For me, virtually any trip out of the house means loading up on various pieces of tech. I, obviously, cannot leave the house without my phone -- my trusty HTC Sensation has been with me for two years -- but there are usually other things to consider as well. While my phone is great for picking up my emails on the move and staying in touch with people via IM, Facebook etc, it’s far from ideal for doing any work.

Depending on where I’m going, and how strong I’m feeling, there are various other pieces of kit I can take with me to make things easier. My Sony Tablet S is easier to type on than my phone, thanks mainly to its larger screen, but it’s not something I like to use for extended periods of time. I could take my laptop with me, or the MacBook Pro, which are great to work on, but rather weighty to hump from place to place.

German multimedia specialist MAGIX has revealed the next generation of its flagship audio editor, MAGIX Music Maker 2014. As before, it comes in both standard and Premium editions, each of which sees some worthwhile gains with the new release.

If you like Music Maker’s loops, for example, you’ll love the extra choice you get this time around: there are 2,000 new loops and sounds with the regular edition, 5,000 if you opt for the Premium.

US mobile maker Motorola just announced that AT&T subscribers can now customize and purchase their Moto X handset online, through the company's Moto X "design studio". The program is aimed at just AT&T subscribers (and not Verizon ones, for instance), as the mobile operator is the only partner which allows buyers to create their own interpretation of the new smartphone.

The Moto X configurator lets you choose front, rear and accent colors, the internal storage capacity (16 GB or 32 GB), matching accessories, and link your Google account (you will only have to type in your password during the initial setup process, according to the Moto X design studio). Prices range between $199.99 for the base model, when purchased alongside a two-year plan with AT&T, and $629.99, for the off-contract, still AT&T-branded 32 GB version (various accessories will increase the overall cost).

I am a huge NBA fan (Go Knicks!). Unfortunately, I cannot play worth a lick. However, that may soon change. Today, a company called Wireless Sports announces a product called Hoop Tracker -- a watch that tracks and improves your basketball skills.

According to Wireless Sports CEO Jason Duke, "practice is the key to success in a sport like basketball, and since it’s impossible to have a coach on standby twenty-four-seven, having a tool like Hoop Tracker can be invaluable for tracking progress and improving overall technique".

We’ve known for a while that governments around the world have been gathering data about Internet users, monitoring online communication via instant messaging, email and much more. Numerous websites and social networks have received requests from government bodies for information relating to their customers and users. Now, Facebook reveals for the first time just who has been asking for data.

The Global Government Request Report covers the first six months of 2013, and is introduced with the words "Transparency and trust are core values at Facebook". Although the report is not especially detailed -- it is likely that it was not legally possible to be -- it does show which countries have asked for data, the number of requests each country made, the number of user accounts inquired about, and (perhaps most interestingly) the percentage of requests that Facebook was legally obliged to comply with.

When Microsoft first launched SkyDrive, the company offered 25 GB of storage to everyone willing to sign up. As the service grew and was increasingly integrated into more places, like Windows 8 and Office 2013, that free ride came partially to an end. Free storage was downgraded to seven gigabytes, but those who met certain criteria were grandfathered in.

Now that 25 GB threshold breaths new life, though not quite for everyone. This time around the extra cloud space goes to Pro users -- business customers. "Today, we're pleased to announce three new significant improvements to SkyDrive Pro for Office 365 business subscribers - to help you be more productive", the Office 365 team announces.

A US judge rules that Facebook must pay out $20m as the Fraley vs Facebook class action draws to a close. The lawsuit was taken out by users of the social network whose pictures were used without consent in "Sponsored Stories" advertisements. While up to 150 million Facebook members were affected, only approximately 614,000 who filed a claim will receive any money.

It’s hardly a massive windfall. The $20m is to be divided not only between the successful claimants, but also used to pay for lawyers and administrative costs. Users will be paid $15 each -- not even enough to buy half of a share in Facebook.

Apple users tend to like Apple things. Typically, the user's experience will be the best when all of their hardware is Apple. However, Google is hoping that iOS users will change course and shun the Apple TV in favor of its inexpensive Chromecast device.

Today, Google took a big step towards its goal by releasing a Chromecast app for iOS. Will it be enough to lure Apple users from the Apple TV?

I have been using BitTorrent Sync between my desktop and laptop since it debuted in private alpha form. The service has since matured to beta, and now ages a bit more as it spreads to another platform -- iOS, after landing on Android last month.

"Today, we’re happy to report that BitTorrent Sync is now available for iOS devices on the App Store. iOS fans: you can now sync freely", the company reports.

Opera Software today announces the release of Opera 16.0 FINAL.

As you might expect, the new rapid release cycle means that major changes are in short supply, but look closely and there are one or two interesting additions to be found.

In an announcement on the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) website, China reveals that .cn domains became the target of a massive DDoS attack. The attack lasted for several hours, starting off around 2am Bejing time on Sunday, intensifying at 4am before control was slowly regained at around 10am.

The attack resulted in many sites with a .cn domain going offline, but at the moment it is not clear who may be responsible. CNNIC said little apart from confirming the fact that the attacks had taken place and condemning them. The organization also apologized to users who had been affected by inaccessible or slow websites, but offered no analysis or speculation about what had happened.

Nokia's Lumia line of Windows Phone handsets continues to spread -- this time it is the 925 that is making a jump, landing on AT&T in the United States. The 900 line, consisting of Lumia 920, 925 and 928, were the flagship devices before the launch of the 1020 with its 41-megapixel camera.

Now, the 925 has finally found the entrance at AT&T, with a rather sudden announcement that it will become available to customers tomorrow. "The Nokia Lumia 925 makes a great addition to our growing portfolio", AT&T senior vice president Jeff Bradley said in a statement, also calling it "a solid deal for anyone in the market for a new smartphone".

Ten months after Microsoft launched the polarizing Windows 8, comes the news that the software giant has now reached RTM on Windows 8.1, and started to roll out the OS refresh to its hardware partners.

I’m using Windows 8.1 as my primary operating system, and frankly can’t wait to install the finished OS, but will have to wait a while yet -- that’s not set to be made available to consumers until October 18. I was never a fan of Windows 8, but 8.1 is a huge improvement.

A great thing about the iPhone (or iPod touch) is it can be used as a business tool or as a toy. While some people use it strictly for email and work, others use it to play games such as Angry Birds and Candy Crush Saga. For those such users; kids and kids at heart, Belkin has announced new cases to complement the fun aspect of the iPhone -- LEGO Builder Cases.

According to Belkin, "the back of the Builder Case carries a true LEGO baseplate -- this is considered the key foundation to the LEGO play experience. The baseplate is made by LEGO factories to LEGO standards and is integrated into the case in a way that’s durable and comfortable for everyday use. Other features of the case include a semi-flexible outer frame for shock-absorption, button protection, and unobstructed access to audio ports and speakers".

When it comes to modern PC gaming, you can never have too many buttons. Sure, there is an argument to be made that less is more on game controllers. However, hardcore-PC-gamers need any advantage they can get in today's fast-paced first-person-shooter world. Logitech is aiming to help these gamers to, well, aim, with the new Logitech G602 wireless gaming mouse ($79.99).

Logitech says, "the newest mouse in the Logitech G lineup, the Logitech G602 Wireless Gaming Mouse sets a new standard in wireless gaming. Without cords, clutter, or interference, the mouse’s lag-free wireless connection and unprecedented battery life allow better, uninterrupted game play. Featuring two modes, Performance and Endurance, the G602 Wireless Gaming mouse delivers 250 hours of non-stop battery life when in full gaming mode -- Performance mode -- and more than 1400 hours of use in non-gaming mode -- or Endurance mode".