For the first time in history, NASA astronomers have "discovered the first Earth-size planet outside the solar system that has a rocky composition like that of Earth." The technical name is Kepler-78b but they should call it just Hell. Earth’s hellish twin.
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Sometimes, it’s fun to play a little prank on your friends. Maybe you cover a doorway with plastic wrap. Maybe you pour laxative in their coffee. Maybe you put their stapler in Jell-O. Or maybe you invite them to a nice conference and then slip a bunch of spying gadgets into their gift bags.
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Recently we reported that Google is believed to be involved in the construction on top of a mysterious barge that is docked at Treasure Island, San Francisco. There are a number of theories out there with regards to this structure, some believe its a floating data center, while others claim its actually a “floating marketing center” for Google Glass. According to new reports, Google apparently has both coasts covered, as a mysterious four-story barge docked at Portland Harbor is now being linked to the internet search giant.
This barge was first seen in Portland on October 11th. A local company, Cianbro, has been tasked with carrying out interior and electronics work on the barge. The company isn’t authorized to name its client or detail the work its doing. There’s speculation that the barge’s final destination is actually outside Maine, and that its just docking in Portland Harbor until the works are taken care of. Up till now, Google has not clarified if its involved with these mysterious barges, and even if it is, what is it going to use the floating structures for. A spokesman for the Portland Coast Guard says that they know what’s inside the structure, which is following all regulations and is “not a threat” to public safety in Portland. [Image via Business Insider]
Google Reportedly Has Another Mystery Barge Docked In Portland Harbor original content from Ubergizmo. 
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It’s no secret that Facebook likes its targeted advertising. However, that affinity may soon blossom into a full-fledged love affair. The social network’s Ken Rudin tells the Wall Street Journal that his company is testing a system which targets ads based on where users’ mouse cursors hover; it can …
Sad?
(Credit: SelfiesAtFunerals/Tumblr Screenshot by Chris Matyszczyk/CNET)
I hate to state what seems to be obvious, but funerals aren’t fun.
Yes, there are a lot of little black dresses and dapper suits, but things are often miserable. At least until the chardonnay starts flowing at the after party.
It seems, therefore, that some have taken to creating selfies at funerals. Just to spice up their own living existences, you understand.
This artistic subculture has been offering its creations for some time. However, it has now come to prominence thanks to a Tumblr feed entitled SelfiesAtFunerals.
Fast Company senior editor Jason Feifer took it upon himself to reveal artifacts he finds on the Web and offer them, well, a memorial of their own. On his Twitter feed, Feifer explained that he was assembling another Tumblr called SelfiesAtSeriousPlaces when he had this idea to be socially conscious.
He also said that there’s no particular cleverness or subterfuge here: “It’s simple — just search twitter, etc. for ‘funeral selfie,’ and they all pop up. No magic here!”
In the wake of the Edward Snowden leaks, we’ve seen at least two encrypted email services close shop in the face of government scrutiny. They’re not giving up on the mission, however. In fact, these freedom fighters now say they’re coming back twice as strong and twice as committed to shutting out the NSA.
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Leaks and rumors about the Nexus 5 have been coming in from all directions almost every single day. Still Google is tight-lipped about when it intends to make the official announcement. We’ve seen press renders of this smartphone being leaked online, we’ve also seen it make an appearance on video. Today, the first Nexus 5 unboxed image has hit the internet. The image shows off the blue box widely associated with the Nexus 5, also seen before, and what appears to be a Nexus 5 unit.
Unfortunately, the source who leaked this image didn’t publish any additional images on the internet. There’s just the one we see here. Obviously what people would have liked to see would be the Nexus 5 turned on, and even more shots of its exterior, just to get a really good look at the design. The contents of the box haven’t been pictured as yet, so if Google is bundling any new accessories with the smartphone, we’ll probably have to wait a little longer to find out exactly what they are. Google’s official announcement of the Nexus 5 isn’t presumably that far off. Recent rumors peg the possible announcement date as November 1st, but the internet search giant is yet to roll out invites for a press event.
Nexus 5 Unboxed Image Leaks original content from Ubergizmo. 
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At one of those iconic 80s movies of my childhood was Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. That movie started with Pee-wee Herman having his beloved bike stolen by thieves. What Pee-wee need was something like the LOCK8 smart bicycle lock. The guys behind this Kickstarter project claim that it’s the world’s first smart bicycle lock.
The LOCK8 is more than a bicycle lock, it also has integrated GPS, alarms, and the ability to push notifications to you and other people if your bike is messed with. The LOCK8 is keyless and uses a smartphone as a digital key to lock and unlock the bike. The system can also be set up to automatically lock when the owner walks away and unlock when the owner gets close to the bike.
The LOCK8 has built-in alarms that will activate if the bike is tampered with thanks to motion sensors, an accelerometer, a temperature sensor and a conductive cable. Messing with the lock in any way will trigger the alarm. The lock also allows bike owners to unlock their bicycle from afar allowing them to share it with friends when needed.
The smart lock is on Kickstarter through December 2. A pledge of £69 (~$111 USD) will get you your own LOCK8 with shipping expected in May 2014.
Dell and cats don't really go together.
(Credit: Amanda Kooser/CNET)
You know that new-computer smell, the scent of Styrofoam packing materials, ink on instruction books, and fresh plastic. Buyers of Dell’s Latitude 6430u ultrabook have been complaining for months about a more odoriferous issue with their new machines, along the lines of eau de cat piss.
The hub for complaints is a Dell tech support discussion titled “New 6430u smells awful.” It contains a veritable bouquet of descriptive missives, including, “The machine is great, but it smells as if it was assembled near a tomcat’s litter box.”
User DaveFWA writes, “I have been blaming a new kitten who I swore was creeping into my closed backpack at night and magically only hitting the PC with a concentrated urine stream which then magically evaporated.” DaveFWA has since apologized to the kitten for the false accusation.
The complaints started back in June, with Dell tech support initially suggesting cleaning the keyboard with a soft cloth and using a can of compressed air to blow out the laptop vents. But that only served to blow the stench around, according to a number of Latitude 6430u owners. Aft… [Read more]
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Despite the fact that Microsoft has already announced its intention to acquire Nokia’s phone business, Redmond will have to jump through a number of regulatory hurdles before it can become a full-fledged cell phone maker. One such hurdle is getting the European Union to approve the acquisition, this is required because Nokia is based in Europe, which means that the 28 member state bloc’s antitrust regulators will decide if this deal breaches its competition rules.
Microsoft announced the deal last month, which will see the transfer of Nokia’s phone business and thousands of employees to the software giant. The deal also includes a 10 year licensing agreement of the Finnish manufacturer’s patent portfolio. The EU has the necessary powers to block this deal if it wants, particularly if it feels that competition will be at a disadvantage as a result of this deal. It also has the power to fine both companies. The European Commission has said that it will give its ruling by December 4th, though the final date can be extended by 10 days if Microsoft decides to offer concessions to downplay any potential competition concerns that the Commission might have. There’s another hurdle prior to December 4th, its Nokia’s extraordinary shareholders meeting on November 19th, where shareholders will vote to either approve or reject the deal. Microsoft expects to close the acquisition of Nokia’s phone business, valued at $7.17 billion, by the first quarter of 2014.
Microsoft Asks The EU To Approve Its Nokia Acquisition original content from Ubergizmo. 
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