Technology news

• A $4 phone? India's Freedom 251 doesn't add up (CNET Update show notes) - CNET

  19-02-2016 23:29 via cnet.com
  
  Analysts say the "world's cheapest smartphone" is too good to be true. Meanwhile, other quirky phones emerge before Mobile World Congress, including the cloud-centric Nextbit Robin and Caterpillar's thermal-imaging S60.
  
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• A crazy amount of people applied to be NASA astronauts - CNET

  19-02-2016 23:28 via cnet.com
  
  A record number of Americans want to get off the planet. Insert joke here.
  
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• Kodak's 180-degree security camera can see more (pictures) - CNET

  19-02-2016 23:26 via cnet.com
  
  At just $150, the US-only Kodak Video Monitor CFH-V20 security camera is priced to compete in the DIY arena; it also happens to have some pretty premium specs.
  
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• NASA readies next-gen aircraft video - CNET

  19-02-2016 23:12 via cnet.com
  
  NASA and Boeing have developed a next generation broad-winged passenger plane which will carry passengers faster and save fuel.
  
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• A $4 phone? India's Freedom 251 doesn't add up video - CNET

  19-02-2016 23:09 via cnet.com
  
  Analysts say the "world's cheapest smartphone" is too good to be true. Meanwhile, other quirky phones emerge before Mobile World Congress, including the cloud-centric Nextbit Robin and Caterpillar's thermal-imaging S60.
  
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• VIDEO: Flying a drone crossed with a blimp

  19-02-2016 22:57 via bbc.co.uk
  
  How a helium filled drone could be used to film audiences at concerts and other large indoor venues
  
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• TED: Uber and AirBnB defend operations

  19-02-2016 22:57 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Uber and AirBnB defend the sharing economy that they helped shape, at the TED conference in Vancouver.
  
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• Donald Trump calls for Apple boycott – video

  19-02-2016 22:57
  
  Donald Trump calls for the boycott of Apple products on Friday, until the company agrees to help the US government and unlock the mobile phone of one of the San Bernardino killers. Trump made the off-the-cuff comment at a campaign event in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, a day before the state’s Republican presidential nominating contest Continue reading...
  
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• Site tell your friends they smell so you don't have to - CNET

  19-02-2016 22:53 via cnet.com
  
  Technically Incorrect: For a mere $1.99, Myfriendsmells.com says it'll send your smelly friend a cologne wipe. Anonymously, of course. (Spoiler: It's a marketing stunt.)
  
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• U.S. ramps up Apple fight with new filing in iPhone unlocking case

  19-02-2016 22:23
  
  By Dustin Volz and Julia Edwards WASHINGTON/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion seeking to compel Apple Inc to comply with a judge's order for the company to unlock the encrypted iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernardino shooters, portraying the tech giant's refusal as a "marketing strategy." The filing escalated a showdown between the Obama administration and Silicon Valley over security and privacy that ignited earlier this week. The Federal Bureau of Inve
  
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• Trump calls for boycott until Apple unlocks shooter's phone

  19-02-2016 22:23
  Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump called on Friday for a boycott of Apple Inc products until the tech company agrees to help the U.S. government unlock the cellphone of one of the killers in the San Bernardino, California, attack. "Boycott Apple until such time as they give that information,” Trump said at a campaign event in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. "It just occurred to me." Trump made the off-the-cuff comment at a town hall-style event at a country club in Pawleys Isl
  
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• FBI escalates war with Apple: 'marketing' bigger concern than terror

  19-02-2016 22:09
  
  Court filing from Department of Justice says Apple is more concerned with ‘its marketing strategy’ than helping FBI unlock San Bernardino shooter’s iPhoneThe FBI accused Apple of prioritizing its public relations strategy over a terrorism investigation on Friday in a significant escalation of this week’s war between the tech company and the law enforcement agency.Related: Inside the FBI's encryption battle with AppleContinue reading...
  
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• Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren drive Fashion Week social chatter

  19-02-2016 22:04
  By Melissa Fares and Gina Cherelus NEW YORK (Reuters) - Michael Kors Holdings Ltd and Ralph Lauren Corp were among the top-mentioned brands by social media users during New York Fashion Week, the result of a push by fashion houses to build buzz among fans who otherwise would not be exposed to their shows. Both companies were among the top five brands that received the most mentions on Twitter Inc during the week, which occurs twice a year and is considered one of the industry's highest exposure
  
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• Google CEO to meet EU antitrust chief on February 25: sources

  19-02-2016 22:01
  BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai will meet Europe's antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager next Thursday, two people familiar with the matter said on Friday. "It will be an introductory meeting," the people said. Vestager has accused the world's most popular Internet search engine of favoring its shopping service in delivering search results at the expense of rivals and is considering whether to penalize Google. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Mark Potter)
  
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• Russia's difficult fight against piracy

  19-02-2016 21:45 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The Kremlin seems undecided on how to tackle piracy, while most Russians think content should be available for free.
  
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• Turn an old PC or Mac into a 'Chromebook'

  19-02-2016 20:48 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  Got an old PC or Mac that's just doesn't have the horsepower anymore to pull its weight? Give it a new lease of life by transforming it into a 'Chromebook'.
  
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• US accuses Apple of 'repudiating' order on phone access

  19-02-2016 20:23
  
  The Justice Department is firing back at Apple for refusing to help unlock a phone used by one of the gunmen in the San Bernardino attack. In a new motion Friday, federal prosecutors say the company has ...
  
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• Rivals: Living the high life with three of the richest SUVs video - Roadshow

  19-02-2016 20:23 via cnet.com
  
  We pit the Acura MDX, Volvo XC90, and the Audi Q7 against each other to battle for the luxury crown
  
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• 30 years of Zelda: See the Hero of Time through the ages (pictures) - CNET

  19-02-2016 20:23 via cnet.com
  
  The Hero of Time is almost unrecognisable from his 8-bit roots 30 years ago. Here's how The Legend of Zelda has evolved over three decades, and the impact it's made on gamers, and gaming.
  
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• Justice Dept. files motion demanding Apple helps FBI unlock phone

  19-02-2016 20:22 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  Apple still has until February 26 to respond to the order.
  
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• The Legend of Zelda at 30: Happy birthday to a dear childhood friend - CNET

  19-02-2016 20:21 via cnet.com
  
  Commentary: It was the first game CNET's Michelle Starr ever played. After three decades, The Legend of Zelda still represents a powerful link to her past.
  
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• U.S. files motion to force Apple to obey iPhone order: court

  19-02-2016 20:16
  
  LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a motion seeking to compel Apple Inc to comply with a judge's order for the company to unlock the iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernardino shooters, according to a court document filed Friday.
  
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• Hoverboards that don’t meet safety standards now subject to seizure

  19-02-2016 20:04
  
  US Consumer Product Safety Commission announces that the self-balancing scooters must comply with standards issued by a safety consulting companyHoverboards that do not meet new safety standards are now subject to seizure or recall, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on Friday.The federal agency sent a letter to manufacturers, importers and retailers on Thursday stating that the self-balancing scooters must comply with standards and requirements issued by a safety consulting com
  
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• Get a hoverboard for $219.99 - CNET

  19-02-2016 20:03 via cnet.com
  
  From the Cheapskate: Forget everything you've heard. These two-wheeled self-balancing scooters are ridiculously fun.
  
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• LIGO team member Joshua Smith explains gravitational waves discovery with Tomorrow Daily video - CNET

  19-02-2016 19:59 via cnet.com
  
  Ashley and Jeff sit down and talk about what the recent gravitational waves discovery means with Joshua Smith, director of the Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy Center at California State University, Fullerton (and member of the LIGO collaborative).
  
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• Will Mobile World Congress 2016 usher in the era of mobile payments?

  19-02-2016 19:38 via zdnet.com.feedsportal.com
  
  Using your smartphone as a bank card has been touted for years, but mobile payment is taking its time to enter the mainstream.
  
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• Asus ZenFone Zoom review - CNET

  19-02-2016 19:34 via cnet.com
  
  The Asus ZenFone Zoom has a winning design for a phone with an optical lens, but this first-generation model still isn't good enough to buy.
  
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• LG Stylus 2 reintroduces the retractable, "nano-coated" pen - CNET

  19-02-2016 19:25 via cnet.com
  
  The LG Stylus 2 is the "enhanced sequel" to the LG G Stylo and has a large 5.7-inch screen with a slim, light design.
  
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• Apple gets to fight judge's iPhone-cracking order another day - CNET

  19-02-2016 19:25 via cnet.com
  
  The court pushes back the deadline for Apple to respond formally to an order to help the FBI break into an iPhone 5C tied to the San Bernardino terror attack.
  
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• Your virtual friendships come with privacy risks, campaigners warn

  19-02-2016 19:16
  
  Most social media users unaware of potential threat of surveillance under snooper’s charter, rights groups sayMany Britons are exposing themselves to surveillance and fraud risks, privacy campaigners have warned after a poll found that almost half of people surveyed preferred to keep in touch with friends virtually rather than in person.The survey of 2,000 people also found that 79% maintain friendships they feel would wither without being linked through social media, and a further 72% bel
  
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• US to factories, sellers: make sure hoverboards are safe

  19-02-2016 19:14
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — The government is cracking down on hoverboards.
  
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• AP EXPLAINS: Apple v FBI, is my iPhone safe?

  19-02-2016 19:11
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — On Wednesday, a federal judge ordered Apple Inc. to help the FBI hack into an encrypted iPhone used by Syed Farook, who along with his wife, Tashfeen Malik, killed 14 people in December. Specifically, the government wants Apple to bypass a self-destruct feature that erases the phone's data after too many unsuccessful attempts to guess the passcode. Apple has helped the government before in this and previous cases, but this time Apple CEO Tim Cook said no and Apple is appeal
  
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• How to download offline maps in Windows 10 - CNET

  19-02-2016 19:04 via cnet.com
  
  For when you need directions without data.
  
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• Actor who plays Jaime Lannister on 'Game of Thrones' talks Jon Snow's fate - CNET

  19-02-2016 18:59 via cnet.com
  
  What does the Kingslayer think really happened to the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch? Nikolaj Coster-Waldau tells Jimmy Kimmel he has no doubt.
  
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• German court rejects suit by publishers against Google

  19-02-2016 18:56
  A Berlin court rejected on Friday a legal complaint filed by German publishers which said Google was abusing its market power by refusing to pay them for displaying newspaper articles online. Germany's biggest newspaper publisher, Axel Springer, and 40 other publishers had accused Alphabet Inc's Google of unfair treatment. The conflict centered on a long-standing row over payments for newspaper content, which Google makes freely available via its online platforms Google News, YouTube and other s
  
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• Class action lawsuit levied against Mercedes-Benz for alleged emissions-cheating devices - Roadshow

  19-02-2016 18:52 via cnet.com
  
  The firm behind the suit reportedly requests either a recall or a free replacement program, even though Daimler claims the suit is wholly frivolous.
  
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• A 23rd-century tourist guide to the solar system (pictures) - CNET

  19-02-2016 18:52 via cnet.com
  
  By 2200, Mars and Pluto could be on your travel bucket list. As NASA, Elon Musk and others make plans to visit the Red Planet, we've compiled our own list of future interplanetary adventures.
  
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• Is your house a good candidate for solar energy video - CNET

  19-02-2016 18:42 via cnet.com
  
  In this Tech Minute, CNET's Sharon Profis explains how to figure out if your house gets enough sun and if it's worth making the switch to solar
  
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• Exploring the Windows 10 Maps app - CNET

  19-02-2016 18:40 via cnet.com
  
  Maps: Not just for finding directions.
  
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• Why you should give a sh*t about WWE wrestling this weekend - CNET

  19-02-2016 18:38 via cnet.com
  
  Commentary: Sunday’s WWE Fastlane event means one thing: The pomp, pageantry and powerslams of pro wrestling are poised to take over your Twitter feed. Here’s why you should get in on the action.
  
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• Why don't we eat more wonky vegetables?

  19-02-2016 18:18
  
  In an effort to cut down on food wastage, Asda is selling boxes of ugly veg that are 30 percent cheaper than their more cosmetically-pleasing lines.By: Matthew Reynolds, Continue reading...
  
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• Endless Mini review - CNET

  19-02-2016 18:16 via cnet.com
  
  This $79-and-up microdesktop comes packed with preloaded educational content, because not everyone can take Internet access for granted.
  
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• Endless Mini is a micro-desktop with a global plan video - CNET

  19-02-2016 18:00 via cnet.com
  
  This low-cost desktop comes packed with pre-loaded educational content, because not everyone can take Internet access for granted.
  
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• Ready to blow: binge on classic arcade games at Vector Volcano

  19-02-2016 17:53
  
  Fond memories of Donkey Kong, Tron or Pac-Man? Fancy yourself a pinball wizard? Vector Volcano in Bend, Oregon, is the place to revisit classic 70s and 80s games – without needing a fistful of coinsThe afternoon when I destroyed the Death Star in my X-wing fighter was a pretty big moment for me but, somehow, it went unnoticed. Maybe it was because the woman next to me needed her concentration for a takedown in Street Fighter 2, or perhaps it was Tron or Mortal Kombat or Asteroids. Maybe Do
  
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• Fans restore original 'Star Wars' for online release - CNET

  19-02-2016 17:47 via cnet.com
  
  A group of die-hards spent years cleaning a 35mm film print and published it online without George Lucas' later alterations -- or any permission.
  
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• Tesla referral program now gives you a chance to win a trip to SpaceX HQ - Roadshow

  19-02-2016 17:38 via cnet.com
  
  Referring a friend now gets you a chance of winning an all-expenses-paid trip for four and a Tesla Model X.
  
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• DC's 'Rebirth' means cheaper comics for all

  19-02-2016 17:37
  
  With DC Comics' announcement of its line-wide Rebirth, fans potentially have a lot to look forward to. While the specifics of the event aren't yet clear, beyond the return of characters and storylines wiped out by an earlier reboot, there is one concrete detail that's guaranteed to be well-received: cheaper comics.By: Matt Kamen, Continue reading...
  
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• More than 2.5m Minecraft books sold by Egmont Publishing

  19-02-2016 17:30
  
  Book titles which tie in with the game include Blockopedia, a bestseller in the children’s nonfiction category in 2015More than 2.5m copies of books spun-off from the Minecraft video game have now been sold across the UK, it has been revealed.
  The series of books, which launched in 2013 with four handbooks, are sold in 41 markets and in 32 languages, with a global print run of 8m copies. Continue reading...
  
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• How a Philadelphia union turned drone technology into a key tool for protest

  19-02-2016 17:28
  
  Private drones were deployed this week to monitor an electrical workers’ strike to protect members from false legal claims, reigniting the ‘very tricky issue’ of how to regulate drones used for activismFrom a small drone causing panic when it landed on the White House lawn to Amazon’s plan to make deliveries by air, privately owned drones have been raising security fears around the country. But drone technology has capabilities beyond just serving the interests of corpora
  
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• Pagani Huayra BC Release Date, Price and Specs - Roadshow

  19-02-2016 17:25 via cnet.com
  
  With a new transmission, crazy bodywork and nearly 800 horsepower, the Huayra BC is an excellent follow-up to the "standard" Huayra supercar.
  
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