On the video game screen, geometric shapes come alive. Swiss university ECAL (also spelled éc al and stands for École cantonale d’art de Lausanne) merged an iPhone with IKEA items in order to create new ways of playing video games. The project is called OpenControllers, whose primary mastermind is Marc Dubois. In the blurb that…
An odd form of identity theft is emerging, taking the form of a prank. According to PCMag, the threat of downloading mobile apps from legitimate sources can carry Trojans. When downloading seemingly innocent mobile apps that have malicious components, the risk lies in using text messages after the fact. The cited source, which is the…
Marvel characters are finally performing on stage. Although Marvel characters are familiar because of their appearances in comic books, TV shows, movies and video games, they’ve never toured live — until now. Marvel Universe LIVE gathers a bunch of heroes, like Thor and Captain America, and sets them on a quest. Why Is This Important?…
When investing money towards a university, the results can be surprising and dramatic. MIT has a Media Lab on its campus, but with the $10 million investment that came from Twitter, the university agreed to partner with the social media giant and also add a new entity on the campus map. This new addition will be…
When the next power outage comes in, disconnection from the Internet is likely, which can lead to hyperventilation and panic. And you wouldn’t be alone in feeling this way. According to a study from multinational firm Tata Communications, 62 percent of Britons cannot live without the Internet for long periods of time. For these surveyed…
With social media, fashion brands aren’t only about indicating status. Beauty brands such as Dove and Clean & Clear already launched campaigns to make women of all types feel beautiful, inside and out. This time, Gap, a clothing brand, is joining the bandwagon, but encouraging feminism and equality values. More than just…
Having access to Vladimir Nabokov’s “Lolita” and other books that used to be banned is something that is easily taken for granted. Libraries are often funded by local governments, and in light of recent news in Cleveland, Texas, anyone who has issues with a library’s book, CD and DVD collection can complain and set up…
Even though digital technologies bring distant countries closer to each other, new technologies aren’t often released at the same time. But for specific audiences, these releases are well worth the wait. Amazon Kindle already existed in the UK, but not with the inclusion of audio e-books. Already released in the United States last July, Amazon…
It often happens that university alumni have strong ties to their alma mater. But one book author has the potential of offending them. William Deresiewicz wrote a book that was recently released. The book, called “Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life,” has a blurb on Amazon…
Although Peking Duck is a frequent mainstay on Chinese restaurant menus, DuckDuckGo is not. Reports have been arising that DuckDuckGo is no longer accessible to use in China, but no reasons explaining why have been forthcoming. DuckDuckGo founder Gabriel Weinberg confirmed suspicions that the search engine is indeed blocked. However, Weinberg, according to Engadget, has…
Even after more than 10 incarnations, Final Fantasy doesn’t get old. Square Enix released a trailer for Final Fantasy XV, which contains elements of story plot and battle tactics that fans have grown to know and love over the years. The trailer shows some increasingly advanced graphics, character movements and scene developments. A rumor emerged from…
Steampunk is not collecting dust these days. The Guardian reported that last weekend, the English town of Lincoln had a steampunk festival, where followers of the fashion genre showed off their clothes and accessories, including headdresses and old-fashioned goggles. In case you missed it and want to see steampunk in person, you have a lot…
It is impossible for this book to be the next Great American Novel, but only because the writer is not American. Alan Moore is known for being the author of the comic book series “Watchmen,” but he is also dabbling into novel writing. His second book, called “Jerusalem,” is at its last chapter, according to…
iTunes is normally known for its freedom of choice, but a recent decision created a lot of outrage among loyal fans. These fans are not necessarily U2 fans, but Apple has decided to install U2 songs for free on users’ iTunes accounts anyway, regardless of users’ consent or lack thereof. The point is to promote…
When someone becomes an Internet sensation, that fame isn’t easily forgotten. Tommy Krul, who was invited to an Apple event as a keynote speaker, attracted a lot of attention because of his fashion sense. Usually, at these events, the crowds pay more attention to the items being showcased than the people who are presenting them. In…