March, 2019

• 6 March

  That Meizu Zero phone with no buttons or ports was just a big tease

  

  Chinese phone-maker Meizu made a big splash when it launched its Zero “True Holeless Phone” on Indiegogo on Jan. 30 with offers of 100 “Engineer Units” for $1,299 each and a single “Pioneer Unit” for $2,999. Now it’s marked as a closed campaign showing it reached only $46,000 of the $100,000 goalm and its CEO …

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• 6 March

  Some popular Android apps are still sending your data to Facebook

  

  UK watchdog group Privacy International on Tuesday said while a few Android apps have stopped sharing data with Facebook, many haven’t. In December, Privacy International and German mobile security company Mobilsicher both published reports that many popular apps were automatically sharing user data with Facebook, even if those users don’t have Facebook accounts or were logged out of the Facebook …

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• 6 March

  VR took me inside Fukushima’s deadly nuclear reactors (The 3:59, Ep. 529)

  

  On this podcast, we talk about: Virtual reality as a tool to build robots that stanch radioactivity leaks Samsung’s reported plans for yet more foldable phones First-person impressions of Captain Marvel The 3:59 gives you bite-size news and analysis about the top stories of the day, brought to you by the CNET News team in New York and producer Bryan …

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• 6 March

  Muzen Audio’s retro

  

  Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen these days, but Chinese brand Muzen Audio has added something extra to help its OTR speaker stand out: Radio. The Muzen OTR (or “On The Road”) series comes in a retro-inspired wood or metal finish with tiny analog gold dials. And unlike many other speakers, it can pick up radio broadcasts. The throwback …

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• 6 March

  Apple’s 2018 MacBook Pros try to fix ‘flexgate’ problem, report says

  

  Apple apparently altered a part its 2018 MacBook Pro to address the “flexgate” problem, a teardown site reported. Thousands of people complained about the issue in a petition started last year, saying it caused problems with the backlight — from a “stage light” effect at the bottom to a completely dead backlight — in MacBook Pros from 2016 onward. The underlying cause …

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• 6 March

  Microsoft hopes to improve Cortana in third

  

  Despite the significant lead that voice assistants from Google, Apple and Amazon have over Microsoft’s offering, Cortana isn’t giving up. A Microsoft patent application published late last month details plans to better incorporate Cortana into third-party apps. The tech giant said it wants “an extensibility client that exposes an interface and service that enables third-party applications to be integrated with …

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• 6 March

  Amazon shuttering its pop

  

  Amazon’s big push into physical stores is taking a small step back. Well, 87 small steps back to be precise. The online retailer plans to shutter all 87 of its pop-up kiosks in malls and shopping centers in the US next month, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. “After much review, we came to the decision to discontinue our pop-up …

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• 6 March

  Apple MacBook Air vs. Dell XPS 13: Is there a new 13

  

  One rhetorical example I’ve used over the years is that a laptop is a lot like a pair of eyeglasses: It’s practical and it’s something most people can’t live without.  But at the same time, it’s an immensely personal choice, combining the sometimes contradictory forces of budget, features and style. Like a pair of glasses, a laptop is often a …

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• 6 March

  This 2017 MacBook is an insanely good deal at $799 (Update: sold out)

  

  This won’t last long, so I’ll make it quick. This is one of the best MacBook deals I’ve ever seen. Today only, and while supplies last, B&H has the 2017 Apple MacBook MNYK2LL/A in gold for $799 shipped. It originally sold for $1,299, and the best price I’ve seen elsewhere is over $1,000. See it at B&H This model features …

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• 6 March

  Skullcandy releases special wireless earbuds, launches ’12 Moods’ campaign

  

  Skullcandy, best known for its colorful, budget-friendly audio products, is launching a new campaign about the different ways music makes listeners feel. Called “12 Moods,” the company will sell limited products, highlight athletes and release exclusive music every month. Each month will be themed around a specific mood, with March being “bold.” As such, Skullcandy is selling a vibrant orange, …

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