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Apple, Microsoft, Google & others petition US government for transparency in data requests
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Google, Microsoft,
Several big named tech giants like Apple, Google, Facebook and Microsoft are publicly requesting that the National Security Agency (NSA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) allow them to transparently publish more information regarding the controversial data mining operations and surveillance programs held by US government agencies.
Dubbed SpyGate, the legitimate controversy has made headlines over legislation of section 215 of the Patriot Act and section 702 of the FISA amendment ACT. Not to mention the whistleblower saga that has ensued after former NSA employee and current on the run globetrotter, Eric Snowden, leaked details about the covert operation infamously known as Prism. Many of the allegations summarized in the massive leak state that the US government has backdoor access to the servers of many leading private industry companies and direct access to major US telecommunication carriers. With such access, the government collects and monitors millions of American's information not limited to just metadata. Many private companies have signed a petition of transparency that includes Apple, Google, Microsoft, Twitter, Skype and many others. Below is the petition letter in its entirety.
Read More 
| The Next Web
Gallery: Apple, Microsoft, Google & others petition US government for transparency in data requests
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Nokia Lumia 1020 now available for pre-order on AT&T
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Microsoft,
We gave you the rundown on the Nokia Lumia 1020 a few days ago, and for those of you who took a look at the 41-megapixel-camera-toting smartphone and just had to have one, you'll be pleased to know that pre-order for the 1020 are now live. The device costs $299 with two-year contract, and will be released on July 23rd.
Gallery: Nokia Lumia 1020 now available for pre-order on AT&T
Microsoft slashes price of Surface RT by $150, starting this Sunday
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Hot Deals, Microsoft, PC / Laptop,
If you are looking to pick up the Surface RT this weekend, you'll want to make sure you wait until Sunday, when the price is slashed by $150. That's right, Microsoft's Surface RT is set to get its first widespread price cut, bringing the price of the entry-level 32GB Surface RT to $349 (down from $499,) and the 64GB model to $449 (down from $599.) Add $100 to the new prices if you want a Touch Cover thrown in.
If you haven't bought a Surface RT yet, is the new pricing enough to get you to take the plunge? Check out our Surface RT review for our take on the device.
Gallery: Microsoft slashes price of Surface RT by $150, starting this Sunday
Nokia Lumia 1020 launches on July 26th on AT&T for $299
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Microsoft,
Nokia, Microsoft, and AT&T have finally officially lifted the veil off of the Nokia Lumia 1020 Windows Phone. The standout feature of this smartphone is its 41 megapixel PureView camera, which is being called "the largest back side illuminated sensor available on a smartphone." Of course, a fantastic camera a great smartphone does not make, and the Lumia 1020 does sports a few other impressive touches. The display is a 4.5-inch 1280 x 768 AMOLED PureMotion HD+ panel covered by Gorilla Glass 3, and it sports "super sensitive touch" which allows you to use the phone even while wearing gloves.
The Lumia 1020 includes a wrist strap that you can optionally attach to it, and Nokia will also be selling a Camera Grip that makes the device easier to use as a camera. You can get one exclusively from AT&T on July 26th for $299 with two-year contract. If you wanna be sure you'll have one on day one, be sure to get your pre-order in on July 16th. We'll be getting our hands on the Nokia Lumia 1020 shortly, and we'll give you the full rundown on what's likely to be an amazing camera, along with our full review.
Gallery: Nokia Lumia 1020 launches on July 26th on AT&T for $299
Andru Edwards on GeekWire Radio: Windows 8.1, iOS 7, OS X Mavericks, and big data at the ballpark
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Microsoft, Software, Transportation,
I made an appearance on this weeks episode of GeekWire Radio here in Seattle, Washington, and the episode is now live for you to listen to or download. It kicks off with a report from Microsoft’s Build conference in San Francisco, talking about all the Windows 8.1 news. I also share my thoughts on iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks, along with stories from my participation in the Ford “Fiesta Movement” social media campaign.
We also talk about some of the top startup news of the week, including the cool Poppy device that turns an iPhone into a 3D camera, and an app called IdealSeat that crunches large amounts of data to tell baseball fans where they should sit for the best chance of catching a ball.
Read More | GeekWire Radio (MP3)
Gallery: Andru Edwards on GeekWire Radio: Windows 8.1, iOS 7, OS X Mavericks, and big data at the ballpark
Pre-order your Xbox One Day One Special Edition console now!
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Video Games,
If you are interested in being one of the very first to own the Xbox One this November, you'll be happy to know that you can pre-order the Xbox One right now. In fact, if you pre-order your Xbox One now, you'll get a special Day One Edition console. The system functionality itself won't be any different, however, you'll get a custom controller (pictured above) along with a special Xbox Live achievement that lets others know that you were there on day one. Additionally, Microsoft will also be selling a Day One Edition Xbox Live Gold 12-month pass that includes an exclusive Killer Instinct character. Pretty cool.
Ready to pre-order? Here are the links:
As we reported earlier, you can also pre-order the PlayStation 4 right now as well.
Gallery: Pre-order your Xbox One Day One Special Edition console now!
Apple announces iWork for iCloud with Office document support
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Internet, Microsoft, Software,
During yesterday's WWDC 2013 keynote, Apple's Roger Rosner took the stage to show off iWork for iCloud, a new feature coming to iCloud later this fall. The new cloud productivity suite, now available to Apple developers in beta, allows users to create and edit Numbers, Keynote, and Pages documents right in the web browser, regardless of browser or operating system. This gives Windows users the ability to create and edit iWork documents for the first time.
During the demo, it was revealed that the iWork for iCloud suite will be feature-rich, allowing users to drag-and-drop images right into the app, and use multitouch gestures to manipulate media. Additionally, iWork for iCloud allows users to add and edit Microsoft Office documents for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This makes it easy for users of multiple platforms to work with documents without missing out on essential features.
Gallery: Apple announces iWork for iCloud with Office document support
Xbox One launches this November for $499
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Microsoft, Video Games,
Microsoft has announced that the Xbox One will be released this November for $499. The new console will launch in 21 markets initially, but Microsoft hasn't revealed all of the locales just yet. For your $499, you get the Xbox One and the new Kinect bundled in.
You can pre-order the Xbox One now!
Gallery: Xbox One launches this November for $499
Live from Microsoft’s Xbox One E3 Media Briefing
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Video Games,
Microsoft is set to take the stage for it's annual E3 Media Briefing this morning, and today is gonna be all about the Xbox One. The show starts in just about 15 minutes, and we will be bringing you all the news as it happens. Will the console really need to be connected to the Internet in order for you to play games? What about rentals and sharing with friends? Hopefully all this is answered. Head past the break for the full scoop!
Click to continue reading Live from Microsoft’s Xbox One E3 Media Briefing
Gallery: Live from Microsoft’s Xbox One E3 Media Briefing
Microsoft details Windows 8.1 features [Video]
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, PC / Laptop, Software, Videos,
Microsoft has prepared a video first-look at Windows 8.1, the upcoming update to its major desktop operating system, due out later this year. Using a Surface Pro to demo the software, Jensen Harris of the Windows User Experience team walks us through some of the improvements, including the new cloud-powered lockscreen, new Start screen tile sizes, app sorting, Start screen arranging, new personalization options, motion accents for wallpapers, and more. Two pretty big items not touched upon are the return of the Start button, and that Outlook 2013 is coming to Windows RT 8.1. Check out the full video after the break to see what awaits you in Windows 8.1, the preview of which will be available on June 26.
Click to continue reading Microsoft details Windows 8.1 features [Video]
