Technology: What geeks are reading in Tech news from CNET

Here is the latest Technology News from CNET.

Crave giveaway: Bizarre and amazing swag bag – CNET
This week, we have some awesome prizes, including a footrest for the bathroom (don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it) and a beautiful light/charger that opens up like a book.

Apple’s iPhone 5SE will look just like the iPhone 5S (Apple Byte Extra Crunchy, Ep. 27) – CNET
Apple vs. the FBI continues as this year’s biggest story and now Apple wants Congress to make a decision. Plus, the latest iPhone 5SE details and the Apple Pencil to get back its navigation functionality.

What we learned at the world’s biggest phone show – CNET
What mobile tech dominated our week in Barcelona? The answer may surprise you.

The recall shoe drops on 2016 Honda Civics. (AutoComplete, Ep. 7) – Roadshow
Honda recalls 40K Civics for misassembled engines, cordless charging comes to Teslas, and Audi’s newest crossover is also its smallest.

Marco Rubio says national security is more important than Apple – CNET
Technically Incorrect: During the CNN/Telemundo debate, all the Republican candidates sided with the FBI against Apple in the case of the San Bernardino terrorist’s phone

Spare is an app that cuts out the ATM so you withdraw cash from your nearest shop – CNET
You no longer need a sawn-off and a stocking on your head to withdraw cash straight from the register.

Yondr CEO explains why his product disables your phone at concerts (Tomorrow Daily show notes) – CNET
CEO of Yondr Graham Dugoni believes his product isn’t just a business, but “the tip of the spear in a general movement.” And if you’ve ever been annoyed by a sea of fellow concertgoers recording on their smartphones nonstop, you might agree with him.

Opera fires up new browser as engine of change – CNET
The Norwegian company thinks it’s time for fresh ideas for Web browsers. Later this year it’ll reveal an attempt to make them adaptable and intelligent.

Zuckerberg blasts Facebook staff for defacing Black Lives Matter slogan – CNET
The social network’s chief executive calls the behavior “malicious” and hurtful to the entire Facebook community. And it’s not the first time employees have been called out for doing it.

Smartphone gauntlet is a quirky, curved-screen concept – CNET
Sadly this metallic manacle gadget was built purely to show off curved screen tech — but that doesn’t mean it’s not a neat idea.

Resident Evil 4,5,6 Coming to PS4 and Xbox One – CNET
Resident Evil 6 kicks things off when it arrives in March; watch the announcement trailer here.

Rise of the Tomb Raider first-month PC sales almost triple Xbox One debut, report says – CNET
New report from Superdata says Rise of the Tomb Raider on Xbox One was hurt by launching same day as Fallout 4.

Dislike the Facebook reactions? The Oatmeal comic has you covered – CNET
Facebook expanded the “like” function with a handful of emojis, but some think the social network didn’t go far enough. Matthew Inman, aka The Oatmeal, has come up with some great alternatives.

Bill Gates does the splits in DJing stint (really) – CNET
Appearing with Jimmy Fallon, the Microsoft co-founder proves he can club it with the best of them.

16-year-old webcam takes weird space selfie with Earth – CNET
An old webcam up in space gets a reboot and delivers a strange low-res selfie with Earth making a cameo in the background.

Rocket League coming to retail stores this year – CNET
The car soccer game will be available physically at retail.

Why physical therapists get the most love on Tinder – CNET
The dating/hookup app releases data on which jobs get swiped right the most. Sadly, clichés abound.

2K, Rockstar parent company Take-Two coming to E3 2016 ‘in a big way’ – CNET
“We will be there in a big way,” executive says about this summer’s trade show.

Doom won’t be censored in Germany, representing a franchise first – CNET
Bethesda makes the announcement with this bizarre trailer.

Iceland shows how to behave while naked in hot tub – CNET
Technically Incorrect: Not every country has an online academy to help visitors assimilate. Iceland does. This is especially useful if you intend to be nude.

Make your own Star Wars Poe Dameron X-Wing suit on the cheap – CNET
This step-by-step video from “DIY Costume Squad” shows how you can hang a Poe Dameron X-wing costume made from everyday materials in your cosplay closet.

These kinky male spiders could star in ‘Fifty Shades’ for arachnids – CNET
Male nursery web spiders give Christian Grey a run for his money, but only because they like to continue living after they’ve enjoyed a little romp.

Apple takes its case to Capitol Hill – CNET
The iPhone maker wants Congress to intervene in its wrangle with the FBI over the issue of national security versus privacy. The company says being forced to help the government decrypt an iPhone violates constitutional rights.

Tesla will tow you 10 times farther than before – Roadshow
The automaker’s roadside assistance package now features an expanded tow distance, up from 50 miles to 500.

Violent ‘Daredevil’ season 2 trailer picks up with Elektra action – CNET
Move over, Punisher. It’s Elektra’s turn in the spotlight as Netflix’s “Daredevil” season 2 trailer gets a second half.

If Ford revives the Bronco, it had better look this good – Roadshow
The Big Blue Oval should probably hire the person that created these killer renderings.

Surprise winners of the VFX Oscar — and who should have won – CNET
It’s not the most controversial category in the Academy Awards, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some debate around the winners of the Best Visual Effects Oscar.

Google taps San Francisco for high-speed Internet – CNET
To speed up the rollout, Google will use existing fiber rather than build a network from scratch. But that means only certain neighborhoods will be eligible.

Siri may wend her way to the Mac this year – CNET
Apple’s voice assistant should pop up on the next version of OS X, according to a report.

Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill show off pooches on ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’ set – CNET
Star Wars actors have gone to the bark side. Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill tweet pictures of their dogs on set in London, and Director Rian Johnson teases clue-seeking fans.

HTC: You’ll find our next phone camera ‘very, very compelling’ – CNET
Top execs talk with CNET about phones, virtual reality and whether the company will ever make a true smartwatch.

Mitsubishi aims to make cities come alive with new hologram tech – CNET
The electronics giant hopes to have its new “aerial display” technology, which can make signage spring into action, ready for when Japan hosts the 2020 Winter Olympics.

A spider’s erection, and other cool things trapped in amber (pictures) – CNET
The translucent, semiprecious substance amber can quite literally provide a window for seeing back millions of years. Here are a few of the most amazing sights the fossilized resin has sealed in time.

Robots, Martians and bears: Which film will win the Best Visual Effects Oscar? – CNET
Commentary: CNET’s Nic Healey runs the numbers on the Best Visual Effects Oscar nominees to see who’s most likely to walk off stage clutching that small golden man.

This rare BMW from 2011 is worth more than it was when new – Roadshow
Despite being BMW’s least expensive M offering in 2011, the 1 Series M Coupe is now worth more than its far costlier showroom contemporaries.

Apple vs. FBI is the big story no one’s touching at Mobile World Congress – CNET
The annual show in Barcelona draws industry execs who want to discuss anything besides the legal battle playing out in California.

Facebook’s plan to connect the world with lasers and drones is more than pie in the sky – CNET
With test flights scheduled for later this year, Facebook’s project Aquila is nearly ready for takeoff.

SanDisk’s flash drive transfers files for your fancy USB Type-C phone – CNET
USB Type-C. So hot right now.

Net neutrality turns 1: Here’s everything you need to know (FAQ) – CNET
The law governing an open Internet marks its first birthday, but not everyone is celebrating. The rules are still being debated.

Apple vs. the FBI is the big story no one’s talking about at Mobile World Congress – CNET
The annual gathering in Spain for all things mobile tech drew many industry executives who wanted to talk about anything other than the privacy and security battle playing out in California.

ISIS supporters threaten Mark Zuckerberg, Twitter’s Jack Dorsey – CNET
CEOs targeted for their efforts to combat terrorist activities on their respective social networks, particularly that of the militant Islamic group.

Apple said to be working on unhackable iPhone – CNET
Stronger encryption might be aimed at heading off the next battle with the US government over gaining access to iPhones.

Apple (still) inspires most love from consumers, says study – CNET
Technically Incorrect: An extensive study of customer engagement shows that in phones, computers and tablets, Apple is the brand that enjoys the most emotional commitment.

Fabrics unearthed from King David’s time offer peek at biblical fashion – CNET
Arid conditions in Israel’s desert copper mines allow a treasure trove of ancient textiles to survive. Talk about vintage clothes.

Space radio signal solves the mystery of the missing matter – CNET
For the first time, scientists have detected the origin point of a space radio signal 6 billion light-years away, and managed to find the universe’s missing matter as a result.

Microsoft preps HoloLens beta kits along with a mixed-reality video app – CNET
Some beta testers are already working with the augmented-reality headset and an app called Actiongram that lets them create mixed-reality videos, according to leaked documents.

Big booths of Mobile World Congress (pictures) – CNET
Planes, cars and even a yellow submarine featured across some of the biggest booths of MWC 2016.

Encryption bill aims to settle the likes of Apple vs. FBI – CNET
Members of Congress say they’ll introduce a bill next week that would create a commission to help federal agents catch terrorists who are using encrypted devices, without sacrificing privacy or security.

Tim Cook says unlocking iPhone would be ‘bad for America’ – CNET
In an interview with ABC News, Apple’s CEO reiterates that helping the FBI unlock an iPhone linked to a terrorist attack would set a dangerous precedent.

NASA’s design for a next-generation aircraft – CNET
NASA showed CNET a trussed-wing commercial aircraft design that aims to be faster and more fuel efficient than current aircrafts.

A week at the world’s largest mobile tech show – CNET
Pack some water and comfortable shoes as CNET takes you inside the massive show floor of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Watch SpaceX try to land a rocket on a drone ship live on Wednesday – CNET
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is trying to make history again by landing a Falcon 9 rocket on a barge off the coast of Florida. Here’s how to watch tonight’s launch live.

Dark Souls 3’s new trailer harnesses the terrifying power of Cyndi Lauper – CNET
“I see your true colours…”

Valve raises Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament prize pools to $1 million – CNET
“We look forward to another great year of CS:GO competition.”

Fire Emblem Fates sells 300,000 copies at launch, breaking records – CNET
Birthright and Conquest sold five times more copies at launch than Fire Emblem Awakening did in 2013.

Extinct dodo birds weren’t as dumb as you think, study says – CNET
Dodos may have a reputation as the dunces of the bird world, but new research suggests they weren’t just a flock of lunkheads.

Lexus, Porsche and Buick lead 2016 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study – Roadshow
Technology hiccups with Bluetooth, voice recognition and navigation remain stumbling blocks

Eye tracking in VR headsets is the future, and it’s starting now – CNET
Virtual reality experiences could be all about the way you gaze. Several demos at Mobile World Congress made the magic happen.

White-hot phone startup Xiaomi plans US launch by ‘end of 2017’ – CNET
Phones from China-based Xiaomi have already caught on in Asia and Brazil. But can the company succeed in the states, where other Chinese firms have struggled? It intends to find out.

Well-educated immigrants are biggest innovators in US tech – CNET
Survey results debunk myths about the country’s biggest source of innovation. Hint: It’s not US-born college dropouts.

Motorola gets active with VerveLife outdoor wearables – CNET
We didn’t get a new smartphone from Motorola at the Mobile World Congress this year. Instead, the company just launched a new line of connected wearables, including a pair of completely wireless earbuds that we’re itching to try.

We do not recommend hitting the updated Atlas robot with a stick (Tomorrow Daily show notes) – CNET
Even though it doesn’t fight back, we’re pretty sure the robots will save this clip to replay to us on the day they rise up to destroy humanity. So maybe let’s *not* hit the advanced, human-sized robot?

Taken out by Twitter: A brief history of political social-media screwups – CNET
This week, Ted Cruz canned an aide for throwing some social-media shade at a rival. It’s yet another in tawdry tradition of political undoings that started with a status update.

Feds approve Cadillac CT6 digital rearview mirror – Roadshow
Because it still functions as a standard mirror, NHTSA had no problem approving it for use in the US.

Honda is already recalling the brand-new 2016 Civic – Roadshow
When catastrophic engine failure is on the table, it’s probably best to act fast.

Acura to release radically restyled 2017 MDX at New York Auto Show – Roadshow
The automaker’s best-selling crossover is on the verge of a much-needed refresh.

Meet the robot built to deliver your shopping – CNET
Starship Technologies’ “local delivery robot” is semi-autonomous, covered in cameras and ready to bring food to your door.

This freaky YouTube channel invites conspiracy theories – CNET
Unfavorable Semicircle is less than a year old and features more than 84,000 videos of bizarre, abstract images and sounds.

‘Pacific Rim 2’ moves forward with ‘Daredevil’ writer in the cockpit – CNET
Guillermo del Toro reveals on Twitter that Steven S. DeKnight, executive producer and lead writer on Netflix’s popular “Daredevil” series, will direct the monsters vs. mecha sequel.

Uber revs up a motorcycle-hailing service – CNET
UberMoto, debuting as a pilot program in Bangkok, could be a handy alternative in areas congested with cars.

So there’s a gorilla suit on board the International Space Station – CNET
Astronaut Scott Kelly dons an ape costume for some in-orbit hijnks far above the planet’s surface.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis to debut new album via Amazon live stream – CNET
The Seattle-based company will host the Seattle-bred rapper/producer duo.

Apple to argue First Amendment in iPhone encryption fight – CNET
To prevent the unlocking of an iPhone linked to the San Bernardino terrorist shootings, Apple’s attorneys will assert that computer code should be protected as free speech.

How Google’s impressive new robot demo will fuel your nightmares – CNET
Google-owned Boston Dynamics is showing how its latest Atlas robot can hold up to some pretty harsh testing, making us wonder if its creators have ever watched any sci-fi at all.

Exclusive: The OnePlus 3 will launch in late Q2 – CNET
The new flagship phone from Chinese manufacturer OnePlus will sport a ‘new design,’ which the company hopes will captivate users as much as its first smartphone, the OnePlus One, did.

Here’s why Takata’s airbag inflators keep exploding – Roadshow
As it turns out, there’s more than one factor involved.

Facebook emojis arrive. Put on a happy face – CNET
Social network releases Reactions, its collection of emojis designed to convey more nuanced emotions than the “like” button delivers.

Google wants to turbocharge articles loading on phones – CNET
Articles will now load faster when you find them through a Google search. It’s part of an industry trend, popularized by Facebook, to increase your zen when reading on a smartphone.

Clearing Google’s hurdle, Brave’s ad-blocking browser arrives – CNET
Brave Software wants to stop online ads from invading people’s privacy and slowing down the Web. Its browser is now available for both iPhones and Android phones.

Faster, quieter, cleaner: How NASA imagines the 737 of 2035 – CNET
Beyond getting to Mars in two decades, the US space agency has another mission: upgrading the commercial jet before the Europeans and Chinese.

Facebook wants to help you better express your feelings – CNET
Social network announces global availability of Reactions, a collection of emojis designed to convey more nuanced emotions than a “like” button can deliver.

Sorry, there probably won’t be an LG Nexus 5X successor this year – CNET
LG does plan to bring back the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition in the second half after scrapping the product in November.

Smart gun makers need tech investors to step up – CNET
Startups creating smart guns have the creativity and the will, they just need the funding.

What does it take to be the next Silicon Valley? Talent, money and ‘crazy people’ – CNET
Experts from the startup hubs of Dublin, Berlin and other European tech capitals reveal how to bring tech to your town.

Safer Wi-Fi, smart trash cans and more: What mattered on Mobile World Congress day two – CNET
Google’s 3D mapping tech is growing, and sensors will soon be on everything, including your trash can.

All the tech from Mobile World Congress you can actually buy soon – CNET
We’ve already seen a ton of new toys announced at this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) trade show in Barcelona. Here are the ones you’ll see on store shelves soon.

Amazon stops selling all hoverboards – CNET
If you don’t already have one of the motorized scooters, flagged by consumer watchdogs as unsafe, good luck scaring one up now.

Batman drives a Jeep (says Jeep) – CNET
Technically Incorrect: An ad for the Jeep Renegade shows Ben Affleck’s Batman driving it. Oh.

Safer Wi-Fi, smart trash cans and more: What mattered on Mobile World Congress day 3 – CNET
Google’s 3D mapping tech is growing, and sensors will soon be on everything, including your trash can.

15 things you need to qualify for NASA’s astronaut program (pictures) – CNET
NASA is officially looking for new space sailors. And the finalists may look very different from what you’d expect

MIT’s HydroMorph transforms simple H2O into a shapeshifting experience (Tomorrow Daily show notes) – CNET
Changing the shape of water might seem silly at first, but these researchers have a few clever ideas for their new water-harnessing device.

25 scientific images so gorgeous you can’t even handle it – CNET
If you think microscopes and scanners can’t produce beautiful art, you’re so, so wrong.

Sony imagines a screenless future and cute robot friends – CNET
The Japanese tech titan’s smart-home concepts come with a dose of personality.

Street Fighter 5 could add arcade mode in the future – CNET
Plus, existing story mode could get difficulty sliders through a patch.

Activision Blizzard becomes ‘largest game network in the world’ with Candy Crush dev buyout – CNET
Call of Duty, World of Warcraft company adds another huge franchise to its stable; company now reaches 500 million gamers.

Fallout 4 Automatron DLC achievements emerge – CNET
Next month’s expansion will include at least five achievements; see them here.

Battleborn Is Gearbox’s ‘biggest investment’ ever – CNET
Plus, Borderlands studio confirms multiple new IPs are in the works in addition to new entries to existing franchises.

What’s hitting Hulu in March – CNET
Every episode of “Party of Five” and “Dawson’s Creek?” Check. New episodes of “Broad City” and “Empire?” Check. More “Archer?” Check. Hulu’s got something for pretty much everyone in March.

Star Wars Battlefront’s Outer Rim expansion gets first image, more details – CNET
The paid expansion coming next month includes new maps, weapons and heroes and a new mode.