The group of six young Iranians who were arrested in May for dancing to Pharrell Williams' hit song "Happy" in a viral video finally know their fate
On Wednesday, an Iranian court sentenced five of them to 6 months in prison and 91 lashes each, while another was sentenced to one year in prison and 91 lashes, according to the local and independent English-language site Iran Wire.
The sentences, however, are "suspended" for three years, which means the six will remain free unless they are found guilty of a similar offense. After three years, their sentences will become "null and void," according to their lawyer Farshid Rofugaran. Read more...
"What a way to start off a season," said host Pat Sajak as Manchester gasped, "Oh my god, I can't believe it." Her family, including her husband, two children and father, rushed the stage and hugged her as confetti rained down.
When Sajak asked the math teacher what she thought about the probability of her winning $1 million, she said it was low, but added some words of optimism. Read more...
If you're an iPhone owner, iOS 8 brings with it a lot of great features, including new kinds of keyboards, a way to see which apps are killing your battery and a smarter Siri. It also gives your phone a new way to rat out who you've been talking to.
With iOS 8, the app-switching screen that appears when you double-press the home button now shows a row of your most recent contacts up top. That's nice and convenient until you exchange texts with an ex, and the contact appears on the screen for all to see.
Recent contacts appear in a strip on the app-switching screen in iOS 8. Read more...
I have had my eye on the AR.Drone 2.0 Elite Edition Quadcopter for quite a while, though I was never quite ready to drop $300 for one. So when Parrot offered to send me one, to say I was ecstatic would be an understatement. When the package arrived at my door, I quickly dropped what I was doing and got to work (well, got to play I guess). I popped open the box, pulled out all of the pieces, installed the free app (Android & iOS) and it was up, up, and away!
Above is a picture of LeBron James that was taken on Sept. 16. Something looks a little different about him, no? That famously receding hairline of his is suddenly looking a little fuller, which leads us to ask the obvious question: Did LeBron get hair plugs? Let's investigate!
Sure, the media excitement is concentrated around the impending release of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, but iOS 8 is something that should enthuse all iPhone and iPad owners.
When I reviewed iOS 7 last year, I described the release as a rebirth of iOS. It was, after all, a significant overhaul — akin to the change from Mac OS 9 to Mac OS X. For those who remember, Mac OS X 10.0 was a rough release. Sure, the interface was brand new and the promise was there, but there were bugs and some missing features. Read more...
Destiny, the epic space opera that is part first-person shooter, part massive online game, sold through $325 million worth of games in the five days since it was released, publisher Activision said Wednesday.
That number, which represents the number of copies already in consumers hands, is the biggest ever for the launch of a new gaming intellectual property. But it's also surprisingly high considering the game is receiving mediocre reviews from critics across the board.
Destiny represents a huge undertaking by its creator Bungie — known for creating the Halo series — and its publisher Activision. All told, $500 million was invested in the game, including the marketing, which is the biggest budget ever for a game. The marketing was also inescapable since June, with prominent TV spots appearing months back, including during the "Every Simpsons Ever" marathon on FXX that became a television event. Sony even rolled out a special-edition white PlayStation 4 as a bundle for the game. Read more...
Today in first world problems: The iOS 8 update requires a whopping near 5 GB on the iPhone — and who in the world has that much storage available?
Apple released the update Wednesday, sending customers in a blind fit of rage upon realizing they'd have to delete apps, photos and music — basically everything they have ever been and ever will be — to make room for the software upgrade.
While the majority of us aren't busy updating to iOS 8 today, we know there's a pretty big group of folks that have an Apple product or two, and probably want to know more about what's new, how it all works, and why we want to update to Apple's newest version. That's where Rene and his crew over at iMore come into the picture. They've been going on no sleep and Red Bull for a few days, and they've assembled everything you will ever need to know about iOS 8 all into a mega-day of posting.
Social media activity and TV ratings have so far only been proven to have "casual" relationship, which, like a casual romantic relationship, sort of means they sleep together but aren't exclusive. But what role does social activity play in predicting which shows will live long lives, and which are destined for the TV graveyard?
The answer will become clearer as TV ratings for returning and new fall shows begin to trickle out, following a slew of premieres next week. For now, here's what one social media data cruncher, ViralHeat, predicts will happen:
Knowledge is a game changer. I’ve long been inspired by the Internet and how it opens the doors to opportunity. It provides access to knowledge, no matter who you are or where you are. For instance, it doesn’t matter if you’re a Nobel Laureate at a world-class research center or a young student at a rural school in Indonesia, with Google Search, you have the same information at your fingertips as anyone else.
If we look at how people are getting online and accessing information today, increasingly it’s through a smartphone. While 1.75 billion people around the world already have a smartphone, the vast majority of the world’s population—over five billion more—do not. That means most people are only able to make simple voice calls, rather than connect with family through a live video chat, use mapping apps to find the closest hospital, or simply search the web. We want to bring these experiences to more people.
That’s where Android One comes in. At I/O, we first talked about this initiative to make high-quality smartphones accessible to as many people as possible. And today we’re introducing the first family of Android One phones in India.
Addressing key barriers—hardware, software and connectivity There are three big reasons why it’s hard for people in countries such as India, Indonesia or the Philippines to get their hands on a high-quality smartphone. First, is the hardware itself. Even entry-level smartphones still remain out of reach for many (bear in mind that in some of these countries the average monthly income is around $250). Second, many people in these markets do not have access to the latest Android software and popular applications. Finally, even where 3G and 4G networks are available, not enough people have phones that can support data and the plans can be expensive.
Android One aims to help tackle these challenges. By working closely with phone and silicon chip makers to share reference designs and select components, we’re making it easier for our partners to build phones that are not just great to use, but also affordable. They have lots of processing power, so you can get information quickly. They have high-quality front- and rear-facing cameras. And for all those pictures, along with your apps and videos, Android One phones will have expandable storage. We also added features that people in India will find particularly useful, like dual SIM cards, a replaceable battery and built-in FM radio.
To help ensure a consistent experience, Android One devices will receive the latest versions of Android directly from Google. So you’ll get all the latest features, up-to-date security patches, and peace of mind knowing your stuff is always backed up. It also means Android One devices will be some of the first to be updated to the Android L release later this year. For our hardware partners, they’ll be able to create customized experiences and differentiate their devices without having to change the core software.
In an effort to reduce data costs, if you have an Airtel SIM card, you’ll get these software updates for free for the first six months. As part of this same Airtel offer, you’ll also be able to download up to 200MB per month worth of your favorite apps (that’s about 50 apps overall) from Google Play—all without counting toward your mobile data usage. More to come This is just the beginning of the Android One journey. The first phones, from our hardware partners Micromax, Karbonn, Spice and chipmaker MediaTek, are available starting today in India from leading retailers starting at Rs 6,399. We’re also excited to welcome more partners to the program, including phone manufacturers Acer, Alcatel Onetouch, ASUS, HTC, Intex, Lava, Lenovo, Panasonic, Xolo, and chipmaker Qualcomm. We expect to see even more high-quality, affordable devices with different screen sizes, colors, hardware configurations and customized software experiences. Finally, we plan to expand the Android One program to Indonesia, the Philippines and South Asia (Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) by the end of the year, with more countries to follow in 2015.
Access for access’s sake is not enough. With Android One, we not only want to help people get online, we want to make sure that when they get there, they can tap into the wealth of information and knowledge the web holds for everyone.
Posted by Sundar Pichai, SVP, Android, Chrome & Apps
Pandora is currently rolling out a redesigned version of its Android app that may just cause more than a few double takes. The Internet radio service has looked largely the same on Android for a few years now, but the UI introduced in 5.5 is strikingly different - at first, at least. This change is stark, but it's only surface deep.
What's New?
The Pandora app has been stripped of its blue gradients.
Back in the day you may remember a popular series of Android t-shirts that took the geek world by storm. There was Exploded Andy, Unstoppable Andy, Mountain View Mashers, and more. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen some creative Android apparel like those t-shirts, but Andy’s Threads is trying to fix that.
Andy’s Threads is a start-up clothing company that has been designing gear since 2011. Due to an increase in production costs they had to take a break, but now they are back, and they need our help. They are currently trying to raise $8,000 on Kickstarter to boost their new operations. Their goal is to bring down costs, build up inventory, and roll out more awesome designs. But enough about the logistics, let’s take a look at some of the shirts they offer.
For $25 you can back the campaign and pick out a t-shirt. For $150 you can join the Droid Shirt Club and get a free Android shirt every month for a year. Head on over to Kickstarter to show your support. You can also buy some shirts right now from andysthreads.com. Show that Android pride loud and proud!
It might be tough to remember when watching the shiny CGI battles of a modern Marvel movie, but the influential comic book maker has been cranking out heroes for more...
We all know by now that Bluetooth headsets are a serious fashion faux pas — so if you're going to wear one, make it as small as possible. The Motorola...
PayPal took a swipe at Apple and its new payment platform in a new print ad that appeared in the New York Times, USA Today and San Francisco Chronicle this week
"We the people want our money safer than our selfies," the ad says, seemingly alluding to the recent nude celebrity photo hack that impacted certain iCloud accounts and prompted Apple to adjust its security measures
Image: PayPal
Anuj Nayar, senior director of global initiatives at PayPal, acknowledged the ad was referencing Apple and didn't exactly hold back his criticism for Apple's new payment platform Read more...
Clear Channel has finally tuned in to the need to rethink its brand.
Clear Channel, the radio conglomerate that operates more than 1,200 stations around the United States, announced Tuesday that it is rebranding as iHeartMedia, drawing on the success of its online radio service iHeartRadio
"iHeartMedia reflects both the success and the cultural impact of the iHeartRadio business formed three years ago and the evolution of the company’s major local radio station brands and franchises to include mobile, social and events," the company said in a press release announcing the branding change. Read more...
One of the key new features of the iPhone 6 and the larger-screened iPhone 6 Plus is the inclusion of NFC (near-field communication) technology, which powers Apple Pay. In many phones, NFC not only enables mobile payments, but also allows users to quickly pair speakers and apps.
But according to a Cult of Mac report, Apple is restricting the use of NFC to its new Apple Pay platform. This means iOS developers and accessory makers will be unable, as of now, to incorporate NFC into their apps and products
There is no shortage of fitness trackers on the market today, but a new one from Misfit is the most affordable option we've seen yet.
The company announced the Misfit Flash on Tuesday, which monitors your steps, tracks your sleep cycle and does everything you'd expect from a fitness tracker. However, at $49, it's far cheaper than competing models in the $120+ range.
"It was important to Misfit to make the act of monitoring your activity and sleep more accessible for consumers to expand the industry to the masses, including those who may not have been able to invest in it in the past," a spokesperson told Mashable. Read more...
by Kyle Wagner on The Concourse, shared by Kyle Wagner to Deadspin
Some people think this is a fake butt. Others thought it was a photoshop, but the photo is from the Getty wire, which is not where you usually find conspiracy-driving photoshops. It doesn't look especially physiologically possible, one way or another.
by Andy Cush on Gawker, shared by Tom Ley to Deadspin
On Saturday, the eighth-ranked LSU Tigers beat the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks 31-0 in a drama-free home game. Far more exciting than that shutout was the frat-boy showdown that one attendee documented outside.
by Ross Benes on Regressing, shared by Kyle Wagner to Deadspin
Colin Kaepernick had an awful game Sunday night throwing three interceptions, fumbling once, and getting sacked four times. Sometimes, broad game stats can mask situational competence, but not here. According to data from Brian Burke of Advanced Football Analytics, Kaerpernick's interception at the beginning of the fourth quarter was the most detrimental play in the NFL Sunday as it lowered the 49ers' Win Probability 27 percent.
This happened during Saturday's game between Arkansas State and Miami. I know nothing else about why it happened or who is responsible for it happening, but I feel it's better that way. Let's not worry about details, and instead just enjoy this GIF, courtesy of our friends at Vice Sports.
DisplayMate, which regularly offers its opinions on smartphone and tablet displays, has conducted its extensive series of tests on the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and the team has already labeled the upcoming Android device as having the best smartphone display ever made, at least so far.
Addressing key barriers—hardware, software and connectivity
To help ensure a consistent experience, Android One devices will receive the latest versions of Android directly from Google. So you’ll get all the latest features, up-to-date security patches, and peace of mind knowing your stuff is always backed up. It also means Android One devices will be some of the first to be updated to the Android L release later this year. For our hardware partners, they’ll be able to create customized experiences and differentiate their devices without having to change the core software.
Pandora is currently rolling out a redesigned version of its Android app that may just cause more than a few double takes. The Internet radio service has looked largely the same on Android for a few years now, but the UI introduced in 5.5 is strikingly different - at first, at least. This change is stark, but it's only surface deep.
It might be tough to remember when watching the shiny CGI battles of a modern Marvel movie, but the influential comic book maker has been cranking out heroes for more...
We all know by now that Bluetooth headsets are a serious fashion faux pas — so if you're going to wear one, make it as small as possible. The Motorola...
