Josh Miller/CNET When logging into your favorite social-networking site, do you hear a nagging voice saying the government and advertisers are tracking your data? These worries have become part of using social networks over the past couple years, though some hear that nagging voice louder than others. In response to outraged — or just creeped …

The top-end iPad Air for $449? Yes, please. Apple Morning, cheeps! Did you know that you can follow The Cheapskate on Twitter? (On occasion I share deals there that don’t appear here.) Or get the daily deal delivered to your inbox? (Scroll down to the CNET Deals section and subscribe to the newsletter!) And if you’re still into RSS, we …

A new report says Australians pay a significant “price premium” for Telstra’s services. William West/Getty Images Vodafone has fired a salvo in the battle between Australian telcos, commissioning a new report that claims high prices are leaving Telstra customers across Australia AU$3.1 billion worse off. The report on “Australia’s telecommunications market structure,” compiled by the Centre for International Economics, breaks …

eBay’s new Apple Watch app. eBay Just days after it launched its first app for Apple Watch, eBay is talking up the future of wearables after seeing a massive increase in sales for smart watches and wristbands on its Australian site. The figures come out of a new eBay report, conducted by technology research firm Telsyte, which examines Australians’ technology …

Jack Ma, executive chairman of Alibaba Group, has big plans for China’s homegrown Amazon equivalent. ChinaPhotoPress via Getty Images If mimicry is the ultimate form of flattery, then Netflix and HBO should feel mighty complimented right about now. China’s online retailing giant, Alibaba, announced on Sunday its plans to launch a streaming video service modeled directly on Netflix and HBO. …

Laser shotgun focuses eight beams in one dangerous weapon This week on Crave, a YouTube laser enthusiast shows off a laser shotgun with similarities to the Death Star. Plus, a real-life Grand Theft Auto, and NASA makes a music video. Now playing: Watch this: Laser shotgun focuses eight beams in one dangerous weapon,… 5:05 The science behind induction stovetops Fast, …

The Emotiva Stealth DC-1 DAC Emotiva Founded in 2004, Emotiva was among the first direct-to-consumer high performance, highly affordable audio brands. I recently spoke with Emotiva President Dan Laufman about the big changes afoot. The biggest surprise was that he’s aggressively adding brick and mortar dealers in the US and abroad, while maintaining his direct sales online outlet. He expects …

A new baby has arrived in the Konrad-Shankland household. Stephen Shankland/CNET For new parents, smartphones and newborn babies are a match made in heaven. Ten years ago, just before our first son was born, I got my first mobile phone so my wife and I could stay in touch before and after the baby arrived. Now, with the arrival of …

Parasound Halo Integrated amp Parasound The Parasound Halo Integrated amplifier may appear rather conservative, but once you look a little deeper you’ll discover its rather unusual feature lineup. First, it offers the sort of true bass management usually seen on AV receivers but rarely found on integrated amps. Unlike what you find in receivers, the Halo Integrated’s bass management isn’t …

Josh Miller/CNET Back in May, music streaming giant Spotify gave us a new tool to listen to music while jogging. Called simply Spotify Running, it matches music to your running tempo to keep you motivated to move through your run. It uses your phone’s sensors to detect your steps per minute and finds tracks with a similar beat (Spotify doesn’t …