As the tragic events of this week unfolded, many of us across the country sat glued to our TVs, news sites and Twitter feeds hungrily searching for updates about the Boston Marathon bombing, or the Waco, Texas explosion. In times like these, we are all forced to reexamine our priorities and come together as a nation.
If you want a quick update of the news in the tech and social media spaces, we've gathered the most newsworthy announcements and changes for you here. Read on for details about Facebook's new Chat Heads for iPhone and some new apps to help make your life easier.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's digital media download.
Editor's Picks
10 Touching Acts of Kindness at the Boston Marathon
Check out these 10 examples of the kindness displayed during the aftermath of bombings for some renewed faith in the human spirit.
Facebook Partners With States to Promote Teen Privacy
Facebook and the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) are partnering on a teen-privacy safety and education program.
Dove Experiment Aims to Change the Way You See Yourself
Leave it to Dove to crank out a powerful video about beauty that you'll still be thinking about days from now.
Mobile Phones Deliver Millions of E-Books to Developing World
Worldreader Mobile has launched, giving feature phone users in the developing world a 2G connection to read 1,400 books free.
By the end of this comprehensive guide, you will master how to make a GIF.
Social Media
71% of Facebook Users Engage in 'Self-Censorship'
Men self-censored more than women -- particularly if they had large numbers of male friends.
Facebook Chat Heads: Now Rolling Out on iPhone
iPhone users who download the update will start to see chat heads pop up over the next couple of weeks, Facebook says.
How to Become Internet Famous for $68
Have you ever wanted to become Internet-famous? Check out how one guy fooled thousands, and gained widespread Internet popularity in a matter of hours.
Twitter Launches Twitter #music App and Service
Twitter's new standalone music service finally arrives today on your desktop, but even more importantly, on your go-everywhere iPhone.
Why Twitter Music Is Good News for Artists
Now that Twitter Music is finally available, we know what it is and what it isn't.
New Facebook Logo Made Official
You might not have noticed, but Facebook has rolled out a new main logo, as well as a new look for other icons for the first time in years.
For more social media news and resources, you can follow Mashable's social media channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
Business & Marketing
Simon & Schuster Brings E-Books to NYC Libraries
Simon & Schuster is the last major publisher to offer its ebooks to libraries.
3 Elements of Every Successful Business Plan
If you've got a great product, platform or business you're stoked to start up, take a look at our tips to help you craft the perfect business plan.
'The Guardian' Calls for Citizen Journalists Via App
The Guardian creates a platform for submissions from citizen journalists.
Why Brands Should Be Human on Social Media
The success of any social media program is ultimately determined by its ability to connect on a one-to-one, human level. But how can your brand be more human?
Wanderu Makes It Much Easier to Book Bus Trips
Wanderu is the first web portal to find bus travel between various bus carriers to help you easily find the best way to reach your destination.
A Facebook Fan Is Worth $174, Researcher Says
How much is a Facebook fan worth to a brand? The answer is $174, according to one recent study.
5 Tactics to Grow Your Email List
In January, many email marketers said increasing their lists was their top goal for 2013. Well, spring is here. Is your mailing list growing as fast as your flowers and lawn? If not, it's time to execute a new plan.
Disconnect.me Lets You Control Your Data Online
Disconnect.me is a browser extension that helps users block more than 2,000 websites from tracking their data online.
Why Twitter Is Getting Into the Music Discovery Business
So why is Twitter getting into the music business? In a word, advertising.
Hiring Experts Reveal Resume Pet Peeves
One surefire way to prevent your resume from making the circular file is to avoid some of these most common resume pet peeves of hiring managers.
For more business news and resources, you can follow Mashable's business channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
Tech & Mobile
Revolights Illuminate Your Bike With Built-In LEDs
Bay Area startup Revolights' second-generation product provides built-in bike wheel lights that give cyclists visibility at night.
Google Glass Mirror API Guide Now Available for Developers
Google made its Mirror API available on Monday, allowing developers to start creating applications for Google Glass.
Fujitsu Develops Technology That Turns Paper Into a Touchscreen
We're quickly getting used to the idea that computer, smartphone and tablet screens can be touched -- but what about paper?
7 iPhone Concepts That'll Make You Salivate
Check out seven cool concept designs from Apple fans, who have imagined their visions of future iPhones' hardware and software.
Acoustic Guitar Add-On Gives the Instrument New Range
A Kickstarter project is hoping to introduce an acoustic guitar add-on that uses a transducer to change the strings' vibrations and, in turn, their overall sound.
Facebook Expands Developer Tools With Open Graph for Mobile
Facebook just unveiled a new set of tools for mobile developers to let them better integrate their apps with the social media service.
How to Protect Your WordPress From Attack
An ongoing brute-force attack on WordPress-based websites has compromised more than 90,000 blogs, but there are simple ways to make sure your blog won't be next to fall victim.
Twitter Music Is a Discovery Powerhouse for Your iPhone
Twitter Music does its job extremely well: It shows you what the world is listening to as well as what your world is listening to.
For more tech news and resources, you can follow Mashable's tech channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
Lifestyle
10 Soothing Videos to Help You Sleep
Trouble sleeping? These videos will help you drift off into dreamland.
Tom Tom Steps Into Fitness With GPS Smart Watches
Tom Tom is introducing a line of GPS sport watches aimed at runners and outdoor enthusiasts.
What Will Google Glass Do to Our Brains?
In this brave new world, we can expect to become turbo-charged with what amounts to a second brain, but also possibly more disconnected and, relatedly, less healthy.
For more digital lifestyle news and resources, you can follow Mashable's lifestyle channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.