A new wave of emoji is coming — and boba finally makes the list.
There’s plenty to celebrateThe Unicode Consortium, a non-profit that standardizes languages across digital platforms and devices, on Wednesday announced an upcoming launch of 62 new emoji. Among them are a transgender flag, emoji of 55 gender and skin-tone variants, a polar bear, a teapot, and a … piñata?
The new collection also includes a transgender flag, a polar bear, a tea pot, and a … piñata?
Over the past few years, the Unicode Consortium has been working on integrating more diverse, inclusive emoji — a response to criticisms about how it has been slow to address its lack of diversity. This new collection of emoji hints at their continued effort toward making emoji more inclusive, even in the subtle ways in which they represent different cultures. Read more…
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Spotify is making customized playlists for your pet, and my demon cat could not care less.
The streaming platform released a playlist generator specifically made for pets earlier this month, curating music for both animals and their humans to listen to together. According to a survey conducted by Spotify, 70 percent of “animal parents” consider the emotional wellness of their pets daily. The music included on the “Pet Playists” can relieve stress, boost happiness, and keep pets company, Spotify says.
“8 in 10 people believe their pets like music, and around 46 percent of people feel that music is a stress reliever for their furry friends,” Spotify wrote in a press release. Read more…
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The highly anticipated Margot Robbie-led Birds of Prey premieres in theaters on February 7, 2020, and to say the world is waiting with bated breath would be an understatement.
Birds of Prey sees Harley Quinn (Robbie) as a newly single woman banding together with fellow supers Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), and Gotham City Detective Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) to fight Black Mask (Ewan McGregor), a Gotham City crime lord.
Both trailers released by Warner Brothers promised bright colors, girl power, and a constant stream of Harley’s fantabulousantics. At advance screenings on January 29, critics got a first look at the film. Here’s what they’ve said so far. Read more…
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If you thought people had let Frozen‘s hit song “Let It Go” go yet, you’re sorely mistaken.
The catchy tune is back in full force, and this time it’s being sung by Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams as she drives an electric vehicle in Audi’s new Super Bowl commercial.
Williams spends the entirety of the commercial channeling her inner Elsa and belting the song made popular by Idina Menzel. She does so to encourage people to let go of the past and embrace a more sustainable future.
The commercial shows Williams cruising in Audi’s e-tron Sportback past traffic jams, garages, and closing gas stations. Audi hopes that the visual will encourage viewers to join them in their sustainability commitment. Read more…
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As conspiracy theories about the coronavirus spread on social media, Twitter is taking new steps to fight disinformation about the virus.
The company announced that it will prevent automated search results that are “likely to direct individuals to non-credible content” and, instead, use search to direct users to authoritative information from organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“… We’ve launched a new dedicated search prompt to ensure that when you come to the service for information about the #coronavirus, you’re met with credible, authoritative information first,” Twitter wrote in a statement. The company has formed partnerships with organizations in 14 countries, including the U.S., Australia, and Japan, and says it will expand to more locations “as the need arises.” Read more…
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Roast Tinder bios where users list their height all you want, but a good portion of us are goddamn thankful for online dating.
Some grandparents and much of fake spiritual Twitter still insist that online dating takes away from that raw conversation that can only be had in person, but if you think about it, online dating fosters many more interactions with people that you probably wouldn’t have come across otherwise. Plus, it’s a helpful step to mitigate the pressure of meeting someone new, especially for introverts.
The truth is, not everyone can serendipitously run into the love of their life at the gym. That antiquated mindset continues to be shown up by scholarly research. In fact, two Stanford sociologists found that online dating is officially the most popular way for U.S. couples to connect. The 2017 survey found that 39% of heterosexual couples and 60% of same-sex couples originally met online, beating the numbers of older, traditional methods like meeting through friends or at work or school. Read more…
More about Dating, Culture, Online Dating, Sex And Relationships, and Mashable Shopping
IMAGE: Match
BEST OVERALL
Match
The OG dating site reigns supreme with a tried-and-true algorithm and more users than the population of NYC.
Free version: Yes
Three months: $25.99/month
Six months: $22.99/month
One year: $19.99/month
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST SWIPING APP
Hinge
This modern go-to app for millennials to find a date is chiller than Match but less “Wanna bang?” than Tinder.
Free version: Yes
One month of paid: $12.99/month
Three months of paid: $6.99/month
Six months of paid: $4.99/month
IMAGE: OkCupid
BEST FOR LIBERALS
OkCupid
Millennials who follow current events will enjoy OkCupid’s Tumblr-esque design and a focus on social issues.
Free version: Yes
One month: $9.95/month
Three months: $7.95/month
Six months: $4.95/month
IMAGE: eharmony
BEST FOR THOSE LOOKING TO GET HITCHED
eharmony
Casual or liberal daters might feel smothered here, but straight people who are tired of the chase will love the focus on settling down.
Free version: Yes
Three months: $54.95/month
Six months: $36.95/month
One year: $22.95/month
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
One month: $30/month
Three months: $20/month
One year: $15/month
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR OUTGOING GIRLS AND SHY GUYS
Bumble
Women are required to make the first move, so it’s great for ladies tired of being bombarded by creepy dudes.
Free version: Yes
One week: $8.99/week
One month: $24.99/month
Three months: $16.66/month
Six months: $13.33/month
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR CAREER-ORIENTED PEOPLE
Elite Singles
You can speak your love language *and* money language here, but it might be too hit-or-miss for the price.
Free version: Yes
Three months: $69.95/month
Six months: $53.95/month
One year: $39.95/month
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR PEOPLE NERVOUS ABOUT MEETING IRL
Coffee Meets Bagel
Skip the pressure of *constant* inbox notifications with CMB’s smaller user base and authentic curated matches.
Free version: Yes
One month: $34.99/month
Three months: $24.99/month
Six months: $19.99/month
One year: $14.99/month
IMAGE: Mashable
BEST FOR GAY MEN WHO HATE GRINDR
Chappy
While Grindr’s whole thing is hookup culture, Chappy is for people who want something more real and verifies users through Facebook.
Free version: Yes
IMAGE: Plenty of Fish
BEST (MOSTLY) FREE SITE
Plenty of Fish
It’s rare to find a full site where most features are free, but the lack of safety features or a modern design is its downfall.
Free version: Yes
Two months: $19.35/month
Four months: $12.75/month
Eight months: $9.99/month
IMAGE: Zoosk
BEST FOR INTERNATIONAL DATERS
Zoosk
The unique matchmaking that follows your swipe patterns doesn’t make up for Zoosk’s outdated design and dead profiles.
Free version: Yes
One month: $29.95/month
Three months: $19.98/month
Six months: $12.49/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
$20 from 99 Flavors
IMAGE: Cams.com
BEST FOR VIDEO HOOKUPS
Cams.com
Bored of porn? Chat with real models in HD and test out Bluetooth sex toys.
100 tokens: $12
250 tokens: $26
500 tokens: $50
1,000 tokens: $99
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.
Apple talked about a lot of things during Tuesday’s earnings call, but one of the most important topics covered wasn’t tech-related. It was the coronavirus.
And although there were reports that the virus might directly affect Apple’s ability to fulfill iPhone production orders, it was clear that Cook wanted to focus on one thing instead: The health and safety of employees working in Chinese retail locations.
While the Apple CEO didn’t go into detail regarding possible production woes, he did confirm that Apple is donating to groups in areas affected by the outbreak in an attempt to contain it. The company is also working closely with its own team members to ensure that anyone in the affected area is okay. Read more…
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Google’s translation tech is about to get even more powerful.
The company will soon add a new feature to its Translate app that makes the service even more like an actual human translator: transcriptions. The feature is expected to roll out to the Android version of the Translate app in the next few months (Google hasn’t said when an iOS version might be available to iPhone users).
The feature is similar to how real-time transcription works in Google’s Recorder app, except that it’s also translating the speaker’s words (into whatever specified language) rather than simply transcribing them. So, if you’re in a meeting or a lecture, the app will be able to, almost instantly, generate a translated transcription of the speaker’s words as you listen along. Read more…
More about Tech, Google, Translation, Google Translate, and Tech
Samsung is set to unveil its new foldable phone at its Galaxy Unpacked event on Feb. 11, which is two weeks away. But, thanks to official renders and specs leaked by WinFuture, we get to check out the Galaxy Z Flip in all of its glory ahead of time.
Seeing as how rumors have been circulating for a little bit now, the design comes as no surprise. But to see that it’s going to be offered in a stunning purple color has turned me into a live version of the heart eye emoji.
As my co-worker said, “We don’t have enough purple tech.” I very much agree.
Super shiny!!
Image: WinFuture
Folds vertically, perfect for tiny hands!
Image: winfuture
Read more…
More about Samsung, Leaks, Foldable Phones, Foldable Display, and Tech
Even if it doesn’t feel safe to ride electric scooters in the street, that doesn’t mean you can terrorize pedestrians at 12 mph.
The rise of e-scooter-sharing inevitably means people breaking the rules. It happens. But now, e-scooter giant Lime is cracking down on riders’ potential flagrant disregard for staying off the sidewalks while renting its battery-powered two-wheelers.
The small but zippy electric vehicles are supposed to be in the bike lane alongside cars. Lime’s other rules and regulations include wearing a helmet, no double-riding, and no drinking and riding. But for now, Lime is focused on working to eliminate sidewalk-riding. It’s nearly impossible to force people to comply. That’s why scooter companies like Bird and VeoRide are trying to incentivize riders and use AI detection to get riders to stick to the rules. Read more…
More about Lime, E Scooter, Tech, and Transportation
