All Technology
- US prisons now offer inmates 'electronic messaging,' but it's not really e-mail
Inmates in some jails and prisons can receive – but not always send – messages, which cost on average 50 cents each, a burden that falls particularly on inmates' families, finds a new report released Thursday by the Prison Policy Initiative.
- Google paid Apple to maintain search on iPhone, court documents say
Details on a confidential deal between Google and Apple to keep the Google search engine on iOS devices surfaced during court proceedings.
- Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai fuel cell cars are coming, but they won't be cheap
Honda announced this week that its Clarity Fuel Cell sedan will cost $60,000 – the same price as the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell. Hydrogen cars produce only water vapor as they run, and technological advances could help bring their prices down.
- How Facebook puts users in the middle of 360-degree videos, without buffering
360-degree and virtual reality videos require a lot more bandwidth than regular videos. Facebook uses a technique called cube-mapping to stream 360-degree videos smoothly on phones, tablets, and computers.
- How Google blocks ‘bad ads,’ from malware to scams
Google's annual advertising report revealed that it blocked more than 780 million "bad ads" in 2015. Bad ads may contain malware, use misleading language to promote scam products, or try to trick users into clicking them.
- IBM acquires Ustream as it gears up for $105 billion market
IBM is creating a new cloud-based video unit to gain a foothold in the industry, reportedly worth billions of dollars in 2016.
- How a professor found the largest known prime number
A Missouri university professor has found a new prime number as part of GIMPS, a citizen-science project that works using grassroots efforts by thousands of volunteer researchers.
- Volvo's 2020 pledge: No one will die in our cars.
The safety leader says improvements in autonomous car technology will make its vehicles virtually injury-proof within the next few years.
- Is Apple good for Europe?
Apple announced Thursday it will open a new software developer training center in Italy, asserting its products support over a million jobs on the continent. But with its tax practices in the spotlight, is the company an asset for the European economy?
- 'Brave' new browser to block bad ads, pay customers
A new browser is offering an unconventional solution to online advertising. It plans on blocking ads by default at the start and then slowly allowing non-disruptive ads back onto sites, cutting in publishers and customers.
- First LookHoverboard sparks California house fire: How safe are they?
As no quality standards have been set for hoverboards, their lithium-ion batteries and chargers, experts say there is no guarantee for complete safety, especially in light of a series of fires around the country.
- Will your Surface Pro power cable be recalled?
Microsoft is planning to recall many of its Surface Pro power cables, due to overheating concerns.
- Microsoft's $1 billion donation of cloud services: Philanthropy or marketing?
Microsoft has a record of giving, but its philanthropy programs are motivated by more than just good will.
- First LookIs your password on the list of 'worst passwords?' Here's how to change that.
A newly released list of most popular passwords shows 3 percent of Americans are putting their Internet security at the mercy of a password as simple as '123456.'
- With MinecraftEdu, are video games the future of education?
Microsoft announced on Tuesday that it had acquired MinecraftEdu, an education-oriented version of the popular video game.
- Elon Musk's Hyperloop transportation system? It will be tested this year.
Two private companies, plus SpaceX, are each building a test track this year to pilot early Hyperloop designs.
- Pakistan lifts its YouTube ban, but is this really a win for free speech?
Pakistan announced its agreement with YouTube on Monday, reversing an earlier decision to ban the site after an anti-Islamic video led to widespread protests. But digital rights activists wonder about how the Google-owned site will handle government requests to block content deemed offensive.
- New York City’s first free phone-booths-turned-Wi-Fi hubs go live
LinkNYC, a free public gigabit Wi-Fi network in New York City, turned on access at its first four hubs in Manhattan this week. When it's completed, LinkNYC will offer free Internet access across all five boroughs of New York.
- What does worldwide shutdown mean for Twitter?
In the midst of financial troubles, Twitter went down worldwide for several hours on Tuesday.
- As Netflix goes global, it cracks down on location-faking tools
Netflix announced this week that it will block VPN proxies, tools used to watch movies and TV shows available in other countries. For now, Netflix will continue to license different content for different countries, but it's working toward making content available everywhere.