Nexus 5X first-impressions review
The question everyone should ask about Google-branded, LG-manufactured Nexus 5X: Who is it for? My first-impressions review primarily focuses on the answer. My wife is one person, and I am surprised. Because conceptually she steps down from the Motorola Droid Turbo, which by raw specs is the superior mobile. Budget buyers also should consider the 5X or anyone living the Google lifestyle or wanting stock Android.
The new handset course corrects last year's release blunder, when Google sized up to 6-inch screen with the Nexus 6, leaving many satisfied N5 owners in stunned silence followed by loud complaint. While a N6 fan, I agree: It is a huge phone that is overly large for the majority of prospective buyers. This year's solution is smart. Google released two smartphones: Nexus 6P, which while phablet-class is markedly more manageable in the hands than its predecessor; Nexus 5X, for people wanting something smaller and for N5 owners looking to upgrade.
Steve Ballmer is now Twitter's third-largest stockholder
So what’s Steve Ballmer up to these days, now he’s not at the helm of Microsoft? He’s investing in the tech world, and specifically in Twitter -- indeed he’s bought up a very large stake in the social network, despite its shaky performance in recent times.
Ballmer tweeted: "Good job @twitter,@twittermoments innovation, @jack Ceo, leaner, more focused. Glad I bought four percent past few months".
China attacks US after signing cybertheft agreement
Hackers associated with the Chinese government attacked a handful of American companies just a day after the two countries agreed not to cyber-attack one another.
According to CrowdStrike, a prominent American security firm, the attacks against seven American companies started on September 26. On September 25, President Barack Obama said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed that neither government would knowingly support cyber theft of corporate secrets to support domestic businesses.
HTC launches the One A9 with iPhone-like design and Android 6.0 software, priced at $399
At an event on Tuesday, HTC announced the launch of One A9, "the best HTC smartphone in years", according to the company. The handset comes with a big promise. HTC claims that it will deliver the latest version of Android to the One A9 within 15 days of its availability.
The metal-clad HTC One A9, which looks very similar to the iPhone, comes with a 5-inch Full HD 2.5D AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protecting the screen. It is powered by a Snapdragon 617 octa-core processor with integrated X8 LTE, and offers users a choice between a 2GB or 3GB of RAM. For storage, users get to pick between 16GB and 32GB, with both variants supporting microSD card for external storage.
Tesla Autopilot: The comprehensive multi-road 33 mile review
When Tesla announced Autopilot, a new feature that allows its cars to drive themselves with no input from the driver, ex-Microsoft developer and geek-famous YouTube reviewer Barnacules Nerdgasm (AKA Jerry) decided to put the new tech to the test.
Not even 24 hours after the Autopilot was live, Jerry and his friend drove a Tesla P85D (and its 762+ horse power), on a 33 mile road trip to get familiar with the new technology. This is what he thought of it.
Apple's aggressive recruitment allegedly drives motorcycle startup to bankruptcy
Although Apple has never publicly confirmed that it is developing an electric car, the company has been aggressively hiring auto experts from the likes of Tesla, Ford and Mercedes-Benz.
Now, this strong-arm recruitment has resulted in a startup specializing in electric motorcycles having to close its doors for good due to losing all of its top talent to the iPhone-maker.
The New York Times embraces virtual reality with NYT VR app and Google Cardboard
The New York Times is an institution -- one of the most important and respected news outlets in history. While some will decry its pro-liberal stances, even conservatives cannot deny the strong writing and relevant topics.
Today, the news organization takes a very weird, albeit cool, path in its quest to stay relevant in the digital age. Shockingly, it is partnering with Google to embrace virtual reality with a new mobile app called "NYT VR"; I kid you not, folks. The app will require Google Cardboard, which the New York Times will give away to some of its readers as a promotion.
Microsoft steps up efforts to get Surface into businesses
Microsoft is keen to get its Surface tablets in the hands of business users. This is one of the reasons why it increased the number of Surface sales partners back in July. And in September it launched the Surface Enterprise Initiative allowing Dell and HP to resell the product.
Now following the launch of Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book earlier this month, the company is making renewed efforts to crack the business market with new service offerings.
Commvault releases next generation open data platform
Managing data in increasingly fast-paced business environments is a major challenge for companies. The latest release from data protection and information management specialist Commvault is seeking to address this with new levels of openness and flexibility.
The powerful combination of Commvault Software, the Commvault Data Platform and a range of professional services and support gives enterprises of all sizes the ability to open up new opportunities to reduce legacy spend, be released from vendor lock-in, find pathways to more modern environments, and drive new efficiencies and speed in their IT operations.
6 tips on how to protect your mobile device
Because mobile use is becoming more popular, there are more and more security threats that are being designed specifically to target mobile platforms and operating systems.
As a result, many mobile users are starting to panic. Well don’t worry; here are the five best ways that you can protect the information stored on your mobile device.
New workflow platform wants to empower workers
Business collaboration tools like Clarizen have been around for some time, but a new entrant to the field is looking to change workflow management and give power back to employees.
Scalus is backed by Google Ventures and turns conversations into actionable, repeatable, automated tasks across apps, teams and organizations, adding accountability and oversight that's missing from other collaboration tools.
Kodi 15.2 unveils bug fixes and improvements across desktop and mobile
The XBMC Foundation has unveiled Kodi 15.2, a maintenance update of its open-source, cross-platform media center. This is the second release since version 15 debuted back in July.
The major focus of the new release is to improve stability on the Android platform, but there are numerous other bug fixes implemented in what Team Kodi has dubbed "The Final Chapter" in its release notes.
Consumer reports dismisses iPhone 6s 'chipgate' with battery life tests
You may have read that some iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus units have better battery life than others, and that, in order to get the "best" version, your new smartphone must come with the TSMC-made A9 processor. The A9 processor manufactured by Samsung has been said to be less energy efficient, leading to shorter battery life. But how much of that is true though?
Consumer Reports has tested two iPhone 6s units, one with a TSMC-supplied A9 processor and the other toting a Samsung-made A9 chip, and found that that the difference in battery life between the two units is entirely negligible. So, naysayers can now put an end to all the "chipgate" talk.
Microsoft's green practices garner an award from the EPA
The environment is news these days with phrases like "climate change" and "carbon footprint" appearing regularly in the news. It's important stuff, given we don't yet have another planet to flee to -- "Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves", said Carl Sagan.
That means we have to be kind to our home. The Environmental Protection Agency hands out awards to companies who work to protect our planet, and Microsoft is a recent recipient.
IBM allows China to take a look at its source code
IBM has allowed China to review the source code for some of its programs, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, but the details are scarce.
According to the media report, the deal between IBM and the Chinese government is a completely new practice, which was implemented recently. It allows the Chinese government to take a closer look at the source code behind some of IBM’s software, but does not allow for the code to be copied or tampered with in any way.



