Another big media merger is a go as the proposed combination of Sprint and T-Mobile has been approved by a federal judge.
Judge Victor Marrero (U.S. District Court, Manhattan) ruled in favor of the telecom companies after an anti-trust lawsuit was brought by a group of attorneys general representing 13 states, led by New York, California, and the District of Columbia.
The merger had already received the blessing of the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission, paving the way for the deal to go through. Originally valued at $26 billion in all-stock deal, the two sides are likely to do some tweaking and renegotiating to the terms before the deal is finalized, probably in April 2020. Read more…
More about T Mobile, Sprint, Wireless Companies, Corporate Merger, and Tech
A new social media-style app offers users the chance to live in a world where millions of adoring followers hang onto their every word. There’s just one catch: On Botnet it just so happens that you’re the only real person. Oh yeah, and you’d better believe you’re famous as hell.
The app, released yesterday, is like a Twitter clone that dispensed with the notion that bots can or should be removed from the platform.
“Botnet is a social network simulator where you’re the only human along with a million bots who are obsessed with you,” explains the app’s website. Read more…
More about Apps, Social Media, Tech, and Social Media Companies
I’ve only had it in my hands for a few minutes, but I already like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip way more than the company’s last attempt at a foldable phone.
While last year’s Galaxy Fold was essentially a small tablet disguised as a phone, the Z Flip looks and feels very much like a phone.
It has a clamshell design — like an old-school flip phone — but also manages to look sleek and modern. And, at $1,380, it’s a little more approachable compared to the nearly $2,000 Fold.
The Z Flip is available in three colors: mirror black, mirror purple, and mirror gold. And Samsung isn’t exaggerating with the “mirror” moniker here. These phones are not only reflective as hell, but are also absolute fingerprint magnets. In Samsung’s demo area following its event, each phone had a dedicated staff member standing by with a microfiber cloth to try and keep them all pristine. It didn’t quite work. Read more…
More about Tech, Samsung, Smartphones, Galaxy Z Flip, and Tech
Within the world of fashion Instagram influencers, Motorola has mounted a full-scale marketing blitz for its new Razr flippable smartphone in GOLD.
The pairing makes sense: the Razr was a fashion staple in the aughts, and nostalgia for Paris Hilton-esque 2000s fashion is all over runways and the ‘gram. Oh, and did we mention the gold?
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Ready to flip for gold? The iconic #razr now comes in blush gold.
A post shared by Motorola US 📞 (@motorolaus) on
While the basic $1,500 black model was unveiled in November, Motorola debuted the blinged-out “blush gold” version at a show during New York Fashion Week. Two teenage models/influencers, who are the daughters of Real Housewife Lisa Rinna, strutted down the runway flashing the gold Razr redux in their hands. Read more…
More about Fashion, Influencers, Denim, Motorola Razr, and Tech
Generally, reverting back to pictographs to communicate embarrasses me.
I’ve resisted emoji in most of my texts and social media posts over the years, but last week, while working remotely in Santiago, Chile, I encountered a moment where emoji was a lifesaver.
I was ordering groceries through the South American delivery app Rappi (it’s like Amazon and Uber Eat and Lime rolled into one) when I quickly realized my Spanish vocabulary wasn’t as robust as it’d need to be. The app is very much programmed in Spanish, so typing in English doesn’t yield much.
Normally one to scoff at a feature that uses emoji (like Twitter or Bing searches for an “LOL” face), I found myself happily clicking icons of different fruits and vegetables, selecting what I wanted to put in my virtual cart that would then get picked up by a shopper at an IRL grocery store and delivered to me via motorcycle at my apartment entrance. I always mix up my “lima” with my “limón” in Spanish without a trip to Google Translate, but I didn’t need to add that step. Clearly the yellow-looking lemon is a lemon. The power of pictures! Read more…
More about Emoji, South America, Delivery App, Tech, and Consumer Tech
We got our hands on Samsung’s latest flagship phones: the S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra. The devices are available for preorder starting Feb. 21 and available in stores March 6. Read more…
More about Samsung, Mashable Video, Samsung Galaxy S20, Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, and Samsung Galaxy S20
Hookup culture and casual dating: Also known as the thing that has basically replaced real dating over the past 20 years or so, and the thing that your parents and grandparents bitch about because “nobody has a real conversation anymore.”
We all know that’s not true, however, and the glorious combo of online dating and dating apps has forever changed the way that singles connect. When we think dating sites, we usually think about the likes of eharmony and Zoosk and other marriage-minded options. But not every single person is trying to participate in the next cuffing season.
Sometimes, you just wanna get laid. Enter: The hookup app revolution. Read more…
More about Dating, Online Dating, Sex, Apps And Software, and Mashable Shopping
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST HOOKUP SITE
AdultFriendFinder
Live videos and more monthly visitors than eharmony makes AFF great for finding a down-for-anything fling.
Free version: Yes
Dating app compatibility: Technically yes, but it’s complicated — just stick to the desktop version
One month: $30/month
Three months: $20/month
One year: $15/month
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR CASUAL SEX
Tinder
Our love/hate relationship with Tinder notwithstanding, we can’t ignore the fact that it’s a tried-and-true option when all you want is some casual sex.
Free version: Yes
Dating app compatibility: iOS and Android
One month of Tinder Plus: $14.99/month
Six months of Tinder Plus: $10/month
One year of Tinder Plus: $6.67/month
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST COMBO OF FUN AND SERIOUSNESS
OkCupid
Free version: Yes
Dating app compatibility: iOS and Android
One month of A-List: $9.95/month
Three months A-List: $7.95/month
Six months of A-List: $6.95/month
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR FINDING MATURE PARTNERS
Match
If your age makes you feel like a certified creep on Tinder, Match is a more mature place to find an experienced booty call.
Free version: Yes
Dating app compatibility: iOS and Android
Three months of paid: $23.99/month
Six months of paid: $20.99/month
One year of paid: $19.99/month
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR GUARANTEEING NO STRINGS ATTACHED
PURE
It’s like Snapchat for sex, where hookups are spontaneous and impersonal.
Free version: Yes
Dating app compatibility: iOS and Android
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR A PERSONAL HOOKUP EXPERIENCE
Clover
Clover wants to do more than give you an anonymous hot single to bang — and why not actually be friends with your friend with benefits?
Free version: Yes
Dating app compatibility: iOS and Android
One month of Premium: $39.99/month
Three months of Premium: $99.99/month
Twelve months of Premium : $149.99/month
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR FINDING A SEXTING PARTNER
iHookup
Find singles to chat with online and get off without leaving the house.
Free membership: Yes
Dating app compatibility: Impossible to find, just go with the desktop version
Silver membership: Starts at $29.99/month
Gold membership: Starts at $34.99/month
IMAGE: 99 Flavors
BEST FOR SWINGERS
99 Flavors
This swingers site lets couples add more *flavor* to the bedroom by signing up and hunting for matches together.
One month: $40/month
Three months: $27/month
One year: $20/month
Dating app compatibility: Impossible to find, just stick to the desktop version
$20 from 99 Flavors
IMAGE: ALT
BEST FOR BDSM HOOKUPS
ALT
Bond over bondage on this BDSM site: What it lacks in organization it more than makes up for in communication features.
Free version: Yes
Dating app compatibility: Impossible to find, just stick to the desktop version
One month of Silver: $19.95/month
Three months of Silver: $11.99/month
One year of Silver: $8.95/month
One month of Gold: $29.95/month
Three months of Gold: $19.95/month
One year of Gold: $13.43/month
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR GAY MEN TIRED OF SWIPING
Gay Friend Finder
You won’t find a hookup within the hour, but this is a mature alternative for those who feel Grindr is too impersonal.
Free version: Yes
Dating app compatibility: Impossible to find, just stick to the desktop version
One month of Silver: $22.99/month
Three months of Silver: $13.99/month
One year of Silver: $8.99/month
One month of Gold: $34.99/month
Three months of Gold: $13.99/month
One year of Gold: $7.99/month
IMAGE: Cams.com
BEST FOR VIDEO HOOKUPS
Cams.com
Bored of porn? Chat with real models in HD and test out Bluetooth sex toys.
Dating app compatibility: Impossible to find, just stick to the desktop version
100 tokens: $12
250 tokens: $26
500 tokens: $50
1,000 tokens: $99
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY WANT
Zoosk
Free membership: Yes
Dating app compatibility: iOS and Android
One month of paid : $29.95/month
Three months of paid : $19.98/month
Six months of paid: $12.49/month
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR FINDING LONG-TERM COMMITMENT
eharmony
Free version: Yes
Dating app compatibility: iOS and Android
Three months of paid: $54.95/month
Six months of paid: $36.95/month
One year of paid: $18.95/month
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR BUSY PEOPLE
EliteSingles
A space for ambitious people to connect with like-minded singles who don’t have time to sit down and swipe.
Read more…
