Technology news

• Spot the stealthy Star Wars puns in this 40-second weather forecast - CNET

  18-12-2015 23:50 via cnet.com
  
  Technically Incorrect: "Don't be a trooper," warns a British weather presenter in a perfectly scripted forecast.
  
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• Gaze upon this giant billboard made entirely in MS Paint

  18-12-2015 23:50
  
  MS Paint is far, far, faaaar from the standard for graphic design, but that didn't stop this massive billboard from being made using only Microsoft's super-simple image editing software.The signage features several crude doodles for the viewing pleasure of commuters in south-east London, complete with stick figures and the death knell of any self-respecting graphic designer: Comic Sans. Spanning a considerable 36-square meters' worth of surface area, the billboard may just wind up being the worl
  
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• Online See 'N Say lets you pull lever for the sounds of Star Wars - CNET

  18-12-2015 23:45 via cnet.com
  
  Find out how "the Yoda goes," "the R2 unit goes," "the cantina band goes" and much more with this virtual reimagining of a classic kid's toy.
  
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• Apple's Tim Cook calls overseas tax rap 'political crap' - CNET

  18-12-2015 23:40 via cnet.com
  
  The tech giant's CEO rejects the idea that his company is scheming to pay little or no taxes on its overseas revenues.
  
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• OS X 10.11.3 El Capitan beta available for the brave at heart

  18-12-2015 23:37
  
  Just two days after Apple released the first beta of OS X 10.11.3 El Capitan to developers, it is now making the software available for OS X users in its Beta Software Program to try. OS X 10.11.3 beta 1 is now available for public beta members to download.Like the developer beta released earlier in the week, Apple did not provide details of changes or new features. It's unclear if any changes have been made to the operating system since the release of the developer beta. OS X El Capitan was rel
  
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• Facebook Messenger adds new effects, facial recognition and Uber - CNET

  18-12-2015 23:28 via cnet.com
  
  The social network packs several new features into its chatting app, including Photo Magic facial recognition. Also, learn how to change your chat colors and book an Uber ride through the app.
  
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• Pioneer Elite SP-EFS73 speakers do Atmos and hi-fi with aplomb video - CNET

  18-12-2015 23:12 via cnet.com
  
  The Pioneer Elite SP-EFS73 produces startling clarity, precision surround imaging, and solid low bass extension in an attractive package.
  
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• Microsoft chops Xbox game prices for the holidays - CNET

  18-12-2015 23:09 via cnet.com
  
  The software giant entices last-minute shoppers with a 17-day sale that will offer deep discounts on digital games, movies and TV shows.
  
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• Facebook Messenger adds new effects, facial recognition and Uber video - CNET

  18-12-2015 23:09 via cnet.com
  
  The social network packs several new features into its chatting app, including Photo Magic facial recognition. Also, learn how to change your chat colors and book an Uber ride through the app.
  
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• Take a tour of the USS Midway (pictures) - CNET

  18-12-2015 22:47 via cnet.com
  
  Once the largest ship in the world, the first of a new generation of supercarriers, the USS Midway is now a museum ship in San Diego. Here's a full tour.
  
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• Take a tour of the USS Midway - CNET

  18-12-2015 22:46 via cnet.com
  
  Once the largest ship in the world, the first of a new generation of supercarriers, the USS Midway is now a museum ship in San Diego. Here's a full tour.
  
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• New hacker group strikes Xbox Live, PSN could be next

  18-12-2015 22:45
  
  Hacker group Phantom Squad is claiming responsibility for an online attack of Microsoft's Xbox Live service last night. Xbox Live was struck with a distributed denial-of-service, or DDoS, attack that left servers overloaded and unable to log in several users.The similarity to a hacking attack allegedly conducted by a group called Lizard Squad last Christmas, in addition to threats made by Phantom Squad on Twitter, may point to Sony's PlayStation Network as the group's next target. The Phantom Sq
  
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• Revenue rise boosts Blackberry revival

  18-12-2015 22:30 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Blackberry reports revenues of $548m for the three months to November - 12% higher than the previous quarter.
  
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• Review: Toshiba Tecra A50-C

  18-12-2015 22:25 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  IntroductionThe Toshiba Tecra A50-C is the laptop you don't have to worry about. Throw it into your suitcase. Drink your lidless latte over it. Knock it off your desk (accidentally, of course.) Just don't play games on it. With its budget-friendly price (starts at $599, £798, AU$1,298) the Tecra A50-C definitely thinks of itself as an all work, no play, grunt of a laptop. The problem is it doesn't always live up to its own expectations. Yes, it's got every port under the sun, but a lacklus
  
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• Enthusiasts, rejoice: The BMW M2 will be at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show - CNET

  18-12-2015 21:56 via cnet.com
  
  The automaker will also unveil the performance-oriented X4 M40i, marking the first time both cars will be out in public.
  
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• The 404 Show 1641: Star Wars spoiler-free review, best headphones, protect your hearing (podcast) - CNET

  18-12-2015 21:54 via cnet.com
  
  Steve Sphere Guttenberg is back on the show today to explain why he hates Star Wars in general, but not before Russ' spoiler-free "The Force Awakens" review. We'll also discuss why digital clocks can be too fast or slow, how to protect your hearing and which headphones you should probably buy.
  
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• Exclusive: U.S. Justice Department probes data breach at Uber - sources

  18-12-2015 21:18
  By Joseph Menn and Dan Levine SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice is pursuing a criminal investigation of a May 2014 data breach at ride service Uber, including an examination of whether any employees at competitor Lyft were involved in the episode, sources familiar with the situation said. Earlier this year, Uber revealed that as many as 50,000 of its drivers' names and their license numbers had been improperly downloaded. An investigation by Uber determined that an Interne
  
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• Spot the stealthy Star Wars puns in this 40-second weather forcast - CNET

  18-12-2015 21:17 via cnet.com
  
  Technically Incorrect: "Don't be a trooper," warns a British weather presenter in a perfectly scripted forecast.
  
  Read more

• Exclusive: Target in initial development of own mobile wallet - sources

  18-12-2015 21:13
  Target Corp is in the early stages of developing its own mobile wallet, three people familiar with the matter said, joining Wal-Mart Stores Inc in posing a threat to recent entrants like Apple Pay. The fourth-largest U.S. retailer has not committed to launch the product, which would allow customers to pay for goods using an app on their mobile phones. Target's team has made some decisions, including to partner with credit card companies, and they are in favor of processing transactions using sca
  
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• Best and worst of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens': Our global review - CNET

  18-12-2015 21:03 via cnet.com
  
  The Force has awoken. CNETers from around the world share their first takes on what worked and what didn't in Episode VII. Be warned: spoilers ahead.
  
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• BlackBerry results trounce expectations on software; shares rally

  18-12-2015 21:01
  
  By Euan Rocha and Alastair Sharp TORONTO (Reuters) - BlackBerry's pivot to software began to show traction on Friday, after the company reported a smaller quarterly loss and its first quarter-to-quarter revenue increase in over two years, sending its stock soaring 13 percent. The company may break even in the current quarter, but this could be complicated by investments being made toward growing both software and hardware sales, said Chief Executive John Chen, who sees a return to sustainable pr
  
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• Sublime new NASA Earthrise image shows rare view from the moon - CNET

  18-12-2015 20:59 via cnet.com
  
  Imagine standing on the surface of the moon and seeing a brilliant blue Earth move into view. Now enjoy a NASA picture of exactly that happening.
  
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• Amazon in talks to lease Boeing jets to launch air-cargo business: report

  18-12-2015 20:31
  (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc is negotiating to lease 20 Boeing Co 767 jets to start its own air-delivery service next month, seeking to avoid delays from third-party carriers, the Seattle Times reported, citing cargo-industry executives. Amazon has approached several cargo-aircraft lessors to line up the planes, the newspaper reported on Friday, citing a senior aircraft-leasing company executive familiar with matter. (http://bit.ly/1NAxqLO) The ecommerce giant has had talks with Air Transport Serv
  
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• Earthquake error in Facebook review

  18-12-2015 20:02 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Footage featuring in Facebook's 2015 video review of the Nepal earthquake footage is in fact from Egypt, as BBC verifiers discovered at the time of the disaster.
  
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• Apple to launch Apple Pay in China, take on Alibaba, Tencent

  18-12-2015 19:51
  Apple Inc said it will launch its payment service in China as soon as 2016, pitting it against entrenched Chinese rivals Alibaba Group Holding and Tencent Holdings. Apple will partner with China's main bank card and payment firm UnionPay, a state-controlled consortium that has a monopoly on all yuan payment cards issued and used in the country. UnionPay also plans to tie up with Samsung Electronics Co Ltd's payment system, Samsung Pay, the Chinese firm said in a statement on Friday.
  
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• 'Witcher 3,' 'Fallout 4' lead AP's top 10 games of 2015

  18-12-2015 19:44
  
  Associated Press video game critics Lou Kesten and Derrik J. Lang's favorite titles of the year featured monster hunters, treasure hunters, guardian spirits and murder suspects:
  
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• Sorry, Seinfeld: The first Acura NSX is being auctioned off for charity - CNET

  18-12-2015 19:44 via cnet.com
  
  The proceeds from selling VIN 001 will go to two children's charities, about three weeks before customers can start placing orders.
  
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• Grindr users targeted by armed gang

  18-12-2015 19:29 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Police in London warn that an armed gang is using the dating app Grindr to rob unsuspecting victims.
  
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• Elon Musk, other green investors want Volkswagen to pay it forward - CNET

  18-12-2015 19:29 via cnet.com
  
  Instead of focusing on fixing the past, this coalition is asking the California Air Resources Board to force VW to take a walk down to Electric Avenue and speed up future tech developments.
  
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• Engineer builds the real burning lightsaber you've been looking for - CNET

  18-12-2015 19:22 via cnet.com
  
  Star Wars just invaded reality with an electrical engineer's creation of a blue burning lightsaber that can destroy Stormtrooper balloons.
  
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• Microsoft chops Xbox prices in half for the holidays - CNET

  18-12-2015 19:17 via cnet.com
  
  The software giant entices last-minute shoppers with a 17-day sale that will offer deep discounts on Xbox consoles, games, movies and TV shows.
  
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• Acura's rolling out a new design-language concept for the 2016 Detroit Auto Show - CNET

  18-12-2015 19:17 via cnet.com
  
  The automaker says its latest concept car will set the stage for the next generation of Acura's design.
  
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• Pantelligent review - CNET

  18-12-2015 19:16 via cnet.com
  
  The $199 Pantelligent connects via Bluetooth to an app that guides you through a recipe based on the pan's temperature. This gadget can get tedious, but the nearly perfect food is worth it.
  
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• Cook smarter with this connected frying pan (pictures) - CNET

  18-12-2015 19:16 via cnet.com
  
  The Pantelligent is part GPS, part coach when it comes to stovetop cooking. This $199 pan connects to an app that uses Pantelligent's surface temperature readings to guide you through meals.
  
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• Microsoft chops Xbox prices half for the holidays - CNET

  18-12-2015 18:56 via cnet.com
  
  The software giant entices last-minute shoppers with a 17-day sale that will offer deep discounts on Xbox consoles, games, movies and TV shows.
  
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• This company makes lightsabers you can actually fight with - CNET

  18-12-2015 18:46 via cnet.com
  
  With the new Star Wars movie just around the corner, a startup consisting of passionate fans wants everyone to have a chance to get their hands on an elegant weapon of a more civilized age.
  
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• Xbox gamer struck in home as car blasts through wall - CNET

  18-12-2015 18:43 via cnet.com
  
  Technically Incorrect: A Texas man says he was saved by his special gaming chair when a car plowed into his apartment as he played Fallout 4.
  
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• HIV clinic fined £250 for data breach

  18-12-2015 18:17 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A health clinic that mistakenly revealed the identity of HIV-positive patients in a group email is fined £250 by the UK's data watchdog.
  
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• Samsung bumps up Galaxy Note 5 to 128 gigabytes - CNET

  18-12-2015 17:57 via cnet.com
  
  The special edition of the phone is available only in South Korea, though, at least for now.
  
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• Get 'Kung Fu Panda' free when you buy something from Amazon - CNET

  18-12-2015 17:53 via cnet.com
  
  Just make an eligible Amazon purchase before January 1 and you'll get a free digital copy of the popular DreamWorks flick.
  
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• You'll flip for this smart frying pan video - CNET

  18-12-2015 17:26 via cnet.com
  
  The Pantelligent is a smart frying pan that uses a Bluetooth-connected app to guide you through recipes. This $199 pan regularly produces meals that border on perfection.
  
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• Lizard Squad: 'wannabes' will target gamers this Christmas

  18-12-2015 17:25
  
  Lizard Squad member says 'wannabe' group Phantom Squad will 'more than likely' attack Xbox Live and PSN this ChristmasBy: Cara McGoogan, Continue reading...
  
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• Blocking Trump supporters doesn't stifle discourse – it helps set boundaries

  18-12-2015 17:25 via feeds.theguardian.com
  
  Why shouldn’t a Muslim American block a Facebook friend for bringing Islamophobia into their personal space?I once read that a Facebook account is like a living room. My front door is unlocked, and anyone can come sit for a spell, have a conversation or just listen to the dialogue already going on. If, however, someone comes in and starts hurling epithets or insulting my other guests, I can ask them to leave. Immediately. I thought of this metaphor upon reading Caitlin Dewey’s recent
  
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• Blackberry's 12% revenue rise for first time in two years fuels hopes of a revival

  18-12-2015 17:07 via feeds.theguardian.com
  
  Struggling smartphone maker announces a 12% rise in revenue and finds success with phone powered by Google’s Android mobile operating systemBlackberry is not dead. The struggling smartphone maker announced a 12% rise in revenue for its latest financial quarter, the first time in two years it has reported back to back rises in revenue. Related: BlackBerry boss John Chen: security focus heralds return 'from edge of death'Continue reading...
  
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• Tim Peake, J.J. Abrams interview: Podcast 248

  18-12-2015 16:59
  
  
  We look back at Tim Peake's journey to space and sit down with Star Wars: The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams.By: WIRED.co.uk, Continue reading...
  
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• Star Wars: The Force Awakens 'breaks the internet' as fans stay offline to avoid spoilers

  18-12-2015 16:57 via feeds.theguardian.com
  
  Web monitoring experts say traffic was down 5.5% in the UK and 10.9% in France during the 24 hours following the first screenings of JJ Abrams’ film Related: Discuss Star Wars: The Force Awakens (with spoilers) Star Wars: The Force Awakens has broken the web - or at least, temporarily tangled it. According to internet monitoring experts, traffic in nations where JJ Abrams’ space opera reboot has arrived in cinemas dropped significantly in the wake of the first screenings – pote
  
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• BlackBerry's Android bet is still looking for its big payoff - CNET

  18-12-2015 16:27 via cnet.com
  
  The first Android smartphone from BlackBerry is making waves, but it hasn't yet shown it'll be enough to keep afloat the handset business of the once mighty smartphone maker.
  
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• Before you even think of buying a hoverboard, read this - CNET

  18-12-2015 16:22 via cnet.com
  
  Don't dole out hundreds of dollars for this year's hottest toy before we tell you which one to buy, where to shop and how to stay safe.
  
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