Faster Forward: September 12, 2010 - September 18, 2010
Google touts privacy as it readies social-networking features, and fires engineer who snooped on users
Google has had an awkward week when it comes to its users' privacy. Just as it was touting recent changes to its privacy tools and policies, word leaked out that (a) one of its engineers had snooped on Google users and (b) the company plans to introduce a new set...
By
Rob Pegoraro
| September 17, 2010; 9:22 AM ET |
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Categories:
Privacy, Social media
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Thoughts on Craigslist, 'adult services' ads and convenient targets
The argument against Craiglist is a more black-and-white affair: Prostitution is illegal, Craigslist enabled it, and the only ethical response for Craigslist is to get out of that market entirely. And although other sites share the blame, Craiglist -- the biggest classified-ads site in the world -- has to go first.
By
Rob Pegoraro
| September 16, 2010; 10:52 AM ET |
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Categories:
Digital culture, Policy and politics, The business we have chosen
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Microsoft posts Internet Explorer 9 beta (updated with first-look review)
About half an hour ago, Microsoft introduced a beta-test version of the next release of its Internet Explorer Web browser. Internet Explorer 9 Beta--technically, "Windows Internet Explorer 9 Beta"--represents the company's third attempt to catch up or pass competing browsers in security, convenience and compatibility. Microsoft has had some serious...
By
Rob Pegoraro
| September 15, 2010; 1:55 PM ET |
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Categories:
The Web, Windows
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Blu-ray's HDCP security possibly cracked. So what?
There's been some interesting chatter since yesterday over the possibility that the encryption meant to lock down the video cables connecting Blu-ray players and high-definition televisions has been broken--permanently. As the headline on Engadget's post read: "HDCP 'master key' supposedly released, unlocks HDTV copy protection permanently." The key in question...
By
Rob Pegoraro
| September 15, 2010; 11:27 AM ET |
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Categories:
DRM, Video
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Twitter redesigns site to ease browsing, media sharing
The new Twitter--only available to a small fraction of Twitter users at the moment--replaces the old site's simple timeline of tweets with a two-pane view.
By
Rob Pegoraro
| September 14, 2010; 8:53 PM ET |
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Categories:
Location awareness, Social media
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Chase Web site breaks down. But why?
When I tried to log into one of my credit-card accounts last night, I was puzzled not to see the usual log-in form on the home page of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Then I saw a notice that the site was "temporarily unavailable" and figured I could just try again...
By
Rob Pegoraro
| September 14, 2010; 4:20 PM ET |
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Categories:
Gripes, The Web
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Broadcasters step up FM-tuner-mandate campaign
Radio broadcasters aren't giving up on their quixotic quest to require that future cell phones include FM tuners--part of a grand bargain in which radio stations would agree to pay the same "performance royalties" to musicians that Web and satellite radio stations already hand over. This morning, the National Association...
By
Rob Pegoraro
| September 14, 2010; 2:30 PM ET |
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Categories:
Mobile, Music, Policy and politics
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Consumer Reports still doesn't like the iPhone 4
In a blog post Monday afternoon, Consumer Reports criticized a recent change to Apple's free-case program for iPhone 4 users and reiterated its earlier disapproval of the device.
By
Rob Pegoraro
| September 13, 2010; 6:41 PM ET |
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Categories:
Mobile
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Competition nears for upcoming Apple TV from Google, Roku, Boxee
Home viewers looking for simple ways to enjoy Internet video and audio on their HDTVs will get a few other new options besides the upcoming Apple TV.
By
Rob Pegoraro
| September 13, 2010; 3:24 PM ET |
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Categories:
Gadgets, TV, Video
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PostPoints tip: Avoid proprietary power plugs
Just because I write about gadgets for a living doesn't mean I know how to use them. Case in point: I somehow forgot to pack my phone's charger when I went to San Francisco to cover Apple's Sept. 1 iPod/Apple TV event. But three days later, my phone remained fully...
By
Rob Pegoraro
| September 13, 2010; 9:46 AM ET |
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Categories:
Tips
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