Technology news

• Buying Guide: The best iPhone 6 Plus deals in March 2015

  18-03-2015 23:50
  
  Best iPhone 6 Plus dealsThe iPhone 6 Plus is magnificent, it's the device that many people wanted Apple to create, to give them a handset that's a little bit larger, with all the benefits that brings with it.Now, those of us who adored the screen size of the Samsung Galaxy Note have the chance to own Apple's device in the same size. There's also a real advantage to the iPhone 6 Plus that goes beyond just the larger screen. But make no mistake, the 1080 x 1920 screen makes a big difference when y
  
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• Alibaba investors face lock-up battered but largely unbowed

  18-03-2015 23:35
  
  By Jessica Toonkel NEW YORK (Reuters) - As Alibaba was preparing to sell shares to U.S. investors for the first time, Jerry Verseput tried to persuade his clients not to throw money at the giant China-based e-commerce company because he thinks IPOs are a gamble, especially those with a lot of hype. Alibaba opened on Sept. 19 at $92.70, ended its first day at $93.89 and reached its peak on November 13, when it hit $120. Alibaba, which already commands 80 percent of the Chinese market and handles
  
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• LVMH's Tag Heuer surfs wave of smartwatch partnerships

  18-03-2015 23:34
  
  By Astrid Wendlandt BASEL, Switzerland (Reuters) - Tag Heuer plans to unveil a smartwatch on Thursday among a wave of partnerships expected at the world's biggest watch fair this week as luxury watchmakers fight back against Apple. Tag Heuer is planning to launch next autumn a smartwatch version of its Carrera watch that will offer many of the same functions as the Apple watch such as geolocation, distance walked and altitude. The major difference is that the watch will be a digital replica
  
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• Australian govt to introduce piracy filter legislation next week

  18-03-2015 23:02 via zdnet.com
  
  The Australian government will introduce legislation forcing ISPs to block websites sharing illicit TV shows, films, and music next week.
  
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• T-Mobile turns its focus to small businesses with new offers

  18-03-2015 22:59
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — T-Mobile wants to change how businesses buy phones and wireless services — two years after it changed how consumers do so.
  
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• As Explorer loses ground, Microsoft readies new web browser

  18-03-2015 22:45
  
  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Look out, Internet Explorer. After 20 years of competing against rival web browsers, Microsoft is gearing up to launch its own alternative to its once-dominant Internet surfing program.
  
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• Could a new OpenSSL defect be worse than Heartbleed?

  18-03-2015 22:30
  
  OpenSSL is ready to rollout a major security update to patch a "high" severity security flaw that security researchers pray is not as bad as Heartbleed.The project team behind OpenSSL explained that a new release will debut on March 19 that fixes security defects in versions 1.0.2a, 1.0.1m, 1.0.0r and 0.9.8zf of OpenSSL, and Gavin Millard from Tenable Network Security is one of those keeping his fingers crossed."With the contributors to the OpenSSL project staying tight lipped apa
  
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• In Depth: CES 2016: what we want to see

  18-03-2015 22:22
  
  CES 2016: we want more mobile and wearablesWe've known the dates of CES 2016 (January 6- 9) for some time now, and of course the casino-ladden town of Las Vegas will once again play the role of welcoming host. Yes, yes, we're way ahead of the curve when it comes to speculating about CES 2016, but things move fast in the world of tech.It typically takes a long while before we see products announced at CES make it to store shelves, but it's never too soon to start sniffing out the goods when it
  
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• Updated: More evidence that Android Wear and iOS might play nice someday

  18-03-2015 22:00
  
  Update: More evidence has emerged to suggest that Android Wear and iOS are not as incompatible as you might think.A developer who goes by MohammadAG has created a workaround that lets Android Wear users receive notifications and answer calls from their iOS devices on their smartwatches, according to Android Authority.Even more interesting, though, is what the developer later tweeted: that Android Wear version 4.4 contains "iOS related code," which in his mind "confirms they're wor
  
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• Review: mini review: Shure SE215

  18-03-2015 20:40 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  For those constantly on the move, there isn't a more accommodating type of headphone than those of the in-ear variety. Their discrete form factor lends to unparalleled portability and better yet, they are increasingly being stocked with impressive sound performance. What's not to love? Well, nothing except the glaring fact that a ton of people still use the shoddy, uncomfortable and tinny-sounding earbuds that came with their smartphone. It's a tough truth to swallow, but here's an easy solution
  
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• Nearly 40 percent of iPhone owners interested in Apple Watch - poll

  18-03-2015 19:42
  
  By Alexei Oreskovic SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - About 40 percent of adult Apple iPhone owners in the United States are interested in buying the company's new Apple Watch, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. The high-tech smartwatch, which will range in price from $350 to $17,000 for an 18-karat gold model, is Apple Inc’s first major new product in five years and consumer demand for the device is being closely watched by competitors and investors. Owners of the iPhone are a particularly i
  
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• Uber endures nightmare week

  18-03-2015 19:35 via bbc.co.uk
  
  UberPop is banned by a German court, while police in France raid the company's offices and people connected to it in South Korea face charges
  
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• Call to curb GCHQ spying powers

  18-03-2015 19:10 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A civil liberty group has issued a call to rein in GCHQ after legal action unearthed documents detailing its ability to spy on people.
  
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• Broadband to be basic legal right, says George Osborne

  18-03-2015 18:57
  
  Chancellor announces bid to raise internet speeds to at least 100Mbps across the UK in budget move welcomed by rural campaigners Continue reading...
  
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• Microsoft must face Xbox 360 class action claims

  18-03-2015 18:43
  
  Microsoft Corp must face class action claims by Xbox 360 owners who say the video game console has a design defect that causes game discs to be gouged, a federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Seattle said a lower court judge misapplied the law in finding that Xbox owners in the United States could not sue for damages as a group. It did not decide whether a class action should be certified. Microsoft has sold tens of millions of Xbox 360 consoles since
  
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• T-Mobile extends benefits to businesses, launches simpler plans

  18-03-2015 18:42 via zdnet.com
  
  After upending the consumer cell space, T-Mobile wants to take a crack at offering "more transparent" cellular service to small businesses.
  
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• Discovery Channel founder starts nonfiction streaming video service

  18-03-2015 18:41
  
  Discovery Channel founder John Hendricks on Wednesday launched a subscription streaming service for fans of science, technology and history, with the goal of dominating the nonfiction category in on-demand, online video. Hendricks said the ad-free service CuriosityStream fulfilled his long-held desire to deliver programming that people can watch whenever they want. He hopes it will become viewers' third or fourth online video subscription after choices like Netflix Inc and Hulu. To pursue t
  
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• German court bans Uber's unlicensed taxi services

  18-03-2015 18:37
  
  By Eric Auchard and Christoph Steitz FRANKFURT (Reuters) - A German court on Wednesday banned Uber from running services using unlicensed cab drivers and set stiff fines for any violations of local transport laws by the pioneering online taxi firm. Uber, worth an estimated $40 billion making it the world's most valuable venture-backed start-up, has set out to revolutionise local transport services worldwide, from taxis to carpools to fast-food delivery. Born out of the frustration of two S
  
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• Streaming TV services: What you get, what it costs

  18-03-2015 18:25
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Sony jumped into the pay-television business Wednesday with an online package of more than 50 channels starting at $50 a month. It's the most complete of the Internet-only offerings, but also the most expensive.
  
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• Budget 2015: funds for driverless cars to be matched by industry

  18-03-2015 18:08
  
  Companies to bid for projects to join up technology required to make autonomous vehicles part of an over-reaching network Continue reading...
  
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• U.S. vows to keep pressing China on bank cybersecurity rules

  18-03-2015 17:42
  Washington will keep pressing China to pause new bank cybersecurity rules that have upset U.S. companies and is working with Japan and the European Union to present a united front, a senior U.S. official said on Wednesday. Deputy Trade Representative Robert Holleyman said he raised the new rules, which would force technology vendors to Chinese banks to hand over secret source code and adopt Chinese encryption algorithms, with Chinese officials during a visit last week. "There are a lot of a
  
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• Bitcoin 'exit scam': deep-web market operators disappear with $12m

  18-03-2015 17:27
  
  Verto and Kimble, the administrators of Evolution Marketplace, have made off with the cryptocurrency sum as Reddit community cries foul Continue reading...
  
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• Review: Can you really save money by cutting the cord?

  18-03-2015 17:18
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — There are more ways to watch television online than ever. Even HBO and ESPN — two channels often cited as reasons people keep expensive cable or satellite TV packages — will be available for streaming on their own. All these offerings make it possible to drop your pay-TV service without giving up favorite shows.
  
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• Sony's PlayStation Vue online TV service launches at $50 a month

  18-03-2015 17:02
  
  By Malathi Nayak NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sony Corp on Wednesday launched its PlayStation Vue Web video service in three cities, targeting customers looking for cheaper alternatives to cable with packages starting at $50. The Web and cloud-based television service, which allows users to access live TV and on-demand video, has been in test mode since November. Sony joins several new competitors in online video services with one of the largest packages of channels. Vue will be available initially on P
  
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• Budget boosts digital cash research

  18-03-2015 17:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Chancellor announces cash boost for research into digital cash and changes to the way the virtual funds can be traded in the UK
  
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• Microsoft must face class action claims over alleged Xbox defect

  18-03-2015 16:39
  
  (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Wednesday revived class-action allegations in which owners of Microsoft Corp Xbox 360 video game consoles sued the company over an alleged design defect that causes game discs to be gouged. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said a lower court judge misapplied the law in striking the classwide allegations, and that this error was an abuse of discretion. It did not address whether the Xbox owners deserved to have their claims treated as a group. (Reportin
  
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• Can Marissa Mayer save Yahoo?

  18-03-2015 16:37
  
  The web pioneer that missed chances to buy Google, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter faces questions about its purpose in a mobile world - and whether it is a takeover targetMarissa Mayer has just one year to turn Yahoo into a thriving, growing prospect - or else the venerable business will become an acquisition target.That’s the thinking of Nicholas Carlson, a journalist whose book Marissa Mayer and the Fight to Save Yahoo! explores the company’s struggle under its charismatic new chief executi
  
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• Tencent looks to Facebook for inspiration as revenue growth declines

  18-03-2015 16:28
  
  By Yimou Lee and Paul Carsten HONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) - Tencent Holdings Ltd, China's biggest social network and online media firm, is taking inspiration from Facebook Inc in growing advertising revenue, executives said on Wednesday, after posting its slowest revenue growth in seven years. Tencent has long depended on online gaming to generate revenue, but the company which competes on several fronts with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Baidu Inc, also wants to emulate Facebook's suc
  
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• Twitter puts trillions of tweets up for sale to data miners

  18-03-2015 16:21
  
  Company plans to make content generated by users available to commerce, academia and even police involved in crowd controlYou are travelling by plane to see your newborn grandchild. As you board the aircraft, the cabin crew address you by name and congratulate you on the arrival of a bouncing baby boy. On your seat, you find a gift-wrapped blue rattle with a note from the airline.In Twitter data strategy chief Chris Moody’s vision of the future, companies surprising their customers like this c
  
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• Plastic-backed songwriter: Paul McCartney can now be 3D printed

  18-03-2015 16:21
  
  Former Beatle gets scanned for an official 3D-printable figurine, and makes it available for free to fans from his website Continue reading...
  
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• U.S. working with Japan, Europe on Chinese cyber security rules - U.S. official

  18-03-2015 16:05
  The Obama administration is working to break down barriers to trade in technology and banking in China in partnership with Japan and the European Union, U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Robert Holleyman said on Wednesday. Holleyman, who visited Beijing last week, said new banking rules would allow Chinese officials to keep the keys to secure systems and would largely shut out U.S. technology and ATM providers from the Chinese market. "We are working to try to break down those barriers, and
  
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• Getac V110 review: Compact and rugged, with an excellent screen

  18-03-2015 16:01 via zdnet.com
  
  Getac's 11.6-inch V110 is more portable than the average rugged notebook. The screen is excellent for outdoor viewing, and multiple wireless and GPS options make this a highly adaptable, if expensive, notebook.
  
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• Credit Suisse launches digital private banking push

  18-03-2015 15:51
  
  Credit Suisse is rolling out its new private banking app in Asia as it seeks to fend off competition from rivals offering cheaper, faster digital services for wealthy clients. "We are making significant investments in digital technology to capture this opportunity and deepen the relationship with our current and next generation of private banking client," Hans-Ulrich Meister head of private banking and wealth management at Credit Suisse said in a statement.
  
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• Inateck BTSP-10 Plus review: Great sound with a cheap price

  18-03-2015 15:47
  
  Inateck is not a name many would list if asked what their favourite speaker brand was but the German company has made a name for itself selling goods such as Bluetooth speakers, Kindle covers and USB hubs, among other electronic products. Paired with hexagons covering the speaker grill, it is a speaker I can see looking good next to a colourful gaming PC set up. Along with a Micro-USB slot for charging, that completes the list of sockets on the speaker. There are three buttons on the top of the
  
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• Inateck BTSP-10 Plus review: Cheap price without reduced-quality sound

  18-03-2015 15:47
  
  Inateck is not a name many would list if asked what their favourite speaker brand was but the German company has made a name for itself selling goods such as Bluetooth speakers, Kindle covers and USB hubs, among other electronic products. Paired with hexagons covering the speaker grill, it is a speaker I can see looking good next to a colourful gaming PC set up. Along with a Micro-USB slot for charging, that completes the list of sockets on the speaker. There are three buttons on the top of the
  
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• Uber offices raided in Paris by French police in 'car-pooling' controversy

  18-03-2015 15:22
  
  Taxi app firm faces legal challenge to its UberPOP service in Paris, which connects drivers with riders in a budget version of app’s premium serviceFrench police have raided the Paris offices of the taxi app firm Uber as part of ongoing investigations into its UberPOP peer-to-peer ride-sharing service.The investigation, at the behest of Paris’ prosecutors office, comes after France’s interior ministry vowed to ban the app from 1 January 2015. Continue reading...
  
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• German court imposes national ban on some Uber services

  18-03-2015 15:14
  
  By Christoph Steitz and Eric Auchard FRANKFURT (Reuters) - A German regional court on Wednesday issued a nationwide ban on online taxi service Uber, barring it from operating commercial services and levelling stiff fines for any violations of the country's local transport laws. Each violation of the order against Uber and its uberPOP online service was subject to a 250,000 euro ($264,825) fine, a three-judge panel of the Frankfurt regional court ruled. "We regret today's decision
  
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• Facebook quiz publisher PlayBuzz raises $16m in funding

  18-03-2015 15:03
  
  Israeli-based quiz and list publishing platform uses content from organisations including such as the Daily Telegraph and AOL
  Continue reading...
  
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• ​How Apache Spark firm Databricks is firing up cloud automation

  18-03-2015 14:30 via zdnet.com
  
  The firm founded by the creators of the Spark in-memory data-processing framework has improved its hosted platform to cut time spent developing and managing complex workloads.
  
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• Charges dropped over Facebook rant

  18-03-2015 13:46 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Charges have been dropped against a US man who was arrested in the UAE after making critical comments about his employer while in America.
  
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• Review: Nikon Coolpix P610

  18-03-2015 13:45 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Introduction and FeaturesCamera reviewsBest compact cameraBest bridge cameraThe Nikon P610 is one of the new bridge cameras from Nikon – it replaces the Nikon P600. Its key selling point is a 60x optical zoom which provides you with an equivalent 35mm focal length range of 24-1440mm. There's also a digital zoom available to boost that reach by a further 4x, to an incredible 5760mm. Nikon P600 reviewInside the camera there's a 16 million pixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor. As it is a bridge cam
  
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• The road to obscurity

  18-03-2015 13:36 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Is the rate of obsolescence getting faster?
  
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• Canada's startup scene makes a polite pop, but still awaits its big bang

  18-03-2015 13:29 via zdnet.com
  
  ​Canada is underperforming in tech VC funding relative to the US. Can the government help it to bulk up a little where it counts?
  
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• Smashed your HTC One? No problem, they'll replace

  18-03-2015 13:14
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Cracked your screen or dropped your phone in the toilet? No problem, if you buy HTC's new One smartphone.
  
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• Edward Snowden leaks did the marketing for GCHQ in its spy recruitment drive

  18-03-2015 13:07
  
  GCHQ says that it is now viewed as a cutting edge technology operation making it more attractive to potential recruits. It has been two years since Edward Snowden first revealed in leaked documents the extent of the UK Government Communications Headquarters' (GCHQ) top secret operations, broadening awareness of the realm of cyberespionage. So have the continuous stream of leaks about its surveillance operations harmed its chances of landing the best and brightest the UK has to offer? Absol
  
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• Google wants self-drive cars by 2020

  18-03-2015 13:02 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Google's head of its self-drive car project reveals the real reason he wants self-drive cars standard on roads in five years.
  
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• Microsoft's iPhone and Android friendly Band arrives in the UK

  18-03-2015 12:56 via zdnet.com
  
  Cross-platform £169.99 fitness band will complement your watch, says Microsoft.
  
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• Microsoft’s Internet Explorer is dead … but don't celebrate just yet

  18-03-2015 12:44
  
  Windows 10 will come with a new browser, codenamed Spartan, built from the ground up – but Microsoft won’t be killing off IE, however much it would like toThe web browser that will ship with Microsoft’s new Windows 10 operating system might not be called Internet Explorer, but reports of IE’s demise have been somewhat exaggerated.
  Microsoft’s new browser – codenamed “Spartan” after the protagonist in its Halo game series – has been built from the ground up, jettisoning the un
  
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• Free Windows 10 for China pirates

  18-03-2015 12:42 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Chinese people using pirated versions of Microsoft Windows will be able to get a free upgrade to Windows 10.
  
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• Tencent revenue growth slowest in seven years as net income misses forecasts

  18-03-2015 12:29
  
  By Yimou Lee and Paul Carsten HONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) - Tencent Holdings Ltd, China's biggest social network and online entertainment firm, saw its slowest revenue growth in seven years in the fourth quarter as net income missed forecasts and sharing and content costs ate into sales. Revenue grew 24 percent to 20.978 billion yuan (2.34 billion pounds), though this was still slightly above forecasts of 20.5 billion yuan, on the back of strong sales from online gaming on PCs and smartphon
  
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