We’ve all been to a party or barbecue where the music is just awful. And of course, being the polite guest that you are, you can’t just unplug the host’s smartphone and swap yours in for a better playlist. On a quest to save your sanity and make the music at your next gathering more interactive, Internet Explorer and Nokia launched a new music platform called Mix Party, making playlist creation collaborative. Here’s how it works: The host of the party can open Mix Party on his Xbox using Internet Explorer. Although the host needs an Xbox with Xbox Live subscription, anyone with a smartphone can play along. First, download the accompanying smartphone app, which requires scanning a QR code to join the Mix Party. Then vote on which songs to play next. The service is free through the month of July, and at the end of the offer, you will be prompted to sign up for Nokia Music, an ad-free service that launched in September 2012, exclusive to Lumia smartphone users. The concept actually builds off Nokia Music, which lets you to download up to four one-hour music mixes. Users can upgrade to the platform’s unlimited access plan for $3.99 a month, which gives Mix Party users access to Nokia’s full library, so you can hear any song at your next gathering. Nokia has been creeping further into the music game over the past year. The mobile manufacturer has also built Nokia Mix Radio, a free service that lets you skip songs and save playlists for offline use (like when you’re underground on the subway). What creative ways do you manage playlists at parties? Let us know in the comments below. Image via Gilles Mingasson/Getty Images Read more: http://mashable.com/2013/07/02/nokia-mix-party/
These days, it’s not just print and television that secure dedicated campaigns — Instagram and Vine are getting them, too. Earlier this week, Polo Ralph Lauren began rolling out a series of nine 15-second videos on Instagram as part of its “Polo Ralph Lauren Survival Guide.” As of Sunday, seven of the videos have rolled out, demonstrating, for example, how to pitch a tent (see below), how to start a fire and how to chill and uncork a bottle of champagne. The videos aren’t practical guides, of course. Rather, they provide a backdrop to Polo Ralph Lauren’s cable-knit sweaters, down jackets and leather boots. A company spokesperson said they’re designed “to capture the essence of the new Polo collections — the Explorer’s Club and Country Gentleman,” collections that are both “rugged yet wearable.” The entire campaign was shot and edited on an iPhone, according to the company. And judging by the image, below, it had an impressive iPhone rig to work with. Although Ralph Lauren denied any connection, the videos remind us of Lowe’s wildly popular Fix in Six Vine campaign, which offers a series of home-improvement tips in six-second videos. (The campaign recently won Mashable‘s Best in Show award at The Mashies.) Image: Polo Ralph Lauren Read more: http://mashable.com/2013/10/13/polo-ralph-lauren-instagram/
In a world more interested in buying things than creating them, comedian and woodworker Nick Offerman makes the case for why we should all be making stuff. Read more: http://www.wimp.com/the-case-for-creating-things/
A report from University of Chicago paleontologist Paul C. Sereno identifies a new species of “dwarf herbivore” dinosaur: the Pegomastax africanus. The Pegomastax, which dates from around 200 million years ago, was dug up in a red rock slab by scientists working in South Africa in the early 1960s. Less than two feet in length and probably weighing less than the average house cat, it had a short, parrot-shaped beak and a pair of fangs. This has led some scientists to speculate that Pegomastax may have eaten some meat, though Sereno thinks the sharp canines were probably used for defense. It may have looked something like a “nimble two-legged porcupine,” according to Sereno. But perhaps the most interesting part is that Sereno identified the specimen as a new species almost 30 years ago: My eyes popped, as it was clear this was a distinct species… I’m embarrassed to say how many years ago that was—1983. But I was an enterprising graduate student then at the American Museum of Natural History. All the while since then, I wondered if anyone else might spot the creature hiding among the lab drawers. Sweet beans, paleontologists! What else have you not gotten around to discovering? If there’s proof of the Abominable Snowman just lying in a drawer somewhere, we’re going to be very angry. “I am No Man” Doesn’t Cut It: The Story of Eowyn Why All Those Sexist Complaints About The New Ghostbusters Movie Are Garbage Study Says Binge-Watching Is For Lonely & Depressed People & Those Who Lack Self-Control The Pirate Bay Has Returned To the Land Of the Living After Two Months This article originally published at The Mary Sue here Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/10/04/new-mini-dinosaur-discovered/
Universal Pictures released the first trailer for 47 Ronin on Wednesday, starring Keanu Reeves as “The One” — but in a very different setting. In the clip, viewers get a glimpse of Reeves as an outcast, slave and wild samurai warrior. The bearded, blade-wielding protagonist dodges fire face-first and goes head-to-head with a dragon (of sorts). 47 Ronin is based on an 18th-century tale of clan warfare and revenge surrounding a band of 47 loyal samurais, who are seeking vengeance after the murder of their master. The movie, directed by Carl Rinsch, also stars Hiroyuki Sanada and Tadanobu Asano. 47 Ronin premieres on Dec. 25. Watch the trailer above to see Reeves in action and let us know what you think in the comments, below. BONUS: Sad Keanu Reeves in a Helmet Meme Hits the Web Our Favorite Sad Helmet Keanu Photos Sad Keanu Papercraft Courtesy of: F*ck Yeah Albuquerque X-Wing Pilot Keanu Courtesy of: Shopped Sci Fi and Joost5 Speed Racer Keanu Courtesy of Reddit User: SameDifference Star Wars Keanu Courtesy of Reddit User: BenjaminBoba Easy Rider Keanu Courtesy of Reddit User: P_ro Keanu-zilla Courtesy of Reddit User: hoteinokodomo Where’s Keanu? Courtesy of Reddit User: eater_pay Read more: http://mashable.com/2013/07/24/keanu-reeves-47-ronin/
One of the absolute worst parts about driving or taking public transportation is getting caught in rush hour. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve almost lost it after getting stuck in slow-moving traffic. However, I’m well-aware that it could get much, much worse in different places — especially Japan. Referring to Tokyo subway passengers as sardines wouldn’t be any stretch of the imagination, because they pack themselves so tightly in the trains that the doors sometimes won’t even close. This would be a nightmare for anyone with claustrophobia. Read More: This Is How They Get Everyone On The Subway In Japan…And It’s Crazy Well, that definitely puts things in perspective. I’m going to think twice before I ever complain about traffic again! Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/tokyo-rush-hour/
Over the last few months, floods have been a deadly, though common, occurrence throughout India. Already killing at least 70 people, they’ve proven deadly to man, and if it weren’t for the courage of one mother dog, several puppies would have perished, too. When floodwaters rose in Chennai, one stray dog got separated from her babies. Watch as she swims through a garbage-infested river in an effort to find and save the pups. (via Metro) Watching from above, the onlookers no doubt wished they could have helped this mom. But after she helped her first little one, they could tell she had everything under control — according to witnesses she saved three more! Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/dog-river-stranded/
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘VN_PG_DTAT_ATF’); }); A while back we brought you a story about an amazing tap dancing seagull in Wales. Well, the little guy is still dancing like no one is watching! The feathered fella seems to be quite the celebrity these days and is always willing to do a little jig for a yummy snack. Fun fact: Seagulls actually developed this ability to “tap dance” because the sound of their feet hitting the ground resembles raindrops, which brings out the worms. So, basically, this clever bird is using his tap dancing skills to get his supper even when there is nothing but pavement and concrete around. All I could think about while watching this was, “He’s a maniac, maniac on the floor! And he’s dancing like he’s never danced before!” Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/tap-dancing-seagull/
John McAfee, the founder of anti-virus security firm McAfee who is currently detained as a murder suspect, is now blogging from a jail cell in Guatemala. McAfee was arrested on Wednesday night after illegally entering Guatemala from Belize. He has been on the run since last month to evade police in Belize who consider him a person of interest in relation to the murder of his neighbor. He recently started a blog called The Hinterland, which details his experience hiding from police, and is currently blogging from a computer given to him by police. “I am in jail in Guatemala. Vastly superior to Belize jails,” McAfee wrote. “I asked for a computer and one magically appeared. The coffee is also excellent.” He has been responding to reader comments and calls the people he has met at the jail “nice” and “sympathetic.” “I am using the computer of one of the wardens, or whatever title is used here,” he wrote in another post titled “Can’t Sleep.” “He is a sweet man and a gentleman. The world is heavilly populated with gentle people. He makes me coffee and tells tender stories about his life. He is a good companion. I believe I could spend weeks in the desert with him as a sole companion without once becoming irritated.” McAfee said his future is unknown as of now: “Only time will tell what will happen. No one has a crystal ball. However, I would be truly shocked if I did not conduct the press conference tomorrow as I had originally planned.” McAfee has hardly been out of the public eye while dodging police. In addition to blogging, he has been featured in video clips posted by Vice. In fact, the magazine has uploaded a video of McAfee getting detailed in Guatemala to YouTube. McAfee tells readers to “stay tuned” and “blogging from a jail cell might be a groundbreaking activity.” He also asked: “Anybody have friends in the State Department?” McAfee founded the anti-virus software company by the same name in the late 1980s. He retired in 1994. Photo via Johan Ordonez/AFP/Getty Images Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/12/06/mcafee-blog-jail-guatemala/
Ugh, surviving a full day at your job is so difficult. The boredom of double-clicking an Excel doc sends you looking for something more exciting to do. You then find yourself in a spiral of checking Instagram or looking up random facts about Mean Girls on IMDB. And like a flash, it’s an hour later and an hour closer to lunch, but you still have those blank cells staring back at you. But at least you don’t have to worry about chasing a perp or molding any young minds. Comedian Clara Morris reflects on her own less-than-stellar work ethic and how the same attitude might hinder other professionals. Take a break from Facebook and learn something useful about job performance. BONUS: 31 People Who Are NOT Asking for a Friend 31 People Who Are Not Asking For A Friend Can you cook bacon with a hair straightener? asking for a friend — Grace (@grace_full23) March 31, 2014 1. Do seahorses taste like shrimp? Asking for a friend — Nathan K. (@nathankmusic) March 31, 2014 2. Is trolling Twitter for story ideas OK? Asking for a friend. — Christina Warren (@film_girl) March 31, 2014 3. How much corned beef can you eat before you die? Asking for a friend — Eugene Ventimiglia (@eventi) March 18, 2014 4. How long after waking up do you wait to take a nap? 15, 20 mins? Asking for a friend. — Kate Hendricks (@katethewasp) March 30, 2014 5. does waffle house serve alcohol? (asking for a friend) — Scott Hoying (@scotthoying) March 18, 2014 6. can you uber burritos? asking for a friend — harper (@harper) March 17, 2014 7. Is it possible to get barbecued meat drunk? Asking for a friend. — Wil Wheaton (@wilw) March 16, 2014 8. Is there a word for a person who collects crows? And is that word “murderer?” Asking for a friend. — Alex Fitzpatrick (@AlexJamesFitz) March 17, 2014 9. Is it ok to wear a Snuggie to pick daughter up from school? *asking for a friend — Angel Eyes (@WineyBeach78) March 13, 2014 10. Let’s just say a 35 year old man wanted to go see the Miley Cyrus concert. How could he go and not look creepy? Asking for a friend — @TitansHomer (@TitansHomer) March 11, 2014 11. What’s the appropriate number of hours a day for a grown up man to spend trying to make a real lightsaber? Asking for a friend… — Andrew Mayne (@AndrewMayne) March 8, 2014 12. Does anyone know how many calories you burn standing on a scale crying? Asking for a friend. — Sam Dei Lune (@SamDeiLune) March 5, 2014 13. How many calories does it burn to push “continue watching” on Netflix all day long? Asking for a friend — Slack Daddy (@BackRowLearner) March 2, 2014 14. How does one get an illuminati membership? Asking for a friend. — MARC (@TOMFORDISMYDAD) February 28, 2014 15. Is it weird to be attracted to a CGI Disney character with ice powers? […]
