Thursday, October 31, 2013
What's inside Android 4.4 KitKat and why you should care
A revamped interface, improved dialer, and app search are small steps toward a better Android.
Galaxy Nexus won't get Android KitKat
Google appears to have set parameters for how long it will support its devices, and the news isn't good.
I reversed, it saw, it braked: Hands-on with Infiniti QX80's backup intervention
Adjustable sensors can detect kids, pets, and other small obstacles behind the car.
Nexus 5 arrives with super-sized screen, boosted battery
We have all the details on the new Kit-Kat-powered smartphone from Google.
Amazon taps X-Files creator, The Wire writer for two new original shows
The online retailer will greenlight two new pilots for its Amazon Prime Instant Video service.
FAA now allows gadgets during takeoff, landing, and everywhere in-between
Get ready to use your smartphone without fear at the airport—the FAA is reversing its rule about the use of phones, tablets, and other electronic devices on planes. FAA will now allow gate-to-gate access to phones, tablets, and laptops.
Dig into PlayStation 4 details with Sony's console FAQ
Sony dishes the dirt on the PS4's hard drive, game caching, media playback, PS3 peripheral compatibility and more.
15-inch Retina MacBook Pro review: A tale of two laptops
Apple offers two standard configurations of its 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro, and the benchmarks tells very difference stories for each one.
Don't fear the fun tax, and try Dead Trigger 2
Madfinger Games’ latest free-to-play zombie game may be a bit eager with in-app purchases, but don’t let that stop you.
How Samsung will convert you to its mobile app theology
At Samsung's first inaugural Samsung Developers Conference, "Google" wasn't uttered even once.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Some teens may indeed be anti-Facebook
This is one of the first times that the social network has identified a decrease in its teenage users. Where are they going? It may be Twitter.
Facebook's phone-first strategy is paying off -- to the tune of $2 billion
Facebook makes almost half of its ad revenue from the ads you see on your phone.
Some users grumble about Twitter's photo previews
Angry about a change in Twitter that puts photo previews front and center? You're not alone.
Apple's tablet lead shrinks as Android gains momentum
Android tablets drove tablet-market growth, while Apple’s iPad shipments were flat and Windows tablets continued to struggle.
Facebook’s first real phone shouldn’t be a BlackBerry
Zuckerberg says hardware isn't part of Facebook's mobile-first strategy. So what's up with the BlackBerry meetings?
Save your Internet bacon with two-factor authentication
Why log in once when you can log in twice? Two-factor authentication can give you some added protection, and it's fairly easy to set up.
Apple iPhone 5s battery issue could result in reduced battery life
Apple is reaching out to owners of the iPhone 5s because of a manufacturing issue that could result in reduced battery life.
The White House cares about games, but not for the reasons you think
White House advisor Mark DeLoura talked at Gamesbeat 2013 today about video games, violence, and education. The result? Math Blaster 2014, hopefully.
Why BBM for Android, iOS Success will be short-lived
Can 20 million new BlackBerry Messenger users really be wrong? Yes, if a cross-platform BBM can't offering uniquely compelling features.
Gimme a break: The features we won't see in Android Kit Kat
We want these features in Android, but we probably won't get them. Are you paying attention, Google?
It's that time again! What to expect in Kit Kat, Google's imminent Android release
Rumors are swirling around Android 4.3, and these are the ones that have a fighting chance of proving true.
13-inch Retina MacBook Pro review: Thinner, lighter, and faster never hurts
If you've been holding out on getting a new 13-inch MacBook Pro, now's the time to buy.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Second-gen Google Glass looks even dorkier than the original
Google took its most unattractive product and somehow made it look worse.
Clockwise Podcast: Completely ludicrous
Surface 2, Google's smartwatch, Motorola's wacky phone blocks, and the fearsome Internet power of... your photos. Jason Snell and Dan Moren welcome special guests Jon Phillips and Brad Chacos.
Twitter puts photos "front and center" on mobile
An update for iOS, Android, and Twitter's mobile site makes tweets more visual, and cuts down the number of taps needed to reply and retweet.
Google+ wants you and your photos to never, ever leave
Google showed off 18 new features to its slow-growing social network in an effort to convince photographers of its awesomeness.
Keep your PayPal account safer with two-factor authentication
Adding extra security to your PayPal account is quick and easy. We'll show you how to do it.
Netflix considers making movies for simultaneous theater and streaming release
And Netflix may even bankroll some flicks of its own to prime the pump, according to the company's chief content officer.
Google's putting the finishing touches on a Google Now smartwatch, says WSJ
Forget the Galaxy Gear: Google's rumored to be jumping into the smartwatch fray, and Google Now could just be the killer feature that drags wrist riders main stream.
How to watch the NBA anywhere, on any device
A look at the (not so) many ways to catch the NBA on your computer, phone, or tablet this season.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Google Glass receives a hardware refresh; this time, you might get your hands on one
Google finally provided some Glass updates Monday, announcing a hardware refresh and an expanded Explorer program.
Twitter's new Starbucks e-gifts let you send treats by tweet
A little bird wants you to tweet Starbucks gift cards to your Twitter followers.
LG's curved G Flex phone solves a problem that nobody had
LG finally makes their curved phone official. Does anyone care their phone looks like a potato chip?
Nexus 5 rumor roundup: Everything you need to know
With the Nexus 5's release seemingly looming, we already know almost everything about the as-yet-unannounced Google phone.
Big update helps Nvidia's Shield handheld play nicer with Android and PC games
The update Nvidia pushed to its Shield gaming handheld is jam-packed with new features, additional game support, and Android 4.3.
Microsoft shows off Xbox One's dashboard chops in new video
Three weeks before the launch of the Xbox One, Microsoft's revealing more details about its next-gen gaming console.
Tested: 'Lane Keeping Assist' system steers Acura ever closer to self-driving cars
A car that watches the road and nudges the steering wheel hints at the future of self-driving cars, though not all drivers may be ready to let go.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Livescribe's latest smartpen draws heavily on iOS
The Livescribe 3 smartpen captures your notes as you jot them down, syncing them with a companion app for the iPad, iPod touch, and iPhone.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Samsung's Galaxy Gear smartwatch is subject to many unhappy returns
The watch is selling to consumers, but it isn't staying with them.
Gasp! Comcast just made HBO available without a cable subscription
Finally, fans may be able to watch Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire without being forced to pay for the Game Show Network.
Moto X smartphone is now $100 cheaper on most carriers
New prices on the Moto X have dropped from $50 to $100, depending on the carrier.
Now screaming: 13 flicks for your All Hallows horror binge
These online Halloween goodies are so scary that they'll still be rattling around in your head long after the Great Pumpkin has disappeared for another year.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Nine out of 10 Macs are eligible for free Mavericks upgrade
OS X Mavericks could end up on more than 90 percent of Macs, according to statistics from Web analytics firm Net Applications.
Clockwise Podcast: New iPads, free software, and what's next
Apple's big announcements, the merits of free software, iPad mini versus iPad air, and tablets in education. With guests Susie Ochs and Roman Loyola.
Where to buy an old Mac Pro
Apple has removed the tower Mac Pro from the regular online Apple Store, which means its days of availability are numbered. But if you're still looking for the Mac tower, there are a few places you can dig one up.
Google offers up to 50GB of extra storage for HTC users
The Google Drive offer, made earlier to Moto X buyers, is now available for the HTC One and One Max.
Protect your Google account with two-factor authentication
Don't let hackers get at those love letters you sent with your Gmail account!
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class features a touchpad and a GPS that looks for tunnels
Using the GPS, the car detects when you're entering a tunnel and automatically shuts vents that bring in external air and begins recirculating interior air.
In rerun of Apple debacle, Samsung apologizes in China after state media criticism
Like Apple, rival Samsung is apologizing to Chinese consumers after the country's state media criticized the vendor for failing to fix glitches in several of its phones.
No, YouTube, the world does not want to pay for music videos
YouTube is reportedly considering a pay service to watch music videos. Here's why they shouldn't do that.
Galaxy Glass? Samsung files patent for smart spectacles
Is no body part safe from the Galaxy line's all-extending reach?
First-look: Pages for Mac, iOS, and iCloud
Full and simple file- and feature-compatibility across three separate platforms? What's not to like?
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Samsung signs long-term deal with Gorilla Glass maker Corning
Samsung believes that Corning’s technologies will become increasingly important to the consumer electronics industry and it wanted ensure access to those, said the company CEO.
LinkedIn Intro embeds professional profiles into Mail for iOS
Learn more about the people who email you without leaving Apple's default Mail app.
LinkedIn Intro feature aims to make email more professional
The service is available on an invitation basis for the iPhone’s mail application, and it supports several email services: Gmail, Yahoo Mail, AOL Mail, iCloud and Google Apps.
The Wolf Among Us: Episode 1 is the right way to follow up an award-winning game
Wolf Among Us, the new episodic game from Telltale, is just as good as the studio’s award-winning Walking Dead series. Yeah, I didn’t think it was possible either.
T-Mobile wants to give you a (sort of) free iPad Air
T-Mobile might provide the most affordable way yet for you to get your hands on one of Apple's new iPads.
Sharing with strangers: Fon wants to be the Zipcar of Wi-Fi
Add your Wi-Fi signal to the list of things you can share with the world for a price.
Galaxy Gear to finally play nice with Galaxy S4, SIII, Note 2, and other Samsung devices
Will the move help Gear become a viable part of the mobile market. (Hint: probably not.)
Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Round: few new features, but posh design
What different advantages can a curved screen bring to a smartphone? Well, not a whole lot. But Samsung's newest smartphone, the Galaxy Round, comes off as a posh device that may be the company's best looking handset yet.
Vudu and Sony dabble in DVD-style extras for streaming movies
Beyond mere deleted scenes, the effort between Vudu and Sony brings extras tied to the digital nature of streaming flicks.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Specs showdown: iPad mini vs. Nexus 7 vs. Kindle Fire HDX
Apple's little tablet costs a lot more, but its thriving ecosystem makes it hard to beat.
The new iPad mini goes head-to-head with Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HDX
Apple's little tablet costs a lot more, but its thriving ecosystem makes it hard to beat.
Summary: Apple unveils slew of new iPads, MacBooks, Mac Pro, and apps
In a fast-paced event Tuesday, Apple unleashed a bunch of new products across its iPad and Mac product lines, along with updates to over 20 apps and (oh, yeah) a new version of OS X, too.
Spec showdown: Apple iPad Air vs. Samsung Galaxy Note, Sony Tablet Z
Apple CEO Tim Cook spent a bit of time dissing the competition while he was on stage at Apple's iPad Air launch event on Tuesday, but how does Apple's newest tablet stack up against the competition?
Airbnb proves its worth to New York: $632 million, to be exact
Lodging platform Airbnb says it offers a big boost for New York's economy, in the midst of a tax revenue fight with the state Attorney General.
Amazon announces ten-dollar increase to free-shipping minimum
Amazon’s free shipping minimum went up Tuesday from $25 to $35 -- the first price increase in over a decade -- in an apparent play to boost Amazon Prime subscribers.
2014 Cadillac ELR noise cancelling spares your delicate nerves from engine roar
Hush hush, sweet engine: The hybrid Cadillac ELR uses noise cancelling to dampen the sound of the car's transition from electric to gas engine. Call us when it can drown out "are we there yet?"
HTC enters smartwatch fray; my wrist remains unimpressed
There is nothing exciting about smartwatches. So, why all the hubbub?
Surprising no one, iWork for iCloud to get updates 'in just a few short hours'
First reported by MacRumors, Apple seems to be teasing the arrival of new iWork for iCloud apps on iCloud.com in advance of its Tuesday special media event.
Protect your Facebook account from hackers with two-factor authentication
Don't be one of those people with a compromised account that spams all their friends.
Monday, October 21, 2013
BBM app rolls out for Android and iOS -- for real this time
BBM, short for Blackberry Messenger, was once an exclusive feature for Blackberry phones, allowing users to send messages amongst themselves without counting against their texting plans.
The cords are losing: Netflix overtaking HBO in paid US subscribers
The momentum continues to shift away from the traditional cable model, as customers increasingly turn to streaming services like Netflix.
A flurry of leaks all but confirm supersized Lumia 1520 Windows Phone coming soon
We'll surely have all the deets this time tomorrow.
Facebook is broken: Status update error messages abound
If you try to post a status update on Facebook this morning, it probably won't let you.
Juicing electric cars though manhole covers among new wireless charging experiments
Automakers and municipal governments are testing new technologies that would make it possible to offer wireless charging stations embedded in the pavement or even in manhole covers -- thus removing the power cords from electric vehicles.
Beyond smartphones: 12 crazy places you'd never expect to find Android
Android is not just for phones and tablets. Its open-source nature has made it popular for lots of odd applications.
Infographic: Five years of Android milestones
Google's mobile operating system has come a really long way in just five short years.
Exploring Android's origins: Developers dish on making apps for the 'wild west'
We asked the developers who have been with Android since its beginnings for their their take on what’s next for the mobile operating system.
8 mobile OS features you saw on Android first
If your phone has free turn-by-turn navigation, LTE, or multitasking, you should thank Android.
The 20 greatest milestones of Android's first five years
We're celebrating the birthday of everyone's favorite little green robot by taking a look back at its first half-decade.
Advice from an Apple tech: Got a Mac? Get a Dremel!
Does your computer toolkit include a Dremel? It may seem extreme, but a Dremel tool can be handy in a dire situation.
Sweet! We just picked dessert names for all the future versions of Android
We hopped into our time machine and came back with a sweet list of Android version names.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
How the wearables will eventually hit our closets
The wearable technology getting attention now is products like Google Glass, fitness trackers, and smartwatches, but more gadgets will arrive soon with practical applications and perhaps lower price tags.
Mobile device sales may slow, prompting deals, analysts say
As growth slows and vendors make less money on each sale, mobile operators will need to identify other services and perks to make money, according to researchers at Ovum.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
SnapChat enhancements make snaps less fleeting, riskier
Third-party products and SnapChat options are eroding the privacy of the photo app beyond ten seconds of fame.
Jamba Juice introduces Mobile Wallet support with a freebie
Up to one million free Jamba Juice smoothies will go to Isis mobile wallet smartphone users later this year, when Isis takes its NFC-ready technology to the national stage.
Grand Theft Auto 5 Review: Small men in a big world
GTA V is a game with an awe-inspiring open world and a troubling narrative.
Friday, October 18, 2013
AMD hints at faster, more power-efficient Xbox, PS4 chips
Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4 are due for release next month, but chip supplier Advanced Micro Devices is already teasing chip upgrades that could make the game consoles faster and more power-efficient.
Amazon adds audio to cloud-based transcoding service
Amazon Web Services has added the option to use its Elastic Transcoder for audio-only conversions.
Double Fine’s Spacebase DF-9 is a snazzy, pricey prototype
The alpha for Double Fine’s Spacebase DF-9 has arrived on Steam--$25 gets you in the door.
Xbox 360’s Games with Gold service gets gold-starred for the foreseeable future
Microsoft announced Friday that Xbox Live Gold members will continue receiving two free games per month indefinitely, as its Games with Gold promotion is now a permanent feature.
Bye bye battery? Volvo demos rechargeable batteries embedded in a car's body
Traditional electric-car batteries that are bulky may soon be a thing of the past.
Sharp bringing high-def IGZO screens to smartphones
Sharp says it will start production of high-def smartphone screens this year.
13 streaming nightmares on Netflix
Here's a second dose of early Halloween fright, with 13 scary movies streaming on Netflix.
Don't spend $150 to bring Samsung's clunky SmartTV experience to your set
Samsung's new $150 set-top device will turn any dumb TV smart, but there's a lot of better options out there.
Six iPhones tested, and they can't agree on true north
Readings that vary by 20-plus degrees makes the iPhone less useful than a $15 compass.
Behind the scenes at Shapeways, New York's 3D-printing marketplace
Shapeways churns out everything from designer gowns to iPhone cases, using nothing but a printer and some nylon powder.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Google Glass firmware's new features may include voice commands like Call Me a Car
An examination of the latest Google Glass firmware hints at what features may come to Google's high-tech specs.
BitTorrent teams up with Vice to distribute original video content for hipsters
BitTorrent is shedding its bad reputation and working hard to become a content distribution platform.
How San Francisco is using social networks to get ready for The Big One
The city by the bay is getting ready for a disaster by launching a social initiative, SF72, with ties to Facebook, Twitter, and Airbnb.
Samsung's curved Galaxy Round phone reportedly won't be available to the rest of the world anytime soon
According to reports, the curved Round is a limited run only for the Korean market.
New Moto Maker migration tool helps you ditch your iPhone for a Moto X
Your Moto X can come prestocked with your iPhone contacts if you use the Moto Maker website.
Researchers challenge Apple's claim of unbreakable iMessage encryption
A close look at Apple's iMessage system shows the company could easily intercept communications on the service despite its assurances to the contrary, researchers claimed Thursday at a security conference.
Netflix to experiment with DVD-style extra features
Behind the scenes of House of Cards? It could happen.
Nuroast is a crowd-sourced home coffee roaster
A lot of people are particular about how they prepare their coffee, so it's a confident company that suggests to them they're doing it wrong. But Nuroast is sure there's a better way to get a great-tasting cup of coffee and demonstrated its prototype home roasting system at the Demo conference on Wednesday.
Why your Internet service provider wants to nix all-you-can-eat data buffets
As the industry moves toward 'metered' broadband plans, hard-core users will feel the hurt.
Chill out, Julian, you come out looking pretty good in 'The Fifth Estate'
Despite Julian Assange's charges to the contrary, the new movie paints WikiLeaks (and its founder) in a flattering light.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Teens' public Facebook posts are guaranteed to cause controversy
Facebook is lifting restrictions on teens' privacy settings, which is sure to anger parents.
Ooh that smell: Mercedes-Benz S550 debuts with custom scents and hot-stone massage
Is this a car or a fast-moving spa? The S550’s new technologies include a scent-control system, passenger massage, and oh yeah, some things that improve the safety and driving experience as well.
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