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Latest by David Nield

More XP please: UK gov pays $9m to extend support plan

How are you getting ready for the end of Microsoft's support for Windows XP? The UK government has signed an agreement with Microsoft to get an extra 12 months of support while its systems are updated.
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eBay adds a category for virtual currencies

You know that your cryptocurrency of choice  is gaining mainstream traction when it starts appearing on the world’s biggest auction site: eBay has just added a virtual currency section, enabling buyers and sellers to trade Bitcoin, Dogecoin and other variants on the network. You can also trade shares in mining operations and mining contracts. The […]

Design problems are delaying YouTube’s new music service

If you're hanging on for YouTube's rumored music service, you're going to have to hang on for a little while longer — Google is delaying launch plans while the company tries to "get it right."

Amazon launches Dash, a home barcode scanner

The AmazonFresh grocery service has only reached two states so far, but that hasn't stopped Amazon launching a new barcode scanner that you can use to stock up your shelves from your own home.

Apple worried about stalling iPhone sales

You can always count on a court case to reveal some interesting company secrets. In this case, it's Apple's concern about the impact of larger and cheaper Android devices on sales of the iPhone.

Android is the most stable mobile OS, says new report

How often your favorite apps crash can vary depending on the type of device you're using, the operating system it's running, and even where you are in the world, says a new Crittercism study.

The PonoPlayer Kickstarter campaign is up to $5m and rising

"My experience here at Kickstarter has been life changing," says Neil Young, as the PonoPlayer project he is leading breaks through the $5 million fundraising barrier with two weeks still to go.

A full-size 3D-printed house is under construction in Amsterdam

It'll take three years, but when this building is finished Amsterdam may well have the world's first 3D-printed house — read on for more details on the construction process, which began this week.
google tightens app store guidelines protect users android bot

Google tightens up app store guidelines to protect users

Google has made changes to its Developer Program Policy to prohibit apps from using deceptive adverts, promoting pornography, changing built-in browser settings and using a device's SMS feature without permission.
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The NSA targeted 122 world leaders, say new Snowden documents

Fresh documents leaked by Edward Snowden and published over the weekend show that more than 100 heads of state have been closely monitored by the NSA and its British equivalent GCHQ.
samsung galaxy s5 hidden baby monitor feature

The Samsung Galaxy S5 has a hidden baby monitor feature

Samsung's latest flagship smartphone goes on sale in the U.S. on April 11, and here's a feature we weren't previously aware of — a baby crying detector built into the device's software.

BlackBerry beats Typo in court to get the keyboard case banned

The QWERTY-style Typo keyboard case has received a sales ban from a U.S. judge after it was decided in court that the device was an "unmistakeable" variation on BlackBerry's famous keyboard design.

Teen says U.S. government can save $400m with a typeface change

How much do you spend on your printer ink? An enterprising student from Pittsburgh has calculated in detail how the U.S. could make substantial savings with a lighter font for its paperwork.

Is Yahoo planning its own version of YouTube?

Reports suggest Yahoo wants to steal some of YouTube's traffic by luring away its biggest stars with improved ad rates and more exposure. Can Marissa Mayer's company become a big player in video?

LG’s Smart Bulb brings the connected home one step closer

Looking to kit out your smart connected home? LG has just unveiled a new intelligent bulb that can respond to commands from your iOS/Android smartphone, turn on and off automatically, and more.

The Vatican begins digitizing its priceless archives

Founded in the 15th century, the 'Pope's library' in Vatican City is home to millions of unique and valuable manuscripts. Now the entire collection, which stretches to over 40m pages, is going online.

The 3D-printed splint that helped save a baby’s life

If you remain unconvinced about the impact that 3D printing can have, read about the case of 16 month-old Garrett Peterson, now breathing more easily thanks to a custom-made dissolvable device.

Chinese whispers point to 2014 MacBook redesign

Patiently waiting for Apple's 2014 laptop refresh? According to reputable sources in China, the company is planning some significant changes to its MacBook lines in the coming months.

Wendy’s now lets you pay with your mobile

Get hold of the official iOS or Android app for Wendy's and you can now roll up to most of the burger chain's restaurants and pay using your phone. Both Burger King and McDonald's have similar schemes planned.

Apple reportedly working on a Spotify rival and iTunes for Android

With music sales dropping, Apple could be set to unveil an on-demand streaming music service of its own, while Android support for iTunes is also being discussed by the company's executives.

Microsoft will pay you $100 to upgrade from Windows XP

Microsoft will officially stop supporting Windows XP from April 8, and to help encourage you to upgrade to a newer machine it's offering a $100 discount on Windows 8 PCs until the middle of June.
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Fincher wants Christian Bale as his Steve Jobs

After Ashton Kutcher's take on the life of Steve Jobs, could Christian Bale be the next actor to tackle the role of the visionary Apple leader? Reports suggest he's David Fincher's top choice.
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Twitter experiments with view counts, ditches #Music

You might soon know for sure just how many people read your tweets — Twitter is testing a new 'view count' feature, and has also announced it's stopping the development of Twitter #Music.

Interviewly makes Reddit’s famous Q&As easier to read

If you enjoy a good Reddit AMA but find them just too difficult to parse, then give Interviewly a whirl — this new website lays out Q&A threads in a much more straightforward format.

China’s answer to Twitter planning a U.S. IPO of its own

Sina Weibo is one of several Chinese sites planning a U.S. IPO after successful launches for Facebook and Twitter in the last couple of years. The company is hoping to raise $500m in investment.

The U.S. branded an ‘enemy of the Internet’

Joining nations such as Russia, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia, the United States of America has made it on to the Reporters Without Borders' 'Enemies of the Internet' list for the first time.
kickstarter brings hundreds crowdfunded films itunes veronica mars

Kickstarter brings hundreds of crowdfunded films to iTunes

If you're an iTunes user you can now get access to hundreds of titles funded through Kickstarter — the initial selection includes the 'Veronica Mars' movie plus many other comedies and dramas.

Snowden is no hero, says Bill Gates

In a wide-ranging interview with Rolling Stone, Bill Gates says he doesn't have "much admiration" for Edward Snowden, and suggests Microsoft rather than Facebook could have bought WhatsApp.

Windows market share dips below 90 percent as Mac OS X climbs

Microsoft's empire isn't crumbling just yet, but Windows' share of the market has dipped below 90 percent for the first time since the days of Windows 95, according to two separate reports.

Mozilla abandons Firefox for the Windows 8 Start screen

Bad news if you were one of the handful of people actively using the full-screen Windows 8 version of Firefox — its developers have decided to cease working on it, citing low user numbers.

Samsung readies a new Galaxy Beam phone/projector hybrid

Samsung's first Galaxy Beam — the phone that also had a tiny projector built into it — didn't sell particularly well, but the company is back for a second go according to a listing in China.

Google tightens up Android’s in-app purchase process

Good news if you're concerned about your kids running up a huge bill on the Play Store: Google has added a new option to prompt for a password every time a purchase is made, after a fresh lawsuit.

Marvel adds sound to its digital comics

The Marvel Unlimited app has just been given a major upgrade in time for SXSW — as well as smoother animations and video extras, audio soundtracks can now be included alongside comics.
android heading wearable devices

Android heading to wearable devices

Google has plenty to share at SXSW — Android is coming to wearable devices, Chromecast is coming to more countries, and a YouTube music service might still be coming to everyone... eventually.