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Feds take steps to bring broadband to low

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler: “Broadband has gone from being a luxury to a necessity.” Mark Wilson/Getty Images Federal regulators are moving forward with plans to expand a three-decade-old phone subsidy program for low-income households so that it can also help families cover the cost of broadband Internet service. The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 Thursday …

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Apple Watch could gain video camera in 2016, report says

The next version of the Apple Watch could have a lot more going for it, according to a new report. Prices for the Apple Watch range from $349 for the basic Sport version to $17,000 for the top-of-the-line gold edition. Sarah Tew/CNET New features being considered for the second generation of the Apple Watch — which wouldn’t arrive until 2016 …

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Feds make it even harder for telemarketers to annoy you

Federal regulators just made it harder for telemarketers to interrupt your family dinners and jam your mobile phone with unwanted text messages by passing strict new rules that will give consumers more ways to opt out and block unwanted messages and prerecorded, automated robocalls. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler (center) says: “You cannot be called unless you consent to be called. …

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Get a Xiaomi Yi action camera for $68.88 shipped

GeekBuying Looking to strap an action-cam to your drone, dog, helmet or the like? The gold standard has long been the GoPro, but ye gods, the prices! The current models range from $300-$500. There are cheaper alternatives, of course, but most of them fall short in one or more key areas. Enter the Xiaomi Yi, which I can’t even begin …

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The secret alliance that could give the Web a massive speed boost

Chrome could go even faster thanks to a new set of Web standards. Screenshot/Google An unlikely partnership between rivals may be the key to a much faster experience on the Internet. After working behind closed doors for months, browser engineers on Wednesday unveiled a project called WebAssembly. The effort, now taking place in public, aims to marry the unbeatable reach …

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Skype Translator can now converse in French and German

Skype Translator can now speak German and French. CNET Users of Skype’s Translator software can now chat with people in French or German. In a blog post published Thursday, Yasmin Khan, who handles marketing for Microsoft’s Internet-calling service, confirmed that Skype Translator is now able to handle real-time translation in French and German. That means the software can converse in …

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