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Galaxy S4: Cool features, awful launch

CNET Update didn't expect Samsung to be sexist:

Samsung finally unveiled its flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S4. But this was no ordinary press conference. The Galaxy S4 presentation was a campy Broadway-styled spectacle that was painful to watch with sexist caricatures of women.

Despite the distasteful event, the Galaxy S4 will surely be a big seller and top rival to the iPhone. Today's video offers a quick explanation of the smartphone's new features, such as being able to navigate by waving a hand over the screen. (Many of these features will also come to Galaxy S3 users.) … Read more

Samsung GS4 launch: Tone-deaf and shockingly sexist

Dear Samsung: What just happened?

In the middle of a red-hot conversation about women in technology, the resurgence of the equal-pay discussion, and Sheryl Sandberg reigniting the very concept of feminism in America, Samsung delivered a Galaxy S4 launch event that served up more '50s-era stereotypes about women than I can count, and packaged them all as campy Broadway caricatures of the most, yes, offensive variety.

To be fair, everyone in Samsung's bizarre, hourlong parade of awkward exchanges, forced laughs, and hammy skits was a stereotype. The kid was lispy, tow-headed, and tap-dancing (the little girl did ballet, of … Read more

Grieving for Google Reader's death

CNET Update feeds your need:

Emotions are high over Google Reader shutting down July 1. Thousands have signed online petitions begging Google to reconsider closing the RSS feed reader. Digg announced it is working on a replacement for Google Reader, but if it doesn't come soon enough, here are some replacements you can try now.

Also in Thursday's tech news roundup:

- Facebook redesigns Timeline profile pages

- Twitter adds line breaks, gets hit with ugly stick

- Netflix connects with Facebook to share what you're watching

- Angry Birds cartoon launches onto TV this weekend

Watch … Read more

Twitter working on a music app

CNET Update sings along:

Twitter is working on a music app called Twitter Music, CNET has learned. First, Facebook adds a Music News Feed, now Twitter works on an app for discovering music. Is everyone trying to be more like MySpace?

Also in Wednesday's tech roundup:

- Samsung's Galaxy S4 may not have eye-scrolling technology, but we'll know for sure on Thursday. Follow CNET's live blog of the announcement. Coverage begins at 3 p.m. Pacific, 6 p.m. Eastern.

- Whatever Samsung announces, there will be plenty of promotion. A report shows Samsung spends more than Apple on marketing. … Read more

Episode 30: A Chromebook Pixel drinking game!

I feel like I might be the only person in the world who loves the poor Chromebook Pixel. It's just so misunderstood, with its ridiculously high price, its tiny 32GB hard drive, and its odd 3:2 screen resolution. But the design is just so gorgeous (drink), and the touch screen is so exciting, and the Chrome OS is so simple and Web-based! Perhaps you'll fall in love like I did ... or be wildly skeptical like Jeff Cannata. Check out this week's Unboxing, and find out.

On the other hand, Jeff is delighted by the idea of … Read more

Google shows apps that work on Glass

CNET Update likes everything on Facebook:

The Samsung Galaxy S4 media mania continues. A video is posted of what is claimed to be the Galaxy S4, and Samsung shows a peek of the new smartphone from the shadows. But with the Galaxy S4, it's not so much about the look -- it's about the software and features. Some speculate it could have a 3D camera, based on a trademark it filed. But come back to CNET to watch the news live on Thursday at 4 p.m. Pacific, 7 p.m. Eastern.

Stories also mentioned in Tuesday's … Read more

Blow then start: The future of alcohol and driving (CNET On Cars, Episode 13)

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We have the best from the Geneva auto show in this episode, including LaFerrari, Lamborghini's Veneno, and the Corvette Stingray convertible.

Our Car Tech 101 explains "connected cars," which is a term that has come to mean a lot of things. You'll understand them all.

Cooley blows hard into the current in-car booze detectors, but then shows you the future that may put alcohol lockout tech in every car: a federal initiative called DADSS that would radically … Read more

BlackBerry Z10 lands during Galaxy hype

CNET Update gears up for a different March Madness:

AT&T will sell the BlackBerry Z10 on March 22, but Verizon and T-Mobile have yet to set a date. The Z10 is landing in the U.S. within a few days of the Samsung Galaxy S4 announcement. Photos posted on a forum hint that it could look like the Note, but we won't know for certain until the launch on Thursday.

Crave Ep. 112: Sesame Street passes 1 billion views on YouTube

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This week on Crave, The Count counts 1 billion views on Sesame Street's YouTube Channel. Plus, the DRM chair self-destructs after eight sittings, we run screaming from a concrete-tossing robot dog, and sex up your iPhone with Sexy Smarty Pants underwear from Japan. All that and more goodies on this week's show. … Read more