IN THE NEWS: CALIFORNIA LEGISLATORS PUSH KILL-SWITCH MEASURE FORWARD

SACRAMENTO, California (AP) — It’s another step forward in the effort to get smartphone makers to install kill switches on their products. The California Senate has passed a bill that would require electronics makers to install a shut-off function in all smartphones if the owner loses possession of the device. The measure fell two votes short of passing two weeks ago. But there were changes made that got Apple and Microsoft onboard — and the bill went through. The new measure now applies to smartphones made and sold after next July — and no longer includes tablets. The wireless industry as a whole opposes the measure as unnecessary. But law enforcement officials around the country report there has been a spike in thefts of smartphones.

IN THE NEWS: HOUSE PASSES MEASURE TO CURB NSA

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House finally agreed on a path that could help rein in the National Security Agency and its collecting of data of American citizens. Two House oversight committees have agreed on a proposal to stop the NSA from collecting phone records — as well as the bulk collection of other records, like credit card data. The House has been bitterly divided over the NSA surveillance programs since the spying was disclosed nearly a year ago. And this is the first time lawmakers seem to have a consensus on how to bring the NSA to heel. The full House could vote on the bill as early as this month.

ON THE WEB: NFL DRAFT

CYBERSPACE (AP) — Even the NFL’s official Twitter account got in on tweaking Johnny Manziel — and what seemed like his interminable wait to be picked in the draft. The Heisman Trophy winner didn’t get picked until number 22 in the league-wide selection last night, going to the Cleveland Browns. After the Dallas Cowboys passed on him with the 16th pick overall, the league sent a tweet reading “#SadManziel???” Manziel is considered talented but has rubbed some fans — and apparently teams — the wrong way. Another tag trending on Twitter was “BeforeManzielGetsDrafted.” Among the entries: Donald Sterling will host the BET Awards, the World Cup will be over — and Spongebob will pass his driving test.

IN STORES: iRING BY IK MULTIMEDIA

SUNRISE, Florida (AP) — If you like music — put a ring on it. We aren’t talking about marring your muse — not that there’s anything wrong with that. The ring in question is a ring that gives musicians control of their tracks without having to lay a hand on their iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. It’s called the iRing — made by IK Multimedia. The device is made up of two double-sided rings that you put between your fingers. They work in harmony with a series of apps that track your hands’ movement with the device’s camera — then translates those motions into MIDI information. What it means is that users can do a lot more with their music — without a lot of fiddling around with buttons or touch pads. The iRing works with two free applications from Apple’s app store: iRing Music Maker and iRing FX/Controller — and is available now for just $24.99. Even those who aren’t professional musicians will find it worth it to see what motion control can do in the right hands — yours.

  by  viëtor