Articles by Quinten Plummer
SketchFactor: We're not racists and we're not racial profiling
Creators of controversial app that maps security levels of neighborhoods, how 'sketchy' visitors feel, say their app hasn't been given a fair shake. SketchFactor is a tool for everyone, say its creators.
Feds push for 911 text service but FCC support not unanimous
The FCC establishes rules to push cell service providers and VoIP services to adopt text-to-911 services. Some of the FCC commissioners have misgivings on the measure.
2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat burns rubber with Jay Leno behind the wheels (Video)
Despite maintaining a collection of hundreds of vehicles, Jay Leno says he's impressed by Dodge's 2015 Challenger Hellcat. Dodge's CEO says the Hellcat doubles as an everyday driver and a track car.
Siri coming to Mac? Apple patent suggests yes
Siri appears to be gearing up from a move from iOS mobile devices to OS X and Macs. The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office publishes Apple's patent for an intelligent desktop assistant.
Apple remains top in smartphones, Google owns smartphone platform top spot
Apple has a bigger base, but Samsung is shipping more units. Google's Android OS is still sitting pretty.
Facebook shores up data security with PrivateCore buy
Instead of outsourcing security upgrades to start-up PrivateCore, Facebook has acquired the Palo Alto company. Facebook and PrivateCore envision a more connected and more secure world.
Samsung goes solo, sans smartphone, with new smart watch
Samsung may be preparing to release a standalone smart watch alongside its Galaxy Note 4. The Gear Solo is expected to surface in Berlin on Sept. 4.
Apple iPhone 6 may not boast sapphire display for a few reasons
A market research firm has expressed doubt on smartphone sapphire display dreams. There's a good chance Apple will back away from using sapphire in iPhone 6 screens, says strategy consulting company Yole.
Alienware gaming laptop is what Goldilocks is always looking for
Alienware seeks to find the sweet spot between its 14-inch laptop and discounted 11-inch model. The Alienware 13 will feature a much lighter build than its predecessors and will face off against the slim Razer Blade.
Toyota Lexus under China scrutiny in antimonopoly campaign
Lexus' spare parts in question, as China's antimonopoly campaign continues. This time, regulators warn companies, they mean business.
YouTube snaps up video-editing app, pledges Directr will remain free
Google continues to buy up video platforms, as its YouTube division reveals it has purchased Directr. The Directr app harnesses the power of iOS devices to edit, render and publish video projects.
Xiaomi sees India as next China market
With a healthy lead over Samsung in China, Xiaomi says it's preparing to step up its efforts in India. Once the top player in India's mobile market, Samsung has recently fallen to Micromax.
Facebook early days were wet, wild and a bit weird, claims ex-employee's tome
Samurai swords and military gear were the norm around the office at Facebook during the company's early days, says a former employee. The company's employees were encouraged to 'dominate' by the company's sword-wielding CEO, the ex-employee says.
Google thins out Play Edition lineup. Is device program quietly ending?
Google's listing of Google Play Edition (GPE) devices shrinks down to two handsets. The GPE version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 was said to be out of stock, before being suddenly removed the Play Store.
Can a monkey own a photograph copyright? Yes, at least according to Wikimedia
A nature photographer can't copyright images that were snapped by a monkey or any other nonhuman animal, says Wikimedia. But David Slater, a nature photographer, believes otherwise and says he facilitated the captured images and wants royalties for their use.
Apple iPhone 6 spurring waves of rumors, from processor specs to display possibilities
Apple schedules a media event for September 9. The timing seems about right for an unveiling of the iPhone 6.
insurance companies team on healthcare database, security crops up as potential issue
A new California health insurance database, Cal Index, is expected to serve 9 million patients by the end of the year. The $80 million effort is being built by two insurance companies.
Russian hackers snagging billions of passwords, usernames
A group of Russian hackers, bonded by friendship, have stolen more than 1.2 billion username and password pairs in one of the largest breaches in history and the figure is rising. Security experts warns the hackers are far from finished compromising accounts.
Taxi Magic now 'Curb' as it drives back into the rideshare app market
Taxi Magic gets some new parts under its hood and is re-branded "Curb." The new version of the rideshare app seeks to bring innovation to a market that has fallen in love with Lyft and Uber.
Monkey selfies ignite Wikimedia controversy regarding public domain use
Nature photographer continues legal battle against Wikimedia over a batch of selfies an ape took in Indonesia. Wikimedia argues the macaque was the photographer of the treasured photos and maintains its position that the images are public domain.
Sprint gives up battle to buy T-Mobile
Sprint gives up on its $32 billion pursuit of T-Mobile. Without synergies from T-Mobile, the third-ranked wireless carrier in the U.S. will have a lot of work to do to hold onto its position.
LG G3 knocking feature may signal smartphone security trend
When a smartphone is never far from reach, it can be hard to feel the need to protect it with a pass code. But the LG G3's tap-based authentication system is hard to knock.
Apple chip strategy could hurt Samsung to tune of $1B
Apple redirects some of its chip manufacturing work away from Samsung. The move could mean Samsung loses out on close to $1 billion by the end of 2014.
Smart sleep monitor boasts $1M in crowdsourcing funding
Sense wants to tell you how you slept, why you awoke early and what what you can do to maximize the effectiveness of your subconscious hours. The smart alarm clock enjoys overwhelming success on Kickstarter.
Eavesdropping via potato chips? Yup, it can happen
Researchers figure out how to capture sound from vibrating objects, ranging from bags of chips to plants. An algorithm produces sounds from vibrations generally too subtle to be picked up by the naked eye.
'Hyrule Warriors' boasts slew of new heroes, heroines and lovable villains
Nintendo reveals more of the defenders of Hyrule during its latest Nintendo Direct stream. 'Hyrule Warriors' will feature playable characters from Zelda titles 'Ocarina of Time,' 'Twilight Princess' and 'Skyward Sword.'
Google email tip-off draws privacy concerns
Google's scan of Gmail is applauded for netting a child predator. While the company says its parameters for searching out illegal content won't expand, privacy advocates express doubt.
Samsung Galaxy Alpha phone leak spurs design rumors
On the day some expected Samsung to officially announce the Galaxy Alpha, only rumors and screenshots emerged. A jet-black version of the rumored phone appears in screenshots, while a retailer temporarily lists the unannounced smartphone.
Lego builds a kit starring three female scientists, including a paleontologist
A prototype for Lego's latest kit featured three female scientists. It may have had a lot to do with a seven-year-old's complaint.
Good news for China mobile gaming fans, new content coming down the pike
China Mobile Games and Entertainment Group Limited partners with Shaolin Temple to produce mobile games. CMGE announces a host of other partnerships and reveals that it'll publish and develop games derived from well-known IPs, such as 'Metal Slug 2' and 'Naruto.'
