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September 11, 2019
0:18
Timberland Announces SpongeBob SquarePants Boot, Apparel Collaboration
» ‎ Geek.com

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Timberland x SpongeBob collaboration drops Sept. 12. (Photo Credit: Timberland)
2019 is truly the wildest timeline. From the Keanussaince to Operation Varsity Blues, it’s been a wild year for pop culture of all kinds. Remember a few weeks ago when, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the show, Nike put out an entire line of shoes inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants? How wild was that?

If you’d have told me 10 years ago those shoes would one day exist I’d have called you a liar after freaking out over your ability to travel through time and then asking you why you’d go through the trouble of time travel just to tell me about some sneakers that were gonna exist 10 years from now. And if after that you’d told me that 2019 would bring not one but two SpongeBob-inspired footwear drops I’d have put money on you being wrong.

(Photo Credit: Timberland)

Reader, I’d owe you a lot of money today because sure enough, in the words of my boy Yoda… there is another.

This week Timberland, they of the quintessential Big Chonky Boot, have announced two signature SpongeBob boots coming your way on Friday, September 12. Not content with stopping there, the company is also dropping a line of matching apparel. It is, as it seems, a good time to be a fan of The Sponge.

(Photo Credit: Timberland)

The boots themselves are pretty rad, the better of the two easily being the blue pair. Not Squidward-centric as you may expect, they’re instead an homage to SpongeBob’s favorite hobby: jellyfishing. The boots feature a cool fade into a deeper shade further down towards the toe and sole and sport decals of SpongeBob jellyfishing and Patrick prancing, as he is wont to do.

The black pair are a bit more lowkey, emphasis on the bit. They feature black suede with a bright yellow tongue (which, of course, comes with SpongeBob’s face printed on it). There’s also a subtle Krusty Krab decal on the side, and Plankton trying PER USUAL to steal it for himself. The laces come adorned with the SpongeBob logo as well.

(Photo Credit: Timberland)

Frankly, let’s keep this trend going. I want to see SpongeBob adidas kicks, SpongeBob Yeezys, SpongeBob Skechers, SpongeBob Sperry boat shoes and oxfords and every piece of footwear you could possibly imagine. There’s still a few months left in 2019. We can make it happen.

The SpongeBob x Timberland drop goes live on Timberland.com on September 12.

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0:00
This $29 Data Science Course Bundle Can Boost Your Tech Career
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If you’re good with computers and looking for an exciting, lucrative career, data science may be right up your alley. The tech boom has created vast new troves of data, so Big Data is now one of the most in-demand, high-paying, and stable career paths you can find. Even if you’re brand new to data analysis or don’t have any coding experience, you can learn how to break into this amazing field with The Complete Big Data Master Class Bundle.

This 9-course bundle gives you over 35 hours of instruction in data science’s hottest tools and technologies. You’ll learn how to make killer visualizations and create insightful charts and graphs with Matploblib and Bokeh. You’ll also learn popular tools and frameworks like Plotly, Seaborn, NumPy, Pandas, Hadoop, and Hive. You’ll even learn how to program in Python in just a few hours. Whether you’re new to data science or just looking to level up your skills, this is the data science bundle you’ve been waiting for.

The Complete Big Data Master Class Bundle normally costs $891, but you can get it now for just $29, or 96% off.

Prices are subject to change.

Like this deal? Check out Vault, the best way to secure your online data for just $9.99.

//

If you’re good with computers and looking for an exciting, lucrative career, data science may be right up your alley. The tech boom has created vast new troves of data, so Big Data is now one of the most in-demand, high-paying, and stable career paths you can find. Even if you’re brand new to data analysis or don’t have any coding experience, you can learn how to break into this amazing field with The Complete Big Data Master Class Bundle.

This 9-course bundle gives you over 35 hours of instruction in data science’s hottest tools and technologies. You’ll learn how to make killer visualizations and create insightful charts and graphs with Matploblib and Bokeh. You’ll also learn popular tools and frameworks like Plotly, Seaborn, NumPy, Pandas, Hadoop, and Hive. You’ll even learn how to program in Python in just a few hours. Whether you’re new to data science or just looking to level up your skills, this is the data science bundle you’ve been waiting for.

The Complete Big Data Master Class Bundle normally costs $891, but you can get it now for just $29, or 96% off.

Like this deal? Check out Vault, the best way to secure your online data for just $9.99.

_

If you’re good with computers and looking for an exciting, lucrative career, data science may be right up your alley. The tech boom has created vast new troves of data, so Big Data is now one of the most in-demand, high-paying, and stable career paths you can find. Even if you’re brand new to data analysis or don’t have any coding experience, you can learn how to break into this amazing field with The Complete Big Data Master Class Bundle.

This 9-course bundle gives you over 35 hours of instruction in data science’s hottest tools and technologies. You’ll learn how to make killer visualizations and create insightful charts and graphs with Matploblib and Bokeh. You’ll also learn popular tools and frameworks like Plotly, Seaborn, NumPy, Pandas, Hadoop, and Hive. You’ll even learn how to program in Python in just a few hours. Whether you’re new to data science or just looking to level up your skills, this is the data science bundle you’ve been waiting for.

The Complete Big Data Master Class Bundle normally costs $891, but you can get it now for just $29, or 96% off.

Like this deal? Check out Vault, the best way to secure your online data for just $9.99.

_

If you’re good with computers and looking for an exciting, lucrative career, data science may be right up your alley. The tech boom has created vast new troves of data, so Big Data is now one of the most in-demand, high-paying, and stable career paths you can find. Even if you’re brand new to data analysis or don’t have any coding experience, you can learn how to break into this amazing field with The Complete Big Data Master Class Bundle.

This 9-course bundle gives you over 35 hours of instruction in data science’s hottest tools and technologies. You’ll learn how to make killer visualizations and create insightful charts and graphs with Matploblib and Bokeh. You’ll also learn popular tools and frameworks like Plotly, Seaborn, NumPy, Pandas, Hadoop, and Hive. You’ll even learn how to program in Python in just a few hours. Whether you’re new to data science or just looking to level up your skills, this is the data science bundle you’ve been waiting for.

The Complete Big Data Master Class Bundle normally costs $891, but you can get it now for just $29, or 96% off.

Like this deal? Check out Vault, the best way to secure your online data for just $9.99.

// ]]>
September 10, 2019
23:58
Caught on Camera: Venomous Copperhead Snakes Mate on Bike Trail
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A Pennsylvania reptile expert filmed a pair of venomous copperhead snakes mating near a bike trail on September 8. (Photo Credit: Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary / Facebook)
A Pennsylvania man recently captured a video of two venomous copperhead snakes mating near a bike trail and their intimate moment was jaw-dropping.

Jesse Rothacker, a reptile expert and Lancaster County resident, spotted the pair of copperhead snakes on a bike trail over the weekend, Fox News reported. Rothacker uploaded footage of the lusty reptiles on Facebook, after he alerted oncoming bikers and hikers about the mating duo.

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While narrating the video, Rothacker explained how it was his first time watching copperhead snakes copulate in the area. The mating copperhead snakes are seen with their tails twisted together, engaging in internal fertilization, and not making noise, even when Rothacker was filming them from a close angle.

“Finding the snakes along the trail is very common,” Rothacker told Fox 43. “Finding the snakes actually getting jiggy with it is very hard to find in the wild, so I talked to many of my herpetology colleagues, and many confirm, they have not seen copperheads doing the deed, so we’re very fortunate to run into them at that time.”

According to Rothacker, there is a second fall breeding season for copperhead snakes. He also warned bikers and hikers to be aware of mating reptiles on their travels, since they like to “get it on” near trails. He didn’t share the location of the specific trail he was on, because he wanted to give the mating reptiles some privacy.

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22:44
Launchpad Fire Delays JAXA’s Cargo Ship Launch to Space Station
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JAXA scrubbed its HTV-8 launch to the International Space Station (ISS) due to a launchpad fire on September 10. (Photo Credit: MHI Launch Services / Twitter)
Japan scrubbed a robotic cargo ship’s launch to the International Space Station (ISS) today due to a launchpad fire, according to Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) officials.

JAXA was scheduled to launch Kounotori 8 (HTV-8), an unpiloted supply ship, to the orbiting laboratory from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan at 5:33 p.m. EDT (6:33 a.m. local time), according to a NASA press statement. The agency was reportedly counting down to takeoff at the space center when a blaze erupted on the H-IIB rocket’s mobile launch platform at 3:10 a.m. local time, Space.com reported.

There has been a fire on the pad during the prelaunch operations for the #HIIB rocket which was set to launch the #HTV8 spacecraft to the International Space Station in a few hours. Water suppression systems seem to have gotten the situation under control. #JAXA pic.twitter.com/2KokR2k2u4

— Michael Baylor (@nextspaceflight) September 10, 2019

Kounotori 8 was supposed to transport over four tons of equipment and supplies to the space station for the Expedition 60 crew.

The bottom of the #HIIB rocket really being hosed now pic.twitter.com/yQo3cwgMdS

— 📸Trevor Mahlmann (@TrevorMahlmann) September 10, 2019

“Named Kounotori, meaning white stork in Japanese, the craft will deliver six new lithium-ion batteries and corresponding adapter plates that will replace aging nickel-hydrogen batteries for two power channels on the station’s far port truss segment,” NASA officials said in the press release. “The batteries will be installed through a series of robotics and spacewalks by the station’s crew members later this year.”

いよいよ明日、こうのとり8号機（#HTV8）/H-IIBロケット8号機の打上げですね！
「きぼう」へたくさんの物資をお届けします！🚀

早朝ですがネットでライブ中継も予定しています。
ライブ中継などの詳細は特設サイトをご確認くださいね☆ [https:]] #GOHTV8 #JAXA pic.twitter.com/l6teNXSSGR

— JAXAきぼう利用ネットワーク (@JAXA_Kiboriyo) September 10, 2019

Experiments aboard Kounotori 8 include an upgrade to the Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF-L), a payload for testing the effects of gravity on powder and granular material (Hourglass), and a small-sized satellite optical communication system (SOLISS).

射点に到着。
Arrived to the launch pad. #H2BF8 pic.twitter.com/gVcobGzuEE

— MHI Launch Services (@MHI_LS) September 10, 2019

Once Kounotori 8 reaches the space station, NASA astronaut and Expedition 60 flight engineer Christina Koch and her NASA crewmate Andrew Morgan, will operate the orbiting laboratory’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture the 12-ton spacecraft. Robotic flight controllers will then resume the operation of the arm to place HTV-8 in the Earth-facing port of the Harmony module, where it will stay there for a month.

JAXA has not announced a back-up launch window for Kounotori 8 at this time.

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21:30
Christian Bale Breaks Silence on Robert Pattinson’s ‘The Batman’ Casting
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Christian Bale commented on Robert Pattinson's new role in 'The Batman.' (Photo Credit: Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
Oscar winner Christian Bale is excited for Robert Pattinson to play Bruce Wayne in The Batman, which is expected to hit theaters in 2021.

While attending the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) for his movie Ford v Ferrari, Bale spoke with Variety about The Batman and how he supports Pattinson’s new role as the Dark Knight.

Christian Bale thinks Robert Pattinson is a “good choice” for #Batman. His advice? “Be able to pee by yourself” | #FORDvFERRARI – Variety Studio at #TIFF19 presented by @ATT pic.twitter.com/eiTlieVH5R

— Variety (@Variety) September 8, 2019

“Good choice,” Bale told Variety. “He’s interesting.”

Matt Damon, Bale’s Ford v Ferrari co-star, was also enthusiastic about Pattinson’s major casting announcement.

“Did you see the Safdie brothers movie he did?” Damon asked the Variety reporter, referring to the movie Good Time. “He was fantastic.”

Bale, who previously played the superhero on the big screen, shared some advice for Pattinson, who will be the next star to put on the famous Batsuit.

“Just be able to pee by yourself,” Bale answered. “You don’t feel like a superhero when you aren’t able to piss by yourself.”

🦇🦇🦇 pic.twitter.com/2AaQaexvUF

— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) June 3, 2019

Pattinson, who was also present at TIFF for his upcoming thriller The Lighthouse, was cast as Batman for Matt Reeves’ 2021 movie The Batman, in May, IndieWire noted. Bale previously starred as the Caped Crusader in Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises.

The Batman will premiere in theaters on June 25, 2021.

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21:04
iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro Have More Cameras, More Problems
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It’s new iPhone day! Forget those other bogus holidays, new iPhone day is when Apple tells us about the greatest thing to happen to mobile tech, until next year when they have a new device that makes last year’s device look like trash. Who needs headphone jacks? This year’s iPhones have a matte finish.

As usual, many rumors about the new iPhones leaked out ahead of time. However, on new iPhone day Apple can spin those details in their proper context. And with the new iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, all eyes are on the cameras.

Seriously. If you don’t care about photography then today’s Apple presentation was basically worthless to you outside of an iPad refresh, Apple Watch saving lives and never turning off, a new trailer for Jason Momoa’s weird Apple TV+ show about being blind, and launch details for Apple Arcade. Aside from powering some Dark Souls clone called Pascal’s Wager, even the new A13 chip was described in terms of how it enhances the cameras. But yo, those cameras!

Starting that $700, the iPhone 11 has two big and powerful rear cameras. Although this is the entry-level model, users still get pro features. Ultra wide angles let you take expansive detailed photos even with limited space. And Night Mode presents clear images even with extremely low light. Plus there’s this new cursed thing called the “Slowfies” or slow-motion front-facing selfies.

The iPhone 11 Pro is where it’s really at though. For $1000 they slapped a whole third camera on this thing. The back looks like an alien spider opening up its inner eye for enlightenment. Deep Fusion intelligently merges the best parts of multiple pics together like a Dragon Ball character. The extra lens (wide, ultra wide, and telephoto) gives photographers and videographers even more information to play with when taking photos or recording 4K, 60FPS, HDR video. Apple showed off the Filmic Pro app that records scenes from multiple different types of shots at once from closeups to wide coverage. Extended battery life makes professional film shoots even more feasible on the phone.

Exciting if you’re into cameras. But if you aren’t, the lack of anything else new and exciting is kind of a problem, no? At least you can still get old iPhones for less money. iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro go on sale September 20. (Or you could check out these Android phones)
Buy iPhone 11

Buy iPhone 11 Pro

Watch: The iPhone 11 Announcement in 90 Seconds
19:41
Apple Arcade Launches Next Week
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Move over, Xbox Game Pass. Kick rocks, Google Stadia. There’s a new subscription service coming to offer tons of video games for one monthly price. We’ve known about Apple Arcade for a while now. Trying to fix mobile’s free-to-play problem they themselves helped create, Apple wants to provide a space where paid premium games can thrive. But at today’s Apple event we got the last Apple details we were looking for before launch.

A gaming subscription service obviously needs games worth subscribing to. And Apple, along with their partners, showed off three highlights from the 100+ games on tap for Apple Arcade. Unfortunately, none of them were Flappy Fighter.

First, and most hilariously, Konami tried to pull itself out of its self-dug gaming grave to show off Frogger In Toy Town. Crossy Road was one of our favorite mobile gaming sensations a few years ago. And that was just endless Frogger with a chicken. Here you guide the amphibian through colorful yet deadly levels, and Konami weirdly hyped up the graphical quality and physics… in a Frogger game. Sorry, we’re still just salty about Kojima.

Next up, Capcom showed off Shinsekai: Into the Depths, what seems to be an original IP considering they filed a patent back in July. In this moody sidescroller players traverse the ocean floor in a clunky diving suit. Not only do you need to survive monsters but also monitor your oxygen. It’s like BioShock crossed with an underwater Sonic the Hedgehog level.

Finally, Annapurna Interactive showed off Sayonara Wild Hearts from celebrated mobile developer Simogo. We already knew this neon motorcycle music video racing game was coming to Nintendo Switch. But on Apple Arcade you have more options for playing on the go.

But that’s not all! A handful of other potentially exciting games, from some famous names, were secretly revealed. This includes ChuChu Rocket! Universe, Exit the Gungeon, Overland, Pac-Man Party Royale, Rayman Mini, Shantae and the Seven Siren, Skate Ctiy, Steven Universe: Unleash the Light, Ballistic baseball, Projection: First Light, and something called Sneaky Sasquatch. We would’ve liked to see some of these onstage!

Apple Arcade launches September 19 for $5 per month after a month-long free trial. For alternative portable gaming needs though, the Nintendo Switch Lite launches the very next day.
19:05
‘Storm Area 51’ Creator Leaves Alien-Themed Festival Over Safety Concerns
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'Storm Area 51' creator Matty Roberts pulled the plug on the September 20 Alienstock festival in Rachel, Nevada, because he didn't want it to turn into a 'FYREFEST 2.0.' (Photo Credit: alienstockfestival / Instagram)
The man behind the viral “Storm Area 51” Facebook event is pulling the plug on an upcoming alien-themed festival in Nevada due to safety concerns and fear of the celebration turning into a “FYREFEST 2.0.”

Matty Roberts, creator of “Storm Area 51,” was initially excited to plan the Alienstock festival, which was set to take place on the same weekend as the September 20 mock Facebook event, in Rachel, Nevada, KVVU-TV reported. However, Roberts quickly changed his mind and said he’s leaving the festival in a statement shared by his representative on Monday.

In the statement, Roberts claims that the permit holder, Connie West, didn’t provide him with proof that things were set in place for the event. Roberts and his team reportedly didn’t want to be responsible for the safety of thousands of people who were going to attend the festival on September 20.

“Due to the lack of infrastructure, poor planning, risk management and blatant disregard for the safety of the expected 10,000+ Alienstock attendees, we decided to pull the plug on the festival. The permit holder (Connie West) was given multiple opportunities to provide us with the proof that things expected at this festival were in place,” Roberts said in the statement. “In fact, she refused to provide to us, as agreed upon, contracts, proof of deposits, or any paper proof of anything.”

Roberts said he’sÂ “officially disconnecting” from Connie West and that Alienstock will be held in downtown Las Vegas on the same weekend.

“In short, the relationship has ended permanently, and Alienstock will be moving to a safe, clean secure area in downtown Las Vegas as an alternative,” Roberts explained. “We are not interested in, nor will we tolerate any involvement in a FYREFEST 2.0. We foresee a possible humanitarian disaster in the works, and we canâ€™t participate in any capacity at this point.”

West, who operates a quirkyÂ Little Alâ€™eâ€™inn Hotel inÂ Rachel, Nevada, said her alien-themed festival is still on, even though Roberts is not working with her anymore.

“I’m going to do it the way I know how and what I’ve been planning for because I know no other way to do it. But it’s still happening,” West told KVVU-TV. “If he chooses to go somewhere else, that’s his choice. I’m still having a party because people are still coming to Rachel, [Nevada].”

In July, Roberts’ “Storm Area 51: They Can’t Stop All of Us” joke Facebook event went viral on the social media platform. To date, more than two million people have replied that they were “interested” or “going” to the mock event, which was scheduled for September 20.

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18:40
Extremely Rare, Two-Colored Lobster Found in Maine
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A rare, two-toned lobster — a one-in-50 million find — was discovered off the coast of Maine. (Photo Credit: Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries / Facebook)
A fisherman had a one-in-50-million find when he discovered a rare, two-colored lobster off the coast of Maine on Friday.

Daryl Dunham, captain of the fishing vessel Force of Habit, discovered the lobster, which appears half-red and half-black, and handed it over to the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries (MCCF).

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“We’ve seen some pretty cool lobsters in our marine touch tank over the years, but this one might be a first,” the organization said on Facebook.

The MCCF is housing the unique, male “Chimera lobster” in a tank at the center’s Discovery Wharf in Stonington alongside three other rare lobsters — including a calico (they’re one in 30 million) and a blue lobster (one in 2 million) — where visitors can view and feel its rare shell.

In October, the organization will release it back into the New England bay where it was caught.

The lobster’s colors are split right down its middle. One one side is a bright red and the other side is black. Experts say the two-tone color may be caused by a genetic mutation — a cellular split when the eggs are first fertilized.

The split occurs one in every 50 million lobsters, according to National Geographic.

“This is a first for many of our staff… we’ve been marveling at it since it arrived,” the MCCF said.

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17:44
‘El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie’ Music Trailer Revisits Jesse Pinkman’s Journey
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Revisit Jesse Pinkman's emotional journey in the new music trailer for 'El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.' (Photo Credit: AMC)
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie will premiere on Netflix next month and you can catch up on all the painful parts of Jesse Pinkman’s journey in a new music trailer for the film.

Netflix dropped a new El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie trailer on Tuesday, which features the chilling vocals ofÂ R&B duo Chloe X Halle. With the trailer, fans can revisit Jesse Pinkman’s emotionalÂ Breaking BadÂ moments from the beginning to the end of the series.

When Jesse Pinkman is on the hot seat, he’s asked to share details on any business dealings, any personal dealings, and any criminal activity he was a witness or part of. Scenes of Jesse Pinkman and Walter White getting started in the meth lab, Jesse Pinkman throwing away his money, and Jesse Pinkman watching Andrea Cantillo get killed by Todd Alquist are shown in the trailer’s footage. The last shot is Jesse Pinkman driving away in a car to an unknown destination and this may be where El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie picks up.

There aren’t many details on the movie yet, but Aaron Paul, the actor who plays Jesse Pinkman, recently posted a picture of him wearing his old Breaking Bad suit on Instagram.

“Hello old friend,” Paul wrote below the picture, which has received more than 900,000 likes so far.

El Camino: A Breaking Bad MovieÂ is coming to Netflix on October 11.

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17:38
New Species of Giant Flying Reptile That Soared 75 Million Years Ago Identified By Scientists
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In a new study, scientists describe a new pterosaur, called Cryodrakon boreas or "frozen dragon of the north." The flying reptile had a wingspan of at least 16 feet and may have grown to a wingspan of up to 33 feet, dominating the skies above North America about 75 million years ago. (Illustration Credit: David Maas)
A new species of giant flying reptile that soared 75 million years ago over what is now North America has been identified by scientists studying a cache of bones unearthed in Canada.

The creature, called Cryodrakon boreas or Frozen Dragon of the North Winds, is similar to the largest known pterosaurs, and is among “the most popular and charismatic of all fossil animals,” according to Michael Habib, assistant professor of Integrative Anatomical Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California (USC) and research associate at the Dinosaur Institute of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

The flying reptile had a wingspan that stretched at least 16 feet and lived in what is now western Canada about 75 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period.

The embargo is over so say hello to a new #pterosaur from #Canada – Cryodrakon boreas. A quick thread of n posts on this lovely animal. pic.twitter.com/mc82KYiJLU

— Dave Hone (@Dave_Hone) September 10, 2019

“They have been inspiration for countless movie monsters, they were critical parts of global ecosystems worldwide during the Age of Dinosaurs, so they are key to understanding the ecology and extinctions of that time, and, just like flying animals today, they could carry important clues about how animals at the time responded to major changes in climate,” Habib said.

The pterosaur’s bones have been known to scientists for nearly three decades, but it has only now been confirmed as its own genus. The researchers describe the findings in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

Paleontologists had assumed assumed that the fossils belonged to a pterosaur called Quetzalcoatlus northropi, study coauthor Dave Hone, a paleontologist at Queen Mary University of London, told National Geographic. That animal, like the newly described Cryodrakon boreas, belong to a group known as the azhdarchid pterosaurs, which were notable for being mostly head and neck, and known primarily from limited and fragmentary remains, which also makes them difficult to classify or understand their behavior and biology.

This animal has been known for decades but was thought to be a specimen of the famous Quetzalcoatlus. Examination of the bones shows a number of consistent differences that mark Cryodrakon as unique and worthy of a name.

— Dave Hone (@Dave_Hone) September 10, 2019

The researchers examined a collection of bones comprising much of a skeleton, dug up from Canada’s Dinosaur Provincial Park in 1992. The fossils are better preserved than other azhdarchid fossils, according to a USC news release.

In studying the fossils, the scientists noted key differences in the shape of vertebrae, cervical bones, and leg bones, which would have affected the spinal column, shape of the legs and size of the creature.

The scientists found that Cryodrakon was about the same size, and looked similar to Quetzalcoatlus, but was likely heavier and more robust. That’s an important finding because it challenges classic reconstructions of these animals as ultralight soaring specialists. Instead, Cryodrakon may have been extra-muscular ground hunter that used flight to burst away from danger.

“This particular group of pterosaurs includes the largest flying animals of all time,” Habib said. “Their anatomy holds important clues about the limits of animal flight and may be important in the future for biologically inspired mechanical design for flight.”

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16:37
Watch: ‘Drunk’ Raccoons Caught Stumbling Around Canadian Neighborhood
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Residents recently spotted "drunk" raccoons hanging out in their neighborhood. (Photo Credit: Adam Muise / Pixabay)
Raccoons appearing to be “drunk” were recently spotted in a Canadian neighborhood and people are concerned about the creatures’ strange behavior.

Residents in Ottawa, Ontario, have noticed that the raccoons, which are nocturnal animals, were not acting normally over the past week, Fox News reported. The raccoons, which were caught stumbling around the area and taking “power naps” on the ground, may have eaten fermented fruit by mistake, according to experts.

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“He couldn’t really move. He was dragging his legs, he was wobbling, having a hard time standing up,” Emily Rodgers, a resident, told CBC News of a raccoon she observed in the vicinity. “You could tell something was wrong with him for sure.”

Julie Fong, another resident, said a local police officer requested permission to observe her backyard, since there was concern over a raccoon in the neighborhood that seemed “tipsy.”

“So that’s why this guy was kind of sleeping it off under our deck. There was a drunk raccoon under our deck,” Fong said. “He said it was sort of stumbling along, just looking completely off, [like] somebody who may have had a few extra libations would be walking.”

Raccoons are getting “drunk” on fermented fruit and stumbling around Stittsville: [https:]] via @RobynMillerCBC pic.twitter.com/09LOokQwuL

— CBC Ottawa (@CBCOttawa) September 6, 2019

According to Michael Runtz, a Carleton University biology professor, the raccoons may have dined on too many fermented fruits, such as apples, which fall off of trees around this time of year. This could be why the neighborhood raccoons were walking funny and sleeping off their “hangovers” in the middle of the road.

“It’s possible that some of the fruit is fermenting under the heat, and that these guys are getting a bit tipsy by eating that fermenting fruit. Don’t try to give them coffee and get them sobered up, just let them go their course,” Runtz explained to CBC News. “If you’re really concerned about the animal, call…some of the animal control officers to come have a look at it.”

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16:14
Scientists Uncover New Evidence of Asteroid That Killed Dinosaurs
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A portion of the drilled cores from the rocks that filled the crater (via International Ocean Discovery Program)
For nearly four decades, paleontologists have argued over the fate of Earth’s dinosaurs.

Were they gradually killed off by natural causes like volcanism and plate tectonics? Or were they suddenly and violently exterminated by an extraterrestrial collision?

A new study led by the University of Texas at Austin has confirmed the latter, providing “hard evidence” of an asteroid impact.

As described in a paper published by the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a team of researchers found proof in the hundreds of feet of rocks that filled the impact crater within the first 24 hours after impact.

“It’s an expanded record of events that we were able to recover from within ground zero,” according to Sean Gulick, a research professor at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) at the Jackson School of Geosciences.

Gulick led this study, as well as the 2016 International Ocean Discovery Program scientific drilling mission, during which the rocks were retrieved from the impact site offshore of the Yucatan Peninsula.

“It tells us about impact processes from an eyewitness location,” he said.

When the asteroid slammed into our planet some 66 million years ago, its impact caused wildfires, triggered tsunamis, and blasted so much sulfur into the atmosphere that it blocked the sun.

Just one day deposited about 425 feet of material, most of which was produced at the impact site or swept in by seatwer pouring back into the crater from the surrounding Gulf of Mexico.

The breakneck speed of accumulation meant the rocks recorded what was happening, eventually providing clues about the longer-lasting effects of an impact that wiped out 75 percent of the planet’s population.

Bad news for the dinosaurs. But good news for folks who study them: chemical biomarkers show signs of being deposited by resurging waters, suggesting the landscape was pulled into the crater with the receding tides.

And while the asteroid impact led to the mass destruction at the regional level, it was the global climate change that came with it that caused a masse extinction.

“The real killer has got to be atmospheric,” Gulick said. “The only way to get a global mass extinction like this is an atmospheric effect.”

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16:08
Finally, KFC Makes A Colonel Sanders Dating Game
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One of my favorite ironic gaming subgenres is the fast food crossover. These glorified commercials slap some grease mascot into a cheap cash grab and the results are always hilarious. You’ve got those awful Doritos games, the amazing game of the year quality stealth game where you control the Burger King, and most recently Wendy’s slate of Super Mario Maker 2 levels.

Now KFC has gotten on-board the gaming train and the end product is as hellish as you would hope. Finally, here’s a Colonel Sanders dating game.

I Love You, Colonel Sanders! A Finger Lickin’ Good Dating Simulator wants you to think it’s an actual weird Japanese dating sim like Hatoful Boyfriend or whatever. But really it’s closer to an indie Western tribute of that genre like Dream Daddy. Only instead of having a progressive message of inclusiveness to help make the joke sweeter, this is just a game about gawking at an uncomfortably attractive anime Colonel Sanders.

Coming this month for free on Steam, the game presents several real screenshots where players seem to attend some kind of cooking academy. Presumably you make friends, battle rivals, and try to impress “the most famous chicken salesman of all time.” Other bullet points include “multiple hours of play” and “11 herbs and spices.”

Are there actual cooking mechanics like Cooking Mama or Battle Chef Brigade. My god, am I actually interested in this as a game? The developer is listed as “Psyop” which to some people really just admits that reality is an illusion.

Of course this isn’t the first time KFC has decided to get weird online, the go-to move for any #brands hungry for young people. They had the fried chicken firelog, the hot fake Colonel Sanders, the KFC drone, and the chicken sandwiches covered in Cheetos. Compared to those, a KFC dating game might be the best thing for your heart figuratively and literally.
16:00
Toy Tuesday: The Best ‘South Park’ Toys
» ‎ Geek.com

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It’s sort of overwhelming to think that, if South Park was a person, it would be old enough to go get a beer with. Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s cut-out animation was a massive sea change for comedy, using primitive tools and wild satire to push every comfort envelope that Americans lived within. Sure, the show has oscillated in quality pretty heavily from season to season, but the sheer endurance it displays is pretty ridiculous.

Over the years, there have been plenty of South Park toys, and here are some of our favorites.
Classroom Construction Set

McFarlane Toys’ construction sets don’t have the infinite flexibility of Legos, but they’re fun in and of themselves. They deliver a ton of little details in a small scale. This set boasts 260 pieces that assemble to form a replica of Mr. Garrison’s classroom complete with two rows of desks, figures of Kyle and Cartman as well as their puppet-toting teacher and a bunch of accessories. And they’re compatible with the wider range of construction sets, so you can throw the animatronics from Five Nights At Freddys or zombies from The Walking Dead in there for laughs.

Get it at Amazon
Professor Chaos Vinyl Figure

Standing 7 inches tall, this vinyl figure of Butters’ evil alter ego is ready to wreak havoc across your toy shelf. Professor Chaos made his debut after Kenny’s “permanent” death, when the other three boys briefly enlisted Butters as a replacement before kicking him to the curb for being too lame. Driven mad by the experience, he donned a tinfoil helmet and started committing petty crimes like stealing erasers. Eventually he upgrades to larger-scale environmental crimes but those don’t work out as well either. This charming sculpt from Kidrobot stands seven inches tall.

Get it at Amazon
Mezco Terrance & Phillip Figures

One of the most entertainingly bizarre running jokes in South Park history is the depiction of Canadians as even more primitive cutout animation figures than the rest of the cast. It originally started with TV characters Terrance and Phillip before expanding to the entire country, and if you love the two farting morons Mezco has created some terrifyingly three-dimensional takes on the duo. They come with stands, plug-in “fart blasts” that you can attach to their buttocks and spring-loaded heads. There’s something amazingly absurd in the attempt to translate something this simple to high-end action figure form.

Get it at Amazon
Awesom-O Figure

Cartman has pulled lots of dumb stunts, but one of the most absurd came in the eighth season episode where he thought pretending to be a robot could gain him access to Butters’ innermost secrets. As Awesom-O, the rotund child discovers that Butters also owns a videotape of Cartman doing a Britney Spears dance routine and must keep the disguise going to get it back, even as Hollywood producers tap his infinite memory banks of bad movie ideas. This high-quality figure from Mezco measures 6 inches tall and comes with alternate arms and a removable helmet revealing Cartman’s sweaty face underneath.

Get it at Amazon
Chef Action Figure

When Isaac Hayes left the show in 2006 after South Park poked fun at Scientology, a lot of people wondered if the show would survive the loss of one of its most beloved supporting characters. Obviously that wasn’t as big a deal in hindsight, but it was fascinating that a guy who was willing to appear in all sorts of filthy stories couldn’t roll with a gentle needling at his alien space religion. You can relive the glory days with this excellent action figure from Mezco, featuring a tray of chocolate salty balls for snacking.

Get it at Amazon
Kyle Plush

We’re trying to represent all four lead characters in this list in one incarnation or other, so let’s give Kyle — probably the most emotionally stable of the South Park quartet — a plush version. Made by Kidrobot, this stuffed companion stands around 7 inches tall and is show-accurate, with earflaps for his hat and other nice details. Sure, maybe the show doesn’t have the snuggliest characters, but showing a little tenderness might be good for the kid.

Get it at Amazon
Kenny Figure With Rats

The running gag of Kenny croaking in every episode was one of South Park‘s earliest hooks, as viewers tuned in to see how he was going to die week after week. Pretty quickly they added in an extra element to make things even more gruesome, most notably a horde of rats who would show up to gnaw the flesh off of his bones to really hammer the point home. This Mezco figure makes up for a lack of articulation (and what would you expect) with a quartet of rodents ready to chow down on their next meal.

Get it at Amazon
Deluxe Talking Mr. Hankey

South Park originally started as a Christmas-themed animation that Stone and Parker made with their own money, and the show has returned to the holiday season numerous times for inspiration. The ninth episode of the first season introduced a very unlikely mascot in Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo — a talking turd that only appears to Kyle, the Jewish kid. It’s such a bizarre and unpleasant concept that they continued to revisit — did you know he lives in the sewers the rest of the year? – and now you can have a soft stuffed version that delivers some of the animated feces’ most iconic lines.

Get it at Amazon
Cartman Action Figure

Probably the most iconic of all the South Park characters, Cartman is loved because he’s sheer id, motivated by his selfish desires without any regard for other humans holding him back. That’s why he ends up motivating some of the show’s most memorable episodes. This Mezco action figure captures his essence ably, throwing in a bonus anal probe from one of the first season’s famous stories as well as his food-mooching gray cat Mr. Kitty, always going after his Cheesy Poofs.

Get it at Amazon
Funko Pop Stan

The big-eyed sculpt style of Funko Pops interacts very strangely with the minimal design of South Park — cutting out the large whites of the characters’ eyes leaves them looking like they’ve been possessed by otherworldly entities from beyond the dimensional barrier and are coming to strip your soul from your body. Which, knowing South Park, is very possible. Funko has Pops of pretty much the entire cast and a ton of supporting characters, but if you’re going to start somewhere you might as well start with Stan Marsh.

Get it at Amazon
PC Principal Figure

One of the most popular characters introduced in recent seasons of South Park, the PC Principal was introduced at the beginning of the 19th season and has served as a mouthpiece for the creators’ libertarian views on speech policing, for better or for worse. He definitely added a different moral angle to the plotlines from that season forward, and it’s doubtful he’ll go a way for a while so why not add him to your collection with this 3″ KidRobot vinyl figure? Maybe he can fistfight your GI Joes.

Get it at Amazon

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15:15
U.S. Scientists 3D Print Miniature Human Heart
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Biolife4D successfully 3D bioprinted a miniature human heart (via Biolife4D)
Scientists have successfully 3D printed a miniature human heart.

Chicago-based biotech firm Biolife4D recently took a significant step toward its goal of producing a full-sized human heart viable for transplant.

The mini milestone, led by Chief Science Officer Ravi Birla, boasts the structure of a standard-sized heart—including four internal chambers.

It’s the closest anyone has gotten to producing a fully functioning heart through 3D bioprinting, according to the company.

“We are extremely proud of what we have accomplished, from the ability to 3D bioprint human cardiac tissue last summer to a mini heart with full structure now,” Birla said in a statement.

“We believe we are at the forefront of whole-heart bioengineering, a field that has matured quickly over the last year,” he continued. “And well-positioned to continue our rapid scientific advancement.”

The complicated technique involves a proprietary bioink and unique bioprinting algorithm, as well as some other cardiovascular components my non-technical brain can’t quite wrap itself around.

What I can understand, though, is the significance of this breakthrough, which could one day play a huge role in treating heart disease and other cardiac impairments by improving the transplant process and eliminating the need for donor organs.

“We began this journey with an end goal of developing a technology that has the potential to save lives, and we are a step closer to that today,” CEO Steven Morris said. “We will continue our work until we are able to 3D bioprint full-sized hearts viable for transplant, and change the way heart disease is treated forever.”

“Today is an exciting day, but we continue forward earnestly toward the end goal of 3D bioprinting whole human hearts,” Birla added.

In April, researchers at Tel Aviv University unveiled the world’s first 3D print of a heart with human tissues and vessels.

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14:15
Amazon Employees Join Sept. 20 Global Climate Walkout
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Photo Credit: Christian Wiediger/Unsplash
More than 1,000 Amazon employees plan to walk out of work on Sept. 20 in support of a global climate strike.

For more than a year, teen activist Greta Thunberg has been leading students and young people in weekly school climate strikes.

Now, they want adults to join the fight.

“As employees at one of the largest and most powerful companies in the world, our role in facing the climate crisis is to ensure our company is leading on climate, not following,” Amazon Employees For Climate Justice wrote in a Monday blog post.

The group, whose aim is to “ensure our business models don’t contribute to the climate crisis,” has invited workers across the world to band together next Friday in hopes of appealing to company CEO Jeff Bezos.

We want Amazon to commit to zero emissions by 2030 and pilot electric vehicles first in communities most impacted by pollution. We should be leaders reaching zero first, not sliding in at the last moment.

Pledge to walk out with us: [https:]] pic.twitter.com/vGmLIs9rnY

— Amazon Employees For Climate Justice (@AMZNforClimate) September 9, 2019

Last year, Amazon teamed with Procter & Gamble and Hasbro to reinvent boxes, reduce waste, and simplify packaging. It also boasts a network of solar and wind farms, as well as solar fulfillment center rooftops.

And in February, the firm announced a new initiative to reach 50 percent carbon neutral shipments by 2030.

That’s not good enough, though, for many employees, who claim Amazon pollutes communities with fossil fuels, bolsters the petroleum industry, and funds climate deniers.

Bezos & Co. “must demonstrate real climate leadership,” the group said, by committing to:
- Zero emissions within a decade (and pilot electric vehicles in communities most impacted by pollution)
- Zero custom Amazon Web Services contracts for fossil fuel firms accelerating oil and gas extraction
- Zero funding for anyone who dismisses climate change
“Amazon has the resources and scale to spark the world’s imagination and redefine what is possible and necessary to address the climate crisis,” the blog post said.

Climate science suggests that the world needs to reach net zero emissions by 2050 to avoid catastrophic climate change.

Next Friday’s strike marks the first time Amazon workers at corporate offices are walking out; it is also the tech industry’s first revolt over the climate crisis.

“I’m proud that Amazon is one of the most innovative companies, and that means we can be a leader on climate,” Roshni Naidu, senior technical product manager at the Seattle headquarters, said in a statement. “As a leader, we need to reach zero first and not be a company who slides in at the last possible deadline.

“This walkout is about telling our business and political leaders that we demand urgent action at the scale of the crisis,” she added.

Employees will leave work to join youth-led, city-wide actions in their respective locations.

Seattle-based staffers are set to walk out at 11:30 a.m., gathering with other tech workers for climate-related activities before marching to join youth groups and the community at City Hall for a rally.

Microsoft workers, meanwhile, will also be joining millions of folks around the globe by participating in the Sept. 20 strike.

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12:51
50 Attorneys General Launch Bipartisan Probe Into Google
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Photo Credit: Paweł Czerwiński/Unsplash
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is leading 50 states in a bipartisan investigation of Google’s business practices.

The coalition plans to investigate Google’s overarching control of online advertising markets and search traffic, which may have led to anticompetitive behavior.

“Now, more than ever, information is power, and the most important source of information in Americans’ day-to-day lives is the Internet,” Paxton said. “When most Americans think of the Internet, they no doubt think of Google.”

The tech titan is my go-to web browser and search engine; I’ll even admit that I often use “Google” as a verb.

But I also recognize the dangers of monopolistic domination—as do Democrats and Republicans in nearly every state.

According to eMarketer, Google is expected to collect more than $48 billion in U.S. digital ad revenue this year, capturing 75 percent of all spending on search ads in 2019.

“They dominate the buyer side, the seller side, the auction side, and the video side with YouTube,” Paxton said from the steps of the Supreme Court, as reported by The Washington Post.

Other AGs raised additional complaints, covering everything from the way Google processes and ranks search results to the extent of which it may not fully protect users’ personal information.

With that in mind, officials from every state—except Alabama and Silicon Valley home California—as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia have signed onto the bipartisan investigation.

“Google monitors our online behavior, and captures data on every one of us as we navigate the Internet,” Attorney General Ashley Moody, a Republic from Florida, said in a statement.

“This investigation will initially focus on capture of that information and whether Google embedded itself on every level of the online market [for] ad sales to monopolize this industry,” she said.

The Department of Justice, meanwhile, issued its first legal demand for records at the end of August.

“We have answered many questions on these issues over many years, in the United States as well as overseas, across many aspects of our business, so this is not new for us,” Kent Walker, senior vice president of global affairs for Google, wrote in a recent blog post.

“We have always worked constructively with regulators and we will continue to do so,” he added.

Legal experts from each state will collaborate with federal authorities to assess competitive conditions for online services and ensure that Americans have access to free digital markets.

“There is nothing wrong with a business becoming the biggest game in town if it does so through free market competition,” Paxton said on Monday. “But we have seen evidence that Google’s business practices may have undermined consumer choice, stifled innovation, violated users’ privacy, and put Google in control of the flow and dissemination of online information.

“We intend to closely follow the facts we discover in this case and proceed as necessary,” he added.

Past investigations of the tech titan in the US and Europe did not “fully address the source of Google’s sustained market power and the ability to engage in serial and repeated business practices with the intention to protect and maintain that power,” according to Paxton.

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September 09, 2019
23:48
Mountain Lion Known for Crossing Los Angeles Freeway Killed By Car
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P-61, a GPS-collared mountain lion known for crossing the 405 freeway in Los Angeles, was struck and killed by a vehicle on September 7. (Photo Credit: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area / Facebook)
A mountain lion known for crossing the 405 freeway in Los Angeles was hit and killed by a car on September 7, according to National Park Service (NPS) officials.

The four-year-old animal, which was called P-61, lived close to the Sepulveda Boulevard Pass, NPS ranger Ana Beatriz said in a statement on Facebook. P-61 had a special radio-collar around his neck, which enabled NPS authorities to track his movements around the area, CNN reported.

Beatriz said the mountain lion’s final GPS point showed that he was between Bel Air Crest Road and the Sepulveda Boulevard underpass before he was fatally struck by a vehicle on Saturday.

California Highway Patrol moved P-61’s body out of traffic after the incident. City of Los Angeles Animal Control officers then retrieved P-61’s body and radio-collar and alerted California Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area researchers.

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A couple of months ago, the mountain lion crossed the large, 10-lane freeway in the Sepulveda Pass vicinity in California. P-61 was reportedly the first GPS-collared mountain lion to successfully walk across the busy 405 freeway.

It’s unclear why P-61 tried to cross the 405 freeway again, but based on his GPS points, he was recently spending more time near the eastern edge of the freeway. Over the past few years, officials received remote camera photos of an uncollared male mountain lion that apparently lives nearby and a negative encounter between the two may have caused P-61 to travel again.

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23:00
‘Wrinkles The Clown’ Documentary Profiles Real-Life Pennywise Who Went Viral Online
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'Wrinkles The Clown,' a creepy documentary debuting in theaters on October 4, highlights a real-life Pennywise who became an internet sensation and scared kids across the U.S. (Photo Credit: Magnolia Pictures & Magnet Releasing)
If IT Chapter Two and Joker are elevating your fear of clowns, you have not seen anything yet: Wrinkles The Clown, a documentary about a real-life Pennywise who was paid by parents to scare kids and went viral on social media, will haunt your dreams.

Magnolia Pictures & Magnet Releasing released the documentary’s official trailer on Monday and it’s a chilling exposé of how one man, whose identity remains unknown to this day, managed to become an online celebrity overnight and creep out people across the U.S.

In late 2014, a video of a person in a clown mask sneaking up on a sleeping child appeared on YouTube. The video’s description claimed that the clown, named “Wrinkles,” lived in southwest Florida and was hired by the kid’s parents to frighten her for behaving badly. This footage kickstarted Wrinkles’ terrifying reign on the internet after it went viral on the video platform.

More footage of Wrinkles started emerging online shortly after, in addition to a phone number to hire him for “behavioral services.” The real-life Pennywise became popular on YouTube, as kids filmed themselves calling and leaving thousands of messages for him and sharing their “brave” task with millions of viewers.

He’s just a phone call away.@WrinklesFilm comes to theaters and on demand October 4th. #WrinklesTheClown #TheRealPennyWise #ITChapterTwo #ITMovie #ITEnds pic.twitter.com/g3zXKgEoXw

— Wrinkles The Clown (@wrinklesfilm) September 6, 2019

The documentary aims to tackle a more challenging question though: Who exactly is Wrinkles and why did he opt out of the conventional clown job? What makes the situation even eerier is the fact that Wrinkles has remained anonymous this entire time.

Clowns are taking over box offices lately: IT Chapter Two, which highlights the return of the Losers’ Club as they confront the demon-like Pennywise, premiered in theaters on September 6, while Joker, a film following the early days of one of DC’s famous villains, will debut in theaters on October 4.

Wrinkles The Clown is also hitting theaters on October 4 and until then, we will be keeping the lights on while we sleep.

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22:14
Rare, Gray Orca Calf Spotted in California
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Whale watchers on Blue Ocean Whale Watch tour in Monterey Bay, Calif. spotted a rare orca calf with gray-and-white pigment on Sept. 4. (Photo Credit: Kate Cummings / Blue Ocean Whale Watch)
Whale watchers in Monterey Bay, California got a rare — and adorable — surprise when they spotted a tiny, gray, newborn orca calf swimming with a pod of about 10 orca whales last week.

The calf has a “grayish pigment,” and is so young it still has fetal folds (lines on the body from being folded up in the mother’s womb, according to the Blue Ocean Whale Watch, which posted stunning images of the calf and the pod on its Facebook page.

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Young killer whales are typically black and white, like their parents, so the sighting of a gray orca calf is considered extremely rare.

“Not much is known about the abnormal pigment and it may darken over time,” the company, which runs tours out of Moss Landing Harbor in Calif., posted on Facebook.

(Photo Credit: Kate Cummings / Blue Ocean Whale Watch)

Experts also say the gray-and-white pigment on the calf could be a form of leucism, a genetic condition in which there is partial loss of pigmentation in an animal resulting in white, pale, or patchy coloration.

In response to comments on its Facebook post, the Blue Ocean Whale Watch said the calf belongs to a transient killer whale pod identified as the CA216 family group.

If orcas aren’t part of a resident pod then they’re known as transient pods. In an interview with the New York Times, Nancy Black, a marine biologist and owner of Monterey Bay Whale Watch, said more than 150 so-called transient killer whales frequent the California coastline.

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22:04
Geek Pick: Amazon Smart Plug Puts Alexa in Your Walls
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I’ve always suspected that the simplest and low-key most devious way for a company to control your smart home is not to just make a bunch of connected products but also make the sockets you connect those products into. It’s like controlling the water in Chinatown. A smart socket is a quick and easy way to make any electronic more intelligent. And naturally Amazon had the same idea with the Amazon Smart Plug, a $25 way to easily infuse Alexa into anything else you want to plug in.

The Amazon Smart Plug just looks like a regular three-pronged white plastic plug. It’s a little big considering there’s only one socket, but otherwise it blends into the background unnoticed even as it wields all the real power. You’ll just need to pay attention to the lights while doing initial setup over 2.4GHz Wi-Fi.

Once installed the Amazon Smart Plug can easily become the infrastructure for your whole smart home ecosystem. What ultimately makes smart devices smart is their ability to intelligently turn themselves on and off at certain times without direct user input. And the Amazon Smart Plug offers that ability to any otherwise dumb device you put into it. Set up routines with the mobile app or use Alexa voice commands. It’s so convenient.

However, the Amazon Smart Plug keeps this convenience solely within the Amazon family. Unlike other (albeit pricier) smart plugs it doesn’t work with rival digital assistants from Google or Apple. It also shuts out more neutral useful home automation third-party apps like IFTTT. We wish it gave us more information about its energy usage, too. But if your body already belongs to Bezos you can further complete the contract with the Amazon Smart Plug.

For more on the Amazon Smart Plug check out the extensive review on our sister site PCMag. For more on Amazon read our their creepy new facial recognition tech senses your fear as well as their initiative to donate unsold products instead of trashing them.

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21:15
‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ Star Jake Gyllenhaal Avoids Questions About Mysterio in Sinister Six
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Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays Mysterio in 'Spider Man: Far From Home,' would not reveal details on the villain coming back as a member of the Sinister Six. (Photo Credit: Jay Maidment / CTMG, Inc.)
Spider-Man: Far From Home actor Jake Gyllenhaal is keeping quiet on the status of Mysterio, who is supposedly dead following the events of the movie.

At a recent Talks at Google panel for the Broadway play Sea Wall/A Life, Gyllenhaal would not reveal any details about Mysterio’s return when an audience member asked about the character’s fate, ComicBook.com reported.

“Oh, I lost my mic, sorry. Oh whoops, I lost my mic! I can’t answer your question,” Gyllenhaal said at the panel. “No, I mean, I think that, I think… he’s dead, man. Right? Right? Right?”

In Spider-Man: Far From Home, Mysterio reportedly died while fighting Peter Parker. Even though Mysterio’s illusions could have tricked Parker, Parker’s Spider-Sense enabled him to tell the difference between truth and fiction, Screen Rant noted. While using a fake version of himself to sneak up on Parker and shoot him with a gun, Mysterio appears to have been killed by a rogue bullet.

“Let’s go save the world Spider-Man.” #SpiderManFarFromHome pic.twitter.com/8Z4UrOW61K

— Spider-Man: Far From Home (@SpiderManMovie) July 9, 2019

Other people who worked on the movie, including director Jon Watts, didn’t confirm whether Mysterio survived or died during the incident.

“It’s Mysterio, so who knows,” Watts told ComicBook.com in another interview. “He definitely seemed dead.”

According to Marvel Comics, Mysterio is part of the Sinister Six, a group of Spider-Man’s most deadly enemies.

It’s unclear if there will be a Sinister Six-themed movie in the future, but now that Spider-Man is under the wing of Sony Pictures, there may be more movies focused on the web-slinging hero’s universe in the future.

Spider-Man: Far From Home will be available on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on October 1.

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18:52
Russia’s Humanoid Robot Returns Safely to Earth
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Russia's Skybot F-850 humanoid robot on board the International Space Station, where it underwent test experiments by cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Alexander Skvortsov. On Friday, it returned to Earth aboard the Soyuz MS-14 spacecraft. (Photo Credit: Roscosmos / Twitter)
Russia’s Soyuz MS-14 spacecraft, which was carrying a life-sized, artificially-intelligent, humanoid robot among other gear and supplies, returned safely to Earth on Friday.

The uncrewed spacecraft landed back on Earth after parachuting into south-central Kazakhstan at 5:32 p.m. EDT (3:32am Kazakhstan time on Saturday, Sept. 7), according to NASA.

Russia’s Roscosmos space agency posted video of the capsule parachuting back to Earth.

The #SoyuzMS14 main parachute system deployment. The descent module is planned to land at 21:34 UTC. pic.twitter.com/nOILBC2xnR

— РОСКОСМОС (@roscosmos) September 6, 2019

The Soyuz MS-14 initially had problems docking to the International Space Station after its launch on August 21, but a second attempt to dock at its “parking spot” on August 24 was successful.

The spacecraft, which delivered 1,450 pounds of cargo, including the Skybot F-850 humanoid robot, to the Expedition 60 crew, stayed at the orbiting laboratory for 14 days.

Russia’s Soyuz MS-14 spacecraft, carrying a humanoid robot, on its way back to Earth after departing from the ISS on Friday, September 6, 2019. (Photo Credit: NASA)

It undocked and departed from the International Space Station’s aft-facing port of the Zvezda service module on September 6 at 2:14 p.m. while the ISS was flying about 260 miles above the border between northeastern China and southeastern Russia.

At 21:06 UTC, the #SoyuzMS14 split into three modules: utility module, descent module and onboard systems module. The descent module carrying #SkybotF850 robot will be the only to return to Earth with the rest modules burn up in the atmosphere. The landing is planned at 21:34 UTC pic.twitter.com/J7CwKasDjz

— РОСКОСМОС (@roscosmos) September 6, 2019

The humanoid robot, the first sent to space by Russia, was tested aboard the space station by Expedition 60 Commander Alexey Ovchinin before being loaded back for its return trip.

The MS-14’s flight also helped to validate the spacecraft’s compatibility for a revamped Soyuz booster rocket, which will be used to transport crews beginning spring 2020.

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18:44
Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson Drive Each Other Crazy in Second ‘The Lighthouse’ Trailer
» ‎ Geek.com

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'The Lighthouse' is coming to theaters on October 18. (Photo Credit: A24)
The Lighthouse, a movie about two lighthouse keepers living in isolation, is already giving us the creeps. A24 recently teased the film’s second official trailer and it shows Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson quarreling over “secrets” and experiencing a terrifying mind trip.

Unlike the first trailer, The Lighthouse’s new footage gives a sneak peek at the two lighthouse keepers’ day-to-day activities and what may cause them to drive each other crazy. We learn that Dafoe’s last keeper quit due to strange circumstances and Pattinson’s character, who calls it “tall tales,” is about to receive a rude awakening.

“He believed that there was some ‘enchantment’ in the light,” Dafoe’s character tells Pattinson in the trailer, revealing the fate of his last colleague. “Went mad, he did.”

The pair then begin to have an arguing match, saying “WHAT?” over and over again for a minute or two.

Shots of heart-pounding scenes are shown during their fight, including someone walking with an axe, a squid-like creature crawling across a structure, and Dafoe being captivated by “the light.”

We’re 100% here for the Robert Pattinson-Willem Dafoe bromance #TheLighthouse

Variety Studio at #TIFF19 presented by @ATT pic.twitter.com/faXLm9FIsD

— Variety (@Variety) September 7, 2019

The film’s eerie feel is also heightened with cool cinematography. It was captured entirely on black-and-white 35mm film with an an aspect ratio of 1.19:1, making it look like a horror movie that was shot a long time ago.

We only received a brief taste of “the enchantment,” but it will be interesting to see how both characters go off the deep end in The Lighthouse, which hits theaters on October 18.

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18:00
This Apartment-Like Camper Van Could Be the Future of Van Life
» ‎ Geek.com

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German firm Hymer unveiled a concept vehicle that previews the future of camper vans and modern travel. (Photo Credit: Hymer)
What does the future of camper vans look like? A German firm has unveiled a sleek concept vehicle that imagines van life in the year 2025.

Hymer’s VisionVenture, which recently made its debut at a camping trade show held in Düsseldorf, Germany, is the result of a collaboration with engineering company BASF and features a design inspired by a luxury apartment.

The VisionVenture concept is based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — it retains the original doors, headlamps, and grille while the windshield has been moved forward and the A-pillar, engine hood and canopy have been redesigned.

But while the compact quality of the Sprinter remains intact, the main “floor” of the van has been designed for spacious, comfortable living. The living area sits under a panoramic window that offers amazing views, and the rear opens to a sun-lit terrace that comes complete with a pull-out BBQ station.

(Photo Credit: Hymer)

The kitchen is built into an LED-lit staircase that also functions as additional storage space. The stairs lead to the “second-floor bedroom,” which features an inflatable sleeping roof with an insulated, honeycomb exterior wall that can be inflated with heated or cooled air in just one minute.

The bathroom is similarly sleek, compact, and functional: the side wall folds up, allowing the sink to be folded away to the side, and revealing a spacious shower cabin.

(Photo Credit: Hymer)

The VisionVenture is like the Scandinavian apartment of your dreams — if you want your Scandinavian apartment to be off the grid and to embrace the outdoors, that is.

For off-road applications, Hymer’s concept car is equipped with four-wheel drive. The wheel arch fairing and selected body parts are 3D-printed, and BASF’s temperature-regulating and energy-efficient Chromacool technology reduces vehicle surface heating by 20 degrees Celsius and interior temperatures by up to 4 degrees C.

Click through the slideshow below to see more images of the Hymer VentureVision.
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17:48
Georgia Man Captures Colossal 14-Foot Alligator on Hunting Trip
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A Georgia hunter and his daughter captured a 14-foot alligator that may break a state record. (Photo Credit: Derrick Snelson / Facebook)
A Georgia hunter and his daughter recently captured a massive, 14-foot alligator and it may be the largest ever caught in the state.

Derrick Snelson and his 14-year-old daughter, Shelby, corralled the giant reptile in Lake Eufaula in Quitman County, Georgia, on September 1, The New York Daily News reported. The pair was out on the lake with Lethal Guide Service, a hunting guide company, when they spotted the alligator in the water. It took the crew more than five hours to track the 700-pound reptile before they hooked it, shot it, and hauled it into their boat, CNN noted.

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“It was just unbelievable. I really can’t describe it,” Snelson told WSB-TV. “You need to see it.”

Shelby also commented on the scary encounter, but was happy to catch the alligator over Labor Day Weekend.

“[The boat] was rocking back and forth, and a few times [the gator] hit the side of the boat with its tail,” she told CNN. “I’m glad I got to have that experience with my dad.”

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Snelson and his team took the alligator to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) to have it measured and it turned out to be 14 feet and 1.75 inches long. The reptile is believed to be a new state record, with the previous record-holding alligator measuring in at 13 feet and 10.75 inches.

Snelson is still in shock over his mega “catch of the day.”

“We’ll have it ‘life-size’ mounted. I guess I’ll have to build a house around it,” Snelson added. “It’s going to be a monster laying on the living room floor for a while.”

Georgia is home to big alligators and most aren’t afraid of humans: Last month, a 360-pound alligator was captured and killed by officials after it aggressively chased a kayaker in a Richmond County pond. The big reptile, which was about 10-feet-long, was taken to a processor to be used for meat.

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17:10
Capcom Teases New ‘Resident Evil’ Game ‘Project Resistance’
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Update: Here’s the first trailer for Project Resistance, now confirmed to be a multiplayer team-based Resident Evil game. We see the survivors take on all sorts of zombies before facing down what appears to be Mr. X pulling the strings. But Capcom promises even more details at the Tokyo Games Show this week.

Like a zombie, Capcom’s Resident Evil series refuses to die. Unlike a zombie, that’s a good thing. The seminal survival horror series has gifted us some of the greatest games of all time like the original Resident Evil, Resident Evil 4, and this year’s Resident Evil 2 remake. The franchise can’t just rest on its undead laurels though. It has to look forward into the terrifying future. And soon we’ll have a better idea what the future of Resident Evil looks like.

Capcom recently put up a website teasing something called “Project Resistance.” If the highlighted “RE” in “Resistance” doesn’t give it away, this has got to be some new Resident Evil game. The spooky found footage look of the website also recalls the franchise’s most recent rebirth in Resident Evil 7.

So Project Resistance is a Resident Evil game, but what kind of Resident Evil game? Resident Evil 8 and Resident Evil 3 remake seem like obvious choices. But actually we’re thinking this is some kind of multiplayer thing. Leaked trailer images (discovered by Reddit user 5eye-samurai) show four somewhat generic looking survivors, perfect for co-op horror.

Someone found tiny Project Resistance thumbnails from the YouTube link [https:]]

Definitely looks like a 4-player coop multiplayer game to me pic.twitter.com/Ao40th9WLY

— Nibel (@Nibellion) August 29, 2019

Also, earlier this month Capcom announced they would be testing a new Resident Evil game in Los Angeles and New York later in September. Online multiplayer games need testing in ways single-player games do not. And the series has a history with this kind of format going all the way back to Resident Evil Outbreak. We just hope it’s better than Umbrella Corps.

Whatever Project Resistance is we’ll find out in just a few days. The full trailer drops on September 9 and Capcom will show off the game at Tokyo Games Show from September 12-15. For more check out this Resident Evil 2 mod that makes Mr. X wear and thong and read our review of Devil May Cry 5, which runs on the same gorgeous RE engine that presumably powers Project Resistance.
17:01
Peachette Makes ‘Mario Kart Tour’ Even More Thirsty
» ‎ Geek.com

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As much as I love Mario Kart, I’m not too excited for Mario Kart Tour, Nintendo’s upcoming attempt to bring the popular kart racer to mobile. I’m sure it’ll make a ton of money, and new world tour tracks like New Donk City look great. But gratuitous microtransactions sound like a great way to ruin a series that already has a reputation for questionable balancing between fun and skill. Pay $50 to not get hit with a Blue Shell.

However, for the thirstiest Nintendo fans among us, Mario Kart Tour now looks like a must-download since Peachette is coming to the game.

Hot on the heels of Peachette’s debut, we’re proud to reveal her new special item – The Mushroom Cannon! Designed to resemble a Mushroom, this cannon continually shoots out Mushrooms in front of your kart, making everyone happy! You get a Mushroom…everyone gets a Mushroom! pic.twitter.com/pZ3nvlJLG5

— Mario Kart Tour (@mariokarttourEN) September 8, 2019

If you keep safe search on you may have missed the biggest gaming fetish sensation of the past year. In the otherwise unnecessary Nintendo Switch port of New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, players can control Toadette and transform in a Peach-Toadette combination named Peachette with a special Super Crown mushroom. Makes about as much sense as anything else in Mario. However, soon devious deviant artists began depicting what might happen if other characters went through this transformation. That’s how we got horrifying horny hybrids like Bowsette and other fan art.

And now Peachette is coming to Mario Kart Tour, bringing back all of those memories in her dust. Her special ability is a cannon that shoots mushrooms making nearby players go faster (but hopefully not also turn into Peach). When I played Dr. Mario World, I thought Waluigi in a doctor’s outfit would be the most uncomfortably sexual image in a Nintendo mobile game. Oh to be that innocent.

Mario Kart Tour comes to iOS and Android on September 25. For more on Nintendo mobile games pour one out for Miitomo and look back on the dark economics of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp before Tom Nook busts all balls again in Animal Crossing: New Horizons next March.
16:48
ISS Astronauts Investigate What Happens to Concrete When Mixed in Space
» ‎ Geek.com

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ISS astronauts examined cement solidification in microgravity to see if the material would be durable enough for Mars and moon habitats. (Photo Credit: NASA)
When humans travel to the moon or mars in the future, they will need to build safe structures where they can live and work. A new NASA study suggests that concrete may be the best construction material for space dwellings, because it is durable enough to provide protection from cosmic radiation and meteorites.

Concrete, a mixture of gravel, rocks, and sand glued together with a paste made of cement powder and water, is currently used for Earth buildings. However, it’s a complex process and it’s unknown how the chemistry of concrete will be altered in a space environment. International Space Station (ISS) astronauts recently examined cement solidification in microgravity to help answer this question and shared their findings in a paper published in Frontiers in Materials.

“On missions to the moon and Mars, humans and equipment will need to be protected from extreme temperatures and radiation, and the only way to do that is by building infrastructures on these extraterrestrial environments. One idea is building with a concrete-like material in space,” principal investigator Aleksandra Radlinska of Pennsylvania State University said in a NASA press release. “Concrete is very sturdy and provides better protection than many materials.”

For the Microgravity Investigation of Cement Solidification (MICS) project, researchers mixed water and tricalcium silicate (C3S) outside of Earth’s gravity for the first time. As the main mineral component of most commercially available cement, tricalcium silicate controls many of cement’s chemical reactions and properties. MICS analyzed whether solidifying cement in microgravity would lead to unique microstructures and provided a first comparison for cement samples mixed in microgravity and on the ground.

Researchers developed a series of mixtures that varied by the type of cement powder, the number and type of additives, the amount of water, and the time allowed for hydration. When the cement powder grains dissolve in water, their molecular structure changes. Then, crystals are created throughout the mixture and interlock with each other.

These images compare cement mixed in space and on Earth. (Photo Credit: Penn State Materials Characterization Lab)

In the first evaluation, concrete samples mixed aboard the space station showed changes in the cement microstructure compared to those mixed on our planet. A key difference was an increase in the presence of more open spaces (porosity) and researchers will have to measure the strength of the space-formed concrete to see if its suitable for future habitats on the moon and Red Planet.

“Even though concrete has been used for so long on Earth, we still don’t necessarily understand all the aspects of the hydration process. Now we know there are some differences between Earth- and space-based systems and we can examine those differences to see which ones are beneficial and which ones are detrimental to using this material in space,” said Radlinska. “Also, the samples were in sealed pouches, so another question is whether they would have additional complexities in an open space environment.”

How does cement dry in space?

It may not sound like the most exciting question, but the answer could be critical to building homes on alien worlds. Learn more about the latest @ISS_Research >> [https:]] pic.twitter.com/ZNYcKy6Xl2

— NASA Marshall (@NASA_Marshall) September 5, 2019

The space station’s microgravity environment is important for understanding how cement may hydrate on Mars and the moon. An on-board centrifuge at the orbiting laboratory can simulate the gravity levels of these extraterrestrial bodies, which isn’t possible on our planet. Now, researchers are evaluating cement samples that contain simulated lunar particles processed aboard the space station at different levels of gravity. If testing goes well, it’s possible that concrete could be made with resources available on the moon and Mars, such as regolith.

“We confirmed the hypothesis that this can be done,” Radlinska added. “Now we can take next steps to find binders that are specific for space and for variable levels of gravity, from zero g to Mars g and in between.”

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16:08
Nintendo Patents Hinged Switch Joy-Con
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Trolling through patents is a great way to stumble across a sneak peak at whatever new thing tech companies are working on. That includes companies that are otherwise super secretive about their hardware plans, companies like Nintendo. Patents have spoiled Nintendo secrets like self-playing easy modes, that weird upcoming hoop controller, and even the Nintendo Switch itself. And now a new patent has potentially revealed strange hinged Joy-Con controllers for the popular handheld/console hybrid.

Recently filed in Japan and picked up on Reddit, the image shows the user playing a Switch with the hypothetical new controllers attached. They resemble normal Joy-Con, but instead of being one solid piece the top portions can bend forward. Because of their small size, many players (including myself) experience hand cramps when playing the Switch in handheld mode for long periods of time. So presumably this curved grip is more comfortable and ergonomic.

This does raise questions though. Does the hinge make these Joy-Con more vulnerable to damage? Are the analog sticks less susceptible to dreaded Joy-Con drift? Will these work with older Switch models? Will they be sold separately or included with some kind of Switch Pro? Why make this but not Joy-Con with a built-in D-pad like on the Nintendo Switch Lite? But asking why Nintendo makes the decisions it does is usually pretty futile.

Patents are no guarantee that a product will ever exist. But don’t be so shocked if in the near future you can buy some Joy-Con that bend for some reason. In the meantime, here are some cool Nintendo Switch games to play right now, read our hands-on impressions of the Nintendo Switch Lite, and tear your hair out speculating over this weird Nintendo Switch hoop controller getting revealed later this week.
15:30
5 Deals on Coding Classes That Can Kickstart Your Career Change
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Automation will likely eliminate thousands of jobs. And that’s just in the short term. Want a career that’ll survive the onslaught? Then consider becoming a professional coder. It’s creative, lucrative, and the impact left by AI will be minimal. And, since you can train online with one of these five heavily discounted offers, now may be the perfect time to get the ball rolling.

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4:45
‘Doctor Sleep’ Final Trailer Takes Danny Back to the Chilling Overlook Hotel
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'Doctor Sleep' (Photo Credit: Warner Bros)
The Overlook Hotel and its creepy ghosts, including the Grady twins, are back to haunt Danny Torrance in the movie Doctor Sleep.

The eerie film, which takes place after the original events of The Shining, follows Torrance in his adult years, as he tries to move on from his traumatic experiences at the Overlook Hotel. However, this soon becomes a challenge when he meets Abra, a teen who also shares the gift of the “shine,” and Doctor Sleep’s final trailer gives us a sneak peek at how they’ll work together to take down the evil entities that want them dead.

“When I was a kid, there was a place. A dark place. They closed it down and let it rot. But the things that live there, they come back,” Torrance, who is played by Ewan McGregor, says at the beginning of the trailer.

When he meets Abra (Kyliegh Curran), they discuss a new threat that’s hunting down people with their spiritual abilities. They then return to the one place that started it all, the Overlook Hotel, a chilling destination that is the stuff of nightmares.

We don’t know what will happen to the pair when they get there, however, Doctor Sleep is already keeping us up at night. And, whatever will “make them scream forever” will not stop until they fight back.

Doctor Sleep hits theaters on November 8.

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4:45
‘Doctor Sleep’ Final Trailer Takes Danny Back to the Chilling Overlook Hotel
» ‎ Geek.com

Tags: [edit]
'Doctor Sleep' (Photo Credit: Warner Bros)
The Overlook Hotel and its creepy ghosts, including the Grady twins, are back to haunt Danny Torrance in the movie Doctor Sleep.

The eerie film, which takes place after the original events of The Shining, follows Torrance in his adult years, as he tries to move on from his traumatic experiences at the Overlook Hotel. However, this soon becomes a challenge when he meets Abra, a teen who also shares the gift of the “shine,” and Doctor Sleep’s final trailer gives us a sneak peek at how they’ll work together to take down the evil entities that want them dead.

“When I was a kid, there was a place. A dark place. They closed it down and let it rot. But the things that live there, they come back,” Torrance, who is played by Ewan McGregor, says at the beginning of the trailer.

When he meets Abra (Kyliegh Curran), they discuss a new threat that’s hunting down people with their spiritual abilities. They then return to the one place that started it all, the Overlook Hotel, a chilling destination that is the stuff of nightmares.

We don’t know what will happen to the pair when they get there, however, Doctor Sleep is already keeping us up at night. And, whatever will “make them scream forever” will not stop until they fight back.

Doctor Sleep hits theaters on November 8.

More on Geek.com:
4:45
‘Doctor Sleep’ Final Trailer Takes Danny Back to the Chilling Overlook Hotel
» ‎ Geek.com

Tags: [edit]
'Doctor Sleep' (Photo Credit: Warner Bros)
The Overlook Hotel and its creepy ghosts, including the Grady twins, are back to haunt Danny Torrance in the movie Doctor Sleep.

The eerie film, which takes place after the original events of The Shining, follows Torrance in his adult years, as he tries to move on from his traumatic experiences at the Overlook Hotel. However, this soon becomes a challenge when he meets Abra, a teen who also shares the gift of the “shine,” and Doctor Sleep’s final trailer gives us a sneak peek at how they’ll work together to take down the evil entities that want them dead.

“When I was a kid, there was a place. A dark place. They closed it down and let it rot. But the things that live there, they come back,” Torrance, who is played by Ewan McGregor, says at the beginning of the trailer.

When he meets Abra (Kyliegh Curran), they discuss a new threat that’s hunting down people with their spiritual abilities. They then return to the one place that started it all, the Overlook Hotel, a chilling destination that is the stuff of nightmares.

We don’t know what will happen to the pair when they get there, however, Doctor Sleep is already keeping us up at night. And, whatever will “make them scream forever” will not stop until they fight back.

Doctor Sleep hits theaters on November 8.

More on Geek.com:
4:05
Watch: ‘Bison Crossing’ Stops Traffic on Montana Road
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A "bison crossing" temporarily stopped traffic on a busy road in Montana on September 5. (Photo Credit: Art Tower / Pixabay)
Drivers on Highway 2 in Montana were stuck in a temporary traffic jam when a group of bison strolled across the busy road on Thursday.

Debra Linn, who was traveling from Glacier National Park to Great Falls, Montana, came across the massive “bison crossing” and captured it on video, KRTV reported.

“We’ve got a Montana traffic jam dead ahead,” Linn joked in the footage, which was shared with the TV station.

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Linn told KRTV that the bison “parade” occurred on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and BIA officials blocked the road so the animals could safely cross to the other side. According to Linn, a mamma bison had to go back and coax her baby bison to walk across Highway 2 and the brief encounter was an adorable sight.

Facebook community members also thought the “bison crossing” video was a surprising sight.

“Years ago I saw the same thing… Only they ran alongside me against the fence and I knew… They were going to cross so I slowed down and sure enough… Across the road they ran,” one person wrote. “Pretty cool to see.”

Another said, “Heck- I had one of those several years ago. In Great Falls. 10th ave and about 32nd street. It was somewhat surprising.”

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4:05
Watch: ‘Bison Crossing’ Stops Traffic on Montana Road
» ‎ Geek.com

Tags: [edit]
A "bison crossing" temporarily stopped traffic on a busy road in Montana on September 5. (Photo Credit: Art Tower / Pixabay)
Drivers on Highway 2 in Montana were stuck in a temporary traffic jam when a group of bison strolled across the busy road on Thursday.

Debra Linn, who was traveling from Glacier National Park to Great Falls, Montana, came across the massive “bison crossing” and captured it on video, KRTV reported.

“We’ve got a Montana traffic jam dead ahead,” Linn joked in the footage, which was shared with the TV station.

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Linn told KRTV that the bison “parade” occurred on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and BIA officials blocked the road so the animals could safely cross to the other side. According to Linn, a mamma bison had to go back and coax her baby bison to walk across Highway 2 and the brief encounter was an adorable sight.

Facebook community members also thought the “bison crossing” video was a surprising sight.

“Years ago I saw the same thing… Only they ran alongside me against the fence and I knew… They were going to cross so I slowed down and sure enough… Across the road they ran,” one person wrote. “Pretty cool to see.”

Another said, “Heck- I had one of those several years ago. In Great Falls. 10th ave and about 32nd street. It was somewhat surprising.”

More on Geek.com:
4:05
Watch: ‘Bison Crossing’ Stops Traffic on Montana Road
» ‎ Geek.com

Tags: [edit]
A "bison crossing" temporarily stopped traffic on a busy road in Montana on September 5. (Photo Credit: Art Tower / Pixabay)
Drivers on Highway 2 in Montana were stuck in a temporary traffic jam when a group of bison strolled across the busy road on Thursday.

Debra Linn, who was traveling from Glacier National Park to Great Falls, Montana, came across the massive “bison crossing” and captured it on video, KRTV reported.

“We’ve got a Montana traffic jam dead ahead,” Linn joked in the footage, which was shared with the TV station.

(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v3.2'; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

Linn told KRTV that the bison “parade” occurred on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and BIA officials blocked the road so the animals could safely cross to the other side. According to Linn, a mamma bison had to go back and coax her baby bison to walk across Highway 2 and the brief encounter was an adorable sight.

Facebook community members also thought the “bison crossing” video was a surprising sight.

“Years ago I saw the same thing… Only they ran alongside me against the fence and I knew… They were going to cross so I slowed down and sure enough… Across the road they ran,” one person wrote. “Pretty cool to see.”

Another said, “Heck- I had one of those several years ago. In Great Falls. 10th ave and about 32nd street. It was somewhat surprising.”

More on Geek.com:
2:34
India Finds Missing Vikram Lander on Moon’s Surface
» ‎ Geek.com

Tags: [edit]
India's Chandrayaan-2 moon orbiter spotted the nation's silent Vikram lander on September 8. (Photo Credit: ISRO)
India’s Chandrayaan-2 orbiter found the nation’s lost Vikram lander on the moon’s surface, according to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) officials.

The Vikram lander, which attempted to touchdown on the lunar surface on September 6, is still not providing a signal at this time, Space.com reported. ISRO chairman K. Sivan announced that the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter spotted the missing Vikram lander on Sunday and efforts to re-establish contact with the spacecraft will continue for at least two weeks, the Times of India noted in a report.

Now we are the first country to land on the southern pole of the moon Big Congratulations to team @isro Hope we can communicate Vikram Lander soon @PMOIndia 🇮🇳#VikramLanderFound pic.twitter.com/fZegAXHQaA

— ISRO Official Update (@shivraj_Office) September 8, 2019

“The Vikram Lander followed the planned descent trajectory from its orbit of 35 km to just below 2 km above the surface. All the systems and sensors of the Lander functioned excellently until this point and proved many new technologies such as variable thrust propulsion technology used in the Lander,” the ISRO said in a press statement. “[To] date 90 to 95 percent of the mission objectives have been accomplished and will continue contributing to Lunar science, notwithstanding the loss of communication with the Lander.”

Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Chairman of Defence Research&Development Organisation (DRDO): I think, after that gesture, ISRO scientists again started working on the mission, started looking for what actually happened & that’s how they could locate the rover also. #Chandrayaan2 [https:]]

— ISRO Official Update (@shivraj_Office) September 8, 2019

On Friday, the Vikram lander failed to communicate with the ISRO while attempting a historic landing on the moon’s surface. When the Vikram lander was only 1.2 miles above the moon’s south pole region, the ISRO lost contact with the probe, which was a stressful moment for everyone involved in the mission.

Breaking – ISRO has found out the exact location of Vikram Lander on lunar Surface. Orbiter has clicked an thermal image of Lander. Communication yet to be established. #Chandrayaan2 #ISROweareproudofyou pic.twitter.com/9KGs7KlUYj

— ISRO Official Update (@shivraj_Office) September 8, 2019

Despite this challenge, the ISRO said the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter is in good condition and that it may have a life of almost seven years instead of its planned 12-month mission.

The Vikram lander is also carrying Pragyan, the Chandrayaan-2 mission’s rover that is expected to spend 14 Earth days (one lunar day) collecting chemical and mineral samples from the lunar surface. The ISRO did not provide an update on the rover’s condition or when it will begin its tasks on the lunar surface yet.

More on Geek.com:
2:34
India Finds Missing Vikram Lander on Moon’s Surface
» ‎ Geek.com

Tags: [edit]
India's Chandrayaan-2 moon orbiter spotted the nation's silent Vikram lander on September 8. (Photo Credit: ISRO)
India’s Chandrayaan-2 orbiter found the nation’s lost Vikram lander on the moon’s surface, according to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) officials.

The Vikram lander, which attempted to touchdown on the lunar surface on September 6, is still not providing a signal at this time, Space.com reported. ISRO chairman K. Sivan announced that the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter spotted the missing Vikram lander on Sunday and efforts to re-establish contact with the spacecraft will continue for at least two weeks, the Times of India noted in a report.

Now we are the first country to land on the southern pole of the moon Big Congratulations to team @isro Hope we can communicate Vikram Lander soon @PMOIndia 🇮🇳#VikramLanderFound pic.twitter.com/fZegAXHQaA

— ISRO Official Update (@shivraj_Office) September 8, 2019

“The Vikram Lander followed the planned descent trajectory from its orbit of 35 km to just below 2 km above the surface. All the systems and sensors of the Lander functioned excellently until this point and proved many new technologies such as variable thrust propulsion technology used in the Lander,” the ISRO said in a press statement. “[To] date 90 to 95 percent of the mission objectives have been accomplished and will continue contributing to Lunar science, notwithstanding the loss of communication with the Lander.”

Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Chairman of Defence Research&Development Organisation (DRDO): I think, after that gesture, ISRO scientists again started working on the mission, started looking for what actually happened & that’s how they could locate the rover also. #Chandrayaan2 [https:]]

— ISRO Official Update (@shivraj_Office) September 8, 2019

On Friday, the Vikram lander failed to communicate with the ISRO while attempting a historic landing on the moon’s surface. When the Vikram lander was only 1.2 miles above the moon’s south pole region, the ISRO lost contact with the probe, which was a stressful moment for everyone involved in the mission.

Breaking – ISRO has found out the exact location of Vikram Lander on lunar Surface. Orbiter has clicked an thermal image of Lander. Communication yet to be established. #Chandrayaan2 #ISROweareproudofyou pic.twitter.com/9KGs7KlUYj

— ISRO Official Update (@shivraj_Office) September 8, 2019

Despite this challenge, the ISRO said the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter is in good condition and that it may have a life of almost seven years instead of its planned 12-month mission.

The Vikram lander is also carrying Pragyan, the Chandrayaan-2 mission’s rover that is expected to spend 14 Earth days (one lunar day) collecting chemical and mineral samples from the lunar surface. The ISRO did not provide an update on the rover’s condition or when it will begin its tasks on the lunar surface yet.

More on Geek.com:
2:34
India Finds Missing Vikram Lander on Moon’s Surface
» ‎ Geek.com

Tags: [edit]
India's Chandrayaan-2 moon orbiter spotted the nation's silent Vikram lander on September 8. (Photo Credit: ISRO)
India’s Chandrayaan-2 orbiter found the nation’s lost Vikram lander on the moon’s surface, according to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) officials.

The Vikram lander, which attempted to touchdown on the lunar surface on September 6, is still not providing a signal at this time, Space.com reported. ISRO chairman K. Sivan announced that the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter spotted the missing Vikram lander on Sunday and efforts to re-establish contact with the spacecraft will continue for at least two weeks, the Times of India noted in a report.

Now we are the first country to land on the southern pole of the moon Big Congratulations to team @isro Hope we can communicate Vikram Lander soon @PMOIndia 🇮🇳#VikramLanderFound pic.twitter.com/fZegAXHQaA

— ISRO Official Update (@shivraj_Office) September 8, 2019

“The Vikram Lander followed the planned descent trajectory from its orbit of 35 km to just below 2 km above the surface. All the systems and sensors of the Lander functioned excellently until this point and proved many new technologies such as variable thrust propulsion technology used in the Lander,” the ISRO said in a press statement. “[To] date 90 to 95 percent of the mission objectives have been accomplished and will continue contributing to Lunar science, notwithstanding the loss of communication with the Lander.”

Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Chairman of Defence Research&Development Organisation (DRDO): I think, after that gesture, ISRO scientists again started working on the mission, started looking for what actually happened & that’s how they could locate the rover also. #Chandrayaan2 [https:]]

— ISRO Official Update (@shivraj_Office) September 8, 2019

On Friday, the Vikram lander failed to communicate with the ISRO while attempting a historic landing on the moon’s surface. When the Vikram lander was only 1.2 miles above the moon’s south pole region, the ISRO lost contact with the probe, which was a stressful moment for everyone involved in the mission.

Breaking – ISRO has found out the exact location of Vikram Lander on lunar Surface. Orbiter has clicked an thermal image of Lander. Communication yet to be established. #Chandrayaan2 #ISROweareproudofyou pic.twitter.com/9KGs7KlUYj

— ISRO Official Update (@shivraj_Office) September 8, 2019

Despite this challenge, the ISRO said the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter is in good condition and that it may have a life of almost seven years instead of its planned 12-month mission.

The Vikram lander is also carrying Pragyan, the Chandrayaan-2 mission’s rover that is expected to spend 14 Earth days (one lunar day) collecting chemical and mineral samples from the lunar surface. The ISRO did not provide an update on the rover’s condition or when it will begin its tasks on the lunar surface yet.

More on Geek.com:
September 08, 2019
17:00
This $500 Action Cam Set Is Only $50 Today
» ‎ Geek.com

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Having a GoPro is great. They enable you to film high-octane adventures like dog sledding, snowboarding, or underwater aerobics. But for a device that only does one thing, they’re way too expensive. Fortunately, this 4K Ultra HD Action Cam kit sports many of the same GoPro-level features, but it will only cost you $50 today.

This action camera lets you record crystal clear 4K videos and 12-megapixel photos. It has built-in WiFi so you can instantly mirror everything to your phone and a wireless wrist remote that lets you remotely take pictures from 33 feet away. It’s also waterproof up to 98 feet and comes with mounts for helmets, cars, and bikes. Whether you’re trying to make a silly video or become the next Evel Knievel, this is the perfect camera for sharing your movies with the world.

The 4K Ultra HD Action Cam kit normally costs $499.99, but you can get it now for just $49.99, or 90% off.

4K Ultra HD Action Cam with Mounts – $49.99

See Deal
Like this deal? Check out Vault — you’ll get four premium tools, including NordVPN and Dashlane, to supercharge your online security. Enter code VAULTONE to try it out for just $1!

Prices are subject to change.
September 07, 2019
19:08
Best Sneakers of Summer 2019
» ‎ Geek.com

Tags: [edit]
The adidas OG ZX Series '30 Years of Torsion' are some of our favorite sneakers of the summer. (Photo Credit: adidas)
Summer is sneaker season and the summer of 2019 didn’t disappoint. Nike dropped an already-legendary collaboration with Sacai that quickly became the definitive shoe of the summer. Adidas put out Marvel collab after Marvel collab, making great use of their license with one of the most recognizable pop culture brands in the world. And then there’s that SpongeBob SquarePants capsule we made such a fuss about (and rightfully so — it’s dope).

But September is here, meaning summer, calendars be damned, is over. It’s time to sit back and take stock of what the highlights of the season have been for sneaker nerds across the globe. We’ll be focusing a bit more on pop culture crossovers and releases with particular historical significance to sneaker nerds, so don’t get mad when the Nike Sacais and Yeezy Boost 700 Analogs don’t show up. They have absolutely been highlights of the summer as well, no doubt.
Nike x Stranger Things Cortez
(Photo Credit: Nike)

Nike’s Stranger Things collab as a whole was a highlight of the summer for sure, eschewing gaudy logos and colorways for stripped-down old school sneakers similar to the ones worn on Netflix’s hit show. This Cortez, adorned with Hawkins High colors and a cool little logo, is the best of them easily.

See it on Nike.com
Nike Adapt BB Mag
(Photo Credit: Nike)

Auto-lacing technology was first imagined in ‘Back to the Future Part II’ and Nike has strived to make it a reality ever since. This Adapt BB, an auto-lacing basketball shoe, designed to pay homage to the original Nike Mag seen in the film is a great tribute to the moment the journey began.

See it on Nike.com
adidas Dame 5 Black Panther
(Photo Credit: adidas)

Marvel and adidas have been dropping heat all summer so there’s a version of this list that’s just those kicks top to bottom. If we’re only going with one though, it’s gotta be the Dame 5 Black Panther colorway. The Dame 5 is already probably the best shoe in adidas’s basketball rotation and this colorway, which replicates the texture of the Black Panther armor and gives it a dope vibranium-purple accent, might be the best the shoe has seen yet.

See Juniors version on adidas.com
Under Armour Project Rock 2
(Photo Credit: Under Armour)

When it comes to gym gear you can’t do better than Under Armour’s Dwayne Johnson partnership — the Project Rock line. The Project Rock 2, which is the line’s newest fitness shoe, is a powerhouse of a sneaker sure to get you through the heaviest of workouts.

See it on UnderArmour.com
adidas OG ZX Series
(Photo Credit: adidas)

Alright, we’re cheating a little bit here, but can you blame us? Adidas’s revamp of their original ZX Torsion running shoe line to celebrate the series’s 30th anniversary has been stellar. It’s hard to pick a favorite colorway amongst so many great choices. Definitely a highlight of the summer for hardcore sneaker nerds.

See them on adidas.com
adidas Continental 80 AriZona Green Tea Ginseng
(Photo Credit: adidas)

The shoes that started a riot. Yes, maybe the noise surrounding the attempted 99-cent sneaker sale pop up over the summer distracted from the shoes themselves a bit, but make no mistake: the adidas Continental 80 in the Arizona Green Tea colorway is one of the coolest pairs of kicks we’ve seen in ages.

See it on adidas.com
Nike Kyrie 5 Squidward
(Photo Credit: Nike)

We’ve already been over this one pretty extensively but we’ll say it again: the Kyrie SpongeBob SquarePants series’ standout is easily the Squidward colorway. From the perfect teal upper that perfectly matches our favorite melancholic squid to the little details, it’s about as good as pop culture collabs get.

See it on Nike.com
Nike Zoom Freak 1 Coming to America
(Photo Credit: Nike)

Nike’s Zoom Freak 1, the first signature sneaker of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, is the best edition to their basketball line in a few years. The low-cut shoe features a lightweight upper, comfy Zoom cushioning, and a big Nike Swoosh embossed into the heel for flair. The ‘Coming to America’ colorway is a flashy edition that draws inspiration from one of Giannis’s favorite flicks — and it’s a pretty dope shoe whether or not you’re a fan of the movie.

See it on Nike.com
Nike Zoom Freak 1 Roses
(Photo Credit: Nike)

Yeah yeah, we’re kinda cheating here (again). But the Freak 1 is such a great sneaker we can’t help it. The latest edition of the shoe — and the last of the summer — is a classic white sneaker with perfect red and gold accents. You can’t go wrong with this colorway if you’re looking for a new everyday shoe.

See it on FootLocker.com

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17:00
Get Up to 90% Off on Home Goods: Pro Chef Knives, Vacuum Cleaners, More
» ‎ Geek.com

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We’re all looking for ways to save money. And, while taking the bus and bringing your own lunch to the office can save a few bucks here and there, it’s bigger savings we’re after. Thankfully, there’s the Geek Shop, your one-stop source for deals on the best the web has to offer. This week, we’re rounding up 8 home essentials that can kick your living space up a notch, now up to 90% off.

EcoQube C Aquarium

Aquariums, generally speaking, require a lot of time consuming maintenance. But that’s not the case with this one from EcoQube. The C, instead, uses plants to keep the water fresh. That means that you’ll never have to clean it out, mess around with filters, or even change the water.

Buy it now for $99.99 and save 41 percent off the MSRP.

EcoQube C Aquarium – $99.99

See Deal
Comfort Linen Ultra Soft 1800 Series Bamboo-Blend Sheets

Enjoy a restful sleep each and every night. Unlike conventional sheets that are usually made of cotton, these Comfort Linen sheets are made with bamboo fibers. That means they’re super soft — which leads to more comfortable rest — plus they resist wrinkling, so they look great too.

Score a savings of 84 percent on a queen size set and pay just $25.99.

Comfort Linen Ultra Soft 1800 Series Bamboo-Blend Sheets: 4-Piece Set (Black/Queen) – $25.99

See Deal

Damasukasu 3-Piece Japanese AKUMA Master Chef Blade Set with Whetstone

This pro-level knife set will impress even the toughest critics. Featuring a 12-degree cutting edge, each knife allows you to prepare even the most delicate of foods to near laser precision. They’re stain- and rust-resistant and come with a genuine Japanese sharpening whetstone.

Pick up a set today for $69.99, a savings of 90 percent off the MSRP of $700.

Damasukasu 3-Piece Japanese AKUMA Master Chef Blade Set with Whetstone – $69.99

See Deal
Levimoon: The World’s First Levitating Moon Light

Designed to look just like a miniaturized version of our own Moon, the Levimoon floats over its base and rotates while illuminating your space. It makes a great mood or night light, you can adjust the brightness, and it’ll operate 24/7 while it wirelessly recharges.

Get it for $199.99, a savings of 30 percent off retail.

Levimoon: The World’s First Levitating Moon Light – $199.99

See Deal
Moderndek Backlit Canvas

Add a serious dose of ambiance to your abode with these backlit canvases from Moderndek. Each depicts a breathtaking landscape or space image which is then illuminated by LED’s installed right behind the print. The combination creates a stunning piece of artwork that’s sure to transform any room.

Save 50 percent off your purchase and pick one up for $59.99.

Moderndek Backlit Canvas – $59.99

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VitaChef Electric Steamer Skillet Cooking System

This steamer skillet is set to revolutionize your kitchen. It lets you steam, pan fry, grill, roast, or bake practically any food you could want. In fact, there are ten different ways you could prepare meals with it. It’s dishwashersafe for easy cleaning, lightweight, and energy-efficient too.

Buy it today for $99.99 and save 66 percent off its regular $300 price tag.

VitaChef Electric Steamer Skillet Cooking System – $99.99

See Deal
Shark IF200 Stick Vacuum (Factory Refurbished)

Conventional vacuum cleaners are awkward and heavy. The Shark IF200, by contrast, is lightweight and super easy to use. It features a rechargeable battery so you won’t have to mess around the cords, it maneuvers easily under furniture, and it’s powerful too so you’ll pick up more dirt.

Save over half and get a quality factory refurbished model today for $169.99.

Shark IF200 Stick Vacuum (Factory Refurbished) – $169.99

See Deal

InstaSweep Hard Floor Surface Sweeper

The InstaSweep Hard Floor Surface Sweeper beats a traditional broom in every way you can imagine. It works kind of like the way a street cleaner does, by spinning brushes at its edges to collect and get rid of more dirt, dust, and debris in just one pass.

Score savings of 30 percent and pick one up today for $24.99.

InstaSweep Hard Floor Surface Sweeper – $24.99

See Deal
Like this deal? Check out Vault — you’ll get four premium tools, including NordVPN and Dashlane, to supercharge your online security. Try it free for 14 days now!

Prices subject to change.
September 06, 2019
23:59
Beijing-Based Company Creates China’s First Cloned Kitten
» ‎ Geek.com

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A company in China successfully created the nation's first cloned kitten named Garlic. (Photo Credit: Cindy Strife / Unsplash)
China’s first “copy cat” is ready to make its debut: A Beijing-based company reportedly created the nation’s first cloned kitten and it is an adorable fur baby.

Huang Yu, the kitten’s owner, contacted Sinogene, a commercial pet-cloning company that has previously cloned 40 dogs, after his feline, Garlic, died after urinary tract infection complications earlier this year, Fox News reported. Heartbroken over the loss of Garlic, Huang hoped that Sinogene could create a clone of his cat that he loved so much.

“In my heart, Garlic is irreplaceable,” Huang told The New York Times. “Garlic didn’t leave anything for future generations, so I could only choose to clone.”

The cloned kitty, which is also named Garlic, was born on July 21, AFP noted. It was created from skin cells collected from the original cat, which was unearthed by Huang before the cloning process. Sinogene then retrieved DNA samples from the deceased cat and placed them inside feline eggs. The process resulted in 40 cloned embryos that were placed in surrogate cats, and only one of the pregnancies made it to full term, according to Chen Benchi, who leads Sinogene’s experiments team.

Garlic the kitten is an exact copy of Garlic the beloved cat who died – his owner paid for him to be cloned 🐱🐱 pic.twitter.com/2ff03DQHOK

— BBC World Service (@bbcworldservice) September 6, 2019

Huang had to shell out $35,000 for the cloning process and even though the “similarity between the two cats is more than 90 percent,” he was still slightly disappointed over some differences, including the new kitty lacking a patch of black fur on its face.

“If I tell you I wasn’t disappointed, then I would be lying to you,” Huang explained to The New York Times. “But I’m also willing to accept that there are certain situations in which there are limitations to the technology.”

Mi Jidong, Sinogene’s CEO, told AFP that even though pet cloning may be expensive, not all of his clients earn a lot of money and are looking to fill a void in their lives after losing their pets.

“In fact, a large proportion of customers are young people who have only graduated in the last few years,” he said. “Whatever the origin of pets, owners will see them as part of the family. Pet cloning meets the emotional needs of young generations.”

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23:30
Apple’s AirPower Might Be Gone, But AirZeus Has Your Charging Needs Covered
» ‎ Geek.com

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When Apple announced AirPower, it was a revelation. They took a problem that we accepted as a given (too many chargers) and came up with one device that charged everything wirelessly. But after years of mounting anticipation, they inexplicably canceled it and left us empty-handed. Fortunately, there are a bunch of similar devices that fill the void like the AirZeus 3-in-1 Fast Wireless Charging Pad.

This wireless charging pad can simultaneously charge your Qi-compatible smartphone, Apple Watch, and AirPods from a single device. It only uses one cable so it’s perfect for reducing clutter. Take that, rat’s nest of cables!

AirZeus supports fast charging, so you can quickly top off your iPhone or Android phone. It also works through cases, so you don’t have to remove anything from your phone.

The AirZeus 3-in-1 Fast Wireless Charging Pad normally costs $99, but you can get it now for just $44.99, or 54% off.

Like this deal? Check out Vault — you’ll get four premium tools, including NordVPN and Dashlane, to supercharge your online security. Enter code VAULTONE to try it out for just $1!

Prices are subject to change.
22:48
Watch: Koalas Caught in Noisy ‘Brawl’ on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island
» ‎ Geek.com

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A male and female koala had an intense "fight" and were caught "yelling" at each other near a tree on South Australia's Kangaroo Island. (Photo Credit: Kangaroo Island Odysseys / Facebook)
Two koalas recently had a loud “disagreement” on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island and footage of the all-out brawl was far from cute.

The male and female koala were caught fighting at the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary by Gaylene, one of the tour guides at Kangaroo Island Odysseys, on Wednesday, 7NEWS.com.au reported. A video of the incident shows the pair screeching and hitting each other, as they move from a tree to the ground.

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As one of the koalas tries to climb up the tree and escape, another drags it to the ground. The fight then escalates as the pair rolls on the ground and continues “yelling” at each other. Finally, one koala flees the scene as the other one checks out its wounds.

It’s unknown if the koalas were actually a couple or not, however, people poked fun at the incident on Facebook.

“Love at first sight is not often the case,” one person wrote.

Another commented, “They must be married,” with an eye-roll emoji.

More on Geek.com:
22:18
This Robot Groundskeeper Is Equal Parts Lawnmower and Snow Blower
» ‎ Geek.com

Tags: [edit]
The RT-1000 from Left Hand Robotics can mow large fields and plow snow. (Photo Credit: Left Hand Robotics)
There are a number of companies that make lawn mowing robots. Most of them are like big grass-cutting Roombas. This awkward looking brute is very different.

Meet the RT-1000. It’s different not just because it’s designed to cut grass by the acre. The RT-1000 is also a multi-talented robot that handles groundskeeping chores all-year round. Once the air turns cool and the snow starts falling, the RT-1000 can shed its mowing deck and turn into a snow blower.

The RT-1000 was developed by Left Hand Robotics, who built it to tackle very large jobs. Instead of batteries this bot is powered by a gas engine. One tank (12 gallons) allows the RT-1000 to mow for a full 10 hours.

With its 65″ mowing deck attached the RT-1000 can cut about 2 acres of grass per hour. Swap it out for the 56″ broom and the bot can clear 2 miles of snow-covered sidewalk in the same amount of time. The RT-1000 can even spread ice melter as it goes.

The brains behind the RT-1000 is an Nvidia Jetson TX2. It’s connected to half a dozen cameras, lidar, gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer and collision sensors. Redundant RTK (Real-Time Kinetic) GPS with centimeter accuracy helps the RT-1000 precisely follow its assigned routes.

An onboard LTE modem lets the RT-1000 communicate with a remote control center. Operators can tell the robot to get to work and monitor its progress using a smartphone app. Owners can view detailed reports about the day’s work and view photos to confirm that jobs were successfully completed.

Left Hand Robotics says the RT-1000 can reduce labor costs by 60 percent over three years. It also allows workers to devote their time and effort to jobs that require a human touch — and can even help reduce on-the-job injuries. Speaking from experience, snow removal can do a real number on your back.

Watch: Ice Cream Robots Are Finally Here

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21:30
Top Movie and TV Trailers of the Week: ‘Between Two Ferns,’ ‘Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,’ and More
» ‎ Geek.com

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'Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan' (Photo Credit: Jan Thijs / Amazon Prime Video)
TGIF. While you’re planning for the long weekend ahead, we’ve rounded up the top movie and TV trailers that you may have missed during the week.

Between Two Ferns: The Movie teased an official trailer with Zach Galifianakis “drowning” Matthew McConaughey in an interview, while John Krasinski is set to return as a CIA analyst in Season 2 of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan on Amazon Prime Video. From Lionsgate Movies’ technology comedy Jexi to Netflix’s quirky animated series Disenchantment, here are the top movies and TV shows to keep on your radar.
Criminal
Twelve crime stories set in four different countries takes viewers on a crazy mind trip in Criminal. The new Netflix series, which stars Hayley Atwell, Sylvester Groth, and David Tennant, is coming to the streaming service on September 20.
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (Season 2)
Venezuela is the new destination for John Patrick Ryan, Sr. KCVO in Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (Season 2). The CIA analyst, who is played by John Krasinski, uncovers an international crime plot that may put the nation’s citizens and Americans in danger. Season Two of this suspenseful series is coming to Amazon Prime Video on November 1.
Waves
A24 is on fire this year with new releases, and Waves, a heartbreaking movie about an African American family in South Florida, is an emotional roller coaster. The film, which focuses on the key themes of compassion, grief, and love as the family copes with a major loss, hits theaters on November 1.
Between Two Ferns: The Movie
Zach Galifianakis and his production crew take a road trip across America to interview “celebrities” in the hilarious film Between Two Ferns: The Movie. Benedict Cumberbatch, Matthew McConaughey, Chrissy Teigen, Brie Larson, and other stars will be on the hot seat in this flick, which premieres on Netflix on September 20.
Jexi
Adam Devine stars as Phil, a tech-obsessed guy who gets bullied by an evil virtual assistant in the comedy Jexi. After the Siri-like voice assistant (Rose Byrne) tries to mess up his life, Phil must choose to form real human relationships or risk staying alone forever. Jexi is coming to theaters on October 11.
Bad Boys For Life
Old-school police officers Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett work together to take down the leader of a Miami drug cartel in the movie Bad Boys For Life. The film which reunites Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, will debut in theaters on January 17, 2020.
Disenchantment (Part 2)
Disenchantment, a cheeky animated series about a party-loving princess, is returning to Netflix for its second season on September 20. Broad City’s Abbi Jacobson stars as the heroine, who must take a trip to hell after her entire kingdom is turned to stone.
Jojo Rabbit
Directed by Taika Waititi, JoJo Rabbit tells the story of a young boy who has Hitler as an imaginary friend and has his patriotism tested when he discovers that his mom is hiding a Jewish girl at their home. JoJo Rabbit is coming to theaters on October 18.
Limetown
Limetown, a chilling show about a journalist who is investigating the mysterious disappearance of 326 people, is coming to Facebook Watch on October 16. When she’s threatened with her life, Leah (played by Jessica Biel) must choose to tell the story or risk having everyone die around her.

More on Geek.com:
21:04
Podcasts Are TV Shows Now With ‘Limetown’ Trailer
» ‎ Geek.com

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Here’s a real 2019 sentence. Facebook is making a prestige streaming TV show based on a hit podcast. It’s true!

You can see for yourself in this first trailer for Limetown coming this October to Facebook Watch.

Based on this trailer, Limetown seems to follow the plot of the original show pretty closely. Jessica Biel stars as a journalist investigating the mysterious disappearance of over 300 people. When it premiered in 2015, critics loved Limetown the podcast’s spooky conspiracy atmosphere, comparing it to something like The X-Files. But how much of that dread was because of the intimacy and lack of concrete detail inherent to the podcast form? How much will be lost by just making a TV that looks like The X-Files?

Limetown is just the latest show trying to cash in on the podcast craze. At last, after over a decade of podcasts nobody cared about, now these internet radio shows are a big deal because of Conan O’Brien. Along with Limetown, last year we got the Julia Roberts show Homecoming, which was also based on a fictional podcast. Meanwhile, the true crime podcast Dirty John became a TV show preparing for its second season. Comedy Bang Bang was and still is a podcast before and after it came to TV. And of course the smash hit Dungeons and Dragons podcast The Adventure Zone is currently adapting its story arcs into awesome graphics novels.

Limetown the show premieres on October 16 on Facebook Watch. You can listen to both seasons of the Limetown podcast now. Plus there’s the prequel novel. The entertainment industry’s love affair with podcasts goes both ways, though. Lean more about Marvel’s next plans for its emerging superhero podcast universe.
19:15
Sony Pictures CEO Says ‘The Door Is Closed’ for Now on Spider-Man Split Dilemma
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Sony Pictures chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra said "for the moment the door is closed" on Spider-Man returning to the MCU. (Photo Credit: Sony Pictures)
Fans hoping for Spider-Man’s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) may be disappointed to hear a new update from Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra.

At Variety’s Entertainment & Technology summit, Vinciquerra said “for the moment the door is closed” when he was asked about Spider-Man coming back to the MCU. Even though Spider-Man will be under Sony Pictures’ wing for now, Vinciquerra explained that “it’s a long life,” possibly implying that the superhero could come back to the MCU in the future.

At a @Variety summit, Sony Pictures chief executive Tony Vinciquerra expressed confidence in Spider-Man’s future in Sony’s yet-to-launch shared universe and said there was “no ill will” between Marvel and Sony. [https:]]

— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) September 5, 2019

Vinciquerra discussed how there is “no ill will” between Marvel and Sony, after the two parties couldn’t form a deal for upcoming Spider-Man films. He explained how Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, was “stretched incredibly thin” with MCU projects as one of the reasons why an agreement couldn’t be reached.

The biggest Spider-Man movie ever just got BIGGER with over an hour of never-before-seen content, including this all-new short film, behind-the-scenes & more! #SpiderManFarFromHome swings onto Digital 9/17 and Blu-ray, DVD & 4K Ultra HD 10/1. 🕷️ [https:]] pic.twitter.com/G2mTY8wUkL

— Spider-Man: Far From Home (@SpiderManMovie) September 3, 2019

“We had a great run with [Feige] on Spider-Man movies. We tried to see if there’s a way to work it out….the Marvel people are terrific people, we have great respect for them, but on the other hand we have some pretty terrific people of our own,” Vinciquerra said. “Kevin [Feige] didn’t do all the work.”

Sony Pictures will reportedly launch its own universe with Spider-Man characters. The studio is currently in the production stage for a second Venom film, a movie based on the comic book character Morbius the Living Vampire, and “five or six” TV series that take place in the Spider-Man world.

“Spider-Man was fine before the event movies, did better with the event movies, and now that we have our own universe, he will play off the other characters as well,” Vinciquerra added. “I think we’re pretty capable of doing what we have to do here.”

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18:40
‘Dungeons & Dragons Vs. Rick and Morty’ Starter Set Is Now Available for Pre-Order
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Dungeons & Dragons vs Rick and Morty: Tabletop Roleplaying Game Adventure Boxed Set is now available for pre-order. (Photo Credit: Wizards of the Coast)
Stranger Things is not the only TV show getting the Dungeons & Dragons treatment. During D&D Live 2019: The Descent in May, game publisher Wizards of the Coast announced that Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty will have its own tabletop game in a boxed set out in November.

And now, Dungeons & Dragons vs Rick and Morty: Tabletop Roleplaying Game Adventure is finally available for pre-order.

D&D VS Rick and Morty: The Tabletop RPG Adventure
Available for Pre-Order: [https:]]

64-page rulebook annotated by Rick Sanchez
32-page original adventure for levels 1–3
4-panel folding DM screen with new art by Troy Little
5 ready-to-play characters
11 dice#DnD pic.twitter.com/EBXcuWl5M4

— Jim Zub (@JimZub) September 5, 2019

The boxed set is inspired by the Rick and Morty vs Dungeons & Dragons comics and will have everything a player would need to dive into a D&D adventure. It is co-authored by Jim Zub (co-writer of the comic book series) with new art by Troy Little (illustrator of comic book series).

The campaign experience includes a 64-page rulebook annotated by Rick; a 32-page original adventure for levels 1–3; a four-panel folding Dungeon Master screen featuring new art; five ready-to-play character sheets; and 11 dice.

Dungeons & Dragons vs Rick and Morty (D&D Tabletop Roleplaying Game Adventure Boxed Set) is available on Amazon for $29.99 with shipping set for November 19.

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18:03
Spitzer Space Telescope Snaps Shiny Infrared View of M81 Galaxy
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NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope snapped an infrared image of galaxy Messier 81, which is bathed by ultraviolet and visible light from nearby stars. (Photo Credit: NASA / JPL - Caltech)
Galaxy Messier 81, also known as M81, was one of the first released datasets after NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope launched in August 2003. To celebrate the telescope’s 16th birthday, NASA released a new infrared image of the iconic galaxy, which emphasizes its beautiful, pinwheel-like shape.

The Spitzer infrared image above is a composite mosaic that merges data from the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) at wavelengths of 3.6/4.5 microns (blue/cyan) and 8 microns (green) with data from the Multiband Imaging Photometer (MIPS) at 24 microns (red), said a NASA press statement. The 3.6-micron near-infrared data (blue) traces the dispersal of stars, even though the Spitzer image isn’t virtually affected by obscuring dust and shows a smooth stellar mass distribution, with M81’s spiral arms making a subdued appearance in the background.

Once you move to longer wavelengths, the spiral arms become the dominant feature of M81. In the image, the 8-micron emission (green) is influenced by infrared light radiated by hot dust heated by neighboring bright stars. Dust in M81 is soaked by ultraviolet and visible light from nearby stars. Once it absorbs an ultraviolet or visible-light photon, a dust grain is warmed up and re-emits the energy at longer infrared wavelengths.

Dust in this galaxy is bathed by ultraviolet & visible light from nearby stars. ✨ M81 is located 12 million light-years away from us — easily visible through binoculars or a small telescope. Check out this recent gem from @NASASpitzer: [https:]] pic.twitter.com/xH3BWsr9Jb

— NASA (@NASA) September 5, 2019

These dust particles feature silicates, rock-forming minerals that are chemically similar to beach sand, carbonaceous grains, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and trace the gas distribution in M81. This well-mixed gas, which could be sensed at radio wavelengths, and dust, create a source of raw materials for future star development. The 24-micron MIPS data (red), is scattered throughout the spiral arms and shows where the dust is heated to high temperatures near massive stars being born in giant ionized hydrogen regions.

Galaxy Messier 81 is located in the northern constellation of Ursa Major, which also includes a celestial display called the Big Dipper. Located 12 million light-years away, M81 can be easily seen through binoculars or a small telescope.

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17:00
Watch These Movies Before ‘IT Chapter Two’
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Two years ago, a clown in a sewer ate a little boy and ate his way into our hearts in IT. Based on the massive Stephen King novel, the filmmakers decided the only way they could do the story justice was by splitting it into two parts. The first chapter, where the children get traumatized, became a huge success and one of the most profitable horror movies ever. Now, the adults face their trauma in IT Chapter Two.

But before you float, too, watch these movies before IT Chapter Two.

It (1990)
These new IT movies weren’t the first attempt at bringing the story to the screen. This ABC miniseries terrified a whole generation with Tim Curry’s horrifying (and hilarious) portrayal as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. The rest of it isn’t so great though, mostly because this network special couldn’t be nearly as violent and disturbing as the tale needs to be.
Killer Klowns From Outer Space
If you get deep into Pennywise lore you learn he only takes the form of a clown and other monsters to scare kids before he gobbles them up. His true form is way more cosmic and weird. And if you want to see some more sci-fi clown monsters, check out this incredibly titled horror comedy Killer Klowns From Outer Space.
Castle Rock
IT is just one part of the larger Stephen King extended universe cosmology that extends into stuff like The Dark Tower and The Shining. Making a proper cinematic universe out of all of this is probably impossible, if only because the connections themselves are so vague. So the closest we’ll get is Castle Rock, a Hulu show set in the fictional King town (not too far from Derry) that pulls inspiration from his various works. Bill Skarsgård, who plays Pennywise, is even in this.
Mama
Before he directed IT, stepping in for Cary Fukunaga, Andy Muschietti’s first feature was Mama. Based on his own short film, Mama is about a vengeful maternal spirit that raises two orphaned girls as its own and haunts the aunt and uncle who come back to rescue them. Between Jessica Chastain and the work with child actors, this ended being good practice for IT.
Rocky Horror Picture Show
As great as the new Pennywise is, we’ll never forget Tim Curry’s take on the clown. And if we’re talking about legendary Tim Curry performances we have to talk about his iconic role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the perpetual midnight movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The film itself may be so bad it’s good, but Curry is just so good he’s good.
Stand By Me
IT isn’t just about clown monsters, it’s about groups of kids coming of age, whether it’s in the 1950s like in the novel or the 1980s like in the movie. And if you want to see King tackle this same material but with less violent cosmic weirdness, Stand By Me is still a touching example of the form.
The Book of Henry
While Jaeden Martell gives a fine performance as young stuttering Bill Denbrough in IT, the most accidentally scary movie he’s ever starred in will be The Book of Henry. This boondoggle was so bad it got Colin Trevorrow fired from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Remember, if your dead kid asks you to murder someone, you better do it!
16:48
India Loses Contact With Chandrayaan-2 Vikram Lander During Moon Landing Attempt
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India's Chandrayaan-2 Vikram lander will attempt to land at the moon's south pole on September 6. (Photo Credit: ISRO)
India lost contact with its Vikram lander during its historic moon landing attempt today, according to ISRO director K. Sivan.

The touchdown attempt occurred between 4 p.m. EDT and 5 p.m. EDT on September 6 (1:30 a.m. IDT and 2:30 a.m. IDT on September 7). At 4:48 p.m. EDT, Sivan announced that communications were lost from the Vikram lander to the ground station, Space.com reported.

“Vikram lander descent was as planned and normal performance was observed up to an altitude of 2.1 kilometers [1.3 miles],” Sivan said in an announcement. “Subsequently the communications from the lander to the ground station was lost. The data is being analyzed.”

The ISRO team is currently analyzing the data to see what went wrong and Sivan didn’t specify when updates will be provided on the lander’s condition. If Vikram’s touchdown attempt was successful, India would be the fourth nation to softly land on the moon’s surface.

Once Vikram lands near the moon’s south side, it will deploy Pragyan, the Chandrayaan-2 mission’s rover, which will spend 14 Earth days (one lunar day) obtaining chemical and mineral samples from the lunar surface. While Vikram and Pragyan get to work, the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter will trace the moon’s surface and study its outer atmosphere over the next year.

Why are countries across the world investing their resources to reach the Moon’s South Pole? Read on to find out. #Chandrayaan2 #ISRO #MoonMission pic.twitter.com/NHdcjsDKCL

— ISRO (@isro) August 19, 2019

According to the ISRO, the moon’s south pole is a key area for many reasons: Its craters, which are estimated to hold almost 100 million tons of water, have been untouched by sunlight for billions of years, providing an undisturbed record of the solar system’s origins. The area’s regolith (layer of unconsolidated rocky material covering bedrock) contains traces of ammonia, hydrogen, methane, mercury, and silver, making it a prime source for essential resources. Lastly, it could be a suitable pit stop for future space missions, due to its elemental and positional advantages.

#ISRO
Here’s a view of the majestic lift-off of #GSLVMkIII-M1 carrying #Chandrayaan2 pic.twitter.com/z1ZTrSnAfH

— ISRO (@isro) July 22, 2019

On July 22, the Chandrayaan-2 lunar exploration mission launched to the moon from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India. The spacecraft carried 13 payloads and transported three elements (an orbiter, a lander, and a rover) for about a month before entering lunar orbit on August 20. Earlier this week, the Chandrayaan-2 mission split into two, as the moon orbiter and Vikram lander parted ways to prepare for today’s major landing attempt.

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16:05
Watch: Guy Catches iPhone in Midair While Riding Roller Coaster
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New Zealander Samuel Kempf caught an iPhone in midair while riding a roller coaster in Spain. (Photo Credit: Samuel Kempf / YouTube)
Not all heroes wear capes. Some are just roller coaster-riding guys with lightning-fast reflexes. New Zealander Samuel Kempf recently proved this when he caught an iPhone in midair while riding a roller coaster — and it was all caught on camera.

Kempf told New Zealand’s 1 NEWS that he was riding the Shambhala roller coaster at PortAventura theme park in Spain when he saw a rider a few rows ahead on the coaster drop their iPhone X.

“Long story short, I caught it,” said Kempf, whose ninja-like reflexes were caught on the on-ride camera.

The video shows Kempf reaching over his ride companion to catch the flying iPhone while the roller coaster is going about 83 miles an hour. He then holds on to the iPhone for the rest of the ride, while accepting high-fives from other impressed riders.

Kemp told 1 NEWS he later returned the smartphone to the owner.

“He was super surprised and happy at the same time,” Kempf said. “He gave me a big hug and said he was going to buy the on-ride video for me.”

Kempf is actually a fistball athlete, and was in Spain after representing New Zealand at the Fistballing World Championships in Switzerland — so that could explain his champion-worthy moves.

Watch This Next: This Edgeless Concept iPhone Is Out of This World

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16:03
What the Heck Is This Nintendo Switch Hoop?
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Nintendo has made some of the best, most genre-defining video games of all time. They’ve also made plenty of niche gimmicky peripherals that either flame out or become smash successes. They’re a toy maker. And coming to terms with these nuances of the company is just a fact a life for Nintendo fans. I think it’s great. I loved the Wii. But hardcore purists tend to balk whenever Nintendo wades into these weirder casual waters.

The Nintendo Switch so far has done a great job balancing these dual philosophies. It has some of the greatest, and most gamer-friendly entries in beloved Nintendo series like Mario and Zelda. It also has a surprising amount of hardcore third-party support. And even the handheld/console hybrid gimmick only enhances traditional gameplay instead of fundamentally changing it. If you just want to play some video games, the Switch works for you.

But someone at Nintendo must’ve gotten itchy about not being weird again because here’s a new trailer for some kind of Nintendo Switch hoop controller. Sure!

What is this exercise hoop-looking thing? We never see a screen or gameplay, so all we have to go on is the device itself and how the actors play with it. Users insert the Joy-Con into the firm but stretchy ring and appear to do motion control exercises with it. There’s also another hoop you wrap around your thigh. Many are guessing this will be for the Switch’s equivalent of Wii Sports or Wii Fit. If Nintendo wants the Switch to hit Wii numbers, we understand why they would make games with massive mainstream appeal.

We also find the timing on this video kind of funny. Nintendo released it the night following a Nintendo Direct full of traditional Switch games. It’s like the time they revealed the kid-focused Nintendo Labo cardboard creativity playsets right after a normal Nintendo Direct. Gotta placate the fans before branching off into the bizarre again.

Nintendo says we can expect to learn more about this “new experience for Nintendo Switch” next week on September 12, just in time for the Tokyo Games Show. In the meantime, here are some cool Nintendo Switch games to play right now and look forward to the upcoming Nintendo Switch Lite.
14:00
10 Movies That Would Have Been Better Split in Half
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'IT Chapter 2' hits theaters on Sept. 6. (Photo Credit: Warner Bros.)
IT Chapter Two hits theaters Friday, Sept. 6, finishing up the Stephen King horror adaptation. The structure of It lends itself well to being divided in half — the first movie, released in 2017, followed the lead characters as kids and the first time they encountered the predatory clown Pennywise, while the second part has them returning home as adults to contend with the beast again.

Dividing movies in two is common practice now, even though people thought Quentin Tarantino was nuts for doing it with Kill Bill back in the day. Cinema purists may protest, but we think these 10 flicks would have been better in two chunks.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Peter Jackson discovered the wisdom of splitting movies with The Hobbit, but he certainly could have figured it out with the last installment of the LOTR trilogy. Return of the King clocks in at a whopping three hours and twenty minutes, nearly impossible to endure without a bathroom break. There’s an easy split to be made in the story right after the confrontation with Shelob and the death of Gollum, leaving the second film to deal with the battle at Mount Doom. Unlike a lot of the movies on this list, we’re not going to argue for the addition of more content here, just a nice easy cut down the middle. It would have made even more money that way, too.

Stream it on Amazon
Akira
Katsuhiro Otomo’s sci-fi epic Akira is widely considered to be one of the most influential and accomplished manga series ever, and the film adaptation — directed by Otomo himself — helped kickstart the anime boom in the States. But the movie just doesn’t capture the epic scope of the books over its two hour running time. The whole enterprise feels rushed in its desire to get us to the final showdown between Tetsuo and Kaneda, and although it was the most expensive anime film to date at the time, with a budget of over $9 million, splitting it in twain could have done wonders for the wonky pacing and inconsistent motivations of the characters.

Stream it on Hulu
Justice League
We are absolutely not asking for any more Zack Snyder DC Universe movies, so don’t get us twisted. But the 2017 flick that was supposed to bring the big names together to battle an otherworldly menace was hamstrung by truly weird pacing. After Dawn of Justice threw in teasers for Aquaman, Cyborg and the Flash, this one fumbled the ball pretty heavily with a clumsy plot about bringing Superman back to life. A lot of its problems could have been solved by bisecting the action — the first movie gets the heroes together and revives Kal-El, climaxing with Lois returning his memories, and then the second has breathing room to make the fight against Steppenwolf and the Mother Boxes actually meaningful.

Stream it on HBO Now
Gone With the Wind
Dare we suggest that a modern filmmaking gimmick could have improved one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed films of all time? We dare here at Geek.com. Gone With the Wind is a brilliant historical epic with a painful 221 minute running time, and even the most devoted modern cinephile needs a break somewhere in there. The thing is, the movie’s plot has a natural splitting point right in the middle, with Scarlett accepting Rhett’s proposal after Frank Kennedy’s funeral. The second installment would follow the dissolution of Scarlett and Rhett’s marriage. We’re not saying we know better than director Victor Fleming but it definitely makes sense for modern audiences.

Stream it on Amazon
Ender’s Game
The adaptation of the Orson Scott Card sci-fi classic didn’t make a big impact at the box office, which was too bad — it was a solid little movie with some interesting ideas. That said, it might have worked better with more room to stretch its legs. The plot follows young Ender Wiggin as he trains to participate in a counterattack against the alien Formics. The big twist, and sorry to spoil it, is that the computer simulation that Ender thinks he’s training in turns out to be the real thing at the end, but before we get there we have to work through tons of Battle School interpersonal intrigue, most of which could have been its own movie without too much trouble. As it stands, the two halves seem oddly detached from each other.

Stream it on Amazon
Inception
If there’s one thing we know about Christopher Nolan, it’s that the dude goes long. In the original theatrical cut, Inception ran just short of two and a half hours, and it seemed packed even then. One of our biggest complaints with the flick is that it had to charge into the Saito job right away without really getting to explore the methodology of dream infiltration. Splitting the movie into a pair would both give that setup more time to breathe, let the effects teams come up with even more mind-twisting dreamscapes, and let Nolan do some fun mirror symbology between the halves once we get to the second movie focusing on implanting the memory. Even a good movie can get better, after all, and who would complain about more Inception?

Stream it on Amazon
X-Men: Apocalypse
There’s no denying that the X-Men franchise has lost its way in the theaters, with this year’s disappointing Dark Phoenix marking the ignoble end of Fox’s grip on the characters. Probably the nadir came in 2016 with X-Men: Apocalypse, which took the team’s struggle against one of their most iconic villains — En Sabah Nur, the immortal mutant known as Apocalypse who is ready to wipe the Earth clean of humanity — and turned it into something out of a mid-budget Power Rangers episode. The original film ran at 144 bloated minutes and barely managed to do justice to its extensive cast. Splitting it in two would let the first movie deal with the new characters, ending it with Apocalypse kidnapping Professor X to set up the second.

Stream it on Amazon
Prometheus
Ridley Scott’s return to the Weyland-Yutani universe got a lot of hullabaloo before Prometheus came out, but the final film was a bit of a disappointment. Following the discovery of a map to the stars, an expedition is sent to a distant moon to find messages from humanity’s progenitors. Instead, the ship finds corpses, mysterious fluid and a whole lot of nastiness. The pace of Prometheus clashes with everything Scott wants to do by introducing the Xenomorphs as a bioweapon created by this ancient alien race, and at the end of the day the flick was just unsatisfying. Giving it more room to stretch its legs as a two-parter instead of one 124 minute feature could definitely help.

Stream it on Amazon
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Theatrical side stories for the Star Wars franchise are still a new experiment with varying results — Rogue One worked well as a grim little war story that filled in a blank spot in the universe’s history, but Solo was less effective. That’s no crack against the cast or director, who delivered an entertaining romp with everybody’s favorite smuggler. The complaint that we heard most often is that even though it covered a lot of time, we didn’t see that much character growth from Han. Two movies could solve that problem — the first is him growing up and wanting to be a pilot, while the second follows the fresh-faced kid as he sees the horrors of war and develops the jaded, world-weary attitude he comes into the original trilogy with.

Stream it on Netflix
Dune
The journey to produce a film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune was a long and arduous one, with Alejandro Jodorowsky attached in the early 1970s, followed by Ridley Scott, and eventually David Lynch, who helmed a visually beautiful but doomed take on the material that tanked at the box office. Interestingly, Scott’s early explorations of the material led him to recommend that it be split into a pair of movies, and looking at what Lynch produced bears that thesis out. Simply too much happens in the life of Paul Atreides to conform to a standard three-act dramatic arc, and letting it stretch might have been an unusual move for the era but would also have produced a movie closer to the source material. Rumor has it the upcoming 2020 adaptation will be split.

Stream it on Amazon

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September 04, 2019
0:11
ESA Satellite Avoids Potential Collision With SpaceX Starlink Internet Craft
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The European Space Agency's (ESA) Aeolus Earth observation satellite was moved to avoid a potential collision with one of SpaceX's internet satellites on September 2. (Photo Credit: ESA)
A European Space Agency (ESA) satellite conducted a critical maneuver on Monday to ensure that it did not hit one of SpaceX’s Starlink internet crafts.

On Sept. 2, the ESA’s Aeolus satellite elevated its orbit to safely pass over Starlink 44, an important internet satellite part of SpaceX’s “Starlink” megaconstellation, Space.com reported. ESA officials confirmed that the evasive operation was successful and that no collision occurred at the time.

ESA spacecraft dodges large constellation🛰️
“No one was at fault here, but this does show the urgent need for proper #spacetraffic management – with clear communication protocols and more automation” — Holger Krag, ESA’s Head of #SpaceSafety
Find out more: [https:]] pic.twitter.com/3gT5p8hOIj

— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) September 3, 2019

ESA officials noted how collision avoidance maneuvers are typically not performed with active satellites and that a majority take place as a result of fragments from previous collisions.

It is very rare to perform collision avoidance manoeuvres with active satellites. The vast majority of ESA avoidance manoeuvres are the result of dead satellites or fragments from previous collisions#SpaceDebris pic.twitter.com/mjbdoFfCPa

— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) September 2, 2019

“It is very rare to perform collision avoidance maneuvers with active satellites,” ESA officials explained in a follow-up tweet. “The vast majority of ESA avoidance maneuvers are the result of dead satellites or fragments from previous collisions.”

Holger Krag, head of ESA’s Space Debris Office, told Forbes.com that the risk of collision between Aeolus and Starlink 44 was 1 in 1,000, which was ten times greater than the threshold for engaging in a collision-avoidance maneuver. Despite the risk of the two satellites bumping into each other, SpaceX reportedly didn’t move Starlink 44.

“Based on this, we informed SpaceX, who replied and said that they do not plan to take action,” Krag told Forbes.com. “It was at least clear who had to react.”

SpaceX discovered that there was an issue with the Starlink paging system, which led to the company not responding to the potential collision scenario on September 2. The last time the Starlink team sent emails with Aeolus’ handlers was August 28 and the collision risk was only in the 1-in-50,000 range on that day, according to SpaceX representatives.

“At that point, both SpaceX and ESA determined a maneuver was not necessary,” a SpaceX representative told Space.com. “Then, the U.S. Air Force’s updates showed the probability increased to 1.69e-3 (or more than 1 in 10,000), but a bug in our on-call paging system prevented the Starlink operator from seeing the follow-on correspondence on this probability increase.”

They added, “SpaceX is still investigating the issue and will implement corrective actions. However, had the Starlink operator seen the correspondence, we would have coordinated with ESA to determine best approach with their continuing with their maneuver or our performing a maneuver.”

ESA is preparing to automate this process using #AI #ArtificialIntelligence. From the initial assessment of a potential collision to a satellite moving out of the way, automated systems are becoming necessary to protect our space infrastructure#SpaceSafety #SpaceTraffic🛰️🛰️🛰️ pic.twitter.com/4Wv9cuNfmL

— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) September 2, 2019

The ESA also mentioned that they will use an automated process to monitor potential collisions in the future.

“ESA is preparing to automate this process using #AI #ArtificialIntelligence,” ESA officials wrote on Twitter. “From the initial assessment of a potential collision to a satellite moving out of the way, automated systems are becoming necessary to protect our space infrastructure.”

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September 03, 2019
23:26
‘Joker’ Earns ‘Fresh’ Rotten Tomatoes Score Following World Premiere
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'Joker,' which stars Joaquin Phoenix, earned a "Fresh" Rotten Tomatoes score of 86 percent after its world premiere on Aug. 31. (Photo Credit: Warner Bros)
Joker, the new movie that tells the story of one of DC’s famous villains, is a hit among most critics: Following its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday, the film’s Rotten Tomatoes score remains “Fresh” at 86 percent.

The eerie movie, which stars Joaquin Phoenix as the doomed stand-up comedian, received an eight-minute-long standing ovation after its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. Critics’ reviews started rolling in on Rotten Tomatoes on August 31 and most wrote positive comments about the film.

#Joker gives its infamous central character a chillingly plausible origin story that serves as a brilliant showcase for Joaquin Phoenix – and a dark evolution for comics-inspired cinema.#JokerMovie is #Fresh at 86% on the #Tomatometer, with 22 reviews: [https:]] pic.twitter.com/3aWMb9DGB1

— Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) August 31, 2019

“Joker gives its infamous central character a chillingly plausible origin story that serves as a brilliant showcase for Joaquin Phoenix – and a dark evolution for comics-inspired cinema,” Rotten Tomatoes wrote in a tweet about the movie, which has received more than 2,000 likes on the social media platform.

Critics dubbed Joker as a “truly nightmarish version of late-era capitalism” and a “gleeful cosplay session [that] turns progressively more dangerous.”

“This is a truly nightmarish vision of late-era capitalism – arguably the best social horror film since Get Out – and Joaquin Phoenix is magnetic in it,” one wrote on the site.

Another critic commented, “[Joaquin] Phoenix and [Todd] Phillips together have crafted something extraordinarily special. An exhilarating character study on the parameters of loneliness with a chilling assessment of the choking and deliberating effects of a morbid society.”

Someone else wrote, “Having brazenly plundered the films of [Martin] Scorsese, [Todd] Phillips fashions stolen ingredients into something new, so that what began as a gleeful cosplay session turns progressively more dangerous – and somehow more relevant, too.”

Joker, which also stars Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, and Brett Cullen, hits theaters on October 4.

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22:15
TSA Reverses Ban on ‘Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge’ Coca-Cola Bottles
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After an earlier ban, the TSA said it will now allow the "thermal detonator'-themed Coca-Cola bottles from Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. (Photo Credit: Coca-Cola)
Good news for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge visitors that want to take their souvenirs home with them: After an earlier ban, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will now officially allow the “thermal detonator”-shaped Coca-Cola bottles in checked luggage and carry-on bags on flights.

Officials from the agency announced the news last week, detailing that while the themed soda bottles could be perceived as “replica hand grenades,” they have changed their policy and will allow tourists to take the item home with them, albeit with some stipulations.

“The issue concerning Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge-themed soda bottles has recently been brought to our attention by the general public, as these items could reasonably be seen by some as replica hand grenades,” the TSA said in a statement released last week. “We appreciate the concerns being raised, because replica explosives are not permitted in either carry-on or checked bags. We have completed our review, and instructed our officers to treat these as an oversized liquid.”

The agency, however, recommends tourists store them in checked baggage, or empty the bottles of liquid before placing in carry-on bags.

“Because these bottles contain liquids larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters), they should be put in checked baggage or emptied to be brought on as carry-on item,” the TSA said. “TSA officers will maintain the discretion to prohibit any item through the screening checkpoint if they believe it poses a security threat.”

The original ban resulted after a curious flyer inquired on Twitter about the “thermal detonators”-themed bottles on Aug. 13. TSA responded with “Thanks for asking! Replica and inert explosives aren’t allowed in either carry-on or checked bags.”

Some people commented on the confusing statement, however, as others have reported encountering no issues when they boarded flights with their souvenir bottles from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland, which opened to much fanfare in May.

“Which is it? Allowed in checked luggage? Allowed in carry-on as long as [it’s] empty of liquid? Or neither?” asked one Twitter user. “Policy should be uniform and enforced [in] the same manner in every airport.”

And on the topic of Star Wars souvenirs, fans may be glad to hear that lightsabers are allowed on carry-on bags and checked luggage.

“Sadly, the technology doesn’t currently exist to create a real lightsaber,” the TSA said on its website. “However, you can pack a toy lightsaber in your carry-on or checked bag. May the force be with you.”

Droids are also allowed.

Watch: Disneyland’s New ‘Star Wars’ Park Is Finally Open

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22:06
11-Year-Old Gets ‘Scammed’ Into Spending Over $4K on Favorite TikTok Influencer
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An 11-year-old girl was "scammed" into paying over $4,000 to get lip sync sessions with her favorite TikTok influencer. (Photo Credit: TikTok)
An 11-year-old girl in the U.K. recently spent thousands of dollars to get lip sync sessions with her favorite TikTok influencer and her parents are not happy about the social media “scam.”

The girl spent about $4,198 in a month through iTunes and her parents had no clue that she was making multiple payments for TikTok, a social media app for sharing short talent videos, Business Insider reported. She was obsessed with a 24-year-old TikTok influencer, who was not named at this time, and made multiple payments to interact with the social media figure on the app.

“We didn’t realize that the card was attached to the account and so didn’t realize she was spending all this money,” the mother, who remained anonymous, told Cambridgeshire Live. “We didn’t get any notification from iTunes or the bank even though she was spending hundreds of pounds a day.”

The mother explained how her daughter racked up thousands in bills due to the TikTok incident, which had reportedly caused her to lose all of her savings.

“It’s wiped out all my money,” she said. “It’s all the money I had, it’s over £3,500 (approximately $4,230) and all my overdraft, and I now have not one penny left for me and my family.”

The girl was purchasing coins on the app so she could lip sync with the TikTok influencer and have private video calls with them. A bill obtained by Cambridgeshire Live shows many transactions, and some are as high as $119.99 each. According to the mother, the daughter was scammed on the social media app, however, the 11-year-old didn’t understand the situation.

The worried mum says her daughter has been talking to a 24-year-old influencer on TikTok and buying ‘coins’ on the app so she can lip sync songs with him [https:]]

— Cambridgeshire Live (@Cambslive) September 1, 2019

“I’ve now messaged [the man] from her phone, and said I was her mum,” she explained. “He didn’t believe me, and he didn’t seem to care about the money.”

Even though the mom reportedly contacted her bank and the police, she said “no one can help” her get the money back. She received $152.33 from iTunes, but that still wasn’t enough to cover the amount she lost due to the “scam.”

A TikTok spokesperson shared a statement about the incident with Business Insider, stating that it encourages TikTok users to report “potentially inappropriate behavior” on the social media app.

“We are very sorry to hear about this user’s experience and have opened an internal investigation as part of our regular review process, which will help us further strengthen our internal controls,” said the TikTok spokesperson. “We encourage users to report any potentially inappropriate behavior through our in-app reporting function or by emailing us at feedback@tiktok.com. Parents concerned about the possibility of accidental in-app purchases should ensure that the payment function is disabled.”

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22:00
How Capto Makes Screen Capturing on Your Mac Even Easier
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Whether you’re trying to troubleshoot a bug with tech support or walk a potential customer through your app’s interface, being able to show someone exactly what’s happening on your display is handy. However, when it comes to screen capturing software, too many are either limited in what they can do or so complicated that you’re afraid to use them beyond the simple crop and screen grab.

That’s where Capto comes into the picture. Designed as a user-friendly, but feature-rich Mac screen capture tool, Capto gives you the power to seamlessly capture and record footage on your screen and edit it to your heart’s content. Right now, you can get it for over 40% off, just $16.99.

Using Capto, you can record your entire screen or any specific region of your choice. You can choose to either hide or display your cursor when creating videos, and, once you’re done recording, you can cut and trim your videos or screenshots to get polished final product. Capto sets you up with smart folders to easily organize all of your captures and can share to Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube, Dropbox, Google Drive, and more with ease.

From support to sales, virtually every role can benefit from having a powerful screen capture tool, and with Capto, you don’t have to sweat about a steep learning curve. You can get it today for only $16.99, more than 40% off the usual $29.99 price.

Prices are subject to change.

Capto Screen Capture & Video Editing for Mac – $16.99

See Deal

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21:42
SteelSeries Arctis 1 Four-in-One Is World’s First USB-C Wireless Gaming Headset
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Not everyone wants to hear the loud dumb noises coming out of your TV screen when you’re playing a video game. That’s what headsets are for. And with the right wireless gaming headset you can have premium audio quality, visual quality, and comfort while playing. But achieving that convenience means working around the needs of your console as they each have their own wireless standards.

Or they did until now. Today SteelSeries revealed the Arctis 1 Wireless Headset, a gaming headset for four systems in one thanks to the power of USB-C.

The Arctis 1 provides a wireless listening experience whether you’re playing on PlayStation 4, PC, Android, or even Nintendo Switch. Instead of using Bluetooth, the headset connects to a USB-C dongle and communicates via SteelSeries’ own lossless 2.4GHz wireless tech to reduce latency. It’s the world’s first USB-C wireless gaming headset and a promising use of the new standard.

Being able to Switch between four systems is nice, and with the included audio cable you can also still have a wired connection with an Xbox One controller. But it’s the Switch functionality that most interests us. Given Nintendo’s own disinterest with voice chat solutions on the console/handheld hybrid, other companies have come up with their own. The Arctis 3 had its own combo of wired and wireless connections to make the weird Switch voice chat app more bearable. But we don’t know if the Arctis 1 has anything comparable.

We do know though that the Arctis 1 has been made especially for portable play. It’s more compact with a redesigned headband. The steel-reinforced frame and padded ear cushions should hopefully keep it durable and comfortable though.

The Arctis 1 Wireless is available now for $100. For more gaming headsets consider the Arctis 9X for Xbox and the Astro A50.
21:10
Finally, Dave Bautista Is In ‘Gears of War’
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Gears 5, the fifth entry in the beloved Gears of War franchise, is almost here for Xbox One and PC as Microsoft’s fall gaming centerpiece. It promises to be the biggest entry in the series yet with a mysterious revamped campaign and exciting upgrades to multiplayer modes like Horde and Escape. But if it felt there was a big wrestler-shaped hole in the game don’t worry, it’s about to be filled. Finally, we can play as Dave Bautista in Gears of War.

It’s about damn time. Play as me in #Gears5 starting Sept 15 after @WWE Clash of Champions. @XBox @GearsofWar #DreamChaser pic.twitter.com/bCU4ZIjdw1

— Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) September 3, 2019

Perhaps trying to get some of that Smash Bros. crossover love, Gears 5 has announced a handful of guests characters to play as in multiplayer alongside core story characters. These include Spartans from Halo as well as Punished “Venom” Linda Hamilton playing Sarah Connor in the upcoming Terminator: Dark Fate.

Well now Dave Batista is about to enter this mad world. On September 15, after the WWE Clash of Champions (of course), the wrestler-turned-actor will next turn into a playable character. And this is perfect for a few reasons. One, Bautista was once trying to star in a live-action Gears of War movie that never wound up happening, so at least he still gets to be in the franchise.

Also, Bautista is one of the few actual real-life human beings with a beefy enough physique to not look completely ridiculous standing next to tree trunk men like Marcus Fenix. It’s the same reason why Crackdown 3, if nothing else, was brilliant to cast Terry Crews as a superpowered comedy cop.

Gears 5 launches on Xbox One and PC on September 10. Read our review very soon. For more on Gears of War check out some of the franchise’s best toys and here are some other games to check out in September.
20:42
Toy Tuesday: The Best ‘Gears of War’ Toys
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It’s hard to believe, but Fortnite isn’t Epic Games’ first round at the rodeo. They’ve been knocking out genre-defining releases since Tim Sweeney started the company in his parents’ house in 1991. Their last huge hit was, of course, the Gears of War series which started on the Xbox 360 in 2006. Although Epic no longer makes the games — Microsoft owns them — they’re still chugging along, with a fifth installment set to drop this month. The gritty, violent action of humans vs. Locust is always a thrill, and you can take it offline with these killer Gears of War toys.
NECA Dominic Santiago Action Figure

One of the things that made the Gears games so successful was the feeling of connection you have with the supporting cast. These aren’t just AI grunts there to soak up bullets for you — they’re three-dimensional characters with their own stories and needs. The bond with Dom Santiago was the juice at the core of the first games, starting with his bold breakout of Marcus from the Jacinto Maximum Security Prison and through his sacrifice in the third game to blow up a fuel tank and take out the Locust and Lambent that had Delta-One pinned down.

Get it at Amazon
Old Man Marcus Fenix Funko Pop

The lifespan of most of the characters in the Gears franchise isn’t terribly long, but it’s nice to know that protagonist Markus Fenix sticks around long enough to go gray. In the fourth game, Markus stepped out of the lead role to let his son JD handle the rough stuff, and the grizzled, aged version of Fenix quickly became our headcanon. Apparently the fifth game will also have the creaky bugger in a supporting role, and we’re here for it. Funko nails the look in their classic style with this Pop! that’s ready to fend off the Locust hordes.

Get it at Amazon
Augustus Cole Figure

Hey, it’s the Cole Train! We couldn’t do a roundup of Gears of War figures without representing former Thrashball star turned bad-ass Locust fighter Augustus Cole. After Cole joined the military, it’s canon that his popularity led to a spike in enlistments because he’s just that damned cool. This NECA figure from their first series of Gears toys stands a little under four inches tall, so he can fight alongside your G.I. Joes if you want him to. Cole comes with a sweet Lancer and super-detailed armor and accessories.

Get it at Amazon
Replica Lancer

When the list of all-time iconic shooter weapons is created, the Lancer would have to land on there somewhere. The massive rifle with a chainsaw bolted to the front is just so deeply satisfying to use at any range, and if you have some spare cash sitting around and want to own a replica of it sculpted from the original 3D models used in the game, here it is. This beast weighs nearly 13 pounds and boasts a number of cool features like removable clips and sliding handles, and if you put in some C batteries you get vibration and chainsaw noises to boot.

Get it at Amazon
Gears of War Construction Set

Lego obviously isn’t going to go anywhere near a franchise as gory as Gears of War, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get your build on with officially licensed products. This 100-piece kit is based on the classic metal-frame Erector sets from Meccano, and it depicts a wild chase across the rooftops of Halvo Bay as Garron Parduk pursues a Locust grenadier. The detailed little figures come with their own weapons and you can create lots of different layouts with the materials and stickers provided. Cool stuff in a style we don’t see very often.

Get it at Amazon
Ticker Figure

The Locust have all sorts of nasty gimmicks they use to wage war, and one of the most memorable are the Tickers. These creatures were discovered in the Hollow and weaponized by strapping tanks of Imulsion to their backs. They’re used both as mobile land mines, being sent out on suicide missions to take out vehicles, as well as against infantry. NECA has produced a bunch of cool figures from both sides of the war, and this is a fun one. It even has hidden wheels so you can slide it along the floor more realistically.

Get it at Amazon
Storm Collectibles Marcus Fenix Figure

Storm Collectibles is notorious for their super detailed and weighty 1/12 scale figures, standing about half a foot high with lots of cool stuff. Their take on Marcus Fenix comes with two head sculpts — one from the classic trilogy and another with his aged-up visage from the newer ones. You also get a passel of weapons — two different kinds of Lancers, plus a Gnasher shotgun and a snub-nosed pistol. Lots of poseability on display here as well, so Fenix can hide behind cover and get the drop on his foes just like you do in the game.

Get it at Amazon
NECA Locust Drone Exploding Head Figure

One of the most satisfying things that can happen in a shooter is landing that perfect headshot, and now there’s an action figure that captures that magical moment. This NECA take on the Locust drones that you mow down in bulk has an insanely weird explosion of gibs coming from his neckhole to capture the moment that you put a round through its skull. If you want, you can swap it out for a normal non-exploded head, but why would you ever do that? This is one of the goriest action figures we’ve ever seen, and that’s saying a lot because we’ve seen a lot of action figures.

Get it at Amazon
McFarlane Toys Kait Diaz Figure

We first met Kait Diaz in Gears of War 4 but she’s going to be stepping into the lead role for the upcoming fifth installment, so start stocking your shelves in anticipation. From the masterminds at McFarlane, this take on the former Outsider turned Gear is brilliantly sculpted with lots of articulations and a custom display base for cool poses. She’s also loaded for bear with a customized Gnasher shotgun and pistol. We’re very curious to see how her story plays out in the new game and how she’s connected with the Locust leadership.

Get it at Amazon
Funko Brumak Figure

Standing 6 inches tall, this take on the lumbering Brumak will tower over all of your other Funko Pops, which is as it should be. When you first meet the massive predator, which is believed to have been bred from modified apes by Locust scientists, it looms nearly 40 feet above you as its massive arm cannons chew up the terrain. Dom and Marcus have to take one out during the Lightmass Offensive and it’s one of the series’ most overwhelming boss battles. Now you can replicate all of that terror and triumph at home with this stompy little buddy.

Get it at Amazon
Play Arts Kai Marcus Fenix Figure

We know there’s a lot of Marcus on this list, but what are you gonna do? That’s who gets the toys. This is the biggest one of the lot, and it pulls no punches. Square Enix’s Play Arts Kai line brings to life characters from some of the greatest geek culture franchises around the world, and their take on the Gears of War hero is beefy and thick while not sacrificing movement. Clad in deep, weathered black, the texture of this one is out of this world. It comes with alternate hands, a Lancer MK2 and, coolest of all, a knife that fits in his boot sheath.

Get it at Amazon

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18:58
Robert Pattinson Reveals Why Trying on the Batsuit Made Him Feel Powerful
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'The Batman' actor Robert Pattinson revealed what it was like to try on the Batsuit for the first time and why he's excited about playing the superhero on the big screen. (Photo Credit: John Shearer / Getty Images)
The Batman is expected to hit theaters in 2021 and Robert Pattinson, the actor who plays Bruce Wayne in the upcoming movie, recently revealed what it was like to try on the Batsuit for the first time.

In an interview with Variety, Pattinson discussed his role in The Batman and why wearing the superhero uniform made him feel powerful.

“It’s maybe the craziest thing I’ve ever done in terms of movie stuff. I put it on,” Pattinson told Variety. “I remember saying to Matt [Reeves, the screenwriter], ‘It does feel quite transformative!’ He was like, ‘I would hope it does! You’re literally in the Batsuit.’”

Pattinson also talked about how getting into the Batsuit wasn’t an easy process, however, it felt rewarding to him at the same time.

“You do feel very powerful immediately. And it’s pretty astonishing, something that is incredibly difficult to get into, so the ritual of getting into it is pretty humiliating,” Pattinson explained. “You’ve got five people trying to shove you into something. Once you’ve got it on, it’s like, ‘Yeah, I feel strong, I feel tough, even though I had to have someone squeezing my butt cheeks into the legs.’”

🦇🦇🦇 pic.twitter.com/2AaQaexvUF

— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) June 3, 2019

In June, news broke out that Pattinson would be playing the next Batman in Matt Reeves’ film. Even though Pattinson was initially nervous about the public’s reaction to his casting, he said it wasn’t as bad as he thought it would be.

“To be honest, it was less vitriolic than I was expecting. It’s much more fun when you’re an underdog,” Pattinson added. “There’s no expectation of you.”

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17:38
Hubble Space Telescope Captures Final Stages of Star’s Life
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The Hubble image above shows NGC 5307, a planetary nebula in its final stages of life. (Photo Credit: ESA / Hubble & NASA - R. Wade et al.)
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope recently snapped a dreamy photo of NGC 5307, a dying, sun-like star that has collapsed in on itself and shed its outer layers of gas into space.

NGC 5307 is a planetary nebula located roughly 10,000 light-years from our planet and can be spotted in the constellation Centaurus (the Centaur), NASA said in a press release.

A planetary nebula is the last stage of a sun-like star and it could give us a peek into the solar system’s future. Just like our sun, these types of stars will transform into red giants at the end of their lives. NASA says stars are sustained by nuclear fusion that takes place in their cores, which generates energy. Nuclear fusion processes try to break the stars apart and only the stars’ gravity prevents this action from occurring.

#HubbleFriday Planetary nebula NGC 5307 gives us a glimpse into the future of our own solar system. A dying Sun-like star has run out of nuclear fuel, collapsed in on itself, and shed its outer layers of gas into space: [https:]] pic.twitter.com/BXZPcUbeeu

— Hubble (@NASAHubble) August 30, 2019

At the end of a star’s red giant phase, these forces become unbalanced and the core of the star crumbles in on itself and its surface layers are violently thrown outward. Once this turbulent activity ceases, all that remains of the star is shown in the above image: illuminated outer layers that circle a white dwarf star, which are the leftovers of the red giant star’s core.

On this day (Dec 17) in 1997, these #Hubble photos were released:

Spiral-Structured Planetary Nebula NGC 5307
Two-Lobed Planetary Nebula Hubble 5
Eye-Shaped Planetary Nebula NGC 6826
Planetary Nebula NGC 3918 pic.twitter.com/JQAc5ph4Cb

— HubbleFeed (@HubbleArchives) December 17, 2018

The star’s makeover isn’t done yet: These glowing outer layers are still cooling and shuffling around in space. Once a few thousand years go by, they will diminish and only leave a dimly illuminated white dwarf behind.

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17:24
Here’s What It’s Like to Fly Inside the Eye of Hurricane Dorian
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View inside the eye of Hurricane Dorian captured by Air Force Capt. Garrett Black Monday. (Photo Credit: Garrett Black / Twitter)
As Hurricane Dorian pounded the northwest Bahamas as a Category 5 over the weekend causing devastation across parts of the islands, NOAA and the US Air Force captured footage from inside the eye of the monster storm.

Air Force Capt. Garrett Black, a meteorologist and hurricane hunter, shared imagery and footage captured while flying through Hurricane Dorian Sunday.

The eye of #Dorian pic.twitter.com/XN29zC46IP

— Garrett Black (@GBlack22wx) September 1, 2019

In incredible photos and videos, the eye wall of Dorian is visible, with the sun shining brightly through a blue sky.

“The storm itself, once we get into the eye, was incredible. It’s one really that I’ve never seen quite to that extent,” Black told CNN. “We had the giant cumulus towers surrounding us that gave us the same effect it felt like we were sitting in the center of a football stadium. Then we could also see the water at the surface and see how calm it was directly below us but could see off in the distance how large the waves were.”

Chasing in the eye of #Dorian pic.twitter.com/DVpwgPY1PB

— Jordan Sun (@jordan_sun20) September 2, 2019

On Monday, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, an Air Force Reserve unit located at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi., also flew into Hurricane Dorian to gather weather information.

The data they gather is used by the National Hurricane Center for their forecasts.

And we’re back from our 10 hour mission into hurricane #Dorian!
✈️⛈🌪🌊 Here’s our mission in about one minute.#ReserveCitizenAirmen #ReserveReady #403WG #WC130J #SuperHercules #WeatherReady #NWSNHC pic.twitter.com/b1llcBrjLD

— Hurricane Hunters (@53rdWRS) September 3, 2019

During a previous mission, on Sunday, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron also captured imagery from inside the hurricane which shows lightning flashing and illuminating the eye wall.

Want to see more awesome imagery?

To see more photos 📸 and video 📹 from of #ReserveCitizenAirmen and Hurricane #Dorian. ✈️⛈🌪🌊 Click on the link at the comment below#ReserveReady #403WG #WC130J #SuperHercules #WeatherReady #NWSNHC @weatherchannel @NOAA pic.twitter.com/A9QBibRtnB

— Hurricane Hunters (@53rdWRS) September 1, 2019

Hurricane Dorian made landfall in the Bahamas Sunday night and left catastrophic destruction in its wake, according to government officials.

As the hurricane stalled near Grand Bahama Island from late Sunday into early Tuesday, the storm also inundated large portions of that island with dangerous storm surge, weather.com reported.

VIDEO: “High storm surge with floating vehicles speaks volumes to the conditions on Grand Bahama Island. Hurricane Dorian is stationary and is a strong 140 mph killer storm.” H/t @DavidBegnaud pic.twitter.com/aAAIARCRQK

— News Breaking LIVE (@NewsBreaking) September 3, 2019

The satellite comparison below shared by ICEYE on Twitter shows what parts of Grand Bahama Island were underwater Monday. (The yellow lines show the coastline of Grand Bahama Island when the water level is normal, and roads are depicted in white). Darker shaded portions of the island within the yellow borders were still dry land while the turquoise color shows what areas were submerged by ocean water.

#HurricaneDorian has affected Bahamas heavily on Monday, with vast areas hit with #flooding, including the Grand Bahama International Airport, Freeport. ICEYE #SAR satellite image from 11:44AM local time. Please, stay safe! (Y: coastline. W: roads. Source: OpenStreetMap.) pic.twitter.com/ruXau8QhKn

— ICEYE (@iceyefi) September 2, 2019

Dorian is expected to move “dangerously close” to the Florida coast Tuesday night.

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16:45
Watch: Great White Shark Feasts on Whale Carcass Off Massachusetts Coast
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Whale watchers spotted a great white shark chowing down on a whale carcass off the coast of Massachusetts on Sept. 1. (Photo Credit: Plymouth harbormaster / Twitter)
Whale watchers spotted a great white shark eating a whale carcass in Cape Cod Bay on Sunday and the animal’s feeding frenzy was a chilling sight.

The minke whale carcass was floating off the coast of Massachusetts near Duxbury Beach and forced authorities to close the beach for swimming after it attracted numerous sharks, Duxbury Police Beach (DPD) Operations wrote in a Twitter post. Footage captured by the Plymouth harbormaster and onlookers aboard boats showed the hungry great white shark popping out of the water and enjoying its lunch, Fox News reported.

@SharkWeek @Discovery this better be in shark week next year. Great White attacking a whale carcass 1/2 mile off Duxbury Beach, Massachusetts pic.twitter.com/5r83FAbnV4

— Grant Suchecki (@GrantSuchecki) September 1, 2019

Some whale watchers were upset about the whale carcass, however, most were excited about the great white shark showing up during their tour.

“Of course they are coming out to see whales, so we did, of course, have a couple of people who were upset to have their first sighting be a dead whale,” Michelle Collins, who works with Captain John Boats, told Boston 25 News. “But a lot more people were very excited.”

Here is a picture of the confirmed sighting of a Great White Shark off of Duxbury Beach. Photo Credit to Plymouth Harbormaster. Thank you @Plymouth_Harbor @Dux_HM @Duxbury_Police @ROCCC911 and @MassStatePolice for your assistance. pic.twitter.com/7AENUuiW0q

— DPD Beach Operations (@DPD_Beach_Ops) September 2, 2019

New England Aquarium biologists performed a necropsy on the minke whale on Monday. The whale carcass was removed from Duxbury Beach after the exam and “swimming is now reopen at your own risk,” according to DPD Beach Operations.

Great white sharks are spending a lot of time near Cape Cod lately: Last week, fishermen spotted a great white shark bumping into their boat near a whale carcass off the coast of Cape Cod. Commercial fisherman Matt Riley filmed a video of the curious predator, which crashed his lobstering trip on Wednesday.

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16:28
Geek Pick: Ring Stick Up Cam Battery Is Standalone Security
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Go to the front door of anyone’s parents’ house and you’ll see that Ring is the brand to beat when it comes to smart home security devices. More than a doorbell with a camera, Ring devices help keep your house safe and monitored through the power of the internet. And that’s still the case with the new Ring Stick Up Cam Battery.

While many smart home products need to interface with some kind of hub to function, the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery works completely on its own with no wires either indoors or outdoors thanks to the waterproofing. Just place or mount the stand on whatever surface you want.

At this point the folks are Ring are pros at making home security cameras. The general principle remains the same, monitor the area, and alert the user and/or authorities while blaring the siren when something seems amiss. Along with letting you view the video feed, the mobile app even includes as database of other attempted house crimes in your connected neighborhood. New here though are nifty features like digital assistant voice commands and a wider, sharper picture with the 1080p motion-detecting camera.

It’s not without issues though. The base $180 price is already expensive and on top of that you need to pay for a subscription to keep recorded video footage in the cloud. More philosophically though, many law enforcement agencies partner with Ring. On one hand, that makes perfect sense for home security. But who wants to live in a tech-powered police sate?

For more on the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery check out the extensive review on our sister site PCMag. For more on smart home products check out our thoughts on Amazon’s smart Echo Wall Clock and smart Echo Microwave.

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15:44
These Are the Games You Should Play in September 2019
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It has been a long dry summer for video game releases but the drought is finally over. September brings with it a slew of top-tier titles vying for consumers’ money. Whether you own an Xbox, Switch, PS4, or PC, there’s something for everyone to sink their teeth into. Aside from figuring out how one is going to afford so many games, the main challenge is finding time to play them all. As always, this is a good problem to have.
Gears 5
Platforms: PC, Xbox One
Release date: September 10

Microsoft’s biggest game this year is undoubtedly Gears 5. This fifth installment focuses on Kait Diaz, who is on a journey to uncover secrets about her past. New character aside, this is very much a Gears of War title. Expect an action-packed campaign and an addictive Horde mode. Developer The Coalition also promises a few surprises that will shake up the classic Gears formula. This includes 3-player co-op and a map editor. Gears of War games are always fun and Gears 5 looks like another winner.

Pre-order Gears 5 from the Xbox Store
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Release date: September 20

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is the next Gameboy classic title getting the remake treatment. Like Samus Returns, Link’s Awakening features overhauled graphics and gameplay while retaining the charm of the original. This game is more in line with the original The Legend of Zelda and A Link to the Past with its overhead camera angles and emphasis on dungeon exploration. If you missed out on the original or haven’t played in years, Link’s Awakening is a no-brainer.

Pre-order The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening from Amazon
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release date: September 6

The release I’m most looking forward to in September is Monster Hunter World: Iceborne. An expansion of Monster Hunter World, Iceborne introduces an entirely new map for players to explore. The frozen tundra presents a stark contrast to the forests and deserts of the base game. Players can expect new monsters to slay and equipment to try out. If you don’t see me on social media as much this month, blame Monster Hunter World: Iceborne.

Pre-order Monster Hunter World: Iceborne from Amazon
Borderlands 3
Platforms: Google Stadia, PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release date: September 13

You could make a strong argument for why Borderlands is the original “looter shooter.” After all, the previous two games focused on finding and customizing “millions” of weapons. While Borderlands 3 isn’t reinventing the Borderlands wheel, it introduces some new elements. The most important feature is the ability to travel to different planets. That alone should open up the looting exponentially. I missed out on the Borderlands hype train back in the day so I may have to give this one a shot.

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Greedfall
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release date: September 10

Greedfall is an RPG for those who love old-school Bioware titles. While it pays homage to the past, Greedfall isn’t a simple retread. Its most notable feature is the Renaissance/Age of Discovery setting. That aspect alone helps set it apart from the thousands of similar titles set within medieval worlds. Though developed by a team of 20, Greedfall looks and plays very much like a AAA title. If you want to lose yourself in an awesome RPG, Greedfall is your game.

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Daemon X Machina
Platforms: Switch
Release date: September 13

Mech fans, rejoice! In the spirit of titles like Armored Core, Daemon X Machina is a mech-lover’s dream come true. Players will get to customize both their pilot and mech in a myriad of ways. You can change arms, legs, heads … pretty much any aspect of the mech you can imagine. You can even use pieces from defeated enemies and incorporate them into your design. Daemon X Machina is a distillation of every mecha anime and game ever released, which is definitely a cool thing.

Pre-order Daemon X Machina from Amazon
Contra: Rogue Corps
Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Release date: September 24

I’m still not sure what to make of Contra: Rogue Corps. While I’m happy and grateful to finally see a new Contra, I’m somewhat unsure about this game’s direction since it combines both 2D and 3D elements. The former fits with what folks remember about Contra but the latter might feel out of place. To quote a certain movie emperor, I’ll watch this with great interest.

Pre-order Contra: Rogue Corps from Amazon
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered
Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Release date: September 3

We’ve seen Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy IX remastered for several systems but we’re only now getting one for Final Fantasy VIII. Like the two aforementioned titles, this remaster features enhanced visuals suitable for HD screens. Other than graphics, this is still the same game you remember from the original PlayStation. This is either a good or bad thing, depending on your stance. Though I’m keen on FFVIII’s art style, characters, and story, I’ve never particularly liked its gameplay. I doubt this remaster will change my mind, but at least I can admire the pretty graphics while I’m cursing the Draw system.

Get Final Fantasy VIII Remastered from Amazon
Catherine: Full Body
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
Release date: September 3

Catherine was one of the more unique games released last generation. It is half relationship sim and half puzzler. Catherine: Full Body contains the core story and gameplay elements from before but tosses in new features. These include new endings, music, puzzles, and even a new love interest. Catherine is as unique now as it was back in 2011. It is worth checking out if you want to experience something truly different.

Get Catherine: Full Body from Amazon

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13:16
Catholic School Bans ‘Harry Potter’ Books Because Spells
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A Catholic school in Tennessee has banned J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" book series (via Artem Maltsev/Unsplash)
St. Edward Catholic School in Nashville banned J.K. Rowling’s wildly popular “Harry Potter” stories.

The seven-book fantasy series chronicling the magical adventures of young witches and wizards were removed from the school library due to their content.

“These books present magic as both good and evil, which is not true, but in fact a clever deception,” the Rev. Dan Reehil, a pastor at the Roman Catholic parish school, wrote in an email obtained by the Nashville Tennessean.

“The curses and spells used in the books are actual curses and spells,” he continued. “Which, when read by a human being, risk conjuring evil spirits into the presence of the person reading the text.”

Reehil even consulted several exorcists in the US and Rome, who also recommended prohibiting the books.

The pastor reportedly sent the email following an inquiry from a parent; he also notified faculty.

Since the release of Rowling’s first novel, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (or “Sorcerer’s Stone” in the US) in 1997, the books have found monstrous success, attracting audiences of all ages.

Not everyone is a fan, though; Harry Potter remains controversial in some circles—particularly religious ones.

The Catholic Church does not have an official position on the books, according to Rebecca Hammel, superintendent of schools for the Catholic Diocese of Nashville.

In this case, the school’s pastor has the final say.

“Each pastor has canonical authority to make such decisions for his parish school,” Hammel explained. “He’s well within his authority to act in that manner.”

Meanwhile, parents—who the Catholic Church concede are children’s primary teachers—are free to introduce their kids to Harry Potter’s wizarding world if they see fit.

“We would hope that they would just guide their sons and daughters to understand the content through the lens of our faith,” Hammel said in a statement to the Tennessean.

“We really don’t get into censorship in such selections other than making sure that what we put in our school libraries is age appropriate materials for our classrooms,” she added.

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12:35
NYC Residents Want to Pivot ‘Friends’ Couch Plans
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The cast of "Friends" on the iconic orange couch in Central Perk (via Warner Bros.)
Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross are there for you. But their favorite orange sofa may not be.

To celebrate Friends 25th anniversary, Warner Bros. Television wants to temporarily install a replica couch from the show’s Central Perk coffee shop on a sidewalk near 90 Bedford St.—the exterior used as the home of Monica, Rachel, Chandler, and Joey.

But locals are not on board with the publicity stunt, scheduled to begin Sept. 21.

“That block [at the corner of Bedford and Grove] already gets too many tourists and it’s not capable of containing large crowds,” Joe Gallagher, a Greenwich Village resident and Community Board 2 member, told the New York Post.

At least 400 sightseers a day, according to Bedford Street resident Rezar Skoda.

“They take pictures all day and all night. I come outside and there’s 20 people hanging out on my stoop or taking a pee around the corner,” Skoda said. “To close off the street or a section of the sidewalk would make it crazy.”

The exterior used as the home of Monica, Rachel, Chandler, and Joey on “Friends” (via Ajay Suresh)

Warner Bros. has turned a deaf ear to residents’ complaints, though.

The TV producers filed an application with Manhattan’s Street Activity Permit office for a full sidewalk closure of Bedford Street, between Barrow and Grove streets.

But company reps failed to attend the Aug. 12 Community Board 2 meeting, where seven tenants expressed “grave” concerns, the Post reported.

One West Village resident called it a “foolish and disruptive proposal,” arguing that the sidewalk is too narrow to contain the expected hordes of fans.

“There’s no real significance to that building,” Gallagher said, “for it to disrupt the residents and businesses on that block.”

In a strictly advisory move, CB2 unanimously resolved to deny the event permit. The application, however, can still be approved by the Street Activity Permit office.

“We are excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Friends in New York City next month,” a Warner Bros. Television spokesperson told the Post. “We were not aware of the community board meeting … or we would have absolutely been there to discuss the proposed event. We are hopeful we can still move forward with the permit and create a unique experience for fans.”

Watch: Marcel the Monkey From ‘Friends’ Is Set for a TV Return

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11:37
U.S. National Parks Welcome E-Bikes on Paths, Trails
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E-bikes are now allowed in U.S. national parks (via lioneltgta/Pixabay)
The National Park Service (NPS) is expanding the use of electric bicycles.

The change, announced last week, aims to provide older and disabled citizens with greater access to protected areas.

According to a U.S. Department of the Interior policy memorandum, battery-powered e-bikes are allowed on the same park roads and trails as traditional bicycles.

Cyclists, however, cannot rely solely on the electric motor for propulsion; they must also exert at least some physical effort and pedal—except in locations open to public motor vehicle traffic.

“They make bicycle travel easier and more efficient,” NPS Deputy Director Dan Smith told USA Today of electric engines.

“And they provide an option for people who want to ride a bicycle but might not otherwise do so because of physical fitness, age, disability, or convenience, especially at high altitudes or in hilly or strenuous terrain,” he added.

“Having an electric bike, I would love the opportunity to enjoy nature trails specific to e-bikes,” Elizabeth Binnings, a self-described disabled person with limited leg strength, said. “Obviously not all trails are smooth enough, but it would enhance my enjoyment of life to get out in nature, and isn’t that the point of national parks?”

But not everyone is on board with the new policy, which has drawn criticism from park advocates and trail enthusiasts who claim the government did not do enough to gather public comment.

“E-bikes have a place on national parks’ roads and motorized trails. But this announcement disregards well-established policies for how visitors can enjoyably and safely experience the backcountry in national parks,” according to Kristen Brengel, senior vice president at the National Parks Conservation Association.

Tyler Ray, director of policy and advocacy for the American Hiking Society, agreed: “Permitting e-bike use on trails that have been thoughtfully and specifically designated as non-motorized raises questions of safety and trail sustainability that must be considered.”

An e-bike is defined as a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.) that provides propulsion assistance.

Their benefits, NPS said, range from promoting national parks to increasing access to mitigating environmental impacts (like reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption and improving air quality).

Watch: A Lyft E-Bike Catches Fire Shortly After Debut

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