Ashton Kutcher has declared Facebook the “new religion” in comments made on-stage at a CTIA wireless conference. The remarks were reported by CNBC on Friday.

During the event, Kutcher praised Mark Zuckerberg’s social media juggernaut for creating “commonality” and turning “strangers into friends.”

Particularly appealing to the Two and a Half Men star and angel investor was the use of advertising, which he believes has proven effective since the company moved to that model to boost revenue. Kutcher said it was “enhancing my experience, which is what good advertising does.”

As for Twitter, the place where Ashton Kutcher got his feet wet with social media, and a site where he currently has around 14.3 million followers, the actor was not as impressed, criticizing the retweet button, among other features, for a “signal-to-noise problem,” stating that the service has changed “pretty drastically.”

Acknowledging that he had used Twitter to promote some of his own projects, Kutcher lamented that “companies and people are just pitching crap,” adding that he planned to cut back further from the 700 people he is currently following.

Kutcher, in contrast to his Facebook “new religion” comments, said Twitter was becoming more like an RSS feed and that he preferred apps like Flipboard for culling news content because it was based on preferences and social media accounts.

(CNBC noted that Kutcher invests in Flipboard.)

As for the acting front, Kutcher’s next big project will be jOBS, a biopic on the life of Apple pioneer Steve Jobs, which was picked up by Open Road Films ahead of its Sundance Film Festival premiere.

While it’s hard to think of Kutcher as effective in a serious role, early pics from the film show a surprisingly dead-on similarity between the star and the real-life Steve Jobs. Of course, it’s still Kutcher we’re talking about here, so we’ll have to wait and see.

Do you agree with Ashton Kutcher that Facebook is the new religion?

[Image via Music4mix / Shutterstock.com]

Ashton Kutcher Calls Facebook ‘New Religion’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

Apple iPhone 5 And Low-Cost iPhone To Feature Multiple Colors is a post from: The Inquisitr

Password Protection Act Will Make It Illegal For Employers To Demand Account Passwords is a post from: The Inquisitr

GIF creator Steve Wilhite answered the enduring question of the age Tuesday night when he accepted his lifetime achievement award at the Webby Awards for his role in creating the Graphics Interchange Format.

Since the format was invented in 1987, it’s been around for awhile, but finally Wilhite felt moved to weigh in on the long-standing debate about how it’s pronounced.

Is it Jif® like the peanut butter that choosy mothers choose?

Or is it gift-without-a-tee?

“The Oxford English Dictionary accepts both pronunciations. They are wrong. It is a soft ‘G’ pronounced ‘jif.’ End of story,” the long-retired Wilhite proclaimed.

A few observers and news outlets took him at his word last night, running headlines that said things like CNN Tech’s “It’s Settled!”

Except, well, it just isn’t.

Consider a few of the hundreds, if not thousands, of tweets that ensued. Sure, a few uncritical thinkers fell in line.

It’s pronounced “JIF” not “GIF”.. Finally we have an answer.

— O’Neill (@AvatarOneill) May 22, 2013

But most people expressed incredulity. I guess there’s just no respect for the old dinosaurs any more.

this has turned my world upside down – The creator of the GIF says its pronounced JIF gizmo.do/OtpwY3t” — Daniel Brouse (@danielbrouse) May 22, 2013

I’m sorry, but the only time I am pronouncing “.gif” as “JIF” is when I am talking about Jif peanut butter spreads. #fuqthat — Andrew McGinty (@ItsDreamer) May 22, 2013

“Just because you created the word ‘GIF’ doesn’t mean you know how to pronounce it!” – The Internet.

— Ike Pigott (@ikepigott) May 22, 2013

Here’s an animated gif of a monkey in a suit riding a goat. Or is it pronounced “joat?”monk3y.tumblr.com/post/510548974…

— Paul Clayton Smith (@paulclaytnsmith) May 22, 2013

I could go on all day, for hundreds of tweets, most of them coming down firmly on the gift-without-a-tee side of things.

But you get the idea.

I analyzed the GIF tweets: 20% of people say Jif, 30% pronounce it correctly, and 50% want you to know they’re too cool to care about it.

— Andrew (@bn2b) May 22, 2013

For the record, I can remember the 1980s. I for one was always under the impression that the word was pronounced like the peanut butter, which the creator seems to be saying is in fact the original pronunciation.

Will you change how you pronounce GIF?

[peanut butter taste test photo by Sandister Tei via Wikimedia Commons]

GIF Creator Steve Wilhite Reveals How It’s Pronounced, Twitter Implodes is a post from: The Inquisitr

Qualcomm is still moving forward with Mirasol display technology and the company demonstrated this week just how far the technology has come.

Showing off a prototype for the display during SID Display Week the tech manufacturer displayed a 5.1-inch Marisol screen with an output resolution of  2560 x 1440. If you’re keeping count that’s a pixel density of 577 pixels per inch.

Qualcomm also showed off a smaller “always-on” smartwatch that measures just 1.5-inches.

While Mirasol displays are not as bright as LCD and OLED displays, they require only one sixth the power output. Mirasol technology is seen by Qualcomm as an effective way to create “always-on” technology that won’t drain a users battery in a matter of hours.

Unlike traditional displays which rely on backlighting to power brightness, Marisol displays pull brightness levels from ambient light. The technology is seen as a low-cost but still powerful feature for e-book readers. Qualcomm hopes Marisol displays will one-day replace e-paper technologies.

Qualcomm is confident enough in Marisol display technology that it plans to continue research and development for the tech over the next several years.

At this time Marisol production is still very expensive which means licensees in the short term likely won’t find any value in the product. However, as the research & development process continues and new technologies emerge Marisol displays could soon become a reality for various devices.

Qualcomm isn’t the only company working to reduce the power consumption of displays. A recently filed Google patent would allow displays to lower their resolution and other processes as a devices battery nears closer to empty.

Do you think Marisol display technology will be a huge hit or another piece of prototyped technology that falls by the wayside?

Qualcomm Shows Off Mirasol Display At High Resolution is a post from: The Inquisitr

Tumblr has made David Karp a very rich young man.

The 26-year-old founder of the blogging platform never finished high school but now has sold his creation for a fortune. Karp recently sold Tumblr to Yahoo! for $1.1 billion, leaving him with a pretty nice sum.

Forbes estimates that Karp, who owns a 25 percent stake in Tumblr, will receive about $250 million from the deal (or about $200 million after taxes). The acquisition still needs to be completed, however.

David Karp may have a hard time living the life of the one percent. He has been living in a Brooklyn loft that’s sparsely furnished to fit his minimalist lifestyle.

“I don’t have any books. I don’t have many clothes,” Karp told Forbes in January. “I’m always so surprised when people fill their homes up with stuff.”

Karp created Tumblr in February 2007, giving users an outlet to on computers and mobile devices to post photos, text, quotes, links, music, and videos. It has since exploded in popularity.

The application, which  is available in 12 different languages, has more than over 50 billion posts. There are also more than 100 blogs created through Tumblr.

The acquisition represents a major step for Yahoo! under the direction of new CEO Marissa Mayer. The purchase of Tumblr for $1.1 billion in cash was part of her long-term revitalization plan.

Mayer had made other, smaller acquisition in the past, but Tumblr would be the most significant one of her tenure. Yahoo! executives reportedly expect the purchase to “jump-start its revenue growth and obtain a bigger presence in social media tied to digital devices.”

David Karp may have made a fortune off the Tumblr sale, but he’s still got a lot of room to make up with some other tech wunderkinds. Facebook founders Dustin Moskovitz and Mark Zuckerberg are worth $2.5 million and $12 billion, respectively.

[Image via Flickr]

Tumblr Founder Goes From High School Dropout To $250 Million is a post from: The Inquisitr

Samsung is more reliable than Apple by a wide margin, according to a new reliability test from the team at Rescuecom.

The report focuses on the Q1 2013 period and examines tablets, computers, and other mobile devices from the likes of Lenovo, Asus, Toshiba, HP, Dell, and Acer, among others.

According to Rescuecom, Apple maintained a 26.2 percent market share when iPad sales and other devices are taken into account. The company says 11 percent of all calls to its call centers were Apple related. That places Apple as the fifth highest for the eight largest device manufacturers.

In comparison, Samsung accounted for 9.4-percent of shipped devices for Q1 2013 but only received 0.8 percent of all support calls.

Based on Rescuecom’s numbers Samsung received a Computer Reliability Score of 1,170 compared to Apple’s 237.

According to Rescuecom CEO David Milman, ”Much like the shift from PC desktops to laptops, a shift is happening from PCs to mobile computing, including tablets,”

Last year, a similar report placed Apple at sixth in ranking with 9.7-percent shipment share and 12.7-percent share of support calls. That same study found Samsung shipping 4.3-percent of all devices with a 0.7-percent call volume.

In its report, Rescuecom does not break down what type of calls are being made for Apple and Samsung support.

With so many Apple devices reaching market, an increase in the number of calls makes sense; however, the ratio of sales to support does appear to show a higher level of reliability for Samsung devices vs. Apple sold products.

Do you think Samsung-based products are more reliable than Apple-based products or is this survey flawed in some way?

Samsung Beats Apple By Wide Margin In Rescuecom Reliability Testing is a post from: The Inquisitr

Twitter has patented their mobile interface and promises to only use it defensively.

The social media micro-blogger site has successfully patented their mobile interface. That thing where you pull down to refresh on mobile devices is now their property, but Twitter has promised they won’t use the patent for lawsuits unless someone decides to take action against them.

A new assignment states that Twitter will keep the patent in the hands of engineers and designers in charge of the actual technology.  In the “User interface mechanics” patent, control would remain with its developer, Loren Brichter.

If Twitter were to ever use the patent offensively to sue another company, it would need the permission of Loren Brichter to do so legally under the agreement.

Twitter legal director Benjamin Lee said Tuesday in a blog, “This promise stays with the patent: a signed copy of the IPA is kept in the public files for the patent where anyone can see it. We plan on using the IPA on all of our issued patents.”

Lawsuits fly all over the place in social media, with one site suing the other just because they copied something they did originally, and this new IPA is Twitter’s way of jabbing a big monkey wrench in the works. The patent is Twitter’s proactive solution to what seems a never-ending problem.

Benjamin Lee adds, “We hope the adoption of the IPA will spur constructive dialogue on making patent system work better for companies, inventors, and policymakers alike.”

Twitter hopes to see more social media sites use the IPA to put a stop to the problem of legal matters that don’t need to exist. Twitter certainly seems to know what they’re doing, especially since President Obama assigned Twitter’s privacy officer Nicole Wong to a position of government office. You usually don’t get promoted to a government position from social media legal staff.

What do you think of Twitter patenting their mobile technology for only defensive uses?

Twitter Gets New Mobile Patent, Promises To Only Use It Defensively is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Samsung Galaxy S4 will release with Samsung tweaked and “stock” Google-based Android operating systems when it arrives in the United States on June 26.

We have now learned that the June 26 date will include a $649 unlocked version of the device, which has been branded as the S4 “Google Edition.” Featuring a straight from the factory Google Android setup, the S4 Google Edition will only be sold to US customers through the US Google Play Store.

Instead of featuring Samsung TouchWiz technology over the Google Android OS, the smartphone offers an untouched version of Google Android.

Other than the difference in operating systems, the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition are the exact same smartphones in terms of hardware.

The biggest draw for US buyers may be the lack of TouchWiz and the ability to purchase an unlocked device right out of the box.

In comparing prices, the LG created Google Nexus 4 is $299 for the 8GB model and $349 for the 16GB model. Google is currently planning to release a white version of the Google Nexus 4. The new Nexus 4 color option is expected to ship with Google Android 4.3 pre-installed.

Recent rumors have suggested that Samsung would like to move away from the Google Android OS in the years ahead; therefore, Google attempting to capitalize on its own OS via Samsung’s popular hardware in many ways makes sense.

With the Apple iPhone 5S and potentially the iPhone 6 set to be announced in the coming months, it looks as if 2013 will shape up to be quite the battle on the mobile front.

Are you interesting in purchasing a Samsung smartphone with a stock version of Google Android, or do you prefer the Galaxy S4 with TouchWhiz technology pre-installed?

Samsung Galaxy S4 ‘Google Edition’ With ‘Stock’ Android Will Be US-Only Model is a post from: The Inquisitr

Oklahoma City tornado victims will not be forced to pay for any call overages they rack up with AT&T Wireless.

The wireless giant on Tuesday announced that overage charges in the area will be suspended through June 30.

AT&T notes that many Oklahoma City tornado victims are repeatedly calling friends and family to check on their loved ones. Those high call volumes are likely to lead customers towards high call numbers that push past their monthly allowances.

While an AT&T representative suggests using text messaging rather than voice calling because of potential call traffic problems, they also acknowledge that many worried network users enjoy the comfort of a voice call.

In its growing attempt to assist victims, AT&T Wireless says it will add additional resources as needed to help relieve cell congestion.

AT&T customers who want to donated to relief efforts in Oklahoma City can also use the networks technology. Simply text “REDCROSS” to 90999. A single text message will add $10 to your AT&T Wireless bill.

At least 91 people were killed when the mile wide tornado tore through the city. Devastation in the area included the destruction of entire neighborhoods that stood in the path of the massive funnel.

Government officials have already declared the area a major disaster area, and federal funds have been assigned to aid individuals and business owners. Workers are currently working on home repairs while low-cost loans are being offered to help cover uninsured property losses and for other assistance purposes.

With AT&T Wireless announcing that Oklahoma City tornado victims will not be charged wireless carrier overages, there is a good chance that other carriers will follow suit in the hours and days ahead.

Have you donated to help Oklahoma City tornado victims?

Oklahoma City Tornado Victims Won’t Be Charged Overages By AT&T Wireless is a post from: The Inquisitr

Yahoo! officially owns Tumblr after days of rumor and speculation. With a new boss in town, what can you expect out of Yahoo! Tumblr? We don’t know yet, but they’ve promised they won’t “screw it up.”

Yahoo confirmed Monday that its board had agreed to buy Tumblr for $1.1 billion cash. Yahoo’s CEO, Marissa Mayer, has actually been quite aggressive in acquiring social media sites lately, presumably to help attract a younger audience to the stumbling search engine.

Both Mayer and Tumblr head David Karp announced the deal on social media sites, though Yahoo! acquisition of Tumblr has been rumored for the past several days.

Though both Mayer and Karp are seemingly thrilled with the deal (Karp signed off his announcement post with “F*** Yeah, David”), each quickly made moves to assuage fears that Yahoo’s influence over Tumblr would change the service from what its users currently enjoy.

In a statement, Yahoo! said that Tumblr will operate under their umbrella, but as its own business. Karp will also remain CEO. So even though there will most definitely be changes of some kind (and as yet, unknowable), leaders on both sides have pledged to keep Tumblr the way it is.

“David Karp will remain CEO. The product, service and brand will continue to be defined and developed separately with the same Tumblr irreverence, wit, and commitment to empower creators,” said the Yahoo! statement.

Even Marissa Mayer’s Tumblr post confirming the purchase was a bit tongue-in-cheek, poking fun at worried Tumblr users. Almost as if to say “Don’t worry, nothing will change. But seriously, I am your God now.”

She also promised not to “screw it up” on Twitter.

Photo: I’m delighted to announce that we’ve reached an agreement to acquire Tumblr!  We promise not to screw… tmblr.co/Z4v08slQ0n8V

— marissamayer (@marissamayer) May 20, 2013

Karp also tried to keep Tumblr users thinking positive in his own post about the purchase.

“Before touching on how awesome this is, let me try to allay any concerns: We’re not turning purple. Our headquarters isn’t moving. Our team isn’t changing. Our roadmap isn’t changing. And our mission – to empower creators to make their best work and get it in front of the audience they deserve – certainly isn’t changing.”

What do you think of Yahoo’s acquisition of Tumblr? What changes are you worried will take place?

[Image via: World Economic Forum / Wikimedia Commons]

Yahoo! Buys Tumblr, Promises They Won’t ‘Screw It Up’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Samsung Galaxy S III is expected to receive a facelift in the near future, and a leak of that upgrade has made its way online.

Samsung will provide the new facelift with the release of the Google Android 4.2.2 ROM update. According to the new report, the ROM is currently being tested internally by the manufacturer.

Once released, the leak shows a new lock screen and design cues that appear to take directly from the Galaxy S4 smartphone.

The test firmware was spotted by SamMobile, the tech website points to a revised water ripple effect, lighting effects, and the ability to add multiple widgets to the S3 lock screen.

The new firmware also appears to allow users to remove the auto-brightness option from the notifications pulldown. Samsung is also poised to be adding quicker access to Quick Toggles via a two-fingered pulldown.

Settings for the Galaxy S III update also appear to be accessible via tabs just as they are with the Samsung Galaxy S4.

Also overhauled via the ROM update is an improved driving mode. Samsung is also offering improvements via the Smart Switch option, which provides quicker access to voice control modes, and S-Voice.

Samsung still has time to add more options to the update or potentially remove features that don’t test as expected.

The Samsung Galaxy S III is expected to receive the new ROM update to Android 4.2.2 sometime in June.

As always, the S III ROM update will be free to customers and will released based on each wireless carriers own schedule.

Will you be updated to Android 4.2.2 when it is finally released by Samsung?

Samsung Galaxy S III Update Leaked, Gets S4 Inspired Facelift is a post from: The Inquisitr

BitPay is a processing system for Bitcoin and with $2 million in new investment, the intention is to provide a Bitcoin focused alternative to PayPal.

If you still haven’t worked out what Bitcoin is all about, see my “Bitcoin Explained“ piece here on The Inquisitr.

Initially BitPay plained to bootstrap its growth, but when the Founder Fund expressed interest in investing in the startup, BitPay CEO Tony Gallippi changed the plan.

“There’s no single investment firm we would rather have on our team right now than Founders Fund,” Gallippi said.

Founder Fund is a group of investors largely made up of founders and executives from PayPal who have been impressed with BitPay’s rapid growth.

BitPay says they processed $5.2 million in Bitcoin transitions for merchants in March. They’re adding hundreds of new customers a day by focusing on processing Bitcoin payments for merchants who want to accept the new currency for legitimate business transactions.

“Merchants are clearly appreciating the superior performance of our platform compared to all others in the marketplace,” said Gallippi.

The primary advantage BitPay provides for merchants is lower payment processing fees leading to higher profits, especially when selling expensive services or products. BitPay’s processing fee is 0.99% including the guaranteed exchange rate.

BitPay distributes payments to merchants once a day to clear out balances with BitPay to protect against hacking, one of Bitcoin’s weaknesses. Merchants can choose to have payments automatically deposited to a bank account at current exchange rates or to a Bitcoin wallet.

For merchants who are interested in accepting Bitcoin payments without the hassle of involving themselves with currency exchange, BitPay is a solution worth exploring.

BitPay Is PayPal For Bitcoin is a post from: The Inquisitr

Cell phone use could indicate brain dominance.

The side of your head you hold your cell phone to could reveal which half of your brain you use the most, according to a study by lead researcher Michael Seidman, of the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at Henry Ford. Chances are, if you hold your cell phone to your left ear, the right side of your brain dominates your mind. However, this may not be entirely true, as you may hold it to your left ear and write with your right hand.

Dr. Seidman stated:

“by establishing a correlation between [brain] dominance and sidedness of cell phone use, it may be possible to develop a less-invasive, lower-cost option to establish the side of the brain where speech and language occurs rather than the Wada test, a procedure that injects an anesthetic into the carotid artery to put part of the brain to sleep in order to map activity.”

In other words, it may be possible to put half of your brain to sleep in order to discover how easily you function socially in the meantime, but using a cell phone might make the procedure unnecessary. Cell phone use could be a major determining factor toward figuring out which side regulates your speech and communication.

The study also reveals that cancer in your head, neck and brain may not have any connection to how you hold your phone at all. In other words, you might get a tumor in the side of your brain opposite where you listen to your cell phone.

You might take this as a clue that using Bluetooth to talk on the phone, preferably when you’re not behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, is just inconsiderate. Bluetooth makes you harder to understand, and just planting that phone next to your ear won’t harm you at all and makes you sound much clearer (hint, hint).

The study for brain dominance was based on online surveys sent to 5,000 people with questions about what side of the head you most commonly put your cell phone against, history of tumors, and hand dominance. Again, the study still remains a theory, as some of us hold the device to our left ear and write with the opposite hand, and we’re not ambidextrous.

Do you think there is any connection between cell phone use and brain dominance?

Cell Phone Use May Indicate Brain Dominance [Study] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Forget solar flares and electro magnetic pulses (EMPs) because the true destroyer of our electronics equipment might be “tawny crazy ants.”

The little buggers have started to invade Texas and researchers at the University of Texas at Austin say they can nest in nearly any container.

According to UT research assistant Edward LeBrun

“They nest in electronics and create short circuits, as they create a contact bridge between two points when they get electrocuted they release an alarm pheromone. The other ants are attracted to the chemicals that other ants give off. At this point, more ants arrive and create a larger nest.”

The ants are extremely hard to exterminate because a single nest can oftentimes contain multiple queens and because normal poisons and baits appear to have little effect on the crazy ant colonies.

The tawny crazy ants also travel upwards of 650 feet per year, which means they are invading rather quickly compared to some other colony types.

Scientifically known as Nylanderia fulva, the ants were originally named Raspberry Crazy Ants after being discovered by pest control worker Tom Raspberry.  After finding the tawny crazy ants, Mr. Raspberry reported the little terrors to researchers at Texas A&M who proceeded to study their habits and migratory patterns.

It’s still too early to tell what type of impact the tawny crazy ants will have on electronics, but early issues have raised a need for concern.

Sure, we still need to worry about EMP’s and solar flares and attacks on our power infrastructure, but now we also have to worry about a pesky rodent ruining our iMac’s and microwaves.

Scientists are attempting to find a suitable measure that can wipe ou the the nests of tawny crazy ants.

Electronics Destroying ‘Crazy Ants’ Invade Texas is a post from: The Inquisitr

Apple has recently decided users of its App Store shouldn’t be “Banging.”

The Bang With Friends Facebook app has been removed from Apple’s App Store for unexplained reasons. If you go into the App Store and search for “BWF Official,” it won’t be there. In fact, in place of its original location, you instead get an error message stating, “The item you’ve requested is not currently available in the [US] Store.” The web page for Bang With Friends also says, “Be right back.”

It seems from the information we have that the app may simply need some tweaking before it’s ready for the public, but that shouldn’t be enough to stop us from using it anyway. Glitchy apps are almost the norm if you really look at the comments on most of them. After all, if they had intended to completely remove it, why is there a message saying it would be right back?

Bang With Friends is a Facebook application that allows people to discreetly let others know they would do the nasty with them. And if you’re not interested, you will never know. Of course that didn’t work so well for people who started using it too early, as the app overrided the privacy settings to let all of their friends know they were using it. That certainly wouldn’t come up at a family get-together with that one person who can’t keep a secret to save their life.

Apple is known to remove and ban applications that don’t meet its guidelines, but with the use of discretion that Bang With Friends is supposedly known for, it doesn’t seem like that big a problem.

Apple has not responded to requests for comment on its removal of Facebook‘s Bang With Friends from its App Store. We’re guessing some uptight people might have flagged it enough to get it reviewed for continued use. Of course, that’s just speculation.

Why do you think Apple removed Bang With Friends from its App Store?

Apple To App Store Users: No Banging For You is a post from: The Inquisitr

Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 5S rumors say the next generation iPhones will likely be launched during the autumn and summer, respectively. The Apple iPhone rumors say the iPhone 5S will start taking orders on June 20th and ship out in July.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, Apple iPhone 6 and 5S rumors say these iPhone will incorporate fingerprint detection security measures.

This iPhone 6 fingerprint detection rumor is lended major credence by the fact that Apple recently acquired a company called AuthenTec for $356 million. But the development of this fingerprint technology has delayed the iPhone 5S and 6 release supposedly.

Very few solid rumors regarding the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 have surfaced at this time. Apple is expected to upgrade to iOS 7 and add a faster processor, improved retina display, NFC support, 4G, 802.11ac wireless networking, and potentially a low-cost version of its popular iPhone line. It’s been suggested there could be three variants of the new iPhones, nicknamed the iPhone 6 Mini, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 XL.

Pictures of iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 parts have leaked. “The pictures display the loud-speaker bracket, ear speaker bracket, vibrating motor assembly, Wi-Fi flex cable ribbon and SIM card tray.” No features were released, but there’s notable physical differences from the iPhone 5 components.

The iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 rumors point to either a sapphire-covered or capacitive touch home button. The home button is notoriously the first component to break in any of the iPhone, including the iTouch.  iPhone gesture control may also be incorporated.

Will you be buying an Apple iPhone 5S and iPhone 6?

iPhone 6 And 5S Rumors Point To Summer, Autumn Release Date is a post from: The Inquisitr

YouTube user Smooth McGroove quit his day job to make A Capella video game music videos full-time. He was recently interviewed about the transition to viral sensation.

Smooth McGroove is a long-time gamer whose real name is Max Gleason, and he was once a music teacher. He began on YouTube with only about a few dozen followers until his videos gained thousands of views daily from nostalgic gamers around the world. He is an extremely talented singer who does the same thing that made MysteryGuitarMan famous, except he uses his voice instead of a guitar. That and he has a beard that puts wheezywaiter and shaycarl to shame.

GamesBeat sat down with Max Gleeson to ask him about the transition from music teacher to internet phenomenon. The YouTube star started with, “[My videos have] rapidly become a full-time job. I recently quit giving private music lessons to pursue recording more seriously.”

Not many people can say their hobby has turned into their primary source of income and allowed them to simply give up their day job.

Max Gleason added:

“Since my videos [had] gone from reaching only a few dozen people to reaching an audience of tens of thousands, I wanted to start taking the process more seriously by spending more time on the creation of the videos. I still have tons of fun recording the arrangements, but I have become more of a perfectionist when it comes to the final product.”

As you can see in the video below where he literally sings Street Fighter II‘s “Guile’s Theme,” Smooth McGroove puts no shortage of effort into making his videos as entertaining as possible.

Max Gleeson says his break came when Nintendo took notice of his take on The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time‘s “Song of Storms.” Fans everywhere suddenly swarmed in as the Official Legend of Zelda Facebook page posted the video for their thousands of fans.  His channel went viral overnight.

YouTube user Smooth McGroove describes the process of recording:

“First, I load the song into Cubase to find the tempo. I then begin picking the song apart by ear into individual tracks. Once I get the scratch tracks — [a rough version of each part] — recorded and separated, I start to do serious takes until the song sounds like I want it to. After I finish recording I mix, equalize, and add space to the tracks if they need it.”

He makes it all sound easier than it probably is.

What do you think of YouTube sensation Smooth McGroove?

YouTube User Smooth McGroove Talks Quitting His Day Job is a post from: The Inquisitr

Creating stunning HDR photos tends to require expensive professional cameras and a lot of production time. Creating time lapse HDR video has been even more complicated and expensive, but a company called Brinno wants to change that with their new TLC200 Pro camera. It is specifically designed for shooting and producing time lapse HDR video.

The new camera packs professional quality power into a package that is affordable and easy to use even if you don’t know anything about HDR photography.

The TLC200 has a 1.3 megapixel High Dynamic Range (HDR) image sensor that shoots 720p time lapse video. It supports interchangeable CS mount lenses for capturing exactly the look you want your video to have.

A user sets the interval between frames between 0.3 seconds and 24 hours and then the camera does the rest. It converts the images into an AVI video file as it shoots them. When you remove the SD card, the video is done. The TLC200 handles in real-time production work that could otherwise take days.

Video is formated as an AVI movie file in 720p resolution.

On the back of the camera is a 1.44″ TFT LCD screen. Scene settings include Daylight, Twilight, Night, Moon, or you can manually set exposure, saturation, contrast, and sharpness.

The Brinno time lapse HDR camera ships with the camera body, a 4GB SD Card, four AA batteries, a BCS 019 lens, a lens cover, and inexplicably … a screwdriver and a screw.

Four AA batteries can power the camera for between one and 45 days depending on time interval settings. It can also be powered via Micro USB.

The TLC200 will sell for $400 and the video below demonstrates why that’s such a great price.

Brinno TLC200 Pro Camera Simplifies Time Lapse HDR Video Production is a post from: The Inquisitr

All Things D is reporting the Yahoo! board of directors will meet Sunday to vote on an all-cash purchase of Tumblr for $1.1 billion.

Tumblr is popular with younger audiences and Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer wants to attract that audience into the Yahoo! tent since younger audiences are valued by advertisers. Comscore estimates that Tumblr had 117 million visitors in April.

The deal isn’t done, but there is an agreement in place contingent upon board approval. If the deal goes through Tumblr CEO David Karp will remain in charge and Tumblr will operate with a degree of autonomy much like Flickr has.

Forbes reported that Microsoft and Facebook are also extremely interested in a Tumblr acquisition, but confirmed the lockup negotiation with Yahoo!

Like Facebook and Twitter, Tumblr avoided advertising in it’s formative years. David Karp has recently given several interviews indicating Tumblr interest in attracting advertising that is different.

Karp is interested in designing a new type of digital advertising that creates an emotional connection between consumers and brands. Tumblr’s initial experiments with monetization  have focused on native ad products that allow brands to promote content with the possibility of reaching up to $120 million impressions per day.

Last September Tumblr hired Groupon’s Lee Brown as head ad salesman. Brown has 10 years experience selling ads for Yahoo! before he took the job with Groupon.

Yahoo! has a press event scheduled for Monday with Marissa Mayer listed as speaker. Bloomberg says Mayer will be announcing an update to Flickr, but if the Yahoo! Tumblr buy is approved, it will be bigger news than whatever is new at Flickr.

UPDATE: A Tumblr source tells Techcrunch that Tumblr may reject Yahoo’s $1.1 billion offer for being too low despite it being higher than Tumblr’s $800 million valuation.

Yahoo! In Talks To Buy Tumblr For $1.1 Billion Cash is a post from: The Inquisitr

Pilots in the U.S. Air Force are switching from 20 to 40-pound bags of paper manuals and charts to Apple iPads, and the Air Force says the switch will save them $5.7 million each year.

The big bags of printed paper include flight manuals, weather, maps, and navigation charts, and big books filled with technical data.

The Air Force is paying $9 million for 18,000 iPads purchased from Apple at a bulk discount. According to Electronista, pilots will be using 32-GB Wi-Fi iPads purchased for $520 each.

Previously the Air Force was paying $5 Million per year to print all the manuals. That cost goes away along with about $750,000 in fuel savings due to weight reductions. Previously there was a 20 to 40 pound flight bag per crew member so a plane like the C-5 military aircraft is reducing weight by up to 490 pounds.

The roll out of the new “electronic flight bags” follows extensive testing at the Little Rock Air Force Base. Crews at the base tested several different tablet types and brands and found iPad to provide the best set of features at the lowest cost to the military.

Pilots interviewed about the new electronic system in the video below report saving time and effort when accessing information. Rather than having to pull out different books and finding information, and then switching to paper maps, they can now quickly move from one kind of data to another with just the touch of a button.

Apple iPad Will Save The US Air Force $5.7 Million Per Year is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Apple App Store has now collected more than 50 billion downloads since its time of launch.

Apple on Thursday announced that its massive mobile devices platform has passed the major milestone and that Brandon Ashmore of Mentor Ohio downloaded the company’s 50 billionth app. Brandon will receive a $10,000 app store gift card for being the first person to reach the 50 billion downloads milestone.

Apple is also handing out $500 gift cards to the app stores 50 runners-up.

Apple launched the App Store in July 2008 and reached its first 10 billion downloads in January 2011. In 2012, the company announced that it had surpassed 25 billion downloads. The App Store continued to perform well, and, in January 2013, Apple announced its 40 billionth app store download.

The 50 billionth download was a free iPhone app called Say the Same Thing by Space Inch. The app was recently featured in a video or the band OK Go.

Apple based the 50 billion download mark on unique downloads, which means customers who uninstall and reinstall apps at a later time were not included in the tally. Updates were also not included in Apple’s final tally for App Store downloads.

Speaking about the company’s massive success, Apple Senior Vice President of Internet Services and Software Eddy Cue said:

“Apple would like to thank our incredible customers and developers for topping 50 billion apps downloaded. We’re absolutely floored to cross this milestone in less than five years.”

While Google Android devices have continually outsold Apple devices around the world, the Cupertino based tech giant has managed to win over more web savvy users. Apple consistently ranks as the number one data provider for mobile device users.

Here’s the app that won featured in the OK Go video:

Apple App Store Reaches 50 Billion Downloads, One Customer Wins $10,000 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Thought the Amy’s Baking Company meltdown couldn’t get any meltier? Reddit delivers.

All day long, my Facebook friends have been unable to look away from the Amy’s Baking Company meltdown on Facebook and Reddit, and it seems the controversy reached a new level as Katy Cipriano — a waitress seen and treated shabbily on the restaurant’s aborted episode of Kitchen Nightmares — did her own freaking Reddit IAmA post today.

Dear sweet Jesus, please let it be real! [Update: tweet below.] Katy Cipriano’s Reddit account isn’t verified, but the thread is massive and it seems if there was any indication a PR stunt may have been afoot … this isn’t it.

Cipriano repeatedly refers to the Amy and Samy seen on the show as basically bats*** crazy, and isn’t afraid to detail her horror time at Amy’s Baking Company.

Right off the bat, she explains why she lost her job on the show, and says:

“the only reason [Amy] had against me for firing me was my attitude when she was giving me the appetizer. which, they did not show the events leading up to that scene as to ‘why’ i asked if she was sure. so to answer, i quit in frustration.”

Katy elaborates:

“she had messed up a certain table’s appetizer dish 3 or 4 times IN A ROW. and it made me look like an idiot because i was their server and the table was getting increasingly agitated. so when she told me to deliver the appetizer yet again, i asked “are you sure?” – not meaning to sound bratty or mean or anything.”

Cipriano also alleges she did not receive tips while working at Amy’s Baking Company, adding:

“she had messed up a certain table’s appetizer dish 3 or 4 times IN A ROW. and it made me look like an idiot because i was their server and the table was getting increasingly agitated. so when she told me to deliver the appetizer yet again, i asked “are you sure?” – not meaning to sound bratty or mean or anything.”

Can someone send this as proof to reddit haha I don’t know what I’m doing sorry twitter.com/cipppa/status/…

— Katy Cipriano (@cipppa) May 15, 2013

Cipriano further addresses Reddit’s suspicions that the owner of Amy’s Baking Company is engaged in criminal activity, surprisingly surmising:

“best question! yes i do think samy was serious when saying that because one, look at him, and two, they are able to close for days or weeks on end and still manage to pay their rent and never be evicted. suspicious, really.”

Have you checked out the Amy’s Baking Company waitress’ Reddit AMA?

Amy’s Baking Company Waitress Does Reddit Tell-All! is a post from: The Inquisitr

Google is in the process of reinventing itself.

In a live blog today, Google has been making announcements about changes it is making to almost everything. The live blog has been happening since 9:00am Pacific, and details have been trickling through.

Early on in the live blog, Google showed a history of Android, giving props to the fact that Apple revolutionized the way mobile devices are used. Had it not been for iPhone, Google knows that Android probably wouldn’t exist. Android was created as a way of bringing a standard to the mobile world.

Google Maps is now smarter and more efficient with battery usage on mobile, as Google says they are always looking for ways to improve battery efficiency with their apps. Google Now is being planned as a replacement for Search, which has gotten smarter, now integrating Maps and Images for a more intuitive interface.

Google Plus has been redone to allow you to sign in across platforms simultaneously. It has been updated to include auto-hashtags which can be removed if they are wrong.

Google has created Android Studio with developers in mind, so the platform is easier to create apps for, and users will encounter less bugs and glitches as a result of development difficulty. It can literally be done from an Android phone with its intuitive design.

Google Play is now improved to offer smarter suggestions based on current data and even Google Plus usage. It will also highlight apps that are made specifically for Tablets, so the chances of discovering the app doesn’t work on your device the hard way have been minimized.

Google Play’s music streaming service will soon available for $10 a month.

A new system being launched is Google Play for Education, which has been recommended by actual teachers. The cost of the apps will go against a school’s purchase account and make Tablets more school-friendly. This could cut down on storage needs as books can also be downloaded to the Tablet.

A new social-friendly app being released is Hangouts, which will allow one-on-one or group messaging.

For those photo editors out there, Auto Awesome will give you the option to make an animated GIF image from a collection of stills. You upload and edit with a variety of tools, and it’s done.

More updates are still to come as the live blog progresses.

What do you think of the changes Google is making?

Google Is Reinventing Itself is a post from: The Inquisitr

The NEC Medias X is officially the first smartphone to feature a liquid-cooled system. The Medias X 06E will be released as part of NTT DoCoMo’s summer release schedule.

The smartphone uses a tube of liquid that transfers heat from the devices quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor to a graphite radiator that is located on another part of the device.

Instead of removing heat from the device the liquid-cooling tube simply disperses heat to other parts of the smartphone to slow overheating.

While Qualcomm allows the processor to be clocked at 1.9GHz the NEC Medias X uses just 1.7GHz, even with its liquid-cooled core.

Liquid cooling isn’t the only feature users will love. The NEC Medias X also comes equipped with a 13.1-megapixel rear camera with a backside illuminated sensor. The high-end smartphone also offers a front-facing 1.3 megapixel counterpart.

Also featured on the liquid-cooled smartphone is a 4.7-inch OLED display that outputs at 720×1280 pixels resolution.

The smarpthone also offers NFC technology, Wi-Fi capabilities and compatibility with Japanese digital TV services which are powered by a 2,300mAh battery.

The NEC Medias X is only expected to be sold in Japan, however if the technology is successful it could find its way into other smartphones.

As mobile devices continue to cram more technology into their ever decreasing sizes technology that helps cool those devices could grow in importance.

Do you want to buy the NEC Medias X or other smartphones that offer liquid cooling? Teamed with an aluminum design this could be a big win for power users.

NEC Medias X: The First Smartphone With Liquid Cooling is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Navy X-47B unmanned fighter jet drone designed by Grumman launched from the USS George HW Bush carrier in the Atlantic Ocean.

The profile of the X-47B unmanned fighter jet drone can easily be likened to the stereotypical UFO. As previously reported by The Inquisitr, this is exactly what happened in Washington D.C. when many people spotted the canvas draped X-47B unmanned fighter jet drone being carried across town by truck.

The X-47B unmanned fighter jet apparently comes packaged with some sort of limited artificial intelligence, or AI, that allows the X-47B to fly autonomously. Previous unmanned drones were directly controlled via wireless connections by ground-based controllers, but the X-47B unmanned fighter jet “relies on computer programs to tell it where it to go unless a mission operator needs to step in.”

No word on whether this AI software allows the X-47B to make unilateral decisions or if it’s completely pre-programmed with targets before any mission. Human Rights Watch has called on the US government to enact a prohibition on the development and use of any unmanned drone systems that carry weapons and are fully autonomous.

Steve Goose, director of the arms division at Human Rights Watch, explains why:

“For us, the question is where do you draw line? We’re saying you need to draw the line when you have a fully autonomous system that is weaponized. We’re saying you must have meaningful human control over key battlefield decisions of who lives and who dies. That should not be left up to the weapons system itself.”

The first test flight of the X-47B unmanned fighter jet took place on September 30, 2011, at the Edwards Air Force Base. With a wingspan of 62 feet the plane has a range of over 2,100 nautical miles and a payload capacity of 4,500 pounds. It can also fly at a maximum of 40,000 feet at high subsonic speeds which will make it faster than either of its drone brethren, the Predator and Reaper.

The test launch from the George HW Bush carrier is a ”milestone” as it marked the first launch of an armed unmanned drone from a carrier at sea. The X-47B can also land itself onto the carrier, although this capability ability hasn’t been tested yet. The next step for the X-47B is to demonstrate that it can refuel in the air.

What do you think about this Navy X-47B unmanned fighter jet having both weapons and autonomous AI?

Navy X-47B Unmanned Fighter Jet Drone Has Autonomous AI, Shaped Like UFO is a post from: The Inquisitr

The massive Amy’s Baking Company meltdown on Facebook earlier this week (reminiscent of the Cooks Source implosion of a few years back) has garnered the nutty cake-makers nearly 50,000 fans … all of whom seem to have come for the Kitchen Nightmares curiosity and stayed for the relentless drama.

And man, did Amy’s Baking Company deliver. A string of increasingly hostile and angry all-caps posts seemed to refuse to abate as the social media brouhaha wore on — fueled by sites like Reddit, where comment threads grew lengthy and retorts from the beleaguered restaurant at “the Reddits” provoked the hive mind.

A thread and screenshot over on r/cringepics of someone posting from the Amy’s Baking Company account admitting to repackaging and repricing other bakers’ work and lying to Gordon Ramsay about it was particularly long (and now mostly deleted), and another thread in r/firstworldanarchists muses that recent controversy over Reddit’s pitchfork-grabbing tendencies may have sparked the mod censorship.

User zzorga sagely points out:

“Uh guys, does anyone else remember the last time we all played detective?”

(Long story short, the FBI was forced to move on Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and Boston was locked down for a day.)

But after a full day of Facebook melting down, Amy’s Baking Company now says they were “hacked,” and may be denying responsibility for the content (now removed) that caused all the controversy.

It is unclear exactly how much of the meltdown the restaurant claims was “hacking,” but on their Facebook page, Amy’s Baking Company says:

“Obviously our Facebook, YELP, Twitter and Website have been hacked. We are working with the local authorities as well as the FBI computer crimes unit to ensure this does not happen again. We did not post those horrible things. Thank You Amy &Samy”

Neither Amy nor Samy have responded on the Amy’s Baking Company Facebook page to clarify their claims of hacking, nor have they elaborated on their role in the Facebook meltdown.

Amy’s Baking Company Meltdown Update: Owners Cry ‘Hacked’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

The BlackBerry Messenger application (BBM) is making its way from BlackBerry devices to both the Google Android and iOS platforms this summer.

The announcement reveals that iOS and Android users will be able to download and use the app for free.

The application will first debut with only core BBM functionality, which will then extend to other aspects of the BlackBerry system later in the year.

Among the apps features are BBM chats, multi-person chats, voice note sharing, and BlackBerry Groups with message and file sharing between up to 30 members.

According to BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins, ”we’ll bring voice, screen share, and of course, channels later on.”

Heins says the launch date for BlackBerry Messenger is “subject to approval by Google Play and the Apple App Store.”

BBM is compatible with iOS 6 and devices running Android 4.0 and later.

The BlackBerry Messenger platform has been an integral part of the company’s platform for years and opening it up for use outside of BlackBerry devices might signal the company’s rumored move towards software only development. According to Andrew Bocking, executive vice president of  software product management and ecosystem at BlackBerry:

“For BlackBerry, messaging and collaboration are inseparable from the mobile experience, and the time is definitely right for BBM to become a multi-platform mobile service.”

More than 60 million monthly active users currently take advantage of the BlackBerry Messenger service, and more than 51 million of those users engage with BBM for an average of 90 minutes per day. With more than 10 billion messages sent each day with BBM, now seems like the perfect time to massively expand the BlackBerry Messenger apps reach.

With many companies now providing “bring your own device” support, the move to allow cross-device BBM use could help some business users stick with their familiar BlackBerry-based smartphones and maybe even try out BB10.

Will you be downloading BlackBerry Messenger when it arrives for iOS or Google Android?

BlackBerry Messenger Coming This Summer To iOS, Android Platforms is a post from: The Inquisitr

Is Apple preparing to ditch the push-style home button that has remained a centerpiece of its devices design aesthetics? A new rumor suggests that Apple will remove the home button for the next iPhone release, instead replacing the smartphone button with a capacitive touch area that would utilize the same functionality.

Some rumors pointed to the home button implementing a fingerprint reader, but the only evidence supporting that rumor has been Apple’s 2012 acquisition of security firm Authentec.

The new rumor suggests that Apple will replace the home button with a sapphire glass coating that is meant to avoid scratches to its surface.

The suggestion for the new display comes from  a Taiwanese tech site, which also claims that the scratch-resistant glass will be the same material currently used to protect the camera on the Apple iPhone 5.

Apple is no stranger to removing moveable hardware with touchscreen options. After years of use, Apple replaced the scrolling wheel found on its iPods with touch-sensitive areas.

Experts are still mulling over the possibility that Apple’s fingerprint technology could potentially be used alongside fingerprint technology. If that’s the case, Apple could present a long-lasting fingerprint reader that increases security while bringing a new aesthetic to the iPhone 5S.

Isomorphic controls would mean a user could set their fingerprint with the smartphone and then never need to worry about setting a password. Because isomorphic controls can not be easily cloned, device security would benefit greatly.

Apple has yet to confirm or deny current fingerprint reader rumors.

Apple iPhone To Ditch Home Button, Move Towards Capacitive Touch Area is a post from: The Inquisitr

Microsoft on Monday revealed that Windows Blue will be officially named Windows 8.1.

The tech giant also announced that the software pack will be made available as a free update to users of Windows 8 via the Windows Store.

Microsoft will debut the public preview of Windows 8.1 for Windows 8 and Windows RT in June with the public release to follow at an undisclosed time.

The public preview will be available for download starting June 26, and that download will coincide with the Build developer conference in San Francisco. The download will be available for Windows 8 and Windows RT customers.

The Microsoft Windows Blue build has leaked online in recent months, and it features some much needed improvements. The new build appears to offer better multitasking, deeper integration with SkyDrive, updates to the OS’ side Charms, and a better selection of LiveTile colors and sizes.

Microsoft is expected to bring back the Start Button in some form, although no leaks of that button have been revealed at this time. The Start button being removed from the current Windows 8 setup has been one of the company’s biggest consumer complaints.

On the official Windows blog Microsoft says the Windows 8.1 retail release will be made available “later this year.” That time frame appears to match comments made by chief marketing officer and chief financial officer Tami Reller last week.

Microsoft, in the meantime, is promising sub-8 inch display support for Windows 8 in the near future, a move that could allow Microsoft to more closely compete with Apple, Samsung, Google, Amazon, and other small-sized tablet manufacturers.

Will you be updating to the Microsoft Windows 8.1 platform when it is made available for download?

Microsoft Windows Blue Officially Named Windows 8.1, Offered As Free Download is a post from: The Inquisitr

Are you looking for a job in a fast paced and always changing environment? Do you have online ad space experience? If you answered yes to both of those questions you might be a good fit at LinkedIn.

The social enterprise giant on Monday confirmed to Business Insider that it is actively recruiting for a new director of ad products.

According to LinkedIn:

“We look forward to hiring a top-notch candidate for this role. As we continue to invest in our Marketing Solutions business, we are looking to expand our talented product team to help build the next generation of advertising and content marketing offerings.”

The director of ad products will likely be responsible for developing new types of ads for the network. The director would also manage those ad types to determine their efficacy.

The “marketing solutions” division which displays ads for brands is the smallest of LinkedIn’s three lines of business which include subscriptions and talent solutions.

Here are the responsibilities listed for the LinkedIn position:

• Understand and lead the analysis of the competitive environment, customers, and product metrics to determine the right feature set to drive success for marketers on LinkedIn
• Drive global product requirements definition, product planning and product design (including writing PRDs) of new product features and enhancements.
• Develop a comprehensive product & marketing roadmap to deliver on the business goals for LinkedIn.
• Work with the product development team and other cross-functional team members to bring features live to the site
• Clearly communicate product benefits to our users and internal stakeholders’

LinkedIn wants someone with at least 7-10 years experience in product management which should cut out a lot of applicants. The social network will accept a BS in a technology related field, but a Master’s Degree is preferred.

Are you applying for the Director of Ads position at LinkedIn?

LinkedIn Is Seeking A New Director Of Ad Products is a post from: The Inquisitr

LinkedIn has banned escorts and prostitutes from its massive social network of working professionals. While the company has always encouraged users from all walks of life to join its ranks, the network apparently doesn’t want “working” girls to take part.

Since the early days of LinkedIn, the company has maintained a clause that calls for “no unlawful activity” via its network. However, in some countries where LinkedIn operates, there are no laws against prostitution. Essentially, the network had no recourse since those working girls were working legally.

On Monday, however, the network updated its user agreement to state that users can not take part in the following:

“Upload, post, email, InMail, transmit or otherwise make available or initiate any content that: Even if it is legal where you are located, create profiles or provide content that promotes escort services or prostitution.”

Social News Daily quotes a rep from LinkedIn who states:

“In the old [user agreement], we had it covered by saying that one could not use a profile to promote anything ‘unlawful. However, in some countries, that activity actually is lawful.”

Social networks from Reddit and Facebook to Twitter and Craigslist have all fallen prey to some form of prostitution advertising. Craigslist in 2012 deleted the “adult” section from its website, and those listings were quickly picked up by Backpage.com.

In the meantime, we are almost certain that most escorts and prostitutes weren’t hoping to jump on LinkedIn and receive a bunch of endorsements from former clients, let alone recommendations and job offers.

Do you think LinkedIn made the right decision in banning prostitutes and escorts from its social enterprise network?

LinkedIn: No Escorts Or Prostitutes Allowed is a post from: The Inquisitr

The HTC First was heralded in as the first fully featured Facebook phone, but customers didn’t bite, and now the smartphone is facing the possibility of being discontinued.

Sources close to sales of the HTC device claim that AT&T Wireless has sold less than 15,000 units nationwide. Those sales included AT&T’s special $1 smartphone sale.

According to BGR, the $1 sale was a precursor to total discontinuation of the phone, with salespeople making “little if any effort to sell the handset to customers.”

What’s worse is that HTC paid AT&T to guarantee that the Facebook friendly phone would receive prime positioning at point-of-sale displays throughout AT&T retail stores.

It’s believe AT&T is only keeping the phone in stores now because its contract requires the phones to remain.

In responding to the claims, AT&T says:

“As mentioned previously, we do pricing promotions all the time and have made no decisions on future plans.”

AT&T reps have called the phone “hard to justify” in terms of keeping it on store shelves.

The HTC First has been marred with problems associated with the Facebook Home platform. HTC Home was met with many one and two star ratings. At the time of this post, 47.7 percent of Facebook Home ratings suffer from a one-star placement. The Facebook Home OS as a whole averages just 2.3 stars. In comparison, Facebook’s Android app has a 3.6 rating and Facebook Messenger scores much higher with a 4.4 out of 5 star rating.

HTC use to command a majority of the smartphone market, and now the mobile phone manufacturer is pinning all of its hopes on the well received HTC One. The company’s CEO has promised to step down from his post if the HTC One fails to gain traction and the company’s profits continue to suffer.

Do you think the HTC First was a major misstep for both HTC and Facebook?

HTC First Sales Awful, Facebook Phone Being Discontinued By AT&T is a post from: The Inquisitr

Amazon has officially acquired smart screen technology company Liquavista.  The acquisition was confirmed by the company on Monday.

Previously owned by Samsung, the tech firm creates low-power color e-paper technology.

Samsung executives were believed to be looking for a quick sale since the company failed to live up to Samsung’s high expectations for its e-paper tech.

In a statement from Amazon, the e-commerce giant writes that it is  ”always looking for new technologies we may be able to incorporate into our products over the long term. The Liquavista team shares our passion for invention and is creating exciting new technologies with a lot of potential. It’s still early days, but we’re excited about the possibilities and we look forward to working with Liquavista to develop these displays.”

Liquavista is best known for its “electrowetting” technology, which is most often found in e-readers, mobile phones, GPS devices, cameras, and portable media players. Electrowetting is used in those devices because of its high level of visibility in all light conditions.

Liquavista has called its electrowetting process a highly scalable system that can ultimately be used in big-screen TVs, larger notebooks, and various other display-based devices.

Previous reports have pegged the deal at somewhere below the $100 million acquisition price.

Here’s a video of the Liquavista technology being explained:

Amazon and Liquavista have not made the terms of the deal known as this time. It is also unclear if the Liquavista team will join Amazon’s own developers or continue on course with projects that are currently in the works.

Do you think Amazon made the right decision in acquiring Liquavista?

Amazon Officially Acquires Liquavista is a post from: The Inquisitr

Sony on Monday officially revealed its new waterproof smartphone. The Sony Xperia ZR phone can be dropped in up to five feet of water and remain submerged for 30 minutes before going dead.

The smartphone offers a nice set of features that includes a 13-megapixel camera that can be used to shoot videos and take photos while under water. Sony has even created a lock screen access option so photos can be taken in every state.

Adding to the Sony Xperia ZR’s camera setup in Sony’s Exmore RS for mobile image sensor, which brings with it HDR (High Dynamic Range) for both photographs and videos. Sony also offers burst mode, which allows users to snap an unlimited series of photographs at 15 frames per second.

Speaking about the company’s newest smartphone  Xperia Marketing director Calum MacDougall says:

“The Xperia ZR pushes the boundaries on where and how consumers can use the full potential of their smartphone. By combining Sony’s leading camera technology with the highest level of water-resistance, you will never miss another moment.”

The Sony Xperia ZR is powered by a capable Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core 1.5GHz processor. The smartphone also features a 4.6-inch HD Reality screen that is powered by Sony’s Mobile Bravia Engine 2 technology.

The ZR also comes equipped with 4G LTE technology, which takes advantage of the Google Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS.

The Sony Xperia ZR is expected to make its debut this quarter, although Sony has not provided a specific release date or pricing for the device.

Are you going to take a closer look at the waterproof Sony Xperia ZR when it makes its official debut?

Sony Debuts Waterproof Xperia ZR Phone is a post from: The Inquisitr

Amazon virtual currency has struck Kindle.

You’ve heard of bitcoins and the problem they pose with hackers going around and taking them from honest bitcoin miners. However, this isn’t stopping Amazon from promoting the Kindle with a new form of virtual currency.

Kindle Fire users who turn their devices on today will find 500 Amazon Coins stuck in their virtual wallets. Now before you start thinking you’re rich, 500 Amazon Coins is the equivalent of five dollars US. Amazon virtual currency is being used to boost sales for its Kindle apps, and it could very well work. After all, if you give someone a little bit of something they want, they may be willing to buy more.

Amazon says, “For customers, Amazon Coins is an easy way to purchase apps and in-app items on Kindle Fire. For developers, it’s another opportunity to drive traffic, downloads and increased monetization.”

In a way, Amazon virtual currency is a copy of what Microsoft does with Xbox Live downloads. Amazon Coins are Microsoft Points for Kindle users. It may be possible to go to Walmart and buy Amazon Coins on a card in the future.

Amazon says it’s working on ways to let Kindle owners purchase and earn more Amazon Coins, making their mobile reading device and its apps more trendy than they already are. Perhaps in the same way that Microsoft has Xbox 360 owners competing to earn Microsoft Points, Amazon may use games of their own to do the same, or perhaps they might take the Columbia House method and reward you with free stuff for buying a certain amount.

The introduction of Amazon Coins is a bit of a gamble for Amazon, as the promotion costs literally tens of millions of dollars in real-world money. If they play it right, Amazon Coins could take off.

What do you think of Amazon virtual currency for Kindle?

Amazon Virtual Currency Arrives For Kindle is a post from: The Inquisitr

Joss Whedon has joined Twitter, as of last night. (But isn’t yet verified.)

Joss Whedon’s Twitter account, @JossActual, already has garnered more than 40,000 followers, most of whom will tweet at you that you have to watch ‘Buffy’ if you engage with them, so be careful.

Shortly after midnight, Whedon kicked off his Twitter reign by sending his first tweet, telling fellow Twitter users:

“It’s me! Joss! My own account! No more hiding under studio skirts! I’m FREE! @MuchAdoFilm @AgentsofSHIELD @Marvel @roadsidetweets #free”

And of course, Twitter users welcomed Joss Whedon — by retweeting his tweet, chiding him for taking so long, or even taking issue with his handle:

“@JossActual You do realize that having ‘actual’ or ‘real’ or ‘official’ in one’s Twitter handle makes you sound totally fake.”

Another user quipped:

“Get Firefly on HBO and we’ll believe you MT @JossActual: It’s me! Joss! My own account! No more hiding under studio skirts!”

Yet another joked about the travails of Whedon fans in general:

“Joss Whedon is officially on Twitter. prepare for you hearts to be broken in a new medium. Welcome, @JossActual.”

One fan teased:

“Joss Whedon is on Twitter. Guarantee even the most mundane tweets will be awesome (’til someone is killed off and his Twitter is cancelled.)”

Joss Whedon’s Twitter was opened with this tweet, reading:

It’s me! Joss!My own account!No more hiding under studio skirts!I’m FREE! @muchadofilm @agentsofshield @marvel @roadsidetweets #free

— Joss Whedon (@JossActual) May 13, 2013

Then he said:

MY account!I got strong opinions!I’m gettin’ POLITICAL! (Heads up, LEMURS.) And making wry observations about mundane stuff! #airlines

— Joss Whedon (@JossActual) May 13, 2013

A new day, and new tweets. Whedon added this morning:

I’m on a plane!I’m having tea!I’m wearing shoes!This is how twitter works, right?I tell you guys EVERYTHING. Great! #syphilis

— Joss Whedon (@JossActual) May 13, 2013

Are you following Joss Whedon on Twitter yet?

Joss Whedon Joins Twitter For Real is a post from: The Inquisitr

When we first think of Apple versus Microsoft, we immediately jump to Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, two of the most competitive men in the history of the tech sector.

Yet, behind the veneer of grueling competition, Jobs and Gates respected the work each had put into their companies. In fact, before Jobs’ death, Bill Gates had a chance to meet with Steve Jobs, and that final visit recently left Gates teary eyed.

During an interview with 60 Minutes, Gates explains his last visit with the Apple honcho before his death:

“When he was sick, I got to go down and spend time with him … [We talked] about what we’d learned, families … anything.”

Later in the interview Gates also says he wished that he had Steve Jobs’ design skills. It was those skills that Gates says helped launch the iPad despite Jobs’ lack of engineering know-how.

In the movie Pirates of Silicon Valley and subsequent stories that followed, the Steve Jobs and Bill Gates saga has always appeared to play down any friendship and focus on bitter rivalry, a fact that appears to be undermined in this newest interview. In fact, Gates mentions that the two men were rivals yet still close.

“He and I, in a sense, grew up together. We were within a year of the same age, and we were kind of naively optimistic and built big companies. And every fantasy we had about creating products and learning new things– we achieved all of it. And most of it as rivals. But we always retained a certain respect and communication, including even when he was sick.”

Here’s Bill Gates tearing up as he talks about his friendship and last meeting with Steve Jobs:

Bill Gates now works to give his billions of dollars away to charities and causes in need of his help. Apparently he was just as generous in friendship as he is with his charity, even when that friendship was with his own biggest rival. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer appears to be a motto that Bill Gates actually lives by.

[Image via AllThingsD]

Bill Gates Tears Up While Discussing Steve Jobs [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Samsung Electronics has announced that it has made a major breakthrough when it comes to the next generation of smartphones and believes it will be able to roll out 5G smartphones by 2020.

The announcement on Monday means that the company is the first major smartphone producer to make such a boast. The Galaxy S4 creator says it has actually perfected the technology needed for the fifth generation of connection speeds, but the delay will come in getting users online.

A report last month noted that the company has been a bit “freaked out” by the quality of its competitor’s phones and it appears that this revelation is a direct response.

Samsung’s solve seems to come with their new ability to use a higher frequency band. This higher band will allow the company to send massive data packages at much higher speeds “without limitation.”

The 5G network speeds would apparently dwarf what we are seeing at 4G in the same way that the fourth generation devices have outclassed 3G.

In their official announcement this morning, the South Korea based company said that, ““The millimeter-wave band is the most effective solution to recent surges in wireless Internet usage.”

So why will the rollout take as many as seven years to get here? The answer to that is simply that it takes a while for the new consumer networks to get online on a wide scale.

4G networks became a reality in 2008, but there are still wide swaths of the United States that don’t have access. China is having problems getting their LTE networks up and running as well.

This announcement does serve to put the company’s competitors on notice that they are coming to play in the next couple of years.

If nothing else, this means that other players in the market are going to have to step up their own game.

Will Samsung be able to back up its claims about their 5G breakthrough?

Samsung Claims 5G Smartphones On The Horizon is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Lamborghini Egoista is a crazily wild concept car that celebrates Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary while providing a glance into the company’s wildly hedonistic design principles.

The Egoista was unveiled during a dramatic presentation by brand head Stephan Winkelmann. The big reveal occurred after 350 Lamborghini’s made a week-long drive through Italy in celebration of the company’s half century long existence.

Speaking about his newly designed supercar De Silva proclaims:

“This is a car made for a single person, to have fun and to express their own personality. It is designed for people who want the most extreme and most special things in the world. This car represents extremes of hedonism; it is a car without compromise. In a word, it is selfish.”

The photograph on this page is the only picture of the vehicle released by Lambo.

Lamborghini has been hard at work in 2013 with its 50th anniversary celebration. The company revealed the Lamborghini Veneno during a 50th anniversary celebration at this years Geneva motor show.

The new “hedonistic” vehicle has the word “Ego” in its name so we can’t say we are all that surprised by the designers message.

What do you think of the new Lamborghini Egoista? Do you think its a design of hedonistic proportions?

Lamborghini Egoista Is Product Of Extreme Hedonism, Says Designer is a post from: The Inquisitr

Google SMS search is no more. The search giant quietly killed the platform this week, bringing an end to searches being conducted by users of non-smartphone or feature phone devices.

Google SMS search was a semi-popular feature before users gained access to higher end devices that provided faster and better search results.

The Google SMS service allows users to text messages to 466453 (Google) and then receive search results back in the form of a text message. The messages returned were actual answers to questions and not links to web pages. Google SMS search was often used for currency conversions, weather information and local listings.

Google employee Jessica S. posted on Reddit:

Google Kills SMS Search Service is a post from: The Inquisitr

Google will unveil the Google Babel platform when the Google I/O conference rolls around according to a new report.

The Babel platform is a new system from the search giant which hopes to tie together Google’s main platform-based products. Users can converse with one another using the system without needing to share the same account types.

The Babel system will be renamed Google Hangouts, sharing its name with the currently supported Google+ Hangouts system which offers video messaging and chat capabilities for groups of social network users.

Google is attempting to create a social network that not only focuses on traditional social networking but also on productivity and increased communications across its various platforms.

Google Hangouts incorporates GChat instant messaging and will reportedly allow users to archive Hangouts, block users, and even jump back to a previous version of the company’s chat services (for a short period of time after launch).

The Google Hangouts platform is based on the XMPP open chat and messaging platform which Google already utilizes for its Google Talk service. In theory the use of XMPP will allow Google to implement Babel via iOS devices in the future. In fact code hooks discovered inside the Google Hangouts platform point to support for multiple OS and device types.

Some experts believe that Google’s ability to attract more than one billion users could ultimately allow the search giant to create a messaging platform bigger than BlackBerry Messaging and Apple’s iMessages.

The platform with its focus on bridging the gap between software platforms should be a big win for Google if it is implemented and launched properly.

Google Babel To Be Unveiled At Google I/O Conference, Change Name To ‘Hangouts’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

Facebook updates have become almost a regular part of life, but what would happen if Facebook updated real life around us?

A video shows what the results would be if Facebook updated real life the way it updated the site, and the results are maddening to say the least.

The video begins with the words “A Facebook update in real life” appearing on the screen before our unwitting hero Nick arrives home with his groceries. What we discover to be the Facebook tour guide is standing right inside the door, smiling. Nick starts in, “Oh dammit.”

The tour guide cuts him off, “Hello! Welcome home, Nick!” Text appears in front of him as he says, “Your new home update is ready for viewing.”

Nick is annoyed, “Are you serious? I just got used to the way you had it before.”

The annoying tour guide says, “Just let me know when you’re ready to begin the tour.” The text pops up in the blinded window with a button, “Begin the tour!”

Nick thinks it over and finally resigns himself to it, “Okay.” He slaps the button and it disappears.

The tour guide turns with him and says, “As you can see we’ve made some changes to improve the functionality of your living room environment.” We see the white outline of a couch shrink until it fits the size of the chair.

Nick says, “No, where’s the other half of my couch? What’s this chair thing?”

The Facebook tour guide cuts him off again, “We’ve decreased the size of your television to make room for your new bookcase.”

Nick replies, “No, I had a 60 inch TV! Couldn’t you just…”

The tour guide again cuts him off, “Just let me know when you’re ready to move on.”

Again, Nick slaps a button in the window, “Okay.”

The tour guide leads him into the next room, “Check out your new bedroom. We’ve consolidated your photos and music into one convenient location.” We see a guy on Nick’s bed looking through a photo album, and a guy listening to a headset and smoking a cigarette with sunglasses on.

The rest of the video is above.

What do you think of the video?  Would you agree that Facebook tends to be intrusive when it comes to updating the site like this video shows?

Facebook Updates Real Life [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

We’re big fans of Kid President here at The Inquisitr and how could we not be. The kid knows how to deliver heartfelt messages that bring us some joy, laughs, and hope for the future. On Mother’s Day 2013 Kid President once again shows why he’s a viral YouTube sensation.

Kid President sends out the new viral video “on behalf of all the kids in the world.” Robbie Novak (the Prez’s real name) uses this special day to talk about the ten things moms need to know.

Kid President tells mom she doesn’t need to clean up because ”Our house isn’t messy, it’s awesome. It’s awesome because we live in it.”

Robbie then adds, “It’s just hard to grow up. Sometimes we just need moms … to tell us everything is OK.”

In a touching moment he adds:

“Thanks for believing in us, putting up with us, and straight-up loving us.”

We love that Kid President is so full of exuberance when wishing mom’s a happy mother’s day on this special occasion.

Check out the Kid President Mother’s Day video and let us know what you think in our comment section:

In the meantime, Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there who have worked tirelessly to raise their children.

‘Kid President’ Celebrates Mother’s Day With A Shoutout To Moms is a post from: The Inquisitr

Happy Mother’s day to all the mom’s of the world! And if you’re not a mom but you forgot about this special day a new Google Doodle can help you whip up a card in no time flat.

The search giant on Sunday rolled out a new Doodle that actually creates a card for mom. The cards are specifically designed to look like arts and crafts projects which definitely gives them a touch of personality.

To use the cards simple head on over to Google.com and press the play button found on the Doodle. Google will then give you the option to draw your mom or choose flowers or a gift. Users can then choose the “materials” they want to use for drawing such as crayons, scrapbooks, beans, pasta, and more which are used to create the cards border.

In a blog post for the Mother’s Day doodle Google Mike Dutton writes:

“Naturally, we wanted to mix it up a bit and take things one step further … with something like a full-on card-building machine. Almost as if Google the Search Engine had a mom of its own and wanted to make some artwork for her.”

The Google Doodle program has created 27 different Mother’s Day card designs this year.

After creating your card you can share the design with your loved one online or even print them a high-resolution card to put on the fridge and save for safe keeping.

I made a card for my wife with the Google Doodle program and here are the results:

Sadly that is better than I draw in real life.

Give the Mother’s Day Google Doodle software a try and let us know what you think.

Happy Mother’s Day: Google Doodle Helps Create Electronic And Printable Cards For Mom is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Department of Defense has approved the use of Apple and Samsung smartphones. The devices will be available to Pentagon workers starting next week. Apple iOS 6 devices have been approved for use alongside Samsung Android phones that have been hardened with the company’s Knox security lockdown. The Pentagon is also expected to allow BlackBerry BB10 smartphones on its high-security data networks.

News of the move comes shortly after Apple received iOS FIPS 140-2 certification via the CoreCrypto kernel module.

In the past the DoD was skeptical to allow any smartphones on its network that did not come from BlackBerry. However, the Pentagon in March got the ball rolling by announcing plans to purchase upwards of 650,000 Apple iOS devices for military deployment.

The DoD admits that the Samsung Knox Security suite known as Android “Vanilla” does not meet security requirements “out-of-the-box” like iOS and BB10 does. However, the mobile devices can be tweaked to offer the type of security expected for Pentagon officials and the men and women who serve the US military in the field.

According to a recent report the iOS purchase includes 120,000 iPads, 100,000 iPad minis, 200,000 iPod touches, and 210,000 iPhones of various models. More than half of the devices will be deployed in areas of war.  Remaining devices will be given to support personal and contractors working for the Pentagon.

The brand new smartphone purchases will be used to replace BlackBerry devices that run on legacy OS’ which are dated by today’s technological standards.

With higher speed mobile data networks and new technologies available it was only a matter of time before the Department of Defense made the switch to modernized equipment.

Do you think allowing BlackBerry BB10, Apple iOS, and Samsung Android devices in the field and at the pentagon is a smart move by the Department of Defense?

Samsung And Apple Smartphones Receive DoD Approval, Arrive At Pentagon Next Week is a post from: The Inquisitr

Chrysler is recalling almost 470,000 Jeep SUVs for a gearshift issue. The recall announcement was made by the No. 3 US automaker on Saturday.

Therecall includes Jeep Commanders and Grand Cherokees worldwide and will involve the dealership updating software on some vehicles’ circuit boards.

The circuit boards can transmit signals that trigger inadvertent gear shifts to neutral. Chrysler spokesman Eric Mayne added that there have been 26 accidents and two injuries reported that may be related to the defect.

Affected models are Jeep Commanders between the 2006 and 2010 model years, as well as Grand Cherokees from the 2005 to 2010 model years.

Chrysler told the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission that it first learned of the problem almost 16 months ago when the owner of a Grand Cherokee with a remote-start feature reported the vehicle shifting into neutral when it was started. Last December, the US automaker finished developing new software that might fix the problem.

It completed testing on the fix in March, but didn’t believe until May that a recall was necessary to fix the problem. Mayne stated that he was not able to explain immediately what caused Chrysler to wait to issue a recall for the gearshift issue.

Chrysler added that the recall is voluntary. When a manufacturer becomes aware of a safety problem, it is required by law to tell the NHTSB of its plan for the recall within five business days. If it does not do so, it can face a civil fine.

The recall is Chrysler’s largest since November 2012, when 900,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs were recalled worldwide for a defect that could cause airbags to deploy incorrectly. The company plans to directly contact affected customers and will make the repairs for free.

The news of a new Chrysler recall comes one month after the company reported a drop in its quarterly profits due to an aggressive new-vehicle launch schedule. Despite the drop, it stated it is on track to meet its business targets.

Chrysler Recalls Almost 470,000 Jeep SUVs For Shifting Problem is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Pirate Bay is now hosting banned 3D-printed gun documents.

3D printing has become quite the item of controversy following the idea of eliminating the need to buy things that have no complex machinery. Adding to the issue is the fact that someone actually 3D-printed a working handgun. The ink hasn’t even dried yet on legislation involving 3D printing, and people with access to a 3D printer are already noticing it’s possible to make their own firearm.

Internet government has leaped on the issue with vigor, banning the blueprints required to 3D print a gun, but as with most attractive files that reach the internet, the file-sharing system makes it tough to regulate.

For years, internet piracy has been a major issue with film makers and major musicians who don’t want their hard work given away free. People have been arrested for illegally downloading copyrighted films using bit torrents and p2p filesharing clients. The issue became so bad that the man behind Megaupload, Kim Dotcom, was threatened with prison.

The Pirate Bay has seen its own share of legal hassles, but in the end, they all get off on the technicality that the files being shared are the responsibility of those who upload them, not the site administrators.

Now the two worlds have combined, and after the events in Newtown Connecticut, the idea of a 3D-printed gun being available anywhere without regulation terrifies lawmakers. On Thursday, the US State Department successfully demanded the removal of a set of 3D-printed firearm files from Defcad, a file-sharing site run by Defense Distributed, the group at the center of the 3D-printed gun controversy. However, the documents have been circulated enough that The Pirate Bay now hosts the same files.

The US government is discovering that you can’t eliminate piracy without infringing on basic American rights, and sites like The Pirate Bay are the proof of it.

What do you think about The Pirate Bay hosting the 3D-printed gun files?

The Pirate Bay Now Hosting 3D Printed Gun Files is a post from: The Inquisitr

Do you suffer from “Pinterest stress,” a condition involving the feelings of inadequacy women experience when browsing the perfectly color-coordinated gluten-free meals and explicitly detailed seasonal crafts pinned and repinned to the site?

If you’re a user, the idea of Pinterest stress probably doesn’t even need to be explained — any of the site’s mostly female users will likely instantly recognize the variably unsettling feelings of insufficiency that can sometimes result as we scan the popular social network’s battery of images passive-aggressively lecturing everyone about thighs that don’t touch, why various reasons not to work out are insufficient, how much more worthwhile it is to make your own yogurt, and so on and so forth.

“So totally doing this!” is the type of comment one sees ahead of Pinterest stress, and a TODAY moms survey of more than 7,000 mothers and Pinterest users revealed that indeed, seeing daily declarations from friends that they plan to cook, decorate, exercise and generally do more can make one feel less assured about one’s own level of ambition.

Of TODAY’s survey, the site explains that “42 percent [of moms surveyed about Pinterest] said that they sometimes suffer from Pinterest stress – the worry that they’re not crafty or creative enough … symptoms include staying up until 3 a.m. clicking through photos of exquisite hand-made birthday party favors even though you’ll end up buying yours at the dollar store, or sobbing quietly into a burnt mess of expensive ingredients that were supposed to be adorable bunny cookies for the school bake sale.”

28-year-old Jenna Anderson runs a site called Pinterest Fail, and she tells TODAY:

“[Pinterest stress] tricks you into thinking that everyone is baking their own bread. Pinterest is largely a site of unrealized dreams … We have a hard time enjoying our own experiences because we feel it’s not worthy of this invisible judge. It’s so easy to get depressed. You start to feel like your entire life has to be like a magazine all the time.”

Are you part of the 42 percent of moms suffering Pinterest stress, or does using Pinterest make you feel inspired?

Survey Reveals ‘Pinterest Stress’ Affects Nearly Half Of Moms is a post from: The Inquisitr

President Obama has selected a Twitter lawyer for office.

Nicole Wong has more than a decade of experience as an attorney for Silicon Valley covering copyright and privacy, and all this behind the scenes of a site you might use all the time. Nicole Wong has worked for Google and Twitter, making her a formidable proponent for internet privacy law.

Nicole Wong previously was a vice president and deputy general counsel at Google at its Mountain View, California headquarters. Nicole Wong helped review privacy, copyright, and removal requests, and ultimately gave the thumbs up or down on things that could make or break the company. She was nicknamed “The Decider” for her work with a team of lawyers who reviewed Google’s products, according to the New York Times.

After eight years with Google as part of the Perkins Coie law firm, Nicole Wong moved on to Twitter. With Wong at the helm, Twitter won several accolades for privacy practices. The Electronic Frontier Foundation gave Twitter the full 6 stars in a recent survey of tech companies, titled “Who Has Your Back?” Twitter has also backed a coalition lobbying for three years to have Federal privacy laws rewritten to require search warrants for remote server data.

President Obama selected Nicole Wong as a senior adviser to the chief technology officer, focusing on internet privacy. The current chief technology officer Todd Park took over for Aneesh Chopra, who was the first one appointed to the job and left the company at the beginning of 2012.

Some may find President Obama‘s selection an odd choice after recent hacking from the Syrian Electronic Army had taken over several news site Twitter accounts, an obvious violation of privacy and security. It is also a reversal of previous picks for senior privacy officers, as in the past they have usually been selected from the Library of Congress.

Nicole Wong of Twitter being selected as privacy officer was a controversial move on the part of President Obama, but nowhere near his first.

Do you think President Obama’s selection of a Twitter privacy officer was a good choice?

Twitter Lawyer Selected For Office By President Obama is a post from: The Inquisitr