On this week’s Tech’s Last Call, we ring the age of Nadella by discussing both Microsoft’s new CEO and what the shift means for Bill Gates and everyone’s favorite, dancing, former CEO, Steve Ballmer. There were also the small matters of NBC’s terrible coverage of “Russian Hacking,” Google getting a break from the EU, and Sony dumping its PC business to focus on TV – because everyone will want 4K. Good luck Sony. You should have taken the chance to build Mac Clones

NEWS

Microsoft goes internal for its next CEO with Satya Nadella

Meet Microsoft's new board chairman John Thompson - ZDnet

As the Microsoft CEO rumors churn: The Gates factor - ZDnet

Sony to Dump PC Business, Revamp TV Business and Cut 5,000 Jobs - Recode

Google reaches antitrust agreement with European regulators over online search - The Verge

Sochi visitors entering hacking 'minefield' by firing up electronics - CNET

Hackers aren't the problem at Sochi, surveillance is - The Verge

From Russia With Love whitepaper

LAST CALL

Steve Jobs wanted Sony VAIOs to run Mac's operating system - Engadget

On this week's Tech's Last Call, we are absolutely in shock. Google lets Motorola go to Lenovo out of nowhere. Nintendo's CEO does a bow of shame at the end of a press conference on the tail end of less surprisingly low WiiU sales. Facebook takes the surprising tactic of trying to be hip again by pretending to be Flipboard (that will really get the kids excited now). And, the skies will be a sadder place as the FAA will not let us have beer delivered by drone. It's been a strange week. 

NEWS

Lenovo To Buy Motorola Mobility From Google For $2.91 Billion - Tech Crunch

Lenovo CEO aims for Motorola to dust Apple and Samsung - CNET

Nintendo execs take salary cuts amid slow Wii U sales - ArsTechnica

Nintendo outlines its plans for mobile development - Gamespot

Facebook Announces Paper, A Curated Visual News Reader - Tech Crunch

Facebook announces Facebook Paper, a new visual way to browse news and statuses

Obama wants to fix the patent system. Here’s a crucial reform he overlooked. - The Washington Post

Obama proposes creation of six new tech manufacturing hubs - CNET

LAST CALL

NOOOO!! WHY? Beer-delivering drone grounded by FAA - CNET

On this week's badly delayed Tech's Last Call, China diverts two-thirds of its traffic to a small protest organization. Apple may finally get modern sized phones. Microsoft is paying for attention...maybe, and Palm gets divide up once again. Also, we test out Beats Music live on air even though it doesn't think Punk Rock is a thing. They'll get it some day. 

This week is our first episode in the new format, so while we may be shorter, more focused, we still find time to rant about how Justin Bieber is probably actually a person, how Maxis made the wrong Sim City game, and how the ISPs are now going to find new ways to screw us. Yes, the Court of Appeals effectively shut down Net Neutrality. The NSA can install malware without an Internet connection, and EA is finally giving us offline Sim City. As it turns out there is a lot to rant about. Also, Google buying Nest could lead to Skynet taking over your home. I'm just saying...it could happen.

NEWS

How the FCC screwed up its chance to make ISP blocking illegal - Ars Technica

Verizon Wins Net Neutrality Court Ruling Against FCC - Bloomberg

Net neutrality is half-dead: Court strikes down FCC’s anti-blocking rules - Ars Technica

Google to acquire Nest for $3.2 billion - The Next Web

Why is everyone disappointed by Google buying Nest? - The Verge

SimCity 'offline' game to be released as free download - BBC

EA explains why offline SimCity took so long

N.S.A. Devises Radio Pathway Into Computers - NY Times

LAST CALL

Justin Bieber's iPhone: What will the police find? - Technically Incorrect - CNET

On this CES themed episode of Tech's Last Call, we run down all the "hot" trends out this year's International Consumer Electronics Show. TVs stayed "hot" with 105in bendable 4k displays out of Samsung and LG, but if you're anything like us, you fell asleep reading that at about the word "bendable." The standout player in wearables was the barely updated but kind of awesome Pebble Steel. The connected home still doesn't really make sense, and gaming saw the real launch of Steam Machines en mass. All thrilling we're sure, but it was nice not to be in Vegas this week. Listen to this show, and you won't need to have been there either.  

CES is still a few days away, so there is very little actual news breaking. Instead, we offer your a short breakdown of our end of year awards. There is a write up and a full version of our actual deliberations over on the editorials page, but here for your listening pleasure is the short version of our awardees for News Story of the Year, Press Conference of the Year, Most Disappointing Device, Most Disappointing Game, Phone of the Year, Game Console of the Year, Device of the Year, and Game of the Year. Happy New Year everyone!

On this week’s Tech’s Last Call Holiday Special, we make our predictions for 2014 and see how our predictions from 2013 went. Here’s a hint, this past year, we batted 47% as a staff (mostly because Trey only got one right). It seems that for 2014, our predictions center on the future of gaming and wearable tech. So, we can know one thing for certain. Less than half of what you are about to hear will come true. 

On this week’s badly delayed edition of Tech’s Last Call, we run down hope for Internet privacy and dread that Google may become self-aware and take over the world. Obama got chided by tech execs. A judge ruled NSA spying in unconstitutional. A government panel advised scaling back the spying efforts. Google is exerting more content control on Youtube. Google now owns several military robotics companies that could become Terminators. Google now owns more of the backbone of the Internet than Sprint. Merry Christmas and Happy Skynet!

This week on Tech's Last Call, we get heated about Instagram (Its existence, not its new direct message feature). We make many Threshold related puns in discussing the return of the Start Menu and the combining of Microsoft's tablet and phone operating systems, and we fear for the World.....of Warcraft as now even Leroy Jenkins is not safe from NSA spying. Also, Groupon wants catapults, so there's that....It's been an interesting news week.  

This week on Tech's Last Call, we are back to the busy of tech news, so that means big business for Apple in China. It means that we have to care some what about the proliferation of fake twitter arguments, e-ink tablets, and Bit Coin volatility, and it means that we will slightly ignore tech news and talk about car engines. It's close enough anyways. Also, you might want to take cover as Amazon Prime Air may use drones to drop packages on your head, so stay in doors and enjoy this fine serving of tech. 

NEWS

Apple, China Mobile Sign Deal to Offer iPhone - WSJ

Bitcoin stumbles as Chinese government tells banks to stay away from it - Gigaom

Delivery drones are coming: Jeff Bezos promises half-hour shipping with Amazon Prime Air - The Verge

Please stop live tweeting people's private conversations - Medium

E La Carte Scores Deal With Applebee's, Bringing 100000 Tableside Tablets To All U.S. Locations By Year-End 2014 - Tech Crunch

GADGET

2015 Ford Mustang is lower, wider, faster, meaner, better - CNET

E Ink's new Fina display technology promises lighter, thinner e-readers - Engadget

Amazon's Next Kindle Paperwhite To Feature 300ppi Screen, Better Typography, Arrive Early Next Year - Tech Crunch

GEEKS ANONYMOUS

'Anchorman' news team recounts year in Yahoo searches - CNET

LAST CALL

Electric car owner arrested for ‘stealing’ 5 cents of electricity - The Verge