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Nepal quake survivors draw support from Apple, Google, Facebook and others

The radius for the Nepal earthquake on Facebook’s Safety Check. Facebook Apple, Google, Facebook and Twitter are pitching in to help survivors of the catastrophic Nepal earthquake that occurred over the weekend. Apple has launched a partnership with the American Red Cross, asking iTunes users to donate money through its iTunes Store for the relief efforts. Apple says that 100 …

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Microsoft’s 2015 Build developer confab: Join us Wednesday (live blog)

Beyond a more classic look and feel that did away with the missteps of its predecessor, Windows 10 is designed to run on devices of all shapes and sizes. Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET It’s time for Microsoft Build, the software maker’s annual developer conference where it serves up a glimpse of the future along with guidelines for building products and …

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Facebook’s Messenger adds video chat

Facebook is steadily expanding Messenger’s capabilities. James Martin/CNET Video chat has become a great way for people to communicate with friends and family, especially across international borders. Facebook now wants a piece of that action. Facebook users can soon use the social network’s Messenger app to talk face-to-face over Wi-Fi or cellular networks, simply by tapping on a video camera …

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India’s Ratan Tata takes slice of phone maker Xiaomi

Xiaomi CEO says the investment from Ratan Tata (above) “is an affirmation of the strategy we have undertaken in India so far.” Harold Cunningham/Getty Images One of the most prominent businesspeople in India now owns a small stake in one of the hottest smartphone makers in the world. Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, the holding company for India-based …

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Apple Watch may have shipped to only 22 percent of preorder buyers so far

Apple has reportedly fulfilled only a small percentage of preorders for its new smartwatch. Apple Only a fraction of customers in the US who preordered the Apple Watch have received one so far, according to research firm Slice Intelligence. Slice estimates 376,000 units of Apple’s new wearable device, out of 1.7 million preordered since April 10, have been delivered to …

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China passes US to become Apple’s biggest iPhone market

Employees at Apple’s second store in Hangzhou, China, cheer as the location opens on April 24. Getty Images China has officially passed the US as Apple’s biggest iPhone market. Fiscal second-quarter revenue in the region, which got a boost from the Chinese New Year in February, soared 70 percent to a record $16.8 billion from $9.84 billion a year ago. …

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Get a $50 iTunes gift card for $40

Apple Quick housekeeping item: Following last week’s Raise gift-card deal (now expired), a few readers mentioned an odd verification process after signing up. Though unusual, this process is explained on the company’s FAQ page. Frankly, I wouldn’t oblige any online store that asked me to supply a photo ID (though Raise didn’t, not for me), even in the name of …

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How to choose a VPN

While a lot of Australians considered a virtual private network as “the way to get Netflix,” there’s a lot more to VPNs than that. In fact, there’s a host of reasons while you might consider paying for a VPN service. VPN use in Australia has skyrocketed in the wake of mandatory data retention laws and the Dallas Buyers Club rights …

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