Google’s new unified privacy policy takes effect on March 1st, allowing Google to share users’ data among all of its products. This means that your entire Google Web History – everything you’ve searched for on Google, and every site you’ve visited while signed in to a Google account – will be pooled together.
Those of you who have been wanting Terminator-vision since the films first came out won’t have long to wait. The New York Times reports that Google is not only working on, but will be releasing “smart glasses” fitted with Android-based augmented reality software by the year’s end.
What’s up with today’s Google doodle? We’re used to sometimes crazy, always creative doodles from the company, celebrating some or other important day or person, but this one seems particularly abstract.
Welcome to the future, kids. Stellenbosch is about to become the first town in Africa to offer fast and free Wi-Fi accross the entire town. The project is a collaboration between the municipality, Mxit and the University of Stellenbosch. It’s even stretching into the suburbs and neighbouring towns. Très cool.
An intelligent billboard set up in London has facial recognition tech built in that lets it scan passersby for gender – if a woman stops to take a look, it plays a 40-second video clip. Dudes only get a link to the advertiser’s website. It’s like they’re trying to send a message or something.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn, that former head of the IMF who totally didn’t rape anybody, is being questioned by French police as a suspect in a prostitution ring inquiry, a prosecutor says. The man who was probably going to be the next president of France could be held for up to 48 hours.
For around two weeks each February, the sunset turns the Horsetail Falls in Yosemite Park, California into an incredible bright orange “firefall” that looks like flowing lava. And it’s happening right now – take a look at the video after the jump.
Richard Levi, a former Wynberg Boys High cricketer, shattered two world records for the Proteas in New Zealand yesterday. Levi led our successful run chase in the second T20 against New Zealand in Hamilton ending on an unbeaten 117 off 51 balls, leveling the three-match series in the process.
A couple of months ago, the guys from Jax Panik and iScream & the Chocolate Stix asked you to help write them some new lyrics. They took their favourite entries into studio, added some music, and would now like to know what you think of the results. Both songs are available for free download – after the jump.
PETA recently took up a lawsuit against SeaWorld on behalf of five killer whales. The animal rights campaigners even went so far as to compare the condition of these orcas to human slavery. The Daily Show responded by sending a black guy to interview someone at PETA. After watching this, pack up and go home, because this is the best thing you’ll see all day.
Hello, future! Nevada has become the first state to legalize self-driving cars, which are apparently pretty easy to get hold of in Nevada. Granted, the cars must have two humans inside, and be insured for around $1 million, but let’s focus on the part where people are allowed to have self-driving cars now.
Jacob Sutton, fashion photographer and filmmaker, has filmed snowboarder, William Hughes in the French Alps. Thing is, it’s filmed at night, and the snowboarder himself is the only source of light. The result is something else. Click ‘continue reading’ to see the film. Trust me, you want to.
Even though I don’t have to say it, I will. GoPro has revolutionized the way we see the extreme sports world. Gone are long-shots filmed with super-zoom lenses. With GoPro you’re right in the action, making you wish you were there. Not convinced? Click through to watch the vid.
Jade Adami and Mat Gardner, on behalf of Little Big Productions, recently asked 50 Capetonians the same question. They then compiled and edited all the footage into this huggable video – uploaded to YouTube on Valentine’s Day. But what was the question? There’s only one way to find out…
A bunch of emails have been leaked from the Heartland Institute, the think tank vaguely infamous for being at once massively skeptical of climate change and funded by billionaire global warming deniers, the Koch Brothers. The emails suggest that the Institute has been paying scientists and bloggers to discredit climate change research.
Dudes, you totally have to see this video, shot last year during the Billabong Pro waiting period. The French Navy labeled this day a double code red – threatening to arrest anyone that entered the water! But surfers are calling it the “biggest and gnarliest” Teahupo’o wave ever ridden.” See if you agree – after the jump.
It has been more than a century since someone last attempted to cross the Niagara Falls on a tightrope and it was only after a renegotiation and reversed decision that permission was again granted. However, later this year we’ll finally see a man attempt the awe-inspiring stunt.
A 22m long sculpture was erected in Sandton Square this weekend, emblazoned with ice copy “In the Sahara your body loses 1L of water an hour” – slowly melting as the day went on. This was to promote a new series on DSTV called “Human Season”. More details and footage inside.
Chris Brown’s success at the Grammys – he won an award for the Best R&B album, and performed to a standing ovation – has been mildly overshadowed by people getting upset over his beating up Rihanna. So, like all mature and repentant individuals, he turned to his Twitter account to set things right.
Nobody has any idea where they’re planning on getting funding from – but like a kid with an extended birthday wish list, NASA has unveiled some amazing concepts of future, eco-friendly aircraft, which they’re calling “greener flying machines for the year 2025.” Assuming they’re still here then.
Hoo-ha. That teaser trailer for the new Die Antwoord album, Ten$ion, got pulled from the internet (which means they’ve officially taken it down – obviously it’s still around) because artist Jane Alexander, whose anti-apartheid sculpture the trailer strongly references, told them to. They’re in legal discussions presently.
Have you ever thought about how small we actually are in the greater scheme of the universe? Or how large we are compared to some of the things around us. Two Asian twins thought the same, and have created an amazing interactive map to show you exactly how big you are.
Well hey there, internet – look what you brought in. “Money and Da Power,” a track that Die Antwoord has performed a couple of times on live tour but didn’t include on TEN$ION has been leaked onto Soundcloud by some or other file-sharing hippie. It’s a neat song, though. They sample sound from The Godfather.
Americans seem to have an insatiable appetite for high-energy, adrenalin fueled sports laced with machoism and violence. Their latest “sport” is no exception; it’s a crude mix of soccer, American football, ice hockey without the skates, a dash of WWE and police brutality.
Max Zorn is a street artist from the Netherlands. Like most street artists, he doesn’t use your usual artistic tools. Instead, all he uses is packing tape and a scalpel. You know, that icky brown tape that you use to close boxes with. And the result of his work is pretty damn amazing. Cinematic, even. Full gallery inside.
Obama seems to be going with the “sing when you’re winning” line of thought – first his rendition of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together”, and now his 28-track long Campaign playlist has shown up on Spotify, to remind voters that he’s totally hip to the groove. Take a look to compare your tastes with the POTUS.
It was announced earlier this week that rock n roll legends Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be performing at this year’s GRAMMY Awards. If you don’t know who the above mentioned is you have no business calling yourself a music lover and you have my deepest sympathies.
It’s always great to see epic acts of bad-assery, and this one is pretty bad-ass. A photo taken in 1936 has emerged showing a man standing amongst a dockyard full of people, all giving the Nazi salute. What makes it so cool? He’s just standing, arms crossed. Full size pic after the jump.