Tech News

How Crypto Keys Can Be Stolen Across the Cloud

Most people are happy to give their neighbours a spare house key in case of emergencies, but you probably wouldn’t want to give them your digital passwords. Now security researchers have shown that you may not have a choice, at least when it comes to cloud computing. Cloud servers let users run simulations of an…

This 21:9 Monitor Is a Multitasker’s Wet Dream

LG’s EA93 monitor is claims to be the first 21:9 aspect ratio monitor the world has ever seen—which makes it a multitasker’s wet dream. The monitor runs at a whopping resolution of 2,560 x 1,080, which multitasking fans can split four ways to have four things from four separate sources all on the go at…

Jam With Chrome Turns Your Browser Into a Garage Band

Sitting at a desk working is not the same as living the childhood dream of playing in a rock band. But now you can relive those adolescent ideas by jamming with your friends in Chrome, courtesy of Google. Jam With Chrome lets you pick up whatever instrument you fancy—guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, synth, drum machine—and…

A Mouse Shouldn’t Need an Internet Connection to Work Properly (Updated, It Doesn’t)

A mouse is a fundamental part of every desktop computer. It should just work, at all times. Odd, then, that Razer’s high-end Naga gaming mouse does exactly the opposite, requiring an internet connection if you’re going to stand any chance of using it. Update: Razer has gotten in touch to explain: The first time a…

Kindle Paperwhite got a software update: it now renders comics better, and boasts a few usability tweaks, too. [Amazon]

Apple Finally Patents the Round-Cornered Rectangle

Debate has raged, not least in the courts, about whether Apple should really be able to patent a rectangular device with rounded corners. Seems the US Patent and Trademark Office thinks it can, because it just granted a patent which lays claim to the shape of the iPad, reports Verge. https://gizmodo.com/too-bad-this-apple-samsung-fanboy-peace-treaty-isnt-rea-5953424 Patent no. D670,286 defines…

Verizon Waives Voice and Text Charges For Sandy Victims

Verizon has announced that it will waive domestic voice and text charges for customers who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. The decision will mean that Verizon customers based in the New York and New Jersey areas between October 29 and November 16 don’t have to stump up for phone calls and text messages—at least, the…

Airbnb’s partnered with NYC.gov to offer Sandy-affected users housing, gratis. Better late than never! [TechCrunch]

Learning About Knives with This App Will Make You a Better Cook

Cooking ain’t easy! But if you want to get better, you have to start somewhere and that somewhere should probably be your knife skills. With Kitchen Knife Skills, an iOS app, you’ll stop accidentally chopping your fingers and start learning slick tricks to make you a better cook. Kitchen Knife Skills is a beautiful app…

The Stoner Channel: Sonic Booms, Gansta Lunchables, and Why I’m Moving Back to Colorado

Weed Is Now Totally Legal in Two States, Still Sorta Legal in 17 Others Both Washington’s Initiative 502 and Colorado’s Amendment 64 passed muster during last night’s election garnering 56 and 53 percent of the vote, respectively. Detroit’s Proposal M passed with a whopping 63 percent approval and Massachusetts legalized MMJ by a 2-to-1 margin!…

Who Wants to Drive a Crashed Car Made with Naked Bodypainted People?

Here’s a ride I wouldn’t mind taking, even if it ends up in a crash: a car made with bodypainted people. The art project, which paints 17 bodies and shapes it into a busted car is part of an anti-speeding ad that’s supposed to encourage driving slow. You bet we would. Emma Hack, a body…

Being Trapped Inside This Giant Plastic Space Time Foam Art Installation Looks Like Out of This World Fun

I don’t know what I think of this art installation. Sometimes I see a giant alien playground from the future, other times I think it’s a sticky membrane web from the inside of some sci-fi monster. Whatever it is, every single time I see a lot of freaking fun. The installation, called On Space Time…

Obama’s Win Sent Instagram into Overdrive

It’s not just Twitter that saw an astronomical boost from last night’s electoral dance—Instagram completely exploded as soon as Obama clinched presidential victory. In a huge way. https://gizmodo.com/america-tweeted-till-its-fingers-bled-last-night-updat-5958483 Within just six quick minutes—about as much time as it took for ecstatic Democrats to confirm on Twitter, jump up and down a little, pick up their…

I Really Want a Credit Card with a LCD Screen and Touchscreen Keypad

You can have your black card and your credit card carved out of adamantium (just kidding, I would really like that), the only credit card I want is MasterCard’s Display Card. MasterCard has been testing the card that comes with a LCD and touchscreen keypad, for some time and has now introduced it in Singapore.…

Anybody Who Says Buzzwords to Describe Startups and Technology Should Be Zapped in the Head

Synergy! Gamification! Likes! Viral! They’re all awful bullshit buzzwords that marketing folks love to use to spin their product. The words sound really nice coming out of your mouth but they don’t mean anything. If you can only describe your product with buzzwords, you already screwed up. [YouTube via The Awesomer]

Hiding a GoPro Inside a Bouquet Shows the Wedding from the Bride’s Point of View

Here’s a freaking sweet idea for all you future lovebirds: hide a camera inside the wedding bouquet so you can capture the entire wedding through the bride’s perspective. You’ll end up with a touching first person video of the biggest day of your life. Ben Horne, a photographer, and his wife cleverly put a GoPro…

Afterglow: Better Filters and Editing for Your Instagram Photos

I’m impressed, mobile photography grasshopper. You’ve gotten pretty good at Instagram I see. Feeling limited by meager selection of filters? Afterglow will take you to the next level. What does it do? Afterglow gives you a ton of new Instagram-like filters plus basic editing tools you’ll recognize from software like Adobe Lightroom. The 30 included…

Extendable Table Grows and Shrinks Without Swapping a Single Part

A small subset of the world’s industrial designers seem to be focusing their efforts on creating new and innovative ways for an intimate dining table to transform into a place for a large dinner party. This latest design is courtesy of Julien Vidame and uses a series of rolling boards that lay flat or stand…

This 26 Pound 36,000 Calorie Gummy Python Will Probably Still Kill You

Ironically, dying at the hands of a real python would probably be less agonizing than the prolonged torture of consuming this eight foot long, 26 pound, 36,720 calorie gummy snake. You can grab one in Blue Raspberry/Green Apple or Red Cherry/Blue Raspberry for $150; just make sure your last will and testament is complete before…

Subway Signaling Equipment Before and After Sandy’s Salt Water Flood

The MTA just posted images of subway signaling equipment that was damaged when Hurricane Sandy caused the ocean to invade the New York City underground. This relay from the Rector Street station spent three days under water. Salt water in the subway is is incredibly dangerous because it causes severe corrosion very quickly. Compare the…