This ramen fork will play noises to cover up your gross slurping

We’ve seen some pretty strange tech-related PR stunts over the years — Engadget editor Edgar Alvarez rounded up some of the most bizarre for your enjoyment. But this new invention out of Japan might be one of the strangest we’ve seen. It tackles the problem of “noodle harassment,” which basically involves the rather unpleasant slurping sound that accompanies eating ramen. Japanese company Nissin, makers of the Cup Noodle, has invented the Otohiko, which is a tech-enhanced fork that will detect slurping noises and camouflage them with other sounds. No, this isn’t a joke.

The tech-enhanced fork can detect multiple types of slurping sounds, which must have been incredible amounts of fun in the programming stages. It’s based on the idea behind a Japanese toilet that makes sounds when you’re . . . er. . . never mind.

When the fork hears you engaging in noodle harassment, the Otohiko will connect to an app on your smartphone and direct it to play customizable sounds to cover up your shame. (The question of why you can’t just open an app on your phone and play music to cover your poor noodle behavior is a fair one, but let’s not get bogged down in the details.) The battery lasts about an hour, and it’s important to note that the handle of the awkwardly proportioned device is not waterproof, in case you were considering dunking the entire thing in your ramen.

The Otohiko will be sold in limited quantities in Japan; its 5,000 units must be preordered. However, if the product isn’t fully sold out by December 15, 2017, then all orders will be cancelled. Nissin estimates scheduling ship dates around three months after it confirms the product will indeed be produced. The price comes in at 14,800 yen, which is around $130. For a fork. That connects to your phone. Okay, then.

Via: SoraNews24

Source: Nissin

Twitter will identify political ads and disclose who paid for them

Twitter has been in hot water as more evidence emerges showing how Russia used the social network to influence public opinion. Ahead of a November 1st Congressional hearing on Russian manipulation, Twitter has introduced sweeping new rules for how it shares data on political posts. The network will launch a ‘Transparency Center’ that lists all ads appearing on Twitter, including promoted ones that previously only appeared to targeted demographics, and will clearly label them when they appear in user feeds.

JUST IN: Twitter will now label political ads, including who bought them and how much they are spending https://t.co/R2Nq8Hssft

— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) October 24, 2017

The Transparency Center will have lots of data on each ad, including how long they’ve been running, which ad creative is associated with the content, and a section describing which ads target you and what demographic tags you’d be associated with.

Twitter’s also drawing more attention to electioneering ads, ‘which refer to a clearly identified candidate (or party associated with that candidate) for any elected office’ according to the FEC’s description. They’ll be identifiable with a clear marking (in Twitter’s example, a purple dot where a ‘verified’ checkmark usually is, though that might change) to better separate them from user-created posts. Additionally, the social network will limit targeting options for electioneering ads and introduce ‘stronger’ penalties for those who violate Twitter policies, though the company didn’t specify what those would be.

Electioneering ads will also have a section in the new Transparency Center listing all current and former content. The identity of the organization backing an advertising campaign will be disclosed along with their total ad spend and what demographics they targeted.

Twitter identified another murky, less-defined category of advertising — issue ads — as a type to receive the same scrutiny in the Transparency Center at some point, although the company will brainstorm with others in the social network sphere beforehand.

Twitter shut down about 200 bot accounts used by Russian actors (over a year after first being notified about one of them), the social network is still beleagured by scrutiny, and will be testifying alongside Google and Facebook at the November 1st Congressional hearing. In the blog post, Twitter thanked the Senators who introduced the Honest Ads Act earlier this week, which would require social media companies to provide similar information to what the Transparency Center will disclose.

Via: CNBC

Source: Twitter

iTunes Celebrates Halloween With Horror Movie Sale of $5 Classics and $10 Modern Films

Apple this week has launched a new Halloween-themed movie sale on iTunes, discounting 18 mostly classic films to just $4.99 and 34 modern horror films to $9.99 and under, all in HD. Prices for most of the movies when not on sale are about $14.99, saving you between $5 and $10 depending on which collection you purchase from.

iTunes is calling its $4.99 sale “Horror Through the Years,” and it focuses on movies from previous decades including Child’s Play, The Fly, and 28 Days Later. There are more recent films, however, like Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and the reboot of Poltergeist.

This collection also features new artwork by artist/illustrator Orlando Arocena. Arocena’s art originally debuted last month in the form of Blu-Ray covers by Twentieth Century Fox and MGM Home Entertainment, as a way to re-release the classic horror films in celebration of Halloween.

Here are a few movies in the “Horror Through the Years” collection, all priced at $4.99:

• Child’s Play
• Killer Klowns from Outer Space
• Black Swan
• The Fly (1986)
• Jeepers Creepers
• Joy Ride

The “Modern Horror” sale has a collection of films on sale for $9.99 and under, with most having come out within the last few years.

Here’s a list of a few of the movies Apple has marked down in this section:

• It Comes At Night – $9.99
• Trick ‘R Treat (2008) – $9.99
• The Witch – $9.99
• Green Room – $9.99
• You’re Next – $7.99
• It Follows – $7.99

Outside of these specific collections, Apple has also discounted Little Shop of Horrors to $7.99 in HD. If you’re looking to rent a horror film instead of purchasing one to add to your iTunes movie collection, this week’s Movie of the Week is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), making a rental just $0.99. The two new collections and other notable horror discounts can be found on the home page of iTunes Movies, both on desktop and iOS.

Also of note today is a special offer running at Best Buy, where you can get 25 percent off three or more select cell phone accessories each priced at $9.99 or above. The accessories available to choose from include a wide variety of Apple Lightning adapters, Mophie battery packs, OtterBox cases, Samsung Qi charging pads, and more. Items excluded from the offer are headphones, speakers, Bose products, virtual reality devices for smartphones, and clearance and open-box items.

To stay up to date on the latest sales, check out our Deals Roundup.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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iPhone X in Space Gray With 256GB of Storage is Most Popular Pre-Order Option Among MacRumors Readers

MacRumors conducted a brief poll on Twitter today that asked all of our followers to select which iPhone X color and storage capacity they plan to pre-order later this week, and the results are now in.

As a refresher, the iPhone X comes in Silver and Space Gray, with 64GB or 256GB of storage for $999 or $1,149 respectively.

The most popular iPhone X was Space Gray with 256GB of storage, which was the model of choice for 39 percent of respondents and very likely could be the configuration that faces the tightest supply at launch.

Which iPhone X model do you plan to pre-order?

— MacRumors.com (@MacRumors) October 24, 2017

Historically, many customers have always opted for the iPhone in some variant of gray or black with the most storage available. Last year, for example, the model in tightest supply was the iPhone 7 Plus in Jet Black with 256GB of storage.

The runner-up was the Space Gray model with 64GB of storage, which received 30 percent of the over 6,500 votes received. Combined with the 256GB model, Space Gray was the color of choice for just over two thirds of users.

Silver was the less popular choice. 14 percent of users said they plan to pre-order the 64GB model, while 17 percent are leaning towards the 256GB model, in that color. Of note, this year’s Silver model has black front bezels.

Customers looking to pre-order any iPhone X for potential launch day delivery may have the best luck choosing the Silver and 64GB combination, but that’s assuming that Apple has the same number of units available for each configuration.

While the poll results are interesting from a high level, they aren’t very scientific. We don’t have any demographics about the users who voted, and it’s impossible to say how many respondents will actually follow through with a pre-order.

iPhone X pre-orders begin Friday at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time. The first deliveries to customers and limited in-store availability begin November 3.

Related Roundup: iPhone XBuyer’s Guide: iPhone X (Caution)
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Target’s Mobile Website Gains Augmented Reality Feature for Previewing Furniture

With the launch of ARKit, many app developers are building augmented reality experiences into their app, but Target is taking a different approach and implementing an augmented reality feature into its entire mobile website.

Target’s new “See It In Your Space” option is designed to let you take a photo of a room in your house and then use augmented reality tools to determine how a piece of furniture will match with your decor.

Guests shopping the new Project 62 line can use the feature to place three-dimensional versions of real Target home products within photos of actual rooms at home, and move them around at proper scale to see how they’d look–all before buying the product.

Once a guest finds, say, a floor lamp or bedside table on Target.com using their smartphone, they simply tap the product’s See It In Your Space button and follow steps to do just that.

Target isn’t using ARKit for this augmented reality implementation, so there’s no live photo viewing of furniture in the room, but Target’s decision to adopt the feature speaks to how popular augmented reality is becoming with retailers.

Popular furniture manufacturer IKEA recently released an ARKit app for previewing furniture in the home, and similar apps are also available from companies like Anthropologie, Ashley Furniture, Wayfair, and more.

Right now, Target’s augmented reality feature is limited to products that are part of its Project 62 line, with a limited number of furniture pieces and accessories supporting the in-home viewing feature. Target says the augmented reality functionality will expand to hundreds more products by the end of the year and thousands of products in 2018.

See It In Your Space is available on the Target.com website on any smartphone, iPhones included.

Tag: Target
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Get Stigo and get through that last mile of your commute with ease

Why it matters to you

Need to go a couple miles but don’t want to walk or take your car? Take the Stigo instead.

While modern transportation has made it easy to move from point A to point B, it’s only efficient as long as the distance involved is sufficiently long. After all, is there really an easy way to move just a couple miles in a congested city? Between clogged streets and delayed trains, the answer has historically been “no.” Here to amend that answer is Stigo, a last-mile transportation solution.

The Stigo is a lightweight two-wheeled vehicle designed with the urban commuter in mind. Sure, you beat rush hour traffic on a bike or a motorized scooter, but when it comes to actually storing these vehicles indoors, you might have more of a problem. Enter Stigo, neither a bike nor a scooter, but something of a hybrid that boasts portability — both for you and for itself — above all else.

As Stigo CEO Ardo Reinsalu told Digital Trends, “Our thought was that people need some kind of vehicle that could be taken indoors. That meant it had to be very small and very light.” Capable of being folded and carried around, you can quickly turn the Stigo from a towable to an electric scooter when you’re ready to hit the road. The scooter can conquer 13 miles on a single charge, and promise to sustain speeds of up to 16 miles per hour. Whereas other electric vehicles require complex charging systems, the Stigo simply needs an outlet to be re-juiced, which means you can quickly charge it in your home, office, or even a cafe.

While the Stigo looks a bit like a miniaturized bike, Reinsalu assured us that the ergonomic design will suit any rider. “The design of the Stigo has been thoroughly thought through,” the executive said. “The position of the seat, handlebars, and footrest are all exactly the same distance apart as they would be on a standard bike.” Really, the difference in size comes from the wheels, which are much smaller than one might expect.

Ultimately, Stigo hopes to begin cutting down on the number of cars clogging up city streets, thereby reducing the amount of pollution plaguing city life. “Transportation is the largest air pollution source in the U.S.,” Reinsalu pointed out. And surprisingly, much of this pollution comes not only from exhaust fumes, but from tire residue. As such, he said, “It’s not the case that switching to electric cars solves for all pollution. Our vision for city centers is not to have more electric or self-driving cars, but to get rid of heavy vehicles that are not efficient, particularly for short distances.”

You can order a Stigo bike online for $1,390, or find an authorized seller near you.

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Snapchat Ghost Mode lets you schedule a disappearance for a few hours

Why it matters to you

The latest update makes it easier for iOS users to control their location settings and share links.

On Monday, October 23, Snapchat released an update that includes a Snapchat timed Ghost Mode for temporarily disabling location services, a feature also expected to launch on Android, along with a new shortcut for viewing Stories. With the latest iOS update, Snapchat is also continuing to add in link sharing, allowing users to share links to Snapchat from other apps.

Snapchat first added linking options this summer with Paperclip links that link webpages with a Snap. Now, links can also be shared using the iOS link sharing options. Now, inside another app or a web browser, tapping on the share icon will include Snapchat in that list along with options like sharing to Facebook or using Air Drop. Links are shared inside private chats and can also be shared with groups.

Android users already had access to the link-sharing options, but Apple users will be the first to gain access to temporary Ghost Mode, though a Google Play update is expected soon. The change allows users to set a timer on the Ghost Mode — while you can still set the location sharing on or off for an undetermined amount of time, now you can also choose to only turn the feature off for three hours or 24 hours.

The timer feature on Ghost Mode allows users who typically share their location to temporarily disable the feature. The update comes after Snapchat also launched Context Cards, which adds details to location-tagged Snaps, such as how long a business is open, booking a table at a restaurant, or reading business reviews. Ghost mode continues to prevent friends from seeing your location, though that also disables some features like Geostickers and those Context Cards.

Snap Map is designed to help Snapchatters see what’s happening nearby, but like any location-based feature, the feature brings up security concerns for many users. Ghost Mode allows users to disable the feature entirely, and with the change, users can now disable the feature before heading to that surprise party without needing to remember to turn it back on.

In addition, iOS users now have a new shortcut — tapping and holding on a username will bring up options to see that person’s Story, send them a Snap, and other shortcuts.

The iOS update is available now from the App Store, with the Ghost Mode changes expected to launch to Android soon.

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The ultimate Black Friday Guide: All the hottest deals, none of the junk

Calling Black Friday the Super Bowl of commerce is like calling the sun “kind of hot.” Every year, on the morning after Thanksgiving, consumers across America wake up in the darkness of early morning, bellies full of half-digested turkey, and sprint to their favorite stores, hoping to nab items at ridiculously low prices. In this consumer Bacchanal, time is of the essence. The crowds are massive and supplies limited, so knowing what you want and where to get it can save you time and headaches. You wouldn’t want to wait in front of Best Buy for three hours only to get in and find the Nintendo Switch is sold out, would you?

Let the annual Digital Trends Black Friday guide help you sift through the vast array of deals to discover the best ones. As Black Friday approaches (spreading out across the horizon like a stampede of storm clouds), we’ll scour the internet for the best deals, whether you are looking for audiophile-quality headphones, you want to impress your guests with a giant 4K TV, or you just need a snazzy new iPad, we’ve got you covered.

Last year’s Black Friday deals included bargains from some of the biggest retailers around, including Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, and the sales numbers were staggering. According to CNBC, more people stated their intent to go shopping on Black Friday 2016 than voted in the presidential election! If you plan to go shopping on Black Friday 2017, expect a lot of competition for the hottest goods.

Note that, while Black Friday is a great time to snag cheap goods, the sweet smell of deals can also lead people to behave a bit wildly. If you’re out shopping in a crowd, don’t abandon basic etiquette out of hunger for goods, and certainly don’t trample anyone in a mad dash to grab an item, no matter how quickly the stock is vanishing. That new TV isn’t worth suffering an injury, or harming someone else. Besides, retail workers will be stressed enough without a riot on aisle 3. When possible, save yourself the stress and order online!

We will update this guide regularly with more of our favorite deals each day, from a variety of retailers. Also, please note that because most of these deals are in-store only, there are not always links. We will add links as they become available.

Make sure to sign up for our DT Deals email to keep up with the latest sales and savings.

MOST DEALS ARE IN STORE. WE PROVIDE LINKS FOR GUIDANCE ONLY. THEY MAY NOT REFLECT THE DISCOUNTED PRICE.

We strive to help our readers find the best deals on quality products and services, and choose what we cover carefully and independently. If you find a better price for a product listed here, or want to suggest one of your own, email us at dealsteam@digitaltrends.com. Digital Trends may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers.

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The ultimate Black Friday Guide: All the hottest deals, none of the junk

Calling Black Friday the Super Bowl of commerce is like calling the sun “kind of hot.” Every year, on the morning after Thanksgiving, consumers across America wake up in the darkness of early morning, bellies full of half-digested turkey, and sprint to their favorite stores, hoping to nab items at ridiculously low prices. In this consumer Bacchanal, time is of the essence. The crowds are massive and supplies limited, so knowing what you want and where to get it can save you time and headaches. You wouldn’t want to wait in front of Best Buy for three hours only to get in and find the Nintendo Switch is sold out, would you?

Let the annual Digital Trends Black Friday guide help you sift through the vast array of deals to discover the best ones. As Black Friday approaches (spreading out across the horizon like a stampede of storm clouds), we’ll scour the internet for the best deals, whether you are looking for audiophile-quality headphones, you want to impress your guests with a giant 4K TV, or you just need a snazzy new iPad, we’ve got you covered.

Last year’s Black Friday deals included bargains from some of the biggest retailers around, including Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, and the sales numbers were staggering. According to CNBC, more people stated their intent to go shopping on Black Friday 2016 than voted in the presidential election! If you plan to go shopping on Black Friday 2017, expect a lot of competition for the hottest goods.

Note that, while Black Friday is a great time to snag cheap goods, the sweet smell of deals can also lead people to behave a bit wildly. If you’re out shopping in a crowd, don’t abandon basic etiquette out of hunger for goods, and certainly don’t trample anyone in a mad dash to grab an item, no matter how quickly the stock is vanishing. That new TV isn’t worth suffering an injury, or harming someone else. Besides, retail workers will be stressed enough without a riot on aisle 3. When possible, save yourself the stress and order online!

We will update this guide regularly with more of our favorite deals each day, from a variety of retailers. Also, please note that because most of these deals are in-store only, there are not always links. We will add links as they become available.

Make sure to sign up for our DT Deals email to keep up with the latest sales and savings.

MOST DEALS ARE IN STORE. WE PROVIDE LINKS FOR GUIDANCE ONLY. THEY MAY NOT REFLECT THE DISCOUNTED PRICE.

We strive to help our readers find the best deals on quality products and services, and choose what we cover carefully and independently. If you find a better price for a product listed here, or want to suggest one of your own, email us at dealsteam@digitaltrends.com. Digital Trends may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers.

Editor’s Recommendations

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• Everything we know about Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus pricing and availability
• How to buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 unlocked, and on every carrier
• The best dorm room appliances under $100
• Looking for a new device? These smartphone deals can save you up to $930

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black friday, Black Friday 2016, black friday deals, Deals, Buying Guides, Computing

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Fidget away with these unique, satisfying, & totally-still-cool fidget spinners

You’ve seen fidget spinners, although you probably hadn’t just a year ago. You woke up one recent day, backpack stuffed with pogs, only to walk outside and see that the times have passed you by again. Everyone you see has a fidget spinner, but what are these small talismans of obsession whirling between their fingertips?

Fidget spinners are alleged to help people with conditions like ADHD maintain their concentration — the science is still out as to whether this is true — and they have erupted in popularity, becoming a favorite toy among kids and even adults. While the typical fidget spinner follows a three-lobed design, people have come up with all manner of variations on the classic look, with some even redefining it. These cool fidget spinners are not guaranteed to cure your anxiety, but they may just alter the way you see the universe.

The Orbiter

The classic fidget spinner sports three lobes, with a bearing in the center. The Raptor Orbiter eschews that design completely. Instead, it consists of a smooth, metal base and an unattached ball. The base is magnetic, and the ball clings to it, gliding along the circumference when you apply force. An ordinary fidget spinner, with just a simple flick, can spin for minutes; the Orbiter does not seem capable of this, requiring constant movement to keep the ball rolling. For some, this might seem an annoyance, but those who try the Orbiter may come to appreciate the constant effort. As your wrist gyrates and the ball circles, moving quickly yet shackled to the base, we remember that the universe is composed of immutable laws. We are bound by the fundamental forces of the universe, prisoners of reality for whom the sentence will not be commuted. The Orbiters smooth finish also feels pretty nice in the hand.

Zentri Metal fidget spinner

Adults may feel like fidgeting, too, but if you’re in a business meeting or defending a client in a high-stakes trial, it might be a little embarrassing to whip out a neon-colored, plastic toy. You need a fidget spinner with an elegant design, a spinner with class. This Zentri metal fidget spinner, with its sleek, metallic exterior and minimalist shape, looks like it could double as the logo for some futuristic megacorporation. It fits discreetly in the pocket of a suit, and should you pull it out while someone else is giving a speech, expect every eye in the room to turn toward you. See Mitch from accounting begin to sweat, his eyes wide, his mouth twitching as he whispers “Brushed steel…”

TheBackyardScientist’s rocket-powered spinner

The Cold War was a golden age for rocketry, as two of the mightiest empires in the history of the world raced to see which could expand their dominions into space first. Today, societies don’t seem to care much about racing to new heavenly bodies, but that hasn’t stopped enthusiasts from strapping rockets to all manner of things, even fidget spinners. As documented on his channel, YouTube personality TheBackyardScientist built a fidget spinner by cutting the body out of aluminum with a plasma cutter. He then strapped a rocket to each lobe, mounted the spinner on a weighted tripod, and lit the fuses. As the first test demonstrates, this is not the safest toy to play with — but it sure looks cool.

Beyond the press’ giant, 3D-printed spinner

Is there anything you can’t make with a 3D printer? Probably, but a giant fidget spinner is not on the list. The people behind Youtube channel Beyond the press created a giant fidget spinner in their massive 3D printer, printing a central part and three lobes that attach to it via screws. The project used large, steel bearings as well, and the ultimate result is a spinner that requires both arms and will probably shred your biceps. We imagine that, hoisting such a colossal spinner as it carves the air, one must feel like a giant of Greek myth, hurling mountains.

Genji ninja star fidget spinner

This spinner — which, going by the name and design, is an allusion to the Overwatch character Genji — looks like it could be a deadly shuriken. While it is made of metal, and is thus a bit sturdier than the usual fidget spinner, the edges are dull, so don’t go trying to sling it at your foes; you’ll be as ineffectual as most silver-tier Genji players. It’s a slick spinner, though, and doubles as a prop if you’re into Overwatch cosplay.

The Knob

If you’re into steampunk, you probably like having gears on everything: Gears on your hats, gears on your prop revolver, gears on your airship. But could you imagine a having a gear for a fidget spinner? Could such a thing be possible? Yes, easily, but you shouldn’t skimp on quality. The Knob is an eye-catching hunk of steel, molded to look like a gear. The manufacturer uses “Damasteel,” and if that sounds like Damascus steel, that’s because it comes from a Swedish forge whose product evokes the famed alloy that was once used in Middle Eastern sword making. This gives the metal a distinct pattern, adding a little personality to a utilitarian design. Let it rip, and feel the power of a steam engine whirling in your hand.

If you’re looking for more fun toys, consult our roundup of the best ferrofluid toys or, if you want to get your hands dirty, these fun Arduino projects.

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