Advertisers are pulling out all the tricks when it comes to getting your eyeballs on their mobile content. So could they be successful if the incentive is free data for your smartphone? A Boston-based startup certainly hopes so.

Aquto, which was in stealth mode until Tuesday, is working with mobile carriers to offer additional mobile Internet data, in exchange for consumers' engagement with brands. So if you were to watch a specific advertisement, buy something or try out a new app on your mobile device, you could be rewarded with a data boost — via megabytes and gigabytes — through your cell carrier. Read more...

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The Atlantic Media Company unveiled the latest addition to its digital portfolio Tuesday morning with the launch of Defense One, a web publication dedicated to national security coverage.

Under the direction of former Foreign Policy reporter Kevin Baron, Defense One aims to provide a mix of 24/7 news and analysis alongside original commentary on an array of defense topics, ranging from politics and technology to management. There will be a particular focus on future trends, touching on budget uncertainty and emerging technologies, among other topics.

"Expect breaking analysis on the top news events of the day to run alongside deeper dives that shine a critical light on lesser-known facets of a national security world that most never see," Baron wrote in an introductory letter on the site. Read more...

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In case you haven't noticed or possibly live in the arctic circle, it's hotter than a toaster oven outside. Many are fortunate enough to have the luxury of modern air conditioning, but some of us have to improvise.

Don't let the cruel summer get the best of your brain. These D.I.Y. hacks might seem like a good idea, but it might be better to find a public library or pool to cool off inside.

If that doesn't work, stock up on popsicles and keep your fingers crossed that this heat wave will end soon.

1. Technology is hard to figure out.

Image courtesy of Reddit, MJFP13 Read more...

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If you're continually mistaking your Macbook for everyone else's, try showing off a little personality with a creative decal to make your laptop stand out.

We've gathered 15 fun and unique decals from Etsy that you'll love to show off, including animals, images from your favorite movies and games (such as Tron and Super Mario), and even famous art. Scroll through the gallery above and find something that suits you and sets you apart in a sea of Macbooks.

If you change your mind about any of them, don't worry — all of the decals peel off easily, without leaving any marks. Many of them are also available in different colors, so read the fine print to optimize customization Read more...

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As Louis CK has pointed out, airplanes are pieces of amazing technology that have made travel quicker and easier for millions of people

But that doesn't mean waiting in a TSA line, wondering if your lip gloss is going to be confiscated, isn't annoying. Once you finally board the plane, the flight attendants make you put away your phone, so you can't even tweet your frustration. (#FirstWorldProblems.)

So feel free to vent the parts of flying that drive you mad in the comments below. Somewhere someone is shaking their fist because their ice cubes diluted their Coke. Read more...

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Think "free ringtones" and you likely imagine unsavory pop-up ads and spam. It's hard to come by real ringtones that won't put the health of your computer to risk

And though you can make your own ringtones, sometimes it's more fun to browse larger collections with a larger variety.

We've rounded up some sites for free ringtones that are safe to use. They carry a wide selection: everything from YouTube memes to theme songs to alarm sounds to pop songs.

Mashable composite: Images via iStockphoto, L_amica, yukipon. Read more...

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For this week's viral video recap, we're mixing it up a little: This isn't your ordinary Internet-cat video.

We've also got a deep-space hair-washing demo, some epic turtle acrobatics, a Good Samaritan on a motorcycle and a very pants-centric episode of "Convos With My 2-Year-Old."

Check out the memes above, and let us know your favorite in the comments below.

Image courtesy of YouTube, ConvosWith2YrOld Read more...

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Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" has all the qualities of a perfect summer jam. It's insanely catchy, makes for fantastic dancing-and-driving music and there are enough covers on YouTube to keep you up all night getting funky.

So if you're trying to "Get Lucky" online, here's your chance to find your perfect match. From Barack Obama to the Chocolate Rain guy, there's a version for every listener.

Check out the many iterations of the unofficial song of the summer below. Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below. Read more...

1. Muppets getting lucky

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Successful Kickstarter project and highly publicized Android gaming console OUYA has ignited a feeding frenzy as competitors rise to fill the market.

What's the appeal of the Android console? As developers create games more prolifically and cheaply for mobile phones, hardware manufacturers seek to bridge the gap between mobile and living room. Android-powered platforms could turn these mobile titles into games with longer shelf-lives, accessible from the comfort of the couch. They could also unlock the eager indie developer community, which is eager to reach more players.

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The cost to be Spider-Man may have gotten a little steeper, after details about Spidey's new suit reveal some high-tech additions.

Entertainment Weekly interviewed the team behind Amazing Spider-Man 2, including costume designer Deborah Lynn-Scott, to see how the blue-and-red suit has evolved since 2012's Amazing Spider-Man.

For example, Scott said she wanted our hero's web shooters to have a built-in MP3 player.

"You'll see early on in the film that he can turn music on that he's listening to inside the costume through his web shooter," she told the magazine

For more on Spider-Man's new suit, check out the video, above; then tell us what you think in the comments Read more...

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Rumor has it that HTC is building a smaller version of its flagship Android smartphone, the HTC One. And while HTC hasn't addressed any reports directly, the company just released an infographic called "Little Things That Pack a Big Punch," which hints that something may indeed be in the works

After praising its own device in a blog post published Monday, HTC goes on to say that its success "has only boosted our passion to bring the One experience to as many people as possible."

We've connected the dots (there aren't that many), but we haven't actually discovered much about the HTC One Mini, as the infographic reveals no details about its specs, release date or price Read more...

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YouTube views of Korean artists have surged in the year since "Gangnam Style" debuted last July, the video-streaming service announced Monday.

Data compiled by YouTube indicates that videos featuring K-pop — short for "Korean pop" — have tripled. The graph, below, shows a large spike in views after "Gangnam Style" was posted online. It also reveals a smaller — though still sizeable — jump after Psy released his follow-up, "Gentleman," in April. Boasting more than 1.7 billion views, "Gangnam Style" holds the title of most-viewed YouTube video of all time; the electronic-dance song hit 1 billion views last December. For its part, "Gentleman" has an impressive 481 million views Read more...

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It's hard to forget Michael Jackson's "Thriller" music video from 1983. During the video, Jackson woos a young Ola Ray with his flashy dance moves and that iconic red leather jacket. But it's even harder to forget this tribute music video Ray recently released.

The video features Ray singing in front of a green-screened background, a dance break that was probably outfitted by a clearance sale from Hot Topic and a cast of lackluster zombies that could easily be torn apart by The Walking Dead's breed of undeads. Needless to say, the tribute video is nothing short of bizarre.

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We all deserve to treat ourselves sometimes

In this video, Jemima the Goat dines on an elegant spread of apples and red wine, while reading — okay, chewing — the "Motoring" section of the daily paper. Jemima clearly isn't very interested in motor vehicles, but at least she can enjoy her personal time without anyone butting in.

Check out the amazingly weird video above and grab a can to snack on.

Image courtesy of YouTube, Jemima TheGoat Read more...

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Via eight Vine videos, Scottish musician Aidan John Moffat released a new album, The Eternalist. Moffat realizes this may not be an album in the "strictest sense," but a perk of the non-traditional format is Vine's endless looping, allowing the listener to decide how long the record is and creating a different, customizable listening experience

Using his L. Pierre pseudonym, Moffat offers suggestions on how to best listen to the album: in the Vine app, which has the best functionality for the smoothest audio looping and through headphones for the clearest sound. Read more...

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Forget digital music files or streaming services: Vinyl is back. Well, it's re-emerging at least for fans of Universal Music's catalog of albums.

UVinyl — Universal Music's vinyl branch — is developing a "crowd-funded vinyl service" that will release limited-edition records of old "deleted" albums if there's enough demand"The Vinyl Project" will re-press deleted and rare records into vinyl, and release them with digital downloads and personalized art prints.

This service is reportedly going to work with Kickstarter-style crowdfundingComplete Music Update reports that among the records being considered for release already include The Jackson 5's "ABC," Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and Sonic Youth's "Goo." Read more...

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As technology advances, the list of gadgets we own grows longer: laptops, music players, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs and Google Glass — it's endless. Now, with the buzz around smart watches, you may be wondering whether you want yet another gadget to charge, sync and carry around.

Earlier this year, South Korean designer Jeabyun Yeon showcased his concept for a bendable smartphone that could transform into a watch. At 6.1-millimeters thick, the "Limbo" smartphone would be able to flex, so you could mount the 4.3-inch display on your wrist.

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Star New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey will start Tuesday's MLB All-Star game — something he reportedly learned via Twitter

Harvey enters the All-Star break with a stellar 7-2 record to go with his 2.35 ERA, but it seems he can still remain pretty anonymous on New York City's busy streets

In fact, that's the exact premise of the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon skit, above. Watch as Harvey asks unsuspecting fans what they think about, well, Matt Harvey. Many offer earnest-yet-oblivious assessments of Harvey's pitching prowess, only to react with shock upon learning they're actually face-to-face with their sports hero Read more...

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Ever had an amazing idea for a novel, but dismissed it because you thought writing an entire book would just be way too time-consuming? Well, you've probably already written that book ... by accident ... on Twitter

In this comic, John Kovalic of Dork Tower shows us that Twitter feeds may be the modern-day novel

Comic illustration by John Kovalic, Dork Tower. Published with permission; all rights reserved. Read more...

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Now you can buy movie tickets from directly within IMDb’s mobile app.

Starting Monday, users in the United States can purchase movie tickets from Fandango by selecting the theater and time of choice from within the IMDb app.

Monday’s update is not restricted to theater purchases, also bringing support for DVD and Blu-ray discs purchases of your favorite movies and television shows

Now when viewing a film within IMDb’s app you can select “Search via Amazon Mobile” to see if the movie is available, and make a purchase directly on your phone. DVD and Blu-ray purchases require you to also have the Amazon mobile app installed on your handset. Read more...

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It's all about the Benjamins, baby.

Much of the criticism surrounding Jay-Z's new record Magna Carta Holy Grail pointed to Jay-Z's insistence on continuing to rap about his wealth. This was exacerbated by the controversial Samsung deal that earned him $5 million and RIAA's platinum certification (thanks to its new rules) before the record was even on physical or digital shelves.

Whether it's bragging about rocking Tom Ford, or lamenting "mo' money, mo' problems," music and money have a long, complicated, and well-documented relationship. Drake started from the bottom and now he's one of the most popular rappers. The late Donna Summer worked hard for the money to become disco's queen. Patti Smith dreamt of what her life would be like if she won the lottery. Kanye West and Jamie Foxx warned the 1% against gold diggers. Read more...

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Although the Sharknado storm ravaged the Twitterverse last week, global information and measurement company Nielsen just revealed — perhaps contrary to popular belief — that the Syfy original movie was not the top social TV program last week

It was VH1's Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta that stole the throne for the week of July 8.

The show's "Turnt Up" episode bagged 629,436 tweets, beating out competing reality shows Big Brother and The Bachelorette, as well as such heavyweight contenders as Catfish: The TV Show, Teen Wolf, Pretty Little Liars and WWE Monday Night RAW. Read more...

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It's time to party like it's 2004 — Whose Line Is It Anyway? returns to TV. The improv show will make its triumphant return to The CW on Tuesday night, and there's so much to look forward to

There could be more "Scenes From a Hat," or new characters on "Let's Make a Date." But more importantly, there will almost certainly be more awkward moments when cast members look deeply into each others eyes and decide whether a sketch would be improved with a surprise kiss. (For newcomers to the show: The answer is usually yes.)

Take a look at 12 awkward moments of sexual tension from the show. As you can imagine, some of these are NSFW. Read more...

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It looks like Microsoft may be close to completing its own Surface-branded smart watch.

Sources inside the Redmond-based company told AmongTech that prototypes of the smart watch are reportedly already being used by some Microsoft employees.

Those same sources indicated that the watch will be available in a number of different colors (red, yellow, black, grey, white and blue), and that the watch will be made out of Oxynitride Aluminum. Oxynitride is 80% transparent, however, it is four times harder than glass.

The Surface watch will reportedly come running an adapted version of Windows 8, and will have its own built-in radios so it can be used independently from a smartphone. Read more...

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Taming fan anxiety over the long wait until How to Train Your Dragon 2 comes out in 2014, DreamWorks Animation released a beautiful trailer for the fantasy film. The teaser shows main character Hiccup dismount his airborne dragon, Toothless, and dive through the clouds

The movie is the second part of the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, which hit the silver screen in 2010. The sequel picks up five years after the events of the first movie in which the human-dragon duo unite vikings and dragons on Berk Island

DreamWorks describes the second installment, which comes out June 20, as such: Read more...

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While scrolling through her Tumblr dashboard late Saturday night, Natasha Cougoule came across a post about Cory Monteith's death. She initially thought it was a hoax, until she checked the facts and realized it was true.

Cougoule is active in the Sherlock, Doctor Who and Harry Potter fandoms online. Although she hasn't kept up with Glee in a while, she is one of the many people on Tumblr in fan bases outside of Glee who has expressed her sympathy for the community that lost one of its role models and key figures.

The young Tumblr user created a post with GIFs from The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Supernatural and Sherlock with the words “Gleeks, we stand with you.” Since being posted on Sunday, the GIF set has received over 93,000 notes. Read more...

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He may not have a passport, or a home address beyond Terminal F in Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow. But NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden does at least have a shot at winning the Nobel Peace Prize, it emerged Monday.

Getting a Nobel Peace Prize nomination isn't the most difficult thing in the world. The list of people who can enter a candidate for the committee's consideration is long, and includes just about every national legislator, plus any professor of history, social sciences, philosophy, law or theology at a variety of universities

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Between Tuesday's All-Star Game and Monday's Home Run Derby, Major League Baseball is set to make quite a splash on social media over the next couple of days

But that doesn't mean MLB commissioner Bud Selig has embraced cutting-edge technology to handle his business

From the media bonanza surrounding baseball's All-Star Weekend came this Monday morning Selig quote via Sports Business Journal's Eric Fisher:

Selig: "I've never sent an e-mail and I never will." Has recently upgraded to an iPhone, though

— Eric Fisher (@EricFisherSBJ) July 15, 2013

The 78-year-old Selig has drawn plenty of flak over the years from MLB fans for baseball's massive steroids scandal happening under his helm and for being relatively slow to adopt instant-replay for reviewing controversial plays. Read more...

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Lauren Hammersley's 2-year-old daughter Hazel was diagnosed in April with Stage 3 neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. One day, in the hospital, Hammersley taped a message to her daughter's window: "SEND PIZZA RM 4112."

The message went viral on Saturday, when Redditor ashortstorylong posted a photo of Hazel's hospital window sign on Reddit. The photo quickly shot to No. 1 on the homepage, where the story took a feel-good twist. Dozens of Redditors ordered pizzas for delivery to the Los Angeles Children's Hospital, where Hazel is being treated Read more...

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"I will never be Trayvon Martin. Look at me. I am a white man from New York. I wear boat shoes and white T-shirts," reads the first post of We Are Not Trayvon Martin, added to Tumblr on Sunday.

The Tumblr was created in response to Saturday's controversial acquittal of George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager

"We are Trayvon Martin" is a popular slogan for protesters and has been a trending hashtag on Twitter. The contributors to this Tumblr argue the alternative — that white people, put simply, are not Trayvon Martin — and opens up a dialogue on white privilege. Submissions are coming in at a rapid rate, with several new posts going up every minute, adding new voices of all ages to the national conversation on civil rights and racial profiling. Read more...

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