Technology news

• Delhi Uber passenger who alleges driver rape sues in U.S

  29-01-2015 23:51
  
  By Dan Levine SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A passenger who said she had been raped by an Uber driver in India's capital sued the online car service in U.S. federal court on Thursday, claiming the company failed to maintain basic safety procedures. In the lawsuit, the woman, who resides in Delhi and was not named, called Uber the "modern day equivalent of electronic hitchhiking." "Buyer beware - we all know how those horror movies end," the suit stated. In a statement, Uber
  
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• Amazon posts modest holiday profits

  29-01-2015 23:43 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The online retail giant Amazon reports weaker profits for the busy Christmas period, but a 15% rise in sales cheers investors.
  
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• Google profits up nearly 30%

  29-01-2015 23:09 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Internet giant Google reports fourth-quarter profits of $4.76bn, up nearly 30% from the same period a year before, but revenue misses Wall Street expectations.
  
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• Broadcom's fourth-quarter results exceed expectations

  29-01-2015 22:46
  
  Broadcom Corp posted fourth-quarter results on Thursday that exceeded Wall Street's expectations as the chipmaker increased its focus on Wi-Fi and broadband chips. Broadcom, a leader in connectivity chips with features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, reported fourth-quarter revenue of $2.14 billion (1.42 billion pounds), up 3.8 percent from the year-ago period. Analysts on average had expected fourth-quarter revenue of $2.11 billion and expect first-quarter revenue of $2.01 billion, according to
  
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• Broadcom's fourth-quarter revenue beats expectations

  29-01-2015 22:20
  
  SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Broadcom posted higher fourth-quarter revenue on Thursday that exceeded Wall Street's expectations as the company increased its focus on wifi and broadband chips. Broadcom, a leader in connectivity chips with features like Wifi and Bluetooth, reported fourth-quarter revenue of $2.14 billion, up 3.8 percent from the year-ago period. Analysts on average had expected fourth-quarter revenue of $2.11 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. (Reporting by Noel Rand
  
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• Blogger helps raise $1 million so NYC kids can visit Harvard

  29-01-2015 22:09
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — A fundraising campaign inspired by the popular photo blog Humans of New York has raised more than $1 million to send middle-school students from a high-poverty Brooklyn school on field trips to Harvard.
  
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• Obama must finally end NSA phone record collection, says privacy board

  29-01-2015 21:44
  
  White House could take action ‘at any time’, says Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board chair as key Patriot Act measure is poised to expire Continue reading...
  
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• Analysis - Politics, mobile overshadow Alibaba's fairy-tale run

  29-01-2015 21:39
  
  The Chinese e-commerce giant has acquired a rosy aura since its record-breaking IPO last spring, revealing growth rates and volumes that dwarfed industry stalwarts Amazon.com Inc and eBay Inc . "As the China-factor gets tempered, then excitement (around Alibaba) is going to get tempered as well," Cantor Fitzgerald's Youssef Squali said, after cutting estimates for 2015 revenue and earnings.
  
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• Delhi Uber passenger who alleges driver rape sues in U.S. court

  29-01-2015 21:34
  
  A passenger allegedly raped by an Uber driver in India's capital sued the online car service in U.S. federal court on Thursday, claiming the company failed to maintain basic safety procedures. The financial executive, who was not named in the lawsuit, called Uber the "modern day equivalent of electronic hitchhiking" in the suit. India is Uber's largest market outside the United States by number of cities covered, and the country's radio taxi market is estimated to be wor
  
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• Wynyard Group misses its numbers

  29-01-2015 21:11 via zdnet.com
  
  A focus on large contracts and revenue per user pushes some contract negotiations out into 2015.
  
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• Smartphone Snapshot: Samsung getting squeezed

  29-01-2015 21:01
  
  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The runaway success of Apple's newest iPhone has fueled a dramatic shift in the global market: the California tech giant is now neck-and-neck with South Korea's Samsung for the title of world's leading seller of smartphones.
  
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• Wife of flogged Saudi blogger says his health is worsening

  29-01-2015 20:51
  
  By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) - The wife of a Saudi rights activist, sentenced last year to 1,000 lashes for criticizing the Kingdom's clerics in his blog, said on Thursday her husband's health had worsened after the first round of flogging and that he could not survive the full punishment. Raif Badawi, 31, a blogger and founder of the "Free Saudi Liberals" website, received 50 lashes on Jan 9. "Raif's health condition is bad and it's getting worse and wo
  
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• Buying Guide: Top tablets for note-taking

  29-01-2015 20:15
  
  Surface Pro 3, Galaxy Note Pro, Pro Slate Even though the keyboard serves as a useful text input tool, students and business professionals know there are instances in which a handwritten note or a simple drawing best captures an idea or conveys a thought. From the lecture hall to the boardroom, tablets offer a versatile medium to record information organically.The challenge with writing on a tablet is that many slates are designed for larger finger input rather than the precision of a pen
  
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• Samsung Galaxy S6 might finally ditch all that TouchWiz crapware

  29-01-2015 19:42
  
  Buying a new Samsung phone can be really exciting, but that excitement is also usually tempered by the realization that your brand new phone has dozens and dozens of bloaty crapware apps stuck on it forever.Samsung is by all accounts losing ground to Apple at landslide rates, though, and it's reportedly considering drastic measures to improve its user experience going forward - including ditching all that TouchWiz baggage on the Galaxy S6.TechRadar rated the best gaming laptopsSamsung began this
  
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• Bill Gates insists AI is a threat

  29-01-2015 19:05 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Microsoft's founder says we should worry that AI escape our control, despite claims to the contrary by a Microsoft Research chief.
  
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• U.S. FCC proposes $600,000 fine for AT&T over license rules

  29-01-2015 18:48
  
  U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted to propose a fine of about $600,000 for second-biggest wireless carrier AT&T Inc over violations of rules and requirements for operating some airwaves licenses. FCC officials said they had found AT&T, between 2009 and 2012, operated some of its cell cites differently from the way they were authorized by the agency. The FCC voted 3-2 to propose the fine, with Republican commissioners dissenting over information they said was missing
  
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• Sound tech for blind film-lovers

  29-01-2015 18:34 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Researchers use sound technology as an alternative to audio descriptions to try to improve film-watching for blind people.
  
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• Alibaba shares tumble on 4Q revenue miss

  29-01-2015 18:17
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Alibaba's Group shares dropped 10 percent on Thursday after the Chinese e-commerce powerhouse reported holiday-quarter revenue that surged 40 percent but missed analyst expectations.
  
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• SpongeBob online? Nickelodeon to offer Internet subscription

  29-01-2015 18:16
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — SpongeBob fans rejoice: Nickelodeon is the latest cable channel to plan a stand-alone Internet offering.
  
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• Office puts chips under staff's skin

  29-01-2015 18:01 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Rory Cellan-Jones visits a building where microchipped workers gain entry and use photocopiers by holding up their hands - and trials the tech himself.
  
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• Industry voice: How to keep your website safe in 2015

  29-01-2015 18:01
  
  Website attacks may go unnoticed for months as hackers steal confidential information. The financial losses and reputational damage from a potential breach are spurring organisations on to protect their web applications. Here we find out from Ilia Kolochenko, CEO of High-Tech Bridge and Chief Architect of ImmuniWeb, how to keep your website safe in 2015.How the security threat landscape is shaping up for 2015TechRadar Pro: What tools are organisations turning to in order to protect their website
  
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• A New Global Swarm of Weather-Sensing Satellites

  29-01-2015 18:00
  
  Every bird, every bug, every human being on Earth is enveloped at all times by the signals of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Its 32 satellites, operated by the U.S. government, do far more than just tell you where you are. On Thursday, a San Francisco-based company called Spire announced its plans to deploy 20 tiny satellites into low-Earth orbit. It hopes to generate a private database of global weather data, which it believes will rapidly become the world’s largest.
  
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• Careers as a social entrepreneur – the dreams and reality

  29-01-2015 17:53
  
  The co-founder of Filipino social enterprise Rags2Riches compares her interview answers when starting out in 2007 to her feelings now Continue reading...
  
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• Review: Updated: Pipo X7

  29-01-2015 17:46 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Introduction and performanceWe first encountered the Pipo brand when we reviewed the W2 a few months ago. The tablet left us with a good impression of the China-based company, especially when it came to value for money.So much so that we've asked for another device from them, the X7, which promises to hit the right notes as well.The X7 is essentially a mini computer that utilises the same kind of hardware you'd expect to see on a tablet, an entry-level laptop or smartphone. This one doesn't have
  
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• Review: Mini review: Sony HDR-AZ1VR

  29-01-2015 17:30 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  How it worksThe AZ1VR is really neat and simple to use. You fix the camera to your helmet (or handlebars, or surfboard), strap the remote to your wrist, make a few camera set-up adjustments, hit Record… and go!Best action camsBest GoPro accessoriesCamera reviews and newsThe AZ1VR is sold as a kit that includes a removable 5M waterproof case, a selection of mounts and the wrist-worn LVR2V live view remote. Initial setup and connection between the camera and remote is an easy process requiring a
  
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• Nickelodeon to offer Internet-only subscription service

  29-01-2015 17:25
  
  Add Nickelodeon to the list of channels planning a stand-alone Internet offering. What's not yet known is whether this offering will be the same channel as what cable and satellite TV subscribers now get. ...
  
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• Sky to launch mobile phone service

  29-01-2015 17:23 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Pay-TV firm Sky is launching a mobile phone service next year as the battle for a slice of the UK's telecoms market intensifies.
  
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• Amazon challenges Google with cloud email service for business market

  29-01-2015 17:11
  
  WorkMail is latest salvo in the cloud computing arms race being waged by Microsoft, Google, HP and IBMAmazon is setting its sights on disrupting the corporate email market, currently dominated by Microsoft and Google.Amazon WorkMail sounds like a easy sell to both users and IT managers. It will allow users to email, manage contacts, share calendars and book resources using their existing email applications such as Microsoft Outlook, a web browser or apps in iOS and Android – but remove the nee
  
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• Alibaba quarterly revenue disappoints, shares fall

  29-01-2015 16:36
  
  By Paul Carsten and John Ruwitch BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's shares fell more than 10 percent early on Thursday, wiping more than $25 billion of market value after third quarter revenue at the Chinese internet giant fell short of analysts' expectations. Revenue at the world's largest e-commerce company rose 40 percent to $4.22 billion (2.79 billion pounds) in the December quarter, short of the average analyst estimate of $4.45 billion, according to Tho
  
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• In China, U.S. tech firms turn to domestic rivals for survival

  29-01-2015 16:33
  
  By Paul Carsten BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. technology companies in China are forming alliances with domestic firms, hoping that having a local partner will make it easier to operate in the increasingly tough environment for foreign businesses in the world's second-biggest economy. China's government has been openly pushing for the use of more Chinese and less foreign-made technology, both to grow its own tech sector and as a response to former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edw
  
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• Connecting up the NFL: using technology to improve fan experience

  29-01-2015 16:26
  
  The NFL’s digital transformation is ensuring supporters stay connected and encouraging a more active engagement with teams Continue reading...
  
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• HP ZBook 15 G2 Mobile Workstation review: Fast and robust, with a high-res display

  29-01-2015 16:01 via zdnet.com
  
  HP's ZBook 15 G2 is an impressive mobile workstation, with plenty of available configuration options. Battery life isn't great, but overall this is a well-built system that delivers very good performance for the price.
  
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• Game Review: A new life for old video games

  29-01-2015 15:36
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — For some video games, what's old is new again.
  
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• US firms object to source code rules

  29-01-2015 15:35 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Business groups have written to the Chinese government, asking it to rethink rules that would force them to hand over source code and create backdoors for officials in Beijing.
  
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• Apple draws level with Samsung as biggest smartphone maker

  29-01-2015 15:25
  
  The iPhone 6 has helped the US group to wipe out its South Korean rival’s lead as global smartphone sales surpass 1.3bn in 2014The popularity of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus helped Apple to catch up with Samsung in sales in the last quarter of 2014, research shows.The two companies have been locked in a battle for the top spot since 2011, when Samsung’s Galaxy S line of smartphones helped the South Korean group to steal the crown of the world’s biggest smartphone maker from Apple. Contin
  
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• Alibaba adjusted profit tops estimates, revenue disappoints

  29-01-2015 15:23
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Chinese e-commerce powerhouse Alibaba's Group reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings that beat expectations as its user base continued to grow and shoppers bought more on mobile phones.
  
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• Sky moves into UK mobile-phone market after deal with O2 owner

  29-01-2015 15:10
  
  Agreement with Telefónica comes a month after rival BT announced it was to buy EE Continue reading...
  
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• Alibaba run-in with China regulator signals tougher scrutiny

  29-01-2015 15:08
  
  BEIJING (AP) — For years, Alibaba faced complaints it failed to stamp out sales of counterfeit goods on its e-commerce websites. But Chinese regulators stayed silent, apparently reluctant to disrupt the rise of an Internet star even as they accused foreign automakers, dairies and others of violating anti-monopoly or consumer protection rules.
  
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• Charles Townes, who helped invent now-ubiquitous laser, dies

  29-01-2015 15:06
  
  BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Charles H. Townes' inspiration for the predecessor of the laser came to him while sitting on a park bench, waiting for a restaurant to open for breakfast.
  
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• Review: Panasonic TZ70/ZS50

  29-01-2015 15:00 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Introduction and featuresIt was Panasonic which began the trend for making compact cameras that are specifically designed for travellers and those heading out on holiday, and the TZ series, called the ZS series in the US, is still one of the most highly regarded of the genre. The news Panasonic TZ70/ZS50, then, should prove highly popular.Best compact cameraCamera reviews and newsPanasonic launches TZ70 travel camera and moreAffording manual control, along with the ability to shoot in raw format
  
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• ​Apple Watch could be playing for a market worth $16.5bn by 2020

  29-01-2015 14:03 via zdnet.com
  
  Apple Watch is expected to lead a category of wearable tech that could be worth $16.5bn by 2020.
  
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• FCC vote to force high-speed internet upgrades angers cable industry

  29-01-2015 14:00
  
  FCC charged with ensuring broadband access rolled out in ‘reasonable and timely’ manner but last report found 19m Americans didn’t have high-speed internet Continue reading...
  
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• Artificial intelligence will become strong enough to be a concern, says Bill Gates

  29-01-2015 13:57
  
  Former Microsoft boss joins Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking in suggesting that the march of AI could be an existential threat to humans Continue reading...
  
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• How small is the smallest chess game in the world? This small

  29-01-2015 13:50
  
  It can fit in three and a half tweets, or seven and a half IBM punch cards: chess doesn’t come leaner than BootChess.If you’ve got an older smartphone you’ve probably run out of space for apps.Except for this one: BootChess is a fully working chess game coded in just 487 bytes. That’s an entire game in the same number of characters as this article. Continue reading...
  
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• Virtual reality documentaries 'take the middle man out of journalism'

  29-01-2015 13:23
  
  Filmmaker Chris Milk is showing how the use of VR film for news coverage can be a powerful storytelling medium that connects people to each other“With virtual reality, I’m not interested in the novelty factor,” says digital artist and filmmaker Chris Milk. “I’m interested in the foundations for a medium that could be more powerful than cinema, than theatre, than literature, than any other medium we’ve had before to connect one human being to another.”Milk’s career has a strong th
  
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• ​Google did fight WikiLeaks gag order, says lawyer

  29-01-2015 13:16 via zdnet.com
  
  Google says it fought to have a gag order, related to warrants for emails from three WikiLeaks staffers, lifted.
  
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• Alibaba holiday-quarter revenue disappoints

  29-01-2015 13:15
  
  (Reuters) - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's quarterly revenue fell short of analysts' expectations, showing signs of a slowdown in the Chinese e-commerce company's growth during the hard-fought holiday shopping season. Revenue rose 40 percent to $4.22 billion (2.79 billion pounds) in the December quarter, missing the average analyst estimate of $4.45 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. But margins on earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization bounced bac
  
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• Snapchat launches US superhero series

  29-01-2015 13:10 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A big US phone company is commissioning YouTubers to create 12 episodes of a show called SnapperHero on Snapchat.
  
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• Intel says corporations buying more high-end PCs

  29-01-2015 13:07
  
  By Noel Randewich SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Companies replacing older PCs are increasingly choosing ones with high-end features aimed at improved security and employee efficiency, according to a senior Intel Corp executive. Intel's "vPro" processors account for a fifth of the chipmaker's corporate PC business and that proportion is growing, Tom Garrison, Intel’s vice president and general manager of business client platforms, recently told Reuters. With a recovery in the PC
  
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• LAPD chief's claim that Waze 'helps criminals' leaves many in blank disbelief

  29-01-2015 13:00
  
  Civil liberties groups come to defense of popular road navigation app after police chief publishes letter accusing Google app of endangering officersCivil liberties lawyers, free speech advocates and even some police departments have rushed to the defence of the popular road navigation app Waze after Charlie Beck, the chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, accused the service of endangering officers and helping criminals by publicizing the position of their patrol cars.
  Beck went public w
  
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