Hasta La Gadget!

It seems like just about everyone is on Facebook today. Not only are most of your friends on Facebook, but many CEOs of some the biggest companies in the technology world also routinely use Facebook to give out details. This is exactly what Netflix CEO Reed Hastings did last summer when he gave up some interesting details on Netflix via his Facebook account.

I would imagine most people didn’t think anything about Hastings and his Facebook post, but the SEC has taken issue with it. The SEC sent Reed Hastings a Wells notice. A Wells notice is something the SEC sends to give a company notification that it’s likely to bring some sort of action against the firm.

The hubbub stems from a Facebook post that Hastings made in July when he posted the Netflix users had streamed 1 billion hours of content in June for the first time ever. Not only was that an interesting milestone for the company, but it was big news for shareholders and Netflix’s stock price jumped 6% after the post.

The SEC believes that the number of streaming hours was material information that should have been more formally announced. Hastings has 200,000 subscribers to his Facebook page and says that since he told all 200,000 people, it was a formal announcement and a press release wasn’t required. Hastings also notes that the company had already disclosed in investor letters that it was closing in on 1 billion hours of streaming so the Facebook post wasn’t news. There is no indication at this time of what action, if any, the SEC will take in this case.

[via Business Insider]

SEC is upset over Netflix CEO’s Facebook post is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

It’s no secret that Facebook wants to expand its advertising prowess, but according to anonymous sources, Facebook is currently in talks with Microsoft to purchase their Atlas advertisement platform. If true, and if they do end up making a deal, it would put Facebook one step closer to launching an ad network that could rival Google’s AdSense.

According to AllThingsD, sources are saying that Facebook is interested in purchasing Microsoft’s Atlas Solutions advertising platform, and are wanting to launch advertisements of their own, which could be used as a competitor to Google‘s DoubleClick and AdSense. Essentially, Facebook could use Atlas to display its own ads on third-party websites, giving the social network yet another revenue stream.

Not too long ago, we told you about how Facebook is planning to share your Facebook activities and habits with other websites in order to serve you targeted adds on these website. Facebook’s acquisition of Atlas may have something to do with these plans, although it seemed like Facebook wanted to build their own in-house network, but it’s possible that they decided that buying an ad network would be the easiest option.

However, even if it turns out to be true that the two companies are in talks, there’s obviously no guarantee that an agreement will be met, and the whole deal could simply just fizzle. However, if the deal does end up going through, changes at Facebook will be imminent, and it could completely change the way advertising is done online forever.

[via AllThingsD]

Facebook may buy Microsoft’s Atlas ad platform is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

RIM has updated the Facebook for BlackBerry app to version 3.3, which includes a new look and a variety of new features. The changes are designed to improve the use of Facebook on BlackBerry devices while allowing users to more seamlessly blend the social network with BBM. The app is available now from BlackBerry World.

First up is BlackBerry Messenger integration, which allows users to find their Messenger friends and initiate a chat via Facebook. If you’re keen to find out which Facebook friends are also using BlackBerry Messenger, you can share your PIN via your Facebook wall. Users can then invite BBM-using friends on their Facebook to join them on BlackBerry Messenger.

Unfriending Facebook friends is easier now, as well, with the new app version allowing users to unfriend via Facebook for BlackBerry. Overall, this combination of new features and BlackBerry Messenger integration allows BB users to combine the best of both worlds, maximizing their BlackBerry Messenger and Facebook accounts while merging the best features from both together.

As for the new look, you’ll find revamped icons and other goodies. Version 3.3 of Facebook for BlackBerry allows users to view images faster and at a higher resolution than previously supported. BB users can toggle between full-size and thumbnail views of photos, and can now download them to the BlackBerry handset for later use.

[via BlackBerry]

Facebook for BlackBerry updated with new look, features is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

SMS messaging turned 20 years old yesterday, and feels even older. It’s decrepit, though, wildly overpriced, and too limited to be our long-term texting solution. More »

Facebook Messenger for Android has been updated, removing the requirement that users have a Facebook account, and instead allowing them to sign up with nothing more than a cellphone number and name. The new feature will go live in India, Indonesia, Australia, Venezuela, and South Africa today, with other countries to follow shortly after.

The change in policy means that those wary of over-sharing with a full Facebook account now need not be out of contact with those friends and family with fewer qualms about the service. It also pits Facebook directly against SMS messaging, attempting to follow other rival services such as iMessage on iOS in undercutting carrier text messaging charges by using cheaper data instead.

It’s unclear when Facebook might follow the Android app update with a similar registration option for the iOS app, though users of the iPhone version can communicate with those who have logged in with their mobile number. The updated Android app also supports group conversations and photo sharing.

The new software comes hot on the heels of a Facebook Messenger for Firefox app, which takes advantage of the Firefox Social API built into the latest version of the browser. However, it also demands a full Facebook registration, rather than the pared-back membership of the new Android app.

You can download Facebook Messenger for Android from the Play store, though at time of writing the new version has not been released.

Facebook Messenger for Android pares registration to name & number is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.