r.i.p.

AOL Instant Messenger To Shuffle Off This Mortal Coil On Dec. 15

AOL Instant Messenger To Shuffle Off This Mortal Coil On Dec. 15

Like Marcel Proust nipping on a tea-soaked petite madeleine and finding himself awash in the memories of his youth, some of us of a certain age may be immediately transported to 1999 by the distinctive “Boo-da-loop… Ba-loop” call and response of AOL Instant Messenger. While you may have moved on from your early love affair with AIM, moving on to dalliances with texting, Facebook, WhatsApp, and so, so many others, AIM remained, patiently hoping you’d come back. Yet all the nostalgia in the world couldn’t save AIM, and so it will soon bid its final fare thee well.. [More]

Apple Pulling The Plug On The Only Computer Monitor It Makes

Apple Pulling The Plug On The Only Computer Monitor It Makes

It looks like Apple is done with the standalone monitor business: the company confirmed it won’t make any more Thunderbolt Displays, so once the existing inventory is sold, that’s all there is. [More]

Curbside

Target Shutting Down Curbside Pickup Pilot Program Effective June 15

If you were hoping that Target’s curbside pickup would eventually reach your city, your hopes are for naught: Target tells Consumerist the pilot program will be discontinued effective June 15. [More]

erocsid

Ticks Are Your Enemies. Here Is How To Destroy Them With Your Dryer

If you’re going for a hike this holiday weekend to enjoy the beauty only nature can provide, there is one thing you should know: ticks are your enemies, they’re out for your blood, and it’s up to you to destroy them. [More]

(stevendepolo)

Ad Man Responsible For Creating The Pillsbury Doughboy Dies At 89

The man who created the Pillsbury Doughboy — otherwise known as Poppin’ Fresh — has headed to that great bakery in the sky at the age of 89. Rudolph R. Perz was a Chicago ad man who developed the legendary giggling spokesboy while working at Leo Burnett in 1965. His tee-heeing legacy still lives on in commercials today. [Chicago Tribune] [More]

(msmail)

Microsoft Putting Internet Explorer Brand Out Of Its Misery

It’s been a long, slow march toward the end, but now Internet Explorer as a brand is facing the executioner: Microsoft confirmed that it’s ditching the IE name for its upcoming browser, which is known as Project Spartan at the moment. [More]

Another Marlboro Man Passes Away From Smoking-Related Causes

Another Marlboro Man Passes Away From Smoking-Related Causes

The wife of an actor who appeared in “Marlboro man” cigarette ads and billboards has confirmed that her husband recently died at the age of 72 from respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), meaning he is at least the third Marlboro man to pass away from a smoking-related cause. [More]