Best Buy flash sale: $950 Apple 12

We frequently see discounts on Apple’s MacBook Air, but deals on the current 12-inch MacBook have been pretty scarce — which is why Best Buy’s today-only $350 discount on the entry-level 12-incher is intriguing. This ultraslim model lists for $1,300 but is selling for $950 in four color options (online only).  This model features Intel’s Core M3 chip, the mobile …

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Twitter will be serving up video from ESPN, NBC and Viacom

Twitter is widening its video partnerships with media companies — both old and new school — by bringing in new shows like SportsCenter Live from ESPN and live video and clips from NBC Universal.  As its video views have nearly doubled in the past year, Twitter is almost doubling the number of shows it broadcasts over its social network to 30 …

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Justice Dept. opposes AT&T

The Justice Department reiterated Monday why it’s against AT&T’s $85 billion merger with Time Warner, saying the deal would hurt pay TV rivals and raise prices for consumers. In closing arguments for the antitrust trial, Craig Conrath, the lead attorney for the Justice Department, said if the deal were to go through, AT&T would have an incentive to use Time …

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LG G7 phone speakers are gunning for the Galaxy S9

LG will launch its LG G7 ThinQ phone on May 2, but it gave a little teaser on Monday for those of you keeping an eager eye on how the G7 will stack up against Samsung’s Galaxy S9. The LG G7 will pack new boombox speakers that promise to increase sound levels by more than 6 decibels and deliver twice …

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WhatsApp founder to depart after reported spat with Facebook over security

Jan Koum is moving on. The WhatsApp co-founder said in a Facebook post Monday that he plans to leave his messaging company, which Facebook bought four years ago for $19 billion. Koum, who reportedly will also be leaving his position on Facebook‘s board, said “it is time for me to move on.” He said he’s taking time off to pursue hobbies like …

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Sprint and T

On this podcast, we talk about: Sprint and T-Mobile unveiling a $26 billion merger deal Facebook’s Oculus and its big plans for immersive VR theater What to expect from Facebook’s F8 developer conference, which kicks off Tuesday Now playing: Watch this: Sprint and T-Mobile are getting married… well, maybe…… 4:11 The 3:59 gives you bite-size news and analysis about the …

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Telstra, Vodafone kick off unlimited mobile data war (with a catch…)

Telstra and Vodafone have kicked off a competition war for the next mobile frontier: Unlimited data.  On Tuesday, the telcos both announced the launch of unlimited mobile data plans, promising to kill excess data charges and let Aussies stream and post without limits. There’s just one small catch. You will be limited by speeds. Telstra’s Endless Data Plan launches on Thursday, …

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‘Red alert’ protest for net neutrality starts May 9

Net neutrality activists and websites like Etsy, Tumblr, Postmates, Foursquare and Twilio will post “red alerts” starting May 9 to protest the FCC’s effort to roll back Obama-era net neutrality protections. This latest protest, announced Monday, is set to coincide with the next step in an ongoing process in the Senate to use the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to halt …

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Pew: Down goes America’s faith in the internet as a force for good

If you’ve been feeling like the internet might not be such a great place lately, you’re not alone.  According to a Pew Research Center survey published on Monday, the majority of US adults surveyed in January said the internet is mostly a good thing for them personally and for society as a whole. But the number has declined since the Center …

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Amazon Prime: Still a good deal at $119?

Amazon Prime rates are going up. It’s been four years since Amazon raised the annual subscription price, which started at $79, then hit $99 in 2014 and will soon cost you $119. Read more: 4 things you didn’t know about Amazon. Given that hike, which goes into effect May 11 and applies to current customers starting June 16, you may …

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Telstra Go Repeater will boost your internet wherever you go

Telstra wants to be there for you wherever you go. To do so, on Tuesday it launched the Telstra Go Repeater, or “intelligent antenna solution”, an external antenna designed to boost your internet coverage in patchy regional areas (or in places that have patchy internet in general) and moving vehicles. It comes in two variants: a stationary version (pictured above) …

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Oculus wants to make immersive virtual theater a reality

Scattered around Earth, you and other audience members slip on VR headsets and convene in a common virtual world. As you explore, you’re approached by a character different from avatars you’ve met in VR before. It reacts to you like somebody in the same room would, but this isn’t a creature of our world. It’s sewn together by the same …

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Optus will let you stream every FIFA World Cup 2018 match

Optus has announced Tuesday it is will stream every match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup this June through July, with all Australians able to access the games, regardless of whether they’re an Optus customer. The Optus Sport app (previously only available to select Optus customers) will be the only way Australians can watch all 64 matches in the World …

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Fitbit buddies up with Google for better health

Fitbit announced today it will begin using Google’s new Cloud Healthcare API  to help you and your doctors better manage your healthcare.  The relationship between Google and Fitbit will eventually let users connect results from Fitbit’s fitness wearables, such as its Versa smartwatch, to your electronic medical records. Fitbit will also use Google’s services along with services from Twine Health, which Fitbit recently …

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