Move aside, Instagram. A new tool called Mobi-Lens aims to enhance personal photography with two clothespin-like clips that give photographers their choice of a wide angle/macro lens or a fisheye lens.

The clips operate with mobile phones, tablets, most laptop webcams and some digital cameras, according to Mobi-Lens' Kickstarter page.

The two-in-one wide angle/macro lens has dual use: The wide angle lens has a smaller focal length, and captures more of a scene in a photo, while the macro lens allows close-up shots of very small objects.

The fisheye lens is a "super" wide angle lens that creates visual distortion, resulting in panoramic or sph…
Continue reading...

More About: laptops, mobile phones, photography, tablets

Mars is like Earth in a lot of ways: It snows on the Red Planet, and a full day is a little more than 24 hours. Now, scientists have found yet another similarity. Just like Earth, Mars also has tectonic plates.

For years, scientists suspected these tectonic plates existed on the Red Planet. But UCLA Professor An Lin confirmed it this week after analyzing more than 100 satellite images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. About a dozen of those images contained features Yin had seen before in his studies of Earth's major plate divides.

"Many of the features looked very much like fault systems I have seen in the Himalayas and Tibet, and in California as well, including the geomorph…
Continue reading...

More About: Curiosity, Mars, Mars rover, NASA, space, trending

When Mark Peters went on a fishing trip off the coast of Santa Cruz, Calif., he probably didn't think he'd bring home the most incredible underwater video footage we've ever seen -- but that's exactly what happened.

Peters attached his GoPro Hero 2 camera to a custom-built "torpedo" that attached to his fishing boat. While he initially did this to catch some great shots of albacore tuna, he got much more than he anticipated when a group of Pacific white-sided dolphins swam up to the boat.

SEE ALSO: All Star Animators Recreate the Entire Ocean Online

The camera's high-definition images are so crisp that the curious dolphins almost look animated. But no CGI is involved here. The…
Continue reading...

More About: CGI, hd video camera, nature, ocean exploration, trending

Instagram has been the breakout social media star of the 2012 Summer Olympics. Users of the wildly popular mobile app have shared just over 100,000 photos from the Games over the past two weeks.

Athletes post behind-the-curtain shots that give their followers previously unimaginable levels of Olympic access. Fans share photos from venues and landmarks as individual keepsakes, and to share memories with friends who aren't in London. Journalists are even getting into the act, uploading casual Instagram shots to go along with their more traditional news-gathering tasks.

More than 650,000 photos have been posted with the #olympics hashtag, while more than 263,000 have been uploaded with…
Continue reading...

More About: Social Media, Sports, instagram, olympics, trending

When wildlife photographer Hock Ping Guek posted a picture of a delicate fly with patches of color on its wings to photo-sharing site Flickr, he didn't know he had come across a never-before-seen species of lacewing.

Guek uploaded the picture after photographing the lacewing last year in a forest in Selangor, Malaysia. Entomologist Shaun Winterton contacted him months later, when he spotted the picture online, and identified it as an entirely new lacewing species.

Guek sent a sample of the insect to Winterton for testing, and scientific journal ZooKeys recently published results of the findings.

"I first saw and photographed this species i…
Continue reading...

More About: Newsy, Photos, Science, flickr, trending

You'll have to wait another four years to use "rhythmic gymnastics" as an excuse for missing work.

SEE ALSO: How Twitter Talked About the Olympics

Comic written and illustrated by Jerry King.

More About: comics, humor, olympics, trending

After widespread criticism of NBC's airing of the 2012 Summer Olympics, the television network announced that it will live stream Sunday's closing ceremony online.

NBC Sports Chairman Mark Lazarus acknowledged that the network's much-maligned handling of the Olympic opening ceremony led to this change.

"Going into the opening ceremony, we didn't have a sense for what our ratings would be and what streaming would or wouldn't do to our broadcasts," Lazarus told the Associated Press. "But we think we've learned enough and have promised to innovate and continually evolve our broadcast coverage."

NBC concluded that live streaming hadn't cut into its prime-time viewership, the AP rep…
Continue reading...

More About: NBCOlympics, livestream, summer olympics, trending

Fonts may just look like letters on a page, but the type styles definitely have distinctive personalities.

Jonathan Garcia, the user behind TheMinuteVlog on YouTube, imagines the voices of Times New Roman, Comic Sans and others in the video above. After watching, you may never look at font options the same way again. Can't be unheard.

More About: YouTube, fonts, trending, viral videos

It can be tough to keep up with all the new apps released every week. But you're in luck -- We take care of that for you, creating a roundup each weekend of our favorite new and updated apps.

This week, we found an app that measures your heart rate by looking at it, one that helps crowdsource your wedding album with guests, and another that lets you crowdsource your musical stylings by inviting potentially thousands of people around the world to sing along.

If you're someone who is always on the go, a new app will let you deposit checks into your bank account while you travel. Another creates temporary phone numbers to share with people you meet along the way, without having to g…
Continue reading...

More About: App, android, iphone, trending

It didn't take long for the news of Mitt Romney's VP pick to spread on Twitter, especially because that's where the buzz originally started.

Online chatter started to heat up at 11:06 P.M. ET on Friday night when Romney's communication director Gail Gitcho sent a tweet that Romney would announce his VP pick the next day. An hour later, NBC News stepped in with a tweet indicating that Paul would be the nominee.

Although buzz continued throughout the night, it wasn't until 9:29 A.M. ET on Saturday when Ryan took the stage at a rally aboard the USS Wisconsin in Norfolk, Virginia that the conversation hit its peak -- about 3,749 tweets were sent each minute, according to Twitter data.…
Continue reading...

More About: Mitt Romney, Politics, Twitter, barack obama

On equality...

Click here to view this gallery.

The Office's Gabe Lewis may finally get his chance in the boss's chair like he's always wanted.

Well, sort of.

We technically mean that Paul Ryan could make it all the way to the White House with Mitt Romney. But judging by these pictures, Gabe Lewis (aka Zach Woods) and Paul Ryan are pretty much the same person.

SEE ALSO: Paul Ryan, Romney's VP Pick, Has Sizable Online Presence

Of course if his doppelganger does win, Gabriel Susan -- erm, Paul Ryan -- will still be playing second fiddle to the true boss (just ask Joe Biden). But at the very least, Lorne Michaels has to hire Zach Woods to play Paul Ryan on Saturday Night Live this fall.

More About: Mitt Romney, election 2012, paul ryan, the office, trending

The team behind viral hits such as the "Plot Device" has yet another gem on its hands.

Visual effects company Red Giant Software has released a three-minute short film called "Order Up" that follows a delivery guy dropping off a pizza at an abandoned location before things get a bit ... strange.

After arriving at an empty parking lot, the delivery guy is greeted by a series of mysterious shooting lights, explosions and unusual occurrences. Check out the video above to see for yourself.

SEE ALSO: Sexy Bikini Makes Chatroulette 'Call Me Maybe' a Must-Watch

Red Giant -- which develops visual effects plug-ins -- has once again partnered with indie filmmaker Seth Worley to he…
Continue reading...

More About: Entertainment, Film, Marketing, Viral, trending

If you're anything like McKayla Maroney, the Olympics and all subsequent memes are losing their luster. Looking for digital refuge from the Games? We've got you covered. Mashable has rounded up this week's top digital media resources to offer you respite from the Olympic flurry.

Editor's Picks

Only 9% of Wikipedia Editors Are Women [INFOGRAPHIC]
While men and women use Wikipedia evenly, only 9% of its editors are female. Why the gender divide?

5 Hot Startups You Need to Watch
Flourishing startups concoct a winning recipe of hard work, highly marketable ideas lots of good luck. Here are five that really stand out.

YouTube: The Secret Ingredient for Job Recruitment [INFO…
Continue reading...

More About: Business, COMMUNICATIONS, Features Week In Review, Social Media, Tech

Everyone's a photographer these days. Technology is leveling the playing field; no longer does one need to lug around a point-and-shoot or a DSLR camera to take great photos. In fact, most of us have a solid photo-taking and photo-editing tool right in our pockets.

But as you take more photos and shoot more videos, you might want to know how to do more with the tools you have. If that's the case, you've come to the right place. Below, we've rounded up some of our recent coverage about photography apps, editing apps, video apps, camera accessories and photo blogs. These apps, tools and gadgets can help you document your life better than ever and refine your skills. Let us know your top pho…
Continue reading...

More About: android, camera, features, instagram, iphone, photography, videos

Which photos on Twitter resonated with users the most this week? We've got the pics that rose above and captured the attention of people across the world.

The Olympics have been popular on social media for several weeks now, and this week was no exception with many events in full swing. Most of the photos here have some sort of Olympics angle, whether it's British policemen having some fun, diver Tom Daley interacting with fans, or the Games seen through the eyes of one noteworthy cat. Outside of London, one stunning photo of flooding in the Philippines was particularly arresting.

SEE MORE: Top 10 Twitter Pics

Not to be outdone, Harry Styles of British boy band One Direction ma…
Continue reading...

More About: Photos, Top 10 Twitter Pics, Twitter, trending

Working from home is awesome. But it can also be highly distracting. One recent study found that more than 40% of employees who work from home pull double-duty watching TV or a movie. More than a quarter nap or cook dinner while on the clock, and 20% play video games on the company dime, according to a Citrix survey.

So it's no wonder many bosses still oppose the work-from-home concept. But times are changing. From 1980 to 2010, the percentage of workers who work from home nearly doubled, according to some estimates, as digital tools have made doing so exponentially easier.

The Internet education portal OnlineDegress.com pulled research from sources including Stanford University, Mic…
Continue reading...

More About: Business, infographics, trending

Something strange in your neighborhood? Instead of picking up your iPhone to call the Ghostbusters, bust those ghosts yourself in the new Ghostbusters: Paranormal Blast game.

Ghostbusters: Paranormal Blast [iTunes link] uses alternate reality to allow you to chase down and capture ghosts near you. It's a novel game allowing players to strap on their own Proton Packs and get after ghosts around them.

When you load the app, you'll see Foursquare locations around you that have been "haunted" by ghosts. Click on one, and a ghost will appear in front of you on your phone's display. They don't just sit idly by; these ghosts are feisty, and will attack…
Continue reading...

More About: Ghostbusters, iOS, iPhone games

Dogs usually love beef jerky, but this is not beef jerky. When presented with low-fat lamb jerky, this five-month-old Labrador Retriever not only expresses his displeasure, but we're detecting a bit of fear.

In the video's YouTube description, his owner says, "This is strange and yet hilarious, because this is a dog who will eat anything and pretty much everything." But he wants to make it clear that this YouTube video isn't showing him abusing the young dog: "I will have you know that this in no way counts as abuse. Once I finished filming, he went back to playing with his toys. He is a much loved and much spoiled pup. :)"

But just look at the sad expression on the dog's face. Sur…
Continue reading...

More About: dogs, viral video

The world's most delicious cheeseburger has just appeared before you and you can't resist snapping a picture. But all too often, pictures of food never come out the way you'd like them to.

Whether it's the lighting or the angle in which you're holding the camera, there are a few things to keep in mind at home or at a restaurant that enhance the outcome of food pictures.

"Smartphone photos of food are often taken in dimly lit restaurants and sometimes, plates have already been partially devoured," a spokesperson for photo service Dreamstime said. "Photos should be taken with the viewer in mind -- these are the ones that will be most appealing to look at."

Want to share a snapsh…
Continue reading...

More About: Facebook, Twitter, instagram, iphone, smartphones, trending

1. Sunset on Mars

"On May 19, 2005, NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit captured this stunning view as the Sun sank below the rim of Gusev crater on Mars. This Panoramic Camera mosaic was taken around 6:07 in the evening of the rover's 489th Martian day, or sol." Image courtesy of NASA/JPL/Texas A&M/Cornell

Click here to view this gallery.

NASA's Curiosity rover has put the spotlight on Mars. The Red Planet has become the darling of the Milky Way and with good reason. The striking alien landscape features sand dunes, craters and jagged rock formations that give Curiosity plenty of photo opportunities.

Even before Curiosity began exploring Mars, NASA had sent other rovers and orbiters to explore the fourth rock from the sun. We explored the NASA archives to find the 10 most beautiful photographs ever captured of the planet.

SEE ALSO: Mars Curiosity Beams First High-Res Pic

While trips to Mars may not happen any time soon, a browse through the gallery above will make you feel like you're on an outer space summer vaca…
Continue reading...

More About: Mars, Mars rover, NASA, Watercooler, curiosity rover, space, trending

To celebrate his 50th anniversary, here's a look at Spidey's many looks over the years.

More About: Facebook, Marvel, Movies, Spiderman, Twitter, trending

Usain Bolt Fist Bump

Well that pretty much made that kid's day.

Click here to view this gallery.

Time to wrap up our favorite GIFs from the week, put a little bow on them and send them out into the world for you to enjoy.

This week's roundup features a healthy dose of Olympic moments and several rugs getting cut up by notable athletes and politicians.

Then a cat goes crazy, Jack Torrance stares you down and a dog in a red hoodie asks you to be a little more serious.

GIFs are one of the many reasons we love the Internet. If you think we missed a good one from this last week, just pop it into the comments below.

More About: trending

Mitt Romney made a bit of a slip-up Saturday morning when introducing Paul Ryan as his running mate: He called him the "next president," which is the job Romney's after. Watch:

Some Twitter users jumped down Romney's throat for the gaffe and somewhat awkward correction:

Mitt Romney introduces Paul Ryan as the "next PRESIDENT of the United States." In his biggest moment yet, he makes another mistake. #Wow— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) August 11, 2012

Romney just announced: "Please join me in welcoming the next PRESIDENT of the United States, Paul Ryan!" Thank u Mitt for dropping out.— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) August 11, 2012

Romney introduced Ryan as the n…
Continue reading...

More About: 2012 presidential campaign, Mitt Romney, Politics, US, barack obama

Ryan, Zuckerberg Shake Hands

Photo Credit: Steve Maller

Click here to view this gallery.

Did you know that Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney's recently announced running mate, once paid a visit to Facebook headquarters and met Mark Zuckerberg?

Back in September of 2011, Ryan, along with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, came to Facebook's Menlo Park, Calif. offices to talk with Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg about how technology was changing government.

SEE ALSO: Paul Ryan, Romney's VP Pick, Has Sizable Online Presence

Ryan and the others got a tour of Facebook's offices and signed the famous real-life "Facebook wall." Check out the photos, courtesy of Facebook's "U.S. Politics on Facebook" page and taken by photographer Steve Maller,…
Continue reading...

More About: 2012 presidential campaign, Facebook, Mitt Romney, Politics, Social Media, US, Watercooler, mark zuckerberg, paul ryan, pics, trending

Apparently someone was staring at the Mitt Romney campaign logo for too long this morning while waiting for the presidential candidate to announce his VP pick on the deck of the USS Wisconsin.

More About: Romney, memes, trending, tumblr

Early Saturday morning, presumptive Republican nominee for president Mitt Romney announced Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his vice presidential pick. What kind of social presence does Ryan have?

Twitter

Ryan's been a Twitter user since early 2009, when he first tweeted the following under the handle @RepPaulRyan: "Entering the brave new world of Twitter. What the heck is this anyway?"

His top three most retweeted tweets all have to do with the budget -- fitting for Ryan, who made a name for himself serving as Chairman of the House Budget Committee and advocating for severely reduced government spending. He rarely interacts with constituents the way other socially-savvy poli…
Continue reading...

More About: 2012 presidential campaign, Facebook, Mitt Romney, Politics, Social Media, Twitter, US, YouTube, paul ryan, trending