Technology news

• ​ATO systems still not fully functional

  20-12-2016 23:46 via zdnet.com
  
  Over a week since the tax office suffered its 'worst' unplanned system outage, the ATO's services are now available, but with reduced functionality.
  
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• Twitter CTO Adam Messinger stepping down

  20-12-2016 23:33 via zdnet.com
  
  After five years with the company, Messinger announced his departure in a tweet.
  
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• Microsoft wins $927 million Pentagon contract: statement

  20-12-2016 23:11
  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp has been awarded a $927 million contract to provide technical support to the Defense Information Systems Agency, the Pentagon said in a statement on Tuesday. (Reporting by Mohammad Zargham)
  
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• Another Twitter executive exits, joins venture firm Greylock

  20-12-2016 23:07
  By Heather Somerville SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Greylock Partners, a top-tier Silicon Valley venture firm, said on Tuesday it has hired a new investing partner in Josh McFarland, who will be leaving his executive post at Twitter Inc. McFarland, who has been vice president of product at Twitter, is just the latest executive to leave the struggling social media company this year. Four senior executives left San Francisco-based Twitter in January, and another two executives departed in May amid the
  
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• Your out-of-office reply can help push for an Edward Snowden pardon

  20-12-2016 23:00
  
  Amnesty International wants you to do something for Edward Snowden before you detach from work for the holidays.  The group recently launched a campaign designed to get employees, wherever they may be, to "donate" their out of office messages to the campaign to pardon Snowden.  SEE ALSO: Edward Snowden rethinks that tweet about voting third party Snowden, an NSA contractor-turned-whistleblower, became famous in 2013 after he leaked a trove of information about United States government
  
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• LeEco's Le S3 phone shines silver - CNET

  20-12-2016 23:00 via cnet.com
  
  With its aluminum, silvery sheen, the Le S3 looks expensive. But at just $250, it's actually quite affordable.
  
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• LeEco Le S3 review - CNET

  20-12-2016 23:00 via cnet.com
  
  Despite its low price, we'd still take the Moto G4 Plus over LeEco's new Le S3.
  
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• How to get the 5 hottest tech toys for kids this holiday season

  20-12-2016 23:00
  
  The holidays are less than a week away, which means it's officially crunch time. As people frantically try to complete their last-minute shopping, they'll likely encounter a major problem — many of this year's hottest tech toys are selling out fast . A truly terrifying reality. SEE ALSO: The best tech of 2016 If you find the toy stores and Best Buys of the world have empty shelves this close to the holidays, here are some alternative methods to get those must-have gifts of 2016.  Hatc
  
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• NBN updates rollout map for most Australians

  20-12-2016 22:59 via zdnet.com
  
  Australians are now able to enter their address to see when they will be connected to the NBN, unless they are on HFC.
  
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• Student spies on guy who stole his phone, makes film about it

  20-12-2016 22:48
  
  There's nothing more unsettling than having your smartphone stolen from you.  Your conduit to the connected world is severed, sure, but that's just the immediate problem. Your phone probably holds more information about you than any other device — photos, contacts, messages and notes — all of which are now in the hands of someone who might try to exploit you. It's not a happy thought.   After having an iPhone stolen, Dutch film student Anthony van der Meer needed to know mo
  
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• Mark Zuckerberg out-robots his AI robot in saccharine holiday video

  20-12-2016 22:48 via theguardian.com
  
  Zuckerberg’s dead-eyed delivery during a two-minute humblebrag about his artificial intelligence tool Jarvis makes you question who the real robot isIt’s been a horrible year for Facebook and the world, but that hasn’t stopped Mark Zuckerberg from sending a saccharine digital Christmas (sorry, non-denominational holiday season) card, in the form of a two-minute video, showcasing his perfect life.Soundtracked by plinky-plonky music, Zuck presents a simple AI called “Jarvis
  
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• 7-Eleven and Flirtey complete a month of regular drone deliveries

  20-12-2016 22:38 via zdnet.com
  
  More than 70 deliveries of items like over-the-counter medicine were made to a select group of 12 customers.
  
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• 7-Eleven completes 77 drone deliveries in the US - CNET

  20-12-2016 22:32 via cnet.com
  
  Yes, the king of Slurpees, taquitos and the Big Bite is dominating at commercial drone deliveries in the US.
  
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• How to listen to podcasts on your Amazon Echo - CNET

  20-12-2016 22:30 via cnet.com
  
  Alexa can sling podcasts for you, but with some limitations. Here's what you can and can't do, along with some workarounds for the latter.
  
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• BlackBerry boosts outlook on software growth; concerns remain

  20-12-2016 22:30
  By Alastair Sharp WATERLOO, Ontario (Reuters) - BlackBerry Ltd , helped by its higher-margin software business, reported better-than-expected adjusted earnings and raised its full-year growth forecast on Tuesday, though concerns about overall revenue growth reversed early share gains. BlackBerry Chief Executive John Chen said at a midday event with reporters that he expected it would take another four or five quarters to halt the steady decline in the company's overall revenue. BlackBerry shares
  
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• iPhone 8, AI and Trump: Welcome to Apple in 2017

  20-12-2016 22:26
  
  What will Apple do in 2017?  The TL;DR version is: pretty much what they did in 2016. Update popular hardware, expand services, steer clear of new product categories and make a boatload of money. SEE ALSO: Apple might finally start manufacturing iPhones in India However, buried inside those pat and rather obvious observations is a company that may be in search of its mojo. There is nothing wrong with Apple or its offerings, but the company that reinvented and reinvigorated numerous product
  
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• 'Pokémon Go' players have walked around the earth more than 200,000 times

  20-12-2016 22:22
  
  In the six months since the Pokémon Go mobile game dropped, players have been putting in some serious effort.  Everyone seemed to drop everything when the game was released in July and all that searching for Pokémon has paid off — users have collectively walked 8.7 billion kilometers, or 5.4 billion miles, according to Niantic Labs (the company behind the game) in a blog post Tuesday. SEE ALSO: So much complaining: 'Super Mario Run' will destroy your data and drain your
  
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• Can DJI's Mavic drone fly with the pros? video - CNET

  20-12-2016 22:05 via cnet.com
  
  We find out how well DJI's tiny new Mavic Pro drone copes with a professional video shoot on a racetrack.
  
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• Happy Holidays: Linux Mint get a major upgrade

  20-12-2016 22:04 via zdnet.com
  
  The best Linux desktop just got even better.
  
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• Nintendo Switch might double its GPU speeds while docked - CNET

  20-12-2016 22:01 via cnet.com
  
  The anticipated Nintendo Switch can be played on the go, but it's thought to work even better when docked.
  
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• Facebook for podcasting? Live audio comes to social network.

  20-12-2016 21:49
  
  Facebook executives have said the social network could be all video and no text within the next five years. But what about sound?  SEE ALSO: Facebook is super thirsty for your Facebook Lives Facebook announced Tuesday a new option called Live Audio that will let publishers more easily go live with audio only on the network. Similar to the live video experience on Facebook, users can comment and leave reactions.  Facebook users could also listen passively. "We know that people often lik
  
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• 2016 was a roller coaster year for Samsung VR -- literally - CNET

  20-12-2016 21:46 via cnet.com
  
  Turns out people really like being scared when they're wearing Samsung's virtual reality headset.
  
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• Flaming Samsung Note 7s fill the year's best Yule fireplace - CNET

  20-12-2016 21:34 via cnet.com
  
  Warm your techie soul with a joyful Yule log video showing a fireplace full of Samsung Galaxy Note 7s merrily roasting away.
  
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• Tech Ticker: EFF launches anti-Trump initiative; Tim Cook promises "great desktops" on Apple's roadmap

  20-12-2016 21:31 via zdnet.com
  
  The Electronic Frontier Foundation comes out swinging with a new "in defense of users" campaign aimed at convincing tech companies to oppose Trump. Also, Apple CEO Tim Cook tells employees on a private message board that new Mac desktops are in the pipeline.
  
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• How to bring back the Escape key on a Touch Bar-equipped MacBook Pro - CNET

  20-12-2016 21:30 via cnet.com
  
  If you need a physical Escape key on your MacBook Pro, then you can have one.
  
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• Sony lets Google Home be your remote control - CNET

  20-12-2016 21:21 via cnet.com
  
  You can now control certain Sony TVs and speakers with a voice command to Google Home and Google Assistant
  
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• The Top 5 most-viewed VR experiences on the Samsung Gear VR - CNET

  20-12-2016 21:16 via cnet.com
  
  Why ride roller coasters when you can experience them through virtual reality? Viewers wanted real thrills in VR this year, according to Samsung.
  
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• ​Uber reportedly loses $800M, but revenue is up - CNET

  20-12-2016 21:03 via cnet.com
  
  The ride-hailing company is said to have blown through cash in the third quarter, but it apparently still managed to boost its sales to $1.7 billion.
  
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• How to scan and archive your old printed photos - CNET

  20-12-2016 21:00 via cnet.com
  
  Whether you're looking to reduce clutter or share fond memories online, here are four methods for digitizing your print photo collection.
  
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• Huge drone turns guy into flying machine -- and epic snowboarder - CNET

  20-12-2016 20:59 via cnet.com
  
  YouTube star Casey Neistat manages to do something we've all wanted to try with a drone: let it haul him around on a wild winter ride.
  
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• Facebook is gunning for radio and podcasts with Live Audio

  20-12-2016 20:59
  
  By: Victoria WoollastonContinue reading...
  
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• Apple extends deals meant to alleviate MacBook Pro's dongle hell

  20-12-2016 20:56
  
  When the specs of the newly redesigned MacBook Pro were announced, Apple fans felt relegated to a new, dark dongle hell with the removal of all the ports laptop users had known and loved in favor of USB-C (aka Thunderbolt 3) connections.  Apple mercifully lowered the prices of a whole range of USB-C accessories in response to criticism over the shift with a promotion through the end of 2016. But if you go to buy one of the items now, you'll see that the special prices have been extended int
  
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• Orlando shooting victims' families sue Twitter, Google, Facebook - CNET

  20-12-2016 20:28 via cnet.com
  
  The families claim the influential tech companies didn't do enough to limit the reach of the Islamic State.
  
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• Can the Healthcare Industry Maintain the Speed of Technology?

  20-12-2016 20:25 via zdnet.com
  
  People are no longer patients, but instead they are consumers of healthcare. This blog explores how the healthcare ecosystem must evolve to support this shift in consumerism, the increased patient data that is available, the IoT, electronic medical records (EMRs), shifts in politics, and the transformation to outcome based care.
  
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• Meet the hardware hackers rebelling against Samsung

  20-12-2016 20:24
  
  Samsung Galaxy Note7 owners are being forced to give up their phones — that doesn't mean they're all going to go quietly into the night, though.  Just because some devoted Note7 owners have been told their phones are too dangerous to own, are banned from airlines forever, and will be crippled by software updates doesn't mean they're all simply heeding the global recall. But what recourse do these (either unwaveringly brave, or incredibly reckless and stupid) phone owners have? What ca
  
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• Instagram Stories' gift to you: Holiday stickers - CNET

  20-12-2016 20:11 via cnet.com
  
  Because adding snowmen, candy canes and dreidels to your photos and videos is what the holidays are really all about.
  
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• You can order the LG UltraFine 5K display now, for less - CNET

  20-12-2016 20:08 via cnet.com
  
  The big, high-resolution, wide-gamut monitor that Apple showed off in October is almost ready for your viewing pleasure, discounted through March.
  
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• From 'Westworld' to 'Deadpool': The best TV and movies of 2016 - CNET

  20-12-2016 20:05 via cnet.com
  
  We're optimistically looking back at 2016 and all the great shows and movies it brought us. Join us to forget about this dumpster fire year, won't you?
  
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• Microsoft SharePoint-OneDrive sync now due in January 2017

  20-12-2016 20:03 via zdnet.com
  
  Microsoft has pushed back slightly its delivery target for SharePoint-OneDrive sync, and is rolling out a standalone OneDrive sync client for Mac.
  
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• HTC has a 'big announcement' for 'U' on January 12 - CNET

  20-12-2016 19:55 via cnet.com
  
  The electronics maker sends out invites for its "next big announcement" just after CES 2017. But for now, the company's staying mum on details.
  
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• Online sites court procrastinators with speedy shipping

  20-12-2016 19:54
  
  Forget ordering online weeks in advance or dashing out to the drug store for a gift card on Christmas Eve. Procrastinating holiday shoppers are finding a haven online as retailers ramp up expedited shipping ...
  
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• Loyalist flags protester wins £3,000 Facebook damages

  20-12-2016 19:49 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Facebook is ordered to pay £3,000 damages to a loyalist flags protester for publishing comments about his children's religion.
  
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• Zuckerberg's smart home AI is voiced by Morgan Freeman - CNET

  20-12-2016 19:43 via cnet.com
  
  The Facebook CEO shows of the software at work in a new video. And it speaks Mandarin.
  
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• Oculus Inception: Quill app in VR shows what simulation theory really looks like

  20-12-2016 19:42
  
  The Oculus team frequently showcases the work of artist Goro Fujita using VR drawing app Quill. His most amazing VR work surfaced earlier this month with "Worlds In Worlds." The piece was a demonstration of how you can use Quill's "infinite canvas" to embed 3D drawings within larger 3D drawings to give the viewer a sense that they're traveling from one reality into another in terms of scale.  As amazing as that was, another user decided to test just how far Quill's canvas can be pushed, and
  
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• Man wins right to wear goat horns in driver's license photo - CNET

  20-12-2016 19:31 via cnet.com
  
  Phelan Moonsong is a Pagan priest. Maine agrees he can look like one on his driver's license too.
  
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• Kenmore 27132 review - CNET

  20-12-2016 19:25 via cnet.com
  
  Kenmore's $950 27132 washing machine is priced too high for its minimal features and so-so performance.
  
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• 7 weirdest moments from Mark Zuckerberg's new AI video

  20-12-2016 19:25
  
  Facebook CEO and very rich man Mark Zuckerberg released a video on Tuesday that demonstrates his fancy new artificial intelligence named Jarvis that he's been working on all year.  While the AI is surely impressive, we couldn't help but get over just how weird the video is that goes along with it. It's so strange Zuckerberg even had to clarify in the comments that this is not a live demo, but a "fun summary." Add on top that Jarvis is voiced by popular voice actor/God Morgan Freeman and the
  
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• This Kenmore washing machine doesn't quite deliver - CNET

  20-12-2016 19:24 via cnet.com
  
  Kenmore's $950 27132 top-load washing machine has limited features and average performance.
  
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• Lots of new TV shows and movies hit Hulu in January 2017 - CNET

  20-12-2016 19:19 via cnet.com
  
  The long wait for new episodes of your favorite shows ends in the new year. Plus, Hulu is adding some quality movies to its catalog.
  
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• Mark Zuckerberg's home assistant is voiced by Morgan Freeman. Seriously.

  20-12-2016 19:17
  
  One of the richest men in the world now has God as his personal assistant.  Well, the voice of God. Who better for the man who oversees a network of more than 1.8 billion people and has ambitions to connect the world?  Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed Tuesday that actor Morgan Freeman is the voice behind his home AI assistant, the project he tasked himself to complete during 2016.  SEE ALSO: Facebook says Zuckerberg's controversial election posts deleted by 'mistake' Zuckerbe
  
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