This? Unlocked? For $89.99? Yes, please. Novatel Whenever I travel, there’s one item I make damn sure is in my bag: my mobile hotspot. It’s an older MiFi, but it works. And it comes in handy all the time, like when the hotel Wi-Fi isn’t working (or isn’t free) or I’m trying to get some …
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New movies and TV shows on Amazon for May 2015
Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Aviator” Miramax Films May looks like a good time to be an Amazon Prime subscriber. One of my personal favorites, “Ravenous,” lands on Amazon May 1; it’s a great combination of a drama and a horror film, with a sprinkling of comedy. It helps that the performances by Guy Pearce and Robert Carlyle are excellent. Later …
Read More »Sony Pictures pressed Netflix to lock out ‘illegal’ overseas users
Paul Sakuma A leaked email from Sony Pictures Entertainment has revealed the company lobbied Netflix to block overseas users from accessing the content streaming service “illegally” by circumventing geoblocks with VPNs. The internal email from Sony Pictures Entertainment President of International Distribution Keith Le Goy was published on WikiLeaks as part of a cache of confidential information, which includes a …
Read More »Clean up low
Matt Elliott/CNET Shooting in low light is a challenge. Even with the correct exposure, low-light photos (or photos with shadows or other dark areas) can turn out grainy, with digital noise distorting if not ruining your shots. Noise is particularly prevalent with low-light photos taken with smartphone cameras, where you don’t have the option as you do on a dSRL …
Read More »Crave giveaway: SwingTracker for analyzing your baseball swing
A small sensor weighing about half an ounce attaches temporarily to the knob of the bat to collect performance data. Diamond Kinetics Congratulations to Heidi M. of Sunnyside, N.Y., for winning three limited-edition “Game of Thrones” toy dragons in last week’s giveaway. Baseball season is in full swing (go Giants; sorry, it had to be said), and that may be …
Read More »George Lucas: Don’t look at me for ‘Star Wars’ spoilers
George Lucas said he hopes the new “Star Wars” films take the story in a new direction. Joan E. Solsman/CNET NEW YORK — George Lucas may have created the universe of Han Solo and R2-D2, but he has no clue what comes next in their story. Lucas, the creator of “Star Wars,” said Friday that he has “no idea” what …
Read More »Jay Z has been calling Tidal subscribers personally while CEO bows out
Now playing: Watch this: Jay Z’s Tidal music service makes star-studded splash 1:14 Rapper Jay Z bought streaming service Tidal less than three months ago, and while he has reportedly been taking a hands-on role with customer service, it appears there have also been some staff cuts at the same time. Three weeks after the site’s official launch, Business Insider …
Read More »Apple Pay may reach first country beyond US this year
Apple Pay may land in Canada this year if Apple can negotiate a deal. James Martin/CNET Apple Pay may be setting up shop in Canada later this year. Apple is currently chatting with Canada’s six largest banks about a possible November rollout of Apple Pay, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal for a story published Friday. …
Read More »How to change the icon grid size on the Galaxy S6, S6 Edge
The default home screen of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge offers a grid of four icons by four icons. For some users, myself included, the default grid is not enough. Sure, you can add more panels and place apps across the various screens, but that involves a lot of swiping and tapping. Luckily, you can change the grid size …
Read More »Feds OK plan to free up airwaves for smartphones
The FCC commissioners (left to right): Ajit Pai, Mignon Clyburn, Tom Wheeler (chairman), Jessica Rosenworcel, and Michael O’Rielly. On Friday they approved a plan to free up airwaves formerly used by the military to help mobile operators keep up with data demands. FCC The Federal Communications Commission has inched closer to a new policy that will allow the federal government …
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