Top 10 most read: iPhone 6 Plus v Nexus 6, free Patch Tuesday ends, Dell XPS 13 hands-on

The first week of 2015 proved of huge interest in the tech community - as ever - thanks to the annual CES event in Las Vegas. There were gadgets galore at the show, and laptops proved the star attraction. There's life in the sector yet.

However, despite V3 readers showing a keen interest in new machines from Dell and Lenovo - both powered by Intel's new 5th generation Broadwell chip - it was smartphones that remained the biggest draw.

Our head to head between the giant Nexus 6 and iPhone 6 Plus was the most popular content of the week, no doubt among those considering a new phone to kick off the new year in style; head over to the review to find out who won.

Meanwhile the security community had a nasty shock after Microsoft announced it was pulling free Patch Tuesday notifications for all but premier customers, meaning all other customers will have to blindly accept Microsoft's updates.

Microsoft also came to blows with Google over a security vulnerability disclosure after the search giant's Project Zero security team released details having given the folks at Redmond 90 days to patch the problem.

iPhone 6 Plus vs Nexus 6 review
We pit two smartphone heavy weights against one another

Microsoft ends free Patch Tuesday security notices
Outcry from security community at Redmond's latest move

CES 2015: Dell XPS 13 hands-on
We give Dell's newest device a once over

NSA efforts to crack VPN encryption are not the end of the world
Security community confident privacy can still be attained

CES 2015: Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon 3rd-generation hands-onWe check out latest Intel-powered device from Chinese vendor

Apple alerts developers to app price changes on iOS and Mac OS
Prices going up in Europe, Canada, Iceland and Russia

North Korea doubles size of 'cyber army' after Sony accusations
More insights into the 'Hermit Kingdom'

CES 2015: Top 10 announcements from Sony, Samsung, Intel and others
We round up the best from the annual gadget fest

Google reveals Windows 8.1 bug after Microsoft ignores patch deadline
Clash of tech giants over responsible disclosure

CES 2015: Dell reveals XPS 13 running Intel's 5th gen Broadwell Core processor
Windows 8.1 device boasts massive 15 hours battery life