Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Facebook allows a third-party analytics company access to user data, conducts poor oversight of said company, and then is caught flat-footed when asked about the situation by a journalist. 

Yeah, it’s happened again. And no, you’re not crazy for getting that Cambridge Analytica déjà vu. Facebook was forced to suspend Boston-based Crimson Hexagon today after the Wall Street Journal reported on the company’s contracts with a Kremlin-tied Russian nonprofit and the U.S. government. 

More about Facebook, Privacy, Mark Zuckerberg, Cambridge Analytica, and Tech

It’s official: For the first time this century, Lieutenant Spock will appear in a new episode of a Star Trek TV show.

Spock appears in the second season of Star Trek Discovery, executive producer Alex Kurtzman revealed at San Diego Comic Con. 

A question mark had hung over Spock’s potential appearance in the show since the end of Season 1. In its final minutes, out of nowhere, the Discovery comes across a distress signal from the USS Enterprise — commanded by Christopher Pike, the predecessor to Captain James T. Kirk. Read more…

More about Star Trek, Star Trek Discovery, Entertainment, and Movies Tv Shows

Whether you’re a wide-eyed freshman or an experienced senior, moving into a residence hall is stressful. No matter how many times our parents reminded us to pack more than one towel, we still always managed to forget.

Since no one wants to admit to mom or dad that they were right all along (because you’re an adult and you can do adult things by yourself!), these are the essentials you’ll need to reassure them that you’ll be just fine on your own.

Welcome to almost-adulthood.

1. A shower caddy

No one wants to have to carry all of their hair care products, soaps, and razors from one room to another without the help of a bag to store it all in. Save yourself the inconvenience and grab a mesh caddy like the Attmu Mesh Shower Caddy. If you’re feeling colorful you can get a set of 3 Plastic Tote Caddie Baskets in red, blue, and green. Read more…

More about College, College Students, Dorm, Culture, and Web Culture

It’s not everyday (or ever) that you hear a charming and wholesome diarrhea story, but one man’s tale about having diarrhea in front of his 4-year-old is sure to put a smile on your face.

Chris Edwards shared his unfortunate but surprisingly adorable experience on his No Idea What I’m Doing: A Daddy Blog’s Facebook page on Wednesday.

Edwards explained in his post that he and his family were driving to a funeral when they stopped at a gas station with his daughter. He was suddenly struck with the need to go to the bathroom while in the station, so he rushed to the lavatory with his daughter Aspen while his wife and two older kids stayed in the car.  Read more…

More about Parenting, Kids, Bathroom, Gas Station, and Culture

After winning the 2018 U.S. National Yo-Yo Contest in Chicago, Evan Nagao stopped by Mashable to show off his jaw-dropping skills and teach a few simple but awesome tricks.

More information about Nagao and the yo-yos used in this video can be found on his website. Read more…

More about Sports, Funny, Games, Mashable Video, and Comedy

It’s official: Season 9 will be Andrew Lincoln’s last season on The Walking Dead.

Lincoln, who plays Rick Grimes on The Walking Dead, confirmed at Comic-Con Friday that he will be leaving the series after more than eight years as the show’s lead.

“This will be my last season playing the part of Rick Grimes,” Lincoln said at Friday’s Walking Dead panel at Comic-Con. “I love this show. It means everything to me. I love the people who made this show. I promise not to cry. I’ve done enough crying onscreen.”

Rumors began swirling about Lincoln’s departure back in May when Collider reported that Lincoln would only be around for six episodes of Season 9, which is set to premiere in October. The news of Lincoln’s departure comes not long after series mainstay Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs) left the series during Season 8 in February.  Read more…

More about Television, Comic Con, The Walking Dead, Andrew Lincoln, and Entertainment

At Comic-Con Thursday, Netflix unveiled our first look at the second season of its fourth Marvel series, Iron Fist.  

Finn Jones is back as Danny Rand, who thankfully seems to have calmed down a bit since his bizarre and off-putting introduction in Iron Fist Season 1. Guess hanging out with a bunch of Defenders willing to call you on your shit will do that.

Also back are Colleen (Jessica Henwick) and Misty (Simone Missick) – which is good, since Danny will probably need all the help he can get when Davos (Sacha Dhawan) and Typhoid Mary (Alice Eve) come for him.

Iron Fist premieres September 7.  Read more…

More about Iron Fist, Entertainment, and Movies Tv Shows

Be careful: Hackers might be watching through your vacuum. 

Well, they could if you own the Diqee Camera Robotic Vacuum Cleaner, which is made and sold in China. It touts features like an HD 360-degree camera, night vision, and anti-collision sound wave technology.  

While that’s helpful for keeping your house clean, cybersecurity firm Positive Technologies claims the the internet-connected device has two major vulnerabilities. 

First, hackers can gain access to the vacuum remotely and move the device, which is creepy enough. But they can also access the camera to watch you in your home. Yeah, that helpful surveillance feature doesn’t sound so alluring now.  Read more…

More about Privacy, Cybersecurity, Internet Of Things, Vacuum Cleaner, and Tech

Belkin isn’t the only one in these parts with an Apple-approved battery pack. 

Smartphone accessory manufacturer Mophie announced on Thursday that it’s about to raise the bar by introducing four MFi power packs that are exclusive to Apple. That means Mophie’s Powerstation, Powerstation XXL, Powerstation Plus, and Powerstation Plus XL are the first portable chargers available with Apple’s MFi approval. 

But potential buyer be warned: All of these products carry that signature hefty Mophie price tag for their nice design and relatively large sized battery.

More about Apple, Mophie, Battery Pack, Mophie Powerstation, and Tech

Jenny McCarthy’s home is haunted by technology. 

The actress and avid anti-vaxxer was doing what every normal person does — checking herself out in a gilded mirror, denying scientific evidence, and pushing incorrect narratives about autism — when she heard a piano trill echo through the living room. 

“Donnie?” she called out to her husband, Donald Wahlberg. “DONNIE? Someone just played the piano!” 

Freaked out by the spectral sound, McCarthy posted a Nest video on Facebook: “HAUNTED! Just happened in my house! I had to look at the security tape to prove it. Ahh!!”

While one commenter was convinced that she saw an otherworldly shadow pass by the piano, another pointed out the true culprit: McCarthy’s Google Home rebooting.  Read more…

More about Facebook, Google Home, Haunted, Culture, and Web Culture