LG's stylish Android 4.0 smartphone, the Optimus L5, is coming to the UK, Germany and France this month, followed by markets in CIS, Middle East and Asia, and, finally, Central America and South America.

The device will not win many users on specs -- with an 800 MHz CPU, 4 GB of internal storage memory (further expandable to 32 GB via Micro SD cards), and a 5-megapixel shooter on the back, it's mediocre at best.

It does, however, win points on style: its 4-inch display and a 9.5mm thick body remind us of LG's PRADA line of products.

In some markets (Asia, CIS, Middle East, Central and South America only) the Optimus L5 will also come with dual SIM capabilities.

More About: LG, LG Optimus L5

Who says golf is boring? If you made the mistake of tuning out of this year's U.S. Open, for instance, you missed this extraordinary interview with champ Webb Simpson.

True, the interview itself, with NBC's Bob Costas, is initially about as exciting as a sand trap, but things change when an odd man wearing a Union Jack hat arrives on the scene to do some impromptu bird calls. Simpson may not have been too amused initially ("Enjoy the jail cell, pal," he says), but the Internet is, sending the video to the top of Reddit. Simpson also came around, tweeting a picture of himself with Bird Call Man with the message, "My new friend."

What do you think? Did bird call man score a birdie? L…
Continue reading...

More About: Golf, reddit, sports, U.S. Open, viral videos

You missed a news-filled weekend here at Mashable, but you won't need to go rummaging around for all that coolness -- we've saved it all for you right here in one handy place.

It's the Weekend Recap, where you can catch up with all we covered just by perusing this long and delectable list. So go for it, dear reader, and enjoy all the weekend had to offer as you start your Monday right!

Editor's Picks

Five Disappointments of iOS 6

Top 10 Tech This Week [PICS]

Top 10 Pinterest Pins This Week

Has Apple's Jony Ive Gone Too Far? [SUNDAY COMIC]

How to Mystify Drive-Thru Employees [VIDEO]

8 Apps You Don't Want To Miss

News & Opinion

Pixar's 'Brave…
Continue reading...

More About: Weekend recap

Facebook is aiming to become a one-stop shop for fans looking for information about the Olympics with a new hub with links to athletes, teams and sports.

The hub includes links to Michael Phelps, Aly Raisman, Jessica Hardy and Logan Tom, among others. Fans can also follow teams from various countries, including Team Ireland, the Swiss Olympic Team and, of course, the US Olympic Team.

Facebook has also launched a Page for The Olympic Games where fans can follow the action. That Page already has 2.8 million fans.

Facebook's embrace of the Olympics comes as the social network increasingly tries to position itself as a forum for news and access to celebs a la Twitter. Facebook, which h…
Continue reading...

More About: Facebook, olympics

Mozilla is working on a new WebKit-based iPad web browser called Junior.

Currently in prototype stage, Junior is probably the simplest iPad browser we've seen, reducing the UI to only a couple of buttons -- a back button and a plus symbol that lets you access bookmarks, recent pages and an URL/search bar.

The main idea behind Junior is reducing the clutter -- the browsing experience takes up the iPad's entire screen, and even the tabs are gone. However, those two main buttons can be expanded to reveal other functions, such as reload or print, while other functions can be accessed with finger gestures.

The browser is still in early stages in development, and many functions are mis…
Continue reading...

More About: ipad, Junior, mozilla, web browser

For Pixar fans who've been eager to see a full-length film from the animation studio for more than a year -- or had their appetite whetted by this trailer back in November -- the waiting is almost over. Brave, the story of the trials and tribulations of a medieval Scottish highlands princess called Merida, hits the screens this Friday, June 22.

Mashable got an early look at the movie itself -- more on that later -- and an in-depth look behind the scenes at Pixar's magnificent brick headquarters in Emeryville Calif., a former bakery whose redesign was Steve Jobs' pride and joy. We've got a bunch of video and interviews with the Brave team, which we'll be sharing with you in the run up…
Continue reading...

More About: animation, Brave, pixar, trending

Residential Verizon customers can now take advantage of the company's fastest-ever FiOS Internet service.

Called FiOS Quantum, the new Internet tiers offer upload/download speeds of 50/25, 75/35, 150/65 and 300/65 Mbps, the latter three offering speeds twice as fast as what was previously offered by Verizon.

"A revolution in speed has arrived," said Bob Mudge, president of Verizon's consumer and mass market business unit. "The new FiOS Internet speed and bundle options provide incredible value, and represent the most significant mass scale, consumer broadband speed enhancement in the nation in the past decade."

The company will continue to offer its entry-level speed of…
Continue reading...

More About: fios, verizon

Mobile traffic is booming at Hearst: Overall volume across its magazines' websites is up nearly 2000% year-over-year, vastly outpacing global mobile traffic growth, according to internal measurements. But like Facebook and other digital publishers, the company is still looking for ways to monetize that traffic.

In April, approximately 19% of all traffic came from mobile devices including tablets, Hearst tell us. (For context, 10% of total global Internet traffic comes from mobile devices, up from 5% last year, according to the chart from KPCB below.) At Cosmopolitan magazine's website, a full third of pages are viewed on mobile devices. Google is the primary driver of that traffic, accoun…
Continue reading...

More About: Advertising, hearst, magazines, mcommerce, Media, Mobile

1. @LeeManish

"This guy's awesome – never goes for the easy joke but also never goes just "weird for weird's sake." This tweet is funny to read, even funnier to visualize – it'd make a perfect Far Side comic, and that's high praise indeed."

Click here to view this gallery.

This week's Twitter comedy curation comes from Patrick Walsh, who writes for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and 2 Broke Girls.

"Wow. That was incredibly moving. Now play a tuba sound effect & spin a condom graphic into frame like a frisbee." - TEEN MOM producers— Patrick Walsh (@thepatrickwalsh) June 13, 2012

Twitter is like a support group for Walsh.

"I can't tell you how many times I've been in a crap mood and that silly ol' website has brightened my day," says Walsh. "No matter how bad your life is going, you're only three tweets away from someone who has it much worse."

One of the things Twitter has over Facebook is its randomness. While Facebook statu…
Continue reading...

More About: comedy, humor, tweets, Twitter, viral

The world has gone digital. At this point, most companies big and small have a website, Facebook Page and Twitter handle. With these new digital properties comes a slew of digital jobs -- with that comes the demand for new staff members to create digital assets, design logos, manage a website and transform sketches on napkins into actual products.

In the infographic below, produced by OnwardSearch, you can see how much dough you'd net for various jobs in the digital sector, from interactive design to front-end developers. Do you work in these fields? Do the numbers stack up with what you've seen in the industry? Do you think these positions and the salaries make sense, given the r…
Continue reading...

More About: design, features, infographic, job search series, jobs

In our Facebook Marketing Series, Mashable offers tips, insights and a bevy of tools to enhance your marketing on the 900-million strong social network.

We know that brands typically reach just 16% of the fan base they have worked so hard to build, but our tips for engagement and explanation of Facebook's ad suite should help you broaden your reach and increase engagement. For even more tips, follow our Facebook marketing topic.

1. Expanding Your Facebook Reach

While Facebook has never officially divulged exactly how to increase reach -- though it did release an ad product, Reach Generator -- there are several tactics known to work.

First, let's review the EdgeRank trifecta. E…
Continue reading...

More About: Facebook, facebook marketing, Facebook Marketing Series, features, Marketing, mashable

We at Mashable are hosting our third annual Social Media Day on June 30. It's a worldwide event that celebrates the digital revolution and not just the tools, but also the people making it possible: you.

We talked with Alex Iskold, Founder and CEO of GetGlue, about what makes social media so awesome and why it's worth celebrating on June 30. He says his favorite thing about social media is that it's "powered by people" -- and we agree.

Check out the video above to hear more about Iskold's take on social media, and its power to connect us around common interests and have our voices be heard.

We invite you to join fellow social media enthusiast…
Continue reading...

More About: community, getglue, smday, social media day

American publishers are now bringing in more revenue from ebooks than hardcover books, according to a report published by the Association of American Publishers (AAP).

The figures, which were posted on GalleyCat on Friday, show that net sales revenue from ebooks exceeded that of hardcover books in the first quarter of the year: a first. The data was compiled from 1,189 publishers and did not include children's books.

Collectively, adult ebooks brought in $282.3 million in Q1. That's an impressive 28.4% increase from the same period a year ago. Young adult and children's ebooks performed even better, catapulting 233% to $64.3 million. Sales of adult hardcover books grew too, but more mo…
Continue reading...

More About: amazon, barnes&noble, ebooks, Kindle, Media, publishing

The web designer for Vungle, the startup we're following in 'Behind the Launch' shares some web design tips.

More About: Behind the Launch Series, features, mashable, Startups, Vungle, web design

Microsoft is set to make a big announcement Monday. In an invite sent to press last week, the company promised it was an event we "will not want to miss."

What Microsoft will announce is anyone's guess. The latest rumors suggest, however, that the company will unveil the first product it has developed in partnership with Barnes & Noble.

The two companies formed a "strategic partnership" in April, uniting Barnes & Noble's digital business with $300 million in investment with Microsoft. The new, jointly backed company has not yet been given a name.

"Our complementary assets will accelerate e-reading innovation across a broad range of Win…
Continue reading...

More About: barnes & noble, microsoft

This post originally appeared on the American Express OPEN Forum, where Mashable regularly contributes articles about leveraging social media and technology in small business.

Whether you want to impress a client or score a new job, it's vital that you stand out. But that doesn't always require big thinking -- sometimes the smallest details can be enough to get noticed. One easy way is to jazz up your email signature.

You can spice up your sign-off with different colors and fonts, but it's also important to showcase the many facets of your personality and skill set. Don't make email recipients search for your web presence -- provide links to your website and any relevant social media…
Continue reading...

More About: email, features, open forum, Small Business

The past seven days in the technology world have been nothing short of profound. Top 10 Tech has the highlights for you, right here.

More About: apple macbook pro, cars, electric cars, Top 10 Tech, trending

The Audi E-Tron is the first hybrid car to win the 24-hour auto-racing endurance test of Le Mans.

"This result is the fruit of so much hard work," Beniot Treluyer, one of the drivers of the Audi said after winning the event. "We prepared well for the race, and Marcel, André and I felt more confident after our win in 2011. We also worked with the same technical staff, including our race engineer Leena and our mechanics. We are really motivated by the hybrid project. Today, I think we wrote a fresh page in motor racing history."

Unlike the Prius you may have in your driveway, Audi's E-Trons have a powerful turbo-diesel V6 running the rea…
Continue reading...

More About: Hybrid vehicles

Business in the United States has experienced seismic shifts in the last decade, and business schools are no exception. These developments have been fueled by technology, the global financial crisis, cultural shifts, and the introduction of Gen Y into the business world.

Traditional MBAs, which have usually focused on accounting and finance, have a hard time producing the type of business leaders companies are currently looking for. Specifically, companies want ethical problem solvers with strong digital and entrepreneurial skills, who are team players and work well in diverse environments. Yet, a 2008 study of top business schools found that curricula lacked valued "thematic elem…
Continue reading...

More About: Business, contributor, entrepreneurs, features, Marketing

We've all heard the horror stories: credit card fraud, pyramid schemes, phishing, identity theft -- the list of scams goes on and on.

"Oh, that won't happen to me," you think. "I know the signs." No one wants to think he'll be counted among the fooled. But the truth is, you can never be too cautious about scams on the web.

After all, according to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, yearly dollars lost grew by about $500 million from 2004 to 2009, and the trend isn't showing signs of slowing.

SEE ALSO: How to Check If Your LinkedIn Password Was Stolen

Background Check compiled research on Internet scams from around the world to help you spot the red flags. Among the stats: Near…
Continue reading...

More About: china, crime, fraud, identity theft, infographics, phishing, privacy, scams, trending

1. Bill Gates' Mug Shot Cameo

Notice anything unusual about the generic silhouette in Microsoft Outlook 2010? Reddit users did some online research and found an article that confirmed the outline appeared to match with a mug shot of Microsoft's former CEO and current chairman Bill Gates.

Click here to view this gallery.

Reddit users have quite a sense of humor. We often find a fact or two underneath a joke, but on Reddit, humorous moments often prove to reveal interesting new knowledge.

This week, Reddit users, using Jackie Chan references, entertained the idea of coconut water functioning as an emergency IV fluid. Meanwhile, the fact that a man named Ronald MacDonald robbed a Wendy's restaurant led to a more straightforward discussion about the name's popularity -- and whether his parents were traditional or just mean.

SEE ALSO: Reddit: A Beginner's Guide

In addition, we learned about Bill Gates's mug shot cameo, the lifespan of linguistics and the anatomy of a URL.

Hungry for more knowledge?…
Continue reading...

More About: fact, features, reddit, trending

Dotan Saguy had a problem: He couldn't get his iPad to stand up at just the angle he wanted. The solution: A new product called Smarter Stand that makes your Smart Cover even smarter.

"The Smart Cover is one of the best accessories for iPad, but it's too limiting as an iPad stand: either its so reclined you can't see the screen or it's so upright that I have to back-up," Saguy says on his Kickstarter page for the product. "What you really want is the iPad facing you directly, but the Smart Cover doesn't do that...until now!"

Smarter Stand is essentially two clips that attach to either side of the Smart Cover. The clips also works with the Smart C…
Continue reading...

More About: apple, ipad, smart case, Smart Cover, trending

1. I Am Sam

Developmentally disabled father Sam (played by Sean Penn) hires a lawyer to help fight for the right to raise his daughter Lucy (Dakota Fanning). Rent it on iTunes for $3.99, buy it for $9.99.

Click here to view this gallery.

If you're fortunate enough to spend Father's Day with your dad, consider burrowing into the couch to share a bucket of popcorn and a flick. We've found 10 movies you can stream instantly online -- and they're all perfect for pop.

But these aren't just your typical action films and slapstick movies -- each centers on a strong father figure, too. And these dads sure are unique. Whether they fend off cannibals in the wild or dress in drag for after-school care, these dads have one thing in common: They'd do anything for their children.

SEE ALSO: 10 Father's Day Gifts for Geeky Dads

What is your favorite dad movie of all time? Have you come across any other films that you can stream…
Continue reading...

More About: amazon, Entertainment, Father's Day, features, Film, itunes, netflix, YouTube

Looking for the hottest pins of the week? You've come to the right place.

More About: pinterest, top 10 pinterest pins, trending

1. Rocksmith by Ubisoft

First, they walk. Then they talk. Evidently, the only thing left for a baby to learn is how to shred on Rocksmith. Was your dad cool enough to get you on a Fender in your onesie?

Click here to view this gallery.

Looking for a special way to wish your dad a happy Father's Day? These top 10 dadvertisements should do the trick (not to mention sell consumer goods, too).

Our friends at Unruly Media put together this list of the top 10 dad campaigns that are getting serious buzz on the web. Whether your dad is a shoobie or a total rockstar, we think you'll find a little bit of him in these commercials.

While you're watching, we'll be dreaming of our favorite dad in advertising, one Mr. Don Draper. Think he'd like any of these?

More About: Advertising, commercials, Dad, Father's Day, gallery, List, Video

Apple senior vice president of industrial design Jony Ive is undoubtedly one of the major product creators of our age, but despite his knighthood and numerous accolades, our pals at The Joy of Tech see a few gaps in Sir Jonathan's armor. So does this fly.

How about you? Do you think Apple's presentations are overwrought with hyperbole? We're loving the new MacBook Pro with Retina Display, but are wondering if it's truly an "entirely new experience."

Comic illustration provided by The Joy of Tech. Published with permission, all rights reserved

More About: apple, comic, Jony Ive, Macbook Pro, Sunday Comic, trending

The FCC may be taking another look at its standards pertaining to radio frequency energy emitted from cellphones, particularly whether or not mobile phones cause brain tumors or other health concerns.

According to Reuters, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski circulated a proposal Friday to other FCC commissioners asking for a formal inquiry into the standards the agency set in 1996.

While a spokesman stressed that the FCC doesn't specifically think mobile phones are at the root of any health issues, the inquiry would revisit the issue and ensure there wasn't scientific evidence to the contrary. The proposal will need to be approved by the majority of the five commissioners before being re…
Continue reading...

More About: cancer, cellphones, fcc

The YouTube feedback loop is a phenomenon that occurs when you watch a feel-good YouTube video, and feel compelled to watch similar videos for what could be considered an unhealthy amount of time.

There are several categories of videos that cause feedback loops, such as "Mom, Dad, we're pregnant" videos, engagement videos, the "Kids, we're going to Disney World.. now" videos, and surprise homecoming videos.

In honor of Fathers Day, here are 10 videos of fathers who were deployed overseas, coming home to surprise their children. The joy in these videos is palpable.

To dads around the world, whether your country celebrates the day or not, Happy Father's Day!

More About: Father's Day, viral videos, YouTube

Rodney King, the victim of a police beating that was captured on video and sparked riots in the early '90s, was found dead in a swimming pool Sunday morning near Los Angeles. He was 47. There were no signs of foul play, according to CNN.

Known for his memorable quote, "People, I just want to say, can we all get along? Can we get along?," King was beaten by four Los Angeles police officers in April, 1991 after a high-speed chase. When the four officers were tried for the beatings, three were acquitted and one's court proceeding was declared a mistrial. In a later trial on civil rights charges, two of the officers were sentenced to 30 months in prison.

The result of those verdicts was…
Continue reading...

More About: Rodney King, trending, Twitter

1. 2000

The first Father's Day Doodle marked the occasion with a traditional hat and tie.

Click here to view this gallery.

On the third Sunday of June, many countries around the world celebrate fatherhood, and we get to thank our dear old dads for everything they do for us.

Since 2000, Google has marked this holiday with its special Google Doodles. This year, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at all the designs the search giant has featured.

SEE ALSO: 10 Excellent Free eCards for Father's Day

Browse through the slideshow above for a complete collection of Google's awesome Father's Day Doodles. What has been your favorite Google Doodle?

More About: dev and design, Father's Day, features, Google, google doodle, trending