Tech News from CNET News.Com

Volkswagen tries to conquer the world with tech

The automaker wants to be the biggest in the world by 2018, and that will require great tech from an unlikely outpost in Silicon Valley. As part of CNET Conversations, Brian Cooley visits its Electronics Research Lab. <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-30966_3-57437392-262/volkswagen-tries-to-conquer-the-world-with-tech/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=readMore">[Read more]</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~4/8JResiqq7KA" height="1" width="1"/>

Panasonic sees wide angle with new X series lens (hands on)

The 12-35mm f2.8 Micro Four Thirds lens could be perfect when you want something better than the standard 14-42mm kit model; whether it is or not depends upon the as-yet unannounced price. <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57437452-1/panasonic-sees-wide-angle-with-new-x-series-lens-hands-on/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=readMore">[Read more]</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~4/8l2kZBA9CBo" height="1" width="1"/>

For Silicon Valley VC, a Leap from great advice to big rewards

For Andy Miller, a general partner with the venture capital firm of Highland Capital Partners, helping his portfolio companies may be just as rewarding as making money from them. <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57437591-76/for-silicon-valley-vc-a-leap-from-great-advice-to-big-rewards/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=readMore">[Read more]</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~4/HjX8oSiAFpw" height="1" width="1"/>

Leap Motion: 3D hands-free motion control, unbound

The startup's technology puts sub-millimeter accuracy at user fingertips, offers control gestures like pinch-to-zoom, and promises new applications that make the Kinect and its kin look like yesterday's news. <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57437404-76/leap-motion-3d-hands-free-motion-control-unbound/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=readMore">[Read more]</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~4/2eiDB2iAVMk" height="1" width="1"/>

Annular solar eclipse goes global, social

First annular eclipse in 18 years thrills millions in western U.S. and Southeast Asia and millions more who could only watch on social networks. <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57437991-76/annular-solar-eclipse-goes-global-social/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=readMore">[Read more]</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~4/Ynau9Y_Muug" height="1" width="1"/>

Schmidt challenges grads to turn off the screen for an hour a day

Google's chairman emeritus tells Boston University graduates: "Take your eyes off that screen and look into the eyes of the person you love." <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57437973-93/schmidt-challenges-grads-to-turn-off-the-screen-for-an-hour-a-day/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=readMore">[Read more]</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~4/p_eTdNXCouw" height="1" width="1"/>

Yahoo strikes deal to sell half of Alibaba stake

Internet pioneer will sell about half its shares in the China e-commerce giant for $7 billion. <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57437960-93/yahoo-strikes-deal-to-sell-half-of-alibaba-stake/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=readMore">[Read more]</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~4/MgGDuXz200s" height="1" width="1"/>

Thiel's college dropout plan scrutinized by '60 Minutes'

Investor and entrepreneur tells the CBS news magazine that a college degree is unnecessary for financial success, but critics call his program an elitist ploy. <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57437953-93/thiels-college-dropout-plan-scrutinized-by-60-minutes/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=readMore">[Read more]</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~4/A4SX_zDDk84" height="1" width="1"/>

Outcry after Facebook removes pic of dying baby

A mother wants to share a picture of her son on Facebook. He lived only eight hours. Facebook removes the image, deeming it "too graphic." Much later, the company offers an apology and admits it erred. <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57437939-71/outcry-after-facebook-removes-pic-of-dying-baby/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=readMore">[Read more]</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~4/_u23zqkdMPM" height="1" width="1"/>

Imports of HTC smartphones slowly resume

Phones held up over patent issues with Apple are being released after U.S. Customs inspections, the handset maker says. <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57437944-37/imports-of-htc-smartphones-slowly-resume/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=readMore">[Read more]</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/cnet/tcoc/~4/k2djAfQIbqM" height="1" width="1"/>