![The Mercedes-Benz F015 driverless car is programmed to avoid collisions, but not at risk to the occupants.](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/5/5/9/p/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gs29wy.png/1476421900032.jpg)
![The Mercedes-Benz F015 driverless car is programmed to avoid collisions, but not at risk to the occupants.](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/5/5/9/p/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gs29wy.png/1476421900032.jpg)
Samsung's history of problematic products
![Samsung has recalled six models of its top-loader washing machines.](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/6/z/f/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs23on.png/1476398872328.jpg)
Samsung killed the Galaxy Note7 this week after the devices continued to burst into flames. But the tech behemoth has not extinguished scrutiny over its safety record.
Virtual reality rides the infamous hype cycle
![Virtual Reality is ready to come out and play, but does it have staying power?](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/q/n/p/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs21qk.png/1476394931694.jpg)
As home VR goes mainstream, can it survive a plunge into the trough of disillusionment?
Samsung's woes highlight explosive limits of lithium batteries
![Samsung has reportedly suspended production of the Note 7.](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/v/y/z/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs1hxb.png/1476387611410.jpg)
Consumer demand for smaller, longer lasting devices is forcing manufacturers to push the technology to the limits, battery experts say.
Say what? Say how?
![Digital assistants: young Caucasian women only need apply.](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/z/j/n/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.grziyy.png/1476330734319.jpg)
Listening and talking are the new input and output devices of computers. But they have social and emotional dimensions never seen with keyboards and screens.
PlayStation VR review: virtual reality for the masses
![The PSVR features several lights which allow the camera to track your precise movements.](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/u/6/x/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs12im.png/1476305125979.jpg)
Today Sony has launched the PlayStation VR, a futuristic-looking device that – while it might not deliver the crystal-clear alternative world experiences of our dreams – could be the first virtual reality system to really take off with mainstream gamers.
What does Samsung do now?
![Samsung's Note7 was a great phone, apart from the overheating, but the Note name may now be tarnished forever.](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/v/y/z/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs0c92.png/1476233576088.jpg)
Samsung has issued a second recall for the troubled Note7 handset and canned production, but where does it go from here?
What PlayStation VR is all about
![The PlayStation VR headset.](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/u/6/x/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs069x.png/1476231654335.jpg)
On Thursday, Sony will launch a product it hopes will introduce virtual reality to the masses.
Don't hand scammers the early Christmas present of your card details
![Keep your credit card details safe when shopping online.](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/x/j/a/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs0ajp.png/1476232584459.jpg)
With online credit card fraud on the rise, Stay Smart Online Week presents a good opportunity to rethink your online shopping habits.
Samsung's fireproof box for Galaxy Note7 returns
!['Forbidden for transport by aircraft': Samsung's return box for the Galaxy Note7.](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/0/6/z/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs076c.png/1476224049807.jpg)
Recalling a product whose reputation consists solely of its propensity to burst into flames presents some obvious problems like: is it even legal to mail this thing?
Samsung scraps Galaxy Note 7 production over fire concerns
![Analysts say a permanent end to Note 7 sales could cost Samsung up to $17 billion and tarnish its other phone products ...](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/v/y/y/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs043k.png/1476211943398.jpg)
It's ending all sales and production of Note 7.
Sony Xperia XZ gets Australian launch details
![XZ](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/z/m/k/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.grzjr7.png/1476154951371.jpg)
Sony has announced that its recently-unveiled flagship phone, the Xperia XZ, will be available in Australia on October 20 with pre-orders opening today.
'Power down': It's all over for the Note7
![Samsung slashed its third-quarter profit estimate by a third, estimating more than $3 billion in loss over its decision ...](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/w/w/8/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.grzdcc.png/1476311232515.jpg)
Samsung has asked all retailers across the globe to stop selling and exchanging the Galaxy Note7 smartphone, and has instructed all owners of the phone to power it off and seek a refund or replacement.
Samsung suspends Galaxy Note7 production: reports
![Samsung has reportedly suspended production of the Note 7.](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/v/y/z/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.gryqd7.png/1476340549511.jpg)
Samsung Electronics has suspended production of its Galaxy Note7 smartphones.
Alleged Lizard Squad, PoodleCorp DDoS attackers arrested
![Lizard Squad has previously bragged about taking down popular gaming services like Xbox Live and PSN.](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/y/p/h/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.grypc6.png/1476064602020.jpg)
Two members of hacking groups Lizard Squad and PoodleCorp were charged last week with 'conspiring to cause damage to protected computers'.
Sticking with one email address is a security risk
![Using the same password for everything makes life easier for hackers.](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/4/7/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gryorc.png/1476082301109.jpg)
Celebrate Stay Smart Online Week by creating a few online aliases so it's harder for hackers to track you down.
Three replacement Note7s catch fire in one week
![A US plane was evacuated last week after a phone caught fire.](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/v/x/c/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.gryl6e.png/1476141878010.jpg)
Reports surface of man suffering acute bronchitis from phone smoke, as internal Telstra memo indicates replacement shipments to Australia will be halted.
Murray's shock after being told of a $170,000 debt with Telstra
![Murray Clode, 53, said he was "absolutely speechless" to hear he had a $170,000 debt to Telstra.](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/y/8/f/k/image.related.landscape.120x80.gry5z5.png/1476055893586.jpg)
Murray Clode was left "absolutely speechless" when he was informed about a $170,000 debt with Telstra.
The 9 best browser extensions
![The web is rife with annoyances.](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/y/i/f/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.grygk4.png/1476056089638.jpg)
The web is rife with annoyances. Here are some browser add-ons that make it a better place for everyone.
Apple Watch banned in UK cabinet
![Ministers in the UK have been barred from wearing the devices amid concerns they could be used by hackers as listening ...](/web/20161014201522im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/r/3/u/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gryh1c.png/1476049932618.jpg)
Ministers in the UK have been barred from wearing Apple Watches during cabinet meetings amid concerns that they could be hacked by Russian spies.