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‘Premium’ for a price: Optus considers charging Netflix for its network

Optus has heavily promoted over-the-top services such as Netflix. Screenshot by Claire Reilly/CNET Optus has hinted that it may begin charging over-the-top services such as Netflix and other streaming providers for “premium” access to its networks — seemingly contradicting the telco’s stated support of net neutrality — the idea that service providers and governments should …

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Sony prices 2015 4K and Android TVs

The X900C is billed as the world’s thinnest big-screen TV. Sarah Tew/CNET Addendum, June 21 at 9 a.m. ET: Sony has announced the X900C is now available for pre-sale and shipping from July 2015 while the X910C will be available later in Summer 2015 with both models now given official pricing. We’ve known about Sony’s 4K-heavy 2015 lineup of TVs …

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WhatsApp touts 800M monthly active users

Messaging service WhatsApp continues to grow its huge user base. WhatsApp WhatsApp is one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms, and it’s showing no signs of slowing. In a Facebook post Friday, WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum announced that the Facebook-owned service now has 800 million active users every month. That’s a lot of chatter. WhatsApp Messenger lets you send …

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Here’s what you can do on the Apple Watch without your iPhone

Now playing: Watch this: All the things Apple Watch can do without an iPhone nearby 1:33 The Apple Watch is, first and foremost, an iPhone accessory. It might be even more than that eventually, a truly independent gadget, but a vast majority of its current core functions — making calls, sending messages, getting information, even playing any third-party games — …

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Amped up: The Technics SU

Technics SU-C700 integrated amplifier Technics Technics was once one of the most iconic names in the audio business, best known for its DJ turntables, but back in the day Technics also made highly regarded speakers and amplifiers. So when I received a hot tip that Technics was back with a new integrated amp I couldn’t wait to plug it into …

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Is compression helping or hurting the sound of music?

Steve Guttenberg/CNET Compression has gotten a bad rap in recent times, but I’d wager nearly all of your favorite records are compressed. Some less than others, yet some of your most beloved tunes are massively compressed. Dynamic range compression (not lossy compression) is a handy scapegoat too often tagged to bad-sounding music, but heavily compressed music isn’t a new trend: …

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