Senate and House pass bill to re-open the government, raise the debt ceiling

At the end of the 16th day of the government shutdown, the Senate and House passed a bill that would reopen the government and avert a potentially cataclysmic default on U.S. debt payments by raising the federal government's debt limit.

The Senate voted 81-18 to pass the measure, and the House voted 285-144.

The final package, unveiled by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on the Senate floor earlier in the day, would fund the government through Jan. 15 and raise the debt ceiling through Feb. 7.

The bill would also strengthen income verification requirements for those who sign up for insurance under Obamacare, and it would provide time for both parties to appoint lawmakers to a conference committee to reconcile a broad budget resolution. The panel would be led by Budget Committee heads Republican Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, and it would be required to announce the result of its negotiations by Dec. 13.

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Microsoft releasing Windows 8.1, a year in making

Microsoft is releasing its long-awaited Windows 8.1 upgrade as a free download starting Thursday. It addresses some of the gripes people have had with Windows 8, the dramatically different operating system that attempts to bridge the divide between tablets and PCs.

Windows 8.1 still features the dual worlds that Windows 8 created when it came out last October. On one hand, it features a touch-enabled tile interface resembling what's found in tablet computers. On the other, there's the old desktop mode where the keyboard and mouse still reign. The update adds some new finger- and gesture-friendly shortcuts for touch-based apps, while restoring some respect for the desktop mode that a billion PC users have become accustomed to.

Full articled here.

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$649 iPhone 5s Costs Apple $199

The new iPhone 5s costs Apple about the same to build as last year's iPhone 5, according to a report from IHS. The company has torn down both the iPhone 5s and 5c, and assessed where the internals came from and what they cost.

The bill of materials for the 16-GB iPhone 5s comes to about $191. The device costs about $8 to manufacture, bringing the total to $199. The 64-GB model costs Apple only $19 more to make, for a total of $218. The full retail price of the 16-GB 5s is $649, while the 64-GB 5s goes for $849.

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Apple's Next iPad: Gateway To Mobile Revolution

In a little over a week, Apple is expected to update both its iPad and its iPad Mini, along with its OS X desktop operating system and its long-neglected Mac Pro hardware.

The fifth-generation iPad isn't likely to surprise. It should be thinner and lighter. It might be available in new colors -- silver, gold, and gray -- to match the iPhone 5s. It will probably be available with a new Apple Smart Cover keyboard (because the old one won't fit the revised dimensions) that will seem a bit more expensive than you'd prefer.

Full article here.

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Sony Challenges Samsung With SmartWatch 2

Sony's SmartWatch 2, the company's second-generation smartwatch, is available to U.S. consumers beginning Tuesday. The device can be purchased directly from Sony's Web store or other online retailers. The SmartWatch 2, announced earlier this year, costs $199.99 and outclasses Samsung's Galaxy Gear smartwatch in several key features.

The SmartWatch 2 has a larger, higher-resolution screen than the original. It measures 1.6 inches and includes 220 x 176 pixels. Sony says it uses a transflective screen that has improved brightness for outdoor viewing. The user interface has been reworked to more closely mimic Android. Pairing with other devices is a snap due to built-in NFC and Bluetooth, and the SmartWatch 2 is resistant to water and sweat so it will serve well as a workout buddy.

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