Friday, February 28, 2014

Mobile World Congress wrap-up: 3 big trends from this year's show

Our intrepid team of reporters spent the week in Barcelona at the world's biggest mobile trade show, looking at a slew of mobile devices and services. But what topics were on everyone's mind at Mobile World Congress 2014?

Thursday, February 27, 2014

California court rules it's OK for drivers to check mobile maps

The appeals court went by a strict interpretation of the statute under which the driver was charged

Let my love open the door: Nymi wristband uses your pulse as a password

This fledgling wearable uses your pulse wave as a unique identifier, so it can unlock doors, accounts and more in a way that no one can decode or steal.

Mio stays on the pulse of fitness hardware with its wrist monitors

Wrist-worn heart rate monitors with the same accuracy as a tight, uncomfortable chest strap? Be still my beating heart.

Ten smartphones that caught our eye at Mobile World Congress

Samsung's Galaxy S5 may have grabbed the biggest share of the spotlight in Barcelona this week, but there were plenty of other mobile devices that caught our eye.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Oral-B's Bluetooth toothbrush wants to clean your filthy mouth

This smart brush wants to make oral hygiene fun, with videos to entertain you and even achievement badges. But your dentist will approve of its methods too

Samsung debuts new Exynos chips, questions linger on 64-bit plans

Samsung announces new Exynos six- and eight-core Exynos mobile chips

Photo leak: The Google smartwatch that will probably never be

Android Police releases images of an ostensibly Motorola-designed Google smartwatch prototype.

You've got a call on Line, too: Line announces voice calls to traditional phones

The popular messaging service is taking on the likes of Skype and Viber with its new VoIP service.

Free the TV: VBox's DVR lets you record and watch from any device

Debuting at Mobile World Congress and arriving in the U.S. later in 2014, the V@Home TV Gateway DVR lets you watch and record live TV on multiple devices at once.

Mac Pro 6-core review: $3999 Mac Pro is an impressive computer

Macworld Lab finally got the high-end standard configuration model of Apple's high-end workstation. The benchmark results continue to impress.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Motorola will release a smartwatch later this year

In a Q&A with journalists at Mobile World Congress, a Motorola executive shared plans on venturing into wearables territory.

Hands on: Lenovo's Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ adds much-needed style to the Android tablet space

We're still a little iffy about that kickstand, but we can't stop staring at its brushed aluminum chassis and 1080p display.

Mobile World Congress in Video: Up close with the interface on Nokia's new Android phones

In this video report, you'll see why Nokia's X, X1, and XL are more reminiscent of Windows Phone devices than of the Android OS they actually run.

Hands on with HeadsUp, the latest meeting feature for Cal by Any.Do

HeadsUp adds robust task-management tools to the already awesome Cal app for Android.

Hands on: New Galaxy Gear wearables take your pulse but still miss a beat on design

The heart rate monitors in Samsung's new-gen wearables make them extremely personal, but the devices' chunky designs may not inspire true love.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Mark Zuckerberg wants to friend the whole world via Internet.org

Facebook's CEO took the stage at Mobile World Congress to discuss his Internet.org initiative, which aims to get the entire population of Earth online.

Mobile World Congress in Video: Sony updates its Xperia lineup

We've told you about the changes Sony's introducing to its Xperia smartphones and tablets. Now see the new Xperia Z2 phone for yourself in this video report.

What you need to know about Apple's SSL bug

Apple patched a serious vulnerability in its implementation of SSL on iOS last Friday, but the Mac is still affected. If you're concerned or curious, here's how it might currently affect you.

In an emergency? This battery-powered phone could bail you out

The SpareOne is an $80 phone that runs on a AA battery; it's designed as a backup in case your regular smartphone isn't charged. We take a closer look in this video report from Mobile World Congress.

Ford unveils new Focus, packed with parking tech

The car will help you park no matter the space and comes with a new version of Sync and safety tech for young drivers.

Welcome to Greenbot, a new website that answers all your Android questions

Helping Android enthusiasts of all experience levels, from newbies to long-time users.

Nokia's Android phones are nothing like the Android you're used to

If you were looking for an Android-y Windows Phone experience, however, this might be up your alley.

Sony's SmartBand is just another wearable until you add the Lifelog app

The waterproof SmartBand is basically a Fitbit Flex with a couple extra features, but the secret sauce is the gorgeous Lifelog app...which you don't even need the SmartBand to use.

I just wrote the press release for LG's Google Now watch. Now they just need to make it

Hey, Google: Keep it simple, make it cheap, and go with the strengths that got you here in the first place.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

RealNetworks says its video-sharing service is ready for a worldwide stage

After launching in the U.S. and Canada five months ago, RealPlayer Cloud rolls out to the rest of the world Monday.

Huawei's TalkBand mashes a smartwatch with a Bluetooth headset

Finally: a smartwatch that answers calls and lets you hear them too. Just stick the screen in your ear. (No, really.)

Samsung's new Gear watches add features, but only one has a camera

The Gear 2 gets new fitness features and will control smart TVs, but the Gear 2 Neo lacks a camera, which was our favorite part of its Galaxy Gear predecessor.

Samsung's new Gear watches add features, but only one has a camera

The Gear 2 gets new fitness features and will control smart TVs, but the Gear 2 Neo lacks a camera, which was our favorite part of its Galaxy Gear predecessor.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Friday, February 21, 2014

Video report: Meet Google’s 'Project Tango'

Google has been working over the past year on developing 3D technology for smartphones, but it has the potential to go beyond those devices.

Sidecar tests trending feature to let you know where the cool kids are headed

Trend Spot would show users of the ride-sharing app which locations are trending in a particular city.

6 ways Samsung needs to update the Galaxy Gear for Mobile World Congress

Critics hated the Gear, but it's not too late for Samsung to absolve its smartwatch sins.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

What else could Facebook buy for $16 billion?

Sure, snapping up a popular messaging app is nice. But we think Mark Zuckerberg could have gotten more bang for his megabucks.

Google's Project Tango phone understands its environment like humans do

By essentially sticking Kinect in a phone, Google aims to give our mobile devices a "human-scale understanding of space and motion."

Xbox One beta program lets adventurous gamers test system updates early

Starting with the March update, Microsoft will be soliciting feedback from users on its Xbox One updates.

Samsung's Galaxy Camera 2 to ship next month for $449.99

Samsung's more advanced NX30 Smart Camera is priced at $999.99 and available immediately

With WhatsApp buy, Facebook wants to become the only network you need

When you send a text, share a photo, or read the news, you’re on Facebook. Just when you think you're out, it pulls you back in.

Microsoft announces $25 Xbox One Media Remote

Starting in March, you won't need to yell at your TV like a schmuck.

Report: HTC to demo three smartwatches at Mobile World Congress (but to carriers only)

Bloomberg reports one will include Qualcomm's Mirasol display tech, while another will be focused on Google Now services.

Wearables, phones, and tablets: what to expect from MWC 2014

Samsung, LG, and Sony have a few tricks up their sleeves, and everybody under the sun is going to debut a new wearable device.

Get more done with these 10 great Android business apps

You may not be able to do all your business work with just your Android smartphone alone, but with the right apps you can come mighty close.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Save the dates: Google I/O is set for June 25-26

This year, the company is changing the registration process by approving individual applications.

First Ubuntu phones to launch in 2014

Chinese phone makers BQ and Meizu will make the first handsets

Customers suffer slow streams while Netflix and ISPs battle over video delivery, says WSJ

ISPs like Verizon want Netflix to pay for the massive amount of video traffic flowing across its networks. But Netflix is reluctant to do so.

Parsing Google's Glass etiquette: What those do's and don'ts really mean

You're an Explorer now, son. You have new responsibilities, and it's time to take them seriously.

Data-saving Opera Max for Android enters public beta

Opera's data compression app for Android is now available to anyone in the U.S. that wants to try it, but you may have to wait to start using it.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Forget smartwatches: Cuff’s smart jewelry is wearable tech that women might actually wear

Meet CuffLinc. It provides simple notifications and security alerts via stylish bracelets and pendents.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Android mirroring could make its way to Chromecast

Just don't expect to play Flappy Bird on the big screen.

Microsoft dabbles in digital discounts with $20 off 'Ryse: Son of Rome' for Xbox One

“Lot of people asked for better deals on our digital marketplace, so we’re testing some,” says Microsoft exec.

Philips' intelligent supermarket lighting can help you find your groceries

The LED lighting system uses lighting fixtures that form a dense network that acts as a positioning grid and lets retailers send location-based data to shoppers via an app, according to Philips.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Friday, February 14, 2014

Use apps to turn your Twitter feed into a spoiler-free zone

Are the people in your social media sphere yammering on about House of Cards or the Winter Olympics before you've had a chance to watch? We've looked at some apps that can silence them until you can get to a TV.

Download every De La Soul album for free for today only

Tired of waiting to get through all the legal hurdles, De La Soul is taking its music straight to the fans via the Internet.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

New gender options prove Facebook is no stodgy social network

Now users can choose from 50-something custom gender identity expressions on the social network.

Mitsubishi creates a predictive agent to anticipate drivers' needs

The agent offers menu choices on a HUD for controlling navigation, phone, and other in-car systems

Comcast's Time Warner Cable purchase is a merger of monopolies

The two biggest cable companies in the U.S. might be merging. But these companies are already Internet-access monopolies, which is the real problem. And the FCC is the only group that can solve it.

1.9 million smartwatches shipped in 2013

Android dominates thanks to Samsung's Galaxy Gear

Surprise, surprise: Privacy groups still mad about Facebook ads

Facebook settled a suit over its Sponsored Stories ads, but now privacy advocates say the network isn’t doing enough to protect kids’ information.

Meet Flappy Bert, Sesame Street's amazing Flappy Bird clone

Sesame Workshop offers its own take on Flappy Bird with Flappy Bert.

Spec showdown: LG G Pro 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 3

New optical imaging stabilization technology may give LG's camera an edge

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Comcast said to buy Time Warner Cable in over $45B deal

The acquisition will combine the two largest cable operators in the U.S.