If Windows 8 is a shape, it’s a rectangle. The iconography and design of the new user interface (what used to be called Metro) emphasizes right angles and shapes that line up edge to edge. Even the Surface, Microsoft’s new prize tablet, hits the rectangle hard, particularly with its kickstand and Touch Cover. The thing about rectangles is that they work well in perspective. And the Lytro camera, with its magical focus-after-the-fact abilities, does perspective in a very unique way. We had a Lytro on hand when we covered the the event and the armada of Window 8 devices on hand. The Lytro camera, of course, uses what’s called light-field photography to capture photos where you can choose which part is in focus when you’re viewing them. The company recently released new manual controls for the camera that give users more options when taking pics. Check out the Lytro photos we captured at Microsoft’s big party below, and let us know which one’s your favorite in the comments. Surfaces in a row Touch cover Using the Surface That Start screen Up close with the UI Surface tablets everywhere Windows 8 poster Windows 8 laptops Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/10/25/lytro-windows-8/
It’s been nearly 15 years since the World Trade Center towers were attacked by terrorists. The events of September 11, 2001, were horrifyingly tragic. When the towers fell and innocent people were killed, it changed the lives of countless people both in the United States and abroad. The attacks created a moment in time that can never be forgotten. Most U.S. citizens, no matter their age, can distinctly remember what they were doing when the planes hit the towers. Many people were at work, school, or just getting ready to leave for the day. The NYU student that filmed this video will certainly never forget exactly what happened. Watching the violence and chaos on television was traumatizing enough, but imagine being a young student in the city, close enough to clearly see the towers. In the video, you can hear their frightened reactions and panicked calls home. This is a perspective that not many people have seen of the 9/11 attacks. The video that Caroline filmed may be hard to watch. Many remember only the news reports, but this video gives more weight to the terrible tragedy. (via KISS 107) The people that lost their lives that day will never be forgotten, and this rare perspective of the terrorist attacks reminds us to more fiercely honor their memories. Years may desensitize people to what really happened, but this video shows us the horror and truth of that fateful day. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/dorm-room-911-video/
About half of all young hawks don’t make it past their first year. Why? Because of incidents JUST LIKE THIS. If it wasn’t for the bravery… and well, curiosity… of this do-gooder wilderness man, this hawk would certainly be another one to add to the statistic. But instead, he gets the last laugh. Just wait till you hear the response at the 3:01 mark. Lesson learned young hawk, lesson learned. Because whatever doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. Right? However, if you ever see a hawk in a similar situation, you might want to be careful. Their talons are sharp. Be sure to share this incredible video with your friends using the buttons below. They won’t believe it! Read more: http://viralnova.com/wtf-hawk/
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘VN_PG_DTAT_ATF’); }); What would you do to help a stranded, scared kitten that was stuck in a drain for four days? If you asked these heroes that question, they’d tell you that they’d stop at nothing to save her. The poor cat in this video found herself trapped in a drain, and when rescuers made their way down to her, she got scared and fell even farther down. That being said, they pressed on until they could finally get their hands on the kitten. Watch it all unfold in the video below. (via Love Meow) That’s one lucky cat! Not everyone would go to such great lengths to help an animal in need. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/four-day-kitten/
Nora Brier has to be the most extreme grandmother on the planet right now. For her 100th birthday, Nora didn’t want to have dinner at a nice restaurant. In fact, she took that notion and doused it with lighter fuel and Mountain Dew Code Red before lighting it on fire. To celebrate a century on Earth, she went up into the sky via a glider and pulled some extreme looping stunts. If this doesn’t get you pumped to possibly turn 100, then nothing will. Seriously, this grandma is not messing around when it comes to living life on the edge. (via designtaxi) And I thought my grandmother was cool for not making me wear ugly sweaters that she knit herself. Nora Brier, you’re an inspiration to us all. Here’s to another 100 years of good health and stunts. Read more: http://viralnova.com/stunt-grandma-birthday/
This is what we imagine the Storm Troopers do during their breaks on the Death Star. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/guy-plays-the-imperial-march-on-a-coffee-stick/
Image: GameSpot/USAopoly Go directly to Jail. You do not pass go. You do not collect 200 rupees. The Legend of Zelda world is joining every other possible popular TV show, movie and city in inspiring its own Monopoly game. Players will get to buy property all over the franchise’s famous locations and screw their friends out of their hard-earned cash. The Legend of Zelda Monopoly board. Image: GameSpot/USAopoly Almost every piece of the game has been Zelda-ized for print. Community chests are now “Treasure Chests,” Chance spaces are now “Empty Bottles,” and your normal railroad options have been ousted in favor of the horse Epona, the bird Loftwing, the Spirit Trally train and the King of Red Lions boat. Instead of houses and hotels, you’ll plant your empire with Deku Sprouts and Deku Trees, respectively. Legend of Zelda Monopoly‘s tokens are Link’s items: the Hylian Shield, the bow, the hookshot, boomerang and legendary Triforce. Those who pre-order from GameStop, because of course, will get an Ocarina of Time token. Of course, there are all your favorite locations from the series to buy and sell, like the Temple of Time, Lorule Castle and Skyloft. The Legend of Zelda Monopoly will be out Sept. 15 and cost $39.99. BONUS: 20 Nintendo Facts to Blow Your 8-Bit Mind Read more: http://mashable.com/2014/08/05/legend-of-zelda-monopoly/
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been granted political asylum by Ecuador, the country’s Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino announced Thursday. However, the question remains how he will get out of the country’s embassy in London without trouble from officials, who have said they plan to stop his exit. Assange is hoping to avoid being sent to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over allegations of rape and sexual assault. He fears the country will then turn him over to the U.S. Among the first to break the news on Twitter was @BBCBreaking. Julian #Assange says being granted asylum by Ecuador is a “significant victory” bbc.in/OkGFDz #Wikileaks — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) August 16, 2012 The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office quickly shared their reaction to the government of Ecuador’s decision on Twitter. We are disappointed by the statement from Ecuador’s Foreign Minister that #Ecuador has offered political asylum to Julian #Assange. — Foreign Office (FCO) (@foreignoffice) August 16, 2012 According to the BBC, the UK may be able to revoke diplomatic protection from an embassy under domestic law. However, WikiLeaks has labeled that as impossible under international law. UK Diplomatic & Consular Premises Act 1987 may allow diplomatic immunity of an embassy on British soil to be revoked – BBC’s @stuartdhughes — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) August 15, 2012 Which is of course just spin. The UK is under a binding obligation to recognize asylum, the rights of refugees and its other UN agreements. — WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) August 16, 2012 WikiLeaks spokesperson Kristinn Hrafnsson told the Agence France-Press on Thursday that she hopes “that the UK authorities are sensible enough not to enter the embassy without permission, which would risk upsetting diplomatic relations all over the world.” Sweden’s government has told the Ecuadorian ambassador to its country that the asylum decision is “unacceptable,” per the Associated Press: BREAKING: Sweden summons Ecuador’s ambassador, calls Assange asylum decision “unacceptable” — The Associated Press (@AP) August 16, 2012 UK-based Citizen journalist James Albury has uploaded video of earlier demonstrations outside Ecuador’s embassy in London. According to Albury, Ecuadorian nationals were protesting the possible intrusion of British law enforcement into Ecuador’s sovereign territory. Your browser does not support iframes. Assange first requested asylum from Ecuador June 19 and has resided at the country’s London embassy ever since. This story initially cited @AntDeRosa as one of the first tweeters, but has been edited. Alex Fitzpatrick contributed to this report. Julian Assange: His History and Story Julian Assange Julian Assange, 40, is an Australian-born political activist and journalist known for his controversial website WikiLeaks, which has published leaked documents that allege government and corporate misconduct. Assange fell into his career path after he was a hacker-activist in his early days. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Exposing the Government From publishing material about extrajudicial killings in Kenya to toxic waste dumping in Côte d’Ivoire, Assange has long sought to bring controversial concepts to the forefront. On 28 November 2010, WikiLeaks and its five international print media partners (Der Spiegel, […]
People love to drink wine, but how much do we really know about it? Everybody’s favorite spirit has a rich history beyond rowdy bar nights or quiet evenings with a special someone — or your cat. Travel Channel host and wine expert Olly Smith teamed up with #5facts to round up some little-known trivia about that sweet nectar of the gods. How many of these tipsy tidbits did you know? Impress all your wino friends with these five fascinating facts, and for more fun in wine country, check out Jeni and Olly’s West Coast Wine Adventures on the Travel Channel. And if you love comedy with your facts, be sure to subscribe to 5facts on YouTube for a new video every week. 1. A “butt” is a medieval measurement for the liquid volume of wine. Image: Reddit HeathenBarbie A butt is equivalent to a half “tun,” or about 126 gallons. 2. Roman women could be killed for drinking wine. Image: Tumblr doctorwhogifs Women in early Rome were forbidden to drink wine, and a man who caught his wife drinking was legally allowed to kill her. 3. Red and white wine grapes both produce clear juice. The color of red wine is created by fermenting the skins of red grapes, in addition to the juice. Pink wines start like reds, but the skins are removed early in the fermentation process. 4. Soil type has a huge impact on the flavor of wine. Image: I Am Brony The French science of Terrior was developed to pinpoint the exact climate, topography and soil type best suited for each grape. Legend has it that Benedictine monks even tasted the soil to find ideal planting conditions. 5. Women get drunker on wine than men. Image: Tumblr foxsearchlightpictures Women’s stomachs contain less of the enzyme that metabolizes ethanol. BONUS: 5 Facts Every Coffee Drinker Should Know Read more: http://mashable.com/2014/05/01/wine-facts/
