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Latest by Mike Flacy

Amazon Fire TV 2

Move over Sling TV? Amazon may create live TV service to compete against cable

Definitely a streaming service that would have the potential to take a bite out of cable companies, Amazon is considering the possibility of offering a live TV subscription service like Sling TV.
foot-hammock

Stuck at a desk all day? Put your feet up with the Foot Hammock

Possibly useful for anyone that frequently gets uncomfortable sitting at a desk all day, the Foot Hammock provides a new way to rest your feet and relax without having to leave your office chair.
Man wearing headphones and looking at monitor.

Nearly 25 percent of Steam users have upgraded to Windows 10

With Windows 10 adoption rates slowing down among the overall population, Steam users are taking the opposite approach and continue to upgrade to Microsoft's new operating system at a rapid pace.
phonesoap-xl

PhoneSoap XL will sanitize your tablet, multiple smartphones

Useful for anyone that's paranoid about germs collecting on their mobile devices, the PhoneSoap XL is a larger version of the original PhoneSoap that's specifically designed to clean tablets.
Sony-Android-TV-tv_life_03

Android TV gets new apps from HBO, Showtime, CBS, Disney and more

Adding more value to existing hardware that's running the Android TV platform, Google has added several new apps that will allow users to stream popular shows like Game of Thrones and Ray Donovan.
Snapchat

Snapchat wants to put brand messaging all over your selfie

Looking to take advantage of the company's new lens feature, Snapchat has plans to launch branded versions of new lens filters that they hope existing users will utilize when taking a selfie.
roku-device-tower

Roku 4 release likely imminent, 4K streaming is a possibility

Definitely good news for anyone that's a fan of the Roku 3, the streaming set-top box company will likely roll out the Roku 4 within the next week and may include 4K streaming as a feature.
happy-birthday-internet

‘Happy Birthday’ song loses copyright, now in public domain

Definitely a blow to Warner/Chappell Music, a federal judge has issued a decision that the copyright on the 'Happy Birthday' song can no longer be enforced and used to collect royalty fees.
streaming tv

NBC launches new Roku app, new fall shows accessible to all

Expanding out beyond platforms such as iOS and Android, NBC has created a new, free application that will let Roku owners stream new shows as well as returning programs over the Internet.
oyster the netflix for books to shut down after just two years harry potter

Oyster, the Netflix for books, to shut down after just two years

Unfortunate news for anyone that was a fan of the digital book subscription service, Oyster will be shutting down within months as Google has hired away the talent that ran the company.
construction of star wars land at disney parks begins in 2016 darth

Construction of Star Wars Land at Disney parks begins in 2016

Definitely excellent news for anyone that's a huge fan of the Star Wars films, Disney is expected to start constructing the Star Wars Land sections of Disneyland and Disneyworld next year.
billie holiday returns to nycs apollo theater as a hologram

Billie Holiday returns to NYC’s Apollo theater as a hologram

Definitely an interesting way to virtually resurrect musical icons of years past, a hologram of Billie Holiday will be used in a new show being developed by the Apollo theater in New York City.
hate cramped airplanes the airhook holds your tablet and a drink

Hate cramped airplanes? The Airhook holds your tablet and a drink

Hopefully a way to help alleviate the problem of cramped airline seats a bit, the Airhook is a new travel gadget that lets the user mount a smartphone or tablet directly at eye level.
sexting

Man loses job offer after texting naked selfies to HR manager

Clearly an efficient way to lose a job before you even start, a Chicago man discovered that sending nude photos of himself to the female HR director at his new company was actually a bad idea.
fake-twitter-account

Illinois city owes man $125,000 for raiding his home over fake Twitter account

Definitely an idiotic way for an elected official to cost his city money, a six-figure settlement was reached in the civil case of a man that has his home raided over a fake Twitter account.
panasonic ips lcd panel increased contrast brightness cz950 oled 01

Panasonic announces OLED pricing, affordable in two to three years

While the price tag on Panasonic's first 4K OLED television is incredibly steep, the potential for price reductions over the next few years due to increased competition may bring OLED to the average consumer.
Neato-BotVac-Connected

Neato’s latest Botvac vacuum can be controlled with your smartphone

Ideal for cleaning the floors when you are away from the home, the most recent revision of the Botvac will connect to a home's Wi-Fi network and link to the owner's smartphone for mobile control.
vlc mobile apple tv itv 2014 predictions

Apple may start producing original television shows and movies

Possibly adding a new competitor in the streaming video space, Apple is considering an investment in original content that would likely be distributed through iTunes potentially in a subscription model.
amazon vr instant video platform year in review prime

Amazon will launch Prime Instant Video in Japan next month

Perhaps attempting to keep Netflix in check as both companies expand overseas, Amazon Prime subscribers in Japan will soon be able to access movies and television shows on Prime Instant Video.
Facebook-login-closeup

Police arrest wanted man that posted his location on Facebook

Probably someone that shouldn't be allowed to carry a smartphone anymore, a man wanted for harassment via text messages posted his location on Facebook and led the local authorities right to him.
plex-roku-1

Plex app is now free for Roku, includes redesign, new features

Ideal for anyone with an existing Plex Media Server as well as a Roku streaming set-top box, Plex has eliminated the premium cost of the Roku app and significantly upgraded the user interface.
Office 2016

Report: Microsoft’s Office 2016 may launch on September 22

Targeting a Fall 2015 launch to hit mobile devices prior to the holiday shopping season, Office 2016 could be released as early as late September 2015 with significant updates to Microsoft's suite of software.
apple-tv-thumb

Study: Apple TV falls to 4th place behind Roku, Google and Amazon

Likely attributed to a significantly more competitive marketplace for streaming set-top boxes, the Apple TV has slipped to fourth place behind devices like the Roku 3, Google Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV.
4K Genie Mini

DirecTV announces 4K Genie Mini, bringing UHD video to secondary TVs

Pushing forward to support ultra high definition televisions outside of the living room, DirecTV's new 4K Genie Mini will let consumers watch UHD video on a secondary television in the home.
plex-for-ios

Plex for iOS gets total redesign, video chapter support, now free

Revamping the existing format and design of the mobile Plex application, Plex has launched a new iOS application for the iPhone and iPad with a bevy of new features for both brand new and veteran users.
garlic-shaker

Want to peel an entire head of garlic in seconds? Try the Garlic Shaker

Definitely useful if you spend a ton of time in the kitchen cooking with garlic, the Garlic Shaker is a new kitchen gadget that will take all the cloves from a head of garlic and peel away the skin quickly.
firefox exec browser wont mess logos firm will experiment directory tiles hd

Firefox 40 launches with Windows 10 support, more malware protection

Perhaps ideal for anyone that's already installed Windows 10, Mozilla has upgraded the popular Firefox browser to offer a more streamlined user experience as well as stronger protection against malicious add-ons.
phelps-selfie

Driver arrested for DUI requests Snapchat selfie with officer

Not exactly the picture you want showing up during job applicant background checks, an Iowa Snapchat-enthusiast thought it would be a brilliant idea to forever remember his DUI arrest with selfies.
AT&T Wireless

AT&T Wireless offers $500 in credit to DirecTV users that switch

Potentially lucrative for families that already use DirecTV and a wireless service like Verizon, AT&T is offering huge bill credits for each mobile phone line that's switched over to the AT&T Wireless service.
twitter nfl expand social partnership for new football season field

Twitter, NFL expand social partnership for new football season

Likely ideal for any avid Twitter user that's also a professional football fanatic, the NFL will be significantly increasing the volume of multimedia video content published on the social network this year.
google fiber expands in texas heads to san antonio van sanantonio

Google Fiber expands in Texas, heads to San Antonio

Ideal for anyone currently living in the San Antonio area or considering moving to the Texas city, Google Fiber will soon be installed in the area to offer Internet speeds up to 1 gigabit per second.
3D Robotics Solo drone

Kentucky man arrested after shooting down $1,800 drone with shotgun

Perhaps becoming a trend after a New Jersey man shot down a drone last year, a homeowner in Kentucky decided to blast away at a drone hovering over his property due to a perceived violation of his privacy.
subway-storefront

Subway introduces app for remote ordering, mobile payments

Ideal for avoiding the line at your local Subway shop, the sandwich chain has launched a new mobile app that gives customers the ability to place orders at their local store as well as pay through PayPal.
rattlesnake

Man bit while taking selfie with rattlesnake, receives $150,000 hospital bill

Continuing to perpetuate the craze of taking ill-advised photos with dangerous animals, a California man through it would be a brilliant idea to snap a selfie of himself with a rattlesnake.