Netflix Aussie pirates have often defended their actions by saying that they would purchase shows (or watch on free-to-air) if that was an option. Instead, they claim, the difficultly in being able to watch their shows in a timely fashion is what drives them to torrent sites. But how realistic is this? Tech culture blog …

Google Vodafone is the first UK network to sell the Google Chromecast as it expands the bonuses available to customers, especially 4G subscribers who get a discount on the cheapo streaming stick. All roads lead to Chrome Google Chromecast review Google Chromecast arrives in Europe: undercuts Apple, Roku Roku’s new Streaming Stick takes on Chromecast (pictures) Google puts itself front …

The smoking Samsung. KDFW/YouTube screenshot by Chris Matyszczyk/CNET If I am awoken by smoke in the middle of the night, I assume the neighbors are having a key party again. However, one 13-year-old from Texas, says she was woken by a smoky smell and didn’t even worry about it. She went back to sleep. For Ariel Tolfree, though, the smell …

Audio-Technica Headphone buyers have never had it so good, but the range of choices between in-, on-, over- the-ear, noise-canceling, noise-isolating, and wireless models can be overwhelming. What’s the best one for you? Let’s look at what’s what with headphones. First question is, do you want the smallest possible headphones? In-ear models are the obvious choice, and you can choose …

Around 10 years ago, I bought a pair of Focal Mini Utopias to use as my primary reference speakers. The Minis were very large “bookshelf” speakers — and they were pretty terrific — but I didn’t realize at the time Focal also offered a range of professional studio monitors. When I finally heard them at trade shows and studios, the …

If you’re not a fan of Google+, then the ability to call people with your Google Voice number via the Hangouts app was probably not something you cared about. However, Google has now added calling privileges to the Web version of Google Voice. This means that users don’t need a Google+ account, just their original Google email log-in, to place …

Jason Cipriani/CNET With the Fire Phone, Amazon took a new approach to the how we interact with a smartphone, from incorporating 3D gestures, to turning the world into a showroom with Firefly, to a new take on the behavior of your home screen. The general approach to the home screen on the Fire phone is similar to what Amazon has …

Verizon Wireless is making a quick but potentially major change to the way it handles clogged networks. Starting October 1, Verizon will expand its Network Optimization service to 4G LTE devices. Droid-Life was first to report on the change, citing people who claim to have knowledge of the carrier’s plans. Verizon previously used Network Optimization only for 3G customers. Verizon’s …

Jason Cipriani/CNET Upon unboxing your shiny new Fire phone, you likely noticed the four small dots, one in each corner, on the face of the device. The dots are where Amazon placed specials cameras that track your face whenever you’re using the Fire. Using four cameras instead of just two ensures that no matter how you hold the device, Dynamic …

Surprise! Siri will read your text messages aloud. All you have to do is ask. Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNET My friends and family are so tech-challenged. How tech-challenged are they?! My friends and family are so tech-challenged, they don’t even know one of Siri’s all-time greatest features. I learned this after telling a friend about it and getting a blank …

The Moto X+1 looks exactly as you might expect. Android Police The last few months have given way to plenty of rumors, leaks, benchmarks, and conjecture for Motorola’s Moto X successor. But, for all that we think we know about the device, there’s one thing we’ve yet to see: what the Moto X+1 actually looks like. Related Links Moto X …

If you weren’t lucky enough to be among the hundreds of people who watched crews brave heavy winds at a New Mexico trash dump in April for the successful hunt for a horde of Atari E.T. game cartridges buried in 1983, you can now get your first peek at the action. Today at San Diego Comic-Con, Xbox Entertainment Studios, which …

Sarah Tew/CNET Editor’s note: this contest closed at noon ET on Monday, July 28. Congratulations to Bart C. of Sherman Oaks, Calif., for winning 12 Cree LED light bulbs in last week’s giveaway and to Shawn S. of Sewickley, Penn., for winning a prize pack from mobile-accessories maker Tech21 the week before that. Related stories CNET review of the Grado …

Don’t act so surprised, Your Highness. You weren’t on any mercy mission this time. Several transmissions were beamed to this ship by Rebel spies. I want to know what happened to the plans they sent you. In my experience, there is no such thing as luck. Partially, but it also obeys your commands. I want to come with you to …

Don’t act so surprised, Your Highness. You weren’t on any mercy mission this time. Several transmissions were beamed to this ship by Rebel spies. I want to know what happened to the plans they sent you. In my experience, there is no such thing as luck. Partially, but it also obeys your commands. I want to come with you to …