The US State Department has shut down its unclassified email system as it evaluates potential damage caused by a possible hacker attack. The department’s email system was shut down in a planned outage Friday to make repairs and security upgrades after “activity of concern” was detected recently on the system, according to the Associated Press. …

The Lumia 535 is the first handset from the line to dump the Nokia brand. CNET The Microsoft Lumia 535 made its debut Monday, notable for being the first Lumia handset to lose the Nokia label. The new handset runs Windows Phone 8.1, the latest version of Microsoft’s mobile operating system, but the sequel to the Lumia 530 is decidedly …

Facebook Messenger now has more than 500 million montly users. Jason Cipriani/CNET Despite initially raising the ire of many Facebook Messenger users, the new standalone messaging app has managed to win acceptance by nearly half of the social network’s users. Facebook said Monday that each month more than 500 million people are using the app, which shifted the social network’s …

Apple’s instruction page for deregistering iPhones from the iMessage system. Screenshot by Steven Musil/CNET Customers who switched away from the iPhones have always had one nagging problem: iMessage. Now, Apple has an app for that. Apple quietly introduced a new tool in the last couple of days that solves one of the biggest headaches former iPhone owners have: lost messages. …

Hedy Lamarr, shown in this studio publicity still for the 1938 movie “Algiers,” developed wireless technology still in use today. Hedy Lamarr, a Hollywood actress known for her good looks and classic come-hither bedroom gaze, also played a key role in developing cell phone technology widely used today. Born 100 years ago today in Vienna, the actress made a lesser-known …

Lenovo profits rose in the second quarter. CNET Lenovo Group announced on Thursday that its net profit for the second quarter rose 19 percent as it increased its presence in the global PC and smartphone markets. The Chinese computer giant recorded a net profit of $262.1 million for the three-month period ended September 30, up from $219.7 million a year …

Samsung volume decreased while Apple benefited from the older iPhone 5S. CNET Rumors that the global smartphone demand is in decline have been greatly exaggerated, according to market researcher IDC, which reported Wednesday that global smartphone shipments exceeded 300 million during the third quarter of 2014. Increased emphasis on emerging markets drove the shipment of 327.6 million units during the …

Microsoft’s Band fitness device, as it appeared at Apple’s App Store. Screenshot by Steven Musil/CNET Microsoft hasn’t officially announced its much-rumored entry into the smartwatch sector, but it has provided the world with an apparently accidental glimpse of the device, dubbed simply “Band.” Screenshots of the health-oriented wearable appeared Wednesday on the Mac App Store as part of a sync …

Sony executive Andrew House announces the company’s virtual pay-TV service at CES 2014. Sarah Tew/CNET The Federal Communications Commission is considering rule changes that could guarantee that Internet video providers have the same access to premium programming as cable and satellite TV providers. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler proposed rule changes on Tuesday regarding so-called “over-the-top” Internet video services such as …

Aereo said it is studying its options after a judge granted a temporary injunction against it. CNET Aereo was dealt another setback in its fight for survival Thursday when a federal judge barred the embattled video streaming company from transmitting TV broadcasters’ programs to its subscribers. US District Judge Alison Nathan in New York granted broadcasters’ request for a preliminary …