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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April, 2015
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19 April
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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18 April
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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18 April
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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18 April
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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18 April
Verizon Fios’ shift to ‘skinny bundles’ runs afoul of ESPN
ESPN is not happy with Verizon’s a la carte cable TV plan. Verizon Verizon’s plan to offer cheaper, à la carte bundles to Fios subscribers has raised the ire of ESPN. Verizon “does not have the right” to offer ESPN’s channels outside of a standard cable package, representatives of the sports channel told The Wall Street Journal. In Verizon’s proposed …
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18 April
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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17 April
Google to support Chrome on Windows XP until end of this year
Google Chrome isn’t deserting XP users, at least not yet. Google Windows users who still can’t say goodbye to the ancient Windows XP will at least be able to browse safely the rest of the year using Google Chrome. In a blog posted on Thursday, Google Chrome director of engineering Mark Larson said the company had previously announced that support …
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17 April
Verizon Fios shifts to ‘skinny bundles’ for TV service
Who needs 100-plus channels when we’re only watching 17 of them per TV household? Nielsen The bundle isn’t what it used to be: Verizon says its Fios customers will be getting more choice over the channels they watch on TV. Starting April 19, Verizon’s Fios television service will offer a “skinny bundle” option. Rather than being stuck with a standard, …
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17 April
How to blur out personal details on Google Maps
Nicole Cozma/CNET Google makes a valiant effort at blurring out many of the details at your residence when it takes images for street view. However, it’s not perfect and may miss a thing or two. If it happened to catch you in the middle of washing your car, or perhaps took some images of your home while it was undergoing …
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