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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
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Live Video Could Ruin Fashion Week, Leave Us With Ugly Clothes

15 Feb 2013

Critics are worried streaming runway shows will change the entire fashion system, from production to sales.

More About: fashion, fashion week, img fashion, models, new york fashion week, video streaming

Categories: News

Video: Meteorite Hits Russia, Injuring 1,000 People

15 Feb 2013

A meteorite hit Chelyabinsk, Russia, injuring more than 500 people and causing damage to nearby cars and buildings, Reuters reports.

Residents of the industrial city some 950 miles east of Moscow saw a white trail and a bright light in the sky, followed by an explosion which shattered the window glass from nearby houses.

No one has been killed in the incident, and most injuries were caused by the flying glass.

"I was driving to work, it was quite dark, but it suddenly became as bright as if it was day. I felt like I was blinded by headlights," said Viktor Prokofiev, a 36-year-old resident of Yekaterinburg.

SEE ALSO: Here's Why So Many Russians Have Dash Cams

The entire…
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More About: meteorite, russia

Categories: News

Opera Acquires Skyfire Labs for $155 Million

15 Feb 2013

Opera Software has acquired Skyfire Labs, the maker of mobile browser Skyfire, for $155 million, the company has announced.

Skyfire's other products include the Rocket Optimizer, which provides video delivery optimization for mobile operators, and Skyfire Horizon, a mobile browser extension which operators can customize and use for promotions and advertising.

Opera acquired the company mainly for its video optimization expertise. “Opera and Skyfire are a natural fit. Both companies have evolved far beyond their browser roots. Skyfire adds capabilities to our portfolio around video, app optimization, smartphones and tablets, and strength in North America. With video expected to cons…
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More About: opera, Skyfire

Categories: News

Next Private Spacecraft Launch Set for March 1

15 Feb 2013

The next private cargo mission to the International Space Station is slated to blast off March 1, NASA announced on Thursday.

The unmanned Dragon capsule, built by California-based firm SpaceX, will launch from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 10:10 a.m. EST (1510 GMT) on March 1 and arrive at the orbiting lab a day later.

Dragon will carry about 1,200 pounds of supplies and scientific experiments to the station, NASA officials said. It will return to Earth on March 25, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California with about 2,300 pounds of experiment samples and equipment onboard.

The flight will be SpaceX's second contracted cargo mission to th…
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More About: International Space Station, NASA, space, SpaceX, SpaceX Dragon

Categories: News

4 Classic Video Games Recast as Children’s Books

15 Feb 2013

Whether you spent hours fighting Bowser, defeating evil as Link or catching every Pokemon in sight, video games defined our childhood. (They just don't make 'em like they used to, do they?)

SEE ALSO: More Comics on Mashable

In the comics below, H. Caldwell Tanner of Loldwell gives us a double dose of nostalgia by combining beloved video games with cherished children's book covers.

Which made you smile the most? Let us know in the comments.




Comic illustrations by H. Caldwell Tanner, Loldwell. Published with permission; all rights reserved.

More About: comics, Gaming, humor, Loldwell, Watercooler

Categories: News

NBA Gives Basketball Nerds the Gift of Big Data

15 Feb 2013

A new tool introduced by the NBA gives hardcore and casual hoops fans alike access to an overwhelming amount of historical stats and data.

More About: NBA, Sports

Categories: News

Show Us Your iMadeFace Doppleganger

15 Feb 2013

By now you have likely already used iMadeFace or seen your friends' cartoon avatars all over your news feeds. The popular new iOS app allows you to create a cartoon version of yourself in seconds. It's inspired users around the world to give themselves the animated treatment.

But just how close to reality can iMadeFace get? To find out, we want you to show us your avatars alongside a picture of yourself. We'll feature the most uncanny resemblances in a follow-up story here on Mashable.

We've already created a few versions of Mashable staffers. Do you think we captured their likenesses? Let us know in the comments, and then send us your creations. We can't wait to see what you've got!…
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More About: cartoons, community, iMadeFace, photography

Categories: News

Passenger Records His Own Plane Crash

15 Feb 2013

When Jonathan Fielding heard that the carburetor of the plane he was in had iced over, his first inclination was to grab his smartphone.

Fielding was on a flight over Utah, with his wife (it was her first time flying), his mother-in-law and baby. The propeller plane's pilot announced that they would be forced to make a crash landing.

SEE ALSO: Helicopter Crash Caught on Camera During Filming of Top Gear Korea

Fielding's phone captured the subsequent moments, which were surprisingly calm. Things do get alarming when the camera begins to shake and cuts out as the plane flips over on impact.

All of the flight's passengers were safe -- but Fielding's cellphone chronicle gives…
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Categories: News

Pentagon Wants Smartphone Biometric Scanning Tool

15 Feb 2013

The Pentagon wants soldiers to be able to scan people's faces, eyes and thumbs with their smartphones.

That's why the Department of Defense has inked a $3 million deal with California-based tech company AOptix, to develop its "Smart Mobile Identity System," as first reported by Wired's Military blog Danger Room.

AOptix is working on a tool that can be added to a regular smartphone and turn it into a device that can scan eyes, thumbs, voices, and faces. "They’ve asked us, based on what they’ve seen of our product, to work on some more specific needs and requirements for DoD," Chuck Yort, AOptix’s vice president for identity solutions, told Wired.

SEE ALSO: U.S. Military Wants
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More About: military, military tech, Pentagon, U.S. Military

Categories: News

Justin Bieber Is This Kid’s Valentine’s Day Wingman

15 Feb 2013

Justin Bieber is one heck of a teen heartthrob, so he must have some pretty baller pick-up lines to be reeling in all those ladies, right?

That's at least what our awkward friend here figured, setting out to snag a V-Day date using only lyrics from the pop star's billboard hits. He approaches ladies with lines like this gem: "I could be your Buzz Lightyear; fly across the globe."

SEE ALSO: Justin Bieber Sexts Hillary on 'SNL'

Much like a train wreck, you won't want to watch, but we know you won't be able to look away from all the rejection that's about to happen.

Video courtesy of YouTube, VEVO. Image courtesy of Flickr, iloveJB123

BONUS: 10 Valentine's Day Cards for Y
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More About: justin bieber

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Original ‘Back to the Future II’ Hoverboard for Sale on eBay

15 Feb 2013

Looking for the perfect gift for that Back to the Future nerd in your life? Well, look no further than eBay -- if you've got $13,000 to spare.

More About: back to the future, ebay, Film

Categories: News

5 Surprising Facts About Friday’s Asteroid Flyby

15 Feb 2013

While there is no chance that asteroid 2012 DA14 will hit Earth on Feb. 15, the asteroid's flyby is history-making for several other reasons.

More About: Asteroid, Asteroids, astronomy, Science, space

Categories: News

Watch Puppies ‘Harlem Shake’ Their Tails

15 Feb 2013

You know the Harlem Shake viral craze is going in the right direction when puppies get in on the action.

There's not much context needed here -- do you really need a reason to watch a gaggle of puppies dance to some epic beats?

SEE ALSO: Facebook Employees Do the Harlem Shake

Didn't think so.

Video and image courtesy of YouTube, jonathanjoly

BONUS: 17 Amazing 'Harlem Shake' Videos You Can't Possibly Live Without

More About: cute animals, dogs, harlem shake, puppies

Categories: News

New Samsung Refrigerator Has Soda Stream Built In

15 Feb 2013

We've seen some pretty snazzy high tech refrigerators lately, but a fridge that has a sparkling water dispenser? That takes the cake.

Samsung has announced that its new 36” four-door refrigerator has the industry’s first-ever automatic sparkling water dispenser. It's powered by SodaStream, so you can get cold, bubbly water anytime of the day or night. The filtered sparkling water will come through the dispenser on the fridge door that already delivers water and ice.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Smart Fridge Dishes Up Recipe Ideas and Coupons

The sparkling water dispenser uses a standard SodaStream 60L CO2 cylinder which is concealed inside the left refrigerator door. That way it's easy to…
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More About: samsung, smart refrigerator

Categories: News

My Brain-Slurping Gal: A Love Song

15 Feb 2013

This man's girlfriend is great -- except for, you know, the whole eating brains thing.

More About: gallery, valentine's day, videos, Watercooler, YouTube, zombies

Categories: News

Criterion and Hulu Offer Free Weekend for Film Fanatics

15 Feb 2013

We made all our movies free on @hulu through the weekend. Enjoy. <3 ow.ly/hIUOP— Criterion Collection (@Criterion) February 14, 2013

In honor of Valentine's Day, Hulu and Criterion are opening up access to the Criterion Collection of streaming films for all users all weekend long.

From Feb. 14 to Feb. 18, free Hulu users in the U.S. will have access to every Criterion Collection title in Hulu's library.

If you're not familiar with Criterion, it's a company dedicated to preserving and publishing the best the film world has to offer, with a focus on classic auteurs such as Kurosawa, Bergman, Kubrick, Fellini and Truffaut. The company also focuses on more contemporary film…
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More About: criterion collection, hulu, valentine's day, Valentines

Categories: News

Twitter Will Decide the Value of Your Tweets

15 Feb 2013

Twitter will soon attach value ratings to users' tweets. Here's how -- and why.

More About: Twitter, Twitter API

Categories: News

The 15 Best Candy Heart Rejects

15 Feb 2013

Sweethearts -- better known to the rest of us as tiny, heart-shaped candies made from processed sugar and some other magical ingredient that renders them indestructible -- have come to define Feb. 14th. From children to adults, what better way to express your love than with a mini periwinkle-colored heart proclaiming "Be Mine?"

But those classic phrases were the result of years of brainstorming, experimenting and toying with the most romantic combinations of words.

This Valentine's Day, Twitter imagines all the unsuccessful and lost candy hearts of generations past with the popular hashtag #candyheartrejects.

You don't need the calories #candyheartrejects— Tom Brady's Ego (…
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More About: Twitter, valentine's day

Categories: News

Report Calls for More Research on Effects of Violent Media

15 Feb 2013

Existing research on the impact violent video games, television shows and movies have on children is outdated, according to a new report released this week.

The report was released by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit group that advocates for children and families with a focus on media. It analyzes the current information and studies done in recent years relating violence in the media to its effect on children. After looking at the data available, Common Sense Media determined that this information hasn't kept pace with rapidly changing content.

"The presence of violent images in advertising seen by children has barely been studied, comprehensive research on TV violence is nearly two de…
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More About: Children, Common Sense Media, Media, school violence, video games

Categories: News

Obama: Patent Trolls Hijack Others’ Ideas to ‘Extort Some Money’

15 Feb 2013

President Barack Obama pointed his finger at patent trolls, people and businesses who file patents and use them to aggressively sue others who produce potentially competing products, during a Google Hangout Thursday afternoon.

"They don't actually produce anything themselves," said Obama of patent trolls. "They're just trying to essentially leverage and hijack somebody else's idea and see if they can extort some money out of them."

Obama added that he believes his administration's efforts at patent reform "only went about halfway to where we need to go."

"What we need to do is pull together additional stakeholders and see if we can build some additional consensus on smarter patent l…
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More About: barack obama, patents, Politics, US

Categories: News