Friday, October 7, 2016

Gotcha! Norwegian prime minister caught playing Pokémon GO during parliamentary debate

pokemon-go-squirtle-android Pokémon GO fever may be receding in the U.S., but in Norway it’s still raging. The country’s prime minister, Erna Solberg, was caught red-handed playing the game in parliament. Read More

How to give Siri access to third-party apps in iOS 10 - CNET

Before you can ask Siri to send cash or messages through third-party apps, you'll need to take an extra step.

How to search Safari tabs in iOS 10 - CNET

Search more, swipe less.

All the music, podcasts and radio services that work with Alexa - CNET

Amazon's Alexa speakers can stream audio from more than just Amazon Music. Below are all the streaming services that work with Alexa.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Google’s new VR headset is a hipster Daydream

hipster-vr1 Looking cool has never been Google’s strong suit. This is the engineer-led company that brought us Google Glass, after all. Yet some beanie-clad Mountain View designer seems to have had a vinyl-fueled revelation. Google is late to the game of non-cardboard virtual reality headsets. Oculus, Samsung, HTC, and others have popularized sci-fi looking VR masks. So to standout, Google needed… Read More

Play this killer self-driving car ethics game

what-should-the-self-driving-car-do Should a self-driving car full of old folks crash to avoid puppies in the cross-walk? Is it OK to run over two criminals if you save one doctor? Whose lives are worth more, seven-year-olds or senior citizens? In, This new game called the “Moral Machine” from MIT’s researchers, a car’s breaks fail and you have to choose whether it crashes into a barrier, killing the… Read More

Lightseekers aims to evolve toys-to-life with rich stories and many ways to play

Skylanders, Amiibo, Disney Infinity – the toys-to-life category got big, fast, but most of the action in the space following Skylanders tended to be mostly derivative, without really pushing the category forward when it comes to the breadth of available technologies. Lightseekers, a new cross-platform action RPG game debuting on Kickstarter today that incorporates physical toys created… Read More

How to reinstall default apps in Windows 10 - CNET

Here's how to get those default apps back without reinstalling Windows.

This trick lets you navigate around your iPhone's busted bits - CNET

Assistive Touch can be a massive help if your iPhone's buttons are breaking down or broken off.

When and where you can purchase Google Home - CNET

The company's always-on personal assistant now has a price and a release date. Here's what you need to know.

How to enable end-to-end encryption on Facebook Messenger - CNET

Make your convos are super-secret with this Messenger feature.

The difference between Google Now and Google Assistant - CNET

Google's two virtual assistants aren't so different after all.

9 things Google Home can do that Alexa can't - CNET

Google Home is the first major competitor to Amazon's Alexa speakers, and Google came out of the gates swinging. Here are nine things Google Home can do that Alexa still can't.

Windows 10's 'secret' Start menu - CNET

It's not really a secret, but it is a convenient way to access important features.

5 tips for selling on Marketplace, Facebook's version of Craigslist - CNET

Here's how to make your Facebook Marketplace listings pop.

Don't worry -- your OnHub router will work with Google Wifi - CNET

Despite the name difference, Google Wifi and OnHub routers will work seamlessly under a single roof.

How to watch tonight's Mike Pence-Tim Kaine debate - CNET

There are multiple ways to tune in to tonight's vice presidential debate. Here's what you need to know.

Monday, October 3, 2016

Telegram levels up its bot platform with competitive games that live inside chats

bot platform Messaging platform Telegram is powering up on the chatbot front, with the launch of what it dubs a “bot-powered gaming platform” — in a bid to try to drive more engagement via addictive new features. Read More

How to use the bokeh effect on the iPhone 7 Plus - CNET

The iPhone 7 Plus will get a new portrait mode with the update to iOS 10.1 that lets you take dSLR-like photos right on your phone.

Get to know the security features in the Edge browser - CNET

Microsoft is trying to make its browser as efficient and secure as possible.

Saturday, October 1, 2016

Amazon shows its first games integrated with Twitch

amazon-twitch Amazon Game Studios this week showed off the first games that will be integrated with live-streaming site Twitch, which Amazon acquired for over $1 billion in 2014.  The new games will run on Lumberyard, the game engine powered by Amazon Web Services, that debuted earlier this year. These integrations will allow gamers to stream their broadcasts in real-time, overlaid with live stats,… Read More

PewDiePie’s new game “Tuber Simulator” hits the top of the App Store, crashes

screen-shot-2016-09-30-at-2-16-39-pm What happens when the world’s biggest YouTube star Felix “PewDiePie” Kjellberg tells his 48 million YouTube subscribers to download and play his new mobile game? The game promptly shoots up to the top of the App Store, and the servers crash under the load. That’s what happened, at least, following the iOS and Android launch of “PewDiePie’s Tuber… Read More

Nintendo shows off some highly nerdy features of the NES Mini

nesmini-screen-modes Nintendo has further taken the wraps off the must-have gaming gadget of the holidays — which is to say, the one we’re all buying ourselves as soon as it’s available. An aggressively retro-themed video released today visually demonstrates three of the the NES Mini’s features. Brace yourself, it’s about to get real nerdy in here. Read More

Twitch appears to be getting its own version of Amazon Prime, called “Twitch Prime”

twitch-prime It appears that Twitch-integrated games are not the only thing Amazon has been working on with the live-streaming site it owns. A small number of Twitch users are now reporting seeing a new section called “Twitch Prime” pop up in their profiles. According to a banner ad spotted by one user, Twitch Prime will include perks like “free loot every month,” as well as… Read More

Twitch announces Twitch Prime, Loyalty Badges and video uploads

twitch Twitch, the video game live-streaming service acquired by Amazon for nearly a billion dollars back in 2014, kicked off its annual TwitchCon conference this afternoon with a keynote. With keynotes generally come a bit of news… and sure enough, here’s what’s new: Twitch Prime: As we scooped right before the Keynote, Twitch officially confirmed Twitch Prime. Included for free… Read More

String light Jack-o-lantern: A creative twist without candles - CNET

Windy nights, toddlers and fire hazards can make lighting your Jack-o-lantern with candles seem like a bad idea. You can purchase LED lights to put inside your pumpkin, but there's a more creative solution: a string light pumpkin. This type of Jack-o-lantern puts a bright spin on the traditional carved pumpkin and will wow the neighborhood trick-or-treaters.

How to customize your Alexa speaker's Flash Briefing - CNET

The Flash Briefing is one of the more compelling features of Amazon's Alexa speakers. Use these tips for customizing and getting the most out of your Flash Briefing.

How MacOS Sierra gives back gigs of storage space - CNET

Apple's latest desktop software leans on iCloud Drive to help you offload files from your Mac to the cloud.

Let Apple create some Memories for you - CNET

You make the memories, Apple gives them some structure.

Your iPhone's flashlight has a hidden brightness tool - CNET

Have a 3D Touch-enabled iPhone? Check this out.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Here’s how Civilization VI brings new life to the epic game series

civ-vi-gif Civilization is a game I’ve been playing for more or less 15 years, across multiple iterations of the series, and yet each new version always seems to feel fresh. After spending nearly 20 hours with a special preview version of Civilization VI, I can safely say that the same is true of this upcoming game, which manages to deliver all the familiarity you’d want as a Civ fan, with… Read More

How to use the second camera on the iPhone 7 Plus - CNET

The iPhone 7 Plus comes with an additional camera module around back. Here's what you need to know about how it works and how to use it.

What to do if your Apple Watch Series 2 gets wet - CNET

There are a couple things you should do after going for a swim to ensure your new watch stays in good condition.

4 little-known streaming music services you should try right now - CNET

Believe it or not, Pandora and Spotify aren't the Internet's only music sources. Like indie radio stations, these smaller services fly under the radar -- but often deliver something truly special.

Use this hack to 'vacuum seal' any freezer bag - CNET

If you don't have a vacuum sealer on hand, the next best thing to seal your foods airtight is a container full of water.

What are the best beans to use for cold brew coffee? - CNET

Cold brew coffee is becoming a summertime favorite for many. But what type of coffee should you use when brewing at home?

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Where Pokémon Go is going, and Tesla’s trajectory: Listen to TCBC Episode 4 with Greg Kumparak

tcbc-draft5c On this week’s episode of TCBC, after a brief Disrupt-induced hiatus, longtime TechCruncher Greg Kumparak dishes on Pokémon Go – what made it so appealing at launch, what’s going on with product development, and where he’d like to see it go in the future. Greg and I are both big Pokémon fans, so it’s a subject about which we have no shortage of things to say. Read More

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

76ers get into e-sports with purchase of Dignitas and Apex pro gaming teams

dignitas-esports The Philadelphia 76ers became the first American professional sports franchise to own an e-sports team with the purchase of pro gaming outfits Dignitas and Apex. If this isn’t proof positive that online pro gaming is big business, I don’t know what is. Read More

Make a DIY keychain for your iPhone 7's headphone adapter - CNET

The Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter is important for any iPhone 7 user who wants to use wired 3.5mm headphones. To keep it handy at all times, turn the adapter into a keychain using Sugru.

Best battery-saving practices every drone owner should know - CNET

Seven ways to make the most out of every charge and extend your flight time.

Use Microsoft Rewards to score free Amazon or Starbucks gift cards every month - CNET

Formerly Bing Rewards, Microsoft's we'll-pay-you-to-love-us program can be turned into cold, hard store credit. Here's how to max out your monthly points.

Monday, September 26, 2016

This new Bluetooth game controller celebrates classic Macs

00dc350ba5ba3cb5ac2160a8d443db92_original If you’re at all interested in retro gaming, you’ve probably come across 8Bitdo, the company that makes throwback Bluetooth controllers inspired by classics like the SNES and NES. Now, it’s paying homage to another classic, the Apple II. The company’s new Kickstarter project seeks funding for a game controller called the AP40, featuring a full load-out of buttons,… Read More

Twitter’s Gareth Paul Jones, Amex’s Tamar Shapiro check-in to new senior roles at Foursquare

Jeff Glueck and Dennis Crowley of Foursquare Now that the dust has settled from Foursquare’s big split, the company is pushing forward with a few new executives and a brand new office in Los Angeles. The company has recently brought on Gareth Paul Jones — former head of mobile partner integrations at Twitter, who previously held positions at companies like Apple, TRUSTe, and Google — as Director of Technology Services.… Read More

How to watch tonight's Donald Trump-Hillary Clinton debate - CNET

There are multiple ways to tune in to tonight's presidential debate. Here's what you need to know.

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Want to carve your jack-o'-lantern in record time? Here's the drill - CNET

Scraping and scooping out a pumpkin is the boring part of making a jack-o'-lantern. Make it faster-- and more fun-- by power scooping it with a cordless drill. If you're feeling particularly creative, you can even decorate your jack with various drill bits. Here's how.

Quick tip: Discreetly check the time on your Apple Watch Series 2 - CNET

A new feature specific to Apple's newest wearable makes checking the time a more subtle affair.

3 ways to find your lost phone using Alexa - CNET

Misplacing your phone is never fun. Track it down in seconds with these Alexa tricks.

Can I upgrade my TV to HDR? - CNET

Is it possible to convert or update your TV to be HDR compatible? Unless there's an official patch, probably not. Here's why.

Friday, September 23, 2016

Voxels are in vogue among indie developers

voxel_header1 It’s hip to be square — well, cubical, really. That’s the feeling I got from the amount of voxel-based offerings on the show floor at PAX West — and these 3D pixels fit the bill whether they’re powering a stylized dungeon crawler or simulating a whole planet. Read More

SGN becomes Jam City and announces a new Peanuts game

Jam City desk Mobile gaming company SGN announced today that it has a new name, Jam City. This isn’t the first time the company has rebranded — it was called MindJolt before acquiring SGN and then taking on the name in 2012. The change may be an inevitable reflection of the company’s — and the industry’s — transition from social to mobile games. CEO Chris DeWolfe (who… Read More

​Make your own pet hair-removing power tool with a hand mixer - CNET

Hear us out: It sounds crazy, but it just might work. It did for us!

The complete list of Alexa commands so far - CNET

Here are all the things you can ask Alexa to do. (Dad jokes included.)

How to find out if you're at risk in Yahoo hack - CNET

If you're wondering what to do after hearing about the massive data breach, follow these steps to make sure you're safe.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Blizzard kills the classic Battle.net brand after 20 years

warcraft-ii-battle-net-edition_1 Only ’90s kids will remember this. Read More

Scientists teach machines to hunt and kill humans — in Doom deathmatch mode

terminator t-800 You know how sometimes you look at a piece of research and think, “I suppose it’s an interesting technical problem, but isn’t teaching an AI to hunt and kill humans a pursuit fundamentally dangerous to the continued existence of mankind?” This is one of those times. Read More

You can now stream Android games to Facebook Live from your PC

screen-shot-2016-09-22-at-9-36-04-am Game streaming is something that everyone working in streamed video wants a part of, and now Facebook Live can stream Android games (and other apps) via the BlueStacks desktop emulator for PC and Mac. The integration is pretty smart, and while it was previously available for Twitch, the addition of Facebook Live support means mobile games streamers can potentially reach a different, more… Read More

Signia Venture Partners has $85 million in new funds to invest

signia_venture_partners Signia Venture Partners has closed its second fund at $85 million to lead early-stage deals in emerging tech startups mostly in and around San Francisco. For the unfamiliar, Signia is typically the first money in and the lead investor in the companies it backs, writing $1-2 million in seed stage deals or $2-8 million in later stage rounds. The firm was started in 2012 by Rick Thompson, the… Read More

Minecraft: Education Edition arrives November 1

mc_education_webpage_50_1920x820 The full version of Minecraft: Education Edition is finally arriving on November 1, following an extended testing and free trial period that began this summer. The version of Minecraft aimed at educators and schools came out of Microsoft’s acquisition of learning game MinecraftEdu earlier this year, which built upon Minecraft to give teachers tools to build lessons around STEM, art,… Read More

Listen to Monday Night Football in noisy bars - CNET

The recently updated Tunity app helps you overcome TVs that are either muted or drowned out.

8 tips for using Google Allo - CNET

How to get the most out of your Allo experience.

How to force quit a problematic app on the Apple Watch - CNET

In the event an app gets stuck, you can force-close it in an effort to eliminate the issue.

7 ways to remove a stubborn jar lid - CNET

Don't go to great lengths to open a jar lid. Everything you need to open it is already in your kitchen.

What to do if your iPhone 7 gets wet - CNET

The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are water resistant, but what should you do if your new iPhone accidentally goes for a swim?

What you need to know about GPS and the Apple Watch Series 2 - CNET

The new Apple Watch includes GPS tracking, but just how do you use it? Let's take a look.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

All you need to know about MacOS Sierra - CNET

The next version of Apple's Mac software is available for download. Learn how to prepare your Mac for the update and how to use Sierra's new features.

What you should know about the new home button on the iPhone 7 - CNET

The new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus both come with a new home button that simulates clicks but doesn't actually move. It also has a couple of quirks. Here's what you should know about it.

How to get Android notifications on your Windows PC - CNET

The Windows 10 action center can alert you to incoming calls, texts and app notifications on your Android phone.

Getting started with Google Allo - CNET

Everything you need to know about Google's new messaging app.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Monday, September 19, 2016

Catching Pokémon with the new Pokémon Go Plus

pokemon-go-plus I walked into a store and bought two today (there were plenty more around) so chances are you won’t have to resort to overpaying on eBay for a pre-order slot. After only a few hours playing with the Go, I already feel like it has a good chance of pulling me back into the game, at least for a little while, and the entire experience of using it is pretty painless. The Go Plus was easy to… Read More

Sunday, September 18, 2016

7 settings to change right away on iOS 10 - CNET

Just downloaded the latest version of iOS? Here are five settings to change now.

Sleep better with iOS 10's Bedtime alarm - CNET

Apple's new recurring iPhone alarm can help you get a good night's sleep.

How to fix the most annoying thing in iOS 10 - CNET

For Touch ID devices only.

5 ways you're using your stand mixer wrong - CNET

You're probably not using your stand mixer correctly. Here's how to change that.

Razer launches zVentures, a new $30M fund for IoT, robotics, VR and gaming startups

screen-shot-2016-09-12-at-09-05-09 Razer originally started as a hardware company making mice, keyboards and other peripherals optimised for dedicated computer gaming, with its mantra being “For Gamers, By Gamers.” Now, 18 years into its life, it’s changing things up a bit. While the company continues to build hardware and its newer software business, Razer is now also announcing zVentures, a new… Read More

Razer’s CEO says the company is looking at going public – when it’s ready

min-liang-tan32 Razer’s not your average startup. For one thing, there’s the fact that the company has roots dating back to 1998, making it enough to vote or buy a lottery ticket here in the US (except in Nebraska, Louisiana and Iowa, apparently). Also, the company has devoted a good number of its resources toward funding and supporting other startups through ventures like OSVR and Razer zVentures,… Read More

Mobalytics is a coach for competitive gamers

mobalytics2 If there’s one industry that’s consistently blowing past expectations, it’s competitive gaming. The e-sports market is expected to reach nearly a half-billion dollars this year, and gamers who take part in it are constantly trying to heighten their skills. Mobalytics is aiming to bring visual analytics to competitive gamers so they can discover their weaknesses and make… Read More