Category archives: SocialNetworking

 

 

Facebook revealing the personal data it collects, won't spare your drunk-poking blushes

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Facebook’s massively expanding its Download Your Information service into an all-encompassing archive of the data Mr. Zuckerberg collects about your daily dose of people-stalking. DYL was introduced in 2010 and allowed you to pull down all the photos, posts, messages, friend lists and chat conversations in the archives — but now will also offer stored IP Addresses, previous names you’ve used, friend requests you’ve made, with further categories due in the future. It’ll have to to sate the concerns of privacy organizations worldwide , since it’s rumored to collect 84 different categories of information about you (85 if you count all those Instagram photos it just bought). It’ll be gradually rolled out to all 845 million users in the coming weeks and is available from your general account settings. Facebook revealing the personal data it collects, won’t spare your drunk-poking blushes originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink New York Times | Facebook | Email this | Comments

 

Facebook launches 'groups for schools,' keeps enrollment tight

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It’s no secret that Facebook encourages users to spend as much time as possible on the site, doing things like sharing photos , playing games , chatting , and of course, sharing status updates . Now, the company is giving students a reason to visit that’s actually related to academics. ‘Groups for schools’ creates a virtual venue for collegiate collaboration, letting students and faculty members share un-copyrighted files within the groups created for their sports teams, clubs and even individual classes. There is a file limit of 25MB in play, so consider those dreams of sharing videos and zipped up apps crushed — you’ll also need to provide a .edu address that matches the school before Facebook grants you admission. At first, online cliques will be limited to colleges in the US, though global institutions will eventually be permitted to join in on the fun as well. In the meantime, who knows — perhaps Dropbox will also launch some kind of super-secret, exclusive club in the near future. Facebook launches ‘groups for schools,’ keeps enrollment tight originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink TechCrunch | Facebook | Email this | Comments

 

Google brings better YouTube integration to Orkut, hopes you haven't forgotten

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Remember Orkut? You know, one of Google’s early efforts at diving into the social networking game. Well, the website’s still operating at full force, with more than three quarters of its 66 million users coming from Brazil and India alone. The point is, Big G’s still keeping tabs on the O network, thus the news of an improved YouTube integration shouldn’t come as a surprise. With the fresh features, Orkut folks are able to watch / listen to videos without having to step out of their current session, saving them an extra trip to YouTube’s site. Of course, similar to Facebook or Orkut’s more popular relative Google+ , friends can see whether you’re watching kitty vids or Kony 2012. Voc

 

Google+ gets a major update, simpler UI and heavier focus on Hangouts (video)

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Google isn’t quite calling it version 2.0, but today’s update to its flagship social product is just that. As with most Mountain View projects, the new Google+ will rollout gradually, but as it does it may just lure back some of those who jumped ship early on. The UI has been greatly streamlined with a customizable ribbon of shortcuts on the left and your buddy list moved to the right. The main interface has been tidied up quite a bit and a new focus has been placed on one of the universally beloved features of the beleaguered social network — Hangouts . The video chat party lines will be getting their own dedicated home page too, allowing you to quickly peruse any Hangouts that are available to you. Even profiles are getting a dramatic facelift with larger photos and Sparks have officially been retired in favor of an Explore tab. Perhaps most welcome though is the enhanced multimedia sharing. To see all the fancy new features in action check out the videos after the break. Continue reading Google+ gets a major update, simpler UI and heavier focus on Hangouts (video) Google+ gets a major update, simpler UI and heavier focus on Hangouts (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Google | Email this | Comments

 

Friendcaster for Facebook gets shiny new 5.0 update on Android, rocks new UI

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When it comes to alternative Facebook apps, Friendcaster checks in as one of the more robust options for Android . Now the app is getting a major status update thanks to a 5.0 makeover. Highlights touted by the Friendcaster team include design improvements, real-time notifications, higher resolution news feed images, the ability to tag more than one friend at a time in a post, a new check-in interface and memory improvements. The update — which is compatible with Android 1.6 and higher — also kicks off with a suite of themes in six fresh colors, with more in the works. After all, if you’re gonna ignore yet another Farmville and Texas Hold’em request, you may as well do it in style. Friendcaster for Facebook gets shiny new 5.0 update on Android, rocks new UI originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Google Play | Email this | Comments

 

Facebook reportedly acquires 750 IBM patents, beefs up its IP profile

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You don’t take a few shots in the patent wars without gearing up for the next battle. According to a Reuters source, Facebook just armed itself with 750 IBM patents. The library of intellectual property is said to cover a wide spectrum of technology, including semiconductor and search patents. So what’s the beef? Well, Facebook could be prepping for a classic countersuit , the promised “vigorous defense” of its News Feed, user profiles and advertising methods versus a handful of Yahoo patents — although it’s just as likely to be bolstering its portfolio for investors . We’ll let you know how it turns out. Facebook reportedly acquires 750 IBM patents, beefs up its IP profile originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Reuters | Email this | Comments

 

Facebook helps you see less from mere 'Acquaintances,' Valentina Monetta approves (video)

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Let’s say you’re trying to have a gander at Facebook , but given that you’ve well over twenty thousand friends and associates, keeping up with your news feed has become something of a challenge. Today, The Social Network is introducing a tool that’ll make it easier to add friends to your Acquaintances list, and moreover, see fewer of their mundane posts without having to unfriend (read: embarrass) them. When asked for comment, San Marino’s own Valentina Monetta (shown above) quipped: “Facebook, uh, oh, oh… everybody loves you so.” If you’re confused, head on past the break and press play. Please. Seriously. Continue reading Facebook helps you see less from mere ‘Acquaintances,’ Valentina Monetta approves (video) Facebook helps you see less from mere ‘Acquaintances,’ Valentina Monetta approves (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Facebook | Email this | Comments

 

Instagram and Hipstamatic to announce photo-sharing partnership

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Historically, Instagram has been the definition of closed. It’s only available on one platform (iOS), and no third-party services were allowed to port content in via an API. According to Fast Company , that’s changing today. It’s bruited that Instagram will be opening its doors ever-so-slightly to one Hipstamatic, enabling users of the latter to tag their photos with lenses and filters, and then push them into the Instagram universe. It’s being likened to Foursquare users pushing their check-in information to Facebook and Twitter, and it’s bound to increase the visibility (and revenue) of Hipstamatic. Hopefully it’s just the first deal of many to be cut, but on the real — we’re pretty sure an Android version of Instagram should’ve taken priority over this. Just sayin’. Instagram and Hipstamatic to announce photo-sharing partnership originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Fast Company | Email this | Comments

 

Google+ mobile site gets UI refresh, now more like its app siblings

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Well, it’s not quite the tablet-friendly app we’ve been waiting for, but, it’ll do. Google+ has gotten something of a mobile facelift, bringing the portable site’s design more in line with that of the Android and iOS mobile apps. The revamp isn’t just visual, it also hides some nice new features, like the ability to reshare posts with just the click of a virtual button. You can check it out now by visiting plus.google.com on your mobile device or by opening m.google.com/apps/plus in your desktop browser. Google+ mobile site gets UI refresh, now more like its app siblings originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink GigaOM | Google+ | Email this | Comments

 

Path vows contact data 'hashing' in next update, chases privacy certification

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Path is still trying to pave over those privacy cracks, promising that its next update will “hash” the contact data it previously used to suck up without prior warning . Last month, the app was caught with its digital fingers inside users’ address books and while the subsequent (and understandably swift) update allowed users to opt out, the Path devs are still looking to gain privacy certification with TRUSTe. They told The Verge that the next version will still allow contact matching without plucking the precise details at the same time, using a hashing technique that won’t identify the data delivered to the social network app. The latest update adds compatibility with Nike+ GPS, plus improvements to the embedded camera and a new music recognition function. It’s available now for the mobile OS of your choice at the sources below. Path vows contact data ‘hashing’ in next update, chases privacy certification originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink The Verge | Path (Google Play) , (iTunes) | Email this | Comments