July, 2016

• 19 July

  Deezer, the French rival to Spotify, launches in the US

  

  Deezer, a French subscription-music service like Spotify or Apple Music, launched in the US Tuesday, bringing another contender to the world’s biggest music market. Though popular in its native France, Deezer has struggled to widen its reach to the competitive US market. It tried a stealth entry into the US nearly two years ago, offering …

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• 19 July

  How to download and test Android apps before they’re released

  

  Through the new Early Access section, you can install apps and games that are still in development and not quite ready for a full public release. It’s a useful workaround if can’t wait for an app to be available, or you just like helping developers improve their final product. But be warned: you are going to experience bugs, crashes and …

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• 19 July

  Pokemon Go addicts: Grab these cheap and awesome accessories

  

  There’s this thing, maybe you’ve heard of it? It’s called Pokemon Go, and I have a sneaking suspicion it might catch on. Duh. The augmented-reality game is the biggest thing to hit smartphones since Angry Birds. And every single player is looking for an edge, a way to reach higher levels and catch more Pokemon. For example, perhaps you’ve read …

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• 19 July

  Airbnb to start collecting taxes for Los Angeles rentals

  

  Rental startup Airbnb agreed to start collecting taxes from Los Angeles hosts worth millions of dollars every year, according to the Los Angeles Times. It’s the latest move by Airbnb to navigate choppy waters with the local governments where its users rent out their homes for short-term stays. Some cities have criticized Airbnb for skirting hospitality taxes that traditional hotels …

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• 19 July

  Google is spending half a billion dollars to curry Europe’s favor

  

  Google has been ratcheting up its investment in European goodwill, aiming to spend about $450 million from 2015 to 2017 as EU regulators narrow their gaze on the search giant, according to a report by The New York Times. The company is pouring money into wide-ranging sponsorships, like an exhibition at a Belgian museum incorporating virtual reality, a fund to …

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• 19 July

  Get a huge Windows software bundle for free

  

  CNET’s Cheapskate scours the Web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets and much more. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Find the answers on our FAQ page. And find more great buys on the CNET Deals page. Put your wallets away, cheeps — today’s main deal won’t cost you a dime. It’s the Wonderfox Summer 2016 “Give-A-Way,” a collection of …

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• 19 July

  From the horse’s mouth: RNC official defends Melania Trump with…My Little Pony?

  

  Politics have come to Equestria. Republican National Committee Communications Director Sean Spicer cited Twilight Sparkle of the “My Little Pony” franchise Tuesday in defense of Melania Trump’s now-infamous Monday night speech. Appearing on CNN, Spicer said only 70 words of the 2,000-word speech matched the 2008 speech given by now-first lady Michelle Obama. He then went on to pull out …

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• 19 July

  Netflix orders more episodes of true

  

  Netflix said Tuesday that the creators of its true-crime documentary series “Making a Murderer” are producing new episodes for the streaming service. The new installments will continue to explore the defense of convicted murderer Steven Avery and his co-defendant, Brendan Dassey. The shows will follow their respective investigative and legal teams as they challenge their convictions. “We are extremely grateful …

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• 19 July

  ​’Back to the Future’ fan soaks in DeLorean Hot Tub Time Machine

  

  If Marty McFly had a hot tub inside his DeLorean time machine from “Back to the Future,” maybe he wouldn’t panic so much when he accidentally alters his timeline. While McFly doesn’t get to de-stress in this geektastic hot tub, that doesn’t mean a fan of the movie can’t have some fun with the creation from the “Super-Fan Builds” webseries. …

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• 18 July

  Kanye vs. Taylor plays out online in frighteningly low resolution

  

  Welcome to the age of internet shade. Kanye phones Taylor, Kim Snapchats the convo, Taylor responds via Instagram, and Twitter makes a Moment. Dissing people used to be so much less data intensive. Social media can barely contain itself over the latest chapter in the blustering feud (or is that “mutually beneficial hype train”) between Kanye West and Taylor Swift. …

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