For Google, when it comes to the smart home

On a hot summer day, there are few appliances more useful than the window air conditioner. These miracles of engineering move heat from inside your home to the outside, cooling the air inside to make it more comfortable.

Google unveils OnHub, a Wi-Fi router for the smart-home era

Google has for years tried to remake several household items, from thermostats and speakers to smoke detectors and TVs. Now, it's tackling another device lots of people have in their house: Wi-Fi routers.

With Dell's help, Google pushes Chrome-based laptops beyond budget buyers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- Google's high-end, high-priced Chromebook Pixel laptop became a market success in its creators' eyes on Thursday -- by influencing the design of a more affordable competitor from Dell.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ is 5.7 inches of dual-curve screen (hands-on)

Start with a dual-curve Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, then supersize it. That, in a nutshell, is the 5.7-inch Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+, whose size is the only substantial difference between it and last April's clamored-for 5.1-inch Edge.

How your next 'flagship' smartphone may cost less than $300

When you think flagship smartphone, Apple's iPhone 6 or Samsung's Galaxy S6 -- devices that start at $650 without a service contract -- come to mind.

New Audi TT keeps your hands on the wheel and a death grip on the road

The route I'm following in the 2016 Audi TT turns twisty, with hairpins tracking the mountain topography. As it turns out, it becomes perfect ground to test the little car's handling. Try as I might, though, I can't get the tires to squeal, as the TT's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, corner braking and low center of gravity conspire to keep it firmly planted, refusing to give an inch of grip.

Microsoft's Edge beats Internet Explorer, but it's not the perfect Windows 10 browser -- yet

With the launch of Windows 10 comes Edge, Microsoft's new built-in browser that's meant to replace Internet Explorer. Though IE will still come with Windows, the older browser is being relegated to "legacy compatibility" duties. Microsoft is urging everyone to use Edge for its faster performance and improved features.
 And don't panic: you won't be forced to use Edge. All of your favorite third-party browsers, including Chrome and Firefox, still work fine in Windows 10. And because Edge isn't a slam-dunk yet, you'll want to keep those competitors handy.

 

 

 

YouTube amps up mobile -- and goes virtual

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- YouTube wants to serve you better on the go and in virtual reality.
Google's gigantic video site has redesigned its mobile app to include new notifications and offer more control over uploaded clips on the go. It also plans to support three-dimensional, 360-degree video later this year, the underpinnings for full virtual-reality experiences of YouTube clips, said Susan Wojcicki, the site's chief executive.

Fire Phone one year later: Why Amazon's smartphone flamed out

There are times when being the first person with a new gadget will elicit cheers and envy -- like outside New York's Fifth Avenue Apple Store, surrounded by applauding salespeople, curious fans and gawking media.
Then there's buying the Amazon Fire Phone.

Ford rents out your ride in new peer-to-peer car rental scheme

Got your eye on your neighbour's new Ford? A
new car-sharing scheme could soon see you
taking it for a spin, as Ford experiments with
allowing car owners to rent out their vehicle in
London and six cities in the USA.

Now independent, Paypal worth nearly $50 billion

When eBay bought PayPal in 2002, the price tag was a measly $1.5 billion. Now, about 13 years later, PayPal is worth nearly $50 billion and has outgrown its former parent.