There are a lot of reasons why sound bars are taking over home audio, but one of them is increasingly obvious: AV receivers are terrible. I’ve reviewed a lot of them for CNET, and while receivers are fine for enthusiasts who know what they’re doing, they’re a frustrating experience for everyone else. Most technology gets …

Uber says it has strict policies protecting customer privacy. Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Image Addressing concerns that it didn’t respect the privacy of its customers, Uber said Monday that one of its employees checked a journalist’s ride on the service because she was 30 minutes late to a meeting the two had scheduled. The revelation came in response to a series …

The Striiv Fusion comes with all three wristbands shown here. Striiv Different strokes for different folks, and different gadgets for different wrists. Last week’s Martian Notifier, for example, was great for people who wanted a stylish timepiece that could also deliver notifications. Today, let’s look at a device focused more on fitness and sleep, with a bit of smartwatch thrown …

Omega Since 1965, when the Omega Speedmaster was NASA-certified for space travel, the watchmaker has served as the official timepiece supplier to the final frontier. On July 21, 1969, the Omega Speedmaster was the first watch on the moon. Its history spans over half a century of space travel — continued in the watch’s latest edition, the Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 …

Microsoft Microsoft has cut the price of an Asus Transformer notebook for Monday’s 12 Days of Deals special. Normally selling for $499, the 15-inch Asus Transformer Book Flip is on sale Monday for $299 at Microsoft online and retail outlets. For each product sold through the 12 Days of Deals promo, Microsoft offers a “Doorbuster” deal that lowers the price …

Some models of the iPhone 6 are still playing hard to get. CNET Supply is starting to catch up with demand for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, but not as quickly as anticipated, according to analyst Gene Munster. In an investor’s report released on Monday, the analyst shared that Apple stores indicated 56 percent of iPhone 6 and 6 …

Some buyers surely couldn’t believe their eyes. Or their luck. Sky News screenshot by Chris Matyszczyk/CNET Christmas is a time of giving but, as far as retailers are concerned, it isn’t necessarily a time of giving away. Yet on Saturday, some UK-based retailers were aghast as their wares were suddenly being sold on Amazon for one penny. No, this wasn’t …

Some of the most-coveted toys this holiday season, like the Disney Frozen Castle & Ice Palace Playset, can be had — at a steep markup. Toys R Us Jim Sheppard combed store shelves last week to find the hottest toy of the season: the Disney Frozen Castle & Ice Palace Playset. But it wasn’t for a Christmas gift for the …

Announced last week, TV streaming service Presto Entertainment is a joint venture between Foxtel and Seven West Media, owners of Channel 7. Presto has now revealed some of the TV series that will be available on the service when it launches in early 2015. The focus seems to be on offering full seasons of series whenever possible to capitalise on …

Sony says leaks are intended to pressure the studio to cancel release of a movie, presumably “The Interview.” Sony Sony Pictures issued a warning Sunday to news organizations against use of information leaked after a massive security breach at the studio. In a sternly worded letter first reported by The New York Times, Sony Pictures attorney David Boies referred to …

Sony Pictures’ comedy “The Interview” premiered in Los Angeles on Thursday. The movie focuses on a plot to assassinate North Korea’s leader. The country has denied any involvement in the cyberattack against the studio. AFP/Getty Images A few months before a cyberattack forced Sony Pictures to shut down its computer systems, a security audit discovered holes in the way the …

Steve Guttenberg/CNET It’s that time of year again, so the Audiophiliac put together a nice assortment of music and gear gift ideas. It might not be the most glamorous treat under the tree, but the $12.95 Etymotic Research ER20 earplugs might be the most valuable. All earplugs block out external noise, but muffle the sound. The ER20 plugs sound clear, …

The Moon Neo 430HA Moon The Moon Neo 430HA didn’t make a strong, immediate first impression. It certainly looked and felt like a solid high-end component, but the sound didn’t bowl me over, so I left a radio playing through it for about a week. That did the trick, the transparency and purity of the sound jumped ahead of any …

Uber’s smartphone personal vehicle service is in some hot water in Brussels. Uber Another day, another potential roadblock for car-hailing service Uber. Pascal Smet, the mobility minister for Brussels, has announced plans to file a complaint with police against Uber in the coming days, charging that the company is operating illegally in Belgium’s capital, according to local reports on Friday. …

David Katzmaier/CNET The number of big-name 4K video services just doubled, from one to two. Amazon announced the inception of its 4K streaming service today, joining Netflix in allowing owners of many 2014 4K TVs to watch a selection of 4K/Ultra High Definition movies and TV shows. Prime members as usual get the best selection, gaining access to numerous 4K …