Hasta La Gadget!

Path was quick to mend its ways after a dust-up over collecting contact information from iOS users without their consent, but it wasn’t quick enough to avoid FTC claims of violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. All that is just water under the bridge in the wake of a new settlement. As compensation for collecting contact information from 3,000 children without their parents’ permission, Path has agreed to both pay a $800,000 fee and implement a privacy plan that will require audits from an outside party every other year. Consider it a lesson learned for Path and other mobile app firms, which now know that scraping personal data may have unintended consequences.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Via: TechCrunch, The Next Web

Source: FTC

Uber and similar ride-hailing apps have had their run-ins against authorities before, but it looks like the town car service is finally getting a reprieve, at least in California. Last October, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency issued a cease and desist order plus a $20,000 citation to private car ventures like Uber, Lyft and Sidecar over an apparent lack of permits and licenses. However, the commission changed its tune in December when it decided to evaluate the safety of such services, and has now suspended those complaints altogether as it works toward a resolution. More over, the CPUC officially approved ridesharing — where the drivers are not specifically licensed to drive a limousine or a taxi — thus legitimizing Lyft and opening the door for others to offer such services in the future. The CPUC states it’ll still require “continued proof of insurance, Department of Motor Vehicle checks and national criminal background checks,” especially if the service uses “non-licensed charter party carriers.” Regardless, it’s still a victorious day for lazy smartphone-wielding commuters in the Golden State.

Filed under: Transportation, Internet

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Via: The Next Web

Source: Uber blog, California Public Utilities Commission (PDF)

There’s nothing worse than an old space network, but thankfully NASA’s working on getting some new technology into orbit. The organization just launched the first of three new satellites on the back of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, the first step in the “replenishment of our aging space network,” according to project manager Jeffrey Gramling. The TDRS-K offers up tracking, telemetry and more, in order to improve communications for space exploration. The satellite is entering a three-month test period, before NASA actually puts it into action. Next year, it will be joined by the TDRS-L, followed by the TDRS-M, which is set to be fully built by 2015.

Filed under: Science, Alt

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Source: NASA

As promised, Vudu has taken the trip to Wally World out of the process used to watch your discs via UltraViolet streaming apps and sites — the legit way. Just like the in-store process, DVDs or Blu-rays can be leveraged to buy digital versions of the movie anywhere UltraViolet movies are available. Going from a DVD to an standard definition copy will run you $2, while upgrading to HD is $5 — Blu-ray to HD is also $2 — which is the exact same pricing as the in-store offering. Those who want to convert a few titles, and are lucky enough to get invited to the beta, can download the Windows-only application to a computer that has the required optical disc drive. Mac support is promised soon, but with the limited number of Macs with Blu-ray drives, we’d suspect that version will only work with DVDs.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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British Windows Phone owners won’t have to let their TV viewing habits slip while they’re on the move. TVCatchup has just posted the promised Windows Phone 8 version of its streaming app, giving locals access to live programming from the BBC, ITV and others. OS-specific optimizations aren’t extensive, but they exist — it’s possible to pin a favorite network to the Start screen, and to use voice commands to jump directly to a channel or guide. Viewers just need to hit the Windows Phone Store to stay on top of the latest shows with their Lumias.

Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Mobile

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Source: Windows Phone Store