Specials

iPad 3 to get February intro, March release?

We could be a few weeks away from getting a peek at Apple's next iPad, if a new report is to be believed.

Citing an Asian supplier and "a source in United States," Japanese Apple blog Macotakara says that Apple is cooking up a special event in "early February" to take the wraps off its next iPad, with a formal launch of the product taking place sometime the following month.

Why the delay? Macotakara says that the Chinese factories involved with the production if iPad 3 units will be celebrating the Chinese New Year, which … Read more

Anonymous targets military-gear site in latest holiday hack

In what its calling another round of "LulzXmas festivities," an Anonymous-affiliated hacktivst group today is claiming yet another breach and posting of customer information.

On Christmas Day the target was security think tank Strategic Forecasting, or Stratfor. This time it was SpecialForces.com, a Web site that sells military gear.

"Continuing the week long celebration of wreaking utter havoc on global financial systems, militaries, and governments, we are announcing our next target: the online piggie supply store SpecialForces.com," the group wrote in a Pastebin posting today.

The hackers said they breached the SpecialForces.com site … Read more

Kobo unveils $99 ad-supported e-reader

Borrowing a page from Amazon's playbook, Kobo has quietly launched an ad-supported e-book reader.

The Kobo Touch with Offers features a 6-inch E-ink touch screen, Wi-Fi, and a $99 price tag--a $30 price reduction from the regular model. The only difference, Kobo explains, is that the device's screen will feature an advertisement at the bottom of the home screen, as well as a screensaver ad when it's shut down or in sleep mode.

"Kobo Touch with Offers presents you with sponsored screens and valuable offers when your device is powered off or in sleep mode, and … Read more

Steve Jobs in PBS doc: You can change the world

How can you fit the life of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs into a one-hour special? PBS takes on that feat with the documentary "One Last Thing," which airs tonight.

The special provides a broad look at Jobs' business career and personality based on interviews with those who knew him, though mostly retreads ground covered in various Jobs biographies. CNET was able to view a copy of the special ahead of its broadcast at 10 p.m. ET (10 p.m. PT, as well).

Of note is a "never-before broadcast interview" with Jobs from 1994, two … Read more

Removing ads from new Kindle costs $30

There's some good news for those of you who are considering buying one of the new "subsidized" Kindles With Special Offers but are worried the ads might be too irritating: you can easily upgrade to the ad-free Kindle if you don't like it.

That's right, once you buy a Special Offers version, you can easily shut off the ads by simply paying a fee--the difference between what a Kindle Special Offers costs and what an ad-free version costs. In the case of the currently available non-touch Kindle 2011, which goes for $79 for the Special … Read more

How to get the Apple logo icon on iOS

If you are on Twitter, you most likely read about the death of Steve Jobs in the numerous tweets that seemed to take over the service for hours. You may have also noticed, or have even taken part in, sending a tweet with nothing more than an Apple logo icon, as a miniature tribute to the greatest visionary of our time.

Read on to find out how to get the Apple logo icon on your iOS device, as well as some other special characters that iOS and Emoji don't provide. … Read more

AmazonLocal on its way to 'Kindle with Special Offers'

Amazon's daily-deals service, AmazonLocal, will soon be arriving on the discounted Kindle and Kindle 3G with "Special Offers," the online retail giant announced today.

AmazonLocal was first introduced in June. Like Groupon, LivingSocial, and others, the service provides daily offers to subscribers. However, unlike its chief competitors, Amazon hasn't hired a full-fledged sales team to handle the service. Instead, it has inked deals with other companies, including LivingSocial, to deliver its deals to users.

AmazonLocal is available in a host of cities around the U.S., but it has a long way to go to catch … Read more

Ad-supported Kindle 3G drops to $139

Not too long ago, Amazon was offering the 3G version of its Kindle With Special Offers for $164. Now, thanks to a sponsorship from AT&T, that price has dropped to $139.

"Kindle 3G is more convenient--customers never have to hunt for or pay for a Wi-Fi hot spot--they simply download and read books anytime, anywhere. Kindle 3G customers read 20 percent more books, and take advantage of twice as many special offers," says Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos is a press release. "A big thank you to AT&T for helping to make the … Read more

Cell phone radiation: A self-defense guide (FAQ)

Editors' note: This is the third of a three-part series on issues related to cell phone radiation. Revisit Tuesday's story on the inconclusive state of research on cell phone radiation, and Thursday's story about the trouble with federal safety standards, or click here for a roundup of related coverage.

When my sister--a mother of four--was shopping for a new cell phone last summer, she wanted to know: what's the safest cell phone in terms of radiation?

At first, I simply directed her to CNET's Quick Guide: Cell phone radiation levels, which shows the specific absorption rate, … Read more