![The case between the Privacy Commissioner and Telstra was sparked two years ago when the former ordered the telco to ...](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/v/p/z/q/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gtvc85.png/1484896558267.jpg)
![The case between the Privacy Commissioner and Telstra was sparked two years ago when the former ordered the telco to ...](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/v/p/z/q/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gtvc85.png/1484896558267.jpg)
Smart homes get smarter at CES 2017
![The Hydrao smart showerhead uses an LED light system to show how much water is being used.](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/v/a/o/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtv9jp.png/1484888119421.jpg)
Home automation is slowly but surely becoming an affordable way to deliver more energy-efficient homes that offer better security, comfort and healthcare.
Is this viral photo filter app spying on you?
![Meitu](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/v/a/x/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtvaew.png/1484875163475.jpg)
Chinese app Meitu has recently taken off in English-speaking countries, and your social feed may be filled with images of your friends' faces contorted into an anime style. But security researchers are warning the app is doing far more making your selfies cute.
Fun with falling in Gravity Rush 2
![Gravity Rush 2](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/u/l/f/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtuc63.png/1484867282152.jpg)
This sequel repeats just about every mistake the original made, but in spite of that I fell in love with its sprawling world, goofy characters and thrilling aerial acrobatics all over again.
Aussies trust Apple, Google with credit card details more than retailers
![The security reputation of Australian online retailers has been tarnished by a spate of data breaches.](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/u/g/j/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtugcs.png/1484920056123.jpg)
After a string of online security breaches, Australians are wary of storing their credit card details online and mistrust local retailers more than tech giants Apple and Google.
Works just like the Tardis
![STM's backpack is a lot more spacious than it looks.](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/s/v/5/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtsv2j.png/1484787770911.jpg)
Laptop bags are a tricky proposition, laptop backpacks even more so.
Seven predictions for Snapchat in 2017
![Snap has promised to deliver more devices such as the Spectacles video camera sunglasses.](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/g/z/0/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtubn7.png/1484785342416.jpg)
As Snap moves toward an expected initial public offering this year, it's natural to expect increased predictability and transparency from a company that has thrived so far without much of either.
Samsung Galaxy S8: what we know
![This image from Olixar shows off its upcoming clear protective case for the Galaxy S8, but is this what the phone will ...](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/u/7/w/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtu7uc.png/1484782809263.jpg)
Samsung has a lot to make up for after the the debacle that was the Galaxy Note7. In the next month or so, it'll have the perfect chance to do it.
Pokemon GO made $1.2 billion in 2016
![Pokemon Go took the world by storm when it launched in July.](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/a/m/z/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gttn1w.png/1484717566790.jpg)
Pokemon GO reached a level of success in 2016 that eludes even some of the most successful traditional video games.
VR gear sales yet to reach 'iPhone stage'
![Alex Rosenfeld, the founder of Vrideo, a hub for virtual reality videos, at his home in California, last week.](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/t/m/9/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.gttl7j.png/1484707760793.jpg)
For a technology to crack the mainstream, there is an unspoken understanding: It shouldn't make the people who use it want to throw up.
The most common passwords of 2016
![Keeper found about 1.7 million accounts were protected by the password '123456'. Is yours?](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/t/i/h/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtti06.png/1484723878517.jpg)
We've all heard the warnings about passwords — use a variety of character types, make it random, use a password manager — but many of us, it seems, still aren't listening.
Oculus VR tech not stolen, Zuckerberg testifies
!['Oculus products are based on Oculus technology,' Mark Zuckerberg said.](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/m/7/d/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtte2r.png/1484687092901.jpg)
Facebook CEO denies that John Carmack, the coding legend behind games including Doom, brought secrets with him when he became the CTO of Oculus.
Introducing Centrelink's robo-public servant
![Centrelink public servants could soon be replaced by 'virtual assistants'.](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/p/4/q/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtt2na.png/1484631073635.jpg)
Federal government to unleash robo-assistants on the public in February.
Cute, cuddly and chatty? 'Catterbox' looks to give cats a voice
![Catterbox could provide insight into the thoughts of the pets.](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/s/v/8/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtsuj5.png/1484615348903.jpg)
For months there has been excitement among the cat cognoscenti about the Catterbox, described in a viral video as 'the world's first talking cat collar'.
Flashing peace sign may put fingerprints at risk
![Isao Echizen's fingerprints were recreated from a photo of him flashing a peace sign.](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/s/t/r/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtss3e.png/1484613382583.jpg)
Japanese researchers say they have successfully copied fingerprint data from a digital picture of a person flashing a two-fingered "V" or peace sign, raising questions about the potential theft of such information.
Nanny state game depressing, oppressive, not unrealistic
![<i>Beholder</i>'s art style, while simple, works well with the feeling of oppression.](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/o/k/c/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtom1k.png/1484613560273.jpg)
Clearly modelled after a grim nanny-state vision of Russia, 'Beholder' tasks players with balancing two opposing goals: run an apartment building as a respectable landlord who is liked by his tenants, and keep your government employers happy by constantly monitoring, reporting and spying on said tenants.
Australian Open serves up new data analytics
![A technician at the Australian Open working in the server room where statistics are recorded.](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/s/g/t/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtsez2.png/1484696586196.jpg)
A new flow of compelling and creative player statistics have been published ahead of this year's Open and will be updated and released during the tournament.
Facebook takes two weeks to remove footage of girl's death
![Live videos: a slippery slope.](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/q/r/j/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gts3mj.png/1484606201668.jpg)
After a 12-year-old US girl's death was broadcast on social media, police could do little to keep the disturbing footage from spreading online.
SpaceX successfully launches rocket
![SpaceX launch](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/s/5/f/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.gts5iu.png/1484533007952.jpg)
Elon Musk's Space Exploration Technologies returned to the skies on Saturday with a flawless delivery of communications satellites into orbit, its first flight since a September 1 fireball destroyed a rocket and its payload on a Florida launch pad.
Samsung fans stay put despite explosive 2016
![Returned boxes of Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Note 7 smartphones are placed at a shop of South Korean mobile carrier in ...](/web/20170122120756im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/2/z/6/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gts4p2.png/1484644246049.jpg)
Data on the phones consumers are searching for shows not even the most explosive of events in 2016 can completely thwart Samsung's efforts.