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Prepare to witness one of the most expensive board games ever made.

When the Prague Mind Sports Festival kicks off December 1, gamers can play on a high-tech Scrabble setup unlike any other. The festival -- which hosts tournaments for the popular word game plus bridge, backgammon, poker, League of Legends, and Counter Strike: Global Offensive -- introduced to the world this week a carbon fiber Scrabble system with LED lighting that cost more than 20,000 pounds ($31,732) to create. … Read more

For the holidays this year, Pinterest is giving its users a gift that's rarely found on the Internet: more privacy.

The social-bookmarking site today began testing private boards that can be seen only by you and whomever else you choose. It's one of the company's most frequently requested features, Pinterest Software Engineer Evrhet Milam wrote in a blog post today.

The test is rolling out gradually to all Pinterest users and lets each user create up to three of these "Secret Boards," which can be set up on the Web and on mobile.

These boards … Read more

You can now find all the familiar addicting gameplay of The Settlers of Catan spiced up with music, sound effects, and game stats on Android. Catan is a turn-based game in which you play as settlers on a newly explored island.

The goal is to gather a certain amount of victory points before the other players (the standard game requires 10). You can earn points by gathering resources and building settlements, accomplishing achievements, or buying victory point cards. Gather resources by building settlements on a resource-generating tile or trading with other players or the bank. Mastering the art of trade … Read more

It's not often that the story behind the filming of a commercial is worth my time, but this spot for what's basically a levitating wakeboard filmed entirely on an iPhone 5 caught my attention.

According to Sparkhouse, the marketing geniuses behind the whole campaign, the ad for the FlyBoard from Fly Jet Sports was filmed entirely using an iPhone 5 coated in a water-resistant coating made by Liquipel.… Read more

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Zynga and Hasbro announce board game versions of the most annoying Facebook ones.

- Will.i.am and Simon Cowell considering X-Factor style show, for tech.

- New Ninja Turtles cartoon replaces Cowabunga with....

Bathroom break video: Longboarder attacked by a deer.… Read more

For some people, old circuit boards and computer components needlessly fill up space, awaiting a proper sendoff to the electronics recycling facility. Italian artist Franco Recchia sees opportunity in those old parts, though, and instead creates fascinating miniature city skylines with the pieces of forgotten technology.

The artist covers an array of major cities, including New York, Chicago, Detroit, and more. In an interview with the Agora art gallery, Recchia reveals that he often finds parts in "trash heaps" and that it takes four different styles of welding to make the techno cities. … Read more

Boosted Boards is promoting its electric-powered skateboard as the world's lightest electric vehicle. The Kickstarter project packs 2.6 horsepower onto a 12-pound longboard.

The skateboard is powered by lithium batteries, giving the rider up to 6 miles of range. It takes two hours to fully recharge the batteries and manages a top speed of 20mph. Regenerative braking helps the battery along when you're riding.

The skateboard works with a handheld remote control with a throttle, brake, and battery gauge. The remote is designed to tuck a finger through so you can hang onto it even while doing ollies.… Read more