Techlicious Blog
Blog Posts from

Warning: Apple's iPhone 6 Plus Bends Surprisingly Easily
A number of Apple iPhone 6 Plus owners are reporting that the phone's aluminum case warps significantly when stored in a tight pant pocket.

Here's When Your Carrier will Support the iPhone 6's Wi-Fi Calling
Apple's iPhone 6 can make and receive calls over your home Wi-Fi network, but only T-Mobile is supporting the feature at launch.

Norton Security: Full Protection for All Your Devices
Symantec's Norton Security now offers all of the company's anti-virus protections and services on up to 5 devices for a $79.99 annual fee.

Dubs Acoustic Filters: $25 High-tech Noise Reducing Earplugs
Doppler Labs' stylish new DUBS Acoustic Filters ($25) use dynamic attenuation to reduce noise by an average of 12dB.

Samsung Introduces a $20 Power Sharing Cable
Samsung's new Power Sharing Cable takes the power stored in your Galaxy phone's battery and transfers it to your accessory of choice.

Verizon Activates VoLTE for iPhone 6 Owners
Owners of the Apple iPhone 6 and 6 Plus can enjoy Voice over LTE features, including HD Voice calls, at no added cost on the Verizon network.

Microsoft OneDrive Offering 30GB of Free Cloud Storage for Phones
Microsoft will give you 30GB of free cloud storage space for your iOS, Android or Windows Phone photos if you have them automatically uploaded.

Home Depot Hack Largest Ever Theft of Payment Card Data
Home Depot announced that an estimated 56 million credit and debit card numbers were stolen via a hack of its self-checkout lane POS terminals.

The iPhone 6 is Apple's Easiest-to-Repair Phone to Date
According to iFixit, performing common screen and battery replacements for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus is easy, given the right tools.

Google Pushes Fix for Dangerous Android Browser Bug
Google is pushing a fix for a critical JavaScript bug in the default Browser app on Android phones from 2013 and earlier.

FTC Mandates Refunds for Online Backorders over 30 Days
Under a new FTC rule, online merchants must soon offer you a refund if your purchase does not ship within 30 days of your order being placed.

U.S. Homes See Sharp Rise in Streaming Media Players
According to research by the NPD Group, U.S. households purchased over 6 million media players in just 3 months, with Apple TV being the most popular.

Amazon Announces New Kindle Tablets Including the Voyage
Amazon rolls out a new line of Kindles next month including new HDX's, an upgrade to the Paperwhite and new kid-centric line.

Congress Considers Law Prohibiting Retaliation for Online Reviews
The Consumer Review Freedom Act of 2014 would stop businesses from threatening fines against those who leave critical reviews on sites like Yelp.

Tiny Banker Malware Targets U.S. Bank Customers
A Trojan virus named Tiny Banker is targeting online banking customers to steal account numbers, Social Security numbers and mothers' maiden names.

Carriers Pushing iPhone 6 Delivery Dates into November
Apple pre-sold over 4 million iPhone 6 devices on launch day, causing both AT&T and T-Mobile to push delivery dates out to the month of November.

Why No Sapphire Display for iPhone 6 May Not be a Big Deal
Rumors of the iPhone 6 sapphire display were wrong. But will you miss it? A hands-on test with the Kyocera Brigadier gives us the answer.

Comcast Accused of Waging War on the Anonymous 'Tor' Web Browser
The anonymizing Tor web browser heavily encrypts the identities of sites and users, leading some to wonder if users have something to hide.

Bose Launches Affordable Bluetooth Speaker & Headphones
The new Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Color speaker and On-ear headphones offer premium mobile Bose sound at competitive prices.

Hands On: Samsung's NX1 Mirrorless Camera
With advanced focus technology and easy transfer capabilities, the Samsung NX1 is a high-end mirrorless camera that rivals entry-level DSLRs.

Code Studio: Free Tools to Teach Kids Programming Basics
Code.org's new Code Studio program, designed for integration into classrooms, teaches kids coding as they create games and solve fun logic puzzles.

How Facebook Uses Ad Feedback to Alter Your Timeline
The social network is using feedback to hide offensive, repetitive and irrelevant advertisements from your News Feed before you even see them.

Facebook Testing Disappearing Status Updates
Facebook is rolling out the ability to have messages self-destruct after a set period of time to a select group of iOS app users.

Connected Home Technology Goes Mainstream
According to a survey from Accenture, the use of home automation tech is expected to rise from 4 to 69% over the next 5 years.

Google Play Extends its App Refund Window to 2 Hours
Google Play now lets you return unwanted and non-functional apps for a full refund for up to 2 hours after your purchase.

The Best Place to Put a Router
A student in London has written a physics equation to determine the best location in his home for a wireless router to minimize dead zones.

Apple iCloud Gets Major Price Drop Ahead of iPhone 6 Launch
Apple is reducing the price of its syncing iCloud storage to $0.99 per month for 20GB of space just in time for the launch of its iPhone 6.

Apple Watch Unveiled, May Revolutionize Smartwatches
Apple's first smartwatch device, the Apple Watch, connects directly to the iPhone to offer messaging, Maps, and mobile payments on your wrist.

Apple Introduces 'Apple Pay' NFC Mobile Payments Service
Apple Pay uses the tap-to-pay NFC chip built in to the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus to complete transactions at stores like McDonalds and Target.

Apple Unveils the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus
Apple unveiled the full details about the 4.7" iPhone 6 and 5.5" iPhone 6 Plus smartphones, with NFC chips and an improved camera, due Sept. 19.

Stolen Home Depot Payment Data Being Used at ATMs
Hackers may not have taken PIN numbers in the Home Depot POS compromise, but crafty thieves are accessing customers' accounts at ATMs anyway.

"Internet Slowdown" Protest to Hit Major Sites this Wednesday
Some of the net's largest sites like Reddit and Etsy will participate in a coordinated net neutrality protest, putting loading icons over their sites.

Matt Rogers of Nest Talks About the Future of Home Automation
We interview Matt Rogers, co-founder and vice president of engineering at Nest Labs, about the future of home automation and what's new at Nest.

Acer Holiday Line-up Includes the R13 Convertible & Switch 11
Acer has refreshed its line of notebooks, laptops and convertibles just in time for the holidays.

Hands On: LG's HomeChat Connected Kitchen System
LG shows off its latest innovation in smart home appliances with HomeChat which connects your vacuum cleaner, refrigerator and dishwasher to your smartphone.

Hands On: The Garmin Vivosmart Activity Tracker
This new activity tracker also gets smart notifications from Android and iOS devices.

Asus ZenWatch: A Luxury Android Smartwatch
The Asus ZenWatch is a beautifully-designed Android smartwatch that you won't mind wearing instead of your existing watch.

Google to Pay Parents $19M over Unauthorized In-App Charges
Google has reached an agreement with the FTC to refund $19 million to parents over unauthorized in-app purchases made by minors.

Sony's Latest Walkman Does Double Duty as a Bluetooth Headset
The $159.99 Sony Walkman NWZ-WS613 delivers tunes as both a Bluetooth headset when connected to a smartphone and a stand-alone 4GB MP3 player.

LG G Watch R: Android Smartwatch Features in a Classic Style
The waterproof LG G Watch R features a 1.3" full circular p-OLED face, a 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor and the Android Gear operating system.

U.S. Court Rules Yelp Can Legally Remove Positive Reviews
A Ninth Circuit court found that Yelp can legally remove positive reviews of non-advertisers, even though it found no evidence the service does so.

Toshiba's 7" Encore Mini: A $119 Tablet
Toshiba's latest Windows 8.1 tablet offers a quad-core Intel chip, 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage for just $119.

Hands On: Samsung Galaxy Note 4 & Note Edge
Samsung Galaxy Note phones get new cameras, higher resolution displays and, for the Note Edge, an innovation that shakes up the way you use Android.

BitTorrent Sync 1.4: A Free Alternative to Cloud Sharing
BitTorrent Sync 1.4 is an easy way to share files with family without the file size restrictions and fees of cloud storage sites.

Epson Introduces its First Fitness Tracker
Printer company Epson is joining the exercise monitor industry with its new Pulsense Watch and Pulsense Band.

Sonos Speakers Now Connect Directly to WiFi
A new software update called Sonos 5.1 lets the Sonos speaker line connect directly to your home wireless network without a $50 Sonos Bridge.

Celebrity Nude Photos Stolen from iCloud
Hackers stole a number of celebrity nude photos from Apple's iCloud service, reminding us we're all at risk. Here's what you can do.

New FCC Rules Will Further Limit TV Commercial Volume
A new set of rules from the FCC should reduce the max volume of TV commercials but don't take effect until next year.

Teens React to the 1990s Internet
Remember Netscape Navigator and the original Yahoo.com? These teens don't — they're seeing them for the first time.

Samsung's Latest Smartwatch Has 3G Data Built In
The new Samsung Gear S can receive texts and social media notifications even when outside of the Bluetooth range of your smartphone.

Jabra Introduces Wireless Pulse-Monitoring Earbuds
The $199 Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless Earbuds send real-time pulse data to your phone by Bluetooth, keeping your workouts "in the zone."

Hands-on with the Sprint Aquos Crystal Smartphone from Sharp
The new Android smartphone from Sharp has a lot of features for a budget price.

Oversized 12.9" Apple iPad Coming Next Year
Apple's suppliers are expected to begin production of a new, larger 12.9" iPad by the first quarter of next year.

HP Recalling 6 Million Power Cords over Burn Risk
Hewlett Packard has recalled its LS-15 power cord over reports of overheating, melting, charring and personal injury.

ZTE Warp Sync: A Powerful Prepaid Smartphone on a Budget
Boost Mobile's ZTE Warp Sync offers a quad-core processor, a 5" HD Gorilla Glass display and Android 4.4.2 KitKat, all for under $200.

Facebook Cracks Down on Click-bait Headlines
The Facebook News Feed algorithm has been updated to reduce the prevalence of spammy, misleading and vague headlines on the social network.

U.S. Customs Testing Mobile Form Submission App for Travelers
The new Mobile Passport Control app lets you submit international customs declarations forms before you get off the plane.

Sony's New a5100 DSLR Wants to Be Your Point-And-Shoot
The Sony a5100 is compact like a point-and-shoot, but with the features and power of a bulky DSLR.

The Top 25 Smartphone Apps, Revealed
Digital analytics firm comScore has released a list of the top 25 mobile apps based on unique users in June 2014.

Microsoft Windows 9 Preview Due Later this Year
Microsoft has tentative plans to debut its Windows 9 operating system at a developer preview event this September, with a full release next year.

Last Chance to Comment on the Comcast/Time Warner Merger
The FCC is looking to the American public for comment on the controversial $47 billion Comcast/Time Warner cable super merger.

How to Limit the Nuisance of Apple iMessage Spam
Apple's iMessage tool for iPhones has become a favorite of spammers thanks to its ease of use and weak account reporting procedures.

New Spotify Serendipity Map Shows the Songs that Unite the World
Spotify's new Serendipity map, created by artist Kyle McDonald, shows when two people hit play on the same song in the same tenth of a second.

UPS Store Data Breach Put Customer Payment Data at Risk
Malware has been detected in computer systems at 51 UPS Store locations in 24 states between January 20 and August 11, 2014.

First-in-the-Nation Law Gives Digital Account Inheritance to Heirs
Delaware's new digital inheritance law allows executors of estates access to the email and social media accounts of the deceased.

Twitter Now Displays Tweets From Accounts You Don't Follow
Twitter is using computer algorithms to find and display relevant content that's popular amongst your social circle, just like Facebook.

'Roku TV' Offers Smart Features with a Familiar Interface
New smart TV models from TCL and Hisense, coming this fall, have Roku streaming video software built in.

Google Set to Launch 'YouTube Music Key' Subscription Service
Google's $9.99 YouTube Music Key streaming music service offers offline listening, an audio-only background mode and access to concert footage.

Google to Offer Services to Kids Under 13
Google's new kid-focused offerings, which require a parent to set up an account, will offer heightened privacy and tools to monitor kids' behavior.

Microsoft Recommends You Uninstall its Latest Security Update
Microsoft recommends Windows PC owners uninstall its latest MS14-045 patch, which is reported to cause crashes and prevent computers from starting.

School Buses Going High-Tech with WiFi, GPS and Cameras
A number of school bus companies now offer GPS and RFID tracking for their young riders and companion apps for concerned parents.

Top 10 Unknown Gadget Pioneers
Gadgets are part of our everyday life, but many of the pioneers that had the brilliant ideas that influence our lives so heavily today are largely unknown.

BioSport In-Ear Headphones Offer Battery-free Pulse Monitoring
Intel and SMS Audio have partnered to create the BioSport In-Ear Headphones, which transmits pulse data directly to your RunKeeper app.

Chrome Gets Protections Against Browser-Changing Software
Google Chrome now automatically blocks the installation of deceptive software that seeks to change your browser settings.

Apple Bans Use of 2 Carcinogens in Manufacturing iPhone
Apple's has banned the use of benzene and n-hexane during its iPhone manufacturing process, and will test to ensure compliance.

KitchenAid Introduces Stylish New SodaStream
KitchenAid's new line of high-end Sparkling Beverage Makers are designed to look similar to the brand's iconic, colorful stand mixers.

Twitter Promises Improvements After Zelda Williams is Bullied
Twitter has promised to improve support for family members of deceased users after Robin Williams' daughter was bullied off the social network.

Beware of Fake Political News Sites
The National Republican Campaign Committee is under fire for creating and promoting fake news websites designed to attack Democratic candidates.

ViaSat Launching "Virtually Unlimited" Satellite Internet Plan
ViaSat's new Freedom plan will deliver high-speed satellite Internet (12Mbps) to rural homes with a generous and flexible 150GB monthly data cap.

Skylanders Trap Team Game Coming to Tablets
Activision announced that it will be releasing a full version of its latest Skylander game on iOS and Android as well as on consoles this October.

California Passes Cell Phone Kill Switch Bill
The California Senate has passed a bill requiring all phones manufactured and sold after July 2015 in the state to include anti-theft technology.

T-Mobile's New Prepaid Plan Starts at Just $3 Per Month
T-Mobile's new Pay as You Go plan offers minutes of talk and texts at a flat rate of 10 cents each, with a $3 monthly minimum.

Ultra High-Resolution Map Satellite Launching this Week
The WorldView-3 Satellite, launching into space on Wednesday, will be capable of capturing images as small as 12 inches for online map providers.

FCC Sets Text-to-911 Deadline for Smaller Carriers
The Federal Communications Commission has set a December 31 deadline for smaller carriers to enable text-by-911 emergency service.

Virgin Mobile Custom: A Pay-For-What-You-Use Phone Plan
The Virgin Mobile Custom phone plan allows you to personalize talk, text and data allotments so you only pay for what you use, and nothing more.

Microsoft to End Support for Older Versions of Internet Explorer
Microsoft will stop supporting older versions of the Internet Explorer web browser with tech support and security updates on Jan. 12, 2016.

Set a 'Contact Owner' Number for Your Lost Phone
An update to Android Device Manager lets you leave a recovery message and phone number, making it easier to retrieve a lost device.

How Tech Savvy Are You? Take the Quiz
A new digital literacy quiz from Ofcom lets you see how your confidence with cutting edge tech stacks up to people of different ages.

Messaging Finally Comes to Pinterest
Social network Pinterest's newest feature lets you send messages, Pins and start conversations with up to 9 friends at once.

VIZIO Televisions Being Recalled over Defective Stands
VIZIO is recalling its 39- and 42-inch E-Series flat-panel LED televisions due to a faulty stand that increases the risk of the TV tipping over.

'The Counting Kingdom' Game Makes Learning Math Fun
The Counting Kingdom is a new tower defense game for PC and Mac that perfectly blends learning about math and fun for kids 6 to 8.

Heads-Up Display for Older Vehicles
The Navdy aftermarket HUD unit lets you view incoming call notifications, texts, navigation info and vehicle warnings directly on your car windshield.

Timex Smartwatch Has Its Own AT&T Data Connection
The Timex IRONMAN ONE GPS+ smartwatch offers messaging and remote GPS tracking through a built-in, free (for 1 year) 3G AT&T data connection.

Russian Criminals Stole 1.2 Billion Usernames & Passwords
A gang of Russian cybercrooks have compiled a database of over 1.2 billion stolen account credentials from over 420,000 websites.

Comcast: Free Service, Debt Forgiveness for Low Income Families
Comcast's Internet Essentials program offers low-income families debt forgiveness, 6 months of free Internet service, and a $9.99 monthly rate.

Researcher Develops Way to Hack Car Keyfob Codes
A security researcher has developed a radio device capable of spoofing remote entry car key fobs, allowing a thief entry to virtually any vehicle.

Google's Own Email Scan Helps Nab a Child Predator
A Houston man has been arrested on child porn charges after Google analyzed images being sent from his private Gmail account.

U.S. Court Rules Microsoft Must Hand Over Foreign-held Data
Having your data stored overseas does not necessarily protect it from being obtained by U.S. law enforcement, a District court judge ruled.

NFL Launching "Next Gen Stats" Player Tracking Initiative
This season, the NFL will use shoulder pad mounted RFID chips to track players' movement, speed, acceleration and positioning.

'Fake ID' Vulnerability Affecting Most Android Devices
Bluebox Security has discovered a new vulnerability that lets malicious Android apps masquerade as trusted ones to access sensitive functions.