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Latest by Mike Flacy

Bitcoin

IRS rules that Bitcoin will be taxed as property, not currency

Definitely interesting news for anyone that's an active Bitcoin user, the Federal Government has finally weighed in on how to classify Bitcoin on your current and previous tax returns.
usps-delivery

Camera captures USPS driver throwing hard drive against garage door

Definitely a terrible way to deliver expensive computer hardware, a USPS delivery man was recorded tossing a package containing an external hard drive from the passenger side window of the delivery vehicle.

Google’s Photowall uses Chromecast to collaboratively showcase photos

One of the first Google experiments with the Chromecast SDK, Google's Photowall is a mobile app that lets groups of people share photos on a single HDTV that's connected to a Chromecast.
google glass

Google signs Glass deal with Ray-Ban, Oakley creator

Definitely huge news for anyone that's interested in Google Glass, the creator of the Ray-Ban and Oakley brands will soon create, manufacture and distribute Glass-enabled frames within the United States.
president obama blackberry swap android

President Obama may finally be able to swap his BlackBerry for Android

Moving forward to adapt to the world of touchscreen smartphones, the White House has begun testing on a new generation of mobile communication devices that may not include BlackBerry anymore.
William_Shakespeare

Man gets revenge on Web scammer by texting entire works of Shakespeare

Definitely a unique way to annoy someone that's gotten on your bad side, a Bristol man decided to send the entire collection on Shakespeare's plays to a scammer that ripped him off on a classifieds site.
Burger King

Burger King to add mobile payment option in all U.S. stores

Potentially useful for anyone that frequently visits Burger King, the fast food chain is launching a new mobile application that will allow customers the ability to pay for their order with their smartphone.
Pandora

Pandora raises subscription rates, blames rising music roylaties

Definitely worth noting if you have been considering subscribing to the Pandora One premium music service, the music company will be raising rates in the coming months to offset rising royalties.
google glass

Hotel offers a free drink if you wear Google Glass

Designed as a method to entice more members of the San Francisco tech community, a hotel is offering up a free cocktail to anyone wearing Google Glass and is willing to post a social update about their visit.
man googles finds picture wanted list surrenders google yourself

Man Googles himself, finds picture on ‘Most Wanted’ list, surrenders

Starting with curiosity and likely leading to a feeling of guilt, a California man turned himself into police custody after spotting his picture on a site that attempts to help catch wanted criminals.
microsoft now offering 400 worth services 199 office 365

Microsoft prepares to show off Office for iPad during late March event

Definitely good news for anyone that owns an iPad and subscribes to Office 365, Microsoft is expected to announced Office Mobile for tablets during an event that's scheduled for late March.
google launches web app add store docs ons

Google launches a Web app add-on store for Google Docs

Definitely ideal for anyone with a Chromebook that works primarily in Google Docs, the new add-on Web app store in Google Drive allows users to install interesting and useful functions within the interface.
man arrested threatening shoot someone 100 retweets los angeles

Man arrested after threatening to shoot someone for 100 retweets

Definitely a stupid way to land yourself in jail, a Los Angeles man thought it would be an absolutely brilliant idea to ask for retweets from his Twitter followers by promising violence as the payoff.
Starbucks-digital-tipping

Starbucks app update lets you digitally tip your barista

Likely good news for anyone that works at Starbucks as a barista, the coffee giant is rolling out an updated version of the company's iPhone app that includes digital tipping when paying for a purchase.
apple store

Apple chops the 30 day return policy on iPhones to just two weeks

Definitely something to keep in mind if you are considering switching to an iPhone in the near future, Apple is cutting the return period in half from a full month down to fourteen days.
bmw and tesla executives discuss ways to promote electric cars model s white

New Jersey becomes the fifth state to ban direct Tesla sales

Definitely a blow to Tesla's ability to sell automobiles directly to consumers, New Jersey residents will soon have to travel into a nearby state in order to purchase a Tesla automobile.
amazon-headquarters

Amazon set-top box to include third party apps for Netflix, Hulu Plus

Potentially an ideal piece of home theater hardware for anyone heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem of content, the retailer's set-top box is expected to include access to third party applications.
bradley-toone-facetime

Toddler uses FaceTime to save mother after dog attack

Thankfully placed in time to help his mother avoid passing out from blood loss and possibly losing a finger, an Arizona toddler used FaceTime on his mother's iPhone to place a call out for help.
Wake-Up-and-Smell-the-Bacon

Oscar Mayer iPhone device wakes you up to the smell of bacon

Probably tied with cinnamon buns for the best breakfast food smell to wake up to, the scent of bacon is being combined with an iOS dongle and an alarm clock to wake you up in the morning.
apple demands court order unlock ipad bequeathed death 4 lightning

Apple demands a court order to unlock an iPad bequeathed after death

Definitely a horrible process to be subjected to after losing a loved one, Apple needs to see a court order before unlocking an iOS 7 device previously owned by a deceased family member.
Radioshack closing

RadioShack store closures more than double in size to 1,100 locations

Most definitely bad news for thousands of RadioShack employees around the country, the electronics retailer has significantly increased the number of stores that will shut down during 2014.
los angeles bans e cigarettes public places electronic cigarette

Los Angeles lawmakers vote to ban e-cigarettes in public places

Yet another roadblock for the success of the e-cigarette industry, the mayor of Los Angeles will soon approve a measure passed by the city council to ban the practice of e-cigarette vaping in public areas.

You can buy this vacation home for a mere 100 million Dogecoins

Definitely one of the more unique ways to sell a home in a depressed real estate market, a Wisconsin man will accept a payment in Dogecoin instead of a traditional payment in U.S. dollars.
barnes & noble via stevenferrari.com

Despite poor sales, Barnes & Noble plan to release another Nook

Looking for more ways to regain sales momentum within the growing digital book market, bookseller Barnes & Noble will launch another color Nook device before the start of Summer 2014.
mastercard masterpass expedia partnership announcement

Mastercard wants to link smartphone location data to your credit card

Definitely an interesting way to protect the security of a credit card user, Mastercard is currently working on a new system that authorizes purchases based on geolocation data provided by your smartphone.
Bitcoins

Mt. Gox goes offline leaving Bitcoin investors livid and worried

Hopefully just a temporary blow to the Bitcoin community and future of the digital currency, popular Bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox has completely shut down operations for the near future.
Facebook-login-closeup

Facebook ditches the @Facebook.com email system that nobody used

Likely pushing more focus into the mobile space and the recent messaging acquisition, Facebook is putting the email system once called Project Titan to bed and will now use simple forwarding instead.
internet finally drives moviefones call service business moviefone ipad app

The Internet finally drives Moviefone’s call service out of business

Probably a service that anyone who grew up in the 1990's will remember fondly, AOL will be shutting down Moviefone's automated phone service that provided movie times before the end of March 2014.
microsoft slashes windows 8 licenses 70 combat chromebooks laptop

Microsoft slashes Windows 8 licenses by 70% to combat Chromebooks

Looking to position Windows 8 more competitively in the PC and tablet landscape, Microsoft has slashed the price of the operating system licenses on the manufacturer side of the business.
armatix-ip1

This smart pistol only fires when in proximity to a RFID wristwatch

Definitely an interesting, if not controversial, integration of smart technology into weapons, this .22 caliber handgun requires a RFID signal in order to activate the weapon for firing.
linkedin launches blocking feature

LinkedIn finally starts fighting stalkers with member blocking feature

Definitely a useful feature when attempting to break digital ties with a disgruntled person, LinkedIn has launched a new feature on the social network that allows users to block other member profiles.
FitBit Force Both

Fitbit issues recall of Force fitness band due to skin irritation

Possibly cause for alarm if you purchased a Fitbit Force wristband in the past few months, Fitbit has pulled the fitness tracker from store shelves and is offering a full refund to all owners.
iphone milestones steve jobs

USPS planning to launch a Steve Jobs stamp in 2015

Possibly a collectors item for anyone that loves the history of Apple or Steve Jobs, the U.S. Postal Service will launch a new stamp next year that pays homage to the Apple co-founder.
supersmoker bluetooth e cigarette lets users take calls play music

Supersmoker Bluetooth e-cigarette lets users take calls, play music

Definitely an interesting amalgamation of two different technologies, a Netherlands-based company has combined the e-cigarette with a built-in, Bluetooth-enabled speaker and microphone.