Technology news

• Microsoft issues new bug-fix-focused Windows 10 Mobile test build

  21-04-2015 23:47 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  Microsoft has released to testers its third public preview of Windows 10 Mobile for Windows Phones.
  
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• VIDEO: World's fastest trains - in 45 seconds

  21-04-2015 23:41 via bbc.co.uk
  
  As a Japanese magnetic levitation train breaks the world speed record, the BBC reveals the world's fastest passenger trains.
  
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• Yahoo earnings miss expectations

  21-04-2015 22:24 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Internet search giant Yahoo reports worse-than-expected profits for the first three months of this year, adding to investor concern.
  
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• Review: iMac with Retina 5K display

  21-04-2015 21:00 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  IntroductionWhen Apple announced the iMac with Retina 5K display toward the end of 2014, it didn't come as a shock. The Cupertino-based company slimmed down its previous-generation iMacs two years earlier, and it felt like a matter of time before they would join a growing fleet of Retina-equipped products that now includes the iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 and the new MacBook.Going one further than 4K, the Retina iMac's 5K display features a pixel-resolution of 5,120 x 2,800, which lends it more than 14.
  
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• Uber complies with German ban on unlicensed cab drivers

  21-04-2015 19:40
  
  Online taxi firm Uber will comply with a German ban on its services using unlicensed cab drivers by lowering its fees so it becomes more like a ride sharing service. The Frankfurt regional court last month set stiff fines for any violations of local transport laws by Uber in a case brought by German taxi operator group Taxi Deutschland. Uber said in a statement on Tuesday that the ruling was now enforceable, calling it "a defeat for all those who want more choice for their personal mobility
  
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• Updated: Top 100 best free games you should play today

  21-04-2015 19:40
  
  Best free games to play todayUpdate: We've just added another 10 must-play titles to our list of the best free games to play right now. Flick along to the final pages to find out the ones that made the cut.Gaming is often considered an expensive hobby. Consoles cost hundreds, and gaming PCs can easily run to over a grand. However, once you're set up with a rig, the amount of games you can get for free is staggering.Sure, to play the latest AAA console smash, you're going to have to put your hand
  
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• Nokia bets software revolution will help avoid past merger errors

  21-04-2015 18:21
  
  By Leila Abboud, Jussi Rosendahl and Sven Nordenstam PARIS/HELSINKI/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Nokia's acquisition of smaller rival Alcatel-Lucent may avoid the pitfalls that befell earlier telecom network equipment marriages, thanks to a revolution over the past decade in how products are launched and developed. Nokia has promised 900 million euros (£647.21 million) of cost savings by 2019 from the Alcatel-Lucent acquisition, which is set to be completed in the first half of next year. Analyst
  
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• Adobe unveils Lightroom CC as a cornerstone of its subscription-based Photography Plan

  21-04-2015 18:01
  
  Adobe is describing Lightroom CC as all new, with 'lightning fast' performance and new tools for editing, enhancing and displaying pictures. Mobile, 'connected' imaging is an increasingly large part of Adobe's plans, and while users will still be able to get Lightroom CC as a standalone package ('Lightroom 6'), it will miss out on Creative Cloud features, such as the ability to synchronise images with mobile devices and create and share online galleries. Lightroom 6 will sell separately for arou
  
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• Google lobbying spending reached new high in early 2015

  21-04-2015 17:58
  
  By Diane Bartz WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Google Inc, already one of Washington's biggest spenders, set a company record for its lobbying activity in the first quarter of 2015 when it spent $5.5 million (3.68 million pounds), according to a government database. Google ranked ninth in terms of total lobbying spending in 2014 at $16.8 million, behind the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ($124 million) and the National Association of Realtors ($55 million), according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
  
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• Uber accused of guide dog snub

  21-04-2015 17:57 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The taxi app firm Uber is being taken to court over allegations that its drivers are discriminating against people with visual impairment.
  
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• Review: Epson XP-420 All-in-One

  21-04-2015 17:45 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Introduction and designThe budget inkjet printer market is crowded with worthy devices. The Epson Expression Home XP-420 All-in-One ($79.99) is pound for pound one of the best available. Although slightly limited in terms of luxury features and performance, this inexpensive printer is ideal for anyone who wants to print & scan basic documents and medium-definition photos, all via an easy-to-use, mobile-friendly interface. Rather than compare this device to inferior, but similarly priced prin
  
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• Apple might be building a 4-inch iPhone 7 after all

  21-04-2015 17:31
  
  A new report has revealed AU Optronics is supplying Apple with some of the display panels for the iPhone 7, and that the new phone will come with the 4-inch one as well.Supply chain sources told Korean site TechNews that Apple is looking for additional panel supplies for upcoming iPhone models and will need 4-inch, 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch LTPS In-Cell displays.Take this news with a massive pinch of salt as the site's history of Apple news isn't 100% accurate, but it's not the first report we've he
  
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• Is this the weirdest Windows desktop PC yet?

  21-04-2015 17:20
  
  Remember the O2 joggler, a much-maligned and criticised tethered digital notepad? PC manufacturers are following its footsteps in order to keep the price of computers down while offering the all-important genuine Windows licence.The Pipo X8 is the first of a new breed of computers that offers a display, one of the requirements Microsoft put forward to convince OEMs to bundle Windows 8.1 with Bing for free on their tablets.It actually costs less to add a touchscreen display than buying a genuine
  
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• EU Google probe encourages investors in Russia competitor Yandex

  21-04-2015 17:01
  
  By Ryan Vlastelica NEW YORK (Reuters) - The European Union's antitrust probe into Google sparked a big rally in Russian search engine Yandex NV last week, even though the "Russian Google" still faces significant challenges, competitive and otherwise. Yandex has amassed a $6.54 billion (£4.38 billion) market capitalization, mainly by selling advertising against the web browser used on 64 percent of Russian desktop computers. With Russian stocks recovering and the EU looking into w
  
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• Twitter cracks down on cyber-abuse

  21-04-2015 17:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Twitter says it will take action against a wider range of violent threats as part of new efforts to tackle abuse on its platform.
  
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• ARM boosted by strong iPhone sales but still hankers after servers

  21-04-2015 16:20 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  The UK chip designer has reported rising revenues on the back of growing sales of phones and tablets, while hoping it can overcome setbacks in the server market.
  
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• Some tech firms being 'friendly to terrorists' says UK police chief

  21-04-2015 15:42
  
  Some technology and communication firms are helping militants avoid detection by developing systems that are "friendly to terrorists", Britain's top anti-terrorism police officer said on Tuesday. Mark Rowley, the national police lead for counter-terrorism, said companies needed to think about their "corporate social responsibility" in creating products that made it hard for the authorities to access material during investigations. "It can be set up in a way which is
  
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• Apple's making sure its Watch doesn't make the same mistake as Fitbit

  21-04-2015 15:36
  
  Not long ago, Fitbit had some problems with skin irritation, not something you want on a device you're wearing all day, every day.Apple also wants you to wear its watch for most of the day, so it's put a lot of work into making sure the materials used don't affect your skin as much as some of its competitors.According to a new section on the Apple Support site it has run a lot of tests including thousands of material composition tests, thousands of prototypes for trial studies, hundreds of toxic
  
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• Exclusive - Huawei CEO says Chinese cybersecurity rules could backfire

  21-04-2015 15:31
  
  By Gerry Shih SHENZHEN, China (Reuters) - China can only ensure its information security in the long run if it keeps its market open to the best technology products, be they foreign or domestic, Huawei's rotating chief executive Eric Xu told Reuters on Tuesday. Xu's remarks are a rare example of a top Chinese CEO openly questioning the direction of Beijing's information security policy, already a source of concern for countries who fear it will limit opportunities for their techno
  
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• In depth: 10 truly inspiring PC and laptop designs

  21-04-2015 15:20
  
  IntroductionWhilst most hardcore PC users are more worried about what's on the inside of their machine, plenty of consumers are far more bothered about the design on the outside. Lets face it: who doesn't like to see the look on their friend's face when they lock eyes with your newest PC setup?With so many PC manufacturers out there vying to make us part with our hard-earned cash there have been plenty of design icons over the years that have hit the heights and defined the following 12 months o
  
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• Abramovich leads $30 million investment round in Music Messenger app

  21-04-2015 14:31
  
  A mobile phone app that allows users to send music to each another for free has raised $30 million (20.12 million pounds)from private investors including Russian billionaire and Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich. Music Messenger, co-founded by Israeli entrepreneur O.D. Kobo and launched seven months ago, said on Tuesday Abramovich had invested $15 million. Other backers included Benny Andersson from pop band ABBA, artists David Guetta, Will.i.am and Avicci, and Gee Roberson, manager o
  
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• Hewlett-Packard teams with FireEye, Mandiant on cybersecurity

  21-04-2015 14:04
  
  By Joseph Menn SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Hewlett-Packard Co will team with prominent cybersecurity firm FireEye Inc to offer services including assessments and incident response, bringing one of the most sophisticated security teams to a much broader market. In an interview ahead of the announcement, FireEye Chief Executive David DeWalt described the deal as "capability meets scale." HP has 5,000 security consultants, many of whom manage security operations on an outsourced basis for l
  
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• Buying Guide: The best iPhone 6 deals in April 2015

  21-04-2015 14:00
  
  Best iPhone 6 dealsApple's iPhone 6 has, as silly as it may sound, revitalised Apple's smartphone. It may not have looked like it was in danger from the outside, but a lack of new features would have been a disaster for Apple.Most popular iPhone 6 dealsSee more deals: use TechRadar's iPhone 6 comparison chartsNow though, the iPhone is stronger than ever. Two new phones in two new sizes, both with some great capacity options including 16, 64 and 128GB capacities.The new sizes are great, but it do
  
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• Mixed bag for Verizon's Q1

  21-04-2015 13:56 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  The largest US cellular giant added more than half-a-million net retail postpaid subscriptions during the quarter.
  
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• ​Yahoo squeezes more out of Microsoft in new search deal, filing reveals

  21-04-2015 13:55 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  Yahoo and Microsoft can walk away from their 10-year search deal with just four months' written notice.
  
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• Japan's maglev train breaks own speed record at 603 kph

  21-04-2015 13:39
  
  TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese maglev that is the fastest passenger train in the world has broken its own speed record.
  
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• See the Sony Xperia Z4 next to the Z3 - can you tell the difference?

  21-04-2015 13:06
  
  Sony has just taken the wraps off the Xperia Z4, but it was a relatively small announcement with, for now, a Japan-only launch.It's no wonder, really. The specs remarkably similar to the Sony Xperia Z3, with a 5.2-inch 1080 x 1920 screen, a 20.7MP camera, an IP68 certified dust and water resistant body, a Snapdragon 810 processor and 3GB of RAM.There are a few differences, as it has a faster processor and a higher megapixel count on the front-facing camera for example, but they're minor and the
  
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• Huge spike in voter registrations proves that badgering people on Twitter works

  21-04-2015 13:06
  
  If you've been wearily muting ever minor celebrity urging people to register to vote over the past few weeks, sighing and saying aloud "No point mate, it'll never work" then the joke's on you: it worked. Yesterday, around 470,000 people registered online for a say in next month's General Election as the registration deadline hit, according to this breakdown.That's 300,000 more people than the previous 24-hour record. You've only been able to register online since June 2014, but over 7
  
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• HBO Now users outside US 'cut off'

  21-04-2015 12:42 via bbc.co.uk
  
  HBO is threatening to cut off paying customers of its HBO Now service if they are viewing its shows outside the US.
  
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• Japan mulls 2018 moon landing, seeks to keep up with rivals

  21-04-2015 12:38
  
  TOKYO (AP) — Japan's space agency is considering an unmanned mission to the moon by 2018 or early 2019, part of an effort to beef up aerospace technology and keep pace with China and other emerging powers.
  
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• ​OnePlus ditches unpopular invite system for now, but will bring it back for OnePlus 2

  21-04-2015 12:21 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  Some buyers might hate OnePlus' invite-only system for buying devices, but the company says it wouldn't be here without it - and it'll definitely use it for the new OnePlus 2.
  
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• Pressed for Time, book review: Don't blame the technology

  21-04-2015 11:26 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  According to Judy Wajcman, we're pressed for time not because of technology but because of our priorities, and the policies and principles we choose. If we want to, we can take more control.
  
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• ​Now you can download your entire search history from Google

  21-04-2015 11:02 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  Earlier this year, Google quietly rolled out a new feature that lets users download their search history.
  
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• Twitter To Let Anyone Send You Direct Messages

  21-04-2015 10:57
  
  Twitter will now let anyone send you a direct message - not just the people you're following. The new feature is turned off by default but can be switched on in the settings menu. The move appears to be part of a move by Twitter to muscle in to the lucrative mobile-messaging market, which Facebook has recently made a big push into with its Messenger app. Users can also send direct messages - known as DMs - to people who follow them, even if they do not follow them back and have not turned o
  
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• VIDEO: Robot receptionist in Tokyo

  21-04-2015 10:31 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A super-life-like robot has started work at a department store in Tokyo, Japan.
  
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• Maglev Train Breaks World Speed Record Again

  21-04-2015 10:25
  
  A magnetic levitation (maglev) train in Japan has broken the world speed record for the second time in a week by hitting 373mph. The Central Japan Railway Company said the train managed 11 seconds at the top speed. Maglev trains use a magnetic charge to lift and move the train cars above a guideway.
  
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• Review: Seagate Wireless Mobile Storage 500GB

  21-04-2015 10:15 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Introduction and designSeagate added a strange looking product to its portfolio earlier this year. No, I am not talking about the Seagate Seven which was reviewed recently, but the Wireless Mobile Storage instead.This product is essentially a consumer-focused, wireless network attached storage, not unlike the Seagate Wireless Plus 2TB drive we reviewed last year. The device can create its own private network with up to three users connected concurrently.It has an integrated battery that can powe
  
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• Google’s 'mobilegeddon'

  21-04-2015 09:58 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Cries of pain as Google changes its search rankings
  
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• Humanoid robot can recognise and interact with people

  21-04-2015 09:48
  
  A humanoid robot which can mimic human expressions greeted visitors on Saturday (April 18) at a Hong Kong electronics fair. About 40 motors control his face to form delicate facial expressions, according to product manager at Hanson Robotics, Grace Copplestone. "So Han's really exciting because not only can he generate very realistic facial expressions, but he can also interact with the environment around him. So he has cameras on his eyes and on his chest, which allow him to recognise
  
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• Qualcomm to tap Samsung to make new mobile processors - report

  21-04-2015 09:37
  
  U.S. chip maker Qualcomm Inc plans to have its next-generation Snapdragon 820 mobile processors manufactured by Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, tech news website Re/code reported, citing unnamed sources. The move comes after Samsung opted to use its own Exynos processors for the recently launched flagship Galaxy S6 devices instead of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810, prompting the U.S. firm to cut is financial outlook for the year. Samsung and Qualcomm declined to comment on Re/code's report. The re
  
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• Japanese maglev train breaks 600 kph record in last of test runs

  21-04-2015 09:20
  
  A Japanese magnetic levitation train has broken its own world speed record, hitting 603km/h over the 590km/h speed set last week. The test will mark the end of high-speed test runs, says Kyodo News. The train service will be introduced between Tokyo and Nagoya by 2027, says the Central Japan Railway, but the journey will be at a maximum of 505km/h. The government is also hoping to sell the maglev train technology overseas.
  
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• BMW China plans to put WeChat in cars without relying on Tencent

  21-04-2015 09:07
  
  By Jake Spring SHANGHAI (Reuters) - BMW AG is working to integrate Tencent Holdings' popular WeChat messaging app into its cars in China and is planning to do it in a way that would not require the Internet giant to make changes to its software, its China R&D chief said. As the battle in the world's largest car market increasingly shifts to technology add-ons, auto executives say customers are clamouring for the app in their vehicles. WeChat, with about half a billion active monthl
  
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• NAB services small business customers with Xero partnership

  21-04-2015 07:34 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  National Australia Bank small business customers will be able to receive real-time information from NAB and Xero as part of a new partnership with the accounting software firm.
  
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• Wild weather hits telco services in NSW

  21-04-2015 07:20 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  Power outages caused by wild weather along the New South Wales coast have hit telecommunications services in the state, with areas between Nowra and Taree impacted.
  
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• Mandatory data-retention funding to be a Budget surprise

  21-04-2015 07:02 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  Communications Alliance CEO John Stanton has said that the Australian government is still refusing to reveal how much it will pay telcos for the cost of implementing mandatory data retention.
  
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• China's Huawei targets July launch for public cloud service in China

  21-04-2015 06:49
  
  Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei Technologies [HWT.UL] said on Tuesday it would launch its public cloud computing services for Chinese corporate customers in July, becoming the latest Chinese company to enter the fast-growing market. Speaking at Huawei's Global Analyst Summit in Shenzhen on Tuesday, Huawei rotating chief executive Eric Xu did not name the Chinese telecom carrier with which it would partner to offer the service. Xu, however, said the strategy would not create competiti
  
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• Western Australia takes legal action against Uber

  21-04-2015 06:20 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  ​Just months after targeting Uber drivers, the Western Australia government is taking legal action against the ride-sharing app developer directly, for not having the correct licence to operate in the state.
  
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• ​Enterprise mobility market to reach AU$5b by 2019: Telsyte

  21-04-2015 06:10 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  Telsyte believes the Australian enterprise mobility market will be driven by a combination of mobile device hardware, management software, and value-added services.
  
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• Samsung cements SSD leadership in 2014

  21-04-2015 05:46 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  Samsung held its top spot in the solid-state drive market last year, and is expected to further cement its position and increase revenue in the coming years.
  
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• ​Singtel to leave ASX by May

  21-04-2015 04:24 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  A continuing decline of publicly traded Singtel securities in Australia has prompted Optus' Singapore-based parent company to ask for permission to delist from the ASX by the end of May.
  
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