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Redbox Instant challenges Netflix with dual services
Redbox Instant has emerged from beta testing to offer $8 monthly subscriptions with four one-night DVD rentals and unlimited video streaming.News
Five standout apps and add-ons from SXSW Interactive Trade Show
We saw a hodge-podge of consumer-friendly products that stood out as different and innovative pieces of technology at the SXSW Interactive Trade Show. Here are a few of them.News
Spotify reportedly launching free streaming music service overseas
A report in Bloomberg says that Spotify will expand its streaming music service to mobile devices in 20 countries where it currently provides its desktop service. The move would give Spotify an edge over rival Pandora.Geek Tech
Barista Bot will paint latte portraits; barista jobs are safe (for now)
An automaton that can sketch out a photo of you on your next coffee? Sure!News
More social, blended media will control TV
Quite a few SXSW Interactive panels had a focus on social media and TV. Here are some things we can expect from social media and TV this year.Connected Home
Heat Meter measures energy use in real time
A new, Wi-Fi connected device called the Heat Meter allows homeowners to track propane, natural gas or oil use in real time and compare their home's efficiency with others in the area.News
Netflix takes need for speed global with worldwide ISP rankings
Netflix is expanding its rankings of Internet service providers by ranking streaming speeds from ISPs in the U.S., Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Mexico, Norway, and Sweden.Geek Tech
This robot has better handwriting than you do (and other stuff you missed)
Created by five undergraduates at the Franklin W.Olin College of Engineering, this is an automated pen that writes calligraphy better than you. Like, really.Game On
Urban blight: SimCity’s failure to launch
SimCity’s server woes set a troubling precedent for PC gaming.Now Streaming
6 underwatched TV shows that you really should watch
There are TV shows everyone knows and watches. And then there are some you may not have even heard of, but are worth checking out. Here are some of those shows.News
Pandora CEO exit could shake up streaming
Pandora CEO Joe Kennedy is quitting the online radio service, which — like many of its competitors — is struggling with increasing royalty rates paid to record labels.News
Lytro hack turns any DSLR into a light field camera
A free hack and new hardware are bringing competition to the refocusing images marketplace.News
HBO’s Game of Thrones broadcast strategy aimed at thwarting piracy
Overseas audiences will only have to wait a week after the U.S. broadcast to see episodes from season three of Game of Thrones, as HBO looks for ways to stop piracy of its shows.News
Pro photographer smartphone shoot-out
We equipped three professional photographers with three different smartphones known to be the photo leaders of their respective mobile OSs, and asked them to use the phones at work for a few weeks. Here are some of the shots.Geek Tech
Automated bartender will make any cocktail you want, won’t even ask for a tip
We keep talking about how the end is inevitably going to come in the shape of giant, autonomous mechas with a hatred for mankind. As such, it can be easy to forget that machines can be friendly—so friendly, in fact, that they'll make you the perfect white Russian every time and not even ask for your number.News
France increases its anti-piracy efforts as similar measures roll out in U.S.
If you think the newly instituted six-strikes agreement between entertainment companies and major U.S. Internet service providers is bad news, be glad you don’t live in France.News
Roku introduces Roku 3, revamps user interface
As its move in the never-ending game to control the set-top box market, Roku has introduced a replacement for its high-end box, and unveiled a new user interface for its family of streaming products.News
YouTube could be key to Google’s Spotify rival
Fortune reports that a YouTube music streaming service will launch later this year and feature some overlap with Google Play Music. But the report leaves some unanswered questions about Google's plans for the music-streaming space.News
Samsung Galaxy S IV rumored to have eye-tracking, 13-MP camera, among other features
As the countdown continues to March 14 when Samsung will raise the curtain on its new Galaxy S IV, rumors about the features of the new smartphone abound.News
Nikon’s Coolpix A redefines the fixed-lens camera sector
Nikon builds a large image sensor into its new compact, fixed-lens camera.Geek Tech
BigDog robot can hurl cinderblocks with ease, is more loyal than other robots
If you have a grudge, let BigDog protect you with its block-hurling ability.Opinion
How to win the streaming set-top box wars
It's not clear yet who will dominate the set-top box market in the long term. What is clear is that it's an increasingly competitive space, with Intel joining Apple, Google, Roku, and others. What's the path to dominance in the field?News
Flexible glass displays still years away, says Corning
Corning recently opened an $800 million factory to produce the bendable glass.News
New DivX Stash stores all your online videos in one place
Launched at Mobile World Congress this week, the still-in-beta DivX Stash lets you save movies from various video sites to watch later on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.News
Entertainment producers decry broadband data caps
Data caps on broadband service stifle innovation and hurt producers of groundbreaking video programs, representatives of the U.S. entertainment industry said Tuesday.News
Cablevision sues Viacom to unbundle TV channels
Cablevision has sued Viacom for "illegally forcing Cablevision to carry and pay for 14 lesser-watched ancillary networks its customers do not want."News
Toshiba demos ‘Lytro chip,’ converts phones to light-field cameras
The modules, which could be in phones next year, can accurately calculate depth and change focus points after photos are shot.News
Sony releases new interchangeable lens and Cyber-shot cameras
Sony has released a new crop of cameras post-CES.News
Nikon launches the D7100, a new flagship DSLR for photo enthusiasts
The new Nikon DSLR offers an upgraded processor, higher resolution, and an improved auto-focus system.Now Streaming
Great Web TV series
Streaming TV isn't just about network and cable stations whose content you can access online. There are also some pretty cool Web series worth checking out.News
What’s the best way to discover new music?
How does a song go viral? Is it from Internet radio algorithms or a YouTube link from your best friend? Attendees at the S.F. MusicTech Summit Tuesday debated the issue.Geek Tech
Maki the robot wants to be your 3D-printed automaton buddy
Can't think of what else you might want to use that 3D printer you bought for? Why not print a robot?Crowdfunding Spotlight
Lynx A camera is the world’s first point-and-shoot 3D modeling camera
With so much attention being poured into 3D content, it's hard not to want to be part of the action. How does one go about that? Funding the Lynx A camera may be a good first step.News
Western Digital offers $69 media streamer with Netflix, Hulu, YouTube
Western Digital goes after the lower end of the streaming market with its economically priced WD TV Play set-top box.News
RFLKT bike computer taps your iPhone’s cycling potential
The RFLKT from Wahoo Fitness is the world's first iPhone powered bike computer.News
Slacker launches new website, updated mobile apps
At an event on Tuesday night, Slacker unveiled a drastically redesigned website, mobile apps, and logo that bring it into stiffer competition with others in the music streaming space.News
Intel to take on Apple, Roku with own TV box
Intel later this year will start offering a TV set-top box and service as the company tries to cash in on the fast-growing TV and home entertainment business.Connected Home
Sonos enters home theater market with wireless soundbar
Facing new competition in the wireless multi-room audio system market that it dominates now, Sonos seeks to expand into the home-theater audio market.News
Dish Network’s Hopper with Sling now available, combines ad-skipping and streaming
Dish Network's Hopper with Sling, a set-top box that can skip recorded ads and stream live video to other devices, is now available to Dish subscribersNews
Microsoft urges international alliances to battle malware
Countries that have signed on to international cybersecurity agreements tend to have fewer malware infections among their citizens, according to new research released by Microsoft and George Washington University.Crowdfunding Spotlight
The LED NanoLight may be the most efficient lightbulb yet
Why use a regular lightbulb when have can have one capable of generating 1600 lumens — the equivalent of 100 watts — while using only 12 watts and LEDs?News
Nokia adds premium music streaming to Lumia phones
Nokia is spiffing up the music app on its Lumia handsets by adding Music+ with the Mix Radio streaming service to its Music app, to try to distinguish its Windows Phones in a competitive market.Connected Home
Cisco to sell Linksys home networking business to Belkin
Cisco Systems plans to sell its Linksys home networking business to Belkin International for an undisclosed sum under an agreement that includes cooperation between the companies on software, service-provider products and other areas.Geek Tech
The doctor will see you now…through the eyes of a robot
The company most well known for automated vacuum cleaners has been cleared by the FDA to use its latest robotic solution in hospitals, but not for the reason you might think.News
Nokia PureView to lead camera-phone tech, but where’s everyone else?
According to The Verge, Nokia's next Windows Phone may have a 41-megapixel sensor to help with digital zoom.News
Americans turn to Dr. Internet before doctor’s office
A new Pew Internet & American Life Project survey shows many American adults use the web to diagnose diseases, but still go to the doctor for further discussion and treatment.News
Blu-ray looks ahead to 4K
Seven years after the Blu-ray Disc Association announced the spec for the format, budget players are available and disc sales are strong. The introduction of HDTVs that support a 4K resolution presents Blu-ray fans and promoters with their next challenge.News
OLED and 4K at CES 2013: The fantasy and the reality (video)
Ultra HD and OLED televisions were all the rage at CES 2013, but gaping at these incredible TVs on a show floor will probably have to do for the foreseeable future.News