Technology news

• The Lifx color-changing smart bulb gets a big price cut

  08-10-2015 23:51 via cnet.com
  
  Originally priced at $100 per bulb, you can now buy the Wi-Fi-enabled, color-changing Lifx LED for $60.
  
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• Apple: Any iPhone 6S battery life differences are minimal

  08-10-2015 23:33 via cnet.com
  
  Addressing questions about the different processors used in the new iPhones, Apple says the battery life of its devices varies by only 2 percent to 3 percent.
  
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• Soars on selfies, sinks on substance

  08-10-2015 23:25 via cnet.com
  
  If selfie shots rock your world, the ZenFone Selfie's 13-megapixel front-facing camera and dual-LED flash is aimed at you.
  
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• There are blue skies on Pluto, NASA says

  08-10-2015 23:22 via cnet.com
  
  The first images of Pluto's atmospheric hazes sent back by the New Horizons spacecraft show that mornings there might not be so different from Earth -- in at least one way.
  
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• We hear you: Readers want to see smart security systems, blinds in the CNET Smart Home

  08-10-2015 23:21 via cnet.com
  
  We asked our Twitter followers what smart-home technology we should test next in the CNET Smart Home. Your No. 1 priority: Keeping a smart home secure.
  
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• Microsoft leaves Apple in the dust with tablet and laptop innovation in 2015

  08-10-2015 23:20 via cnet.com
  
  Will there be one Apple Ring to rule them all? That's what a patent application says. Plus, building the thinnest gadget isn't innovation anymore and Apple just got a reality check from Microsoft.
  
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• EMC-Dell talks highlight Elliott's clout across tech sector

  08-10-2015 23:11
  
  Acquisition talks between EMC Corp. and Dell Inc. are significant not just for the size of the potential transaction but also for a common element behind this and dozens of other major tech deals over the past decade: Elliott Management. The possible tie-up between the $50 billion storage company and the privately owned computer maker, which surfaced on Wednesday, would be the largest tech deal ever and would solidify Elliott's reputation of sparking key and sizable transformations throughout po
  
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• PC shipments fall in third quarter: Research firms

  08-10-2015 23:10
  
  (Reuters) - Research firm Gartner Inc said worldwide shipments of personal computers fell 7.7 percent to 73.7 million units in the third quarter as a stronger dollar made them costlier. Meanwhile, International Data Corp (IDC) said shipments fell 10.8 percent to 71 million units. Gartner also said the Windows 10 launch in the quarter had minimal impact on shipments as users chose to upgrade to Windows 10 on existing PCs. (Reporting By Arathy S Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Don Sebastian)
  
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• Idaho nuclear lab director eyes new generation of scientists

  08-10-2015 22:51
  
  BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's federal nuclear facility can become the nation's premier energy security lab while also bolstering the region's economy, the new director says.
  
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• Netflix hikes price of its most popular service by a buck, to $9.99

  08-10-2015 22:37 via cnet.com
  
  After raising rates last year, the streaming-video service ups the price of its "standard" option in the US. But current members won't see a higher bill for a year.
  
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• Netflix raising US price for most popular video plan by $1

  08-10-2015 22:15
  
  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Netflix is raising the price of its Internet video service by $1 for new customers in the U.S., Canada and some Latin America countries to help cover its escalating costs for shows such as "House of Cards" and other original programming.
  
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• High-tech firm's plans to make drones in NY spark questions

  08-10-2015 22:06
  
  RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (AP) — A plan to manufacture solar-powered drones at a suburban New York site that once made fighter jets for the U.S. military is sparking questions about whether the aircraft will be used to beam Internet service. So far, company officials are staying mum.
  
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• Sao Paulo mayor proposes regulations for Uber, avoiding ban

  08-10-2015 22:04
  
  Sao Paulo will introduce new regulations to govern ride-sharing services such as Uber instead of backing an outright ban proposed by local Brazilian lawmakers, the mayor of South America's biggest city said on Thursday. Mayor Fernando Haddad said at a press conference that the city would create a new class of taxis known as "black cabs," which will accommodate Uber vehicles, and allow for 5,000 operating permits. Uber issued a statement shortly afterward blasting the decision as unconstitutional
  
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• AT&T launches Wi-Fi calling for Apple iPhones with iOS 9

  08-10-2015 21:49 via cnet.com
  
  AT&T customers with the new Apple iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, as well as last year's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, can now make calls over Wi-Fi.
  
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• BlackBerry CEO hints 2016 is make-or-break year for its phones

  08-10-2015 21:42 via cnet.com
  
  John Chen says that if BlackBerry's smartphone business doesn't turn a profit next year, he'll have to "think twice" about it.
  
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• There's a new 'Game of Thrones' book out, but it isn't 'The Winds of Winter'

  08-10-2015 21:21 via cnet.com
  
  George R. R. Martin released a new "Game of Thrones" book, but it's not the one fans are anxiously awaiting.
  
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• Netflix hikes price of its most popular service by $1

  08-10-2015 21:14 via cnet.com
  
  After raising rates last year, the streaming service ups the price of its "standard" service to $9.99 in the US. But current members won't see a higher bill for a year.
  
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• This is what singing slime mold sounds like

  08-10-2015 21:11 via cnet.com
  
  An artist captures the electricity activity of a slime mold and converts it to music. If it starts a band with other slime molds, they better call themselves the Slime Mold Beatles.
  
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• That time we cranked up the heat in the CNET Smart Home to 105 degrees

  08-10-2015 21:07 via cnet.com
  
  Yep, it was an accident, but it was also a learning experience -- one that plenty of DIYers can probably relate to as they replace old thermostats with smart upgrades.
  
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• What's the smartest way to stay warm (or cool) at home?

  08-10-2015 21:05 via cnet.com
  
  Connected thermostats are super-competitive right now. Here's how we sorted through the options for the CNET Smart Home.
  
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• Ride-hailing company Lyft partners with Hertz, Shell

  08-10-2015 21:05
  
  By Heather Somerville SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Lyft has partnered with Hertz Global Holdings Inc to offer rental cars to its drivers, the ride-hailing company said at a media event on Thursday. Daily, weekly and monthly car rentals from Hertz are now available for Lyft drivers in Las Vegas, said Oliver Hsiang, Lyft's Vice President of Partnerships. Lyft is also partnering with Shell to offer its drivers less expensive gas, said David Rust, Lyft's head of operations strategy.
  
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• A majority of U.S. adults now use social media: Pew study

  08-10-2015 21:02
  
  Social media usage among American adults has ballooned in the past decade with about two-thirds now on social networking sites, Pew Research Center said on Thursday. The 65 percent of adults in the United States using social media is up from 46 percent in 2010 and just 7 percent in 2005, the year Pew began tracking usage. Since the early 2000s, social media sites on the Internet have surged in popularity, from Friendster and Myspace to Facebook and Twitter, among others.
  
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• Dell looks to EMC deal to boost corporate presence

  08-10-2015 21:01
  
  Dell Inc is in talks with banks to fund a takeover of data storage company EMC Corp, sources familiar with the matter said, as the world's No.3 PC maker looks to beef up its cloud-based offerings for corporate customers. The potential acquisition of EMC, which has a market capitalization of $52 billion, would be the largest technology sector deal on record. It could help Dell diversify away from the stagnant personal computer market and give it the scale to attack the faster-growing and more luc
  
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• AMC launches official 'Walking Dead' game for iOS

  08-10-2015 20:39 via cnet.com
  
  Build a camp, find survivors and, of course, kill zombies in this excellent tactical turn-based combat RPG.
  
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• From sadness to wow, Facebook launches reaction buttons beyond like

  08-10-2015 20:31
  
  Like it or not, Facebook Inc's trademark "like" button is set to get more expressive. The social network said on Thursday it is launching a pilot test of "Reactions," with users able select from seven emotions, including like and "wow." "Dislike," however, is not one of the options. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a Facebook post Thursday that users have been requesting ways other than like to respond to posts, such as when someone posts about the death of a loved one or a tragic news story
  
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• The refrigerator organization secrets that will keep your food fresher

  08-10-2015 20:25 via cnet.com
  
  There's one factor that determines how long your food will survive in the fridge. Here's what you need to know.
  
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• Affordable, simple wireless music streamer marries phone and stereo

  08-10-2015 20:22 via cnet.com
  
  The Google Chromecast Audio is one of the best budget audio streamers you can buy, allowing easy control of music via any audio system using your phone. But does it do enough to differentiate itself from the original video-focused Chromecast?
  
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• Google search chief: Users have right to be forgotten online -- in some cases

  08-10-2015 20:16 via cnet.com
  
  Amit Singhal, Google's search chief, says teenagers and other people who make small, "innocent" mistakes shouldn't be chased their entire lives.
  
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• Beyond 'Like:' 5 ways you might soon emote on Facebook

  08-10-2015 20:12
  Sometimes "Like" just doesn't cut it. So how about Love or Angry? Haha or Sad? Or just Yay or Wow? Facebook is going "Inside Out" on the Like button, adding a range of new emotional ...
  
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• HBO Now (finally) launches on Roku

  08-10-2015 20:01 via cnet.com
  
  Roku, which tends to attract the most avid streamers of video, is the last of the major streaming devices to get HBO Now.
  
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• Sony slashes PS4 price to $350, including a game

  08-10-2015 19:59 via cnet.com
  
  The price of the PlayStation 4 tumbles as expected, after after a similar move by Sony in Japan last month.
  
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• Adobe teases tech that easily erases pesky tourists in your photos

  08-10-2015 19:51 via cnet.com
  
  The Photoshop maker shows off the snapshot-enhancing idea and 10 other research project goodies including 3D portraits and a custom font generator.
  
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• Online realtor offers ghost-free home certification

  08-10-2015 19:47 via cnet.com
  
  You ain't afraid of no ghosts, but the potential buyers of your home might be. Ease their minds with proof your place isn't haunted.
  
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• Dell looking at $50 billion EMC deal to boost corporate presence

  08-10-2015 19:39
  
  Dell Inc is in talks with banks to fund a $50 billion-plus takeover of data storage company EMC Corp, sources familiar with the matter said, as the world's No.3 PC maker looks to beef up its cloud-based offerings for corporate customers. The potential acquisition, which would be the largest technology sector deal on record, would help Dell diversify away from the stagnant personal computer market and give it the scale to attack the faster-growing and more lucrative market for managing and storin
  
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• Facebook's 'dislike' button is here -- and it's a load of emoji

  08-10-2015 19:28
  
  Dubbed 'Reactions', Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said it was "a more expressive Like button".By: James Temperton, Continue reading...
  
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• DJI Osmo helps you get a grip on shaky video (hands-on)

  08-10-2015 19:03 via cnet.com
  
  DJI's already mastered capturing smooth video from the sky. Here's how it's solving it on the ground.
  
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• BBC Three to stream League of Legends World Championships

  08-10-2015 19:01
  
  BBC Three have announced that they will be streaming the League of Legends Championship for the first time.By: Emily Reynolds, Continue reading...
  
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• Mini-kidneys grown from human skin stem cells

  08-10-2015 18:57
  
  Researchers have perfected a method of turning human stem cells into kidney tissue.By: Emily Reynolds, Continue reading...
  
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• BBC to screen live e-sports tournament

  08-10-2015 18:57 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The BBC is to stream live coverage of an e-gaming contest for the first time
  
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• VIDEO: Drone flies over sea to deliver package

  08-10-2015 18:50 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A Singaporean package delivery firm flies a t-shirt and letter to a small island - but how long will it be before the tech is ready for regular use?
  
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• DJI brings its aerial cameras down to earth with Osmo

  08-10-2015 18:48 via cnet.com
  
  First seen at CES 2015, this handgrip lets you turn the DJI Inspire 1 drone's camera into a stabilized handheld camera.
  
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• Hacking food with virtual reality changes how you eat

  08-10-2015 18:40 via cnet.com
  
  A new series from Vice kicks off by visiting a Japanese scientist who hacks our perceptions to mess with our rates of food consumption and perception of flavors.
  
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• DJI unveils new drone-like action cam with smart gimbal tech

  08-10-2015 18:38
  
  Drone specialist DJI has unveiled a new integrated camera and hand-held stabiliser for capturing just about anything on-the-move without shaky shots or scrimping on qualityBy: Becca Caddy, Continue reading...
  
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• DJI Osmo helps you get a grip on shaky video

  08-10-2015 18:30 via cnet.com
  
  DJI's already mastered capturing smooth video from the sky. Here's how it's solving it on the ground.
  
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• Review: HP Elite x2 1011

  08-10-2015 18:23 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Introduction and designThe HP Elite x2 1011 (starting at $688, £437 and AU$800) is a business-grade hybrid laptop that is ideally suited for those who need durability and portability more than they require high-end performance and beauty.Competing in the same class as the popular consumer hybrid, the Microsoft Surface Pro 3, and the business-focused Dell Venue 11 Pro 7000, the HP Elite x2 1011 is a capable device that can satisfy you as both a tablet and as a laptop. Unfortunately, in orde
  
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• How to easily save pictures from texts on Android

  08-10-2015 18:23 via cnet.com
  
  Not sure where the pictures are in your texts from last weekend's barbecue, but want to save them before you forget? The Save MMS attachments app can help you out.
  
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• 'Liking' on Facebook is changing

  08-10-2015 18:16 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Facebook says it's bringing in new "reactions" emoticons to let users express things like love, laughter and anger.
  
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• Singapore testing drone delivery of snail mail

  08-10-2015 18:09 via cnet.com
  
  The country's postal service has delivered a package containing a t-shirt and a letter across 2 kilometers, or about 1.2 miles.
  
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• Aston Martin Racing 808 smartphone will set you back at least $6,000 (hands-on)

  08-10-2015 18:05 via cnet.com
  
  This licensed smartphone goes on sale later this year in countries including Dubai, Singapore, China and the UK, but its specs don't exactly live up to its famous name.
  
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• Expecto Apple-tronum! Enhanced 'Harry Potter' ebooks now on iBooks

  08-10-2015 18:00 via cnet.com
  
  Apple has released enhanced editions of all seven "Harry Potter" ebooks to iBooks for all you Wizards and Muggles out there to download to your iOS and OS X devices.
  
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