Articles by Quinten Plummer
Facebook social experiment under fire as users not too happy
Facebook conducts social experiment with user data without alerting its users. Facebook's user-agreement authorizes the policies, but the study leaves users in a bad mood.
Samsung readying cheaper phones as S5 fails to beat iPhone sales
As sales disappoint when compared with the iPhone 5s, the Samsung S5 could find a little help from some friends. Samsung announces four new entries into its Galaxy line of smartphones.
UK cinemas ban Google Glass due to film piracy concerns
UK cinemas have ruled their theaters out of bounds for the use of Google Glass. The bans would help prevent the piracy of films.
A peek at what's to come after Android KitKat
A peek of the "L" version of the Android OS may have been revealed in a pair of screenshots that were abruptly removed from a Google site. Google I/O 2014 will reveal what to expect after KitKat 4.4.
Google debuts Dataflow, replaces MapReduce
Google's new programming model for big data takes a two-pronged approach toward digesting data. Along with details on Dataflow, MapReduce's replacement, Google reveals a toolbox of other cloud platform tools.
Google rolls out high-octane Drive for Work offering
Google Drive gets kicked into high gear as the service aims to better suit the needs of enterprise-level users. Google offers unlimited storage, enhanced security and 5-TB file uploads for $10 a month for each user.
Nearsighted? You might just be a bit more educated than most
German study shows that the prevalence of nearsightedness increases in correlation with the level of education attained. Lead author suggests spending more time outside.
GM recall in China due to high beam issue with Buick Excelle GT
General Motors recalling hundreds of thousands of vehicles from the Chinese market. Drivers have complained of their inability to turn off the high beams on Buick Excelle cars.
Apple delivers a cheaper, more colorful iPod
Apple cuts the price of the iPod Touch and touches its features. While more affordable than ever, the iPod Touch doesn't seek to challenge iPhones.
Google I/O highlights: Wearables, auto OS and an Android TV update
Day one of Google I/O reveals the truth behind a bouquet of rumors. Further details are expected to emerge as day two comes to a close.
Daimler, Nissan partner up on Mexico vehicle production strategy
The alliance between Daimler and Nissan reportedly leads to the sharing of resources in Mexico. An official announcement has been planned for June 27.
LG readying to plug in new webOS for future smart TVs
After releasing its SDK to developers, LG reportedly announced the next version of webOS. LG was said to be preparing the OS for use in all of the smart TVs it releases in 2015.
Verizon restores 4G LTE Chromebook Pixel service
After two years of 4G LTE were cut short for Chromebook Pixel owners, Verizon promises to remedy the mistake. Google offers gift cards to make up for early termination of mobile broadband from Verizon.
Mayors unite against Internet fast lanes
As the FCC seeks to manage fast lanes, a group of mayors deliver a unified call to end the practice. Up until July 15, the FCC intends to field debate on upcoming legislation concerning net neutrality.
Ford F-150 gets a mini-me for the toddler driving afficionado (Video)
Ford and Fisher-Price unveiled a 'A New Kind of Tough,' announcing the Power Wheels F-150 release set for September. News of the toy version of the F-150 was accompanied by an updated recall of the gas-powered version.
White House amends tobacco law, FDA wants more time to assess new cigar rules
The White House revises the FDA's draft on classifying tobacco products, which enables the agency to establish its authority over them. The proposed regulation of premium cigars and the Internet sale of e-cigarettes were absolved.
Ford recall woes continue, this time it's the F-150 being taken off roads
Power steering issues plague yet another batch of Ford vehicles. A review of a June 10 recall revealed the need to call back thousands more.
Hackers hit Montana health database, breach impacts 1.3M users
Red flags raised in May spurred a forensic investigation regarding a Montana database. Approximately 1.3 million records were found vulnerable.
Xplore's Bobcat is a fully rugged device with lots of storage space
The Bobcat can serve as a lightweight entry into Xplore's line of heavy-duty tablets, designed to move from office to work site as needed. The tablet's price tag is also expected to go easier on wallets than Xplore's other devices.
Joyent promises a smooth link between public, private clouds
Joyent's cloud management platform encourages enterprise clients to move big data to the cloud. Joyent touts its SmartDataCenter 7 as a complete cloud product.
LeapFrog leaps deeper into tablet territory
On the heels of the acclaimed LeapPad Ultra, LeapFrog adds two new tablets into its lineup. Delivering educational content and a more resistant build are still the focus.
Google debuts British Glass in the UK but will custom apps be a hit?
Google Glass' beta phase extends into the UK and Australia. The UK gets apps designed specifically for the British market.
What's expected at Google I/O conference
The Android and Chrome faithful prepare to descend upon San Francisco for Google I/O 2014. As usual, rumors of new hardware and software abound.
Africa plays a role in Facebook Android app development
A team of Facebook engineers took a trip to Africa to determine how they could improve the Android app in countries around the continent. Some improvements have already been rolled out.
Google wants more girls in tech and is putting up money to make it happen
Citing a wide disparity between men and women working in the field of computer science, Google has taken measures to close the gap in the future. Made with Code encourages girls to develop a love for computer programming.
Who's got the top supercomputer? China
China's supercomputer was by far the most powerful computer on the listing of the world's top 500 machines. The U.S. still has the most entries on the list.
Google's Nest buying Dropcam for $550M in smart home monitoring push
Dropcam's surveillance products and apps set to complement Nest's programmable thermostats and smart smoke detectors. Nest reassures Dropcam customers Google will keep its hands off user data, unless customer consent given.
Fidel Castro limos become taxis for tourists
"Comandante" cars hit the streets of Cuba. Limousines once owned by Fidel Castro have been decommissioned and converted into taxi cabs, and about 10 still ply the streets of Havana.
LinkedIn new job search iOS app is job seekers' dream come true
Job seekers gain mobility with LinkedIn's new job search app. LinkedIn Job Search features custom searches and job notifications, so far just for iPhone users.
FCC fines Chinese company record $35 million for marketing, selling illegal jamming devices in U.S.
After two years of allegedly marketing illegal jammers to U.S. consumers, a Chinese electronics manufacturer faces the FCC's largest fine to date. The manufacturer allegedly claimed it had approval to sell the jammers in this country.
