Recent Posts In Product News
TV
Apple TV Gets a Bit Bigger, With HBO and ESPN Apps (For Most, But Not All of You)
Some exceptions apply, of course, because nothing is ever easy when it comes to the Web and TV.
Tred Brings Home Test-Drives to Car Shopping, With Backing From Investors Like Chris Sacca
Isn’t everything about the process of buying a car just … fantastic? Yeah, not so much.
Mossberg's Mailbox
Wedding Video Via iPad
How do you transfer video from an iPad to a computer? Walt answers readers’ questions.
Media
Apple Adds iTunes Radio to Apple TV, but Not Much Else
A question without a good answer: Why doesn’t Apple open up Apple TV to outside developers?
Cellphones
Sony Xperia Z Coming Exclusively to T-Mobile
No pricing or release date yet, though.
News Byte
Paper App Draws $15 Million in Funding From Andreessen Horowitz, Jack Dorsey
FiftyThree, the New York-based company behind the popular iPad sketching app Paper, has raised $15 million in a Series A funding round led by Chris Dixon of Andreessen Horowitz. Other investors include Shana Fisher of High Line Venture Partners, Josh Kushner’s Thrive Capital, Ron Conway and Jack Dorsey. FiftyThree is comprised of ex-Microsoft designers and engineers who created Paper to enhance productivity on the iPad. The app is free to download, and includes in-app purchases for utility tool kits. The company plans to hire talent and expand the collaborative features of the app with the fresh funding.Education
Microsoft Looks to Boost Surface With Big Discounts for Schools
It turns out that Microsoft’s Windows in the Classroom Surface Experience Project was just the beginning of the company’s efforts to push its new tablet into the education market.
News Byte
Confirmed: Oculus VR Raises $16 Million Series A for Virtual Reality Gaming
Irvine, Calif.-based Oculus VR has closed a $16 million series A funding round co-led by Spark Capital and Matrix Partners, the company confirmed today. Leaked news of the round was first reported by PandoDaily. Oculus VR is the maker of the Oculus Rift, a forthcoming consumer-priced virtual gaming headset. Prototype “dev kit” versions of the headset are currently being sold to software developers for $300 apiece. A price and release date for the first consumer version has not yet been announced.Cellphones
Jay-Z Ditches His iPhone Just in Time for His Big Samsung Ad
That was close!
News Byte
Google Expands Retail Availability of Chromebooks
Today, Google announced that it is bringing its Chromebook laptops to more retailers, including Walmart and Staples. Starting now, customers can pick up the Acer Chromebook at one of Walmart’s 2,800 stores nationwide for $199. Meanwhile, Staples will offer a broader selection, with models from Acer, HP and Samsung arriving this weekend. Google’s line of affordable laptops based on Chrome OS will also make their way to select Office Depot, Office Max, Fry’s and TigerDirect stores in the coming months.
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