NSA's collection of phone-call data could be cut off for a time

Edward Snowden depicted on a German parade float. The US Senate is set to reconvene on May 31 for a last-minute session regarding an NSA spy program that Snowden revealed in 2013.Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images

The National Security Agency's access to phone-call data may well be cut off -- at least temporarily -- after the US Senate failed to reach a compromise about a controversial NSA surveillance program prior to a crucial deadline.

The Senate failed Saturday to pass an extension of provisions of the USA Patriot Act that expire June 1 and have served as the legal justification for the NSA's current, wholesale collection of telephone data. The spy agency has said such collection is crucial in fighting terrorism.

No, the planets are not going to cause an epic earthquake this week

At the beginning of 2015, we were promised that a rare planetary alignment would cause gravity to briefly fail here on Earth by some people that clearly don't understand this fundamental element of our universe very well. Now the bizarre viral rumor-mongers are at it again, telling us that a different cosmic lineup will trigger a massive earthquake to end the working week a bit early on Thursday evening, May 28.

Bill Nye and Amy Schumer explain universe's role in helping women make decisions

That moment when you know the universe is talking to you.Comedy Central screenshot by Chris Matyszczyk/CNET

How many times has someone said to you, at an emotionally perilous moment, "This is the universe telling me I should do this"?

The universe sometimes speaks with a forked tongue and a cruel heart.

It twists our lives around in ways that we don't understand until years later. That's when we say to our friends: "That must have been the universe telling me to quit Uber." Or: "I'm sure the universe told me to dump Brad. I just didn't know why it told me that."

Pebble Time review:

The Pebble has been my favorite smartwatch for over a year, despite more advanced contenders. What other smartwatch can last more than a few days on a charge? Can worn while swimming? Has an always-on screen? The Pebble always had that appeal; it was more of a regular watch than most smartwatches, and didn't have to be charged every day.

I've been wearing Pebble's latest, the Pebble Time, for a week. It lands in a world of Apple Watches and Google watches, and is finally being shipped to those who supported it on Kickstarter. For those who didn't, it'll cost $199 (UK and AU prices not currently available). This isn't the only new Pebble watch, by the way: the all-metal Pebble Time Steel will arrive this summer, with a longer promised battery life, for $100 more.

Meet the SVR Glass headset, a cheaper Galaxy Gear VR

The SVR Glass works with most phones with screen sizes ranging from 4.7 to 6 inches.Aloysius Low/CNET

SHANGHAI -- When it comes to Chinese products, most people expect to find cheap knock-offs and designs that look remarkably similar to branded ones. So it should be no surprise to most that the SVR Glass virtual reality headset from Chinese company SnailVR would look like the more expensive Samsung Galaxy Gear VR.

Microsoft sale slashes $150 off Surface Pro 3 model

Microsoft is again putting the Surface Pro 3 on sale but only one specific model.Sarah Tew/CNET

Those of you interested in Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 can save $150 off the price but only if you're game for the midrange model.

Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 website shows only one edition for sale -- namely the 1.9GHz Intel Core i5 model with 256 gigabytes of storage and 8GB of RAM. Normally selling for $1,299, that version is now up for grabs for $1,149. The other four models that remain at their normal retail prices, ranging from the 1.5GHz Intel Core i3 with 64GB of storage and 4GB of RAM to the 1.7GHz Intel Core i7 with 512GB of storage and 8GB of memory.

Microsoft's charm offensive is actually working (a little)

Who is this hairy man in her kitchen?Microsoft/YouTube screenshot by Chris Matyszczyk/CNET

Redemption moves us more than mere success.

The knowledge that once someone wasn't too likable and now has worked their way beneath our pores is uplifting and glorious.

It's something Microsoft seems to be working hard at.