A year ago, Canadian Taylor Binns was slowly going blind after developing a rare and painful eye disorder that affected his corneas. Today, he's driving, reading and living a normal life because of a revolutionary stem-cell treatment completed by a team of doctors at Toronto Western Hospital.

"Everything you could do before kind of gets taken away day by day, and it just got worse and worse," he told CTV News this week in a video update, which made Reddit's front page.

For two years, Binns faced countless scans, tests and disheartening misdiagnoses before doctors of Toronto's University Health Network identified Binns' mysterious disease as Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency. The unknown…
Continue reading...

More About: health, hospital, stem cells

1. R.I.P.

A "Rest in Peace" picture dedicated to the 26 victims of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. on Friday, Dec. 14. - Tweets_Below Photo stats: 10,917 retweets

Click here to view this gallery.

Check out which pictures were shared and retweeted most on Twitter this week.

More About: gallery, justin bieber, newtown, pictures, Twitter

The way you decorate your smartphone says a lot about your personality. Map-wrapped phones say you're a bold traveler, while durably thick on-the-go charging cases convey you're strictly business.

So, what would a life-size lobster iPhone case say about you? Probably that you're adventurous, fun-loving and don't settle for cute-and-slim mobile protection.

Designed by Melbourne-based designer Elliot Gorham of Noddy Boffin, the red Lobster Mobile Telephone Case pays homage to Salvador Dali's lobster telephone model created in 1938.

"Unlike the typical phone case, it doesn't offer functionality of protection and style. Its features include: camera incapability, ergonomically awkw…
Continue reading...

More About: iphone

A newly discovered patent application hints that Apple is planning to update its Passbook digital-coupon storage app with Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology. This means future iPhone and iPod touch products may come with location-based technology that displays relevant coupons and gift cards as soon as you're near a store.

Apple Insider discovered that the Cupertino-based company filed a new patent application for "Integrated coupon storage, discover and redemption system" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office this week. The application, dated Dec. 20, hints at Apple's intent to integrate "non-transitory computer-readable storage media for managing and redeeming electronic coup…
Continue reading...

More About: apple, nfc, patent

Monday, Dec. 17: Instagram Updates TOS

Readers had varying reactions to Instagram's updates. Some felt that they were fair: If you don't like the terms of service, argued some users, you have the option not to use the service. Others were far more outraged.

Click here to view this gallery.

This week, the top comments on Mashable brought into focus both the state of the world around us and the constantly changing nature of our virtual lives. Our readers launched into debate when Instagram appeared to be making drastic changes to its privacy policy. Based on the wording of Instagram's new Terms of Service, photographers worried that they may no longer own the rights to their own work, and that their photos could be used in advertising. As Mashable's Chris Taylor put it, the TOS as they stood early this week basically "signed your life away."

Over the course of the week, we saw new privacy settings for Instagram users revealed, officially commented upon (while remaining uncha…
Continue reading...

More About: instagram, top comments

1. Apple White MacBook

Although actually discontinued in 2011, 2012 was the year the white MacBook got the official "End of Life" status. Popular with students, the white MacBook had been the budget option for Apple users since 2006. Image courtesy of Apple

Click here to view this gallery.

This year, quite a few products disappeared from the market, as technology inevitably marches on. Whether they got pulled for being faulty or just weren't commercially successful, these 10 examples have virtually expired.

SEE ALSO: 10 iPad Wallpapers Full of Winter Cheer

Take a look through the gallery, above, for the 10 products we've chosen to highlight. Share in the comments, below, any other gadgetry you've noted that has been removed from shop shelves in the last 12 months.

Thumbnail image courtesy of Apple

More About: features, Gadgets, Tech, Year End 2012

In the year 2013, marketers will break through with innovative content marketing strategies. Here is what we have to look forward to.

More About: Business, content marketing, Predictions 2013

1. Logitech Security Cameras

Logitech's customizable home security systems are easy to personalize and create. All you have to do is scroll through a few screens here and build your custom system, depending on your home security preferences. Home owners have the option of building an indoor or outdoor camera network with night vision or without. Prices for cameras, accessories and premium services are clearly listed on the website. As you click through the quiz-like module, you'll see your total rung upon the side, so you don't go over your budget. Making your system's feed web- or mobile- accessible costs $79.99. Consider how relaxing it will be knowing your humble abode is just as you left it. With the Web and Mobile Commander, you'll be able to manage your system remotely, pan, zoom and change alert settings. Ideal for: Interiors and exteriors of homes and stores Price: Starts at $300 for base system Features: 720p HD Video, connects to your home's powerlines, motion detection, email/cellphone alerts Image courtesy of Flickr, Michelle Gow

Click here to view this gallery.

For the holidays, treat yourself to a truly carefree vacation by securing your home from the inside out before you leave. Whether you're bolting for a leisurely weekend upstate or an extended European vacation, you want to make sure you have the peace of mind to enjoy life to the fullest.

Today, home security camera systems are supremely simple to install and use. You don't have to be a advanced techie to access camera feeds on a personal computer or smartphone.

SEE ALSO: How to Plan Your Next Vacation in One Breezy Sitting

Easy-to-install and simple-to-view security systems let you breathe a sigh of relief, knowing your house, apartment or storefront is safe and sound. On some sy…
Continue reading...

More About: camera, features, home, Lifestyle, security