Facebook brings ads straight to your newsfeed

Facebook is launching a new advertising test feature that will allow advertisers and marketers to bring ads straight to your Facebook newsfeed. The new test feature is part of Facebook Exchange, Facebook’s way of allowing businesses to cater there ads to people based on their online browsing history. The test feature will be rolled out to a small alpha group at first, and will expand over the next few weeks.

Facebook brings ads straight to your newsfeed

The new service will be an add-on to Facebook’s current Page post link ads. Facebook has clarified that while it will be introducing ads directly to users’ newsfeeds, it won’t increase the total number of ads that appear on their page. As of right now, the new newsfeed ads will only appear on the desktop version of Facebook, and the mobile version should be seeing the changes sometime in the near future.

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There are only a small set of Demand Side Platforms (DSPs) that Facebook will be working with at first. They include TellApart, MediaMath, and Nanigans, however more DSPs and advertisers will get their chance to take a shot at the service in the near future. While this new service will be an annoyance to many Facebook users, it will be extremely beneficial to both Facebook and businesses.

Facebook users aren’t going to be left out in the cold however. Facebook users should be receiving Facebook’s new newsfeed and timeline (a love/hate relationship) that should bring a nice, cleaner user interface to the social network. Facebook has also implemented conversation threads onto Facebook Pages so that people can carry out much more organized conversations and debates. There are a lot of new changes coming to Facebook soon, and we may probably hear about more new Facebook features soon. Stay tuned.

[via Facebook]


Facebook brings ads straight to your newsfeed is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Microsoft lands design patents for the Surface tablet’s Touch Cover keyboard

Microsoft lands design patents for Surface tablet's Touch Cover keyboard

Microsoft would certainly argue that its Surface tablet design is iconic. The company is doing more than simply extolling the virtues of kickstands and VaporMg casings, however. It just obtained a trio of design patents that cover both the Touch Cover keyboard and the magnetic coupling on the tablet that so often gives Microsoft something to dance about. You won’t find any deep insights into the technological workings here — still, this might give some would-be Surface KIRF creators a reason to hesitate.

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Source: USPTO (1), (2), (3)

Buick 2014 LaCrosse official with IntelliLink and Ultra Luxury options

This week the 2014 Buick LaCrosse has been shown for the first time at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, complete with a suite of design and technology innovations you’ll do well to adore. This vehicle has been designed from start to finish to be a luxurious ride, starting with a new interior design that continues the success of this long-lasting sedan line and bringing with it a set of advanced safety and in-car connectivity technologies. There’s also a special Ultra Luxury Interior Package you’ll want to take a look at if you want to go above the fold.

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With this full-size LaCrosse you’ll be working with Buick’s next-generation integration of IntelliLink, their infotainment system for entertainment and voice-activated control of your vehicle. You’ll have a newly upgraded, even more intuitive than in past iterations, user interface and control, complete with natural voice recognition – speak as you normally would! This vehicle also works with a collection of camera-based safety features including:

• Side Blind Zone Alert
• Lane Change Alert
• Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Collision Alert
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Automatic Collision Preparation

These features each work with GM’s patented Safety Alert Seat – that’s a vibration from the seat from the direction of a potential crash threat. Quite helpful when you need more than a half-moment’s notice of impending doom.

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This vehicle has been enhanced with some fabulous new design cues both inside and out, starting with new front and rear styling – signature wing-shaped LED daytime running lamps as well as LED wraparound tail lamps are in place to, as they say, “complement [the 2014 LaCrosse’] sculpted exterior design.” Inside you’ll find new seats, a redesigned central instrument panel and console, and enhanced materials used throughout.

The Ultra Luxury Interior Package is one you may be lusting after. Included is a sangria seating color, ebony accents, all work semi-aniline leather (both seats and trim), with Shadow Tamo Ash wood decor. This package’s semi-aniline leather covers the seats, console armrest, door armrests, and is complemented with a bit of synthetic suede in both the headliner and door pillars. This color and material combination is exclusive to the LaCrosse and this Ultra Luxury package.

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The Buick 2014 LaCrosse is being offered in front-wheel-drive as well as all-wheel-drive models and will have two powertrain options available. The first is a 2.4L engine with eAssist light electrification technology. The second is a 3.6L engine with direct-injected V-6. Both models are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and both will have Adaptive Cruise Control available as well. With Adaptive Cruise Control, the system is able to sense traffic in front of the vehicle and adjust vehicle speed in real time, stopping the vehicle when traffic is especially heavy, and accelerating when traffic becomes light once again.

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The details will continue here on SlashGear as we see more of the 2014 Buick LaCrosse at the New York International Auto Show 2013. We’ll be seeing more IntelliLink, more of the innards and surroundings of this and other Buick vehicles – and whatever else you’d like us to check out! Have a peek at our Car Hub for more information, and stick to the New York Auto Show 2013 tag portal as well!


Buick 2014 LaCrosse official with IntelliLink and Ultra Luxury options is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Calling All Pinterest Fans!

Ppssssst. Hey you, Pinterest fan. In a world of cool gadgets there is no reason you should not share gadget love with fellow Pinners. Beginning today, when you hover over a CG image you will have a “Pin it” button pop up in the upper left of all images. (hover over above image to see it live) So feel free to share the gadget images with everyone. If you have been hiding under a rock and don’t know about Pinterest learn more here.
[ Calling All Pinterest Fans! copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

GoldenEye 007 Remote Mine Replica: Q Approved

This life-size replica of James Bond’s remote mine from GoldenEye 007 was made by Thingiverse member Quiche, ComradeQuiche. The mine has blinking LEDs that you can toggle on and off as well as magnets so you can mount it just like its counterpart, fictional counterpart.

goldeneye 007 remote mine replica by comradequiche

In his original guide, which he posted on Instructables a couple of years ago, Comradequiche used the base of an old joystick as the mine’s case. He did that to make his replica more accurate – the remote mine prop used in the movie GoldenEye was also partly made of an old PC joystick. But because the joystick is no longer in production, Comradequiche decided to make a 3D template for the mine’s housing.

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Here’s a quick demo of the replica:

Head to ComradeQuiche’s Thingiverse page for his updated guide as well as the files you need to print the case. If you don’t have access to a 3D printer, you can also buy the 3D printed components from ComradeQuiche. He’s not selling a fully assembled unit though.

[via Geekologie]

Here’s a Laptop Stand That’s Better for Your Back

Vool is a handsome laptop stand that might ease the strain on your back and shoulders. More »

11 Splendid Sand Sculptures Made For the Movie Geek

These sand sculptures were prepared as part of this year’s Hollywood-themed Weston-Super-Mare Sand Sculpture festival on March 26, 2013 in Weston-Super-Mare, England. All week, 20 award-winning sand sculptors from across the globe are working to create sand sculptures that include odes to Harry Potter, Marilyn Monroe and characters from the Star Wars films as part of the town’s very own movie themed festival on the beach. More »

T-Mobile iPhone 5: hardware pricing breakdown, step by step

This week the T-Mobile iPhone 5 was revealed with a pricing structure closer to that of an automobile than what’s been common amongst smartphones over the past several years. While you pay just $99.99 USD initially, you then move forward with $20 payments for 24 months. Then your costs for data, voice, and text are separate (but still integrated into one bill in the end). Here’s the real breakdown, step by step.

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The iPhone 5 will cost you different amounts depending on which carrier you buy it from – and depending on if you purchase it “off contract” or not. You also have what might appear to be three different kinds of purchases on your hands now:

1. On-contract (each of the top three mobile carriers in the USA with 2-year contracts)
2. Off-contract (paying one since price once in one lump sum with no contractual obligations)
3. T-Mobile

With your T-Mobile purchase, you’ll be paying $99.99 USD down for starters – that’s half the price (essentially) of the $199 you’ll pay if you’re purchasing the device with a 2-year contract with any of the top three mobile carriers in the USA.

1. $199 with subsidy costs built-in to your data/voice/text plan (you can’t see it, but it’s there).
2. $649 (we’ll stick to the 16GB version since T-Mobile is advertising that model as their hero with $99.99 down and so forth)
3. $579.99 ($99.99 down with $20 per month for 24 months)

So why would you want to purchase an off-contract iPhone 5 from Apple for $649 then have it working with T-Mobile data? You wouldn’t. That’s absurd. If you want to purchase an iPhone 5 to use with T-Mobile, you can do so cheaper by buying it from T-Mobile with their “Simple Choice Plan” structure (that’s what the hardware pricing plan T-Mobile is pushing is called).

Purchase an iPhone 5 with any carrier using a 2-year contract and you’ll be paying an amount of cash built-in to your monthly payment well past the time that T-Mobile would allow you to be finished. With T-Mobile, there’s a clear separation between your monthly bill for the hardware (that you’re paying off) and the mobile service. With every other carrier, you continue to pay for the hardware forever – or until you end your service.


T-Mobile iPhone 5: hardware pricing breakdown, step by step is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

DUO 3D sensor shows up on Kickstarter, claims that “anyone can build” it

We’ve been hearing a lot about motion tracking as of late, the Leap Motion being the most popular device that is making its way to the public. However, a new mechanism is looking to gain some ground and has popped up on Kickstarter. The DUO 3D sensor claims to be the “world’s first and only DIY 3D sensing solution.”

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The DUO 3D sensor is open source, meaning that you can do anything with it that you please. It comes with open hardware plans, and you can get it in kit form where you assemble it or you can get fully assembled devices. The drivers and SDK are also open source, so there’s quite a bit that you can do with it right off the bat.

The company even claims that the sensor is practically plug-in-play, where you just plug it in, download the necessary software, and start playing around with it “within minutes.” From the video itself, the DUO looks to be extremely accurate, tracking fingers with every slight move. From the looks of it so far, it’ll definitely give the Leap Motion a run for its money.

The “DIY” portion comes into play with the open source hardware blueprints that you can purchase (or “back” in this case). The hardware plans will provide you with everything you need, but it’ll be up to you to get the parts and assemble it. However, you can modify the plans however you wish and truly make it your own.

Pledging $10 gets you the SDK, while $20 will get you the hardware plans, as well as the SDK. $40 will get you everything previously, as well as a custom-molded case for your 3D sensor. $140 will get you a fully-assembled kit, while $110 will score you all the parts you need to assemble it yourself.


DUO 3D sensor shows up on Kickstarter, claims that “anyone can build” it is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

LG adds free Spotify trial to its latest range of home theater gear

LG adds free Spotify trial to its latest range of home theater gear

If you needed any more enticement to splash out on one of LG’s new home entertainment products, then perhaps some streaming music might turn your head. The other Korean behemoth has added Spotify to its 2013 range of home theaters, with a month’s free trial offered up to anyone who has yet to sample the online radio service’s delights. The gear will start arriving on shelves in the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand next month, and if you’d like to know more, there’s PR after the break.

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Via: Far East Gizmos