Technology news

• Youtube, Web channels show Sony's 'The Interview' a day before theatres

  24-12-2014 22:57
  
  By Eric Kelsey and Mary Milliken LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Sony Pictures made "The Interview" available online on Wednesday, a day before its theatrical release, after reversing a decision made a week ago to cancel the movie's release following a massive cyberattack. The film was available for rental on Google Inc's Youtube site as of early Wednesday afternoon. Microsoft Corp and Sony itself are also showing the comedy, a day before its scheduled premiere at some 320 independen
  
  Read more

• Boxing Day Deals: Boxing Day sales 2014: all the best deals listed

  24-12-2014 22:40
  
  Boxing Day SalesChristmas shopping is over, and with the sun having set on Christmas Eve, the world focusses its attention on presents, turkey, stuffing... and of course... Boxing Day sales!For the next few days we'll be populating this page with all of the best Boxing Day sales deals we can find at all the best retailers, from games consoles to TVs, phones, tablets, laptops and cameras!It'll be worth your while sticking with us - this year's Boxing Day sales promise to be the most exciting ever
  
  Read more

• The Interview lands on Google Play, YouTube and Xbox Video

  24-12-2014 21:11
  
  Your Christmas wish has come true; The Interview is available to stream in the US. Sony confirmed the film's availability in a press release, noting the movie about the fictional assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is streaming on Google Play, YouTube Movies, Xbox Video and Sony's own dedicated website, www.seetheinterview.com. Stay-at-home movie viewers can rent the flick for $5.99 or purchase it for $14.99.Sony said it reached out to Google, Microsoft and "other partners"
  
  Read more

• Where to watch 'The Interview' online

  24-12-2014 20:48
  
  You don't need to leave your house to watch "The Interview." Sony Pictures released the comedy on digital platforms Wednesday. The online release comes a day after the studio reversed its previous ...
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Sony releases 'The Interview' on Youtube, other Internet channels

  24-12-2014 20:28
  
  By Eric Kelsey and Mary Milliken LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Sony Pictures made "The Interview" available online on Wednesday, widening distribution of a comedy that triggered a massive cyberattack blamed on North Korea, after backtracking on a decision to cancel the movie's release that was criticized as self-censorship. The film was available for rental on Google Inc's Youtube site as of early Wednesday afternoon. Microsoft Corp and Sony itself are also showing the comedy, the
  
  Read more

• In Depth: 10 apps to successfully ignore your family during the holidays

  24-12-2014 20:13
  
  'Tis the season. Welcome to the most jolly, yet, hectic time of the year. From the smell of burnt cookies baking in the oven to that caroling sound of Christmas songs playing on repeat throughout the house - the last few weeks of December can be the most annoying time of the year.As much as we love visiting in-laws and other relatives, getting through the holiday season can have its limits. Sure you are surrounded by people who love you, or at least people to whom you are related, but sometimes
  
  Read more

• In Depth: 10 apps to help you successfully ignore your family during the holidays

  24-12-2014 20:13
  
  'Tis the season. Welcome to the most jolly, yet, hectic time of the year. From the smell of burnt cookies baking in the oven to that caroling sound of Christmas songs playing on repeat throughout the house - the last few weeks of December can be the most annoying time of the year.As much as we love visiting in-laws and other relatives, getting through the holiday season can have its limits. Sure you are surrounded by people who love you, or at least people to whom you are related, but sometimes
  
  Read more

• Sony broadly releases 'The Interview' in reversal of plans

  24-12-2014 20:07
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — In an unprecedented move, Sony Pictures broadly released "The Interview" to digital platforms Wednesday, a reversal of its previous plan not to show the film after hackers released thousands of documents online and threatened violence at theaters showing the comedy that depicts the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Sony releases The Interview online

  24-12-2014 19:44 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Sony Pictures is distributing its film The Interview online, after a cyber-attack and a row over its release.
  
  Read more

• Sony releases 'The Interview' for streaming

  24-12-2014 19:12
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — "The Interview" became available for rental on a variety of digital platforms Wednesday, including Google Play, YouTube Movies, Microsoft's Xbox Video and a separate Sony website, Sony Pictures announced.
  
  Read more

• Sony to show 'The Interview' on Youtube, other Internet channels

  24-12-2014 18:57
  
  By Eric Kelsey and Mary Milliken LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Sony Pictures will make its controversial comedy, "The Interview," available starting on Wednesday through online video platforms run by Google Inc , Microsoft Corp and Sony itself, the studio said. Sony, which just last week cancelled the release of the comedy - about two TV talk show hosts who are sent to North Korea to assassinate its leader Kim Jong Un - is now looking for ways to widen its distribution beyond a small group o
  
  Read more

• Facebook must face lawsuit over scanning of users' messages - judge

  24-12-2014 18:36
  
  By Nate Raymond (Reuters) - Facebook Inc must face a class action lawsuit accusing it of violating its users' privacy by scanning the content of messages they send to other users for advertising purposes, a U.S. judge has ruled. U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton in Oakland, California, on Tuesday dismissed some state-law claims against the social media company but largely denied Facebook's bid to dismiss the lawsuit. ...
  
  Read more

• 'The Interview' made available on digital platforms

  24-12-2014 18:27
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — "The Interview" will be available for rental on a variety of digital platforms including Google Play, YouTube Movies, Microsoft's Xbox Video and a separate Sony website beginning Wednesday.
  
  Read more

• Sony Pictures to put 'The Interview' online Wednesday

  24-12-2014 18:21
  
  LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Sony Pictures said it will make the comedy movie, "The Interview," available for rental and purchase online on Wednesday on Google's YouTube site, Google Play, Microsoft Xbox Video and on its own dedicated website. Sony Pictures initially pulled the film from theaters last week following a weeks-long cyberattack blamed on North Korea. The studio on Tuesday made the film available to cinemas for limited release, beginning on Dec. 25. (Reporting by Eric Kelse
  
  Read more

• Who hacked Sony becomes Internet's new mystery

  24-12-2014 18:04
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Everyone has a theory about who really hacked Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.
  
  Read more

• Mother of Silk Road's Ross Ulbricht: 'My son is innocent'

  24-12-2014 16:00
  
  The outcome of the case against the man accused of running the Silk Road could redraw the limits of personal freedom and state power in the digital age Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Mother of Silk Road accused Ross Ulbricht: my son is innocent

  24-12-2014 16:00
  
  The outcome of the case against the man who allegedly ran online black market could redraw the limits of personal freedom and state power in the digital age Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Download of the day: Inkscape

  24-12-2014 16:00
  
  Inkscape is a great free program for creating vectors (scalable graphics that won't blur when you resize them) – so much so, in fact, that it it's a serious alternative to expensive alternatives like Adobe Illustrator.Why you need itAdobe has a dominant position in the image software world, but that doesn't mean there aren't excellent alternatives. Inkscape is one such program – an open-source vector imaging suite that mounts a serious challenge to Adobe's Illustrator behemoth. And what's mo
  
  Read more

• Feline fame in cyberspace gives species a boost

  24-12-2014 15:17
  
  PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Modern-day cats aren't associated with deities like they were in ancient Egypt, but the Internet has gotten them a little closer.
  
  Read more

• In depth: Could speech analytics prevent the next financial crash?

  24-12-2014 14:15
  
  IntroductionThe public furore over dodgy bankers may have subsided a little, but since the 2008 financial crisis we have seen 2013's rigging of Libor and the recent fixing of the foreign exchanges market.Fines and compensation payments (read: PPI) have cost British banks £38.5 billion (around $60 billion, AU$73 billion) this century, and some think it's the banking culture that's to blame. However, there could be a way to change this bad behaviour, and TechRadar Pro was given a demo of this tec
  
  Read more

• Video games 'should be in Olympics'

  24-12-2014 13:46 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Competitive video gaming - known as e-sports - should be included in the Olympic Games, the creator of World of Warcraft has told the BBC.
  
  Read more

• The top 10 tech and digital moments in 2014 - Podcast

  24-12-2014 13:00
  
  The Guardians tech experts pick 10 key moments that marked an exciting year of tech and digital innovation this year Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• In depth: Best streaming services to keep you sane this Christmas

  24-12-2014 13:00
  
  Best streaming servicesChristmas is, as we're always told, all about family - but for those of us that like a bit of a break from boardgames and grandad's tall tales it is also the season for subscribing to a new streaming service. The good news is that there is no shortage of wonderful candidates offering up a wealth of premium options from music and live sport right the way through movies and TV boxsets. So whether you're looking for Sopranos or Spurs, let TechRadar guide you through the big p
  
  Read more

• Downloads: Christmas crackers: Photoscape

  24-12-2014 13:00
  
  It may be that you get a new camera for Christmas, but even if you are still using one from last year or earlier, you're probably going to be taking a lot of photos over the coming weeks.From pictures of relatives you only catch up with once a year, to shots of that 'interesting' jumper you were given by a friend, Christmas photos are lasting memories. You could print out your favourite pictures, but PhotoScape provides you with the tools you need to show them off on your computer. The program
  
  Read more

• NKorea outage a case study in online uncertainties

  24-12-2014 12:35
  
  LONDON (AP) — North Korea's microscopic corner of the Internet has had a rough couple of days, suffering seven outages in the last 48 hours, according to one Web traffic monitor.
  
  Read more

• Japan, wary of N Korea, works to secure infrastructure after Sony attack

  24-12-2014 12:30
  
  By Tim Kelly and Nobuhiro Kubo TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan, fearing it could be a soft target for possible North Korean cyber attacks in the escalating row over the Sony Pictures hack, has begun working to ensure basic infrastructure is safe and to formulate its diplomatic response, officials said. The hacking of the U.S. ...
  
  Read more

• Greek telecoms firm OTE agrees new labour deal that secures jobs

  24-12-2014 12:28
  
  ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece's largest telecoms operator Hellenic Telecoms (OTE) has signed a new three-year contract with its main labour union, securing 7,000 jobs for the next three years. OTE, 40 percent-owned and managed by Germany's Deutsche Telekom, said on Wednesday it had committed not to lay off any employees at its fixed-line operations before the end of 2017. The agreement keeps wages unchanged at 2012 levels until the end of 2017 and maintains a reduced working week. ...
  
  Read more

• How you could become a victim of cybercrime in 2015

  24-12-2014 12:27
  
  Cybersecurity experts’ predictions for the year ahead: from ransomware and healthcare hacks to social media scams and state-sponsored cyberwar Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Uber sorry for Sydney siege prices

  24-12-2014 12:10 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Taxi booking firm Uber has apologised for raising fare prices during a deadly cafe siege in Sydney last week, saying its decision was wrong.
  
  Read more

• Google's Santa Tracker is up and running

  24-12-2014 12:02
  
  If you've been wondering about the strange familiarity of music when you are doing your weekly shop, and an unusually heavy amount of people wearing red and white hats then we're happy to reveal that this is because it's nearly Christmas - and that means the annual Google Santa Tracker is here.Yep, every year we bring you the news that Google is allowing you to keep an eye on just where Father Christmas' sleigh is parked up, and keep tabs on how many presents he has delivered. And even better yo
  
  Read more

• The CISO, the CIO, the CEO, or you: Who is really responsible for cybersecurity?

  24-12-2014 11:29 via zdnet.com
  
  IT security is about more than just the hardware and software. Experts give their view on where the buck really stops.
  
  Read more

• Tech giants battle to track Santa

  24-12-2014 11:13 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The yearly task of finding St. Nick heats up between Google and Microsoft
  
  Read more

• All I want for Christmas is… the return of the iPod Classic

  24-12-2014 10:42 via zdnet.com
  
  Not all change is good when it comes to gadgets that are close to our hearts.
  
  Read more

• Temple Run gets virtual reality edition with Samsung's Gear VR

  24-12-2014 10:40
  
  After more than 1bn downloads on smartphones and tablets, endless-running game transfers to Oculus-powered headset Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• In Depth: Best Blu-rays 2014: 10 discs to hi-def your Christmas

  24-12-2014 10:30
  
  Best Blu-ray movies 2014The world may have gone streaming mad in 2014 but Blu-ray is still king when it comes to delivering home entertainment - at least for those who still like collecting real, malleable things.With that in mind, here are the 10 best Blu-rays of 2014. These are the discs that offer up the best picture quality, awesome audio and extras that rival the main feature. There's a mixture of retro and new, fantasy and futuristic but they all have one thing in common - they are essenti
  
  Read more

• The King William’s College quiz 2014

  24-12-2014 10:29
  
  Which two ladies fought, first with pistols and then with swords, in Hyde Park? What agent eradicated the Candorians? Which eruption was probably witnessed by Columbus? – and many, many more agonising questions in the toughest quiz of them all Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• It's been a great year! Thanks to these Facebook scams for being a part of it...

  24-12-2014 10:01
  
  From ‘guess who viewed your profile’ apps to naked videos and dodgy ads, malware developers targeted the social network in 2014 Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• MakerBot's 3D-printable Stegosaurus skeleton has classrooms in mind

  24-12-2014 09:26
  
  96-piece model is the latest addition to 3D printing firm’s digital store, as it targets students and amateur paleontologists alike Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• The best iPad apps for kids of 2014

  24-12-2014 09:00
  
  Education, creativity and entertainment in equal measure in our end-of-year selection of the iPad apps that will delight children and parents alike• The best Android apps for kids of 2014
  Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• The best Android apps for kids of 2014

  24-12-2014 09:00
  
  If your children are getting to grips with a new Android tablet for Christmas, here’s our pick of the most educational and entertaining kids’ apps this year• The best iPad apps for kids of 2014
  Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Meet Gareth, the member of the silent majority picked out by Ed Miliband

  24-12-2014 08:00
  
  Namecheck at Labour party conference led to trending on Twitter, then media frenzy for the year’s most unlikely political star Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Sony tries to save face with 'Interview' flip-flop

  24-12-2014 07:14
  
  ATLANTA (AP) — Sony's flip-flop on releasing "The Interview" shows the studio is working furiously to try to chart the right course through political and public-opinion minefields.
  
  Read more

• Alibaba spends $160m fighting fakes

  24-12-2014 04:34 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba says it has spent more than $160m fighting fake goods on its websites over the last two years.
  
  Read more

• Uber says sorry for raising fares during Sydney siege

  24-12-2014 03:00
  
  Surge pricing came into effect automatically, company says, adding that it should have stopped it immediately Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• The media's Sony cyberwar rhetoric means the terrorists win

  24-12-2014 02:20 via zdnet.com
  
  ​The Sony Pictures Entertainment hack is certainly a custard duck of fabulous proportions, but it ain't no cyberwar -- and the media should know this by now.
  
  Read more

• Alibaba removes 90 million fake goods ahead of IPO in US

  24-12-2014 01:57 via zdnet.com
  
  Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, the Chinese e-commerce giant that kicked off a $25 billion mega initial public offering on NASDAQ this year, admitted it took down as many as 90 million counterfeit goods from its e-commerce platforms in order to smooth its IPO.
  
  Read more

• The best free documentaries to watch on YouTube

  24-12-2014 01:01
  
  By:Duncan Geereand Alexandra Simon-LewisContinue reading...
  
  Read more

• 13 of the best documentaries on YouTube right now

  24-12-2014 01:01
  
  By:Duncan Geereand Alexandra Simon-LewisContinue reading...
  
  Read more

• 11 of the best documentaries on YouTube right now

  24-12-2014 01:01
  
  By:Duncan Geereand Alexandra Simon-LewisContinue reading...
  
  Read more

• Sony considering sale of unit that owns Beatles songs - WSJ

  24-12-2014 00:33
  
  (Reuters) - Sony Corp is considering a sale of its Sony/ATV Music Publishing unit, which owns the rights to most of the Beatles' songs, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing the company's leaked internal emails. The unit, which Sony owns jointly with deceased pop star Michael Jackson's estate, is estimated to be worth $1.5 billion-$2 billion (0.96-1.28 billion pounds), the Journal said. Sony/ATV Music declined to comment on the report. It is currently not clear if Sony will sel
  
  Read more

Follow @TechnologyUKnws on Twitter!