Spotify Tweaks Free Mobile Options

Spotify is revamping its mobile app for free users. They won’t be stuck with shuffle mode but there’s still a catch.

Originally the mobile Spotify apps were only available to people on premium (paid) subscriptions. That was then switched so that free users could run the app but any album or playlist they selected would play in shuffle mode with no option to skip songs. Another restriction was that only part of the library was available for free on the mobile app.

After the revamp, free mobile users will be able to get instant access to any songs that are part of 15 specific playlists. Some of these will be more general such as recent releases or most popular songs, while others will be personalized and based on the user’s tastes. These will take into account the user’s listening habits and self-created playlists on the desktop edition.

The idea appears to be that these free ‘play on demand’ selections will entice users both to check out further music by the same artists and to sign up for the premium option. The free app will still be missing the option to listen to a specific full album in the correct order – though you’d have to ask a younger person than me if that’s a big issue in 2018.

As part of the revamp, the app will also have a data saver mode that cuts overall data consumption by as much as 75 percent. It will include some degree of caching to cover periods when mobile data signals drop out.

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An Alternate Origin Story [Comic]

[Source: Optipess Comics | Like Optipess on Facebook | Follow Optipess on Twitter]

Thinkgeek’s May the Fourth Star Wars Sale is Already Live!

Sure, Star Wars day isn’t here yet, but the folks from Thinkgeek have decided to launch their “May the Fourth” sale today. They’re offering up to 80% off on HUNDREDS of geektastic items from a galaxy far, far away! There’s a lot of stuff over there, from t-shirts, to gadgets, toys, and much, much more!

[Thinkgeek “May the Fourth” Star Wars Sale]

The Fable of the Dragon-Tyrant [Video]

This short film is based on a story by Nick Bostrom.

The moral of the story:

The ethical argument that the fable presents is simple: There are obvious and compelling moral reasons for the people in the fable to get rid of the dragon. Our situation with regard to human senescence is closely analogous and ethically isomorphic to the situation of the people in the fable with regard to the dragon. Therefore, we have compelling moral reasons to get rid of human senescence.

The argument is not in favor or life-span extension per se. Adding extra years of sickness and debility at the end of life would be pointless. The argument is in favor of extending, as far as possible, the human health-span. By slowing or halting the aging process, the healthy human life span would be extended. Individuals would be able to remain healthy, vigorous, and productive at ages at which they would otherwise be dead.

[CGP Grey]

Photographer Reveals Alternate and Hilarious Toy Universe Reality [Pics]

Photographer Mitchel Wu uses practical effect (no CGI) to create fantastic photography of toys living in an alternate universe, and the result is totally amazing! Check out some of his work below!

I create and craft stories through toy photography…capturing the illusion of motion and emotion where none exist. Bridging the gap between toys and the stories in one’s head – it’s all fun and games…

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DEAL: A Dual-Driver Wireless Bluetooth Speaker With Built-In MIC and 24-Hour Playtime for Just $9.89

The Aptoyu bluetooth speakers features 24 hours of playtime, a built-in mic, dual drivers, super bass, TF card support, and a 3.5 mm aux input, and can be yours today for just $9.89 with promo code N5AAKWNX. The speaker can also act as a power bank as well!

–Aptoyu Bluetooth Speakers with 24 Hour Playtime, Bluetooth Range and Built-In MIC, Dual-Driver Wireless Speaker with Super Bass, TF Card Support and 3.5 mm Aux Input – $16.99 $9.89 (Use Promo Code N5AAKWNX at Checkout)

Jackass [Comic]

[Source: Skeleton Claw | Like “Skeleton Claw” on Facebook | Follow “Skeleton Claw” on Twitter]

Why Can’t You Divide by Zero?

In the world of math, many strange results are possible when we change the rules. But there’s one rule that most of us have been warned not to break: don’t divide by zero. How can the simple combination of an everyday number and a basic operation cause such problems?

[TED Ed]