updates

Galaxy S4: Cool features, awful launch

CNET Update didn't expect Samsung to be sexist:

Samsung finally unveiled its flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S4. But this was no ordinary press conference. The Galaxy S4 presentation was a campy Broadway-styled spectacle that was painful to watch with sexist caricatures of women.

Despite the distasteful event, the Galaxy S4 will surely be a big seller and top rival to the iPhone. Today's video offers a quick explanation of the smartphone's new features, such as being able to navigate by waving a hand over the screen. (Many of these features will also come to Galaxy S3 users.) … Read more

Address 'Update Failed' when installing OS X 10.8.3

Apple has just released the OS X 10.8.3 update for Mountain Lion users, and while the update has gone smoothly for most people, as with any update there are a few who have run into a couple of hurdles when installing.

The most prominent issue so far is a small number of users have run into an issue where the update appears to install but then gives a message that simply states "Update Failed" with an option to restart the system. Upon doing so, the system reports it is still running OS X 10.8.2; … Read more

Foursquare updates Android app with locale advice

Looking more and more like a local search and reviews site, Foursquare is launching a few brand new features with its Android update today.

The central new feature is popular places recommendations.

"When you're in a new city or neighborhood, Foursquare will show you popular places, sites, and must-see attractions," Foursquare wrote in a blog post today. "When you're on your home turf, we'll tell what spots are 'new and notable' -- places that have recently opened in your area."

This feature pops up in Android devices as soon as users open the … Read more

Apple releases OS X 10.8.3 and firmware updates

Apple has released its third update for OS X Mountain Lion, bringing the latest version of the software to 10.8.3 after over three months of development. Along with a number of bug fixes for problems users have been experiencing in 10.8.2 and earlier, the new version adds a couple of new features.

The first is that Mac users can now redeem iTunes gift cards using an iSight camera. Now if you take a snapshot of the card in the Mac App Store you can have the system identify its number and redeem it instead of having … Read more

Grieving for Google Reader's death

CNET Update feeds your need:

Emotions are high over Google Reader shutting down July 1. Thousands have signed online petitions begging Google to reconsider closing the RSS feed reader. Digg announced it is working on a replacement for Google Reader, but if it doesn't come soon enough, here are some replacements you can try now.

Also in Thursday's tech news roundup:

- Facebook redesigns Timeline profile pages

- Twitter adds line breaks, gets hit with ugly stick

- Netflix connects with Facebook to share what you're watching

- Angry Birds cartoon launches onto TV this weekend

Watch … Read more

Twitter working on a music app

CNET Update sings along:

Twitter is working on a music app called Twitter Music, CNET has learned. First, Facebook adds a Music News Feed, now Twitter works on an app for discovering music. Is everyone trying to be more like MySpace?

Also in Wednesday's tech roundup:

- Samsung's Galaxy S4 may not have eye-scrolling technology, but we'll know for sure on Thursday. Follow CNET's live blog of the announcement. Coverage begins at 3 p.m. Pacific, 6 p.m. Eastern.

- Whatever Samsung announces, there will be plenty of promotion. A report shows Samsung spends more than Apple on marketing. … Read more

Google shows apps that work on Glass

CNET Update likes everything on Facebook:

The Samsung Galaxy S4 media mania continues. A video is posted of what is claimed to be the Galaxy S4, and Samsung shows a peek of the new smartphone from the shadows. But with the Galaxy S4, it's not so much about the look -- it's about the software and features. Some speculate it could have a 3D camera, based on a trademark it filed. But come back to CNET to watch the news live on Thursday at 4 p.m. Pacific, 7 p.m. Eastern.

Stories also mentioned in Tuesday's … Read more

BlackBerry Z10 lands during Galaxy hype

CNET Update gears up for a different March Madness:

AT&T will sell the BlackBerry Z10 on March 22, but Verizon and T-Mobile have yet to set a date. The Z10 is landing in the U.S. within a few days of the Samsung Galaxy S4 announcement. Photos posted on a forum hint that it could look like the Note, but we won't know for certain until the launch on Thursday.

SimCity: The new game you can't play

CNET Update builds cities on rock and roll:

Friday's tech news roundup explains it all:

- BlackBerry Z10 could hit AT&T stores on March 22

- SimCity's launch is a complete disaster

- Nook Free Fridays now include free apps

- Trulia helps you home hunt with new suggestions

- Try these alternatives to TweetDeck, before the app stops working

Watch CNET Update in the video above, and subscribe to the podcast via the links below.

Subscribe:

iTunes (HD) | iTunes (SD) | iTunes (HQ)

RSS (HD) | RSS (SD) | RSS (HQ)

Facebook's face-lift brings more feeds

CNET Update is the only feed you need:

Facebook is rolling out changes to the News Feed, and Thursday's Update explains what's in store and why it matters.

But Facebook isn't the only social network with news. Twitter's app has a new search feature, Foursquare makes it quick to check-in, and Path adds new ways to message friends.

Watch CNET Update in the video above, and subscribe to the podcast via the links below.

Subscribe:

iTunes (HD) | iTunes (SD) | iTunes (HQ)

RSS (HD) | RSS (SD) | RSS (HQ)