CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-17 17:48:03 (13 comments, 11 reshares, 68 +1s)

I pitted Siri against Google Now in a live video to see which one offers the best, fastest, and most accurate results. Both were connected to the same network, and I asked them the same questions at the same time.

So, tell me: Who won this face-off? (Or should I say "voice-off" har har)

Video -> http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57584898-285/google-now-vs-siri-virtual-assistants-duke-it-out-video/

2013-05-16 18:08:19 (9 comments, 7 reshares, 56 +1s)

Haha, I kid because I love. :)

#GoodOldDays  

2013-05-16 15:06:59 (9 comments, 2 reshares, 20 +1s)

Samsung is finally [kind of] acknowledging that 16GB storage on the Galaxy S4 is scant when half of it is eaten by useless bloatware. Sure, there's expandable storage, but -- oh, wait! -- we can't install apps on the SD card.

Here's to hoping 32GB & 64GB versions are released (and that they aren't crazy-expensive.) 

2013-05-16 03:31:07 (17 comments, 0 reshares, 60 +1s)

It's going to take me a bit to get used to all this jumpy animation, but so far, I'm loving this Google+ refresh. Everything feels so current and inviting. Can't wait to dive into photo features and the new Hangouts. 

Anyone discover cool tidbits worth sharing? 

2013-05-01 20:27:46 (17 comments, 0 reshares, 50 +1s)

+Sharon Vaknin got so excited about Glass that she dropped her ice cream. #throughglass

2013-04-05 16:56:46 (17 comments, 8 reshares, 46 +1s)

If you're really interested in +Project Glass check out this video. It's the presentation Google made at SXSW that dives deep into the details of how Glass functions. 

Have I mentioned? I can't wait!

2013-04-03 15:46:06 (45 comments, 4 reshares, 85 +1s)

Cracked my S3's screen today. sigh Guess that means I'll just have to get the S4...

2013-04-02 20:09:40 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 28 +1s)

A Facebook product manager is doing an AMA of Reddit all day! He hasn't revealed any earth-shattering info, but he's being pretty candid in his responses to nosy questions. 

I especially enjoyed his response to someone's question about a "dislike" button:

Actions on Facebook tend to focus on positive social interactions. Like is the lightest-weight way to express positive sentiment. I don't think adding a light-weight way to express negative sentiment would be that valuable. I know there are times when it'd make sense, like when a friend is having a rough day, or got into a car accident like my sister yesterday (she's okay!). For these times, a nice comment from a friend goes a long way.

2013-04-01 18:19:30 (30 comments, 2 reshares, 99 +1s)

#IfIHadGlass I'd have a tool that would change the way I work at CNET. I'd live stream DIYs. Shoot and share photos of the latest tablet, hands-free. Hangout while I hack the S3? Sure thing. All the while, the world will join me discovering just how far Glass can go.

2013-03-27 16:42:11 (25 comments, 9 reshares, 78 +1s)

When you're buying LED bulbs, don't look at the wattage! Instead look for the lumens, which is the real measurement of how bright a bulb is. Here's a handy chart to help you make sense of it, and here are my five tips for buying LED bulbs → http://bit.ly/16Wyeb1

If you have any other tips, please share!

2013-03-26 19:36:06 (30 comments, 17 reshares, 72 +1s)

I love Roku, but when the heck is it going to get an official YouTube channel? As I mention here, the company's CEO always blames YouTube's use of HTML5, but I have a sneaking suspicion there's a little more drama behind the lack of support.

In any case, if you have Roku, and you want to stream YouTube videos, here's my solution! It's my favorite of all the options -- just find the YouTube video on your phone and beam it to your Roku. Easy. And no dealing with the on-screen interface.

2013-03-25 18:46:48 (286 comments, 124 reshares, 800 +1s)

T-Mobile is going to be the first major carrier to get rid of expensive 2-year contracts. The only catch here is that you'll have to buy your phones outright (or finance them). HOWEVER. If you already own a phone, you might be able to bring it over to T-Mo and just enjoy the lower monthly fees.

If you own an AT&T iPhone, and want to go contract-free on T-Mo, here's how.

2013-03-06 17:17:44 (24 comments, 2 reshares, 56 +1s)

Roku is stepping up its game with a redesigned interface, faster processor, and new design. No doubt they looking straight into the eyes of the Apple TV -- the competition is closer this time. BUT, still no YouTube...

2013-02-28 18:02:24 (10 comments, 3 reshares, 25 +1s)

Pretty awesome concept, although it's certainly not an "Airbnb for boats" in that it offers something they don't -- you can already rent boats on Airbnb. It'll be interesting to see how Airbnb reacts. Will it bolster its boat rental business?

Also...too early to reserve the Titanic II??

2013-02-26 19:06:27 (36 comments, 23 reshares, 368 +1s)

#IfIHadGlass I'd have a tool that would change the way I work at CNET. I'd live stream DIYs. Shoot and share photos of the latest tablet, hands-free. Hangout while I hack the S3? Sure thing. All the while, the world will join me discovering just how far Glass can go.

2013-02-01 17:21:21 (32 comments, 22 reshares, 95 +1s)

Yup, that's the Samsung Galaxy S3 charging wirelessly. I've been using this setup for a couple weeks now and am still shocked at how easy it was to hack. Here's the step-by-step: http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57566806-285/this-easy-hack-adds-wireless-charging-to-samsung-galaxy-s3/

2013-01-30 17:55:24 (15 comments, 6 reshares, 24 +1s)

Personally, I stick with Skype (probably out of habit). But I'm definitely intrigued by Tango...

2013-01-28 22:47:47 (5 comments, 2 reshares, 35 +1s)

Thoughts on Vine:
1. Why didn't it launch with an Android app? What is this, 2010? I know Google can sometimes be frustrating to work with, but trust me, it's worth it.
2. I'm not an expert iOS videographer - - let me undo takes. 
3. If you want deeper user engagement, this nonsense with Facebook needs to be resolved. It's time for you guys to have a talk. 
4. Why can't I share Vines after posting them? Also, why can't I tag people in comments? It's like you started to copy the Instagram UI and then got lazy. 
5. In the end, I love you, Vine. Less than one week in and I'm addicted.

2013-01-02 18:01:41 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 12 +1s)

You asked, I answered. Reader Meghan wanted to know how she could keep her iPhone from overheating on a long road trip to Comic-Con. Here are my suggestions, and, if you have any other ideas, please share them in the comments!

2012-11-26 21:13:16 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

CNET is hanging out in a live Hangout On Air. #hangoutsonair

2012-10-16 16:40:17 (13 comments, 0 reshares, 26 +1s)

The invitation is finally here! So far, here's what we think Apple will announce, in order of likeliness: iPad Mini, 13" Macbook Pro Retina, Mac Mini, iMac. (I'm personally hoping they'll announce new iMacs -- it's been years since the last refresh!)

2012-10-12 16:49:29 (19 comments, 3 reshares, 23 +1s)

Finally, finally! Best Buy might be getting its act together. For years now, it's simply been a showroom for cheap sites like Amazon and Newegg. I know first-hand that customers will come in, get a little hands-on time with a product, and then go online to purchase it.

Now we're hearing that this holiday season, Best Buy will match Amazon.com. But I'm wondering: is this enough to make you shop there? Does the in-store experience offer more than what you get online (like reviews and forums)?

2012-10-11 16:10:12 (12 comments, 4 reshares, 22 +1s)

Sounds like "Mini" is going to be the buzz word in Q4.

The S3 Mini isn't just smaller than its big bro -- it's also got a slower processor and less-advanced camera. All the specs are listed in this article.

Previously, I considered the S3 to be the iPhone 5's biggest competition, but I wonder if this one poses an even greater threat. 4" seems to be the perfect size.

2013-04-01 07:46:36 (59 comments, 1 reshares, 185 +1s)

2012-08-20 22:02:22 (5 comments, 2 reshares, 13 +1s)

Such a lifesaver. 

2012-08-14 17:29:36 (6 comments, 8 reshares, 30 +1s)

It's a small update, but the new 'Account Chooser' is an important feature for those of us who manage multiple Google accounts. It's opt-in ONLY right now, so get it here---> http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57492497-285/opt-in-to-googles-account-chooser-for-easier-multiple-account-log-ins/

2012-08-13 16:44:00 (8 comments, 7 reshares, 37 +1s)

Something to start your week off right. Baby kangaroo and wombat are BFFS! Via +Alex Ogle Via http://imgur.com/a/aYlTS#0

2012-08-08 16:45:51 (24 comments, 19 reshares, 119 +1s)

I go to an iPhone forum and people are maniacally discussing rumors. I go to an Android forum and people are exchanging tips and experiences.

I think I get it now. 

2012-08-07 17:00:58 (14 comments, 12 reshares, 42 +1s)

I finally wandered into the world of Tasker and I am very impressed. Not the sexiest app in the world, but it does what it promises: to make your life a whole lot easier. 

2012-07-31 17:52:04 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Always On viewing party is live now! Join the #cnetfans  chat on the page and watch the premiere of Episode 7, featuring 3D printing iPhone cases, the Samsung Galaxy Beam, and robots serving sushi. +Sharon Vaknin and +Eileen Rivera and I are here! http://cnet.com/alwayson

2012-07-30 17:28:13 (11 comments, 11 reshares, 34 +1s)

If your Android phone has NFC, it's not just for mobile payments like Google Wallet. Check out my list of ways to use NFC tags to create real life shortcuts

2012-06-28 16:33:23 (8 comments, 7 reshares, 33 +1s)

We are always pushing the limits of our technology, and Project Glass is no exception.  It is designed to help you live in the moment -- even when you’re falling from the sky.

We’re still in early development days, but at Google I/O this morning we wanted to do a product demo in a way we’d never tried before.  We worked with some of the world’s top athletes, combined skydiving and mountain biking, and shared the experience -- through their eyes -- with the world.

If you missed it, we’d love you to be able to see how we put this together, so tune in live tomorrow (weather permitting!) at roughly 11am at https://developers.google.com/events/io/ to check it out.

And you may just catch another Hangout in Air.

#projectglass   #io12   #skydiving  

2012-06-28 00:00:12 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

Added photos to Toying around with Google+ Events.

2012-06-27 16:10:48 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

About to go live with Sharon Vaknin again (yay, two days in a row!) to preview Google's I/O keynote. Join us for that, our live blog, and I/O video, all in one handy dandy little place. http://live.cnet.com/Event/Google_IO_Wednesday_Keynote?tag=mncol;txt

2012-05-23 15:47:03 (4 comments, 3 reshares, 21 +1s)

Sporting this on my iPhone now and I'm really diggin' it! Next I'll install the transparent cover

2012-05-07 23:10:24 (40 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

This is a serious question. Enlighten me: How do people who make and publish cam movie torrents benefit? I mean, what do they get out of sneaking into a theater, recording a movie with a handheld camera, and offering it as a torrent?

2012-05-07 23:00:08 (10 comments, 9 reshares, 31 +1s)

A more detailed guide to using your USB drive as a "key" that unlocks your computer.

2012-05-07 17:11:40 (35 comments, 2 reshares, 49 +1s)

And then this happened...

2012-05-07 16:46:32 (6 comments, 3 reshares, 25 +1s)

My favorite is #1! Makes me feel pretty badass.

2012-04-30 16:35:23 (5 comments, 4 reshares, 21 +1s)

Introducing...the stringpod! Here's a dead easy way to steady your shots without the bulk of a tripod.

2012-04-26 16:21:56 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Bay Area! I'll be on ABC +7Live around 3PM today throwing gadgets in the dunk tank. We're talking waterproof tech! You can also watch it live online at 7liveonline.com.

2012-04-25 19:54:29 (18 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Thoughts on this lens? Mainly looking to shoot portraits, low-light groups, and food.

2012-04-25 18:04:53 (9 comments, 7 reshares, 27 +1s)

Have you seen Ignacio Torres' stellar series? Probably one of the coolest uses of GIFs I've seen. Check out all 13 images: http://ignacio-torres.com/projects/stellar/ (via +Brit Morin)

2012-04-24 16:36:15 (11 comments, 3 reshares, 12 +1s)

Google Drive is here, and since it's got paid tiers, you should expect Google to curry favor with you, not just with advertisers. Everybody likes free services, but when they're paid, it's in the company's interest to satisfy the party who's paying.

2012-04-24 16:19:52 (13 comments, 4 reshares, 8 +1s)

More details have been leaked! Will you Dropbox/Box/Sugarsync users switch?

2012-04-20 16:33:12 (12 comments, 10 reshares, 30 +1s)

You guys have to take a look at this photoset. This dad, Jason, is a wedding photographer. Gets bored. Takes insane photos of his daughters. Creates magic.

2012-04-20 16:27:44 (7 comments, 5 reshares, 2 +1s)

Transend 16 GB SD card at 65% off, 64 GB at 50% off!

http://amzn.to/HZlyGa #deals

2012-04-20 13:04:38 (11 comments, 3 reshares, 28 +1s)

After my HDR tutorial (http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57415409-285/hdr-photography-for-iphone-and-android/)+Holly M. Paddock shot this amazing photo! Love it!

2012-04-19 19:50:42 (6 comments, 8 reshares, 18 +1s)

Get a quick tutorial on what HDR photography is, and how to achieve those surreal, striking photos with your phone:

2012-04-18 21:02:09 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 23 +1s)

San Francisco skyline under construction.