Tyler Wells Lynch, Reviewed.com / USA TODAY 12:53 p.m. EST January 19, 2014 The Canon Vixia mini X(Photo: Reviewed.com)Story HighlightsVizia mini X offers improved audioFull-format HD video recording, 12.8 MP sensorBuilt-in condenser micCanon's Vixia mini launched last summer to considerable acclaim from bloggers, musicians, and other consumers in need of a versatile webcam. It was designed[1] with video bloggers in mind, but Canon soon realized that many owners were using it to record spoken-word and musical performances.Enter: the Vixia mini X (MSRP $399.99)—a redesigned version of the mini with improved audio performance and a host of polished specs. It features full-format HD video recording, an articulating LCD, Linear PCM audio recording, a 12.8-megapixel sensor, and a built-in electret condenser mic. Together, these features make for an impressive AV documenting experience—but don't expect it to replace a dedicated mic or video setup.The mini X, though nifty, is still very much a video blogging device. Design & Usability: Easy handling with a clunky interface The biggest difference in the design of the mini X over the mini is the presence of the two stereo mics framing the lens. The camera body is also slightly bigger (3.2 x 1.2 x 4.3 inches)—by roughly a quarter-inch in each dimension. The touch LCD screen is the same size, and just as responsive as its predecessor. There were a few times when we had to double- or triple-tap a button to engage it, but for the most part it was a smooth user experience.The menu layout is a bit cluttered, and not the easiest to navigate. It's certainly not inoperable, but the aesthetics are dull to say the least, and it's agitating to still see stale menu design on consumer camcorders, especially considering the immense challenges facing the market in the years to come. These cameras…

Brett Molina and Mike Snider, USA TODAY 10:01 p.m. EST January 14, 2014 FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee last month. Wheeler says the FCC will consider an appeal of the federal court's ruling on net neutrality.(Photo: Susan Walsh, AP)A federal appeals court has ruled against the Federal Communications Commission on mandates that require broadband providers to treat all Internet traffic equally.In an opinion handed down Tuesday[1], the United States Court of Appeals in D.C. ruled that while the FCC has authority to regulate how Web traffic is managed, it cannot impose rules on companies like Verizon based on how they're classified."Given that the Commission has chosen to classify broadband providers in a manner that exempts them from treatment as common carriers, the (1996) Communications Act expressly prohibits the Commission from nonetheless regulating them as such," reads an excerpt from the ruling.In a statement, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler says the agency is weighing an appeal."I am committed to maintaining our networks as engines for economic growth, test beds for innovative services and products, and channels for all forms of speech protected by the First Amendment," says Wheeler.Supporters of Net Neutrality took some good away from the decision, noting that it established the FCC's power to create Internet rules. "In some respects, no one got what they wanted out of this decision, and confusion over the proper role of the FCC is greater than ever," said Public Knowledge senior vice president Harold Feld in a statement. The consumer interest group intervened on the FCC's side in the case."In the coming days, all parties (including Public Knowledge) will need to consider whether or not to appeal this decision," he said. "In the meantime, we look forward to working with the FCC under the existing authority the…

AP 9:56 p.m. EST January 9, 2014 Commuters board the "Triumphant", a catamaran serving as a ferry for Google employees on Thursday.(Photo: Ben Margot, AP)Story HighlightsThe 83-foot catamaran is equipped with Wi-FiThe ferry takes workers from San Francisco to Redwood City, 26 miles awayThe trip takes about 47 minutes each waySAN FRANCISCO (AP) — How's this for an employee perk? Google workers commuting from San Francisco to the company's Silicon Valley campus can now make part of the trek on an 83-foot, Wi-Fi-equipped catamaran.The popular search engine has launched a free ferry service from San Francisco's ferry terminal to the Port of Redwood City about 26 miles away, where employees can then hop a private bus to work.Named the "Triumphant," the charter ferry can carry up to 150 passengers and runs twice each morning and evening, with voyages lasting about 47 minutes each way, according to KPIX-TV."They're going to see if this is something their employees want, and if it makes economic and logistical sense," said Peter Dailey, maritime director for the Port of San Francisco, which operates the terminal used by the Google ferry and other charter services, told the San Jose Mercury News.None of Google's competitors has announced similar ferry plans.Google will reportedly pay about $50 each time it docks its ferry in San Francisco. The company's venture into aquatic commuting depends on the impact on public ferry operation."We certainly don't want to cause any inconvenience to San Francisco residents and we're trying alternative ways to get Googlers to work," a Google representative said in a statement Wednesday.Google is hoping to defuse a growing controversy as the boat service started on the same day San Francisco city officials said Google and other tech companies, including Apple and Genentech, that use public bus stops to pick up thousands of…