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Tech NewsSploid
Wire magically untangles itself in water
Nitinol wire, a metal alloy made from nickel and titanium, basically has magic properties that lets it remember its ‘original’ shape. You can bend it over and over, twist it up, bunch it together and confuse the heck out of it however much you want but once you throw it in hot water, it’ll snap … Continued
By Casey Chan -
Tech News
Visit Spain, See Wolves
Which country in Western Europe has more wolves than Montana, Idaho and Wyoming combined? Spain. What follows is my experience finding the wolves and how you can too. A generous bartender in the village of Villadeciervos had told us beforehand that there were two forest rangers in this area. One who liked wolves and another … Continued
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Tech NewsSploid
Motorcycle jumps over plane that’s flying sideways close to the ground
I don’t know who had the hardest job in this video that stacks crazy on top of crazy. On first watch, I’d side with the pilot who’s flying an airplane sideways mere feet from the ground. Another look would make me think it’s the motorcyclist who has to jump over that plane. Or maybe it’s … Continued
By Casey Chan -
Tech News
“There’s a Bomb on a Bus”: Speed and L.A.’s Car Chase Addiction
Before I re-watched it anticipation of its 20th anniversary, I might have dismissed Speed as more tired commentary on L.A. traffic. In actuality, I was shocked at how honestly the film portrayed Los Angeles’ transportation culture in 1994. Although it did perpetuate its fair share of transit myths: Like anyone could ever get up to … Continued
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Tech NewsSploid
NASA’s real life Enterprise may take us to other star systems one day
Dr. Harold “Sonny” White is still working on a warp drive at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. His work is still in the experimental stage but that doesn’t mean he can’t imagine what the real life Enterprise ship would look like according to his math. You’re looking at it right now. This is the starship that … Continued
By Jesus Diaz -
Tech News
I Had Absolutely No Idea This Classic Song Was Actually a Cover
Got My Mind Set on You was a feel-good, finger-snapping, foot-tapping hit for George Harrison in 1987. It was also a cover! The original was recorded by James Ray some 25 years earlier. Mind = blown. Harrison made it his own on Cloud Nine which, as one of the handful of cassettes we had in … Continued
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Tech News
Project Morpheus Hands-On: The Virtual Future Is Very, Very Bright
When Sony announced its intentions to take Oculus Rift head-on, we were excited. The Rift (rightly) gets all of the attention and praise for its VR prowess, but a little competition would be good for the emerging technology. Today at E3 in Los Angeles we finally got to try Project Morpheus for ourselves. And man, … Continued
By Brent Rose -
Tech News
One Last Look at Brooklyn’s Disappearing Domino Sugar Refinery
The Domino Sugar Refinery isn’t long for this world—at least in its current form. Soon, this 132-year-old industrial site will be transformed into a luxury residential development that’s been long-dreaded by current residents. Photographer Paul Raphaelson got a look inside the decaying refinery in its current state, and the resulting images are stunning. Check them … Continued
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Tech News
This Photo Spoiled The Rocketman Magic Back in 1951
Many American kids of the 1950s and 60s were absolutely obsessed with all things space. They were particularly enamored with the space action heroes that they saw on TV — in shows like Captain Video, Space Patrol, and Commando Cody. One can’t help but think that kids like Elroy Jetson (a mid-21st century stand-in for … Continued
By Matt Novak -
Tech NewsDesign
A Bizarre WWII-Era Supermaterial Made of Ice Is Making a Comeback
Steel was in short supply during the height of World War II, and there was nothing to be done but invent a replacement. One proposal was called Pykrete, a mixture of ice and sawdust that melted incredibly slowly. The idea faded away once the war ended—but now, a group of Dutch architects and engineers are … Continued
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Tech News
Star Wars and Skateboarding Were Meant To Be Together
To help commemorate a bunch of new Star Wars-themed products from skateboarding companies Vans and Santa Cruz, Black Book Gallery in Denver, Colorado, put on an exhibit of Star Wars-inspired art. And it included this AT-AT model, which artist Derek Keenan made from reclaimed skateboard decks. Would this piece look amazing on your desk at … Continued
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Tech News
I Watched Sony’s E3 Experience From a Movie Theater in Alabama
Last night, Sony simulcast its E3 press conference to dozens of movie theaters across the United States, including the Regal Trussville Stadium 16, a Big Lots-facing megaplex just off of County Highway 10. That’s where I watched it, along with a few dozen PlayStation faithful. Disclaimer: I am not a gamer. I can handle myself … Continued
Laurel Mills -
Tech NewsGadgets
Recharging This Backup Battery Takes As Little As 15 Minutes
A backup battery can be a lifesaver if your phone is on the brink of dying—but only if it isn’t dead as well. External power packs can usually take hours to charge depending on their capacity, but UNU claims its new Ultrapak GO and TOUR batteries can be charged enough to top off a smartphone … Continued
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Tech News
Apple Maps Will Soon Remember Where You Parked Your Car
It looks like Apple’s doing everything it can to get its in-house Maps software back in our good graces. Thanks to a hidden asset buried deep in iOS 8, new icons seem to reveal a Maps feature that would remember exactly where users last parked their cars. Of course, how the new feature would actually … Continued
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Tech News
Before the Hollywood Sign Found Fame, Others Signs Dotted LA’s Hillsides
HOLLYWOODLAND’s voice was not alone. Other hillsides also spoke. Across Los Angeles in the 1920s, signs announced new real-estate subdivisions in big block letters perched high above the city. BEVERLY CREST. BRYN MAWR. TRYON RIDGE. Time has largely forgotten these other signs. One still rusts away in the chaparral day, toppled and discarded long ago. … Continued
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Tech NewsAmazon
Report: Amazon Is Launching a Service To Help You Find a Babysitter
Reuters reports that later this year Amazon will start testing a marketplace for services, where users can find and hire everything from babysitters to handymen. It will be testing the service in limited areas to gauge demand and figure out logistics before moving forward with a broader launch. According to the report, Amazon has been … Continued
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Tech News
This Weird Household Machine Was the Future of Voting in 1945
Some day a President of the United States may be elected “electronically.” This sentence wouldn’t look out of place in any news story from the 21st century, despite quotes around the word “electronically.” But believe it or not, that prediction comes from a magazine article in 1945. Under the headline “Votes by Radio: An Electronic … Continued
By Matt Novak -
Tech News
This Wireless Keyboard Contraption Brings Your Desktop to Your Lap
Anyone who tries to play PC games on their TV inevitably runs into the same problem: What do you do with that damn keyboard and mouse? Roccat has a clever if not super elegant solution. Just put an entire desk-top on your lap. You could do that with a normal keyboard, sure, but Roccat’s new … Continued
By Eric Limer -
Tech News
New Lion King Spin-Off Show Reeks Of Nostalgia-Exploitation
Almost 20 years after The Lion King pounced into our hearts as a tear-jerking classic, Disney is bringing the pride back in an…interesting way. A new animated series aimed at preschoolers, Lion Guard, will air on Disney Junior and the Disney Channel starting November 2015. It will feature Kion, Simba’s son, protecting the jungle from … Continued
By Jason Krell