August, 2016

• 19 August

  Microsoft will pay you to use its new Edge browser

  

  You couldn’t pay me to use Microsoft’s new Edge browser. Or could you? Almost three-quarters of Windows 10 users are not using the new operating system’s default Edge browser. So Microsoft is now paying them to make the switch. Microsoft Rewards, announced Wednesday, is a rebranding of Bing Rewards, which gave people points for using …

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• 19 August

  Doctors can now prescribe Jabra fitness headphones to treat obesity, cancer and diabetes

  

  The next time you walk into a doctor’s office, you might leave with a prescription for a pair of Jabra fitness-tracking headphones. It’s part of a global partnership the audio company announced this week with TrainerMD, the first HIPAA complaint software platform that helps doctors monitor patients’ fitness and nutrition in real time. The 360˚ Health Program makes it easier …

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• 19 August

  Uber hit with hefty sales tax bill in Taiwan

  

  Uber could be on the hook for a $6.4 million tax bill in Taiwan, as the ride-hailing service awaits a decision by the government on whether it can keep operating on the island nation. On Friday, Reuters reported that the Taiwanese government has revamped its tax structure for international online businesses and is asking the company to cough up overdue …

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• 19 August

  US allows ZTE to work with American tech companies despite trade sanctions

  

  The US government has once again temporarily lifted sanctions against Chinese telecommunications equipment maker ZTE so that it can continue working with US technology suppliers, according to several news reports. On Thursday, the US Commerce Department said that until at least November 28, the Chinese company can work with US software and component suppliers to export its telecommunications products, including …

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• 19 August

  Watch old bridge parts get resurrected into an insanely overbuilt turntable

  

  Believe it or not, you can fund your own DIY turntable for less than the cost of a trip to Whole Foods, and it only takes six steps to make it. It’s so simple, in fact, the Science Channel recently built its own on an episode of the show “Made By Destruction.” But instead of going the cheap route with …

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• 19 August

  Battery concerns may keep cellular abilities out of the next Apple Watch

  

  Now playing: Watch this: Apple’s next watch may still be tethered to an iPhone 1:14 If you’ve been dreaming of an Apple Watch that can stand alone, you might have keep dreaming. A new report says Apple scrapped plans to introduce cellular connectivity in its 2016-edition Apple Watches. Current cell chip tech just eats up too much battery life. So …

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• 19 August

  Samsung Galaxy Note 7 enters the atmosphere

  

  The wait is over for those looking to buy what a CNET reviewer dubbed the “sexiest large-screen phone ever.” The new 5.7-inch Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is officially available starting Friday in 10 countries and territories, including the US, Canada, Australia and South Korea. In the US, all four major carriers plus regional operator US Cellular will carry the Note …

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• 19 August

  Frank Ocean releases ‘Endless’ visual album on Apple Music

  

  The wait for a new Frank Ocean album is over — kind of. Early Friday morning the artist released a visual album, “Endless,” exclusively on Apple Music. Currently, it’s only available to stream as a 45-minute long video, not as a typical audio-only album with individual tracks. The project was heavily teased, thanks to a mysterious live stream that unceremoniously …

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• 19 August

  Speedy Thunderbolt ports will take off with next

  

  Intel’s long-running but largely unsuccessful effort to transform how you plug devices into your PC will make major progress this year and ultimately conquer much of the industry, the chipmaker predicts. Intel has promoted a connection technology called Thunderbolt for years with few signs of the mainstream success enjoyed by its chief rival, USB. At this week’s Intel Developer Forum, …

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• 18 August

  T

  

  Now playing: Watch this: T-Mobile moves to unlimited data for all 1:32 Sprint and T-Mobile are bringing affordable unlimited data plans back into fashion. In dueling press releases Thursday, Sprint and T-Mobile announced competing unlimited data plans for wireless customers who are willing to sacrifice video quality. The new plans cost significantly less than the $95 a month each company …

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