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For the second time in the run-up to the Xbox One launch, Microsoft has made a complete reversal on one of its core requirements for the new console. Specifically, whereas the company had indicated previously that the Kinect peripheral would have to be always-on during Xbox One play, it said this we...

Following the voluntary shutdown of two secure email services to prevent the NSA from obtaining information about their subscribers, Internet bad boy Kim Dotcom's cloud-based file hosting service Mega is stepping up. The company is working on a secure, encrypted email service that will extend the en...

Facebook on Monday announced that it will acquire Mobile Technologies, a company that specializes in speech recognition and voice technology. "It has always been our mission to make the world more open and connected," said Tom Stocky, Facebook's director of product management. "Voice technology has ...

Isis, the mobile wallet joint venture of AT&T, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile, has announced partnerships with Chase and American Express in preparation for its debut later this year. Isis lets Chase cardholders with NFC-enabled smartphones tap their mobile devices in order to pay at participat...

BlackBerry on Monday announced the formation of a special committee to explore strategic alternatives to accelerate BlackBerry 10 deployment. Among these options are joint ventures, strategic partnerships and even the sale of BlackBerry to another company. "We continue to see compelling long-term op...

Almost a week after the Obama administration overturned a ban issued by the International Trade Commission against the import of certain Apple items, the ITC made a similar ruling -- this time, against Samsung. The commission on Friday banned the import of two older versions of the Galaxy smartphone...

The White House this week released a set of incentives designed to encourage private companies to join the administration in its efforts to cut down on cyberattacks. The initiatives are a follow-up to the cybersecurity executive order President Obama signed in February, following Congress' failure t...

T-Mobile stock hit a five-year high Thursday on a better-than-expected second-quarter earnings report and news that it added more than 1 million new customers in the period. Shares continued to trade above the $25 mark on Friday. Investors seemed most energized by the company's strong customer grow...

Microsoft has released an unboxing video for its upcoming Xbox One video game console, which will arrive this holiday season. In addition to the console, gamers will get a number of accessories, including an unexpected headset. Microsoft has also shed some light on the features that will be availabl...

Yahoo's 20-year-old logo is set to change next month with the unveiling of a new graphic "that's more reflective of our reimagined design and new experiences," said Chief Marketing Officer Kathy Savitt. Wednesday marked Day 1 of a rebranding campaign that will treat users to a new look every day, le...

Groupon stock climbed more than 27 percent Thursday following the release of a quarterly earnings report that beat expectations, and the announcement that cofounder Eric Lefkofsky was officially named CEO. Shares bounced more than 20 percent in after-hours trading following Wednesday's news, cooling...

Samsung this week launched a marketing blitz for its Galaxy Note III phablet, which will be unveiled in Berlin Sept. 4, just before the IFA consumer electronics show, which will run Sept. 6-11. That timing has become a Samsung tradition, as have the orchestrated leaks about its forthcoming product. ...

Six years ago when Apple's iPhone and smartphones running Google's Android first hit the streets, it seemed that lots of carriers jumped into the unlimited space. They did this to let customers test drive the wireless data app world and get hooked -- and customers loved it. Since then, both AT&T...

Nielsen this week released a study that indicates there is a causal relationship between Twitter conversations and TV ratings. The findings suggest the volume of tweets could actually increase the number of TV viewers for certain shows. Nielsen's conclusion -- along with research projects including ...

Amazon on Tuesday added "purveyor of fine art" to its e-commerce business creds, opening Amazon Art, a marketplace to view and purchase fine art created by contemporary and classical artists. Will any consumers consider putting "Fragment de Nympheas," a framed oil painting by Claude Monet, in their ...