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Knockoff Super Mario Run apps hit Google Play

Now playing: Watch this: This fake Super Mario Run game is a terrible Flappy Bird… 1:27 First things first: There is no Android version of Nintendo’s Super Mario Run. The mobile game is exclusive to iOS devices like the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch for now, with an Android release to follow in 2017. Of course, that’s not stopping knockoffs …

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Listen to the ‘Rogue One’ soundtrack for free

I haven’t seen “Rogue One” yet, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to dig the music. This despite the fact that, for the first time in “Star Wars” history, someone other than John Williams wrote the score. That someone: Michael Giacchino, whose credits include such little-known films as “Star Trek” (2009), “Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Up” and “Ratatouille,” and such …

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Facebook, you’re a media titan. So deal with it.

This is the second story in a two-part series about the complications of Facebook’s unique media impact. The first part examines Facebook’s struggles with challenges typically faced by media and news organizations. Let’s give Facebook some props: The first step is admitting you have a problem. Facebook has always preferred to be a tech company first, a media power never. …

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Weekend streaming: Amazon’s originals return

Here’s our brief weekly roundup of the newest video to hit the major online streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and wherever else we can dig something up. Hit play below — we’ve also added some trivia so you’ll know more about what you’re watching. For more information on what’s available to watch online, check out CNET.com/Netpicks or …

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Spotify plays Santa, doling out free gifts from megastars

That week you played “Chandelier” on infinite repeat on Spotify may end up paying off. The music streaming service trolled its data to find megafans of artists Sia, Shawn Mendes, DNCE, Fetty Wap, Migos, Young Thug and KoRn. A limited number of these addicts are getting themed gifts plus a personalized card from the stars themselves. It’s the latest instance …

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Instagram hits 600 million users after year of rapid growth

Here’s a story for you: Instagram now has more than 600 million users, 100 million of whom joined up in just the past six months. Enlarge Image Instagram’s “Stories” feature has yielded huge growth for the platform. Sharon Profis/CNET The rapid growth comes after a year that saw the debut of the Snapchat-like “Instagram Stories” feature that allows users to …

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