Standouts in Tech: Drones, Virtual Reality, Instant Translation and A.I.

Farhad Manjoo picks four products from 2014 that are bringing the future closer.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/01/technology/personaltech/standouts-in-tech-drones-virtual-reality-instant-translation-and-ai.html?_r=1

Recycling Electronic Waste Responsibly: Excuses Dwindle

With more retail chains offering drop-off bins, and as certifying boards hold recyclers to high standards, it is becoming easier to properly dispose of old devices.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/01/technology/personaltech/recycling-electronic-waste-responsibly-excuses-dwindle.html?_r=1

Video: Recycle Electronics the Greener Way

Before you throw away your old devices, consider recycling the valuable materials inside them. It’s an easy way to reduce your environmental footprint and maybe make some cash, too.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/personaltech/100000003423472/recycle-electronics-the-greener-way.html

ThinkUp Helps the Social Network User See the Online Self

A service lets a person monitor his or her Facebook or Twitter account, for more awareness of one’s online image.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/01/technology/personaltech/thinkup-helps-the-social-network-user-see-the-online-self.html?_r=1

Qwant Wants to Be Alternative to Google

A search engine called Qwant is trying to tap into growing anger in Europe that Google holds too much control over how people surf the Web.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/31/qwant-wants-to-be-alternative-to-google/?_r=1

Just for Laughs: Fake Mustaches and Cat Translations, on Your Smartphone

Humor apps for the smartphone offer everything from lowbrow sight gags to wickedly biting comic strips.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/01/technology/personaltech/just-for-laughs-fake-mustaches-and-cat-translations-on-your-smartphone.html?_r=1

Video: Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

Apps that help you count down to the new year and keep your resolutions when we get there: New Year Countdown, Breeze and Day One.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/personaltech/100000003417090/keep-your-new-years-resolutions.html

RIP Internet Explorer?

Oh, so Microsoft is about to release a new browser, replacing Internet Explorer with a new app that will look much more like Chrome and Firefox. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/microsoft-to-replace-internet-explorer-with-new-streamlined-browser-9949448.html

from BWCWeb http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/microsoft-to-replace-internet-explorer-with-new-streamlined-browser-9949448.html

Daily Report: Sony Hacking Attack, First a Nuisance, Swiftly Grew Into a Firestorm

Sony, slow to realize the depths of its peril during the cyberattack, let its troubles deepen by mounting a public defense only after enormous damage had been done.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/31/daily-report-sony-hacking-attack-first-a-nuisance-swiftly-grew-into-a-firestorm/?_r=1

Uber Suspends Operations in Spain

In a first in the growing push-back against Uber’s global expansion, a Spanish judge’s ruling bars local telecom operators and banks from supporting the company’s services.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/31/uber-suspends-operations-in-spain/?_r=1

Managing Mail on the Mac

Also, guides for Android users and news from Facebook, including a reminder that a new privacy policy goes into effect Jan. 30.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/01/technology/personaltech/managing-mail-on-the-mac.html?_r=1

American Workers Say Internet Makes Them More Productive

A new survey by the Pew Research Center finds that e-mail is very important to three-fifths of American workers, while social media is a blip on the charts.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/30/american-workers-say-internet-makes-them-more-productive/?_r=1

Daily Report: Latest Financing for Xiaomi, Chinese Smartphone Maker, Raises Value to $45 Billion

A new round of financing raised $1.1 billion for the company, which has become one of the world’s biggest smartphone makers by offering cheap, high-quality phones through clever online marketing campaigns.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/30/daily-report-latest-financing-for-xiaomi-chinese-smartphone-maker-raises-value-to-45-billion/?_r=1

European Start-Ups Struggle to Keep Pace With Venture Financing

Europe’s tech companies are always eager to prove that they can compete with their U.S. counterparts, but still find it tough to raise money from venture capital firms.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/29/european-start-ups-struggle-to-keep-pace-with-venture-financing/?_r=1

Daily Report: Pinterest Opening Its Boards to Ads on Wide Scale for First Time

On New Year’s Day, the digital scrapbook Pinterest will start selling advertising, competing with Google, Twitter and Facebook for marketing revenue from the biggest consumer brands.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/29/daily-report-pinterest-opening-its-boards-to-ads-on-wide-scale-for-first-time/?_r=1

Gmail Is Blocked in China After Months of Disruption

Large numbers of Gmail web addresses were cut off and have not been restored as of Monday, a China-based freedom of speech advocacy group said.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/30/technology/gmail-is-blocked-in-china-after-months-of-disruption.html?_r=1

PlayStation Network Returning After Hacking That Also Targeted Xbox Live

Sony’s PlayStation Network was hampered for a fourth straight day since hackers attacked it on Christmas Day.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/29/technology/playstation-network-returning-after-hacking-that-also-targeted-xbox-live.html?_r=1

Whether Working or Job Seeking, the Algorithm Is Watching

Two forthcoming books explore how companies use employee-scoring systems to rate job applicants and employees alike.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/28/whether-working-or-job-seeking-the-algorithm-is-watching/?_r=1

A Google Gentrification Fight That Doesn't Involve San Francisco

The Bay Area isn’t the only locale that has a love-hate relationship with Google. A proposed Google campus in Boulder, Colo., has stoked concern about rising home prices and the company’s insular campuses.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/28/a-google-gentrification-fight-that-doesnt-involve-san-francisco/?_r=1

Amazon Offers All-You-Can-Eat Books. Authors Turn Up Noses.

Some self-published writers say their income has seen a large and rapid decrease under Amazon’s Kindle Unimited program, and argue that the system is unfair.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/28/technology/amazon-offers-all-you-can-eat-books-authors-turn-up-noses.html?_r=1

Amazon Offers All-You-Can-Eat Books. Authors Turn Up Noses.

Some self-published writers say their income has seen a large and rapid decrease under Amazon’s Kindle Unimited program, and argue that the system is unfair.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/28/business/media/amazon-offers-all-you-can-eat-books-authors-turn-up-noses.html?_r=1

The Scoreboards Where You Can’t See Your Score

New books by technology experts examine consumer-ranking techniques in widespread use, but offer different advice on how people might protect themselves.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/28/technology/the-scoreboards-where-you-cant-see-your-score.html?_r=1

Out of Tragedy, a Protective Glass for Schools

The killer at Sandy Hook Elementary School shot through a window, a detail that stuck with the co-founder of School Guard Glass, maker of a strong glass intended to thwart intruders.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/28/technology/out-of-tragedy-a-protective-glass-for-schools.html?_r=1

The Scoreboards Where You Can’t See Your Score

New books by technology experts examine consumer-ranking techniques in widespread use, but offer different advice on how people might protect themselves.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/28/technology/the-scoreboards-where-you-cant-see-your-score-.html?_r=1

Risks in Using Social Posts to Spot Signs of Distress

The ill-fated introduction in Britain of an app to detect predictors of suicide shows what may happen when social media posts are scrutinized for cues about a person’s mental health.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/27/technology/risks-in-using-social-posts-to-spot-signs-of-distress.html?_r=1

A Flurry of Varying Cellphone Offers Sows Confusion Among Consumers

Even executives at the wireless phone companies say their industry has created a confounding abundance of competing plans.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/27/business/a-flurry-of-varying-cellphone-offers-sows-confusion-among-consumers.html?_r=1

Sony and Microsoft Game Console Networks Disrupted

Over the Christmas holiday, the gaming servers for Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation 4 were off line, rendering the devices largely unusable.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/26/sony-and-microsoft-game-console-networks-disrupted/?_r=1

Adding the Sun, Moon and Stars to Google Calendar

Include some interesting events — off-planet and closer — to your daily reminders.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/26/technology/personaltech/adding-the-sun-moon-and-stars-to-google-calendar.html?_r=1

In Advertising, It's About Who Gets Credit for the Sale

Oracle’s purchase of Datalogix sheds a light on an important side of the digital advertising business: connecting an ad you see with a product you buy.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/26/in-advertising-its-about-who-gets-credit-for-the-sale/?_r=1

Daily Report: M.B.A. Programs Start to Follow Silicon Valley Into the Data Age

Leading business schools are breaking from traditional approaches and picking up the digital-age arts of speed and constant experimentation.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/26/daily-report-m-b-a-programs-start-to-follow-silicon-valley-into-the-data-age/?_r=1

M.B.A. Programs Start to Follow Silicon Valley Into the Data Age

Leading business schools have picked up the digital ethos of experimentation, with A/B testing, rapid prototyping and data-driven decision making.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/26/business/mba-programs-start-to-follow-silicon-valley-into-the-data-age.html?_r=1

Management in a Digital Economy

Business schools are struggling to adapt to the new realities of a digital economy. What are the best skills and training for leadership in the future?

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/25/management-in-a-digital-economy/?_r=1

New Study Adds to Skepticism Among Security Experts That North Korea Was Behind Sony Hack

Security researchers are increasingly voicing doubts about the United States government assertions that North Korea was behind the attack on Sony’s computer network. A new linguistic study is likely to fuel the debate.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/24/new-study-adds-to-skepticism-among-security-experts-that-north-korea-was-behind-sony-hack/?_r=1

Trying to Update an Overloaded iPhone

Also, how to force-quit apps on Windows 8.1.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/25/technology/personaltech/trying-to-update-an-overloaded-iphone.html?_r=1

Ways to Avoid Email Tracking

Opening emails can transmit a plethora of data to marketers and scammers, but there are tricks to foil them.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/25/technology/personaltech/ways-to-avoid-email-tracking.html?_r=1

Apps to Ring In the New Year, and for the Resolutions After

Apps offer ways to track the arrival of the new year, as well as methods for making and sticking to new year’s resolutions.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/25/technology/personaltech/apps-to-ring-in-the-new-year-and-for-the-resolutions-after.html?_r=1

Uber Adds E-Hail Taxi Fee for New York City Riders

The $2 fee applies to people who use the Uber app to hail a regular taxi. It already exists in other markets, like Washington and Chicago.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/24/uber-adds-e-hail-taxi-fee-for-new-york-city-riders/?_r=1

Retina 5K iMac: Powerful Proof of the PC Renaissance

Defying predictions of their demise, personal computers are making a comeback, enticing a niche audience of professional users with power and beauty, and an Apple machine stands out.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/25/technology/personaltech/retina-5k-imac-powerful-proof-of-the-pc-renaissance.html?_r=1

Bedtime Technology for a Better Night’s Sleep

No device, regardless of how sophisticated it is, will solve serious sleep issues. But if you’re looking for more information about how you sleep, monitoring patterns can be illuminating.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/25/technology/personaltech/bedroom-technology-for-a-better-nights-sleep.html?_r=1

Bedroom Gadgets for a Better Night’s Sleep

No device, regardless of how sophisticated it is, will solve serious sleep issues. But if you’re looking for more information about how you sleep, monitoring patterns can be illuminating.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/25/technology/personaltech/bedroom-gadgets-for-a-better-nights-sleep.html?_r=1

Uber C.E.O. Charged with Violating South Korea Transport Laws

Seoul prosecutors indicted Travis Kalanick, the ride booking company’s chief executive, as well as its local unit and car-rental partner, for violating taxi licensing laws.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/24/uber-southkorea-charges/?_r=1

Daily Report: Google Knows What You're Getting for Christmas

Google, already the repository of our collective fears and hopes, can also predict what Americans are planning to put under the tree this year.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/24/daily-report-google-knows-what-youre-getting-for-christmas/?_r=1

Wearable Devices for Women: Still Pretty and Still Dumb

Wearables have a style problem, especially when it comes to women. But as tech companies and designers come together to make wearables for women, do they risk making gadgets that look good but do less?

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/24/wearable-devices-for-women-still-pretty-and-still-dumb/?_r=1

Ireland Lends Support to Microsoft in Email Privacy Case

In a legal brief supporting the tech giant’s appeal of a search warrant for communications stored at a Dublin data center, the Irish government said that courts in the United States should respect the sovereignty of other countries.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/24/ireland-lends-support-to-microsoft-in-email-privacy-case/?_r=1

Data Broker Is Charged With Selling Consumers' Financial Details to Fraudsters

In an effort to crackdown on financial scams, federal regulators target a data broker who sold sensitive personal details about consumers.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/23/data-broker-is-charged-with-selling-consumers-financial-details-to-fraudsters/?_r=1

TripAdvisor Fined $610,000 in Italy for Failing to Prevent Fake Reviews

The American company, which allows travelers to rate hotels and restaurants around the world, said it would appeal the decision by the Italian competition watchdog.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/23/tripadvisor-fined-610000-in-italy-for-failing-to-prevent-fake-reviews/?_r=1

Daily Report: Simple Flaw Allowed JP Morgan Computer Breach

The weak spot at JPMorgan appears to have been a fairly simple two-step password system that was neglected, leading to a major security breach this summer.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/23/daily-report-simple-flaw-allowed-jp-morgan-computer-breach/?_r=1

Advertising on Smartphones Embraced in China

Companies are expected to spend more money on digital advertising next year than on TV commercials in China, which has 527 million smartphone users.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/22/advertising-on-smartphones-embraced-in-china/?_r=1

Federal Trade Commission Raises Its Voice Under Its Soft-Spoken Chairwoman

Edith Ramirez’s tenure as leader of the commission has been marked by an effort to bring the regulator out of the shadows, focusing particular attention on digital privacy and transactions.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/22/business/federal-trade-commission-raises-its-voice-under-its-soft-spoken-chairwoman.html?_r=1

A Rapid Jump to Mobile Ads in China

Next year, companies are expected to spend more money on digital advertising than on TV commercials in China.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/22/technology/a-rapid-jump-to-mobile-ads-in-china.html?_r=1

Distracted Driving and the Risks of Ride-Hailing Services Like Uber

In an effort to move fast, phone apps like Uber, Lyft and Flywheel may be placing a premium on speed and in the process sacrificing safety.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/21/distracted-driving-and-the-risks-of-ride-hailing-services-like-uber/?_r=1

BBC Documentary Shows Harsh Conditions for Workers in iPhone Factories

A video documentary about some Chinese factories that assemble Apple products has refueled public attention on labor issues, like excessive work hours.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/19/bbc-documentary-shows-harsh-conditions-for-workers-in-iphone-factories/?_r=1

T-Mobile to Pay $90 Million to Settle Claims of Wrongful Phone Charges

The company is the third major mobile phone carrier, after AT&T and Sprint, to settle with regulators over the practice, known as cramming.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/20/technology/t-mobile-to-pay-90-million-to-settle-claims-of-wrongful-phone-charges.html?_r=1

Statement of Attorney General Jim Hood Regarding Google Lawsuit

Mr. Hood, the attorney general of Mississippi, released this statement in response to a suit filed by Google that accuses him of violating federal law in his efforts to get the search giant to remove links to some content.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/12/19/technology/document-statement-of-attorney-general-jim-hood-regarding-google-lawsuit.html?_r=1

Google Files Suit Against Mississippi Attorney General

The search giant accused the official, Jim Hood, of violating federal law in his efforts to get it to remove links to some content.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/20/technology/google-attorney-general-jim-hood-lawsuit.html?_r=1

Rent the Runway, a Designer Fashion Start-Up, Raises $60 Million

Investors are bullish on the company’s prospects, particularly its new subscription-based, Netflix-like business model.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/19/rent-the-runway-a-designer-fashion-start-up-raises-60-million/?_r=1

Daily Report: U.S. Weighs Response to Sony Cyberattack, With North Korea Confrontation Possible

White House officials said the hacking episode had become a major concern at the upper levels of government, including President Obama.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/19/daily-report-u-s-weighs-response-to-sony-cyberattack-with-north-korea-confrontation-possible/?_r=1

BlackBerry Narrows Loss in Quarter, but Revenue Declines

The company reported a drop in third-quarter revenue to $793 million, despite the introduction of a heavily publicized phone.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/20/business/blackberry-3q-earnings-results.html?_r=1

Intel Betting on (Customized) Commodity Chips for Cloud Computing

Next year, half of the chips Intel sells to cloud businesses will be custom. The company is used to selling tens of millions of the same thing, but outfits like Google and Facebook need special features, and pay for them.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/19/intel-betting-on-customized-commodity-chips-for-cloud-computing/?_r=1

Uber Suspends Portland Operations in Deal With City Regulators

Uber agreed to a three-month hiatus while lawmakers create a regulatory framework under which the company can operate.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/uber-suspends-portland-operations-in-deal-with-city-regulators/?_r=1

Millions of Fake Instagram Users Disappear in Purge

The photo and video sharing service is deleting fake and spam accounts, resulting in sharp drops in the number of followers listed for top celebrities and brands.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/millions-of-fake-instagram-users-disappear-in-purge/?_r=1

Uber Driver in Boston Area Charged With Rape

The man is accused of picking up a young woman in Boston on Dec. 6 while presenting himself as the driver for a ride-sharing service.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/uber-driver-in-boston-area-charged-with-rape/?_r=1

The Lesson of the Sony Hack: We Should All Jump to the Erasable Internet

The hack at Sony underscores the need for more secure online communication systems. That is, if people are willing to use them.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/the-lesson-of-the-sony-hack-we-should-all-jump-to-the-erasable-internet/?_r=1

Daily Report: Regulators Investigate Unauthorized Cellphone Charges at Sprint

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a suit in federal court on Wednesday, saying millions of dollars in unauthorized charges were put on consumers’ bills.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/daily-report-regulators-investigate-unauthorized-cellphone-charges-at-sprint/?_r=1

Improving In-Flight Wi-Fi and Streaming From Virgin America, JetBlue and More

These services let you use your own mobile devices to either stream free content like TV, music or games, or to rent movies and TV without having to pay for a Wi-Fi plan.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/technology/personaltech/improving-in-flight-wi-fi-and-streaming-from-virgin-america-jetblue-and-more.html?_r=1

Video: In-Flight Entertainment Gets High-Tech

Virgin America is the cream of the crop when it comes to high-tech in-flight entertainment, says tech columnist Molly Wood. Travelers can have wifi and free satellite television, all from their seat.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/personaltech/100000003311802/in-flight-entertainment-gets-high-tech.html

bits.blogs.nytimes.com

Iowa’s plan to introduce a smartphone app for electronic driver’s licenses comes with a host of data security and privacy challenges.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/17/iowa-pursues-a-virtual-drivers-license-app/?_r=1&fb_ref=Default&fb_source=message

bits.blogs.nytimes.com

The popular ride-hailing start-up said it would add more tools and safety programs to improve the company’s screening of its drivers.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/17/uber-pledges-to-strengthen-background-checks-for-drivers/?_r=1&fb_ref=Default&fb_source=message

Sprint Is Sued Over Cellphone Bill ‘Cramming’

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a suit in federal court on Wednesday, saying millions of dollars in unauthorized charges were put on consumers’ bills.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/technology/sprint-is-sued-over-cellphone-bill-cramming.html?_r=1

Santa Apps Bring Fun and Order to the Holidays

These apps offer Christmas-themed diversions and recipes, as well as ways to organize your gift plans.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/technology/personaltech/santa-apps-bring-fun-and-order-to-the-holidays.html?_r=1

Video: Santa’s Digital Helpers

Turn yourself into Santa this season with holiday-themed apps: Santify, Santa’s Bag and Talking Santa.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/personaltech/100000003311517/santas-digital-helpers.html

Throwback BlackBerry Classic Hits the Right Keys

After some miscues and failed experiments, BlackBerry is getting back on track with the BlackBerry Classic, a throwback device that combines modern amenities with the keyboard and power features its users love.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/17/throwback-blackberry-classic-hits-the-right-keys/?_r=1

Amazon Not as Unstoppable as It May Appear

Despite growing fears of its invincibility, Amazon could be threatened as smartphones transform the way Americans shop and goods are delivered.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/technology/personaltech/amazon-not-as-unstoppable-as-it-may-appear.html?_r=1

Daily Report: Google's Detractors Lobby State Attorneys General

Google’s critics are turning to state attorneys general to push the company to censor illegal content and sites from search results.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/17/daily-report-googles-detractors-lobby-state-attorneys-general/?_r=1

Former Attorney General Lynch Calling for Google Investigation

Patrick Lynch, a former Attorney General from Rhode Island, has worked closely with a group called FairSearch, sending dozens of letters and emails to attorneys general around the United States, since at least 2011, repeating urging them to investigate Google.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/12/17/technology/document-former-attorney-general-lynch-google-investigation.html?_r=1

Exchanges Between Current and Former Missippippi Attorneys General

An email exchange between the current and former attorneys general of Mississippi shows a push to try to investigate Google.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/12/17/technology/document-exchanges-between-current-and-former-missippippi-attorneys-general.html?_r=1

Google Subpoena From Mississippi

The state’s attorney general asked the technology company to answer dozens of questions and provide even more documents about its operations, including its practices around illegal and sexual content, as well as advertising partnerships.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/12/17/technology/document-google-subpoena-from-mississippi.html?_r=1

Google’s Critics Enlist State Attorneys General in Their Fight

Google’s detractors are taking the fight into states, often to push the company to censor illegal content and sites from search results.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/17/technology/googles-critics-enlist-state-attorneys-general-in-their-fight.html?_r=1

Letter to Google From Mississippi’s Attorney General

This document shows revisions to a letter sent to Google by the attorney general of Mississippi, that had been largely drafted by a law firm representing the Motion Picture Association of America.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/12/16/technology/attorney-general-letter-to-google.html?_r=1

Game Consoles are Using More Electricity Than Ever

The latest gaming consoles can do more than ever. So it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that their electrical consumption is going up as well.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/16/game-consoles-are-using-more-electricity-than-ever/?_r=1

These Were The Top 10 Most Popular Searches On Google In 2014

A year in review: Google has released its list of top searched terms in 2014. "Robin Williams" leads the list with World Cup and Ebola trailing. http://techcrunch.com/…/these-were-the-10-top-trending-sea…/ Via TechCrunch

from BWCWeb http://techcrunch.com/2014/12/16/these-were-the-10-top-trending-searches-on-google-in-2014/

Apple Prevails in Antitrust Suit Over iPod Music

In a class-action case that kicked around courts for a decade, a jury rejected claims that Apple acted to secure a monopoly over digital music.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/17/technology/apple-antitrust-suit-ipod-music.html?_r=1

Dutch Regulator Investigates Facebook's Privacy Policy

Facebook is in the crosshairs of the Dutch privacy regulator, which is investigating the social network’s revamped privacy policy to see if it complies with the country’s tough data protection rules.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/16/dutch-regulator-investigates-facebooks-privacy-policy/?_r=1

T-Mobile Allows Subscribers to Hold on to Unused Mobile Data

T-Mobile USA said on Tuesday that it would allow customers to roll their unused mobile Internet data into the next month’s phone bill.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/16/t-mobile-allows-subscribers-to-hold-on-to-unused-mobile-data/?_r=1

Europe's Internet Use Surges

The number of Europeans who regularly use the Internet has doubled, to 65 percent of the 28-bloc’s 500 million inhabitants, since 2006, though there remains large differences in Internet usage within the 28-member bloc.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/16/europes-internet-use-surges/?_r=1

Daily Report: Robots Grow Smarter, Testing American Workers

Concern about technology — the printing press, the steam engine or the computer — supplanting humans is not new. But this time may be different.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/16/daily-report-robots-grow-smarter-testing-american-workers/?_r=1

Dozens More Companies Sign Up for Apple Pay

The new companies who recently agreed to work with the service include SunTrust, USAA and Staples. Ten more banks, including TD Bank North America and Commerce Bank, will back the new form of payment on Tuesday.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/16/dozens-more-companies-sign-up-for-apple-pay/?_r=1

Chinese Internet Companies Gain Ground in Global Advertising Competition

China, the No. 2 market for digital advertising, has become so important to marketers that Alibaba and Baidu, two Chinese companies that operate almost entirely within their home country, have become two of the largest ad sellers in the world.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/15/chinese-internet-companies-gain-ground-in-global-advertising-competition/?_r=1

Uber Responds to Senator Franken's Privacy Concerns

The hail-a-ride start-up responds to concerns that it does not handle its rider data seriously enough.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/15/uber-responds-to-senator-frankens-privacy-concerns/?_r=1

How to Hide Past iTunes Purchases

There is a way to “hide” items from your list so they aren’t visible on a shared computer. Also, how to enlarge the New Message window in Gmail.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/technology/personaltech/how-to-hide-past-itunes-purchases.html?_r=1

Lawyers in iPod Trial Await Jury Decision

A class-action suit nearly a decade in the making has finally headed to the jury room in a federal court in Oakland, Calif.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/15/lawyers-in-ipod-trial-await-jury-decision/?_r=1

Hints of Nest integration appear in Google Now

"OK Google, warm up the house. It's freezing." This is the future...

from BWCWeb http://www.pcworld.com/article/2859561/hints-of-nest-integration-appear-in-google-now.html

Tech and Media Companies Back Microsoft in Privacy Case

A broad array of organizations in technology, media and other fields — including Apple, Amazon, National Public Radio and Fox News — rallied behind Microsoft’s effort to block American authorities from seizing a customer’s emails stored in Ireland.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/15/tech-and-media-companies-back-microsoft-in-privacy-case/?_r=1

Xiaomi Releases Financial Data Showing Its Growing Strength

It will take a while for the Chinese phone maker to catch up to Apple and Samsung.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/15/xiaomi-releases-financial-data-showing-its-growing-strength/?_r=1

Paris Court Gives Uber a Bit of Good News

The ruling, which only applies to Paris and relates to the budget UberPop service, allows the service to continue, though it restricts the company’s advertisement to the public.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/12/paris-court-gives-uber-a-bit-of-good-news/?_r=1

Big Data Companies Turn Focus to Support, and Away From Proprietary Software

Aspiring big data software companies find themselves training, advising and building pilot projects for their customers — acting far more as services companies than they hope to be eventually.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/15/big-data-companies-turn-focus-to-support-and-away-from-proprietary-software/?_r=1

Uber Stumbles Over Standoff in Australia

With the police cordoning off part of Sydney, Australia, over a hostage taking on Monday, many who were stranded in the area were forced to pay roughly four times the normal Uber rate, according to complaints on social media.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/15/uber-stumbles-over-standoff-in-australia/?_r=1

The Rise of a New Smartphone Giant: China’s Xiaomi

Founded in 2010 to sell cheap phones online, the company has become the No. 3 producer worldwide behind Apple and Samsung and is looking toward Brazil and India.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/15/technology/the-rise-of-a-new-smartphone-giant-chinas-xiaomi.html?_r=1

In Big Data, Shepherding Comes First

Aspiring big data software companies find themselves training, advising and building pilot projects for their customers — acting far more as services companies than they hope to be eventually.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/15/technology/in-big-data-shepherding-comes-first-.html?_r=1

Stockholm’s Housing Shortage Threatens to Stifle Start-Ups

The Swedish capital serves as a cautionary tale about the troubles that arise when a booming technology sector runs into city planning rules unchanged for decades.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/15/technology/stockholms-housing-shortage-threatens-to-stifle-start-ups.html?_r=1

Jeff Bezos' Lemonade Shop

The expansion of Amazon Prime benefits, as well as the company’s many other projects, appears to be fueled in part by fattened margins on physical books.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/the-price-of-books-at-jeff-bezoss-lemonade-shop/?_r=1

Facebook Chief Says Secret of His Success Is Making Lots of Mistakes

The chief executive of Facebook addressed a range of questions in his second town hall discussion with users, like the possibility of a new dislike button and his difficulties saying thank you.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/facebook-chief-says-secret-of-his-success-is-making-lots-of-mistakes/?_r=1

Trying to Swim in a Sea of Social Media Invective

Social media companies are often reluctant to become arbiters of appropriate and inappropriate speech online.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/13/trying-to-swim-in-a-sea-of-social-media-invective/?_r=1

W.T.O. Talks on Tech Tariffs Falter

Experts say the deal could save billions of dollars in tariffs and generate hundreds of thousands of jobs across the globe.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/13/technology/wto-tech-tariffs.html?_r=1

Google News to Shut in Spain

Google plans to shut the site in the country in protest of a new law that would force the company and other news aggregators to pay Spanish publishers for the use of their content.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/google-news-to-shut-in-spain/?_r=1

G.E. Teams Up With SoftBank in Big Data Business

The industrial giant, with a $1 billion big data business, is in a partnership with the Japanese Internet company that could turn G.E. analytics into a service for other businesses.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/g-e-teams-up-with-softbank-in-big-data-business/?_r=1

Verizon Says Investment Will Be Unaffected by Net Neutrality Policy

Francis J. Shammo, Verizon’s chief financial officer, said the company planned to continue to invest in its FiOS fiber-optic network and its wireless systems regardless of the outcome of the broadband debate.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/verizon-says-investment-will-be-unaffected-by-net-neutrality-policy/?_r=1

European Antitrust Regulators Ask for More Information in Google Investigation

Margrethe Vestager, the European Union’s competition commissioner, said there was a need to update information in the case.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/european-antitrust-regulators-ask-for-more-information-in-google-investigation/?_r=1

Daily Report: Online Deals That May Be Too Good to Be True

Most online holiday-season shopping steals are in fact no such thing. A watchdog group found that under 1 percent of the “deals” it looked at actually were.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/daily-report-online-deals-that-may-be-too-good-to-be-true/?_r=1

Google to Drop Its News Site in Spain

The decision is in response to a Spanish law that comes into force in January that would allow newspapers and other publishers to charge Google for content it uses.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/google-to-drop-its-news-site-in-spain/?_r=1

Moving Contacts From a Flip Phone to a Windows phone

Plus, how to remove credit card information from Apple Pay on the iPhone.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/12/technology/personaltech/moving-contacts-from-a-flip-phone-to-a-windows-phone.html?_r=1

Keeping Up With Windows Update

Also, scanning a Mac for malware.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/technology/personaltech/keeping-up-with-windows-update.html?_r=1

A Review of Digital Technology for Children

Gadgets available for younger users include a multifunction watch, video game and toy combinations, tablets and a toy that delivers voice messages.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/technology/personaltech/a-review-of-digital-technology-for-children.html?_r=1

In Search of the Ideal Weather App

The technology for weather apps for iPhones and Android phones is evolving quickly. But not all apps are created equal.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/technology/personaltech/in-search-of-the-ideal-weather-app.html?_r=1

The Best Calendar Apps for Setting Your Agenda for the Days Ahead

Among other things, calendar apps let users make entries through natural language and arrange conference calls.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/technology/personaltech/the-best-calendar-apps-for-setting-your-agenda-for-the-days-ahead.html?_r=1

Video: App Smart: Organize With Smart Calendars

Kit Eaton reviews three new calendar apps for your phone that can help bring order to hectic schedules.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/personaltech/100000003282649/app-smart-organize-with-smart-calendars.html

Are All Payments Becoming Invisible? A Conversation With Square's Jack Dorsey

An interview with Jack Dorsey, Square’s chief executive, about the start-up’s tumultuous year and what he says is its bright future.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/10/are-all-payments-becoming-invisible-a-conversation-with-squares-jack-dorsey/?_r=1

It's Official: Instagram Is Bigger Than Twitter

The photo- and video-sharing service says it has 300 million monthly active users, up 50 percent in the last nine months.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/10/its-official-instagram-is-bigger-than-twitter/?_r=1

Arista's Chief Executive Counters Cisco Lawsuit

Arista Networks’ chief executive said an employee copied “less than 1 percent” of Cisco’s users manual, but disputed a lawsuit’s more substantial charges.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/10/aristas-chief-executive-counters-cisco-lawsuit/?_r=1

Lenovo recalls more than 500,000 power cords due to spark, burn risk

Well that's bad—and it affects a WHOLE LOT of Lenovo laptops. Please consider sharing this so your friends and family are aware of the recall.

from BWCWeb http://bit.ly/1scEHNj

Online Deals for Holiday Shopping: Buyer Beware

Much of what look like holiday-season steals are in fact no such thing. A watchdog group found under 1 percent of the “deals” it looked at actually were.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/technology/personaltech/online-deals-for-holiday-shopping-buyer-beware.html?_r=1

Daily Report: Uber Faces Scrutiny Over Screening of Drivers

The rigor of Uber’s background checks on its drivers has increasingly come into question both in the United States and abroad.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/10/daily-report-uber-faces-scrutiny-over-screening-of-drivers/?_r=1

Apple and IBM Introduce First Offerings in Line of Mobile Apps for Business

The jointly created technology can, for example, allow flight crews to use a tablet to track trip progress and rebook flights en route for travelers who might miss their connections.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/10/apple-and-ibm-start-to-rethink-mobile-apps-for-business/?_r=1

Kabam Puts Off Public Offering With Share Sale

Kabam, a mobile games maker, is letting employees and funders sell more than $40 million in shares to institutional investors to help the company put off an initial public offering for as long as it can.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/10/kabam-puts-off-public-offering-with-share-sale/?_r=1

Uber’s System for Screening Drivers Comes Under Scrutiny

In statehouses across the country, Uber has fought against legislation requiring background checks as strong as those demanded of traditional taxis.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/10/technology/ubers-system-for-screening-drivers-comes-under-scrutiny.html?_r=1

2 California Counties Sue Uber, Citing Misleading Safety Practices

The lawsuit comes as the ride-hailing service faces scrutiny in other cities in the United States and in India and Europe.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/09/2-california-counties-sue-uber-citing-misleading-safety-practices/?_r=1

Complaint Says Ring Pop Campaign Violated Children's Privacy

Ten advocacy groups argue that the maker of Ring Pops collected and publicly posted the photos and user names of children on social media sites without obtaining their parents’ consent.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/09/complaint-says-ring-pop-campaign-violated-childrens-privacy/?_r=1

Amazon Dives Deeper Into Games, Acquiring GoodGame, an E-Sports Talent Agency

Amazon plunged into the growing competitive gaming scene this year when it acquired Twitch. And now it’s going a step further, buying GoodGame, one of the most prominent talent agencies in competitive gaming.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/09/amazon-dives-deeper-into-games-acquiring-goodgame-an-e-sports-talent-agency/?_r=1

Uber Is Ordered by Spain and Thailand to Halt Operations

A judge in Madrid ordered the service to temporarily stop driving, while Thai authorities said Uber drivers lacked proper registration and insurance.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/10/technology/uber-is-ordered-by-spain-and-thailand-to-halt-operations.html?_r=1

Daily Report: E-Sports Flourish on College Campuses

Video game competitions are taking off on campuses nationwide, with more than 10,000 students playing in the biggest college league, 4,400 more than last year.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/09/daily-report-e-sports-flourish-on-college-campuses/?_r=1

Portland, Ore., Sues Uber for Operating in City

Portland, Ore., said in a suit that Uber was operating illegally in the city and asked a judge to halt the company’s operations there.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/08/portland-ore-sues-uber-for-operating-in-city/?_r=1

Will We Finally Be Able to Search Facebook Posts?

The social network says it will give English-language users in the United States the ability to search the content of Facebook posts to unearth specific bits of information that are currently difficult to find among the more than one trillion posts on the service.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/08/will-we-finally-be-able-to-search-facebook-posts/?_r=1

A Move to Dismiss an Apple iPod Suit

Apple is trying to get a class-action lawsuit thrown out by claiming that Marianna Rosen, the only plaintiff in this class action, is not a valid plaintiff because she didn’t buy an iPod during the actual class period.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/12/08/technology/apple-ipod-lawsuit-dates.html?_r=1

European Privacy Debate on Display in Paris

European privacy regulators gathered to discuss the growing public outcry over how governments and tech giants gather and use people’s data.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/08/european-privacy-debate-on-display-in-paris/?_r=1

Today, we are taking a break from all of those beautiful homes. Is this a face only a Mother could love? Who else wants this little guy to hang out with?

via Jamison Homes http://ift.tt/1D0dpOG

Colleges Embrace E-Sports, With Teams and Scholarships

Video game competitions are taking on campuses nationwide, with more than 10,000 students playing in the biggest college league, 4,400 more than last year.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/09/technology/esports-colleges-breeding-grounds-professional-gaming.html?_r=1

iPod Lawsuit Continues With Plaintiff's Status Still in Doubt

Lawyers involved in a class-action trial against Apple spent the weekend trying to prove — or disprove — that the plaintiff in the case had the right to sue the company.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/08/ipod-lawsuit-continues-with-plaintiffs-status-still-in-doubt/?_r=1

A Trip to California for China's Internet Czar

The de facto head of Internet policy in China got a cold reception from United States government officials in Washington but a warmer welcome from Silicon Valley’s tech companies, who want into the huge Chinese market.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/08/a-trip-to-california-for-chinas-internet-czar/?_r=1

Beware this online shopping scam: Fake order confirmations

During the holiday season it’s not unusual for both UPS and FedEx to show up at your door on an almost daily basis. You receive order confirmation and shipping notification emails for each delivery—and that's just what cybercriminals are counting on.

from BWCWeb http://bit.ly/1s4bJyT

One of MLB's marquee events comes to SD

One of MLB's marquee events comes to SD The epicenter was the hotel lobby. The larger the lobby, the better it was for major league baseball’s general managers, known to hide behind potted plants while using the left hand to ignite a cigar to signal interest in your southpaw relief pitcher.

from Jamison Homes http://ift.tt/1AvsfHW

Daily Report: President's Net Neutrality Vision Splits Civil Rights Groups

President Obama’s plan for regulation of the Internet has met with opposition from some groups that worry it would harm minority communities by stifling investment in underserved areas.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/08/daily-report-presidents-net-neutrality-vision-splits-civil-rights-groups/?_r=1

Grappling With the ‘Culture of Free’ in Napster’s Aftermath

The online music sharing service lasted only two years, but it raised questions that have persisted for publishing industries.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/08/technology/grappling-with-the-culture-of-free-in-napsters-aftermath.html?_r=1

www.nytimes.com

In 1999, a file-sharing program created in a Boston dorm room sent shock waves across the music industry and served notice that a major cultural shift was underway.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/100000003275810/napster-culture-of-free.html

10 cheap or free ways to make your old PC run faster

Speed up that old pc by following a few simple FREE steps. If things still don't seem to be better. Contact me and I can help

from BWCWeb http://bit.ly/1AT5qlr

How I Made — Instead of Spent — 26 Cents With a Mobile App

Instead of scanning Twitter or playing Candy Crush in your spare time, a start-up has a way for people to make small bits of money by helping out in labor-intensive projects — one free moment at a time.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/07/how-i-made-26-cents-with-the-latest-in-sharing-economy-apps/?_r=1

Uber to Portland: We're Here. Deal With It.

The San Francisco-based ride-hailing company started offering its services in Portland, Ore., despite loud protests from city officials who said the service is illegal there.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/05/uber-to-portland-were-here-deal-with-it/?_r=1

SAP Readies a Big Business Marketplace

The German software company seems poised to take on Alibaba by offering business services and software through a cloud-computing marketplace.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/05/sap-readies-a-big-business-marketplace/?_r=1

Videotaped Deposition of Steve Jobs Played in iPod Trial

The late Apple chief defended his company’s decision to strictly control the music that can be played on an iPod in testimony recorded six months before his death.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/05/videotaped-deposition-of-steve-jobs-played-in-ipod-trial/?_r=1

Apple iPod Case: Steve Jobs Deposition

Transcript of the deposition in which Steve Jobs testified about Apple’s use of a copyright management system that prevented songs sold by competing music stores from playing on iPods.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/12/03/technology/document-apple-ipod-case-steve-jobs-deposition.html?_r=1

In Suit, Cisco Accuses Arista of Copying Work

The networking giant is suing a competitor founded and run by some of Cisco’s most noted alumni, saying they violated numerous Cisco patents and copied other work.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/05/in-suit-cisco-accuses-arista-of-copying-work/?_r=1

iPod Lawsuit Down to One Plaintiff

In an odd legal turn, the lawyers suing Apple could not prove that one of their clients purchased an iPod during the time frame in which Apple is accused of blocking music from competitors.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/05/ipod-lawsuit-down-to-one-plaintiff/?_r=1

Daily Report: New Financing Round for Uber Puts Its Value at $40 Billion

The private car service closed a new $1.2 billion round of financing, with investors valuing it at a staggering $40 billion.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/05/daily-report-new-financing-round-for-uber-puts-its-value-at-40-billion/?_r=1

Letter From Apple's Lawyers to Judge

This letter sent by Apple’s lawyers to the federal judge overseeing a class-action trial involving iPods, questions whether there are any plaintiffs or a case at all.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/12/04/technology/document-apple-letter.html?_r=1

Class-Action Suit Against Apple May Lack One Thing: A Plaintiff

The company’s lawyers claim that the iPods owned by two people represented in the lawsuit were purchased after the period during which Apple is accused of behaving in an anticompetitive manner.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/04/class-action-suit-against-apple-may-lack-one-thing-a-plaintiff/?_r=1

Banks' Lawsuits Against Target for Losses Related to Hacking Can Continue

A federal judge in Minnesota ruled that Target’s role in allowing hackers to get into the retailer’s computer network last year was enough to allow banks to proceed with a lawsuit to recoup their losses.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/04/banks-lawsuits-against-target-for-losses-related-to-hacking-can-continue/?_r=1

Windows 8 and Windows 7 Safe Modes: How to enter and when to use them

The old 'jam on F8' trick doesn't always work anymore, so Lincoln Spector explains how (and why) to use Safe Mode in his latest Answer Line column.

from BWCWeb http://bit.ly/1I4DWKG

Daily Report: Inquiry Into Cyberattack on Sony Pictures Broadens

The studio, working with law enforcement agencies, has been exploring whether the hacking was related to one of Sony’s coming movies, “The Interview.”

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/04/daily-report-inquiry-into-cyberattack-on-sony-pictures-broadens/?_r=1

Madshus Cross-Country Skis Evolve With the Times

Several models have microchips installed to make choosing skis and tracking activity easier, and an app helps determine when and how to wax.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/04/technology/personaltech/madshus-cross-country-skis-evolve-with-the-times.html?_r=1

Apps That Can Help in Planning for Wintry Weather

Apps can help you plan carefully for wintry weather’s perils, and for snowy fun like skiing and snowboarding.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/04/business/apps-that-can-help-in-planning-for-wintry-weather.html?_r=1

Video: App Smart: Winter Weather Information

Kit Eaton reviews three apps that can help you plan for wintry weather, as well as make the most of the cold and snow.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/personaltech/100000003268524/app-smart-winter-weather-information.html

bits.blogs.nytimes.com

Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, who heads the French data protection authority and heads a European body composed of the region’s 28 national privacy regulators, said Google must do more than remove links from its European domains.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/03/french-official-campaigns-to-make-right-to-be-forgotten-global/?_r=1&fb_ref=Default&fb_source=message

Video: App Smart: Winter Weather Information

Kit Eaton reviews three apps that can help you plan for wintry weather, as well as make the most of the cold and snow.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/100000003268524/app-smart-winter-weather-information.html

bits.blogs.nytimes.com

George Osborne, the British chancellor of the exchequer, proposed a new 25 percent tax on the local profits of international companies, including tech giants like Google,

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/03/british-chancellor-proposes-a-google-tax/?_r=1&fb_ref=Default&fb_source=message

Smart Nurseries Track a Baby’s Sleep, or Lack Thereof

A new generation of wearable devices for sleeping infants can gather lots of data, but parents might struggle to figure out what to do with it all.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/04/technology/personaltech/smart-nurseries-track-a-babys-sleep-or-lack-thereof.html?_r=1

Video: The Connected Baby

Welcome to the age of the digitally connected baby. New devices and wearables like the MonBaby and the Mimo allow you to track baby’s breathing, temperature and heart rate all from your phone.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/100000003268525/the-connected-baby.html

Daily Report: Hackers Steal Movies and Executive Salary Data From Sony

The breach exposed two things the movie industry loathes — the piracy of films and details about executive compensation — and sent a ripple of dread across Hollywood.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/03/daily-report-hackers-steal-movies-and-executive-salary-data-from-sony/?_r=1

Reinventing the Internet to Make It Safer

The Defense Department and leading computer scientists are working together to improve security by imagining an Internet rebuilt from scratch.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/reinventing-the-internet-to-make-it-safer/?_r=1

Hacked vs. Hackers: Game On

There has been an awakening that online threats are real and growing worse, and that the prevailing “patch and pray” approach to computer security will not do.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/hacked-vs-hackers-game-on/?_r=1

China, a Fish Barrel for Cybercriminals

The naïveté of new Internet users, and an emphasis on bolstering the web’s growth, have left China’s more than 600 million Internet users vulnerable to cybercrime.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/china-a-fish-barrel-for-cybercriminals/?_r=1

Protecting Data Privacy at School and at Play

With the growing use of mobile devices in school, and with advertisers compiling data on children’s web activities, what can parents do to stop unwelcome tracking?

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/protecting-data-privacy-at-school-and-at-play/?_r=1

Computing Goes to the Cloud. So Does Crime.

While public clouds, by their nature, provide opportunities for malicious hackers, the sophistication of the systems and their management allow for new ways to defend against attacks.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/computing-goes-to-the-cloud-so-does-crime/?_r=1

With Fraud Afoot, Shield Your Wallet

Credit cards have more legal protection than debit cards, but a quick response is the key to keeping intruders from your accounts and identity.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/with-fraud-afoot-shield-your-wallet/?_r=1

Preparing for Chip-and-PIN Cards in the United States

Americans retailers and banks are preparing for the wide release of a security technology in which a chip embedded into credit and debit cards can substantially reduce many forms of fraud.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/preparing-for-chip-and-pin-cards-in-the-united-states/?_r=1

Minimizing In-Store Shopping Dangers

Cash is the most secure form of payment, but there are also other alternatives to magnetic-stripe credit and debit cards.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/minimizing-in-store-shopping-dangers/?_r=1

Betting on Security Start-Ups in an Age of Data Breaches

Entrepreneurs are addressing the need for tighter corporate security, but skewed valuations are making it more difficult to determine which companies are a safe bet.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/betting-on-security-start-ups-in-an-age-of-data-breaches/?_r=1

Smart Steps at the Online Checkout

Security breaches can happen when you shop online, so here are tips to ensure privacy.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/smart-steps-at-the-online-checkout/?_r=1

18 Months of Breaches, Flaws and Revelations

Major security breaches in government and private industry since 2013.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/12/03/technology/18-months-of-breaches-flaws-and-revelations.html?_r=1

Stripe, an E-Commerce Start-Up, Raises $70 Million

The round values Stripe at $3.5 billion, twice the amount the company was valued at less than one year ago.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/stripe-an-e-commerce-start-up-raises-70-million/?_r=1

In a Bay Area Courtroom, Lawyers Hit Replay on Apple's History

In opening arguments, lawyers debated whether Apple updated its iTunes software so it would intentionally block its iPods from playing music from sources other than Apple.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/in-a-bay-area-courtroom-lawyers-hit-replay-on-apples-history/?_r=1

Amazon's Bezos Explains Why He Bought The Washington Post

Jeffrey P. Bezos, Amazon’s chief executive, was skeptical about buying the newspaper. But he believed his knowledge of the Internet and his ability to finance the operation made it worth the risk.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/amazons-bezos-explains-why-he-bought-the-washington-post/?_r=1

How to Restore Old Versions of Word Documents

Most Windows and Mac editions of Microsoft Word have a setting that automatically backs up documents. Also, how to export your Gmail contacts.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/04/technology/personaltech/how-to-restore-old-versions-of-word-documents.html?_r=1

Twitter Improves Tools for Users to Report Harassment

The freewheeling social network intends to make it easier to report abuse and harassment that occurs on the service.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/twitter-improves-tools-for-users-to-report-harassment/?_r=1

Once Celebrated in Russia, Programmer Pavel Durov Chooses Exile

The creator of VKontakte, Russia’s most popular social network, sold his stake and left after clashes with the Putin government.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/03/technology/once-celebrated-in-russia-programmer-pavel-durov-chooses-exile.html?_r=1

Daily Report: Shortfall at Amazon Is a Calculated Sacrifice

Though the company’s third-quarter revenue fell short of forecasts, it is making moves to become a retail and entertainment one-stop shop.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/daily-report-shortfall-at-amazon-is-a-calculated-sacrifice/?_r=1

In 2015, Technology Shifts Accelerate and China Rules, IDC Predicts

The research firm IDC predicts that 2015 will see an ever-faster shift to cloud, mobile, social and big data technologies. And China’s impact will “skyrocket.”

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/in-2015-technology-shifts-accelerate-and-china-rules-idc-predicts/?_r=1

A Low-Cost Alternative to Pricy Big Data on the Farm

The transformation of agriculture with information technology would seem like bad news for the little guy. The sensor-heavy machines cost more, and the data analysis requires specialized information. But there are lower-cost options.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/01/a-low-cost-alternative-to-pricy-big-data-on-the-farm/?_r=1

Microsoft Buys Acompli, an Email Start-Up

Microsoft said it acquired Acompli, a young start-up that makes an email application for iOS and Android mobile devices, for about $200 million.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/01/microsoft-buys-acompli-an-email-start-up/?_r=1

To Gain the Upper Hand, Amazon Disrupts Itself

Though the company’s third-quarter revenue fell short of forecasts, it is making moves to become a retail and entertainment one-stop shop.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/technology/to-gain-the-upper-hand-amazon-disrupts-itself.html?_r=1

Uber Plays Defense Against Privacy Invasion Claims

The ride-hailing start-up responds to accusations that it does not take user privacy seriously.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/01/uber-plays-defense-against-privacy-invasion-claims/?_r=1

Hackers With Apparent Investment Banking Background Target Biotech

Using flawless English and an insider’s knowledge of Wall Street, the cybercriminals have gained access to the inboxes of top health care executives.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/technology/hackers-target-biotech-companies.html?_r=1

In Apple Lawsuits, Steve Jobs Is Still Major Factor

The Apple co-founder’s emails — a mix of blunt threats and cheery financial promises — have made him an exceptional witness against his own company, even from beyond the grave.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/01/in-apple-lawsuits-steve-jobs-is-still-major-factor/?_r=1

Samsung to Keep Head of Ailing Mobile Division

Analysts said Jay Y. Lee, the likely successor of the group's patriarch Lee Kun-hee, chose to keep his father's main lieutenants in place to ensure stability.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/technology/samsung-to-keep-head-of-ailing-mobile-division.html?_r=1

Online Sales for Girl Scout Cookies Are Approved

The Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. has approved “Digital Cookie,” a platform for scouts to sell and ship Thin Mints, Samoas and others to friends and relatives.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/01/technology/online-sales-for-girl-scout-cookies-are-approved.html?_r=1

Working the Land and the Data

Technology offers some family-owned farms an opportunity to thrive and compete with giant agribusinesses.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/01/business/working-the-land-and-the-data.html?_r=1

Video: Bushels and Bytes: The Data-Driven Farm

The Toms in Indiana have seen farming advance from horse-drawn plows to self-guiding tractors. They say innovation has been the key to their success.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/100000003227693/bushels-and-bytes-the-data-driven-farm.html

Star Witness in Apple Suit Is Steve Jobs

The Apple co-founder’s emails in past lawsuits — a mix of blunt threats and cheery financial promises — have made him an exceptional witness against his own company, even from beyond the grave.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/01/technology/star-witness-in-apple-suit-is-steve-jobs.html?_r=1

How Hollywood Portrays Alan Turing and Other Math Geniuses

The visionary who stares at formulas written on walls or mirrors or — better yet — has become a Hollywood trope. So has the depiction of the genius who can’t connect with real people.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/30/how-hollywood-portrays-alan-turing-and-other-math-geniuses/?_r=1

A Salad Chain’s Surprise Ingredient: Tech Money

Steve Case’s investment firm is betting on a young restaurant company, which is aiming to bring a tech-rooted notion — a seamless user interface — to its customers.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/30/technology/a-salad-chains-surprise-ingredient-tech-money.html?_r=1

27 Clients From Hell You Definitely Never Want To Work With

27 Clients From Hell You Definitely Never Want To Work With “I’d like the white space more if there was more stuff in it.” Clients From Hell has compiled stories about all the worst clients in the world. Here are some of the best.

from BWCWeb http://www.buzzfeed.com/jobarrow/sorry-did-you-actually-want-comic-sans#.lqPloOxB7

Use Caution in Updating Adobe Flash Player or Reader

Plus, how to display new purchases in iTunes.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/28/technology/personaltech/use-caution-in-updating-adobe-flash-player-or-reader.html?_r=1

Syrian Hackers Infiltrate Business Site, Affecting Other Websites

Gigya, an American company that helps connect more than 700 businesses with customers through social media, says a Syrian group hacked its web address.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/28/technology/syrian-hackers-infiltrate-business-site-affecting-other-websites-.html?_r=1

New F.A.A. Report Tallies Drone Sightings, Highlighting Safety Issues

The list is not comprehensive, but it still provides a good idea of why the F.A.A. and others are increasingly concerned about the safe operation of drones.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/new-f-a-a-report-tallies-drone-sightings-highlighting-safety-issues/?_r=1

What Waze Users Can Tell Us About Thanksgiving Travel Patterns

Waze, a community-based navigation app, finds that Thanksgiving driving patterns vary among its users depending on the city.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/what-waze-users-can-tell-us-about-thanksgiving-travel-patterns/?_r=1

Video: Drones Misbehaving

Drones are now soaring beyond their practical and recreational uses and are landing firmly in the hands of troublemakers and pranksters.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/100000003255995/drones-misbehaving.html

As Drones Swoop Above Skies, Thrill-Seeking Stunts Elicit Safety Concerns

The antics are forcing public safety officials to look at the air above them, generally thought safe and secure, as a place for potential trouble.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/27/technology/personaltech/as-drones-swoop-above-skies-thrill-seeking-stunts-elicit-safety-concerns.html?_r=1

These Magic Apps May Do the Trick

Numerous apps teach you how to fool your targets, and some even play a role in the trickery.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/27/technology/personaltech/these-magic-apps-may-do-the-trick.html?_r=1

Video: App Smart: Magic at Your Fingertips

Kit Eaton reviews three apps designed to help you dazzle friends and family with magic tricks that use your phone as a prop.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/personaltech/100000003256285/app-smart-magic-at-your-fingertips.html

‘Right to Be Forgotten’ Should be Extended Beyond Europe, E.U. Panel Says

New guidelines from privacy regulators would require Google, in certain cases, to take down links in search domains in Europe as well as outside the region.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/27/technology/right-to-be-forgotten-should-be-extended-beyond-europe-eu-panel-says.html?_r=1

Tech Toys That Can Make the Video Screen Passé

Toys will soon be able to be controlled and updated through an Internet connection, and that may forever alter how we think about play.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/27/business/tech-toys-that-can-make-the-video-screen-passe.html?_r=1

Daily Report: Uber, Facebook and Others Navigate Silicon Valley's Slippery Moral Slope

Although (most) tech start-ups have been on better behavior in 2014, there have been dozens of instances when they acted poorly, even unethically.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/daily-report-uber-facebook-and-others-navigate-silicon-valleys-slippery-moral-slope/?_r=1

European Legislator Urging the Breakup of Google Has Ties to a Law Firm

Andreas Schwab, a German member of the European Parliament, is “of counsel” at the law and lobbying firm CMS Hasche Sigle, which has represented some of the German publishing interests that have been eager to declaw Google.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/european-legislator-urging-the-breakup-of-google-has-ties-to-a-law-firm/?_r=1

Sony Pictures Computers Down for a Second Day After Network Breach

Sony Pictures’ computer systems were down for the second day in a row on Tuesday after hackers threatened to release files they claimed were stolen from the company’s network.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/25/sony-pictures-computers-down-for-a-second-day-after-network-breach/?_r=1

Hewlett-Packard Profit Slips as Breakup Plan Begins

Sales were down for many key products, but Meg Whitman, the chief executive, was upbeat about her plans to turn around the company.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/technology/hewlett-packard-quarterly-earnings.html?_r=1

Europe Takes Another Look at Net Neutrality

Some European lawmakers are pushing to loosen the net neutrality rules somewhat, allowing companies to potentially charge for faster access to their networks.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/25/europe-takes-another-look-at-net-neutrality/?_r=1

Twitter Adds Coupons to Its Commerce Plans

Twitter Offers will allow advertisers to add coupons inside of tweets. The social media company hopes it will be a novel way for businesses to woo customers.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/25/twitter-adds-coupons-to-its-commerce-plans/?_r=1

AirDrop Alternatives for Windows and Android

Plus, minimizing the translucent look of windows and menus in OS X Yosemite.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/27/technology/personaltech/airdrop-alternatives-for-windows-and-android.html?_r=1

Symantec Discovers Spy Code Lurking on Computer Networks

The security company released a report Sunday night indicating that a powerful program that could only have been created by a “nation state” has been finding its way into computer systems for six years.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/symantec-discovers-spy-code-lurking-on-computer-networks/?_r=1

Yik Yak, an Anonymous Messaging Start-Up, Said to Raise $62 Million

The round is the third round of venture capital fund-raising for Yik Yak in seven months, bringing the total amount of money raised to about $73 million.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/yik-yak-an-anonymous-messaging-start-up-said-to-raise-62-million/?_r=1

Americans Relatively Sanguine About Online Privacy, Study Says

Sixty-two percent of American respondents told Ipsos, a polling firm, that they were more concerned about online privacy now than they were a year ago. By comparison, that worry had increased for 83 percent of respondents in Brazil, India and Nigeria during the same period.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/americans-relatively-sanguine-about-online-privacy-study-says/?_r=1

Daily Report: Silicon Valley Responds to Obama's Immigration Order

Despite drawbacks of the president’s executive order, some immigrants working in technology said it could make work in the United States easier.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/daily-report-silicon-valley-responds-to-obamas-immigration-order/?_r=1

Workers in Silicon Valley Weigh in on Obama’s Immigration Order

Despite drawbacks, some immigrants working in technology said the president’s actions could make work in the United States easier.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/technology/workers-in-silicon-valley-weigh-in-on-obamas-immigration-order.html?_r=1

What Cloud Computing Means to Your Job

The next big technology migration will change how workplaces are organized. Bad news, middle managers: You’re going to get less important.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/23/what-cloud-computing-means-to-your-job/?_r=1

Judge Approves $450 Million Settlement in Apple E-Book Case

A deal in the antitrust case would give consumers $400 million in cash and e-book credits, and lawyers $50.million. But an appeal is still pending.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/22/technology/judge-approves-450-million-settlement-in-apple-e-book-case.html?_r=1

In Europe, a Resolution to Break Up Google

The nonbinding resolution could increase pressure on Europe’s the competition commissioner to bring formal charges against Google.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/in-europe-a-resolution-to-break-up-google/?_r=1

F.C.C. Chairman Says Agency Will Not Rush Net Neutrality Rules

The chairman, Tom Wheeler, said he had not spoken with President Obama since the president publicly urged the F.C.C. to reclassify broadband Internet access as a utility.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/f-c-c-chairman-says-agency-will-not-rush-net-neutrality-rules/?_r=1

Google Experimenting With Removing Ads for a Fee

Google started experimenting with a new way to let users contribute to websites in exchange for fewer ads.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/google-experimenting-with-removing-ads-for-a-fee/?_r=1

Daily Report: Nintendo, Seeking a New Sales Hit, Releases Amiibo Figurines

On Friday, Nintendo will release two products. One, the video game Super Smash Bros., follows the company’s traditional strategy of updating a top-selling franchise for a next-generation console. But the other release, a collection of toy figurines that will interact with the game, brings the company into an already flourishing market — one that allows it to take more advantage of popular characters like Mario and Luigi.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/daily-report-nintendo-wii-u-amiibo-figures/?_r=1

Nintendo Tries to Energize Wii U Sales With Amiibo Toys

A collection of toy figurines that will interact with a video game is Nintendo’s entry into an already flourishing market.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/22/technology/nintendo-tries-to-energize-wii-u-sales-with-amiibo-toys.html?_r=1

Using a VPN

Plus, troubleshooting “file in use” messages.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/technology/personaltech/using-a-vpn.html?_r=1

Daily Report: Our Passwords, and the Stories They Tell

We despise them – yet we imbue them with our hopes and dreams, our dearest memories, our deepest meanings. They unlock much more than our accounts.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/daily-report-our-passwords-and-the-stories-they-tell/?_r=1

Malicious Software Said to Spread on Android Phones

Lookout, a security company, says it has been tracking malware that over the last two years has become more sophisticated.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/malicious-software-said-to-spread-on-android-phones/?_r=1

Daily Report: Applicants Sanitize Online Profiles as More Colleges Pry

Warned that colleges are increasingly investigating digital histories, high school students are cleaning up their public social media activity.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/daily-report-applicants-sanitize-online-profiles-as-more-colleges-pry/?_r=1

Facebook's Bus Drivers Vote to Unionize

The bus drivers say they are inadequately paid and endure a stressful work schedule of split shifts.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/facebooks-bus-drivers-vote-to-unionize/?_r=1

Google Play Store Opens to Chinese Developers

Google said it would offer Chinese developers a way to sell mobile applications outside of mainland China by giving them access to its Play Store, which runs on Android phones and tablets.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/google-play-store-opens-to-chinese-developers/?_r=1

Mozilla Firefox Makes Yahoo Its New Default for Search, Replacing Google

Marissa Mayer, Yahoo’s chief executive, signaled with the deal that she still believes search is a part of the company’s future.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/mozilla-firefox-makes-yahoo-its-new-default-for-search-replacing-google/?_r=1

Senator Questions Uber on Privacy Practices

In a letter, Senator Al Franken asked Travis Kalanick, Uber’s chief executive, to explain how the company uses the data it collects on its users.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/senator-questions-uber-on-privacy-practices/?_r=1

Bringing Sous Vide to the Home Cook

The cooking-in-a-bag technique that started in restaurants is poised to go mainstream as prices fall for the gadgetry involved.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/technology/personaltech/bringing-sous-vide-to-the-home-cook.html?_r=1

Video: The Connected Kitchen

If there’s a cooking trend, chances are, there’s a product for the home cook. The technology columnists Molly Wood and Farhad Manjoo review their favorite new kitchen gadgets.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/personaltech/100000003244463/the-connected-kitchen.html

Picking Your Car’s Computerized Brain

New smartphone-connected devices use a car’s diagnostic port to help drivers track fuel usage, troubleshoot mechanical problems, find parking and more.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/technology/personaltech/picking-your-cars-computerized-brain.html?_r=1

Apple's Plans for Beats Music Start to Take Shape

Apple plans to include its Beats music service in future versions of iOS, its mobile software system for iPhones and iPads.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/apples-plans-for-beats-music-start-to-take-shape/?_r=1

Florida and F.T.C. Accuse Firms of Deceptively Selling Tech Support

The Federal Trade Commission and the State of Florida say the companies used software designed to trick consumers into thinking their computers had bugs or errors that needed to be fixed.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/florida-and-f-t-c-accuse-firms-of-deceptively-selling-tech-support/?_r=1

Soundhawk Smart Listening System: A Hearing Helper

A device and app from Soundhawk, made to help people hear in certain settings, addresses problems that have hindered use of such devices in the past.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/technology/personaltech/soundhawk-smart-listening-system-a-hearing-helper.html?_r=1

Apps to Compete With Snapchat in Temporary Messaging

A review of some temporary messaging apps, for when you would prefer that your musings don’t live forever.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/technology/personaltech/apps-to-compete-with-snapchat-in-temporary-messaging.html?_r=1

Video: App Smart: Self-Destructing Messages

Kit Eaton reviews Snapchat, Wickr and Burn Note, three communication apps whose messages disappear after a certain period of time.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/personaltech/100000003244000/app-smart-self-destructing-messages.html

College Applicants Sanitizing Online Profiles as More Schools Pry

Warned that colleges are increasingly investigating digital histories, high school students are cleaning up their public social media activity.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/technology/college-applicants-sanitize-online-profiles-as-college-pry.html?_r=1

Chasing the Entrepreneurial Opportunity in Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act has opened up entrepreneurial opportunities for start-ups like Stride Health, a recommendation engine for health insurance.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/chasing-the-entrepreneurial-opportunity-in-obamacare/?_r=1

Daily Report: Uber, a Start-Up in Need of a Cultural Shake-Up

The start-up is facing its toughest challenge yet — curbing its ugliest, most aggressive impulses before its win-at-all-cost culture begins to turn off investors, potential employees and the public.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/daily-report-uber-a-start-up-in-need-of-a-cultural-shake-up/?_r=1

Fidelity Makes a Virtual City of Stocks

The financial services giant took a look at the virtual reality goggles from Oculus Rift, and saw a three-dimensional city made of money. Buildings are stocks, their height determined by price and footprint by trading and shares.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/fidelity-makes-a-virtual-city-of-stocks/?_r=1

Uber, a Start-Up Going So Fast It Could Miss a Turn

The company is facing its toughest challenge yet — curbing its ugliest, most aggressive impulses before its win-at-all-cost culture begins to turn off investors, potential employees and the public.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/technology/uber-a-start-up-going-so-fast-it-could-miss-a-turn.html?_r=1

ClassDojo Adopts Deletion Policy for Student Data

The maker of ClassDojo, a popular classroom app, said that starting in January it plans to keep students’ behavioral records for only one school year.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/18/classdojo-adopts-deletion-policy-for-student-data/?_r=1

WhatsApp Adds Encryption on Android Phones

The popular messaging platform is getting more secure with technology from Open Whisper Systems.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/18/whatsapp-adds-encryption-on-android-phones/?_r=1

Viber Messages for the World to See

Viber built its name on private messaging and phone calls. But the four-year-old start-up now plans to try something different: letting users share their chats with the world at large.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/18/viber-messages-for-the-world-to-see/?_r=1

Start-Up Simplifies Booking of Complex Trips

The start-up, whose name plays off of vámonos, Spanish for “let’s go,” is designed to be a marriage of the convenience of Web travel booking with the insight of a travel agent.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/18/start-up-simplifies-booking-of-complex-trips/?_r=1

Sketchy Avatars with CSS clip-path | CSS-Tricks

It looks pretty advanced, and pretty cool, too. (Randomized) Sketchy Avatars with CSS clip-path and SVG. http://css-tricks.com/sketchy-avatars-css-clip-path/

from BWCWeb http://css-tricks.com/sketchy-avatars-css-clip-path/

Daily Report: TRUSTe, Web Privacy Certifier, Is Penalized by F.T.C.

The Federal Trade Commission said that TRUSTe deceived consumers about its recertification program and allowed itself to be falsely portrayed as a nonprofit corporation.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/18/daily-report-truste-web-privacy-certifier-is-penalized-by-f-t-c/?_r=1

With New Tablet, Nokia Returns to Devices

The N1, with a 7.9 inch display, will be released in China early next year for roughly $250 and will pit the Finnish company against its longtime ally Microsoft.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/18/with-new-tablet-nokia-returns-to-devices/?_r=1

Emil Michael of Uber Proposes Digging Into Journalists' Private Lives

The comments, reported by BuzzFeed, came from Uber’s senior vice president for business during a private dinner in New York last week, as a way the company might combat what it saw as antagonistic media coverage.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/18/emil-michael-of-uber-proposes-digging-into-journalists-private-lives/?_r=1

F.T.C. Penalizes TRUSTe, a Web Privacy Certification Company

The commission said that TRUSTe deceived consumers about its recertification program and allowed itself to be falsely portrayed as a nonprofit corporation.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/18/technology/ftc-penalizes-truste-a-web-privacy-certification-company.html?_r=1

Microsoft Billionaire Reboots Seattle Movie Temple

What do you do when you are a billionaire and a movie buff? If you are Paul G. Allen, you turn the iconic theater you already own into a state-of-the-art theater.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/microsoft-billionaire-reboots-seattle-movie-temple/?_r=1

Facebook Prepares a Business Product

Services that allow people to work together over the Internet are increasingly popular, drawing both start-ups and big companies like Microsoft, Google and Facebook, which has its own collaboration project in the works.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/facebook-prepares-a-business-product/?_r=1

Erasing Sony and Nook E-Readers

Plus, using Apple’s AirDrop to move files between iOS and OS X.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/technology/personaltech/erasing-sony-and-nook-e-readers.html?_r=1

Valet Parking Apps Eliminate the Headache of Finding a Spot

Luxe Valet, a new parking app operating in San Francisco and Los Angeles, promises to improve how we park.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/valet-parking-apps-eliminate-the-headache-of-finding-a-spot/?_r=1

U.S. Mobile Payments Market to Boom by 2019, Research Firm Says

After a survey of a dozen payments industry companies, the research firm Forrester said it expected mobile-based payments in the United States to reach as high as $142 billion in volume over the next five years.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/u-s-mobile-payments-market-to-boom-by-2019-research-firm-says/?_r=1

ClassDojo: A Tale of Two Classsrooms

Teachers are adapting ClassDojo, a popular behavior tracking app, to their own teaching styles and the temperaments of their students.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/classdojo-a-tale-of-two-classsrooms/?_r=1

Daily Report: Privacy Concerns Over Classroom Tracking Software

Many teachers say the ClassDojo app helps them automate the task of recording classroom conduct, but some critics say such apps are being adopted without sufficiently considering the ramifications for data privacy and fairness.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/daily-report-privacy-concerns-over-classroom-tracking-software/?_r=1

Apple Links UnionPay Cards to App Store

Chinese users can now use China UnionPay cards to buy items in the App Store.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/apple-links-unionpay-cards-to-app-store/?_r=1

F.C.C. Chief Aims to Bolster Internet for Schools

Tom Wheeler, the F.C.C. chairman, is expected to propose that the annual cap on spending for school Internet needs be raised by $1.5 billion, to $3.9 billion.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/business/fcc-chief-aims-to-bolster-internet-for-schools.html?_r=1

Amazon Moves to Extend Cloud-Computing Dominance

Amazon Web Services already has the largest share of the worldwide cloud-computing market, and is looking for ways to expand the range of services it offers.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/business/amazon-moves-to-extend-cloud-computing-dominance.html?_r=1

Google to Quadruple Computer Science Prize Winnings to $1 Million

The increase in prize money for the A.M. Turing Award is intended to elevate the prominence and recognition of computer science.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/technology/google-to-quadruple-computer-science-prize-winnings-to-1-million-.html?_r=1

Privacy Concerns for ClassDojo and Other Tracking Apps for Schoolchildren

Many teachers say the ClassDojo app helps them automate the task of recording classroom conduct, but some critics say such apps are being adopted without sufficiently considering the ramifications for data privacy and fairness.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/technology/privacy-concerns-for-classdojo-and-other-tracking-apps-for-schoolchildren.html?_r=1

No. 1 With Bullet: ‘Nadeshot’ Becomes Call of Duty Star

Three years ago, Matt Haag was flipping burgers at McDonald’s. Today he makes his living playing video games and has 1.5 million YouTube subscribers.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/16/technology/esports-call-of-duty-nadeshot-celebrity-success.html?_r=1

Buying the Bricks for Your Online Storefront

E-commerce services help mom-and-pop shops achieve a more polished web presence.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/15/buying-the-bricks-for-your-online-storefront/?_r=1

Uber Said to Announce Music Partnership With Spotify

The two buzzy start-ups will work together to offer personalized music to Uber passengers.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/uber-said-to-announce-music-partnership-with-spotify/?_r=1

Apple Pay Gives Glimpse of Mainstream Appeal for Mobile Payments

While still far from a dominant payment system, Apple’s product has provided faint signs that mobile payment use could become widespread after years of sputtering.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/15/technology/apple-pay-gives-glimpse-of-mainstream-appeal-for-mobile-payments.html?_r=1

Facebook to Cut Unpaid Posts by Marketers on News Feeds

The company said it was responding to feedback from its users, who are complaining about too many promotional posts.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/15/technology/facebook-to-cut-unpaid-posts-by-marketers-on-news-feeds.html?_r=1

Daily Report: E-Book Standoff Is Over, but Fear of Amazon Persists

The accord allows the publisher to set prices on its e-books, a major issue in a battle that led Amazon to discourage sales of Hachette books

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/daily-report-e-book-standoff-is-over-but-fear-of-amazon-persists/?_r=1

Google Lifts the Turing Award Into Nobel Territory

The Turing prize for computer science will be quadrupled to $1 million, a jump funded by Google.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/google-lifts-the-turing-award-into-nobel-territory/?_r=1

Samsung Turns to BlackBerry for Better Security

BlackBerry has boasted that its network and software, as well as special hardware within its phones, provide a level of security for corporate and government users that its competitors cannot match.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/samsung-turns-to-blackberry-for-better-security/?_r=1

Reddit Chief Executive Resigns as Company Shuffles Top Ranks

Ellen Pao will be the company’s interim chief executive. One of its co-founders, Alexis Ohanian, is also returning to Reddit full-time.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/reddit-chief-executive-resigns-as-company-shuffles-top-ranks/?_r=1

Craftsy, an E-Learning Site for Makers, Raises $50 Million

Craftsy, something of a hybrid of YouTube and Etsy, wants to get much, much bigger.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/craftsy-an-e-learning-site-for-makers-raises-50-million/?_r=1

Obama and Scalia, United on Broadband as a Utility

If the net neutrality dispute makes it to the Supreme Court, broadband might make for strange bedfellows.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/obama-and-scalia-united-on-broadband-as-a-utility/?_r=1

Amazon and Hachette Resolve Dispute

The accord allows the publisher to set prices on its e-books, a major issue in a battle that led Amazon to discourage sales of Hachette books.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/technology/amazon-hachette-ebook-dispute.html?_r=1

Facebook Tries to Explain Its Privacy Settings But Advertising Still Rules

The social network will give users simpler explanations and animated tutorials on major privacy features. But the company is still giving users very little control over how their personal information is used to sell advertising.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/facebook-tries-to-explain-its-privacy-settings-but-advertising-still-rules/?_r=1

Daily Report: Pressure Rises on F.C.C. Chairman Over Rules for Open Internet

As Tom Wheeler, the F.C.C. chairman, tries to thread the needle of politics and public policy, he must also face down members of Congress and a technology industry wary of regulations stifling expansion of the Internet.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/daily-report-pressure-rises-on-f-c-c-chairman-over-rules-for-open-internet/?_r=1

A Heart Simulator, Meant to Help the Real Thing

Dassault Systèmes, a French company, has a five-year research agreement with the F.D.A. focused on using 3-D technology for simulating the reliability of pacemaker wires.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/a-heart-simulator-meant-to-help-the-real-thing/?_r=1

Gift From Ballmer Will Expand Computer Science Faculty at Harvard

Mr. Ballmer, the former Microsoft chief executive, will make a financial contribution to Harvard that will enable the school to expand its computer science faculty by about 50 percent.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/gift-from-ballmer-will-expand-computer-science-faculty-at-harvard/?_r=1

A Quake Warning, Before It Strikes

The University of California, Berkeley, is working on a smartphone app that would warn users before a quake hits.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/technology/personaltech/an-earthquake-warning-system-in-your-pocket.html?_r=1

Pressure Mounts on F.C.C. Head Over Open Internet Rules

As Tom Wheeler tries to thread the needle of politics and public policy, he must also face down members of Congress and a technology industry wary of regulations stifling expansion of the Internet.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/technology/pressure-mounts-on-fcc-head-over-open-internet-rules.html?_r=1

The Map Apps That Move You in the Right Direction

Improvements to navigation systems keep on coming, and a new rival may mean the competition will heat up.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/technology/personaltech/the-map-apps-that-move-you-in-the-right-direction.html?_r=1

Cisco’s Income Falls, but Quarterly Revenue Sets a Record

The once-dominant networking equipment manufacturer is battling more well-funded competitors and technology changes that threaten profits.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/technology/cisco-quarterly-earnings.html?_r=1

Comcast Reiterates Net Neutrality Position at Showcase for New Product

At a media event in San Francisco on Wednesday, Comcast showed a new version of X1, its new TV operating system, and answered questions about President Obama’s recent call for strict net neutrality rules.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/comcast-reiterates-net-neutrality-position-at-showcase-for-new-product/?_r=1

U.S. Cracks Down on Debt Brokers Who Exposed Consumers' Financial Details

More than 70,000 people may be at risk for identity fraud after debt brokers posted personal information about them online.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/u-s-cracks-down-on-debt-brokers-who-exposed-consumers-financial-details/?_r=1

Twitter Soothes Wall Street With Technology-Focused Growth Plan

The social network, which had been battered by executive turmoil and slow growth, broke a long silence about its strategy and product plans, and its stock price rose by 7.5 percent on Wednesday.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/twitter-soothes-wall-street-with-technology-focused-growth-plan/?_r=1

Audio Equalizer and Enhancement Apps Beyond the Smartphone Sound

If you’re not satisfied with the quality of music produced by your smartphone’s player, there are plenty of options a sharper listening experience.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/technology/personaltech/audio-equalizer-and-enhancement-apps-beyond-the-smartphone-sound.html?_r=1

Video: App Smart: Enhance Your Music

Kit Eaton reviews LouderLogic, DFX Music Player and Headquake, three apps that help enhance the sound on your smartphone.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/personaltech/100000003230678/app-smart-enhance-your-music.html

Daily Report: Web Giants Largely Stay Out of Net Neutrality Push

Companies like Facebook and Google have stayed away from mobilizing their users to support an issue that primarily affects smaller Internet upstarts.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/daily-report-web-giants-largely-stay-out-of-net-neutrality-push/?_r=1

With Amazon's Echo, You Are Never Alone

Amazon introduces another device to make shopping easier — and Amazon inescapable.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/with-amazons-echo-you-are-never-alone/?_r=1

Call for Open Internet Sets Up Fight Over Rules

Virtually everyone agrees that some rules written to regulate telephone service should not apply to the Internet but there are disagreements about what rules should survive.

from BWCWeb http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/technology/call-for-open-internet-sets-up-fight-over-rules.html?_r=1

Yahoo Buys BrightRoll, a Video Ad Platform, for $640 Million

The purchase, which had been rumored for weeks, is the Internet company’s largest acquisition since it bolstered its coffers with $6.3 billion from the Alibaba initial public offering.

from BWCWeb http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/yahoo-buys-brightroll-a-video-ad-platform-for-640-million/?_r=1