BlackBerry users were outraged over a recent service outage that left customers out of touch for three days, and now consumers in the U.S. and Canada are filing class action lawsuits against Research in Motion, the telecommunications company that makes the popular smartphones. Are you among the deeply inconvenienced who want their money back? more ›

It may have been a down year at the box office but Oscar organizers plan to take their social media and online fan engagement to the next level this year. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences presents its 83rd annual award show Sunday night. But the festivities have already begun online. more ›

Can MTV.com do what many have tried (and failed) to do over the past decade-and-a-half -- become the MTV of the internet? MTV Networks' head of digital media told us that's exactly what he's set out to do in 2011. We rapped with EVP of MTV.com Dermot McCormack about iPads, Android tablets, Lady Gaga, and the future of MTV programming and he came at us with a three-pronged proposal to cure the world of Justin Bieber... or... to dominate the entertainment industry like Max Headroom always envisioned, long before Jersey Shore. more ›

It's all 21st century and shizzle in the LBC! Long Beach residents are now just a tap away from reporting "potholes, graffiti, sidewalk damage, and other service needs to the City," with the launch of the free "Go Long Beach" smartphone app, reports the Press-Telegram. Requests submitted via iPhone or BlackBerry go right to work crews, "who will respond to them faster than requests made by telephone or e-mail." (Android version arrives in December.) The app allows users to include GPS info, photos, and a description of the issue. More categories will be added based on need and requests. more ›

When I moved into this neighborhood four years ago after driving out from Chicago, one of my first objectives was to test the various cellular phone (that's what we called them back then) providers. more ›

Some interesting tech-related news from around the web this week. • Blackberry service had an outage this week in many parts of North America and for several tense hours, millions of users had to find something else to do with their thumbs. I feel their pain. But oddly, not in my thumbs. • Despite spending a boatload of cash to advertise Windows Vista, Microsoft has only managed to sell 244 legit copies of the... more ›

Welcome to the latest edition of Ask the MACist, the column where I answer your Mac and Mac-related questions with hopefully more clarity and insight than you could ever need. As always, I want to thank those of you who sent in questions this week. They are much appreciated. Keep it up! And remember, if you have a question about anything Mac, Mac-related, or even something about another technology like TiVo, cell phones or... more ›

Welcome to the latest edition of “Ask the MACist”. The column where I answer your Mac and Mac-related questions with hopefully more clarity and insight than you could ever need. You may have noticed that today is Monday and not Saturday. Well, as of this week "Ask the MACist" will now be appearing every Monday here at LAist instead of Saturday. So, mark your calendars! Plus, my apologies for not having a column last... more ›