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Obama endorses required high school coding classes

President Obama says he wouldn't mind seeing a curriculum requirement for American high school students to learn a programming language.

"I think it makes sense, I really do," was his response to the idea posed in a live Google+ Hangout earlier today. "I want to make sure that (young people) know how to produce stuff using computers and not just consume stuff."… Read more

President to answer questions during Google+ hangout

Got a burning question about the new cybersecurity executive order or the 3D printing institute President Barack Obama mentioned during his State of the Union address?

Now's your chance to ask -- the POTUS is holding a Google+ hangout tomorrow to take inquires from the public about Tuesday's speech. The event starts at 1:50 p.m. PT. The White House is currently accepting questions through its YouTube Channel, where you can also vote for your favorite questions.

Obama will answer a selection of the questions with the most votes, live from the West Wing of the White … Read more

NASA astronauts aboard ISS to host live Google+ Hangout

Astronauts in the International Space Station have already explained how to clip fingernails and play guitar while orbiting 240 miles above the Earth. But what about all those other questions people may have about life in space?

They can be answered in an upcoming Google+ Hangout with three of the astronauts aboard the ISS -- Kevin Ford, Tom Marshburn, and Chris Hadfield.

NASA announced today that it is hosting its first live Google+ Hangout from space. It's to happen from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST on February 22. The space agency is accepting questions in advance … Read more

VP Biden to Hangout, talk gun control on Google+

President Obama's "Ask Me Anything" on Reddit drew more than 5 million views, and now Vice President Joe Biden is going to try his hand at a different newfangled social-media real-time electronic telegraph technology.

In an event dubbed a "Fireside Hangout," the vice president will be hanging out in Google+ starting at 10:45 a.m. PT tomorrow to discuss the recently released White House policy recommendations on reducing gun violence in the wake of a downright awful 2012 that was plagued by a number of mass shootings in the United States. … Read more

Google updates Hangouts interface, adds notifications

Google rolled out some changes to the Google+ interface today designed to make the video chat service better looking and easier to use.

Amit Fulay, the Hangouts product manager, described the changes in a post on Google+:

1. A sidebar you can show or hide. The most important part of a hangout is the people in the room, so we've consolidated important items (like invites, chat, and apps) into a sidebar that's there when you need it, and tucked away when you don't.

2. Clean, colorful notifications. Alerts now appear in red, actions in blue, and announcements … Read more

Join CNET's iPhone 5 Google+ Hangout, LIVE!

The iPhone 5 goes on sale tomorrow, and you're wondering if it's worth standing in line for.

Join Scott, Josh Lowensohn and me for a 30 minute Google+ Hangout discussing the iPhone 5, starting today at 2:30 pm Pacific. We had one of these a few days ago and it worked out so well, we figured we'd try another one.

The Hangout will be accessible though CNET's Google+ page, where you can also submit your questions. I repeat, the Hangout is closed for comments, so submit your questions though CNET's Google+ page using #CNETLive . … Read more

Watch CNET's Google+ Hangout featuring the iPhone 5!

CNET's Scott Stein has the iPhone 5, and you probably have a few questions.

Join Scott and I for a 30 minute Google+ Hangout, starting tonight at 6:30 pm Pacific.

The Hangout will be accessible though CNET's Google+ page, where you can also submit your questions. I repeat, the Hangout is closed for comments, so submit your questions though CNET's Google+ page.

While you're there, be sure to add CNET to your Google+ feed and give us a +1 if you like what you see.

How to load up on apps for back-to-school season

The new school year can be hectic enough.

So I figured that I would round up some useful smartphone apps for students trying to survive their first few days back at school. While I assume this column will be read by college students starting a new semester or quarter, I can only imagine younger kids and parents can find some use in this as well.

Given the increase in smartphone use across all ages, I wouldn't be surprised. Fortunately, much of the advice applies to everyone.

Some of these may be obvious, but hopefully not all of them are. … Read more

YouTube debuts 'Elections Hub,' a one-stop campaign channel

YouTube launched "Elections Hub" today -- its one-stop shop for this year's election coverage.

The video service announced that with this specialized channel, all live speeches from the upcoming Democratic and Republican National Conventions will be streamed. Also, people can watch Google+ Hangouts and live streams of the official presidential and vice presidential debates. The channel debuted today and will available through Election Day.

"You won't need to go anywhere else for the must-watch moments of this election cycle," YouTube news manager Olivia Ma wrote in a blog post today, "they're all … Read more

Apple TV and the quest for cable

Thursday's tech headlines know how to speak your language:

Imaginations are running wild about an Apple TV cable box. The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple is talking to cable providers, but no deals have been made. Earlier this week Apple was granted a patent for its design of a cable box. But Apple is not alone in its hunt for cable deals. Microsoft's Xbox 360 has slowly been adding video from cable providers in its quest to be the one box to rule all home entertainment.

The Sony Reader is back with a new model, selling for $… Read more