Predictive text memes: The rush of a personality quiz with none of the work

Predictive text memes are all over Twitter for a few reasons. First, they're easy to do: All you need is 30 seconds and a phone; no Photoshop required. Second, they're in a pliable format with nearly endless room for variation. And finally, they scratch that weird itch many of us feel on the internet: The desire for an online entity — a quiz, an astrology app, a device full of our own data — to tell us something about ourselves.

This particular brand of meme is made using autocomplete, which is available in some form on most smartphones. Apple, for example, says it uses your "past conversations, writing style, and even websites you visit in Safari" to suggest the word it thinks you'd like to type on your iPhone next.  Read more...

More about Twitter, Memes, Social Media, Culture, and Web Culture

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Dave Chappelle to receive Mark Twain Prize

The prize, given yearly by the Kennedy Center, will be awarded to Chappelle for American Humor. Read more...

More about Mashable Video, Dave Chappelle, Mark Twain, Entertainment, and Media Industry

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Dark web review site Deep Dot Web used referrals links to earn millions

Referral links just got a whole lot edgier. 

The dark web review site Deep Dot Web was taken down by law enforcement Tuesday, knocking offline a centralized repository of knowledge detailing how and where to score illegal drugs and goods online. It turns out, the Department of Justice revealed, that the operators of the site allegedly employed referral links to earn commissions on all future sales made on linked sites. 

For example, if you went to Deep Dot Web and found a link to the now-shuttered dark web market Wallstreet Market, created an account, and then made purchases with that account, Deep Dot Web would reportedly earn a commission on that sale. All future purchases were tied back to that original referral link.  Read more...

More about Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, Dark Web, Tech, and Cybersecurity

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Airborne NASA scientists just filmed something troubling in Greenland

Scientists aboard a NASA airplane swooped over some of Greenland's largest glaciers on Monday, spotting melted ice and raging rivers.

It's significant, because though it's not nearly summer, large blue ponds have already formed on the icy ground. NASA’s Operation IceBridge researchers observed this as part of their mission to watch for changes in Earth’s giant masses of polar ice. Greenland, in particular, has been melting at an accelerated rate for some two decades.

"Although the story of the summer of 2019 in Greenland hasn’t yet been written, it's starting on a worrying note," said Joe MacGregor, the project scientist for Operation IceBridge. Read more...

More about Nasa, Science, Global Warming, Climate Change, and Greenland

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Walmart has certified refurbished BeatsX wireless headphones on sale for $50 off

Long ago, in the Year of Our Lord 2017, one of our noble Mashable writers took the BeatsX earbuds for a spin. Deeming them "arguably better than Apple's AirPods" at the time, he commended their lightweight, comfy design and decent sound quality while knocking their high price: They're "[The] perfect earbuds for young cyborgs with cash to burn," he wrote.

But times have changed, and BeatsX wireless headphones no longer cost an arm and a leg, especially if you buy them secondhand. 

By hunting down a pair that's certified refurbished — that is "gently used but guaranteed to work good as new" — you can shave a ton of money off their price tag. In fact, you can visit Walmart right now to score a pair of certified refurbished BeatsX buds for $50 off their usual retail price.  Read more...

More about Headphones, Earbuds, Beats By Dre, Beatsx, and Mashable Shopping

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After Samsung disaster, foldable phones are a no-show at Google I/O

If foldable phones are supposed to be the future, Google missed its big chance to get people pumped about them.

While they were very briefly mentioned during the main Google I/O keynote on Monday, foldable phones weren’t on display at any of its sessions.

The scrapped plan, I'm told, was to have some kind of foldables showcase in one of the "sandbox" experiences at I/O. There, attendees would have been able to try out foldable phones (or see prototypes and concept devices), and get more information about how Android would be adapted for them. 

The company to blame for the no-show? Almost certainly Samsung. Read more...

More about Google, Samsung, Google Io, Foldable Phones, and Galaxy Fold

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HBO admits Starbucks cup in 'Game of Thrones' episode was a 'mistake'

Fans were quick to notice a coffee cup accidentally left in a scene during the latest episode of "Game of Thrones." HBO lightheartedly acknowledged the error shortly after it was spotted. Read more...

More about Mashable Video, Starbucks, Game Of Thrones, Game Of Thrones Season 8, and Entertainment

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Microsoft teases advanced speech tech, but it's not for everyone

Are you thinking about creating a speech bot-driven app for your business? Some of the guidelines around bot creation—as outlined at Microsoft Build by noted Swedish entrepreneur, podcaster, and Windows Platform Development MVP Jessica Engstrom—are common sense. For example, don't build a voice bot just because it's cool new technology, and make sure it fits your business model.

But there are plenty of scenarios where voice does fit. One argument is that the average person types 40 words per minute but speaks 150. Approximately 3,000 new bots are released per week on the Microsoft platform alone, and 95 percent of smartphone owners have tried a personal assistant. Read more...

More about Microsoft, Speech Tech, Tech, and Consumer Tech

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Teens Say JUUL, Not E-Cigarette. Why That's a Problem.

Read more...More about Vaping, Mashable Reels, Juul, Tech, and Health

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The weak-ass romance game on 'Game of Thrones' is one reason why many are losing interest

Spoilers for Game of Thrones: Season 8, Episode 4 incoming.

Struggling to get invested in Game of Thrones lately? You're not alone.

Longstanding promises have been broken, basic storytelling conventions shattered, and numerous disappointing mistakes made. For many, the show that could once leave even the mightiest of us in hysterics is now an illogical and emotionally deadened husk. (YMMV.)

A huge part of this problem? Thrones' rapidly worsening romance game. Sure, this show is great at getting horny. Like really, really great at it. But when it comes to tugging at heartstrings, Thrones: Season 8 has been less than skillful. Read more...

More about Couples, Romance, Game Of Thrones, Brienne, and Game Of Thrones Season 8

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The best of Martha Stewart's deeply weird personal Instagram account

To truly understand the heart of Martha Stewart, you need to dig deep into her personal Instagram account, @MarthaStewart48, where you'll find Martha's full, uninhibited self.  

There aren't carefully polished photos of omelettes, floral arrangements, or mint juleps like there are on her professional account. This isn't where you go for that clean, Connecticut feeling. 

In Martha Stewart's personal Instagram world, there's cosmetic dentistry, dog puzzles, and excessive amounts of bunny content.

SEE ALSO: There's Nothing Martha Stewart Loves More Than a Good Drone

Between partnering with a Canadian marijuana company and broadcasting her friendship with hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart has been cultivating her "hip" persona for years now. She does it particularly well — no one is better than Stewart at blending white collar criminal chic with New England couture. Read more...

More about Instagram, Culture, Martha Stewart, Culture, and Web Culture

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