update

Apple quietly releases shorter Lightning cable, new earbuds

Apple today quietly put out new variants of its Lightning cable and its in-ear headphones.

The new Lightning cable is a half a meter long, half the length of the one that ships with Apple's latest iOS gadgets, and that's currently Apple's top seller. Despite the shorter length, both cables cost $19.

The other change is a bit more minor, with Apple adding its larger, fat-finger friendly remote to its $79 in-ear headphones. Apple changed up its design on that remote with its EarPods last September (see CNET's review of those here).

It's not unusual … Read more

Apple's iWatch and the smartwatch trend

Wednesday's CNET Update is watching the wrist:

The buzz is building over the rumored Apple iWatch. Today's tech news roundup looks at the latest report on the team working on Apple's smartwatch and the growth of this new category.

Along with the wrist, Under Armour wants to be the gadget for your chest. Armour 39 is the company's new fitness monitor set to take on the Nike FuelBand, and it is a sensor worn around the chest during a workout. If you want to live-track your progress, you'll need an iPhone app or the special $… Read more

Skype 6.2 arrives for Windows, Mac

Microsoft's Skype team today rolled out two new updates, both labeled as version 6.2, for Windows and Mac.

The Windows version includes a redesigned top toolbar that brings together main actions, like calling phones, creating groups, and adding contacts. It also includes "eGifting," or the ability to send Skype credits to users on their birthday which the recipients can use anytime.

Another feature in the Skype 6.2 for Windows release includes the option to send an instant message using ctrl+enter. This version drops support for PCs using Intel Pentium 3 or similar CPUs which … Read more

Shop on Twitter with a hashtag

Tuesday's CNET Update is a Twitter #shopaholic:

The social media giants are testing new ways to get you to shop on their networks. Facebook is rolling out a "Buy Tickets" button for event page owners. And Twitter partnered with American Express to let card holders shop by tweeting a hashtag.

Also in today's tech news roundup:

- Apple CEO Tim Cook said OLED displays are "awful." Of course, that's what Apple's biggest competition uses.

- Intel confirmed that it will unveil an Internet-based TV service and box later this year. And the … Read more

Verizon details HTC Droid DNA bug fixes

Verizon will issue an update for the HTC Droid DNA in the near term that tackles some of the more frustrating user problems encountered by customers so far.

In a blog post, Big Red promises to update the HTC Droid DNA. Sorry, but this isn't the Android 4.2.2 update currently rolling out to the Nexus line; this is far less ambitious.

Once installed, the handset will benefit from better connectivity and added functionality. There is very little new in the software, but most of the features outlined are listed with "improvements."

While the phrasing is opaque, … Read more

Barbie gets digital makeover at Toy Fair

It's playtime for CNET Update:

When it comes to the tech at Toy Fair, Apple steals the spotlight. Many tech-related toys at the 2013 Toy Fair integrate with an iPad or iPhone. Mattel is diving into this growing trend with several toys that offer an augmented reality experience using iPad apps. But it also wouldn't be a Toy Fair without a few cool robots.

Toys featured in the video include:

- Tomy's BattroBorg: Players use Wii-like controllers to throw punches and wirelessly control the arms of tiny boxing robots. A robot will deactivate after five hits to … Read more

LinkedIn eyes content as connection

Friday's CNET Update endorses your video-watching skills:

Stories from today's tech news roundup:

- LinkedIn eyes future as professional publishing hub

- NBC deems EveryBlock a dead end, turns off local news service

- Twitter enabling searches for tweets older than a week

- Guess what? Vine videos are longer than six seconds

- Zynga's FarmVille coming to a television near you

- Spotify releases a beta Windows Phone 8 app

- Get romantic with Spotify's Playlist Poetry

Watch CNET Update in the video above, and subscribe to the podcast via the links below.

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Like mobile model, a new Ouya every year

Thursday's CNET Update is brought to you by the letter "U" and the number 261,543:

Stories from today's tech news roundup:

- Get ready for another smartphone choice this Fall. Ubuntu OS hitting stores in October.

- The Ouya game console is following the ways of mobile and launching a new model every year.

- Microsoft pushes Outlook.com, warns users to not get "Scroogled" with Gmail.

- Hundreds of thousands of people wait their turn to access the new iPhone Mailbox app.

Watch CNET Update in the video above, and subscribe to … Read more

Microsoft's Surface Pro has room to grow

Wednesday's CNET Update wants the best of both worlds:

We're all hunting for the one device to rule them all: the perfect tablet-laptop hybrid. Microsoft's Surface Pro aims to do just that, but it's not quite a laptop-killer yet. Read CNET's full review here, and be sure to compare how the Pro measures up to the competition.

Also in today's tech news roundup:

- Rumor site SamMobile says the Galaxy S4 could be announced in March for an April release.

- BlackBerry's CEO says the Q10 may not hit the U.S. until May or June. … Read more

Apple gives developers iOS 6.1.1 to test out

A little more than a week after releasing iOS 6.1, Apple's got a new update in the hopper.

The company today released iOS 6.1.1 to developers to test their apps and sniff out bugs.

Per a private change log posted by 9to5Mac, the crux of the update includes changes to Apple's own mapping software for Japanese users. That includes "improved pronunciation," color tweaks, updated iconography, and directions that "strongly prefer highways over narrower roads."

Those changes strongly suggest that Apple's got some work to do with its maps in the … Read more