House Committee Rushing to Approve Dangerous "Information Sharing" Bill

Proposal Would Gut Privacy Laws, Allow Unprecedented Data-Grab by Government

Android and iOS Users can now find out what Windows Phone 7.5 is like

Any Android or iPhone owners who have ever wondered what Microsoft's mobile operating system is like can now satisfy their curiosity

Web-enabled printers a major security threat, researchers say

Although printers might seem like dumb boxes sitting on the desk, a new study from Columbia University researchers has found that they can actually be used for sophisticated hack attacks.

iPhone Users More Likely to Buy iPhones

According to some new research 84% of iPhone owners will buy another Apple handset when they need an upgrade, whereas Android smartphone owners are far more likely to be unfaithful (to their phone, that is).

Sprint 4G Network Upgrade May Kill Unlimited Data Plan

Sprint Nextel may be forced to abandon the biggest advantage it has over its rivals - unlimited data services for a flat fee - because of heavy data users and a shortage of wireless airwaves.

Google Kills 7 more Products

Google has announced that it is dropping seven more products in an effort to simplify its range of services.

New Google Doodle

In advance of Thanksgiving, Google is already celebrating Thursday’s holiday with a bright, new interactive turkey logo.

Windows 8 On XP Machines?

Although they're running an OS that was built a decade ago, many PCs that are currently using Windows XP will have sufficient horsepower to handle Windows 8 when it's released, according to a Microsoft official.

Microsoft Confirms Kinect for Windows

Microsoft has announced that a redesigned Kinect gaming sensor will be launched specifically for Windows.

Apple's iOS 5 Woes Continue

The update that Apple released a week ago, not only with the promise that the iPhone battery issues would finally be solved, but also that was supposed to bring a set of improvements to the iOS 5 experience, has maybe caused more problems than offered solutions.

Google Music vs Apple iTunes vs Microsoft Zune Marketplace

Five years ago this month, Microsoft unveiled the company's ill-fated Zune digital-media player and sister music store at several press events across the country. Last Wednesday, Google gathered members of the media to help kickoff a new online music store.

Apple Flirted with AMD for MacBook Air?

As hard as it might be to believe, Apple came within inches of revamping its MacBook Air line with 

Amazon Eats Loss With Each Fire.

Amazon takes a hit with the sale of each Kindle Fire, but the loss isn't as bad as initially thought.

Online Piracy Bill

SOPA/Protect IP in Short

http://americancensorship.org/

Intel's 50-plus core processor in-depth

Intel is trying to overhaul the supercomputer. The idea is to pack more processing power into less space. The 50-plus core Knights Corner processor is how Intel hopes to make it happen

iPhone 4S on Sprint, AT&T, Verizon

 A study measuring the performance of the iPhone 4S on the three major U.S. wireless carriers found

Microsoft Has A Social Networking Site Now, Too

Google's not the only one who wants a slice of the pie Facebook and Twitter so prominently own, Microsoft is building its own social network

PETA is now also against Mario?

Once in a while, I stumble across a story so remarkably absurd that I question whether or not I’m awake. Today, I saw such a story. 

Microsoft and Sony May Launch Next-Gen Consoles in 2012

It is not a secret that Sony Computer Entertainment is developing the next-generation PlayStation 4 and there are hints that Microsoft Corp. is also working on the next-gen Xbox Loop. What is surprising is that the video game systems may hit the market as early as in 2012.

AT&T Denies All Claims in Sprint Lawsuit

AT&T Inc. denied all claims in antitrust lawsuits by Sprint Nextel Corp. and Cellular South Inc. over its proposed purchase of T-Mobile USA Inc.

Windows 8 System Updates Will Require Monthly Restart Along With Security Updates

Windows 8, the jazzy new OS from Microsoft that will premiere in 2012, is going to look much different from its predecessor.

Stop Congress From Taking Over the Internet

Stop the Internet Blacklist Legislation

The Internet Blacklist Legislation - known as PROTECT IP Act in the Senate and Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House - is a threatening sequel to last year's COICA Internet censorship bill.  Like its predecessor, this legislation invites Internet security risks, threatens online speech, and hampers Internet innovation. Urge your members of Congress to reject this Internet blacklist campaign in both its forms!

Big media and its allies in Congress are billing the Internet Blacklist Legislation as a new way to prevent online infringement. But innovation and free speech advocates know that this initiative is nothing more than a dangerous wish list that will compromise Internet security while doing little or nothing to encourage creative expression.

As drafted, the legislation would grant the government and private parties unprecedented power to interfere with the Internet's domain name system (DNS). The government would be able to force ISPs and search engines to redirect or dump users' attempts to reach certain websites' URLs. In response, third parties will woo average users to alternative servers that offer access to the entire Internet (not just the newly censored U.S. version), which will create new computer security vulnerabilities as the reliability and universality of the DNS evaporates.

It gets worse: Under SOPA's provisions, service providers (including hosting services) would be under new pressure to monitor and police their users’ activities.  While PROTECT-IP targeted sites “dedicated to infringing activities,” SOPA targets websites that simply don’t do enough to track and police infringement (and it is not at all clear what would be enough).  And it creates new powers to shut down folks who provide tools to help users get access to the Internet the rest of the world sees (not just the “U.S. authorized version”). 

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) has placed a hold on the Senate version of the bill, taking a principled stand against a very dangerous bill. But every Senator and Representative should be opposing the PROTECT IP Act and SOPA. Contact your members of Congress today to speak out!

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Turkish Company Builds 65-inch Android Tablet

Want Android on your TV?

Sony Ericsson confirms Android 4.0 upgraded Phones

Android users are eagerly waiting for manufacturers to announce upgrade plans to the new OS 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Microsoft Eases Hardware Requirements For Windows Phone 7

Microsoft has quietly dropped some requirements for manufacturers of smartphones that will run its Windows Phone 7 operating system, a tech site reported over the weekend.

Sprint confirms iPhone 4S will be Locked

Sprint confirmed that, starting today, all new iPhone 4S models sold for use on its network will initially be carrier-locked to Sprint's designated overseas partners when using the phone outside the United States. After a few months, however, customers in good standing can request an unlock so that they can use cheaper prepaid Micro-SIM cards overseas, Sprint says.

Apple plugs huge security hole with iOS 5.0.1

Apple has addressed a major security vulnerability with the latest version of its iOS software.

Angry Birds Store?

Angry Birds fans in Europe are about to get less angry.

Unlocked Apple iPhone 4S Now Available in U.S.

The iPhone 4S is now available from four U.S. carriers—

Logitech confesses to 'gigantic' mistake with Google TV

Logitech is halting production of its Google TV Revue set-top boxes, acknowledging that the whole affair was a financial disaster for the company.

BlackBerry maker sticks with Adobe Flash for mobiles...For now

Research in Motion will continue to use Adobe Flash Player, at least for the BlackBerry Playbook tablet, even after Adobe announced it will discontinue Flash for the mobile web.

Sprint will begin locking iPhone 4S SIMs on November 11

According to SprintFeed, Sprint will begin locking SIM slots on the iPhone 4S beginning November 11.

Siri, Will You Work on My Old iDevices?

I think it’s safe to say that the iPhone 4S feature that has received the most attention is the virtual personal assistant Siri.

5 Tablets for the Holidays

For now, the market is dominated by Apple's iPad 2, with its multi-touch screen, super-slim body, and aura of coolness. But it's not the only one out there. We'll start with it, but we won't stay with it.

HTC Edge, World’s First Quad-Core Android Phone, Revealed

Dual-core smartphone processors: passe. Quad-core smartphone processors: the new standard in mobile performance.

Apple kicks iOS security whistleblower from Developer Program

A whistleblowing iOS app developer has seen his license revoked after revealing an Apple bug that could allow trojan software to infect iPhones and iPads.

Kindle Fire vs. Nook

The Kindle Fire isn't out yet, but it's already got some serious competition.

Which HTC phones Will Get Android 4.0

HTC, which rose to smartphone prominence with Google's Android operating system, will begin offering the new Ice Cream Sandwich version in "early 2012," the company said today.

Hands on with the HTC Rezound

HTC today announced the Rezound for Verizon Wireless, the first smartphone in the U.S. to feature HTC's strategic partnership with Beats Audio technology.

Twitter Feed

I now have a twitter feed for the blogs.  The URL is https://twitter.com/#!/RandomnessBlogs.  I also have a follow button that takes you directly to my profile on the right-hand column.  Feel free to follow me.

Motorola Xoom 2 Specs

Motorola's official specs for the Motorola Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition.

The Android Era: From G1 to Ice Cream Sandwich and Beyond

Whenever I think about Android 4.0, better known as Ice Cream Sandwich, I'm amazed at how far Google has come since the early days, when it was trying to convince the world that phones with the friendly green extraterrestrial could make applesauce of the revolutionary iPhone.

HTC EVO Design 4G (Sprint) Review

The EVO's going global with Sprint's latest smartphone, the HTC EVO Design 4G. While this Android handset looks like a slightly larger version of the HTC Rhyme on Verizon, this EVO adds global connectivity and 4G speeds for a reasonable $99 (with two-year contract and mail-in rebate). Read on to find out how this mid-tier phone stacks up against the competition.

Rotary Phone-based Twitter Client????

The collectives behind the Tweephone, UP digital Bureau and Unteleported tech agency, claim that it's the first analog Twitter client.

Yahoo to acquire ad-targeter Interclick for $270 million

Yahoo has acquired Interclick, which makes advertising targeting and optimization software, in a deal valued at $270 million.

Fake IPads Flood Market as Scammers Target Top Technology Gift

The success of Apple Inc.’s iPad isn’t just drawing more competition to the tablet market. It’s attracting thousands of counterfeit and knockoff products.

Motorola Atrix 2 Review

The original Motorola Atrix, announced at the beginning of this year, was one of the first dual-core phones on a 4G network (AT&T’s HSPA+ network). With the introduction of the Atrix 2 ($100 with a new two-year AT&T contract as of October 31, 2011), Motorola has given the Atrix a face-lift.