how easy it is to “make a top-10 app instantly” and “earn $$$ working from home”. But as this video, which lasts all of three minutes and forty-two seconds serves to show, making an app can be really easy these days. The app in question…

Game of Thrones Was Pirated 7 Million Times in the Last 3 Months

Citing a study from anti-piracy service Irdeto, Hollywood Reporter claims that episodes of Game of Thrones were illegally downloaded 7 million times in a three month period this year. Pirates love dragons, obviously. Those numbers are up from last year, when the show was downloaded 8 million times in twelve months, according to Torrent Freak.…

The Lizzie Borden Chronicles‘ First Episode Shows Wickedly Campy Promise

Lizzie did it. That was heavily implied in Lizzie Borden Took An Axe, the Lifetime movie that spawned The Lizzie Borden Chronicles, which keeps that theory alive and embellishes the hell out of it. Like the film, the series stars a clearly-having-a-ball Christina Ricci; it starts after the accused murderer’s acquittal. Spoilers ahead! In episode…

We’re Six Years Closer to a Clean Energy Future Than We Thought

Key price indicators in the clean tech industry are about six years ahead of estimates, and it’s mostly thanks to companies like Tesla that are pioneering cheaper, smarter solutions for mass-market consumption which can be used across a wide range of applications. This is a very good thing for Earth. Noah Smith writes in Bloomberg…

A new study of over 21,000 Swedish men conducted over 37 years found that “genetics as well as environment can influence the likelihood that a person will become a sexual offender,” though “a genetic predisposition did not by any means indicate that a person was bound to become a sex offender.”

How Much Do You Spend on Uber? 

I need to make a confession. Uber has terrible business practices, but makes up for it by being almost disturbingly less expensive than cabs. And I keep getting “inexpensive” mixed up with “free.” I spent the past year convincing myself that the only reason I use Uber is because it’s so cheap. When I actually…

Republican Senators Just Voted To Sell Off Your National Forests

Our public lands — including National Forests, wildlife refuges and wilderness areas — are arguably our greatest treasure. Well, almost every Republican Senator just voted to sell them to the highest bidder. This is what you can do about it. Why Public Land Is Important I don’t need to explain this, some of our nation’s…

Resurrecting 1500-Year-Old Canals Could Fix Peru’s Water Shortages 

Lima is one of the world’s largest desert cities, so when it rains it—just kidding, it pretty much never rains. Which leaves Peru’s capital city especially vulnerable to water shortages, and the surprising solution might be reviving a system of ancient canals that date back to even before the Incas. As New Scientist reports, the…

It’s BYOK(ernels) With This Re-Usable Microwave Popcorn Bag

Despite the lingering smell it leaves in the break room at work, microwaveable popcorn bags are truly one of humanity’s more ingenious inventions. But if you feel guilty about tossing that paper bag afterwards, or all the mysterious chemicals they use to simulate butter, try this re-useable silicone microwaveable popcorn bag instead. To make ten…

Serial Saga Continues In New Podcast

Serial addicts, take note: Undisclosed: The State vs. Adnan Syed debuts April 13. The podcast will be produced by lawyers Rabia Chaudry, Susan Simpson, and Colin Miller, and will offer “an investigation of the case rather than a narrative,” plus new information and fresh looks at angles covered by Serial.

Time Capsule Found Under Historic Statue, But Should They Open It?

Workers in Rochester, Minnesota were shocked yesterday to discover a time capsule underneath a statue of the Mayo brothers. Nobody knows what’s inside, but it’s large enough to keep us guessing. Could it be old fashioned medications? Antique stethoscopes? Maybe a samples of a virus that’ll wipe out humanity? Well, don’t start taking bets just…

Inside the Most Futuristic Science Labs in the World

Last month, we took a look at the headquarters of the most beautiful science laboratories and research institutes in the world. Now it’s time to go inside. As it turns out, scientists and their machines, labs, and tools are even more amazing then the buildings they work in. Here’s a panoramic image of the interior…