When we talk about buying music online, we tend to think of stores like iTunes or 7digital. There was a time — especially for DJs — that buying online meant browsing vinyl on sites like Juno or Chemical (in the UK at least) from the comfort of you…
Technical
A tale of two Chromebooks: one size doesn’t fit all
I’ve been spending a lot of time with Chromebooks. About one a month for the last six months, if my math is correct. Lately, though, I’ve found myself in the somewhat unusual situation of testing two models at once. Two very different models, I shoul…
Use Google Now to control your Nest thermostat
After signs of the proverbial switch flipping surfaced this weekend, Google Now’s Nest integration is live. You’ll need to authorize both the Google app and its voice control separately, but once you do, a simple “change the temperature to 74 degrees…
These videos prove that music and science can (usually) mix
Wondering how NASA could make a clever yet groan-inducing music video like “All About That Space?” Really, it’s just carrying on a tradition of producing science-themed tunes. A lot of them are cheesy covers — we’ve seen scientific riffs on Adele an…
The top tech gifts of holidays past
Remember the mad rush to secure a Teddy Ruxpin under the tree? Or how about how badly you begged your parents for the Nintendo DS as a year-end treat? As we head into another hectic, yet hopeful holiday season, we look back at some of the geeky gadge…
Project Loon works with France’s space agency to develop next-gen balloons
Project Loon has come a long way since Google X started working on it in 2011: its balloons can now stay afloat for 100 days, for one, and it has recently gained a partner carrier in Australia’s Telstra. Now, France’s space agency, Centre National d’…
Unusual X-ray signals could reveal dark matter
Dark matter remains one of the most mysterious elements of the universe, because it’s completely invisible to us. It neither emits nor absorbs light, so we can’t observe it directly — not even if we use our most powerful telescope. A team of researc…
Here’s what our readers are saying about the Moto 360
When Android Wear was announced back in March, we asked our readers in a poll which of the first two launch devices they wanted: the Moto 360 or the LG G Watch. The Moto 360 won hands down, by a three -to-one ratio. That anticipation only increased a…
Yup, NASA made an ‘All About That Bass’ parody
Because you know I’m all about that space ‘Bout that space, space travel I’m all about that space, ’bout that space, space travel I’m all about that space, ’bout that space, space travel I’m all about that space, ’bout that space, space…
ASUS ZenWatch review: subtle and stylish, with a few shortcomings
The war for your wrist isn’t going to wind down any time soon: We’ve already seen the industry’s biggest players take a stab (in some cases, multiple ones) at perfecting their wearables. ASUS isn’t quite as prominent as other names on that list, but …
Google gives its iOS search app a Material Design makeover
When Google vowed that its Material Design style would reach every corner of its business, it wasn’t kidding. The company has just overhauled its iOS search app, and that layered look is everywhere — in fact, the app resembles a simplified version o…
Facebook helps you follow hot trends on your phone
When there’s a big event happening while you’re away from home, what apps do you use to keep track on your phone? Probably not Facebook — it’s often the last service to show you up-to-the-minute info. That might change after today. Facebook has star…
‘The Crew’: The Joystiq Review
In the course of the last console generation, Ubisoft has gone from “the French publisher behind the Tom Clancy games” to the world’s leading creator of lucrative open-world sandbox franchises (by quantity, if not quality). This success hinges on a s…
HBO eyes April premiere for its standalone streaming service
Reports have been pretty consistent that HBO will offer a direct to consumer streaming option sometime next year. When that might land and what that might look like, however, have been subject to rampant (and usually unfounded) speculation. Today, at…
Cyanogen backpedals on promise to update OnePlus phones in India
If you’re in India, get ready to be more confused and maybe a bit angry about the OnePlus One situation. Cyanogen recently said that “the OnePlus One will get OTA firmware updates for all global devices, including global devices for our users in Indi…