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Time to get Intel outside as the company targets wearables

Chip maker Intel is using the 2015 CES to announce its plans for moving into the wearable technology sector.

These include the Curie, a button-sized hardware module, and a collaboration with sports sunglasses brand Oakley.

By Ian Barker -
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Sony unveils SmartEyeglass Attach and Smart B-Trainer headset

Sony has announced a couple of new products over at CES which are exploring new concepts in wearables -- though it hasn’t got a huge deal to say about them at this stage.

Specifically, Sony has been talking about its SmartEyeglass Attach, a new concept that further builds on the prototype SmartEyeglass Developer Edition. The Attach is basically a single lens display which can be attached to a normal pair of glasses to provide a small heads-up display for the user, which will work with various sport apps (a number of apps are underway).

By Darren Allan -
FreshPrinceFlashAirr

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? Nope. Toshiba FlashAir III? Yup. Wireless SD Card, y'all!

Will Smith is a pretty cool guy. Back in the day -- when I was a kid -- I was a big fan of his rapping with DJ Jazzy Jeff. What really made me a fan of his, however, was the classic TV show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. On the program, Will played a nice young man from a poor neighborhood, who moves to a wealthy neighborhood to avoid a life of crime. It is a very funny show, that is forever cemented in popular culture.

Unfortunately, as cool as Mr. Smith is, I cannot store my digital photos inside of him. Hell, even if the actor contained flash memory, I highly doubt he would also have an integrated wireless LAN access point. Well, move over Mr. Bel-Air; its time for the FlashAir, as in the Toshiba FlashAir III. Yes, this is an SD Card with built-in Wi-Fi. True, it is not really a new concept, but Toshiba's implementation seems elegant.

By Brian Fagioli -
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Toshiba declares war on Microsoft Surface Pro 3 with Broadwell-powered Portégé Z20t

The Surface Pro 3 was the best computer of 2014. My love affair with the hybrid PC is no secret; I'll tell anyone who will listen that I love my precious Microsoft computer. Quite frankly, what isn't there to love about a super-powerful laptop/tablet/desktop that comes with an active stylus? Nothing, that's what; it's friggin' awesome.

While it continues to be my favorite computer, a new year is upon us, and 2015 is already looking very promising for technology. Yes, CES is here and everyone is gushing over the latest doodads and gadgets. While much of the show is noise, Toshiba is making quite the impression this year. Case in point, the Intel Core M powered Portégé Z20t -- arguably a Surface Pro 3 clone -- is quite the beast of a machine. Hell, the fact that it is so reminiscent of Microsoft's computer is a positive; Toshiba is simply building on the successful reference that Satya Nadella and company presented to the world.

By Brian Fagioli -
Google Nexus 9

Microsoft takes the restrictions off Office for Android tablets preview

Microsoft has offered its Office suite to other mobile platforms for sometime now, but Android tablet support is fairly recent. It was in Preview form and there were hoops to be jumped through in order to get access. No matter, the response was still overwhelming, or at least the company claims that is the case.

Now things are opening up as the Redmond-based company announces the expansion of this program to all users. This update to the "testing" allows all users to get access -- no more requests, or begging, through the Google Plus account.

By Alan Buckingham -
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Google brings Android TV to CES with new partners in tow

In 2014 Google debuted Android TV, using Nexus Player as a sort of reference device. The new entry into the crowded market replaced the previous Google TV, which had been around for a while but never really took off. Google hopes the new platform will change the company's fortunes, as it desperately wants to be in your living room.

At the big Consumer Electronics Show taking place in Las Vegas, the search giant delivered more information about its new platform. Google arrived with announcements of new partners in the way of TV manufacturers offering sets powered by Android TV.

By Alan Buckingham -
atarifit

Atari Fit motivates you to exercise with the promise of classic games

January is the time of year when people traditionally decide to lose weight and get fit. Partly it’s because a new year equals a new start, and secondly it’s because the month follows the holidays when we’ve all overindulged and packed on the pounds.

This is the perfect time for companies to release fitness products, and veteran games company Atari is hoping to cash in with the announcement of a new 'gamified' fitness app that offers an unusual nostalgic twist.

By Wayne Williams -
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MSI Z97A Gaming 6 motherboard -- world's first with reversible USB 3.1 Type-C

As a system builder, I am a sucker for all hardware. What really gets my motor running is when something is the "world's first". Yes, I am an early adopter. What does this mean? I buy unproven new hardware at a premium, just for the glory of having it first. Smart buyers will wait for price drops and bug fixes, but not I!

Today, MSI announces a new motherboard that has a world's first, and quite frankly, it is something the world has been waiting for. Here it is folks, the first-ever motherboard with an integrated reversible USB 3.1 Type-C port! This is definitely something that will have early adopters drooling.

By Brian Fagioli -
Bank security

The banking loyalty conundrum: security versus convenience

Online banking feels like an accepted channel for today’s consumers, especially compared with its latest mobile incarnation. Yet, with online attacks becoming more sophisticated, banks must remain vigilant by implementing technology defenses while enabling the online channel to provide the convenience that customers now expect. However, with their technology defenses, banks must be wary of putting both existing and prospective customers off with tedious password-enabled security measures. Creating a delicate balance between strong security and convenient access is an ongoing challenge.

Recent independent research commissioned by Ping Identity discovered that more than a third of customers would abandon their bank altogether for an experience that combined both security and convenience. Furthermore, only 28.7 percent of respondents described themselves as 'very loyal' to their bank. Banks are clearly walking a fine line with their customers.

By Jason Goode -
Stop posting your own Facebook privacy notices -- it's completely pointless and looks silly

Stop posting your own Facebook privacy notices -- it's completely pointless and looks silly

It's happening again. Check your Facebook wall and you'll probably find that at least one of your friends has posted a status update indicating that they withdraw the right for Facebook to use the content they've posted to their account. It's written in a pseudo-formal style, and even makes reference to an applicable law. Must be legit, right?

Nope. It's nonsense. Complete and utter twaddle of the most pure and unadulterated kind. By all means post the message to your own wall, but be aware of two things: it will have absolutely no effect on what Facebook is able to do with your information, and it also makes you look a bit silly.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Samsung Portable SSD T1

Samsung unveils portable SSD -- blazing fast, smaller than a business card

If you need a portable storage device, then are you are most likely looking to buy an external HDD. They are available in lots of sizes, and they are also pretty affordable. However, they are also slow. Too slow, I would say. So, if you need something that is fast -- that can transfer files quickly and open everything almost instantly -- then a portable HDD is not the answer.

However, a portable SSD would fit the bill just fine. On top of being faster, it will also be more energy-efficient and less sensitive to shocks. Targeting this crowd, Samsung today announced Portable SSD T1, which is about to hit store shelves in three storage trims. And it is so small and light, you can carry it in your pocket.

By Mihăiță Bamburic -
G-Tech Lobitos Surf 20141126_7872

When the going gets tough the hard drives get rugged

More than ever before we expect our technology to come with us wherever we go and more importantly be able to survive the journey.

The weakest link in the past has usually been storage because even SSDs don't take too kindly to rough treatment. Storage company G-Technology is using CES to launch a solution in the form of its range of rugged drives.

By Ian Barker -
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Cut video file sizes in half with IFME

HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding, aka H.265) is an amazing video standard which is just as good as its name suggests, routinely producing videos half the size of their H.264 equivalents.

It’s becoming more widely supported, too: the iPhone 6 can use it for FaceTime, Android Lollipop and Windows 10 handle it out of the box, some major applications (CyberLink’s PowerDVD, for example) added support last year.

By Mike Williams -
Apple iPhone 6 Plus

Apple now sells SIM-free, unlocked iPhone 6, 6 Plus -- be careful which model you buy

Apple is now finally selling SIM-free, unlocked iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus through its online and brick and mortar stores. The new models, which come nearly four months after the two devices launched, are available in all storage configurations, starting at $649 and $749, respectively.

Apple makes things slightly complicated for those looking to purchase an unlocked iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, as the company is advertising two "Unlocked and contract-free" models, for each of the two devices, on its site. The model that is available starting today is labeled "SIM-free", while the other one bears T-Mobile's logo. Be careful which one you buy, if you plan on using it in US or abroad.

By Mihăiță Bamburic -
Talking to the wall -- Facebook buys IoT speech recognition firm Wit.ai

Talking to the wall -- Facebook buys IoT speech recognition firm Wit.ai

Facebook wants to talk your language. The latest step to achieving this sees Mark Zuckerberg's social networking acquiring speech recognition startup Wit.ai. The startup describes itself as providing "Natural Language for the Internet of Things" and has been doing so for just 18 months.

No details have been released about any money that has changed hands, but the plan is for the Wit.ai platform to remain open for developers to work with. The company is heavily involved in the Internet of Things, and was in line to work with Nest before Google took over.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
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