Google is killing Reader tomorrow, and as a sort of consolation prize, they’ve added some new features to Google News. There’s now a box that features a four-day forecast of local weather, editor’s picks of stories, and sports scores. This is clearly not going to be replacing Reader for anyone, but it’s always pretty nice to get weather updates.

The weather defaults to the local forecast for your location, but you can also set it for a specific place. It also features links to other weather services such as the Weather Channel and the Weather Underground for more detailed information.

Editor’s Picks are limited to the categories of “Technology” and “Business” with more on the way, according to Google News product manager Anand Paka. It’s easy to click over to different news sources for more picks, but it’s a far cry from something like an RSS reader.

Right now, the sports scores are limited to U.S. football, basketball, baseball and hockey (more countries and sports are set to arrive in the near future). Google might be rolling out the features over time, but right now I can’t see the sports-scores box — which I don’t actually mind.

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In what seems like a guy's worst nightmare, an app called Lulu is bubbling up as a controversial social platform that lets ladies post reviews and recommendations about past dates.

The concept — which launched in February in the U.S. and is available for iOS and Android — is for women only. Men are denied access, deeming it a safe zone for females to rate guys on a variety of topics, from humor and ambition to first kiss and sex.

Here's how it works: After female users ages 18 and up access the app and sync it to Facebook, they can add a guy to the database and upload a picture. All users are anonymous — no names included — and activities are kept off Facebook. But if you come across a profile that might be of interest to someone you know, you can share profiles with Facebook friends. Hashtags can also be added to the guy's profile, so characteristics are searchable. Read more…

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Some apps just don't get the love they deserve. Whether they're native programs that came installed on your phone or an early purchase that seemed like a good idea, these apps are like guests that overstay their welcome.

But they don't have to be. Apple is notorious for pre-programmed apps and rigid barriers against customization. So how can you get the most out of your iPhone while working within its parameters? Specifically, how can you use the apps ... that seem unusable? We've selected five such apps that can still serve a function. Read more…

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Twitter updated its iOS and Android apps Thursday, adding new functionality particularly in the areas of Search and Discover.

Now you can preview article summaries and photos in both Search and Discover without tapping on those stories in order to so.

Just like on Twitter’s website, the Discover tab on mobile now lets you discover popular tweets. Tapping on the “View all Tweets” button will bring up a stream of stories, news, and photos being shared by people in your network. Read more…

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Twitter updated its iOS and Android apps on Wednesday by improving the photo uploading experience and making it easier to switch between multiple accounts.

Now when you add an image to tweet from Twitter’s mobile app, you’ll see a full preview of the photo rather than a cropped version. Images are also easier to upload; simply use a button in the bottom right corner of the compose box for a new tweet. When uploading a photo from the camera roll, images appear below the compose window, letting you quickly select your desired image.

When creating a new tweet, your avatar and username will now appear on the page, too. People with several linked Twitter accounts can toggle between the two by simply tapping on the avatar. This feature also makes it easier to quickly check which account you're tweeting from — with a visual verification — so you don't accidentally send out personal tweets from your business account, or vice versa. Read more…

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A new web app from Warner Bros. for the upcoming Man of Steel movie lets users become part of Superman's world — turning fans of the superhero into children of planet Krypton.

The Glyph Creator app, which Warner Bros. exclusively shared with Mashable before Thursday's launch, builds a shield based on the user's answers to a series of questions.

The 20 possible shield designs, with several color options, each represent an ancestral house. The app also spits out a user's first name in Kryptonian. Together, the shield and name represent a user's overall Krptonian identity. Here are my results: Read more…

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When you think about enjoying the great outdoors, embracing the natural world and soaking up all of the sun's vitamin D, technology doesn't really enter the picture, does it? But using tech and being outside don't have to be mutually exclusive.

There are plenty of mobile apps to help you connect with nature, rather than keeping you glued to your virtual life. Read more…

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Going to the movies is an expensive pastime, especially if you're a frequent visitor. MoviePass, a service that launched late last year, is trying to ease the financial burden for film buffs by charging them a single monthly fee — typically around $30 — to watch up to one 2D movie in theater per day.

Still in beta, the service has had a wait list ranging from a few days to a few weeks since its launch last year. On Monday, MoviePass temporarily cleared the list, opening it up to those who signed up (it declined to share its current user numbers). What's more, to celebrate "summer blockbuster season," MoviePass is letting everyone who signs up between now and Friday to bypass the wait list entirely.

Here's how the service works: Users pay a monthly fee between $29.99 and $34.99, depending on where they live, and are issued a debit card with the MoviePass logo on it. At the theater, they check in to a movie using a special MoviePass app, and their card is temporarily activated for the purchase price of the film. It only remains active for 30 minutes, and checking in requires users to be physically near the theater, so they can’t try to buy dinner with their card at a restaurant across town.

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Peer-to-peer car-sharing service RelayRides is going social, enabling users to rent a car through Facebook by harnessing their social network.

In a process the company is calling “Renting Social,” members of RelayRides can now post a Facebook status message that requests to rent a car, broadcasting their need to friends. The idea is simple: One of your buddies may have an extra car, or happen to be out of town when you need some wheels, and could be willing to loan it to you for a little cash. Read more…

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Summer isn't just the season of love — it's also the season of travel. If you're planning a getaway in the next few months, either large-scale or small, you most likely have a budget to abide by (if not, you might want to look into drafting one.)

We did some research and in-staff sourcing to track down the best digital resources to help you, the traveler, save money during your upcoming summer journeys.

Granted, they do depend in part on the type of travel you're planning. Some are great if you're looking to crash for free or find last-minute rooms; others are more ideal for long-term trips where you'll be working for the roof over your head. You can try one, two or a combination of them all — it's a win-win regardless.

Take a look through them below. Are there any must-use tools we missed? Share your favorites with us in the comments! Read more…

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A friend of mine, Sam, recently listed his Nokia Lumia phone for sale online. After making arrangements to meet a buyer, he went to the AT&T store to have them wipe his phone of personal data. Unfortunately, the process killed his phone. He let the buyer know, who then, apparently angered by the cancelled deal, began sending weird texts to Sam's new iPhone.

How could Sam have avoided the hassle? He could have used Burner, an app that lets people create disposable numbers that they can give out in place of their real number. Burner released an app for Android phones and a major update for iPhone.

The software takes the place of burner phones, cheap mobiles that can be picked up at a local convenience store with no identifying account information associated with them. Burner offers similar anonymity without the need for another phone. Instead of tossing the phone, you delete the phone number the app generated.

Disposable numbers aren't only for drug dealers — just ask Sam. In fact, anonymous numbers come in handy for a variety of activities, such as getting quotes on a service when you don't want follow-up calls, first dates when you're really not sure if there will be a second one and, as in Sam's case, whenever you sell something online. Read more…

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