Remember the Surface Pro? Microsoft has promised that it’ll be available before June this year. (Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET) The Windows 8 Pro version of Microsoft’s Surface devices hit the US back in early February, but, as yet, Australians haven’t had any news on a local release date or pricing. We still don’t. Instead, Microsoft has …

With satellite and cable TV packages hovering around the “thousand channel” mark, the common complaint isn’t that there’s nothing to watch–it’s that it’s difficult and tedious to find what you’re looking for. DirecTV That’s the problem that DirecTV’s upcoming voice search functionality is aiming to solve. While DirecTV already offers search functionality on its DVRs, the new voice search features …

Netflix is bringing its new family-focused multi-stream deal to the UK, a company spokesman confirmed to me, but the company is yet to announce prices or a launch date. Whereas now you can only stream two things at once on the same account — to your TV and a tablet, say — under the new plan you’ll be able to …

YouView is adding new features and ironing out a range of problems. The new software update begins today and improves search and simplifies the guide. What are the new features? Souped-up search, for a start, making it easier to search programmes that are on now or starting soon, while search suggestions will return results matching the exact search term used. …

Now playing: Watch this: Despite a wobbly stand, the Viewsonic VX2460H-LED succeeds… 1:30 For some, a monitor is a monitor, and the lower the price, the better. As long as it pumps images from their PCs into their eyes at a reasonable quality, they’re good. Thing is, there are cheap monitors and then there are cheap monitors. And by cheap …

Now playing: Watch this: Samsung Galaxy S phone evolution 4:15 Samsung has held its Samsung Galaxy S4 aloft, introducing it to the tech world like a tiny electric Simba — but what were the smart phone steps that led to the 5-inch wonder we’ll shortly see lining shop shelves? Click play on the video above as we investigate the evolution …

Apple’s grip on British tablet buyers is slipping, according to the latest figures from YouGov. In the first three months of 2012, 73 per cent of Brits buying tablets opted for an Apple-flavoured slate. A year later, Apple is still dominant, but the number has fallen to 63 per cent. Samsung, Amazon, and Google are all gaining on the Cupertino …

JB Hi-Fi has quietly launched its very own ebook store in Australia, along with its own e-reading app for iOS and Android. (Screenshot by Michelle Starr/CNET Australia) Tech retailer JB Hi-Fi has been moving into the digital space, first with music-streaming service JB Hi-Fi Now last year — and now with its very own ebook store, called JB Hi-Fi Now …

Related stories: Nokia’s wireless chargers perk up local coffee shops Nokia reportedly planning 5-inch Lumia ‘phablet’ Nokia’s next flagship to have 41-megapixel camera, quad-core? Nokia appears to have a new smartphone in the works. The company on Monday posted a brief writeup to its blog, saying that it has something in store for Wednesday at 7 a.m. GMT. Nokia didn’t …

A cut-price HTC One could go on sale in June, with a less impressive spec list and a metal alloy body. The sometimes-iffy DigiTimes reports the handset will be called the HTC M4. HTC is keen to avoid any component shortage issues, like those suffered by the HTC One, and so has reportedly given its chassis orders to one company …

If you’re holding off buying a new phone until the the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini comes along you could be in for a long wait: rumours say the expected cut-down version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 has been pushed back two months. SamMobile reports that the S4 Mini will surface in the week of 15 July, later than the 20 …

The many faces of the Pebble Watch (pictures) +12 more See all photos From the moment I first looked at the Pebble Watch, it was clear that this was a device designed to be purely about apps. Unfortunately, none were really available until a week ago, when Pebble at last released an SDK, and along with it, updated firmware for …

Admit it: Whenever you see someone using their iPad as a camera, you giggle. Maybe even snicker. That two-handed grip and big ol’ viewfinder screen, that’s just comedy. Especially when something like this happens. On the other hand, the iPad 3, iPad 4, and iPad Mini all have a respectable 5-megapixel sensor, an IR filter, face detection, and some other …

Sprint is at least wiling to consider a proposal that Dish Network made recently to acquire its business. Sprint today announced that it has formed a “special committee” made up of several of its board members, including Larry Glasscock, who will serve as the committee’s chairman. The committee’s charge is simple: to review the deal offered last week by Dish …

Huawei has announced (translate) a midrange Android smartphone for China and emerging markets in the form of the 5-inch A199. Related stories: Huawei to introduce flagship Android this summer Huawei exec sees no growth in U.S. Huawei and the Jonas Brothers: A match made in paradise? Powered by Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the Huawei A199 also features Huawei’s custom Emotion …