![It's not worth watching a futuristic movie like <i>Ghost in the Shell</i> in an ancient cinema.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/8/s/x/h/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gvjw8a.png/1492036603948.jpg)
![It's not worth watching a futuristic movie like <i>Ghost in the Shell</i> in an ancient cinema.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/8/s/x/h/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gvjw8a.png/1492036603948.jpg)
Facebook Messenger hits 1.2b monthly users
![The Messenger app debuted in 2011 but didn't take off until 2014.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/e/s/q/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvk1ln.png/1492034012636.jpg)
The milestone is key to Facebook's push to own more of people's time and wallets on mobile devices.
Samsung drags heels on voice assistant Bixby
![Bixby AI assistant was unveiled in New York in March.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/a/q/5/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvk1dt.png/1492032580937.jpg)
A much-touted feature of Samsung's next smartphone isn't going to work as advertised when the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ launches on April 21.
NBN shakes up the Multi-Technology Mix with more fibre to the curb
![NBN chief executive Bill Morrow unveiled the first fibre to the curb rollout back in 2016.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/n/a/l/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvj5z9.png/1492071910779.jpg)
Another 300,000 Australian premises are getting fibre all the way to the driveway as NBN becomes more generous with its fibre rollout.
Testing Google's new fact-check filter
![To test the feature out, Google was asked a range of questions previously proven false.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/0/p/m/3/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvj4x6.png/1491947639782.jpg)
We trial the new feature, asking Google a range of questions previously proven false – and some known to be true.
Not such a sound idea
![Perhaps just try headphones instead.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/i/b/4/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvib0s.png/1491906034167.jpg)
Lots of people complain about television sound quality, specifically that it's hard to hear what's being said amid all the background noise and dramatic music. They usually blame modern filming, saying it places so much emphasis on ambience that voices are drowned out. And they grumpily add that modern actors mumble.
Hands on: Fitbit Alta HR
![The OLED screen can display the time, date, and steps walked.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/i/b/h/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gviboz.png/1491871504608.jpg)
For people that really like fitness trackers, it's been difficult to find one that is the right blend of features, functionality and aesthetics.
Microsoft's Minecraft to launch its own currency
![<i>Minecraft</i> has sold over 121 million copies worldwide.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/s/0/p/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvi8tn.png/1491874335547.png)
Businesses will soon be able to sell their original content and creations to tens of millions of the game's players for the first time.
Facebook, Google battle for advertising dominance
![Facebook said in September that it had 4 million advertisers](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/p/o/l/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvi87n.png/1491863285173.jpg)
Facebook plans to announce on Monday that more than 5 million businesses are advertising on the social network each month
Spotify's rise shows that crazy ideas can work
![Daniel Ek, chief executive officer and co-founder of Spotify.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/s/1/b/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvi7ch.png/1491858851110.jpg)
When Daniel Ek first marched into record label offices in 2006, they must have thought he was off his rocker.
​NBN paves way for 10Gbps to the home with fibre trials
![NBN's NG-PON2 fibre trials promise to benefit all NBN users, not just those relying on fibre to the premises.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/u/r/x/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvi54w.png/1491861522376.jpg)
Potentially boosting fibre to the home speeds 100-fold, NBN's latest fibre trials also promise a backend overhaul to ease traffic jams across the entire network.
Hands on: Lenovo Miix 720 hybrid tablet
![Lenovo's Miix 720 hybrid aims to offer the best of both worlds when you're on the move.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/h/t/6/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvhst8.png/1491899750494.png)
Going head to head with Microsoft's Surface Pro, Lenovo's Miix 720 aims to be the ultimate travel companion for those who need grunt on the road.
Homes without internet are stuck in regulatory limbo
![NBN is increasing the number of premises that will have fibre to the driveway.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/g/1/z/p/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvftv2.png/1491884427531.jpg)
Red tape has left hundreds of homes in broadband limbo for months – with relief finally on the way.
What broadband speeds are you really getting?
![NBN](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/i/p/d/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvfnu6.png/1491537833324.jpg)
Consumers will, for the first time, be able to see which internet providers deliver advertised speeds over the NBN.
The questions to ask BEFORE you move your home phone to the NBN
![Ask the hard questions about your home phone service before the NBN installer arrives on your doorstep.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/n/g/r/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvdyna.png/1491965579858.jpg)
When you sign up for the NBN in search of a broadband boost, telcos don't tend to mention the hassles you might have with your home phone line.
Is Snap even a 'public' company?
![Standard & Poor's economics guru David Blitzer.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/k/1/w/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvecdk.png/1491521845871.jpg)
Australian investors hoping to invest in Snap Inc might be disappointed, with S&P; Dow Jones unsure on whether to add it to the S&P; 500 at all.
ABS calls out Aussie broadband performance
![Even among those that planned to switch, 2 per cent said they planned to switch between 18 and 24 months after it ...](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/d/y/y/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.gveuz6.png/1491540726774.jpg)
While Australians are chewing through more data than ever, the latest Internet Activity report continues to steer well clear of the quagmire surrounding real-world broadband speeds.
Accused Yahoo hacker had Lamborghini, Aston Martin at 22
![In this courtroom sketch, Karim Baratov, right, addresses the court during his bail hearing this week.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/e/o/8/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvetxc.png/1491443258872.jpg)
A Canadian accused of hacking Yahoo! email accounts for Russia said he moved into a $C642,000 home at 20.
Labor demand an IT review as former banker to lead APS digital transformation
![New DTA Chief Executive Gavin Slater.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/f/i/7/p/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvdz6h.png/1491747841850.jpg)
Labor demands a major IT review as Taylor turns to banking sector to get digital transformation back on track.
Do you really need a laser to cook a chook?
![A bit rubbish really.](/web/20170413113503im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/8/n/z/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.gv8ntm.png/1491366597674.jpg)
A laser-loader cooking thermometer? Who needs one?