Tech News

This Cheap Unlocked iPhone is Your $150-and-No-Contract Deal of the Day

You know what an iPhone is. Hell, you might be reading this post on one right now. So you might be asking why you need one that came out in 2009, even if it’s a damn steal at $149. Here’s why: if you’ve got a phone on a contract, and you go overseas, you’ll most…

Lasso Coatrack Is Probably Supported By Cowboy Sorcery

There’s always been some kind of mystique about the wild west and cowboys. And if you’ve ever stared in awe while they roped a cattle, wondering how they could pull off such a feat, it’s no longer a mystery. It’s obviously the same thing that keeps this Lasso Wardrobe frozen in time—straight up magic. That,…

Google Accidentally Photographs Military Drone Landing

Around the clock, satellites are snapping and re-snapping the Earth’s surface from space. Also around the clock, weaponized killer drones are making the rounds—and it looks like the two just had a chance encounter. The scene above shows one of the Air Force’s MQ-9 Reaper drones preparing to touch down at Creech Air Force Base…

How QR Codes Work and Why They Suck So Hard

QR codes are a technology that desperately wants our attention. They appear everywhere from supermarket shelves and magazines to hiking trails and tombstones. Never heard of a QR code? You’re looking at one right now. Scan the image at the top of this article, and it’ll open a link to the mobile version…of this article.…

QR Gallery

Version 1 — 21×21 — This reads, “Ver1” Image: Autopilot Version 2 — 25×25 — This reads, “Version 2” Image: Autopilot Version 3 — 29×29 — This reads, “Version 3 QR code” Image: Autopilot Version 4 — 33×33 — This reads, “Version 4 QR code, up to 50 char” Version 10 — 57×57 — This…

Report: Automatic Video Ads (With SOUND?) Coming To Your Facebook Feed

If you think the auto-play commercials on sites like ours are annoying, get ready to have it in your face times a billion: Ad Age says video ads are hitting Facebook. The transition, which AdAge’s anonymous industry sources say will begin in the first half of 2013, will stick video commercials in your browser, tablet,…

Shooting Challenge: Ornaments

Shooting Summary: f/5.0,1/8,ISO125, Nikon D80,18-55mm lense My mom bought this ornament at the Goodwill 5 years ago, it is hand painted and has no religous meaning. But the painting on it is so whimiscal, that every Christmas I’ll stare at this ornament and wish I was a part of the picture. – Margaret Warburton Camera…

24 Photographs Of Your Most Treasured Ornaments

Even for heathens, hanging Christmas tree ornaments can be a multi-decade tradition. For this week’s Shooting Challenge, I asked you to not only take some photos, but share the stories behind the ornaments that only you’re allowed to hang. WINNER: Babys and Bokeh, The Ultimate Combo I’m not normally a sentimental holiday guy, but since…

Whoa, Is This Polaroid Mirrorless Camera Real?

The internet is awash today with rumors of a possible Polaroid mirrorless camera. All looks good at first glance, but some weirdness makes us question whether it’s all a ruse. Images were originally leaked via Russian social network VK and later published by Photorumors.com. The supposed camera looks remarkably similar to the Nikon 1 J2…

iPhone 5 and iPad mini owners, iOS 6.0.2 is now available via iTunes to fix any and hopefully all Wi-Fi issues.

Is it OK to Propose on Twitter?

Electronic music superstar and friend of Gizmodo Deadmau5 just got engaged to the beautiful and talented Kat Von D. (Congrats dudes!!!) But no matter how happy we are for the love birds, we can’t seem to agree about whether or not popping the question on social media is OK. Discuss.

Google’s new music matching service is basically iTunes Match streaming playback for free. [ATD]

Need Holiday Shopping Help? We’re Here to Help—Live

It is officially the time of year when all gear writers start getting emails from friends and family asking what presents they should get their loved ones for the holidays. Then we get together in gadget guy bars and bitch about this fact ad nauseum. Well, some of us do. Not me; I love this…

Beats By Dre Headphones Are Going in Helmets Now

POC and Beats By Dre are going to make your next ski trip better and safer with a new line of Receptor BUG Helmets that have headphones built in. They’re pretty standard as far as these kinds of helmets go—the headphones are built into the neckroll for a comfortable fit, and there’s a mic and…

Go On a “Mission” With Your Nike FuelBand. Wait, What?

If you or your friends are sporting Nike FuelBands, you might be interested in this weird animated game that taps into your Fuel scores. Called NikeFuel Missions, the “game” essentially riffs off the existing challenges that are presented to Nike+ users on the desktop website. https://gizmodo.com/nike-fuelband-review-a-friendly-reminder-to-stop-being-5900807 Whether you use a FuelBand or any other Nike+…

Now you can watch all of Vimeo’s lovely short films on Xbox through a brand new app. Start with this video.

18 Adorable Videos of Kids Being Incredibly Excited About Christmas Gadgets

Sweaters. Meat. Gift certificates. Books. Whatever. We know what really gets kids excited on Christmas morning. It’s gadgets. Well, video game consoles, mostly, but kids know enough to slip an iPod request in there on off years. Most of these videos are adorable, a few are cringe-inducing, and a couple are downright touching. Six years…

How Much Would It Cost To Gift Wrap an Entire House?

If you were financially fortunate enough to be able to gift someone an actual house this year for Christmas, you’ll want to do more than just hang a big bow on the front door. Unwrapping a mysterious present is half the fun of getting a gift, and with this handy calculator you’ll be able to…

5 Tips for Taking Holiday Photos You Can Be Proud Of

[Ed. note: Ah, the holidays — the time of year when we gather with loved ones, take pictures of loved ones, dress in festive reindeer sweaters, take pictures of festive reindeer sweaters, make an excessive number of baked goods, take pictures of an excessive number of baked goods, etc. Basically, ’tis the season for lots…

The Only Place on Earth Where You Will Be Safe From the Apocalypse

The Mayan apocalypse is real and everyone is going to die this Friday—everyone except the people staying in any of the hotels around this mountain. It’s name is Mount Rtanj and, magically, anyone on this 5,100-foot-high mountain in Serbia will be spared from certain doom. Doom that will come on December 21 in the form…