5 things Apple got right–and 5 it got wrong–in 2018

Apple truly had its moments in 2018. And then there were those other moments…

When Fortnite pwnd Google: the most overlooked story of the year

Contrary to appearances, it’s still possible to stare down the tech giants. And in 2018, Fortnite proved it.

Amazon’s three-pronged plan for taking over your home

With 28,000 Alexa-friendly devices—and a healthy lead over other players—Amazon’s smart home strategy is entering a new phase.

Facebook’s Building 8 research lab is no more

It’s not easy to translate DARPA’s fabled principles into world-changing successes.

Google’s Assistant voice is getting some international flair

The case for Google’s Pixel 3, despite everything

You shouldn’t deepen your ties to Google without considering the implications. But it’s gotten really good at melding hardware, software, and services.

Microsoft’s Surface headphones: Not Bose killers, but worth a listen

For a few weeks, I used the new Surface noise-canceling headphones side by side with my go-to Bose QuietComfort 35s. Here’s what I learned.

Help paying off your student loans is a great perk–if you can get it

As Americans grapple with $1.7 trillion in debt, many employers are offering help in the form of financial counseling and refinancing programs.

Alexa just got better at picking music for you

Amazon Music is leaning on Alexa to remember your listening habits and nail down the right playlist. But don’t expect perfection just yet.

Facebook is five years into its AI journey

CTO Mike Schroepfer on Facebook AI Research, the progress it’s made in solving the company’s biggest problems, and the work yet to be done.

Scooters are everywhere. Shouldn’t they be smarter and sturdier?

Superpedestrian wants to give an upgrade to the scooters used by sharing services.

Apple Music’s arrival on Amazon’s Echo is both surprising and logical

Maybe the move is a vote of no confidence in the HomePod. But that’s far from the only explanation.

These five Google successes began as employee passion projects

Custom earbuds could save your hearing. Why haven’t they taken off?

Every pair of EarPods are the same, but no two people have the same ear canals. Custom-fit buds aren’t just comfier—they could help you avoid going deaf.

When passwords get stolen, this Australian guy alerts the world

Troy Hunt’s Have I Been Pwned is a one-stop shop for learning if you’re among the millions affected by security breaches. And he’s trying to do it the responsible way.

Traveling to Chicago? Let these room service robots cater to your every whim

Flickr’s new free offering is better than amazing: It’s sustainable

Yahoo gave Flickr users a deal that was almost too good to be true. New owner SmugMug is pulling back–in the interest of making the service stronger.

The tiny 1960s startup that became a global tech-media empire

IDG brought us PC World, Macworld, and other familiar brands. But first, it produced a newsletter from a house in suburban Boston.

Apple’s first 5G iPhone will arrive in 2020

Apple’s relationship with Intel is not all wine and roses, but the chipmaker will be the sole provider of modems for the first 5G iPhone.