Pope Benedict XVI has launched an official Twitter account with the handle @pontifex.

The move was announced in November, when a Vatican official said the Pope (or, more precisely, whoever handles his Twitter account) would be tweeting fairly infrequently, with his tweets "not veering far from his texts."

The Pope's account currently doesn't have any tweets. It follows 7 other accounts, which are all versions of the same account in different languages: German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Italian, French and Arabic.

The new account is not the Pope's first encounter with Twitter; last year, he sent a tweet from the Vatican's official account, coinciding with a new Vatican inform…
Continue reading...

More About: Benedict XVI, Twitter, pope

When Apple released the iPad, media organizations rushed to launch robust native applications for the device. Given the amount of traffic publishers are seeing from mobile-web browsers, coupled with improvements in HTML5, the success of the Financial Times's mobile web app, the difficulties of constantly iterating for new versions of iOS, and the rise of Android and other mobile software platforms, does it make sense for publishers to continue to invest in native apps for tablets and smartphones?

That was the question that repeatedly cropped up in a panel with Google's Bonita Stewart, the Financial Times's Rob Grimshaw, New York Media's Larry Chevres and Mashable's Adam Ostrow at the…
Continue reading...

More About: Advertising, Financial Times, Google, Media, Mobile, new york magazine, new york media

Ever wonder whether your Google search results boost or batter your online presence?

A Facebook app called "Google Grader" assesses them by asking users to mark each hit as "postive," "negative" or "not me." After completion, the app gives a grade that can be share over social networks.

Google Reader was created by BrandYourself, a company that aims to help people improve their search results and online reputation

For more on the app, watch the video above. Then, tell us in the comments: What turns up when you search for your name in Google?

Image courtesy of Google

More About: Google, Google Grader, apps, google results

As is customary with all new Apple gadgets, the folks from iFixit have torn the new, super-thin 21.5-inch iMac to bits. This time, however, the most interesting detail from the teardown was not found inside the device but etched into its casing -- a sign saying "Assembled in USA".

Most of Apple's gadgets from the last decade or so were assembled in China, which makes this marking quite unusual. Per FTC's rules, "a product that includes foreign components may be called "Assembled in USA" without qualification when its principal assembly takes place in the U.S. and the assembly is substantial."

FTC even gives an example that directly relates to an iMac:

"Example: All the major c…
Continue reading...

More About: apple, iFixit, iMac, teardown, trending

Let's Face it: Most Social Media Marketing Is a Waste of Time

An op-ed from Mashable Business Editor Todd Wasserman inspired an insightful debate from the community. Reader Laurenette thought that the size of the brand is important when measuring the impact of social media.

Click here to view this gallery.

This week in Mashable's top comments, we saw just how many different kinds of stories can go viral. A baby with an #unfortunate name, a terrifying elevator ride in Brazil and a kind-hearted cop in New York all made the rounds on the social web. Our readers were, as always, ready to comment on the traction of these stories with various levels of disgust and admiration.

We also saw that not all viral stories are worth sharing -- or true. Our Facebook feeds clogged up with a supposed threat to user privacy which turned out to be bogus, and Mashable also pointed out that all the hype over the Mars Curiosity Rover discovery was just that: hype. You also may have heard that Google was acquiring…
Continue reading...

More About: Highlight, Marketing, top comments

1. Merry Bird Ornament

Deck the halls with this intricate and classy holiday ornament. The Merry Bird and its hinged swing are produced within the cage -- a design only made possible through 3D printing. Price: $29

Click here to view this gallery.

Every time the holiday season comes around, the pressure is on to find the perfect gifts for friends and family. But now that 3D printing is affordable to the average consumer, rather than just major manufacturers, shopping for something unique may be easier than you think.

SEE ALSO: 5 Sites to Score 3D-Printed Gifts

The concept of 3D printing is simple to understand. A designer creates a 3D image on a computer and sends the design to a printer, where the object is created in layers. The possibilities of 3D printing are virtually endless, which is why there are plenty of gift options.

We've rounded up some of the best and most innovative gift ideas that you can purchase right now. F…
Continue reading...

More About: 3d printing, Gifts, Tech, features, holidays 2012

A little search engine optimization can go a long way toward getting your jobs out in front of the candidates your company needs to meet its growth objectives.

More About: features, job search series, mashable

One Christmas light show in Meridian, Idaho puts all others to shame, with its not-so-traditional take on festive decorations.

Synchronized to bass-heavy dubstep, the light show illuminates a home's entire front facade and lawn.

Lights flash spastically in time to the music's rapid-fire pace, making for a dynamic feast for the eyes.

SEE ALSO: Oppa, Christmas Style! Watch This Incredible 'Gangnam Style' Light Show

Uploaded to YouTube last week, the video has attracted more than 100,000 views. Watch it, above, to see dubstep lights in action.

How have you decorated your home for the holidays? Tell us in the comments below.

More About: Christmas, dubstep, light show

Mashable's Gift of the Day series highlights cool, interesting and fun products for that special someone on your holiday list.

What do you buy the Star Wars fan who already has every lightsaber, mask and action figure? The magic of the force.

The Force Glove is a Star Wars-inspired toy that lets aspiring Luke Skywalkers feel like true Jedi.

Created by the Uncle Milton toy company, the glove uses magnetic force to attract and repel objects. A flippable magnet is embedded in the palm; and the "force" will push or pull objects based on polarity. The kit includes two Star Wars-themed target objects.

SEE ALSO: 'Star Wars' Force Glove Lets You Move Objects Without Touching

While your favorite Jedi trains to master the force, he or she will also get a science lesson in magnetis…
Continue reading...

More About: Gadgets, Gift of the Day, Science, Star Wars, holidays 2012, toys

A Facebook profile dedicated to making students feel good about themselves has gone viral, spreading kindness to colleges across the U.S. and Canada.

"Queens U Compliments," the brainchild of four students attending Queen's University in Kingston, Canada, publishes anonymous compliments, and tags the objects of affection.

"If there is something nice you have to say about someone but don't feel comfortable saying it to their face, inbox away," the profile says. "Keep in mind that hateful or rude remarks will be completely disregarded."

Some sample compliments include: "Annie Dearden smells like rainbows and happiness" and "Your spirit is that o…
Continue reading...

More About: Queen's University, Queens U Compliments

1. Advent Calendar - Bacarox

This is a simple, graphic advent calendar with separate designs for boys and girls.

Click here to view this gallery.

If you have little ones excited about the forthcoming holiday season, try these handy iOS Christmas apps.

Each of the five offers a different way to count down to Christmas, encompassing traditional advent calendars, customizable timetables and an app that lets you know how many "sleeps" until the big day.

SEE ALSO: 10 Free Facebook Cover Photos Full of Holiday Cheer

Take a look through our tried and tested selection of free apps in the above image gallery. Let us know in the comments below if you're going digital with this year's countdown.

Thumbnail image courtesy of AForestFrolic

More About: apple, apps, features, holidays 2012, iphone

1 Second Everyday, an iPhone app proposed on Kickstarter, prompts users to capture one second of footage to remember each day of their lives.

More About: apps, kickstarter

We've all bought items for our home that just don't quite coordinate once we got them home. Photos, on the other hand, are an easy way to add some style and personalization to your space without having to worry if it matches your furniture -- aside from what frame you choose. In fact, one survey finds 9 out of 10 people think photos "are key to home decor."

SEE ALSO: This Stationery Seller Mails Your Custom-Designed Holiday Cards

There are numerous creative ways to use these photos in your home, too. You can do more than just slap pictures in a digital album. Turn your photos into beautiful works of art, display them on chandeliers or on stickers. At a recentShutterfly open house,…
Continue reading...

More About: Holidays, Photos, decorating

Floppy Disc Notebook

Clever idea! Pinned From: Etsy, Guest Pinner Board Source: Etsy

Click here to view this gallery.

This week's top 10 Pinterest pins contains 10 unique items that will have you clicking the "repin" button.

More About: pinterest, top 10 pinterest pins

Tired of dealing with the December cold already? Distract yourself with some hot cocoa, a treat from your super secret stash of leftover Thanksgiving desserts and our roundup of the funniest viral videos from this week that you might have missed.

SEE ALSO: Past Viral Video Recaps
In this week's roundup, one cat tries to DJ with a record player and another cat plays ping pong, Jimmy Kimmel hits the streets to test whether customers can taste the difference between Starbucks' new limited-run $7 coffee and a cheaper brew, and one man uses brass knuckles to kill a spider, and ends up killing his wall as well.

Watch the video above to see them all a…
Continue reading...

More About: viral videos

If you talk to enough people at the Finnish mobile startup Jolla, it occurs to you that the company it resembles is Apple -- but not the Apple of today.

More About: Jolla, Sailfish, Startups, smartphones, trending

1. Booqpad

In a range of colors, each Booqpad ships with a 50-sheet A5 notepad. There's also a holder for a pen or stylus and business cards slots. Cost: From $49.95

Click here to view this gallery.

If you're an iPad owner who still uses old school pen and paper, then an iPad case with a built-in notepad might be a useful tool. We have found seven excellent options offering just that.

SEE ALSO: 7 iPad Accessories for Your Messy Kitchen

Take a look through our stylish selection in the slideshow above. Let us know in the comments below if an iPad case enhanced with old-fashioned paper appeals to you.

More About: Lifestyle, accessories, features, ipad, tablets, trending

Are you computing too much? Our friends Nitrozac and Snaggy of The Joy of Tech will help you diagnose your situation with this handy guide.

More About: Sunday Comics, computer addiction, trending

Concerns about people being too tied to their phones have been overshadowed by complaints that people don't use their phones frequently enough.

More About: cellphone, complaints, trending

Just when you think some businesses or brands are dying, they come roaring back. This infographic explores four remarkable cases.

More About: Lego, apple, ford, old spice, trending, zombies

NASA will discuss the latest activities of Curiosity on Monday (Dec. 3), but space geeks shouldn't get their hopes up for a bombshell announcement.

More About: Curiosity, NASA, space

Chocolate baby heads provide the perfect sweet tooth fix for those who like their candy delightfully demented.

More About: Watercooler, desserts, food, weird

BMW i3 Coupe Concept

BMW recently rolled out its i3 concept car, and now in Los Angeles it's showing its i3 Coupe concept, a two-door plug-in electric hatchback that the company says will be able to zip from 0 to 62 mph in less than 8 seconds. It has a 170hp electric motor on the rear axle, and its range is reported to be 80 to 100 miles. For those with range anxiety, BMW says the i3 Coupe's high-speed charger package will get you back on the road in about the amount of time it takes to eat a leisurely lunch, charging its batteries to 80% of their capacity in 60 minutes. BMW i3 Coupe

Click here to view this gallery.

Couldn't make it to the Left Coast for the big L. A. Auto Show? We've got you covered with this gallery of the five coolest cars of the show.

More About: 2014 Corvette, Los Angeles Auto Show, cars, electric cars, trending

Mark Zuckerberg's net worth increased by $3.5 billion in November as Facebook's stock shot up by nearly $7 a share over the course of the month.

More About: Facebook, mark zuckerberg, stocks, trending

Looking for great apps for your kids? Here are the top 5 apps for kids this week.

More About: Top Kids Apps, contributors, features, mobile apps

1. I Kissed a Girl

"@katyperry looks like its official ... me and you." -- Niall Horan, One Direction Photo stats: 81,796 retweets

Click here to view this gallery.

Time for a good ol' fashioned round up. Check out the 10 most shared and retweeted Twitter photos from this week.

More About: Music, Twitter, galleries, kanye west, trending

Listening to Dr Dre Beats Studio (or any other) headphones on an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch? Here's how to equalize their sound to your liking.

More About: Beats Audio, How-To, iphone, trending

SecretSandy.org encourages concerned citizens to purchase and donate presents to these families through a Secret Santa-style gift exchange.

More About: Hurricane Sandy

By using these steps as guidelines, businesses can balance buyer interactions and better arm sales teams with the knowledge they need to always be closing.

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

On Glee's Thanksgiving show, this hyper-produced version of "Gangnam Style" happened, with lots of well-tuned singing and wooden dancing. Ouch.

More About: GLEE, gangnam style, trending