Wednesday, October 31, 2012

CNET News

CNET News


Early holiday decorations driving shoppers online?

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 09:04 PM PDT

A survey suggests that shoppers loathe that stores put up their Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving, so they are even keener to shop online. [Read more]

Google offers up secret sauce on new voice search

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 08:44 PM PDT

A research paper explains just how Google is able to give users speedy, accurate query returns with its new voice search tech -- it boils down to huge amounts of data. [Read more]

Bill Gates' and Paul Allen's friendship repaired?

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 07:29 PM PDT

Allen writes a new epilogue to his controversial memoir that addresses a yearlong hiatus from his fellow Microsoft co-founder saying, "I believe we will be friends again," GeekWire reports. [Read more]

Defense Department drops exclusive contract for BlackBerry

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 06:06 PM PDT

Still using Research In Motion devices for e-mail, the Pentagon also seeks software from Apple and Google that has the capability for "new and innovative applications," Reuters reports. [Read more]

FCC says wireless service is improving after Sandy

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 03:52 PM PDT

Federal officials say they are seeing some improvement in the communications network after Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast on Monday night, devastating several states. [Read more]

Apple R&D spending up nearly 40 percent in 2012

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 03:52 PM PDT

Apple's spending on research and development continues to rise, but is still dwarfed by that of rival technology companies. [Read more]

Dear Apple, stop overcharging for extra iPad memory

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 03:31 PM PDT

Yeah, Apple may end up selling a lot iPad Minis, but the price for bumping the storage up to 32GB or 64GB is getting ridiculous. [Read more]

Coffeemaker dresses up for more than Halloween

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 03:24 PM PDT

The Limited Edition Cuisinart SCC-1000 Swarovski Crystal 14-Cup Coffeemaker shines brightly throughout the year. [Read more]

A car for women? At Honda, yep

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 03:12 PM PDT

A version of Honda's popular Fit subcompact targets young women in Japan with pink stitching and other gender-stereotypical cues. [Read more]

Homeland Security chief: Banks 'under attack' by hackers

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 03:11 PM PDT

At a Washington, D.C., event today, Janet Napolitano warned that several major American financial institutions are being actively attacked by cyberhackers. But she offered no details. [Read more]

Apple to open another 30 to 35 retail stores next year

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 02:48 PM PDT

Apple says it plans to open up another 30 to 35 retail stores in the next year, bringing it right in line with its growth during 2012. [Read more]

FileVault requires Recovery HD partition in OS X

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 02:04 PM PDT

Without an intact Recovery HD partition on your Mac, you will not be able to use Apple's FileVault disk encryption feature. [Read more]

Facebook's stock spooked by insider selling concerns

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 01:24 PM PDT

The company's stock sinks about 4 percent after employees are allowed to sell their pre-IPO shares. [Read more]

Megan Fox talks to dolphins in Acer ad

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 01:21 PM PDT

How can Acer make you understand that its new ultrabook is wonderful? Why, by turning Megan Fox into a scientist. [Read more]

Ross Levinsohn: Marissa Mayer needed 'clean slate' at Yahoo

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 01:15 PM PDT

Levinsohn, the Yahoo exec who served as interim CEO after Scott Thompson's departure, tells Bloomberg in a TV interview that Mayer's actions are "so far so good." [Read more]

Ode to Buckyballs, on the day of their demise

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 01:07 PM PDT

Oh Buckyballs, my Buckyballs. The addictive magnetic desk toy succumbs to government pressure and resigns itself to life as a cherished relic of the past. [Read more]

Google Search vs. Siri: Voice search speed test (video)

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 01:00 PM PDT

In writing my review for Google Search yesterday, I realized the new Voice Search features are quite a bit faster than Siri. [Read more]

AT&T and T-Mobile strike temporary roaming deal

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 12:53 PM PDT

The two companies will allow customers in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy to roam on each other's networks. [Read more]

DeLorean push car costume for the littlest Marty McFly

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 12:38 PM PDT

A $25 push car is transformed into the ultimate baby-size DeLorean from "Back to the Future." [Read more]

Facebook looking into a slimmer, trimmer Timeline layout

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 12:36 PM PDT

The social network tests a new profile layout with one only one column of posts. This time, folks may actually like it. [Read more]

iPad Mini, 4th-gen iPad reviews

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 12:33 PM PDT

CNET reviews the iPad Mini and the updated, full-sized iPad, Nintendo offers perks for downloading Wii U games, and Waze lets you track friends on the road. [Read more]

With Icahn move, Netflix is now officially in play

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT

The streaming-video company's shares jump 15 percent on news that Carl Icahn has taken a significant stake in Netflix. The financier and former corporate raider once was a major shareholder in Blockbuster. [Read more]

Google Earth 7 brings tour guide feature, more 3D imagery

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 12:09 PM PDT

An updated version of the popular desktop app brings over features recently added to the mobile version. [Read more]

Apple reminds iTunes Match subscribers of auto-renewal

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 12:09 PM PDT

The company is quietly telling subscribers of its nearly 1-year-old iTunes Match service that their year is almost up. [Read more]

iPad Mini, iPad, iPod Touch: Which iOS device should you buy?

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 11:57 AM PDT

Too many gadgets! How do you decide? We run down the pros and cons of each of Apple's newest and hottest portable products that aren't the iPhone 5. [Read more]