Articles by Mike Lata
Twitter adds mute button to silence annoying users
Twitter has implemented a new feature that lets you still follow people whose updates you do not see on your timeline. It is called the mute button.
Parrot presents Bebop: Drone with 14MP HD camera, GPS and VR headset-support
The upcoming Parrot Bebop will come packed with new features that include a brand new 1080p camera and Oculus Rift VR support. The Oculus Rift glasses will allow their wearer to see the landscape below as if they were flying the drone themselves.
Snapchat tells FTC that your private photos never actually got deleted
Snapchat was caught with its pants down by the FTC misrepresenting its customers. It billed itself as a private photo and video sharing app that allowed users send images that disappeared shortly after use, but it wasn't actually so.
iPhone 6 release date rumors: Will Apple release 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch devices this year?
Apple is said to be launching the upcoming iPhone 6 sometime this year in two versions. Recent rumors suggest the 5.7" version will come first in August, with the 5.5" variant coming a month later.
Oracle, U.S. Court tag team floors Google: Android infringed Java API copyright
Oracle has won a second round of court battles with Google over the use of its Java APIs. An appeals judge reversed a previous decision that Google wasn't violating Oracle's intellectual property by using its APIs as a way to form Android and decided it was.
Apple is dancing to Dr. Dre's Beats: Who's the real winner here?
Beats and the Beats Music streaming service may become a property of Apple very soon. A $3.2 bn acquisition is close to being finalized, reports say.
Bitly just got bit, issues security alert on compromised user accounts
Bitly has been compromised and it encourages its users to reset their passwords, API keys and Oauth tokens, then to reconnect their existing social media to their accounts. No word if personal information was taken as a result of this.
Japanese man first to be arrested for possessing 3D printed gun
Yoshitomo Imura is arrested for owning five 3D-printed guns including two that could fire real bullets. Japan is a strict anti-gun country, but this begs the question: how far can 3D printing go?
Microsoft May 20 event: Intel Haswell-powered Surface or Surface Mini - What should we expect?
At an upcoming event, Microsoft is rumored to be revealing the Surface Mini tablet along with a Haswell-powered Surface successor. The event will take place May 20 in NYC.
Apple poaches Nokia Lumia camera 'expert': Expect mind-blowing camera in iPhone 6
Apple has hired one of Nokia's former chief architects, named Ari Partinen, on the Lumia PureView camera system. This sheds more evidence that Apple is working on improved iPhone cameras and stabilization tech.
Netflix has just become a bit more expensive...for new subscribers
Netflix has increased the price of its streaming service from $7.99 per month to $8.99 per month, but added a new $7.99 option. That option involves using non-HD content and streaming to only one device.
Crysis 3 hacked to run in 8K stunning glory
Game hacker K-putt has managed to create a mod for Crysis 3 that adds 8k support for the game. This is an incredible resolution of 8,000 x 3,333 pixels.
I'll squeal! Apple warns it will share your personal data with law enforcement authorities if necessary
Apple has updated the legal section of its website and has revealed its guidelines when it comes to law enforcement inquiries into its customers. The company revealed it will give out user information and data to law enforcement under certain conditions.
GoogleX chief: Hello Google Glass, bye jetpacks
Google's X lab chief, Dr. Astro Teller, says not to worry about privacy when it comes to the Google Glass. Cameras are already all around us and it is the world's worst spy camera.
Harvard graduate's 3D printer Mink may put cosmetic giants out of business: Here's why
A Harvard graduate and inventor has lately showcased her latest invention, which is a 3D printer of cosmetics, at TechCrunch Disrupt. She plans on releasing this printer sometime this year for about $300.
iPhone 6 camera may boast technology capable of taking breath-taking photos, Apple patent suggests
A new camera in the iPhone 6 could revolutionize smartphone image capture with a technology called Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). A new Apple patent was discovered shedding light into the way this system will work.
Kaspersky rubbishes Symantec VP's claim that antivirus is 'dead', calls it marketing stunt
Symantec VP Brian Dye thinks that antivirus software is dead, but Kaspersky Lab head, Eugene Kaspersky, disagrees. He thinks that antivirus scanners should continue to be used alongside other methods for security.
Google, Facebook, Amazon et al fight to protect net neutrality, but why?
Various tech companies got together and sent Tom Wheeler and the FCC a letter expressing their desire for net neutrality. The companies are against preferential treatment, tolls or fast lanes when it comes to bandwidth.
A super-secure e-reader with no Wi-Fi or ports? That's NeRD!
The U.S. Navy has issued an eReader, called NeRD, that is meant for sailors on long journeys. It comes with no ports or Wi-Fi access, but preloaded with 300 books.
Huawei Ascend P7: Enough ammo to take on Apple and Samsung?
Huawei has released a new Android phone in many markets called the Ascend P7. It mimics Apple's design for the iPhone with a slim look and feel and comes with a custom UI.
Google's appetite for Appetas may give Yelp tummy ache
Google acquires Appetas, a company specializing in building websites for restaurants. This move is seen as a challenge to Yelp with its restaurant listings and reviews through maps.
Google Maps get uber update: What you should know
Google Maps has been updated for iOS and Android. New features include Uber integration for faster travel with rented cars.
Indiana University researchers make app to unmask fake Twitter accounts
Researchers from Indiana University have developed a tool that can weed out bots spamming Twitter with fake accounts. The tool is called BotOrNot and analyzes various aspects of an account using predictive analytics.
Google Glass too expensive? Try Epson smartglass Moverio BT-200 for $700 instead
Epson has an answer to Google Glass with its own augmented reality glasses. The company has announced it is starting to ship the Epson Moverio BT-200 for $699.99.
Harmonix Amplitude sequel launches on Kickstarter: What you should know
The studio behind the 2003 Playstation 2 rhythm game, Amplitude, wants to create a sequel or remake and is currently seeking backers via its Kickstarter campaign. The studio wants to generate $775,000 in pledges.
John McAfee launches Chadder messaging app for those who demand super privacy
John Mcafee who was until recently on the run from authorities in an international scandal involving a murder has released an app for those wanting to chat anonymously online. This app is called Chadder and is currently in beta on Google Play and Microsoft's Windows Phone Store.
Apple biometric earpods are not happening. Why? It's a hoax!
The rumors that Apple was working on earpods with biometrics isn't happening after all and turned out to be bogus. The earpods were supposed to rely on the lightning port and come with integrated heart rate as well as blood pressure.
Return of the tape: Sony 185TB cassette tape packs a wallop but for what purpose?
Sony has shattered density records with a new cassette tape it has developed along with IBM. The tape is capable of storing 185 TB of memory on it or 148 GB per square inch.
