As cord cutters binge, pay TV purges. Cable, satellite and telecom pay TV providers lost more subscribers last quarter than ever, according to a report on Monday from Leitchman Research. “The top pay-TV providers lost about 665,000 subscribers in the traditionally weak second quarter, with net losses in 2Q 2016 surpassing the previous quarterly low …

Some of you have been asking about the dark black-and-gray theme I’ve been sporting in my Windows 10 screenshots. If you’ve installed the latest Windows 10 Anniversary Update — which rolled out August 2 — then you can get this cool dark theme in native Windows apps right now. To do this, open the Settings menu and go to Personalization …

Apple’s FaceTime is incredibly simple to use, but only allows you to call fellow iOS or Mac users. Google’s latest app, Duo, attempts to recreate the simplicity of FaceTime but works across Android and iOS. As a refresher, Duo was first announced at Google I/O earlier this year, alongside Allo, yet another messaging app from Google. While Duo is available …

We’ve seen some weird iPhone torture tests involving hot melted-crayon baths, liquid nitrogen and trains. YouTube channel GizmoSlip decided to torture an iPhone using Flubber. Flubber, named for a fictional rubbery substance from the classic 1961 film “The Absent-Minded Professor,” is a material you can make at home using glue, water, borax and food coloring. Related stories iPhone 6 Plus …

Let’s be honest: Most people aren’t on Tinder to find a partner to discuss Russian literature. Or string theory. Or the strength of the dollar. That’s why this might be good news for those who hate small talk: Using an emoji or GIF will make your match 30 percent more likely to respond, Tinder found this week. The dating app’s …

Now playing: Watch this: Intel’s Project Alloy headset cuts the cord 1:12 The best virtual reality can be a pain to set up. You need a pricey PC, a fancy headset and great motion controllers, and you’ll still be tethered by a cord. But Intel’s Project Alloy wants to throw those limitations out the window. Intel CEO Brian Krzanich kicked …

An operating system is only useful as it is customizable. After all — if you can’t make an OS look and act the way you want it to, then who cares if it’s objectively better (faster, more powerful) than any other OS? Good news, Windows 10 users: You can easily customize both the look and feel of Microsoft’s new OS, …

Last week, Literature & Latte released Scrivener for iOS, bringing the popular long-form writing tool to iPhones and iPads. The price: $19.99. Ouch. I’m not saying the app isn’t worth it, especially for anyone who’s working on, say, a screenplay or dissertation. But if you can’t afford it or don’t think $20 is a fair price, you may prefer to …

The next time your kid opens up her Happy Meal, there may be a different type of toy staring back. McDonald’s has begun offering kids in its Canadian restaurants a wrist-worn activity tracker called “Step It!” as part of its venerable Happy Meal. It’s no Apple Watch — the device just counts steps — but it’s being marketed as McDonald’s …

Tech fans in Europe and Canada only have to put up with boring regular reality for another month or so, as Oculus has confirmed its Rift headset will be hitting those regions on 20 September. Preorders in those regions kick off from today, following on from a US release earlier this year. In the UK and Europe the Rift has …

Now playing: Watch this: Should I buy the Galaxy Note 7 or S7 Edge? 1:47 The new Galaxy Note 7 is the pinnacle Samsung phone in an already banner year that saw the Galaxy S7, an Editor’s Choice winner, and the S7 Edge, CNET’s first five-star phone. But competition is as fierce as always, and buyers have choices. How well …

The latest “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” trailer is a fine example of modern trailer-making prowess. The music builds, we meet our stars, the tension ramps up. It’s also a stark reminder of just how much trailers have changed since the earlier days of the original Star Wars movies. YouTube user Medley Weaver took the aesthetics, pace and music …

OK, Google, where do I vote? Yup, the search giant is adding information about how to vote in the upcoming presidential election in November. When people search for information about voting, they’ll get information, such as what’s on the ballot in each state, the ID requirements and deadlines for voting by mail. “We hope this customized state-by-state guide will help …

Now playing: Watch this: Everything Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 can do 2:03 Your fingerprint is no longer the reigning champ of phone security. Iris scanning on the new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is fast, secure and undeniably futuristic. In fact, using it makes you feel like a CIA agent gaining access to a top secret device. Or at least, I …

Now playing: Watch this: Google’s Hangouts on Air heading to YouTube 1:28 Hangouts on Air is a pretty good live-streaming app within Google’s social network, Google Plus. However, Google is pulling the feature from Google Plus and a new version will head to YouTube Live. In mid-September, Hangouts on Air will no longer function on Google Plus. Oddly, some older …