Chris Ciaccia

@Chris_Ciaccia +Chris Ciaccia

Chris Ciaccia joined TheStreet as a technology reporter in November 2011 and he also contributes regularly to BGR, where he offers insights focused on market news. Prior to his role at TheStreet, Chris was covering markets for Benzinga.com and also worked as an analyst at General Motors and at Laurus Capital Management. Chris has a bachelor's degree in finance from Seton Hall University.

Business
February 24, 2015
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Apple Acquisitions

Secret Apple acquisition uncovered as company looks to regain music dominance

By on February 24, 2015 at 9:05 AM.

Secret Apple acquisition uncovered as company looks to regain music dominance

When iTunes was first unveiled nearly 15 years ago, it was a revolutionary product — all your music available in one place. As time has moved on, other platforms, including Pandora, Spotify and others have eaten away at iTunes, as digital streaming has replaced the download.

However, Apple isn’t going to go quietly, as the company has said “music… is deep in our DNA.” More →

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Business
January 28, 2015
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iPhone Vs Android

The hidden takeaway in Apple’s earnings: Android has almost nothing going for it right now

By on January 28, 2015 at 10:20 AM.

The hidden takeaway in Apple’s earnings: Android has almost nothing going for it right now

Apple just isn’t selling a lot of iPhones to people around the world — it’s doing so at the expense of Android.

In the all-important holiday quarter, Apple earned $3.06 a share on $74.6 billion in revenue, a jump of 30% over 2014. Perhaps most stunning in the quarter, was the fact Apple shipped 74.5 million iPhones, nearly 20 million than the previous record. It also shipped 5.5 million Macs and 21.4 million iPads in the quarter. More →

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Entertainment
December 23, 2014
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Top 5 Movies of 2015

The 5 biggest movies to look forward to in 2015

By on December 23, 2014 at 11:05 AM.

The 5 biggest movies to look forward to in 2015

Going to the movies has changed drastically over the years, from the days of the $2 matinée and a few dollars for popcorn and soda to now spending nearly $100 for two tickets, gourmet snacks and personalized seating.

As more studios focus on making fewer but more profitable movies each year, companies like Walt Disney, Time Warner, NBCUniversal (owned by Comcast), Lionsgate, Sony and others are counting on some of their big tent-poles to help drive earnings and exceed expectations, or risk facing the wrath of layoffs, angry movie goers, a declining share price and potentially a huge change and shake up to their business.

Here are the five biggest movies (in alphabetical order) to look forward to in 2015, alongside brief descriptions of what they are each about. More →

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Mobile
November 26, 2014
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Holiday Buying Guide 2014

Whatever you do, don’t buy these 3 smartphones this holiday season

By on November 26, 2014 at 2:20 PM.

Whatever you do, don’t buy these 3 smartphones this holiday season

People want electronics for the holidays now more than ever, with tablets and smartphones being some of the most popular gifts to get. While seemingly everyone wants an iPhone or iPad, there are other devices that are just as good.

With the National Retail Federation showing that the average person will spend more than $800 this year for Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa gifts, it’s important to make sure every dollar counts. As such, there are quite a few devices that aren’t worth your time and you should avoid buying for anyone, including your mortal enemies.

Here are three phones to avoid buying this holiday season, at any cost, even if they’re free. More →

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Tablets
November 26, 2014
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Holiday Buying Guide 2014

Whatever you do, don’t buy these 3 tablets this holiday season

By on November 26, 2014 at 11:40 AM.

Whatever you do, don’t buy these 3 tablets this holiday season

Electronics seemingly become a bigger part of holiday gift shopping every year, with people expected to spend an average of more than $800 in 2014 on gifts, according to the National Retail Federation. Though most will want the latest iDevice to show to their friends, there are still many other options out there, including some you should stay away from to help make sure every dollar counts.

Here are three tablets to avoid buying this holiday season, at any cost, even if they’re free. More →

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TV
October 27, 2014
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Verizon FiOS Free Netflix Offer

FiOS is offering an amazing Netflix deal that might be too good to pass up

By on October 27, 2014 at 1:20 PM.

FiOS is offering an amazing Netflix deal that might be too good to pass up

Netflix and on-demand streaming have changed the way we watch movies and TV shows, sometimes letting us binge on an entire season at once. And if you live in New York City, you might be able to get access to it for a year, free. More →

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Business
October 14, 2014
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Google Express Shopping

Here’s why Google wants to know everything about you

By on October 14, 2014 at 11:25 AM.

Here’s why Google wants to know everything about you

Google doesn’t just want you to search for products you want to buy anymore. It wants you to buy them with help from Google.

In a post on its official blog, Google announced that it is expanding its same-day shopping service, now known as Google Express, to Chicago, Boston and Washington D.C., adding another 7 million people to the 12 million people who have access to the service in Northern California. More →

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Computers
September 25, 2014
by
Mac Sales 2014

Apple still rules back-to-school

By on September 25, 2014 at 8:30 AM.

Apple still rules back-to-school

During the back-to-school shopping period (July 4th through Labor Day week), Apple saw notebook sales rise 16% year over year as customers clamored for the latest MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros, according to research firm NPD Group. Even more impressive is how well sales of Apple notebooks did in the final three weeks of the period, rising 27% year over year. That growth allowed Apple to capture 26.8% of the unit device share.

Overall, Mac OS-based products rose 14% year over year, partially helped by the recent price cuts and refreshed MacBook Air and MacBook Pro notebooks Apple has instituted in recent months. More →

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Apps & Software
August 11, 2014
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Windows Phone App Gap

Windows Phone takes another small stumble forward

By on August 11, 2014 at 11:45 AM.

Windows Phone takes another small stumble forward

Microsoft quietly announced  that it now has over 300,000 apps in its Windows Phone Store, with hundreds more added every day. While that certainly seems like a lot, and might make switching to a Windows Phone a bit easier, it has a long way to go to catch up to Apple’s App Store and Google Play.

More →

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Mobile
August 6, 2014
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Amazon Fire Phone Sales

Amazon’s Fire Phone looks like 2014’s most epic flop

By on August 6, 2014 at 10:20 AM.

Amazon’s Fire Phone looks like 2014’s most epic flop

Even though there was a lot of hype around the Amazon Fire Phone, customers just aren’t buying it, at least not yet. In a survey, R.W. Baird analyst Colin Sebastian notes “muted demand” among potential smartphone buyers, especially ahead of the next iPhone launch that is reported to take place in the middle of next month. Of the 1,000 people who participated in the survey, only 5% of respondents said they would buy a Fire Phone, compared to 43.8% for an iPhone, 32.6% for Android phones (including Samsung, HTC, Nexus and others), 6.8% for a BlackBerry, and 5.3% for a Windows Phone. More →

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Gaming
August 4, 2014
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Flappy Bird Returns Amazon Fire TV

Now you finally have a way to play Flappy Bird again

By on August 4, 2014 at 2:25 PM.

Now you finally have a way to play Flappy Bird again

Flappy Bird might have been the biggest mobile game of all time, causing a craze like no other game before it, nor since. However, the game was pulled from the Apple App Store and Google Play after the founder became concerned it was too addictive. Now, it looks like the game is back. More →

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