Beta Test Apple OS X; Lytro Illum Camera; HTC Not Buying Nokia Plant

Topping tech headlines Tuesday, Apple launched beta testing for OS X 10.9.3, giving interested parties a chance to test drive the next update to the company's Mac operating system.

The OS X Beta Seed Program requires an Apple ID and is free to Mac users prepared to adhere to a confidentiality agreement and to provide feedback to Apple. Participants, however, will not be compensated. Also on Tuesday, Apple rolled out iOS 7.1.1, bringing improvements, bug fixes, and security updates.

In other news, Lytro unveiled a new "professional grade" light field camera, dubbed the Illum, which is a huge departure from the previous kaleidoscope-shaped model. The camera brings the power of 3D computer graphics to photography, letting you create what Lytro calls "living pictures," which can be refocused and viewed from multiple perspectives after they have been shot.

Meanwhile, HTC denied that it has plans to purchase a Chennai, India plant from Nokia in order to expand its presence in the region. "HTC would like to clarify that the company has no intention of purchasing the plant," the phone maker said in a statement. Reports about a possible purchase emerged when the Times of India published a story that quoted HTC CFO Chialin Chang as saying that he was "happy to look into" a purchase of the plant if it would serve HTC customers better.

Be sure to check out PCMag Live from Tuesday in the video, as well as a few other stories making headlines in the links below.

• AOL Mail Hacked, Accounts Sending Spam: AOL is urging users to change their passwords and be on the lookout for sketchy emails.
• Exchange Used Apple Products for Gift Cards: The ongoing program aims to keep electronics like PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones out of landfills.
• Stroll Through the Star Trek Voyager Bridge on Oculus Rift: No crew members ever appear in the demo, but you may find yourself caught in a space attack.
• Report: Director Wants DiCaprio to Play Jobs in Sorkin Biopic: Danny Boyle might direct the Sorkin-penned Steve Jobs movie, and he wants Leo in the title role.
• Apple Patent Tips 'Lock-Out' Tech for Texting Drivers: Apple is eyeing a system to immobilize handheld computing devices while you drive.
• Google Inks Wind Power Deal for Iowa Data Center: This deal brings the total amount of renewable energy contracted by Google to more than one gigawatt.
• Nest Learning Thermostat on Sale Via Google Play: As added incentive on Earth Day, Nest promised to plant a tree for each thermostat sold via the Google store.
• Time Warner Cable Selling Fan TV Set-Top Box: Fan TV will initially support Redbox Instant by Verizon, Crackle, Target Ticket, and Rhapsody.
• 50 Years Later: Revisiting the 1964 World's Fair: The World's Fair was on to something with video chats, but we're still waiting on those jet packs.
• 21 Ingenious Ways to Repurpose Your Old Tech: Just because it's broken, doesn't mean you should throw it away.

About Stephanie Mlot

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B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)

Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)

Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

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