technology news

Tuesday's CNET Update is in the mood for Tropical Skittles:

The colorful new iPod Touch and iPod Nano are now shipping. The newest members of the Apple clan have made their way to CNET, and you can check out our unboxing video here. The new Touch starts at $300 with 32GB of memory. Like its iPhone 5 cousin, the Touch sports a larger screen and works with Siri. It also comes in tropical shades of pink, yellow and blue, as well as light gray, slate and bright red for (Product) red. The new Nano is $150 and comes in … Read more

Monday's CNET Update finds a few problems:

Although it appeared to be a flawless launch, there was a problem with one of the engines of the SpaceX Falcon 9. About a minute after takeoff, one of the engines detected a drop in pressure and shut down. Video posted on YouTube shows debris falling off in what some have called an explosion. SpaceX said the engine did not explode, but rather the protective fairing for the engine ruptured due to the pressure change. The other engines compensated for the failed engine, as was designed to happen if there was a … Read more

Friday's CNET Update is highly classified:

In today's tech news roundup, we're trying to not feel overwhelmed with the number of smartphone choices at AT&T this holiday season. AT&T showcased its upcoming gadgets at a New York event Thursday night, which included Sony's Xperia TL. You'll find the Xperia on the big screen this November in "Skyfall." Other high-end phones to keep an eye on include the HTC One X+, the LG Optimus G, and the Nokia Lumia 920. If you're looking for something with trendy features (like … Read more

Thursday's CNET Update never forgets a face:

Today's tech news roundup begins with a look at Facebook. The network is testing a feature that lets you pay to get your posts seen by more friends. Facebook first began testing this concept in May and it's already in 20 other countries. But it's rolling out to some U.S. users now, and the idea is to pay to show off big news or get more attention to an event. Facebook hasn't set an official price for this, but CNET staffers with the feature are asked to … Read more

Wednesday's CNET Update shakes up your prepaid world:

T-Mobile USA announced it will merge with the prepaid regional cellphone carrier MetroPCS. If the deal is approved, there will be no changes until the first half of 2013. The CEO of T-Mobile said this merger will make the company a leader in no-contract offerings. That's a direct challenge to Sprint, which has its prepaid business with Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile and Assurance Wireless.

October 26 looks like a busy day for Microsoft. Not only is that the day that Windows 8 and the Surface tablet arrive, but Microsoft may also launch its Xbox Music service, … Read more

Tuesday's CNET Update turns up the heat:

More rumors about the iPad Mini are cropping up. We've previously heard that the iPad Mini may be unveiled in October, but a source tells Fortune that Apple will send press invites next week for an October announcement. In addition, a Japanese Apple blog says a Brazilian factory has begun production of the iPad Mini, and other blogs have been showing purported images of parts, including rear casings and screen covers.

The "sexy" thermostat is back. Nest 2.0, the second generation of the learning thermostat, is 20 percent … Read more

Monday's CNET Update has a glow about it:

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite e-reader is now shipping, and CNET has given it the Editors Choice award. You can read the full review here. The Nook GlowLight dropped its price to $119 to match the Paperwhite.

Apple has released a Wi-Fi bug fix for the iPhone 5 on Verizon. The bug caused the iPhone 5 to use data even when the device was connected to a Wi-Fi network. Verizon won't charge iPhone 5 customers for any excess data as a result of the bug, but customers should download the fix … Read more

Friday's CNET Update is playing One Republic:

Apple CEO Tim Cook has said he was "extremely sorry" for the frustration felt by customers over the problems with iOS6 maps and vowed Apple will improve the new map program. In a statement, Cook said Apple fell short on its commitment to customers, and he suggests to use alternative apps in the meantime, like Bing, MapQuest and Waze.

The apology came as the iPhone 5 went on sale in 22 additional countries. It also went on sale at some regional U.S. carriers, including Cricket, which is offers it … Read more

Thursday's CNET Update hit a fork in the road:

You've seen the mockery over Apple's new map app and how it will sometimes give users wrong information. But a report from All Things Digital is shedding some light on why Apple cut off Google, even if Apple's maps were not perfected. In short, it comes down to voice navigation, which has been included on Android phones for years. Apple wanted it, and Google wanted to keep that perk for Android. Google may have been open to negotiating (it wanted Google branding on the app) but Apple … Read more