Author: Michele Debczak

No matter how convenient the iPhone becomes, nostalgia for the oversized Macintosh computers of the past will never die. According to Gizmodo, the latest reincarnation of the vintage gadget is a pint-sized charging stand for your smartphone.

To set your iPhone 6 or 7 back 30 years or so, just turn it on its side and slip it into the silicone sleeve. The accessory is nothing more than an extra piece of hardware—any old-school sounds or graphics must be provided on your own.

iPhone users can purchase the stand in white or black for about $37 (€35) from elago. And for the owners who can’t bear to bring their device back to present-day once they’re done charging it, this vintage-inspired Apple phone case may be of interest.

[h/t Gizmodo]

All images courtesy of elago

Sometimes peer pressure works in our favor. According to a new study published in Nature Communications, the running habits of our peers have a direct impact on how hard we push ourselves in our own regimens. And this effect isn’t limited to friends in the neighborhood: Virtual pals can also motivate us to catch up to their level.

As the Los Angeles Times reports, the study was conducted by MIT researchers looking at data from 1.1 million users on a social fitness app. After users went for a run, their stats were shared online for others in their network to see. The researchers found that after seeing that a friend had added 10 minutes to their run that day, users extended their own runs by three additional minutes, on average. That same pattern carried over to other measures of performance: When one user ran an extra kilometer, their friend ran an extra 0.3 kilometers; when one user burned 10 more calories than normal, their friend burned an additional 3.5.

To further investigate their theory that exercise is contagious, the researchers threw weather into the mix. If peer pressure is really that strong a motivator, they surmised that the effects of nice weather should be felt by members of the network living in places with less ideal conditions. Their hunch was correct: If a sunny day in St. Louis pushes people to stay outside longer, users in Seattle will see that and leave the house even if it’s raining.

Runners are also more likely to compare themselves to users of their own gender. A male runner is moderately motivated to compete with high-performing women, and strongly motivated to keep up with high-performing men. Women, on the other hand, are only motivated by other women and ignore the stats of men.

Runners looking to exploit the powers of remote running buddies have plenty of places to find them. As the study shows, running apps are a useful tool for connecting with friends. There are also virtual themed running clubs for those who like to mix pop culture with their cardio.

[h/t Los Angeles Times]

A toddler’s sudden mobility can be frustrating for parents, but it’s an important step in a child’s mental development. Having the means to explore teaches problem-solving skills and helps little ones understand the world around them. Now, Engadget reports that two grad students have invented a device that brings this experience to kids with disabilities.

NYU Tandon School of Engineering students Tanaya Bhave and Gang Haiming came up with the Tot Bot after learning that toddlers with physical handicaps often develop lower IQs due to lack of stimulation [PDF]. One way to combat this is to give kids a way to move around.

Most motorized wheelchairs for adults are controlled with joysticks. For their chair, Bhave and Haiming swapped the complicated mechanic with one they knew toddlers could navigate.

According to a 2015 study, a third of babies can use smartphones before they learn to walk or talk. So a touchscreen seems like the perfect choice. After installing an app on their phone or tablet, parents attach their device to the front of the chair. The screen displays whatever’s directly in front of the phone’s camera, and children tap the object they’re interested in to roll towards it. When the chair senses it’s close enough, it stops and turns so the child can grab whatever caught their eye. And for parents concerned with safety, there’s also an option to limit the chair’s range to areas in the room tagged “safe.”

Prospective buyers may have to wait a while to purchase a chair: The students’ project is still in the development stages, and there’s no word on when, or if, it will be commercial-ready. For now, you can watch the video below to see the Tot Bot in action.

[h/t engadget]

For a resident of Weirton, going to work in Pennsylvania, picking up groceries in Ohio, and coming back home to West Virginia wouldn’t be as exhausting as it sounds. That’s because the small town is one of a handful in the United States that is bordered by two different states.

According to Atlas Obscura, Weirton is located at the tip of West Virginia’s northern panhandle. To the east, Weirton shares a border with Paris, Pennsylvania; five miles to the west, the town touches Steubenville, Ohio. Only a few U.S. cities share this distinction, namely Dubuque, Iowa and Memphis, Tennessee.

In its heyday in the early 20th century, Weirton was the country’s fifth largest producer of steel. Today the town’s economy looks quite different. One big driver of growth comes from its unusual location: After finding jobs in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania many workers settle down across the border in Weirton where the cost of living is more affordable.

[h/t Atlas Obscura]

Some of Yosemite’s most iconic landmarks—like the Half Dome and the Grizzly Giant sequoia tree—have looked more or less the same since the park was first founded in 1890. But Yosemite Falls is constantly changing, and for the past five years, the impact of California’s drought could be seen at the site, as well as other places throughout the park. Now, after a winter of above-average snowfall, ABC 7 reports that the waterfall is the fullest it has been in years. The creeks and falls reach peak flow during spring of each year. This season the streams are especially impressive, as they’re fueled by the melting of record-breaking snowpack. There’s no better place to see a waterscape in Yosemite than at Yosemite Falls. Yosemite Falls is among the tallest waterfalls on Earth. Waters from Yosemite Creek fall a total of 2425 feet before settling into the valley below. The falls are expected to grow heavier until May, at which point they’ll taper off in the summer heat. During the park’s driest seasons, Yosemite Falls is sometimes reduced to less than a trickle.

The flow will likely last longer this season, but if visitors wish to see it at its strongest, they should plan to head to the park sometime in April or May. This upcoming weekend the park is expected to attract lots of guests: The entrance fee, normally $30, is being waived on April 22 and 23. [h/t ABC 7]

The typical house cat raised on plastic toys and canned food scarcely resembles its relatives in the wild. But all cats alive today can trace their lineages back to a common ancestor that prowled the Earth 11 million years ago. In this video from the science-oriented YouTube channel MinuteEarth, Joe Hanson explains the history of the domesticated cat.

Our mutual relationship with the animal started as a way for cats to get food and humans to get rid of rodents. The food part of that equation stayed the same, but today our feline friends offer more than just pest control. They’re also loving companions (when they want to be) and the inspiration behind the internet’s best memes. You can get the full fuzzy history lesson below.

[h/t Sploid]

When he isn’t sporting a plastic arrow on his head, Steve Martin wears many hats. He’s been an author, actor, musician, and, most famously, a stand-up comedian. Now the 71-year-old can add virtual professor to his resume. Beginning today, April 18, students can enroll in a comedy class taught by one of the biggest names in the business.

The course, available through the digital education platform MasterClass, covers the fundamentals of comedy. For $90 students will receive lifetime access to 25 video lessons, all led by Martin. Some of the topics he delves into include jokes and bits, nerves and hecklers, and finding your comedic voice. Students will have the opportunity to upload their own videos for classmates to review, with a lucky few receiving feedback from Martin himself.

“One of Steve’s first gigs was at the drive-in movies. When the audience liked a joke, they honked,” the class description reads. “In this class, Steve shares insights from performing for cars and humans over a 50-year career spanning sold-out arenas and blockbuster films.”

Martin is just the latest instructor to join MasterClass’s star-studded staff. Hans Zimmer, Aaron Sorkin, and Werner Herzog are a few of the other professors teaching classes in their fields.

The existence of a mysterious new drink at Starbucks has been confirmed. This week, select locations launched the Unicorn Frappuccino in all its pink, sparkling glory. More stores are expected to release the drink on Wednesday, April 19, Bon Appétit reports.

Rumors of the magical concoction first surfaced on Reddit last week. Pictures posted to the Starbucks subreddit of the drink and its ingredients—including “pink powder” and blue “unicorn dust”—suggested that a menu item based on the unicorn drink trend was on its way. But much like the mythical creature it’s named for, the beverage remained shrouded in mystery … until now.

Since its limited debut earlier this week, Instagram has been flooded with colorful photos attached to the hashtag #unicornfrappuccino. Starbucks officially announced the drink this morning, stating in a press release that, “The elusive unicorn from medieval legend has been making a comeback. Once only found in enchanted forests, unicorns have been popping up in social media with shimmering unicorn-themed food and drinks. Now Starbucks is taking the trend to a new level with its first Unicorn Frappuccino® blended beverage, available starting Wednesday, April 19, through Sunday, April 23, while supplies last.” Based on its social media popularity, we predict that supplies won’t last long. Track down this elusive creation while it lasts.

[h/t Bon Appétit]

Disney World is known as “The Happiest Place on Earth” for a reason. The characters, scenery, and rides exude the squeaky-clean cheeriness the brand is famous for, but something much darker was once planned for the Orlando, Florida destination. According to Movie Pilot, a land celebrating the villains of Disney never made it past the proposal stage.

The area, dubbed “The Dark Kingdom,” would have looked like a very different version of the Disney World that fans are familiar with. Filling the role of Cinderella’s castle would have been Maleficent’s castle from the 1959 classic Sleeping Beauty, which was set to loom over the skyline as the park’s primary landmark. The concept was also floated as an addition to an existing land rather than a standalone park. In the smaller proposed version, a sea witch ride inspired by The Little Mermaid (1989) would have channeled the famous Dumbo attraction. “Villain Mountain,” either a log flume or roller coaster, would have been the section’s main thrill ride.

The Dark Kingdom, or “Shadowlands” as it was also known, joins a long list of Disney park projects that failed to launch. A tiny Gulliver’s Travelers land, a Mel Brooks-inspired Tower of Terror, and a Soviet Union pavilion at Epcot were all scrapped for one reason or another.

[h/t Movie Pilot]

One of the last homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is in need of new owners, according to Apartment Therapy. The American architect got to work on the house in 1958, a year before his death. Construction was completed without him in 1960 and now the house is on the market for the first time in its history.

The structure has belonged Paul and Helen Olfelt since the couple hired Wright to build it nearly 60 years ago. Located seven miles from downtown Minneapolis, it contains three bedrooms, two baths, and fixtures and furnishings designed by Wright himself. The property is one of about 60 Usonian-style homes designed by the architect between the mid-1930s and late ’50s. Like others in the group, the Minnesota building is a ranch house with an open floor plan and strong lines throughout. It also features a finished basement—a rarity for a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed property.

In the past few years alone, Wright houses have been listed at prices ranging from $445,000 to $3.6 million. The Minnesota listing lands somewhere in the middle at $1.395 million. You can find a more detailed description of the home at Coldwell Banker.

[h/t Apartment Therapy]

All images courtesy of Coldwell Banker