Author Archives: Carol Edwards

Whattup, James Bond? Here’s a new, incredibly dangerous but totally on trend stunt idea for your next film: drone jumping.  

A drone company in Latvia has executed what it calls the “the world’s first drone jump.” Aerones’s 28-propeller drone hoisted a man over a 1,000 feet in the air after which he let go of the drone and coasted a bit before deploying a parachute to set him down safely back on earth. 

Sure, this isn’t exactly edge of your seat stunt work, especially since another guy used a balloon to do the same thing from 18 miles above the planet. But still, it’s easy to see how this kind of drone-assisted sky diving could be used for stealthy military and spy missions in the future. Or maybe (more likely) it’ll become the latest extreme sports craze that’s only slightly more dangerous than parkour and subway car surfing.  Read more…

More about Drones, Stunts, and Tech

Still stubbornly running an ancient version of Windows, despite the security threats? You’re in luck, this time.

The ransomware attack known as WannaCrypt that sent organizations and individual users around the world scrambling for security cover has been addressed by Microsoft, the company behind the most widely used operating system on the planet, with a new software update.  And, to the relief of many holding onto old versions of Windows, the update plays nice with some old school systems, too. 

Late Friday, the company posted an official notice on its site regarding the update as well as general guidance regarding the WannaCrypt attack. The update covers users on Windows XP, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2003 (the attack didn’t target Windows 10, according to Microsoft). Additionally, Microsoft advises users to “use vigilance when opening documents from untrusted or unknown sources.”  Read more…

More about Microsoft, Security, Hackers, Windows, and Hacking

Oy with the completely perfect Lego sets already!

The company that enhanced everyone’s childhood could be creating a product that will make Gilmore Girls fans of all ages weep with joy: a Luke’s Diner Lego set.

*passes out*

Now hold up — before you get too excited and down five cups of coffee in celebration, as of right now the Gilmore Girls set is just an idea. The company allows adorkable fans to submit original ideas for new Lego sets and one glorious human, Rainer Zufall, is to thank for blessing the world with this vision of Lego Lorelai. Read more…

More about Watercooler, Entertainment, Conversations, Television, and Lego

Congratulations, graduates! You have survived the grand journey people call education, even though at times it felt less grand and more like a nightmarish hellscape. But never mind all that now because you made it through.

So let the great traditions of graduation commence! Our favorite is when graduates decorate the top of their graduation caps with something that represents them, that will allow them to stand out in the sea of robed students getting diplomas. It’s a tough task to fit your personality onto a square the size of a mortarboard, but every year we are stunned with what people come up with. Read more…

More about Watercooler, Lists, Conversations, Instagram, and Crafts

Private First Class Romeo K. Bisson of Rochester, Vermont, a trucker with 16 years experience in civilian life.

Image: Library of Congress

In the summer of 1941, Nazi Germany reneged on its non-aggression pact with the USSR and initiated an invasion of the Soviet Union.

Without a military toehold in western Europe, the Allies recognized the need to make the Eastern Front as bloody and costly for the Germans as possible — which meant keeping the Soviet forces well-supplied.

In August, Britain and the USSR invaded Iran, overthrowing Reza Shah Pahlavi and installing his son as leader. In addition to providing a rallying point for thousands of Polish refugees, the occupation secured a critical supply route which became known as the Persian Corridor. Read more…

More about History, Retronaut, Iran, Army, and World War Ii

Master of None is nothing if not almost painfully relatable. Season 2 Episode 4, “First Date” is a sweet but contemplative portrait of modern dating, directed by Eric Wareheim who plays Dev’s (Aziz Ansari) best friend Arnold. 

“The idea was that when you’re doing a lot of online dating, it feels like you’re meeting all these people and its’…the same kind of thing, getting to know you really quick.” Wareheim told Mashable via phone interview. “That whole thing can get super exhausting, and we hope to catch that feeling in the episode.” 

More about Entertainment, Television, Netflix, Dating, and Aziz Ansari

In case you haven’t heard by now, John Wall had one of the most epic Friday nights in history. So epic, in fact, that people are now totally down for the Wizards point guard to run for president.

In Game 6 between the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards, not only did wall shut down critics by making a phenomenal game-winning shot, but he gave one hell of a post-game interview, too.

With the playoffs on the line, Wall made jaws drop by sinking a three-pointer with 3.5 seconds left in the game, securing a last-minute 92-91 win to force a Game 7.  Read more…

More about Entertainment, Conversations, Sports, Nba, and Washington

It’s Mother’s Day weekend, and in case you haven’t called your mom yet, Apple has a handy way you can pester her to get on the jogging track with you a little more often: digital flowers! 

An update to Apple’s Activity app now shows a Mother’s Day achievement badge in the design of a rose. 

Along with the new iconography, a message reads: “Earn this rose badge and a special Messages sticker on Mother’s Day. Just do a walk, run, or wheelchair workout of a mile or more in the Workout app or in any third party app that write these workouts to Health.” Read more…

More about Apple, Fitness, Apple Watch, Fitness Trackers, and Mother S Day

Reading about Elon Musk’s latest announcement about his Boring company and the expanded laptop ban may have kept you too busy to keep up with this week’s app news. We’ve kept up for you.

Each week we round up the most important app news along with some of the coolest new and updated apps to help you stay in the loop with everything you need on your phone.

Here’s what caught our eye this week. If you’re looking for more, make sure to check out last week’s roundup of top apps.

Lady Gaga gets her own emoji app

More about Facebook, Google, Apps, Microsoft, and Lady Gaga