You may like Verizon’s more flexible FiOS TV packages, but ESPN sure doesn’t. The Disney-owned sports network claims that these offerings break contracts which prevent carriers from putting ESPN and ESPN2 into a separate sports package — typically, …
Technical
If you want to chat on Steam, spend at least $5
Earlier this week Valve introduced Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator as a means to keep its users safe from phishing attempts, and now it’s taken another step in that direction. From here on out, until you spend a minimum $5 with your account certain …
Justice Department may try to block the Comcast / TWC merger
It’s been more than a year since Comcast announced its plan to buy fellow cable giant Time Warner Cable in a $45 billion deal, but it still hasn’t received the blessings of various regulators. Now, word is leaking out from unnamed sources to Bloomber…
The X-47B’s first aerial refueling test will also be its last
The Navy’s X-47B combat UAV demonstrator successfully paired with an an Omega Air KC-707 airtanker earlier this week. This marks the first time in aviation history for a UAV to demonstrate aerial refueling capabilities. Unfortunately, these tests als…
Google launches ‘Works with Cardboard’ program for its VR headset
Google wants all apps developed for its Cardboard VR headset to work properly with, well, any version of its device. That’s tougher than it sounds, since the headset’s open-source, and a lot of companies and individual users are tweaking it to their …
Yahoo wants to take on Meerkat, Skype and Snapchat all at once
Yahoo may have a way to restore some of its former glory in the messaging world. Tipsters for The Information claim that the company is building a mobile app that includes text messaging, Snapchat-style recorded video and elements of live video apps …
Google search ‘Find My Phone’ to locate your missing Android
Google’s making it even easier to track down your misplaced mobile device. While Android Device Manager already exists to help find lost phones and tablets, just getting to your account’s ADM menu often requires a search of its own. But Find My Phone…
Dell has a Linux version of its sleek XPS 13 laptop
The nearly bezel-less Dell XPS 13 is one of our highest rated laptops, thanks namely to its compact size, attractive design and fast performance. But if Windows just isn’t your preferred operating system, now there’s another option to choose from: Li…
EA won’t make money in the new Humble Origin Bundle
Humble Bundle regularly offers groups of games for the low price of “whatever you want to pay,” with the option to send your money to the developers, Humble itself or to charity. Since launching in 2010, Humble has raised more than $50 million for ch…
A look at Vizio’s affordable M-Series 4K TVs
Earlier today, Vizio introduced its latest 4K TVs, the M-Series. In similar fashion to the P-Series from last year, which started at $1,000, this year’s models also come with an affordable price tag. But the M-Series ranges from $600 for a 43-inch mo…
Apple’s iOS 8.4 beta includes a brand-new music player
Think that iOS’ music player is overdue for a remake? You’re going to get your wish. Apple has released the first iOS 8.4 beta to developers, and its centerpiece is a shiny, new Music app. The refresh includes at least a few long-sought changes, incl…
Nissan and AT&T are connecting more cars, new or old
The New York Auto Show wraps up this weekend, where using technology to keep cars (and the people in them) both safer and more connected is receiving much of the attention. The 2016 Nissan Maxima is launching with new SiriusXM-powered NissanConnect S…
The PC market is shrinking again as companies stop upgrading
It’s not a good time to be a PC maker… especially if you cater to the corporate crowd. Both Gartner and IDC estimate that the computer market shrank between 5.2 to 6.7 percent in the first quarter of 2015, in part because many companies stopped upg…
DirecTV’s app is ready to stream 90 channels anywhere you go
We haven’t seen many updates for DirecTV’s streaming services in a while, but this week it added a slew of new channels for customers to watch live even when they’re away from home. The 22 additions include MTV, TNT, Nickelodeon, BET, Cartoon Network…
Podcasts are safer after the EFF helps gut a patent troll
Personal Audio has been threatening the podcast world for a while — the longtime patent troll claims that it invented the concept of podcasting, and has insisted that some bigger productions (such as Adam Carolla’s) either cough up licensing money o…