IT Executive news

• Dell installs self-signed root certificate on laptops, endangering users' privacy

  23-11-2015 23:52
  Dell laptops are coming preloaded with a self-signed root digital certificate that lets attackers spy on traffic to any secure website.The reports first surfaced on Reddit and were soon confirmed by other users and security experts on Twitter and blogs. The root certificate, which has the power of a certificate authority on the laptops it's installed on, comes bundled with its corresponding private key, making the situation worse.With the private key, which is now available online, anyone can ge
  
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• Dell computers shipping with potentially dangerous root certificate authority

  23-11-2015 21:22
  
  At least some Dell laptops are shipping with a trusted root certificate authority pre-installed, something that those who discovered the CA are comparing to the Superfish adware installed on Lenovo machines that left them open to man-in the-middle attacks.
  Called eDellRoot, the trusted root CA comes as part of the standard software load on new Dell machines. A Reddit contributor who uses rotocowboy for a screen name says the implications could be dire. “For those that are unfamiliar with
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: How digital avatars will inspire – or frighten – us to better health

  23-11-2015 21:20
  
  In an ideal world, our medical information is accessible regardless of the doctor, clinic, or hospital, regardless of city, any state or even any country.  In reality, however, our health IT systems are a long way from ideal.Just accessing a patient’s medical images can be difficult under the most forgiving circumstances.  Now consider what it’s like when the patient is in a car accident, while on vacation, in a big city, in a foreign country. Some people wear medical
  
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• Task force recommends light regulation of drones

  23-11-2015 20:23
  
  A drone industry group created by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop rules for drone registration is recommending the government apply just about the lightest touch possible.The group's final report suggests the FAA require operators of all drones weighing 250 grams or more submit their name and address through a website or smartphone app. No other information would be required. Once registered, operators would receive a number that they should mark on each of th
  
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• Facebook makes app accessibility easier with React framework updates

  23-11-2015 20:00
  
  Facebook is making it easier for app developers to build programs that work for people who are visually impaired after the company updated its React and React Native programming frameworks on Monday
  The new features let developers designate user interface elements as accessible, which makes it possible for screen readers and other assistive technology to understand what the object in question is. Accessible elements can also be given a label that a screen reader can use to describe what they ar
  
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• Toshiba's new chip to usher in wireless charging at wired speeds

  23-11-2015 19:46
  
  Toshiba America Electronic Components (TEAC) today announced what it says is the industry's first single-chip wireless power receiver (RX) that can operate at 15 watts and is compliant with Qi v1.2, the wireless charging standard.
  Compared to TEAC's previous wireless power chips, the new TC7766WBG triples the amount of power that can be received without increasing the chip's size.
  "This enables wireless power for subsequent charging of smartphones, tablets and handheld devices at speeds compara
  
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• Samsung Pay support expands to Chase Visa, multiple Credit Unions

  23-11-2015 19:25
  
  Samsung Pay is the outlier among the mobile payment platforms for its ability to work with non-NFC terminals. 
  But to try it out you have to have a bank or credit card issuer that’s signed on as a partner. The list just got longer with Chase, the Navy Federal Credit Union, and others coming aboard. To encourage more to try it out, Samsung is giving away a $100 gift card to spend at its online store if you active the service on a Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+, or Note 5 by Novembe
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: Apple redditors give Tim Cook a blistering performance review

  23-11-2015 19:18
  
  Tim Cook hasn't had an easy time as CEO of Apple. He was forced to take on that role when Steve Jobs got sick and then finally passed away. Cook had to jump into the role of CEO of one of the world's biggest companies, and he had the unenviable task of being the successor to one of the most dynamic and successful chief executives in the history of business.So how is he doing? Well that, of course, is a matter of opinion. Recently there was quite a long thread on the Apple subreddit about Tim Coo
  
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• Fight for your right to repair

  23-11-2015 18:52
  
  Nobody likes to clean a cat box, so CatGenie created a self-cleaning litter box. Unfortunately, the CatGenie’s SmartCartridge contains a chip that refuses to operate if the cartridge has been used more than a factory-determined number of times. Even though the purchaser can take apart and refill the SmartCartridge, it still won’t work. The owner is out of luck and must purchase a new SmartCartridge.
  Similar software also limits the use of cellphones, cameras, electric tools, cars an
  
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• Apple and app streaming: Unlikely, but never say never

  23-11-2015 18:50
  
  Apple is unlikely to follow Google into app streaming unless the model gains significant traction with consumers, forcing its hand, analysts said today.
  "It's clear why Google is doing this," said Jan Dawson, principal analyst at Jackdaw Research, in an interview. "One reason why it's investing so heavily in app indexing, and now streaming, is that it reasserts the dominance of the Web and search. But that doesn't apply to Apple. Having said that, when someone goes first, then Apple may follow
  
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• Manhattan DA report details how Google can remotely reset most Android passcodes

  23-11-2015 18:40
  
  The Manhattan district attorney’s office made a bold claim in a recent report that sparked another fire in the ongoing encryption debate.
  The report (about smartphone encryption in general, and not Android in particular) details how authorities could gain entry to one’s Android smartphone by compelling Google to comply with a court order:
  “Google can reset the passcodes when served with a search warrant and an order instructing them to assist law enforcement to extract da
  
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• Adware program Vonteera blocks security products with simple Windows UAC trick

  23-11-2015 18:22
  
  A well-known adware program is preventing users from installing antivirus products by leveraging a Windows feature that was designed for security.The program, known as Vonteera, abuses the digital signature check performed by the Windows User Access Control (UAC) for executable files.UAC prompts users for confirmation whenever a program wants to make a system change that requires administrator-level privileges. It therefore prevents malware from silently gaining full system access if execut
  
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• Android Studio 2.0 zeroes in on improved workflow

  23-11-2015 18:00
  
  Fresh from a point release of its Android Studio IDE last week, Google on Monday will preview version 2.0 of the software development platform, which improves development workflows and emulation.
  "One the most requested features we receive is to make app builds and deployment faster in Android Studio," said Jamal Eason, Android product manager, in a bulletin. "Today at the Android Developer Summit, we are announcing a preview of Android Studio 2.0 featuring Instant Run, [which] will dramaticall
  
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• 5 things you need to know about legally transferring data out of Europe

  23-11-2015 17:42
  1. It only concerns personal data  The Safe Harbor agreement was -- until it was struck down by the Court of Justice of the European Union on Oct. 6 -- a way to reconcile differences between U.S. privacy laws and the EU's 1998 Data Protection Directive, which prohibits the transfer of Europeans' personal information to countries with inadequate privacy protections. If all you're shifting is production data or environmental measurements, then carry on as you were.2. It's not the only way to
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: Memory goes and comes

  23-11-2015 17:33
  
  There’s a certain irony in Intel’s return-to-growth financial projection for 2016 in that some of it comes from a resurgent memory business. Those of us with long memories can recall when Intel left that business, ceding it entirely to the Japanese, who had assembled a semiconductor manufacturing juggernaut.At the time, 1985, the exit was a brave move, a huge gamble for Andy Grove and Gordon Moore, Intel’s president and CEO, respectively. Leaving the dynamic random access memor
  
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• A deal between standards groups could help make home IoT easier

  23-11-2015 17:00
  
  The Internet of Things is moving to the forefront of home networking as the variety of devices that can go online rapidly expands.
  Reflecting this trend, the Open Interconnect Consortium is acquiring the assets of the Universal Plug and Play Forum, an organization formed about 15 years ago to standardize discovery and control of networked devices. 
  UPnP is used in about 3 billion devices and plays a key background role in wireless home networks, especially the routers that usually sit at t
  
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• Austrian supreme court to decide whether Facebook privacy class action can go ahead

  23-11-2015 15:51
  
  The Austrian privacy activist who has become a thorn in Facebook's side will have his case considered by his country's supreme court as it weighs whether a class action suit against the social networking company can go ahead.Max Schrems sued Facebook in the local court in his home town of Vienna, alleging that the company breached European Union privacy laws. He also sought to join complaints from thousands of other Facebook users with his own in a sort of class action.When the local court
  
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• 5 mobile apps to help you survive (and thrive) this Thanksgiving

  23-11-2015 15:33
  
  My Thanksgiving weekend to-do list looks like this: Shop; drive; overeat; work off excess calories; repeat. If this sounds familiar, you might want to check out these five apps, all of which I use regularly and recommend.
  Shop for groceries: Capitan
  Capitan is a free Android and iOS app specifically designed for grocery shopping. I used to use Wunderlist for my grocery lists, but I'm growing attached to Capitan for three reasons.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click h
  
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• Microsoft CEO takes a collaborative approach to cybersecurity

  23-11-2015 15:22
  
  Satya Nadella will have you know that cybersecurity takes a village.The Microsoft CEO took to the stage this week in the nation's capital to describe a new, collaborative approach the company is taking as it deals with an evolving set of digital threats targeting an increasingly distributed tangle of users, devices and systems.[ Related: CISOs learn 5 tough lessons about conveying security risks ]Nadella positions the cyber challenge as the latest entry on a continuum of threats that have emerge
  
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• 6 CRM predictions for 2016

  23-11-2015 15:09
  
  CRM software has come a long way from its early days as a desktop-based sales tool. And each year, it seems, there’s some hot new flavor of CRM – social CRM, cloud CRM, mobile CRM, vertical CRM – with new vendors and apps constantly entering the market.So what will be the big trends in CRM in 2016? Here are six predictions.CRM software will become even more social. “In 2016, we'll see a lot more CRM providers adding new social media features, whether that be tracking cust
  
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• Yahoo Mail ad-block ban proves the Web is broken

  23-11-2015 14:52
  
  My first reaction to the news that Yahoo had blocked access to its email service for some people who use ad blockers was anger. The experimental move is high-handed, it smacks of bullying, and it is a terrible way to treat customers.However, a larger issue exists here: You get what you pay for.No ads ... no free content?
  Yahoo Mail, like Gmail, Facebook, and many other Web services and online sites, is free, and advertising supports it. Google and Facebook are rolling in money, but this obv
  
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• 10 best jobs in IT and engineering

  23-11-2015 14:35
  
  Best jobs in IT and engineeringImage by ThinkstockIT and engineering are two industries that remain stable and growing as the economy continues to recover, according to data from CareerCast. Jobs in IT and engineering are not only in demand, but they're also growing ahead of the national average estimated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And as technology changes rapidly, new job titles and required skills emerge constantly.
  This fast-paced growth also lends itself to new job opportunities wit
  
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• What CSOs should do on their first days

  23-11-2015 14:15
  
  It used to be common for new chief security officers to come in with guns blazing. The security personality stereotype was a machismo type who wanted to be seen as the hero in saving the company’s network from all the villains trying to get in.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here(Insider Story)
  
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• CISO proposes cybersecurity co-op to fend off hackers

  23-11-2015 14:00
  
  Jim Motes believes he has a solution to the glaring shortage in cybersecurity talent, which renders corporations more vulnerable to hackers. The CISO of Rockwell Automation proposes a cooperative staffed by the best engineers from member companies. This team of seasoned information security professionals would be better positioned to protect corporate networks than most managed security service providers (MSSP), he says."We have a shortage of cybersecurity professionals, with people shoved into
  
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• 10 affordable cities that offer good IT jobs

  23-11-2015 13:55
  
  Affordable cities that offer good IT jobsImage by ThinkstockAcross the U.S., smaller, "off metro" cities are home to talent that's just as accomplished -- you just need to know where to look. Here, CIO.com has put together a list of the 10 best cities for IT -- ones that don't involve sky-high rents and impossible costs of living.Data on median income and percentage of workforce in technology comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data on population, unemployment rate -- which covers al
  
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• What end of support for SQL Server 2005 means for CIOs

  23-11-2015 13:53
  
  End-of-support is headache for CIOs, because it means replacing and/or upgrading hardware and software with minimal to no return on investment. IT departments tend to stall on the process to delay the inevitable of disruption, expense and replacement, but it has to be done.Many firms have already been through this headache with Windows XP in 2014 and Windows Server 2003 last summer … and now they’ll have to do it again. Come April 2016, Microsoft will no longer support SQL Server 20
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: How to retain and hire the best IT professionals

  23-11-2015 13:41
  
  The IT job market is increasingly competitive – for hiring organizations, that is. With the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting that unemployment rates for some tech roles are at under one percent, it’s no wonder the job market for certain roles is so tight.As a team leader, you’ll need to step up your game by making sure your recruitment efforts are effective and that you’re paying attention to employee retention. Now that planning for next year is probably well un
  
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• 6 proven strategies for evaluating and prioritizing IT projects

  23-11-2015 13:41
  
  Regardless of business size, industry or structure, many projects today are unfortunately still selected and initiated in a siloed department-by-department manner, without considering for the overall strategic impact. What are the risks of initiating projects in this manner? Businesses run the risk of more than one area competing for the same project resources, including people and technologies, and also conflicting deadlines and goals. They may even risk some project outcomes negatively impacti
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: 4 hacks to help CEOs manage better

  23-11-2015 13:34
  
  Continuing down the path of helping out the CEO in any way I can, I'd like to present a list of four hacks that I think any CEO could use to enhance his corporation management efforts. I think all of these could potentially help any CEO regardless of the industry or size of the company. I'm not expert, but I have experience and opinions, so please just take this list for what it is and hopefully you can take something away from it that will make this week or this month or maybe your current proj
  
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• 10 products that big tech companies have open-sourced recently

  23-11-2015 12:59
  
  Here they come, bearing giftsIn a very general and somewhat nebulous way, open-source software is on the rise. Acknowledging the importance of its large and growing role in enterprise computing has become an increasingly common activity, thanks to the prominence of open-source technology in everything from containerization to the cloud. A possible consequence of this is that major tech companies have been making more frequent gifts of code to the open-source community of late. Take a look at 10
  
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• Google+ gets the pivot of the year

  23-11-2015 12:15
  
  When Google launched its Google+ social network just over four years ago, it was an ambitious project. Google+ was an attempt to re-invent how people use the Internet. As one columnist eloquently put it, Google+ wasn't Google's version of Facebook (as everyone assumed); it was Google's version of Google.
  The vision was to integrate most Google services into Google+. Google+ was supposed to be an identity platform, a photo and video platform, a news discovery site, a hotel and restaurant guide a
  
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• 9 ways Windows 10 just got better

  23-11-2015 12:12
  
  The November update to Windows 10 adds new features to the OS and refines its user interface. Many of these features were meant to be in the first release Windows 10, but weren’t ready in time. (If you haven’t upgraded your Windows 7 or 8/8.1 computer or tablet to Windows 10 yet, these features are included in the free Windows 10 upgrade.)To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here(Insider Story)
  
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• Trend zet door: minder investeringen in technologische innovatie

  23-11-2015 12:09
  Nederlandse bedrijven realiseren meer innovaties, maar de daling van investeringen in technologische innovatie zet zich voort. Dat is de belangrijkste bevinding van onderzoek door onderzoeksinstituut INSCOPE van de Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam.Terwijl het innovatievermogen van Nederlandse bedrijven is gestegen,... lees meer
  
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• Windows at 30: Microsoft’s biggest blunders

  23-11-2015 12:00
  
  Windows at 30: Microsoft’s biggest OS goofsImage by Johnathan Nightingale via FlickrIn the high-stakes, high-paced world of tech, surviving 30 years is no small feat. But Microsoft Windows has done much more than merely survive. It has enjoyed a remarkably long ride atop the operating system heap, tripping only recently with the ascendancy of mobile OSes.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
  
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• Tis the season…of malware

  23-11-2015 12:00
  
  Cybercriminals have been preparing for another Black Friday/Cyber Monday. It’s a time for them to make big profits too. Last year’s scams will undoubtedly return and some new tricks will arise.
  Here are some of the top scams that CSOs should be preparing their company's users to be aware of:
  The Amazon PhishCyber criminals are attacking Amazon users with a phishing campaign that falsely claims a small number of accounts have been hacked.
  [ ALSO ON CSO: The worst of the worst ph
  
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• Imagining a future where new skills are no help

  23-11-2015 12:00
  
  In the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, the Bank of England's top economist is warning about the impact of automation on employment.
  Andrew Haldane, the bank's chief economist, said that jobs at risk from automation total about 80 million in the U.S. and about 15 million in the U.K.
  The elimination of jobs due to robotics and artificial intelligence with reasoning capabilities is a topic of increasing interest. But there is also a lot of uncertainty attached to this, which Haldane, in a
  
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• Holiday scams that will be donning your inbox soon

  23-11-2015 12:00
  
  Ho-ho oh noImage by AndYaDontStop Just like Santa, cybercriminals are busy making their toys. It’s a great time for IT to remind employees the poisonous gifts that were given last year. It’s likely you’ll see them (or some form of them) again this year.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
  
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• Computerworld's holiday gift guide 2015 (with video!)

  23-11-2015 12:00
  
  Another holiday season is approaching -- time to panic!
  Wait, here's a better idea: Check out our annual gift guide -- we've come up with some great ideas for tech gear to give and get.
  We'll be rolling it out over the next few weeks. By the time we're finished, we'll have recommendations for more than 45 gifts in every price range, from a $5 phone-holding strap to an $800 premium smartphone. You'll find envy-inducing speakers and smartwatches, keyboards and cameras, chargers and tchotchkes --
  
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• Computerworld's holiday gift guide 2015: Top-notch tech for $150 or more

  23-11-2015 12:00
  
  Going for tech goldThe hardest thing about this holiday season may not be dealing with strange family members or figuring out how to handle everyone's food preferences, but choosing gifts from all the great tech out there. Over the past year, a veritable treasure trove of high-end devices has appeared to tempt the technologically inclined.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
  
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• Half of all enterprises to start Windows 10 rollouts in the next year

  23-11-2015 10:00
  Half of all enterprises will have at least started their roll-outs of Windows 10 by January 2017, according to a Gartner report released Monday, suggesting the OS is on track for rapid adoption.The prediction is based on significant interest that Gartner analyst Steve Kleynhans has seen during conversations with clients about their plans. While enterprises are known for taking their time with software updates, Kleynhans says they're moving fast with Windows 10."I've stopped being surprised when
  
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• How to buy the best productivity-focused Android, iOS, or Windows tablet

  23-11-2015 09:01
  
  The best tablet these days is one that’s as ready for work as it is for play. That means moving beyond the bargain bin of $50 throwaways to the shelf filled with better-quality tablets and useful accessories. Plan on spending at least a few hundred dollars, but the payoff in productivity—and fun—will be worth it.We can recommend three outstanding tablets. For any other models that catch your eye, we’re also giving you five things to decide before you buy.The best tablets
  
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• 10 truly classy tech gifts for $50 or less

  23-11-2015 09:01
  
  Overspending is as much a holiday tradition as caroling, fruitcake, and drunken dinnertime political rants. But you don’t have to break the bank when shopping for the tech lovers on your list. We’ve rounded up ten truly classy PC and mobile accessories that cost $50 or less. You’ll be sure to delight any gadget-lover, and still have money left over to buy something cool for yourself.JVC HA-S400-B headphonesHigh-end headphones can easily cost as much or more than the audio devi
  
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• Kindle vs Fire: How to choose the right Amazon e-reader

  23-11-2015 09:00
  
  Reading is one of life’s finer pleasures, especially while tippling your favorite beverage. E-readers make this pastime supremely convenient. If you’ve decided to choose from Amazon’s lineup, we’ll help you pick the right one for your needs (or for that special someone on your holiday shopping list).
  There will be times when you’ll miss the tactile feedback that only a product crafted from ink and dead trees can provide, but the benefits of e-readers are almost too
  
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• iPad buying guide: How to choose an iPad Pro, iPad Air, or iPad mini

  23-11-2015 09:00
  
  So you’re in the market for a new iPad. Excellent choice—I couldn’t live without mine. It’s my companion when I’m catching up on news and email in the morning over tea, reading a comic book in the evening to unwind, or watching a movie while traveling on a plane.
  But these days, picking an iPad can be tricky. Apple currently sells five different models of iPad, with prices ranging from the $269 to $1079. There are size, storage, color, and connectivity options to c
  
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• 9 killer gifts for PC gamers

  23-11-2015 09:00
  
  If you thought a box of Hot Pockets, a two-liter bottle of Shasta, and a Rush mix tape are the only things a gamer needs in life, you’re wrong.
  Gamers need gifts, too—but unfortunately, they’re not an easy lot to shop for. Fear not, for our gift guide should give you some great tips on can’t-lose gifts for the gamer in your life. From a new video card to the gear they’ll need to get their YouTube career off the ground, we’ve rounded up the best gifts any game
  
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• 9 awesome gifts for nerds

  23-11-2015 09:00
  
  Gift shopping for a nerd is a daunting task. Do you know, for example, just what GPU she wants, or how much memory he has in his PC? No. And that means you’re doomed to failure.
  To find the right gift, just think back to any of the interactions you’ve had in the last year. Was she trying to open up a tablet or phone with a butter knife? Boom, iFixit’s Pro Tech Tool kit. Does he still grumble about how J.J. Abrams didn’t get the Star Trek movie reboot right and
  
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• 5 awesome gifts for smart-home enthusiasts

  23-11-2015 09:00
  
  Smart home technology has yet to rise to the level of sophistication depicted in the Jetsons, but it’s getting closer every day. And the hardware needed to reach that goal is becoming more affordable every day, too. We’ve selected a broad range of solutions for this gift guide that will make life at home easier, more secure, and—most importantly—more fun.Logitech Harmony Elite
  You name it and Logitech’s Harmony Elite universal remote can control it, everything from
  
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• 10 awesome gift ideas for Android users

  23-11-2015 09:00
  
  Picking out a gift for your Android-loving friends is hard work—heck, figuring out what to ask for on your own holiday wish-list is tough enough. 
  That’s why we scoured the Internet looking for gadgets we’d give as gifts... and that we’d pair with our own Android devices. Here, you’ll find plenty of neat photography-centric gifts that you can bundle together—since most smartphones now function as bonafide point-and-shoot cameras—as well a
  
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• Reddit to honor 'Do Not Track' requests from visitors to its website

  23-11-2015 08:54
  Reddit has decided to honor 'Do Not Track,' a feature that will ensure that it does not download third-party analytics on to browsers that enable the option.The DNT option allows users to ask their browser to send websites they access a request or signal to opt-out, for example, from third-party tracking for purposes such as behavioral advertising. But as Reddit points out, websites can interpret the signal however they want and most ignore it.The Federal Communications Commission ruled this mon
  
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