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USB drives.

(Credit: CBS Interactive)

Robbing ATMs is nothing new. There's the everlasting stick-em-up, the bogus card scheme, ATM phishing, and more. But, it appears new ways are being invented to pull off successful cash machine heists.

It was recently revealed that thieves were able to access loads of ATM money by injecting machines with malware using USB drives, according to the BBC.

These break-ins involved both low- and high-tech techniques. Apparently, the criminals manually cut holes in the machines to plug in USB sticks that then installed malware on the system. Once the machines were infected, the robbers would patch the holes on the dispensers.

According to the BBC, researchers presented the details of the robberies during the recent Chaos Computing Congress in Hamburg, Germany.

These researchers explained that the malware allowed the thieves to create a unique interface on the ATMs by typing in a 12-digit code. This interface allowed for withdrawal and also showed the criminals the amount of money and each bill denomination inside the machines. This meant the thieves could save time by only taking the highest value bills.

It's unclear which banks were hit and how much money the criminals were able to nab.

Motorola's Moto G.

(Credit: Andrew Hoyle/CNET)

Motorola's Moto G has already debuted on its own Web site and on Amazon, but it has yet to make an appearance with wireless carriers and at retail stores. However, that's about to change.

Best Buy has confirmed it will be selling a Verizon version of the smartphone for as low as $99.99 and it could be arriving within the next few days, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The news first came on Monday when a Google+ user named Josue Joseph, who says he works at Best Buy Mobile, posted a photo of the Moto G in Verizon packaging to his account. He commented that it "looks like it's going for $100."

A short time later, Droid Life published a photo of a Best Buy document that said the "hard street date" for the Verizon Moto G was January 9. Then, the Los Angeles Times confirmed with Best Buy on Tuesday that the retailer will be selling the device with no contract for $99.99.

"The phone is currently landing in stores and is available for sale as soon as it arrives," Best Buy spokesman Jonathan Sandler told the Times.

The smartphone is being marketed as a less expensive version of Motorola's Moto X. The Moto X, which launched only in the US earlier this year, stands out to customers because they can tweak how the device looks with different colors and accents.

Verizon confirmed last month that it was planning to sell the device sometime in early 2014, but the wireless carrier had not yet provided details on the exact launch date and price.

CNET contacted Motorola and Verizon for comment. We'll update the story when we get more information.

Google Glass with prescription lenses could look kind of like this.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Wearing Google Glass could be an issue for users that don't have 20/20 vision, but it's looking like this problem is being dealt with. Rochester Optical has made prescription lenses for the wearable tech that are said to come in all sorts of styles, cost as low as $99, and debut in as soon as two weeks from now, according to Slash Gear.

Rochester Optical announced last month that it was creating a release of "digital high definition prescription lenses for Google Glass."

"As a state-of-the-art optical laboratory, one of the first wearable technology items Rochester Optical will be producing are custom prescription, fashion, and sport lenses for Google Glass, available for purchase in early 2014," the company said in a statement.

Rochester Optical will be begin preorders on the prescription lenses after CES 2014 next week, according to Slash Gear. Instead of having to take apart the headpiece, the lenses are said to simply clip onto Glass.

The Web giant is said to have been in talks with American vision benefits provider VSP Global about how best to integrate Google Glass into prescription glasses and casual frames. The Web giant has also publicly said it has been working to create prescription frames for Glass "for some time."

Besides prescription lenses, Google Glass is also set to get different types of shields and come with sunglasses.

Preparing for CES, as seen here last year, is massive operation.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

In less than a week, the tech world will again turn its attention to Las Vegas as established companies and hopeful newcomers flock to the desert for CES 2014. Now in its 47th year, CES remains one of the most important events on the industry's calendar, even as other shows like Mobile World Congress and IFA battle for the gadget spotlight.

As we've long done, CNET will be on the ground in force at CES to show you everything, whether it's just an idea or a real product with a power switch. Lindsey Turrentine, Editor-in-Chief of CNET Reviews, outlines our complete plans in her post from yesterday, but you can be sure that we'll cover every inch (or centimeter) of the show floor with live blogs of major press conferences, video First Looks of the hottest products, and live events from CNET's stage. And if you'd rather take your tech news in Spanish, CNET En Espanol will be in Vegas, as well.

So what exactly will all that news be? Well, that's the critical question that we ponder each year as we pack our bags. CNET editors have already posted detailed predictions for the major Reviews categories like tablets, smartphones, cameras, computers, and home audio. Click through to our ginormous CES package to read them all, but if you're pressed for time I'll give you the highlights here.

Wearable products like the Fitbit Force, Pebble, Samsung Galaxy Gear (l-r) will be a big at CES 2014.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Wearabales for the win

Yes, wearables are a new and very niche category, but their rapid growth in 2013 signals an even bigger 2014. We expect lots of new wearable tech at CES, from existing pioneer vendors like Fitbit and Pebble, megacompanies like LG, and new startups searching for attention. We expect a glut of fitness trackers and a fair number of smartwatches, as well. And though Google won't have a booth in Las Vegas, don't be surprised to see new Google Glass apps along with competing smart glasses, visors, and augmented-reality goggles (yes, Oculus Rift will be in Vegas again this year).

A smarter home

For 2014, we're excited about our first CES with CNET's new appliances team. And just in time, for the notion of a "smart home" with your smartphone, appliances, and thermostat talking to each other took a big leap in 2013. At CES, look for developments in DIY home security, locks that don't need a key, and home lighting like nothing you've ever seen. That last category is especially timely, given that sales of 60- and 40-watt incandescent bulbs will be banned in the United States starting January 1.

Get ready for Steambox

As desktops fade away, hybrid devices that blur the line between laptop and tablet take their place. Of course, we'll see more of those products at CES, but the biggest story should be Valve's Steambox. Though the first demo kits are just being sent to beta testers, it puts another nail in the desktop coffin by eliminating the big and bulky models that center on gaming. And if the predictions surrounding Steambox do bear out, then this may be the most exciting CES that we've seen for gaming in a long time.

Big, big TVs have long been a staple of CES.

(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

Smaller steps

The TV category has long dominated CES, and though it will do so again, the category's steps forward in 2014 should be smaller. 4K TVs will be big, but plasma displays will be few and far between, if we see them at all. OLED, on the other hand, isn't going anywhere just yet, and that includes the mainstream. Even if we see new OLED TVs at CES, which isn't terribly likely, they'll remain far too expensive for most consumers. Look also for more apps and smarter TVs that respond to voice commands. And this being CES, we'll absolutely see lots of TV eye candy like curved displays and monitors of a mammoth size.

Believe it or not, some of those same TV trends will make their way to smartphones. Bigger displays, curved displays, and higher-resolution displays will be key trends. New developments in hands-free controls won't be far behind, and 64-bit chips will continue to proliferate. On the whole, though, while smartphone news will be made at CES, most vendors will be holding their bags of tricks close until Mobile World Congress in late February.

Until next week

As a reminder, CES begins next Tuesday, January 7, 2014, and runs through the following Friday. There also will be a lot of action on Monday, the official CES press day, when press conferences crowd the schedule early in the morning until late in the evening (we'll post a full list of all events CNET will be covering shortly). And on Sunday afternoon, the fun really begins with CES Unveiled at the Mandalay Bay.

So, until this weekend, enjoy your New Year's Eve and the first few days of 2014. Then, as the clock ticks to this weekend and the confetti is cleaned from Times Square, come back to CNET for everything CES.

For home networking, 2013 was the year of the 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard. Virtually all networking vendors have at least one device that supports this new, much faster wireless specification. On the client side, there are more and more devices that also support 802.11ac, such as the latest MacBook Air or the MacBook Pro.

But not all 802.11ac routers are created equal. There are at least a few of them that you should avoid. Following, however, is the list of five routers I found to be the best of 2013 and all of them support 802.11ac.

They are quite different from one another but one thing is for sure, each will definitely transform your home network into the best that you can have for now, both for wired and wireless clients. For best results, make sure you also upgrade them to the latest firmware. This list is sorted in the order the products were reviewed, with the most recent review on top.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET)

Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Smart Wi-Fi Router R7000

The R7000 is Netgear's answer the Asus RT-AC68U below. The new router is the first from Netgear that also offers up to 600Mbps Wi-Fi for 2.4GHz clients while providing the top 802.11ac speed of 1.3Gbps for 5GHz clients. It's super-fast and has a lot of features. The device is powered by the most powerful dual-core chip that runs at 1,000MHz and is also one of the largest home routers on the market. You really can't go wrong with it. Read the full review of the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Smart Wi-Fi Router R7000.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET)

Asus RT-AC68U Dual-band Wireless-AC1900 Gigabit Router

Similar to the Netgear above, the Asus RT-AC68U is one of a few high-end routers on the market that offers up to 1.3Gbps of wireless speed on the 5GHz band and up to 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. The router worked well in my testing and has lots of cool features; the ability to turn one of its four LAN ports into a secondary WAN port is by far the most uncommon. This allows you to use two separate Internet sources for faster speed or backup purposes. Note that this Dual-WAN feature was retroactively made available to previous models via firmware updates, including the RT-N66U and the RT-AC66U, but the RT-AC68U is the first that came with it. Read the full review of the Asus RT-AC68U Dual-band Wireless-AC1900 Gigabit Router.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET)

Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station

The new AirPort Extreme and the new Time Capsule are the first devices from Apple that support the new Wi-Fi standard. The new router is very different from its predecessors, boasting an entirely new design that's much more compact and very pretty. In fact its glamour was what helped it earn a place on this top five, because as a router, it's quite limited compared with its peers.

Other than the support for 802.11ac, it's very similar to the previous model in terms of features. It still offers just three LAN ports (as opposed to the four that most routers have), one USB 2.0 port, and the same limited number of features. In my testing, it was very fast, though not the fastest. However, its new design and performance are enough for Apple fans to justify its hefty price. Read the full review of the Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET)

D-Link DIR-868L

The DIR-868L is the second 802.11ac router from D-Link, and it's much better than the previous one, the DIR-865L. The new router has a vertical cylindrical design, which was first available in the DIR-645. It looks more like a computer speaker or a Thermos than a router.

In my testing it had very fast performance and solid Wi-Fi coverage. You can also manage your home network via the Internet with a mobile app or Mydlink portal. The DIR-868L can only work as a router, however, not as a media bridge or a standalone access point. Read the full review of the D-link DIR-868L.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET)

Trendnet TEW-812DRU

The no-frills TEW-812DRU is a reliable workhorse 802.11ac router. The router doesn't come wtih many fancy features; rather it offers very fast Wi-Fi coverage, and for most users that's all they need. Its only shortcomings are the lack of wall-mounting options and slow network storage speeds when coupled with a USB external storage device. As far as fast networking, both wired and wireless, is concerned, though, this is the best bargain. Read the full review of the Trendnet TEW-812DRU.

Looking for specs and pricing? Compare these routers head-to-head.

June was a busy month for the team. We looked at Ford's secret Heritage Shed, drove the stunning Morgan Aero Coupe, took a look around the potential London F1 circuit and had a go in the new Range Rover Sport.

by Alex Goy December 31, 2013 12:01 PM PST

Farewell, 2013.

(Credit: Screenshot by Chris Matyszczyk/CNET)

On an Internet landscape blighted by the spying of governments, corporations, and ex-lovers, Google's doodles have been an apogee of delight in 2013.

So, to celebrate the passing of 2013 -- and good riddance, you unlucky year, say many -- Google's perhaps tipsy doodlers have decided to do the hustle, the shuffle, or the oh-dear-lord-my-head-is-spinning-so-I-must-keep-moving-cha-cha.

The New Year's doodle seems to be at an oldie disco, complete with mirrorball.

Each number of 2013 is dancing to a unknown tune, but it looks like Disco-Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes to me.

As they are doing their thing, trying to look as if they're enjoying themselves, the number 4 is waiting to join the danceathon and relieve the number 3.

The look on number 4's face suggests that he is a touch uncertain. I'm not sure if he's worried about whether he can bring positive change to this dancing crowd, or whether he is merely appalled at the other number's dance moves.

Still, let's look at it as a beacon of hope. If your 2013 wasn't the best, I wish for your 2014 to surprise, most of all, you.

May your stock options kick in like a horse ready to flee. May your heart's desire actually realize this is the case and do what's necessary to bring fruition down upon the current frustration.

And may your adoration for technology never blind you to the small truths of humanity: we all just wanna dance wit' each other, really. Don't we?

Keep palm and tarry on.

(Credit: Williams-Sonoma)

Family, friends and food. These three things tend to come together this time of year. Now, as we close out 2013, we can look back at the last couple of months and reflect calmly upon the flurry of excitement and activity that so often defines the season -- as well as all those incredible messes that were made in the kitchen.

Before the platters of cookies, cakes, and sweets get set out for all to enjoy, they must of course, be made. That entails a lot of mixing, chopping, and all-around messiness. At least for one common kitchen task, the Salter for Williams-Sonoma Touchless Tare Glass Scale ($39.95) looks to clean things up.

Perhaps taking a cue from a certain cellphone, the sleek kitchen scale allows for hands-free operation. With just a wave of your hand over the sensor, the scale can tare to zero, allowing you to weigh ingredients as easily as answering a call.

Featuring an 11-pound capacity, a large LED display and the ability to measure liquid ingredients using Salter's Aquatronic feature, the countertop helper offers an easy way to help keep messy fingers away from controls. Also available in a 30-pound high-capacity model ($59.95), the touchless feature might not make the holidays go any smoother, but at least the countertop will be clean and ready for a new year.

(Credit: Citi Bike)

When the 30,000 LED lights on the New Year's Eve ball at Times Square light up Tuesday night, onlookers will have pedal power to thank -- in part at least.

As CBS New York reports, six stationary Citi Bikes from the city's bike-sharing program have been set up to supply electricity for the lights.

April Campo of Maryland was among those spinning away on one of them over the weekend.

"I'm loving this," Campo said. "Isn't this a great idea? This is so fun."

The bikes pump out about 75 watts per hour, according to Citi spokesman Ed Skyler.

"If everybody does their job, that ball is going to light up, and it's going to be something we'll all remember," Skyler said.

The energy generated from the bikes through Monday is being stored in large batteries, then transferred to the grid to offset the power demands of the ball.

Campo said it was a great way to be green and do one's part for the massive celebration.

"I'm going to say, 'Look there. Look at what I did,'" she said. "I'll be telling all my friends about it."

This story originally appeared on CBSNews.com.

This is CES explained in one image.

(Credit: Geoffrey Morrison)

It's that magical time of year: Lists are made and checked twice, little eyes sparkle with anticipation, and countless children (at heart) prepare for the unveiling of something new and incredible.

I speak, of course, of the Consumer Electronics Show, where manufacturers from around the world show off their upcoming products.

And let me tell you, the onslaught of nonsense is incessant. Don't get me wrong, we're going to see a lot of cool stuff. We're also going to see a lot of crap, polished and sold as daisies.

This list is some of both.

1. Samsung and LG labeling everything "World's First" or "World's Biggest"
These two companies certainly didn't start the hyperbolic adjective game, but they've definitely "perfected" it. Born of their intense rivalry and hatred, expect to see both companies saying something like "World's Biggest 78-inch OLED." Is there a smaller 78 inches?

Both companies have a lot to be proud of, and have many legitimate firsts. But I'm reserving the right to roll my eyes at the ridiculous parts.

2. "The Internet of Things"
What does this mean? Does anyone know? I'll answer: no one does. It doesn't make any sense. Marketing-speak gone wild. The Internet is one of the greatest inventions in the history of mankind; it's uses are nearly infinite. So is "The Internet of Things" trivializing the scope of the Internet, or trying to self-aggrandize some product that it's as important as the Internet.

Or, if it's just a connected product, then just say it's a connected product.

3. Headphones
There are few electronics categories showing as much growth as headphones. You can thank Beats and their billions spent on marketing for the explosion of headphone popularity.

No snark here, actually. This is awesome. There are so many amazing headphones available right now. A lot of crap, too, but we're in a golden age of headphones of all types. They also have a lot of markup, making companies happy. Win-win for everyone.

4. Gaping holes where plasma should be
OK, not literally, but what is Panasonic's booth going to look like now that they're pulling out of plasma? Lots of LCDs, presumably, and hopefully the sixth item on this list.

5. More Ultra HD 4K
I give up. I'm not going to talk about 4K anymore. I've said my piece, multiple times, and all I've gotten for it, for trying to save people some money and get better, cheaper TVs for everyone, is hatemail, personal attacks, and being made fun of because I wear glasses. Fine. You win. I'll say no more.

Just kidding: 4K TVs are stupid.

Well, most.

6. OLED, OLED, OLED

Bigger, smaller, cheaper, better -- bring on Oh-Lead. We got our first taste this year and it was oh, so good. Expect to see a variety of sizes, lower prices, and, potentially, flexible TVs. It may be sad to break up with plasma, but we'll seek solace in the arms of the better looking and sexier OLED. Did it just get weird? A little.

Bottom Line

I have a love-hate relationship with CES. But for all the noise, smells, hassle, nonsensical pomp, and illogical circumstance, it's still pretty cool, and a lot of fun.

(By the way, I'll follow the first person on Twitter to guess the station where I took the picture at the top.)

Got a question for Geoff? First, check out all the other articles he's written on topics like HDMI cables, LED LCD vs. plasma, active versus passive 3D, and more. Still have a question? Send him an e-mail! He won't tell you what TV to buy, but he might use your letter in a future article. You can also send him a message on Twitter @TechWriterGeoff or Google+.

So imagine this with a marijuana leaf instead of an Apple.

(Credit: Apple)

Let's say you were going to get into pot.

No, not for medicinal reasons. For money, for business, to secure your family's future and all that.

Suddenly, the state where you live decides that pot is quite an acceptable business proposition. So you decide to create a dispensary to attract the troubled, the monied and the naturally pot-headed.

What should your dispensary look like? Should it have large leaves on the walls and be called Pot Jungle? How about placing random beige towels and armchairs about the place and calling it Pot Barn?

Andy Williams, a 45-year-old former industrial engineer is thinking different. He is modeling his new, two-story pot dispensary on the Apple store.

"It's going to be all white and beautiful," he told the Associated Press.

All things white and beautiful will undoubtedly attract all creatures great and small. This is something Apple has proved over the years.

So Williams intends to ensure that his 40,000 square feet of space will be an airy invitation to bathe in everything about marijuana.

Yes, happy shoppers seeking to be even more happy will be able to wander round this pristine space and watch drying buds (for the mouth, rather than the ears) and genius pot trimmers.

Legal recreational pot sales begin on New Year's Day in Colorado and Williams speaks with all the passion of Steve Jobs.

"We are building an impressive showcase for the world, to show them this is an industry," he told the AP.

He's been involved in the pot business since 2009. He and his brother talked friends and relatives into lending them $630,000 to open something called Medicine Man.

He must, therefore, be quite a salesman. Now his wildest dreams are being realized in the cold light of a Colorado day.

Of course, one hopes that his new dispensary doesn't look too much like an Apple store, as the company's legendarily muscular lawyers will arrive forthwith and begin examining his staircases, tables and even the shade of white on his walls.

I can see the movie in a few years' time. It will be called "Williams." Andy Williams will be played by a still young-looking Ashton Kutcher. It will examine the dark days when he feared that he would be arrested and never see his family again.

It will end on a high.

This is CES explained in one image.

(Credit: Geoffrey Morrison)

It's that magical time of year: Lists are made and checked twice, little eyes sparkle with anticipation, and countless children (at heart) prepare for the unveiling of something new and incredible.

I speak, of course, of the Consumer Electronics Show, where manufacturers from around the world show off their upcoming products.

And let me tell you, the onslaught of nonsense is incessant. Don't get me wrong, we're going to see a lot of cool stuff. We're also going to see a lot of crap, polished and sold as daisies.

This list is some of both.

1. Samsung and LG labeling everything "World's First" or "World's Biggest"
These two companies certainly didn't start the hyperbolic adjective game, but they've definitely "perfected" it. Born of their intense rivalry and hatred, expect to see both companies saying something like "World's Biggest 78-inch OLED." Is there a smaller 78 inches?

Both companies have a lot to be proud of, and have many legitimate firsts. But I'm reserving the right to roll my eyes at the ridiculous parts.

2. "The Internet of Things"
What does this mean? Does anyone know? I'll answer: no one does. It doesn't make any sense. Marketing-speak gone wild. The Internet is one of the greatest inventions in the history of mankind; it's uses are nearly infinite. So is "The Internet of Things" trivializing the scope of the Internet, or trying to self-aggrandize some product that it's as important as the Internet.

Or, if it's just a connected product, then just say it's a connected product.

3. Headphones
There are few electronics categories showing as much growth as headphones. You can thank Beats and their billions spent on marketing for the explosion of headphone popularity.

No snark here, actually. This is awesome. There are so many amazing headphones available right now. A lot of crap, too, but we're in a golden age of headphones of all types. They also have a lot of markup, making companies happy. Win-win for everyone.

4. Gaping holes where plasma should be
OK, not literally, but what is Panasonic's booth going to look like now that they're pulling out of plasma? Lots of LCDs, presumably, and hopefully the sixth item on this list.

5. More Ultra HD 4K
I give up. I'm not going to talk about 4K anymore. I've said my piece, multiple times, and all I've gotten for it, for trying to save people some money and get better, cheaper TVs for everyone, is hatemail, personal attacks, and being made fun of because I wear glasses. Fine. You win. I'll say no more.

Just kidding: 4K TVs are stupid.

Well, most.

6. OLED, OLED, OLED

Bigger, smaller, cheaper, better -- bring on Oh-Lead. We got our first taste this year and it was oh, so good. Expect to see a variety of sizes, lower prices, and, potentially, flexible TVs. It may be sad to break up with plasma, but we'll seek solace in the arms of the better looking and sexier OLED. Did it just get weird? A little.

Bottom Line

I have a love-hate relationship with CES. But for all the noise, smells, hassle, nonsensical pomp, and illogical circumstance, it's still pretty cool, and a lot of fun.

(By the way, I'll follow the first person on Twitter to guess the station where I took the picture at the top.)

Got a question for Geoff? First, check out all the other articles he's written on topics like HDMI cables, LED LCD vs. plasma, active versus passive 3D, and more. Still have a question? Send him an e-mail! He won't tell you what TV to buy, but he might use your letter in a future article. You can also send him a message on Twitter @TechWriterGeoff or Google+.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Google is letting Google Music All Access users purchase a Google Glass Explorers device now.

The company is notifying users of its All Access music streaming service through e-mail, Gizmodo reported Tuesday. Google Glass Explorers is Google's test program for its wearable computing device.

It's been an exclusive group so far, with Google only allowing certain developers, contest winners and VIP users to purchase the device for $1,500. The company quietly put up a waiting list for the general public a couple months ago.

But, All Access users can buy Glass now. Google added the All Access integration to the device in November.

Her eyes are now closed to your roars of disapproval.

(Credit: Katy Perry Vevo/YouTube Screenshot by Chris Matyszczyk/CNET)

It's hard to be sweet all the time.

This is something I discovered around the age of 7 and, to be honest, it's been a constant battle.

Katy Perry, on the other hand, knows that her image of sweetness tinged with superficiality might hound her till her dotage.

However, she's decided to break out. She's decided that she is more than the Katy Perry you know and judge every day. After all, her real name is Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson.

In order to show that she is the "captain of my career," she has decided to switch off her Google Alerts.

No longer will she spend her nights and mornings learning that someone in Michigan might have described her as aspartame for the numbed. No more will she have to tolerate the sniping of those who would dearly love to be in her sequins.

My religiously sequential reading of Entertainment Wise tells me that Perry declared: "My image is just something superficial. I also try not to pay attention to what other people think of me."

This is a remarkably sanguine attitude. We are more than what people think of us. If you knew what really goes on inside my head, you'd call the nearest nunnery and ask them to send over someone behabited and holy to tend to my spirit.

There is so much about all of us now that is "out there" -- often put "out there" by us, of course -- that then leads others to draw sometimes painful conclusions.

Perry, conscious of this, doesn't want to be defined by it. She explained her new level of self-awareness: "I used to have Google Alerts set up, which would notify me about everything that was being written about me. But I've stopped all that now. After all, there are more important things in life."

Ms. Perry, you are to be my guiding light for 2014. Should you ever tire of that Johnny Depp wannabe John Mayer, you are very welcome to come to my house for a little spaghetti bolognese and some philosophical chatter, as Keith Jarrett plays through my speakers.

The thing is, how will you ever learn about my invitation? Because, well, I know that you'll never read this.

(Credit: CNET)

The National Security Agency can reportedly sniff out every last bit of data from your iPhone, according to leaked NSA documents published by German magazine Der Spiegel.

Known as DROPOUTJEEP, the spyware is said to be one of the tools employed by the NSA's ANT (Advanced or Access Network Technology) division to gain backdoor access to various electronic devices. On Sunday, leaked documents obtained by Der Spiegel showed how these tools have reportedly been used to infiltrate computers, hard drives, routers, and other devices from tech companies such as Cisco, Dell, Western Digital, Seagate, Maxtor, and Samsung.

Those same documents reveal how DROPOUTJEEP can infiltrate virtually all areas of the iPhone, including voicemail, contact lists, instant messages, and cell tower location. The tool's description is revealed in the following description from one of the apparently leaked NSA documents published by Der Spiegel.

DROPOUTJEEP is a software implant for the Apple iPhone that utilizes modular mission applications to provide specific SIGINT functionality. This functionality includes the ability to remotely push/pull files from the device. SMS retrieval, contact list retrieval, voicemail, geolocation, hot mic, camera capture, cell tower location, etc. Command, control and data exfiltration can occur over SMS messaging or a GPRS data connection. All communications with the implant will be covert and encrypted.

The document ends by saying that DROPOUTJEEP will be initally be installed through "close-access methods." But a future version would focus on remote installation. The spyware tool was reportedly developed in 2008 to target the first iPhones.

Computer security researcher and independent journalist Jacob Appelbaum also described DROPOUTJEEP in a presentation at the 30c3 conference on Monday. Appelbaum even speculated over whether Apple played any role in helping or allowing the NSA to obtain backdoor access to the iPhone.

That's certainly an interesting theory. Tech companies have been forced to cooperate with the NSA in turning over certain customer data. But in the following statement released Tuesday, Apple denied any involvement in assisting the NSA to create a backdoor to the iPhone:

Apple has never worked with the NSA to create a backdoor in any of our products, including iPhone. Additionally, we have been unaware of this alleged NSA program targeting our products. We care deeply about our customers' privacy and security. Our team is continuously working to make our products even more secure, and we make it easy for customers to keep their software up to date with the latest advancements. Whenever we hear about attempts to undermine Apple's industry-leading security, we thoroughly investigate and take appropriate steps to protect our customers. We will continue to use our resources to stay ahead of malicious hackers and defend our customers from security attacks, regardless of who's behind them.

(Credit: James Martin/CNET)

The statement comes after documents shared by security researcher Jacob Appelbaum and German news magazine Der Spiegel disclosed an NSA program called DROPOUTJEEP, which is said to allow the agency to do things like intercept text messages, access contact lists, and activate the phone's microphone and camera.

The company also said it was unaware of such a program. Here is the full statement:

Apple has never worked with the NSA to create a backdoor in any of our products, including iPhone. Additionally, we have been unaware of this alleged NSA program targeting our products. We care deeply about our customers' privacy and security. Our team is continuously working to make our products even more secure, and we make it easy for customers to keep their software up to date with the latest advancements. Whenever we hear about attempts to undermine Apple's industry-leading security, we thoroughly investigate and take appropriate steps to protect our customers. We will continue to use our resources to stay ahead of malicious hackers and defend our customers from security attacks, regardless of who's behind them.

Sprint might find a way to bring back the defunct Nextel, but not its network, a new report claims.

Sprint is considering bringing back the Nextel branding to attract business customers, TechCrunch is reporting on Tuesday, citing people who claim to have knowledge of its plans. While Sprint would like to use the Nextel brand to attract business customers, it has no desire to bring back the "push-to-talk" iDEN network Nextel's technology was based on.

Nextel proved to be a conundrum for Sprint after it acquired the firm for $35 billion. The company justified the purchase by saying that it could help it attract more business customers, but as the costs of the iDEN network mounted and corporate customers fell out of love with the technology, Sprint was left with a massive bill and little value in Nextel.

Earlier this year, Sprint finally decommissioned the iDEN network.

In addition to attracting business customers through the Nextel brand, Sprint is also planning to merge its prepaid companies, Boost and Virgin Mobile, into a singular service it'll call Sprint Freedom, according to TechCrunch sources. That offering could launch as early as the first quarter of 2014.

But it's Nextel that appears to be the core focus of Sprint going into 2014. According to TechCrunch's sources, the company wants to make Nextel's offerings "premium" in nature, offering both 4G fixed and mobile broadband to customers.

CNET has contacted Sprint for comment on the report. We will update this story when we have more information.