Artificial intelligence keeps IBM atop 2016 patent list

IBM's efforts to match and surpass the human brain with computing technology helped push the company to the top of the 2016 list of patent awards.

The US Patent and Trademark Office granted IBM 8,088 patents for the year, more than 2,700 of them stemming from artificial intelligence and cognitive computing work, IBM and IFI Claims said Monday.

 

The best tablets that aren't the Apple iPad

If tablets were the Brady Bunch, the Apple iPad would be Marcia and, well, everything else would be Jan.

But that's not fair, right? Those other tablets have great qualities, too. (Just like Jan.) And just because they're not the most popular doesn't mean they're not worthy of your attention. (Just like Jan!)

Here are the best tablets that aren't the iPad, because they exist, too.

Microsoft shows unusual paranoia on Twitter

Technically Incorrect offers a slightly twisted take on the tech that's taken over our lives.

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Now that's commitment. Or fear.

Photo by Screenshot by Chris Matyszczyk/CNET

2016 has seen Microsoft gain in confidence.

This doesn't mean, however, that there isn't fright in the air. I judge this from the activity of its Office Twitter account.

When Twitterer @OfficialchinXS mused: "Word 2016 has been the worst year yet," coupled with a weeping emoji, Microsoft was deeply saddened.

Actually, hurt would be a better description. For its official Office Twitter account must have tortured itself for three days, before it replied: "@Officialchinxs Ouch. Do you have any feedback for us?"

Walmart's Jet buys ShoeBuy in push versus Amazon's Zappos

Jet.com, the Amazon rival owned by retailing giant Walmart, bought online footwear retailer ShoeBuy for $70 million, the company said Thursday.

The move underscores Walmart's continued push against Amazon, owner of online shoe store Zappos. The biggest retailer in the world, Walmart made online expansion its priority last year, taking over Jet for $3.3 billion and setting up a plan to invest billions more into e-commerce while cutting down new store openings.

Nvidia Spot is like a Google Home you stick on your wall

The Google Assistant's expanding its repertoire as an entertainer. At CES, Nvidia showed off the new Shield TV. Say the word and you can search for content, pause or rewind with your voice, all powered by Google's software. The Shield TV will even display information if you search the internet, and it works with SmartThings to control your home. If you buy the $200 streamer, you won't even have to be in the same room to talk to Google, thanks to a $50 add-on called the Nvidia Spot.

The Shield TV is out later this month. The Spot's release date hasn't been specified. An always listening controller with the Google Assistant built-in, the Nvidia Spot sure sounds a lot like a Google Home. The Spot looks different -- a round orb as opposed to a white cylinder. You'll also be able to easily move the Spot from room to room and even attach it to walls.