Monica Laliberte.

Cut water lines, no power, gas leaks – these are just some of the issues that homeowners across the Triangle have reported as more and more communities upgrade to offer faster internet speeds using fiber optic cable. Forty percent of the reports of utility line damage across North Carolina last year were related to fiber installation, according to North Carolina 811, a nonprofit that tracks excavation activity. Lynn Stellings, of Raleigh, said contractors for Google Fiber moved equipment into her yard without any notice. “I asked, ‘Excuse me, do you have the wrong house? What’s going on here?'” she...

The tech world is buzzing about a design that hints Apple might do away with the headphone jack on its next iPhone. It’s not just the headphone jack that might be excluded from future phones, though. Some phones might not have any ports or jacks at all. “The technology already exists,” said Mike Gikas, electronics editor for Consumer Reports. “And without ports, smartphones can be slimmer, thinner and better able to resist damage from moisture, dust and other debris.” There’s already a growing selection of affordable, high-quality Bluetooth headphones that wirelessly connect to many phones. Even speaker holes might...

Socks that tracks your steps and speed are among the new options for wearable computers. A recent survey showed 79 percent of cellphone users reported having their device handy for all but two of their waking hours. Wearable technology looks to extend that dependence around the clock. Companies are developing devices that fit around the wrist, the neck and even on the face to track fitness, messages and location. “Wearable tech is still very new, but we really think it’s going to take off,” said Consumer Reports Carol Mangis. “A lot of big companies are jumping in the game.”...