TheRepublic.com - Consumer electronics News

New smartphone app provides Mich. park information

Sun, 19 May 2013 04:04:52 -0400

OKEMOS, Michigan - A new smartphone application has been developed that will provide users with information about Michigan's parks and other recreational opportunities.

3-D printers an emerging industry

Sat, 18 May 2013 09:57:28 -0400

CHARLESTON, West Virginia - 3-D technology isn't just for movie theatres and comic books anymore. In fact, it may very well reshape the landscape for American manufacturing.

Students shoot film using just an iPhone 4.0

Sat, 18 May 2013 09:35:39 -0400

WESTMINSTER, Maryland - When McDaniel College senior Ashley Hopkins graduates later this month, she will be able to tout the filmmaking skills she developed in college.

'Sonic' video games coming to Nintendo

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:26:39 -0400

LOS ANGELES - Sonic the Hedgehog is rolling with Nintendo.

Review: Toshiba brings high-res screen to Windows

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:08:42 -0400

NEW YORK - Last year, Apple added a visually stunning option to its MacBooks: screens with ultra-high resolution. These "Retina" displays reveal four times as much detail as any Windows laptop screen ... until now. Toshiba just released a new laptop line with a Retina-level display.

Auburn goes with iPads over state's top choice

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:52:27 -0400

AUBURN, Maine - The Auburn School Department has elected to go with Apple iPads instead of the state's top choice - a laptop - for middle and high schools.

Army general facing sex charges had pornography on laptop

Wed, 15 May 2013 22:10:41 -0400

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina - An expert in Afghan culture testified Wednesday that pornography found on the computer of a U.S. Army general then deployed to the Muslim country would be highly offensive to local residents.

Google's products dig deeper into people's lives

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:31:52 -0400

SAN FRANCISCO - For Google CEO Larry Page, happiness is a warm computer.

Highlights: music, maps, photo, other Google tools

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:20:00 -0400

SAN FRANCISCO - Google used its annual conference for software developers to unveil several new products, services and features. They include enhancements for online games, maps, search, music and photos and are meant to help the company cement its role in people's technological lives. Here's a look at some of the announcements made at Wednesday's keynote at Google I/O.

Google's music plan part of fresh wave of upgrades

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:00:32 -0400

SAN FRANCISCO - Google Inc. unveiled a streaming music service called All Access that blends songs users have already uploaded to their online libraries with millions of other tracks. Google made it available in the U.S. Wednesday for $8 a month to early birds who sign up for service before June 30.

Google unveils social, photo, music features

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:16:43 -0400

SAN FRANCISCO - Google's sixth annual conference for software developers opened Wednesday with a chance for the company to showcase its latest services. Announcements include a new phone, new tools for online games and a new music-streaming service and new features to its Google Plus social network, including tools for sharing and enhancing photos.

Experts: Smartphones another avenue for hackers

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:26:56 -0400

MIAMI - Smartphones are increasingly popular not only with consumers, but also with thieves who see the devices as another way to tap into bank accounts and other sensitive information, experts say.

RIM unveils cheaper BlackBerry

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:36:10 -0400

ORLANDO, Florida - Research In Motion unveiled a lower-cost BlackBerry aimed at consumers in emerging markets on Tuesday, stepping up its efforts to regain market share lost to Apple's iPhone and Android devices powered by Google's software.

Update to address Windows 8 confusion will be free

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:59:16 -0400

NEW YORK - A planned Windows 8 update to address complaints and confusion with Microsoft's new operating system will be made available for free this year, the company said Tuesday.

Nokia unveils metallic smartphone, stock tumbles

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:25:26 -0400

HELSINKI - Nokia Corp. on Tuesday unveiled its first Lumia smartphone with a metal cover, low-light camera features and new social network apps. But the new model failed to impress investors, who sent the company's stock down more than 5 percent.

Police: Texting not only distraction behind wheel

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:51:57 -0400

SOUTH BEND, Indiana - Kristy Robinson admits she is more likely to text at a stoplight when she's running late.

BlackBerry CEO may announce lower-priced phone

Tue, 14 May 2013 07:11:04 -0400

TORONTO - The CEO of BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion will deliver a keynote speech amid speculation that he'll introduce a lower-priced version of the BlackBerry at the company's annual three-day conference in Orlando, Florida

Big 4 cellphone carriers unite on anti-texting ads

Tue, 14 May 2013 01:04:19 -0400

NEW YORK - The country's four biggest cellphone companies are set to launch their first joint advertising campaign against texting while driving, uniting behind AT&T's "It Can Wait" slogan to blanket TV and radio this summer.

Dell board committee seeks more info on Icahn plan

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:32:28 -0400

Dell board members say they need more details from investor Carl Icahn if he wants them to seriously consider his latest challenge to Michael Dell's $24.4 billion plan to take the computer maker private.

100 million pounds of e-waste recycled in Wis.

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:50:57 -0400

EAU CLAIRE, Wisconsin - More than 100 million pounds of electronic waste has been collected in Wisconsin since it began an e-waste recycling program three years ago, state officials said.

France mulls culture tax on smartphones

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:52:29 -0400

PARIS - The French government is considering creating a new tax on smartphones and tablets in a bid to raise millions to support the creation of digital cultural content inside France.

Panasonic reports big loss but forecasts profit

Fri, 10 May 2013 06:20:29 -0400

TOKYO - Japanese consumer electronics giant Panasonic Corp. on Friday reported a near-record net loss of 754 billion yen ($7.5 billion) for the fiscal year through March due to restructuring costs and slumping sales, but predicted a return to the black this year as it prunes unprofitable businesses.

Review: 'Blood Dragon' a blast of pure '80s mayhem

Thu, 09 May 2013 10:44:07 -0400

Video games came of age in the 1980s, a decade that was also the heyday of cheesy Hollywood action movies. Thirty years later, you don't have to look hard to see the influence of one medium on the other. The ultraviolent power fantasies that seem so corny today - movies like "Rambo," ''Commando" and "The Delta Force" - pretty much provided the template for popular games like "Call of Duty" and "Gears of War."

Feds get closer look at fake mobile bill charges

Wed, 08 May 2013 21:33:14 -0400

WASHINGTON - When a mysterious, unauthorized fee appears on your cellphone bill, it's called "cramming" and consumer advocates and regulators worry it's emerging as a significant problem as people increasingly ditch their landlines for wireless phones.

Review: Pinterest update cleaner, easier to manage

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:34:19 -0400

NEW YORK - Don't worry, Pinterest fans: Your sprawling virtual pegboards of wedding dresses, handmade jewelry, craft projects and food pornography haven't changed dramatically. They're just easier to manage.