Twitter to give users fewer characters to tweet with when URLs are involved

Twitter giving users fewer characters to tweet with when URLs are involved

The shock! The horror! The genuine nightmare of losing two more valuable character spaces per tweet! Such a scenario is indeed going to play out, as Twitter has just announced a subtle change in its t.co wrapper that’ll go into play this coming February. The firm will be extending the maximum length of t.co wrapped links from 20 to 22 characters for non-https URLs, and 21 to 23 characters for https URLs. It’s announcing the change now in order to give developers time to tweak their apps to handle things with poise, though it’s not going so far as to clarify why the change is being made. Enjoy those shortened links while you can — that whole “140 characters” thing will soon be gaining yet another asterisk.

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Via: The Next Web

Source: Twitter

Google+ makes you feel at home with Communities, ‘a place for whatever you’re into’

Google makes you feel at home with Communities, 'a place for whatever you're into'

Google’s social service has provided a venue for chatting and collaborating with family and friends, but it hasn’t exactly been the best place to get to know strangers who happen to share similar interests. That seems to be the idea behind Communities — think of it as Facebook Groups, but within the Google ecosystem. Google+ Communities can be open to anyone on the network, but they can be private if you wish, so members have the opportunity to share photos, forum posts, and even add Hangouts and Events without worrying about that content being available to anyone and everyone on the web. The network’s latest feature is set to roll out today, so keep an eye out for the Communities icon to hit your Google+ sidebar. You can also snag a sneak peek in the intro video just past the break.

Continue reading Google+ makes you feel at home with Communities, ‘a place for whatever you’re into’

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Source: Google Blog

Microsoft launches Socl into Beta, brings the part(ies) to social networking

Microsoft launches Socl into Beta, throws its federa into the social networking ring

Microsoft has unleashed Socl into beta for all comers to probe, bringing it out of the experimental stages and a step closer to a full-fledged site. We first heard about the project back in July when it was dubbed Tulalip, and MS Research’s Fuse Labs officially launched it internally and into some universities back in October last year. The site carries the Windows 8 tile-like look, and Fuse says that imagery is emphasized over “blue links” for search, helping democratize the site “even for people who speak different languages.” That lets you find others via posts, a people gallery, or someone’s page — where new posts, people and interests can be viewed all at once. A nav bar allows articles to be created by topics like web, videos or news, and users can create “parties,” where they can chat, create playlists or watch videos with others in a similar fashion to Google Hangouts. The project was coded using Redmond’s Java-hued Typescript to allow for rapid coding changes, according to Fuse’s blog in the source below. To try it out for yourself, check the “more coverage” link.

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Via: Techmeme

Source: Microsoft Research FuseLabs

Google launches VetNet, uses Google+ to link veterans with civilian jobs (video)

Google launches VetNet, uses Google to link veterans with civilian jobs video

As eager as Google has been to help veterans find work in the civilian world, most of its work has been parallel to what’s already going on. It’s hoping to use its social networking skills from Google+ as the linchpin for a larger effort. Enter VetNet: the portal aggregates job-finding resources from Hire Heroes USA, Hiring Our Heroes and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, using Google+ pages for program tracks that cover job hunting basics, career networking and entrepreneurial courses. Former soldiers will logically need to sign in, but they’ll get access to video discussions through Hangouts, a Google Calendar for events and, naturally, a place to connect with fellow vets. The VetNet hub is already live; if transitioning to work outside the armed forces feels like too much of a solitary pursuit so far, the service could be a prime opportunity.

Continue reading Google launches VetNet, uses Google+ to link veterans with civilian jobs (video)

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Via: Google Official Blog

Source: VetNet

Google’s Play Store website now links reviews to your Google+ account

Google's Play Store website now links reviews with your Google+ account

YouTube asks nicely if you would like to post comments using your Google+ name, and now a similar change has quietly made it to the Play Store. When we say similar, we mean in this case, you’re forced into revealing your true identity from now on — at least when you’re accessing Google’s virtual marketplace from a browser. We’d guess that linking ratings and reviews to your account ties in with the enhanced Google+ integration recently added to the app, and will serve to provide better download recommendations based on your profile and friends. The requirement, however, has not yet been implemented in the app, so if you’ve been meaning to leave a few damning reviews, this loophole is your last chance to do so anonymously.

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Via: Android Central

Source: Google Play Store

Sina Weibo exceeds 400 million users, sees increasing mobile traffic

Sina Weibo exceeds 400 million users, sees increasing mobile traffic

Microblogging site Sina Weibo, China‘s answer to Twitter, reported a pretty dazzling statistic in its third quarter results: it now boasts over 400 million registered users. We can’t be sure how many are active, of course, but it’s still a vast number considering appeal is localized to the People’s Republic. It also means Sina is winning the popularity contest with social media competitor Tencent, although it humbly acknowledges their services are somewhat different. The company’s platform is still evolving, and it’s only recently seen mobile usage exceed computers, so is shifting product focus accordingly. Sina’s obviously doing something right, and that suits us just fine — keep those news bites and juicy leaks coming.

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Sina Weibo exceeds 400 million users, sees increasing mobile traffic originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Next Web  |  sourceSina  | Email this | Comments

Twitter brings content preview cards to Android and iPhone, lets us email tweets from the web

Twitter brings content preview cards to Android and iPhone, lets us email tweets from the web

Twitter has been on a mission to bring more of its expanded tweet content to the mobile world, and most recently lavished attention on the iPad. It’s carrying that campaign to a much wider mix of screens: an update to the Android and iPhone apps gives them article summary and photo preview cards whenever they either search for tweets or browse through the Discover tab, all without having to tap the post first. Photos in the reworked search have likewise moved to the top by default to help track down that elusive concert photo. Web users aren’t being left out of Twitter’s latest update frenzy, either. The social network is tucking an option into the “more” section of each tweet that lets us email a pristine-looking copy to anyone who isn’t part of Twitter’s flock. All of the features are available to try immediately in the relevant official clients, which should make life grand for those of us who want more than just a wall of text in our search results.

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Twitter brings content preview cards to Android and iPhone, lets us email tweets from the web originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Twitter (1), (2), (3)  |  sourceApp Store, Google Play  | Email this | Comments

Facebook users can now share via Android and iOS apps

Facebook users can now share via Android and iOS apps

Yesterday, Facebook revealed that it was in the process of bringing its website’s share feature to mobile apps for iOS and Android. Well, Zuckerberg’s crew just made good on its promise, and has released version 5.2 of its app for both platforms. That means that folks using either app can now pass on their witty musings and puppy pictures to all of their online friends with a simple tap in their news feeds. Want in on the action? There are downloads to be had at the source links below.

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Facebook users can now share via Android and iOS apps originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 17:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceFacebook, Google Play Store, Apple App Store  | Email this | Comments

Facebook adding share feature to its iOS and Android apps

DNP Retweet this! Facebook adding share button to iOS and Android apps

The house that Zuck built is reportedly in the process of bringing its desktop site’s share feature to mobile, which will allow Facebook users to retweet repost and comment on content from within their news feeds. Currently available on Facebook’s mobile website, this Twitteresque option will soon make its way to the company’s iOS and Android apps. Whenever a person shares something, it will credit the source of the information by attaching the original poster’s name to the status update. It’s too early to tell how the addition of a share button will affect how people “like” posts; however, once this feature becomes widely available to Facebook’s 604 million-plus mobile users, news feeds are likely to be flooded with even more pictures of cats, food and grandchildren than ever before. Bet you didn’t think that was possible, but rest assured it’s a comin’.

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Facebook adding share feature to its iOS and Android apps originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceTechCrunch  | Email this | Comments

Google+ auto-embeds Android app install links to spur curious downloaders

Google autoembeds Android app installs to encourage impulsive downloaders

Next to an in-person demo, social networking is arguably the most common way to learn about apps through unofficial sources. It’s only natural, then, that Google streamline the whole process of sharing Android apps in Google+. Include a link to a release in the Google Play Store with a Google+ post and the page now generates a clickable title card that installs the app right after choosing a target device. While the gesture doesn’t extend to +1 votes, it’s more than enough to give Android fans an easy and trustworthy way of spreading love for a favorite app. Or, at least, some shameless self-promotion.

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Google+ auto-embeds Android app install links to spur curious downloaders originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Ubergizmo  |  sourceThe Next Web  | Email this | Comments