Jul 18
Jul 18
Word about Google’s experimental fiber network, dubbed as Google Fiber, surfaced a couple of years ago. And just as we were about to close its pages on our book, Google is now announcing that its mysterious project will be coming next week. Google is now sending out invitations to a yet-to-be-named event in Kansas City this coming July 26. “Google Fiber is coming on July 26. Look out for an announcement at google.com/fiber on July 26,” Google announced today via its official Google Fiber site.
The Mountain View-based tech giant previously revealed its plans two years ago to build a network with ultra high-speed broadband that’s 100 times faster than what people are using today. Earlier this year, Google announced that Kansas City will be the first to enjoy the new service. “The Google Fiber project is about making the web better and faster, but it’s also about making the Internet more accessible for people throughout Kansas City. Digital inclusion here is a priority for Google, and it’s clear that it’s also a priority for community nonprofits and the local governments,” Google said.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Google Nexus 7 screen separation problems? , Google launches Gmail SMS in Africa, lets you forward emails as text messages,
Jul 18
Dropbox users targeted by spammers
Posted in: Today's Chili
Uh oh, it looks like there could be a possibility of a Dropbox breach or leak of its email address list. According to reports online, a number of Dropbox users have been receiving spam email in their email addresses associated with Dropbox. It all started out when they noticed that they were getting spam in their email inboxes that were set up specifically for Dropbox usage and nothing else. At the moment there’s no explanation for the cause of the leak, but Dropbox is aware of the issue and is investigating.
Here’s what Dropbox had to say about the issue:
“We‘re aware that some Dropbox users have been receiving spam to email addresses associated with their Dropbox accounts. Our top priority is investigating this issue thoroughly and updating you as soon as we can. We know it’s frustrating not to get an update with more details sooner, but please bear with us as our investigation continues.”
There’s no telling if it’s a Dropbox issue, or possibly caused by some third party apps that access Dropbox. However, we’ll keep you posted when more information about the problem is released.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: WD 2go app now supports Dropbox, Dropbox Pro upgraded, delivers more bang for your buck ,
Jul 18
If you’re excited about Firefox OS and can’t wait to get your hands on it, we’ve got some good news today. One of the developers for the operating system announced yesterday that test builds for the desktop version of Firefox OS are now available. So if you’ve got a computer and you want to test out the functions of the operating system, you can. Web developers can use these desktop builds to test their web apps to see compatibility, while those of you who just want to play around with the operating system can do so as well.
Being its first release, there are bound to be problems and bugs, so don’t be surprised if things don’t work as expected. The Desktop builds are available for users on Mac OS, Windows, and Linux. Just head here to download the files, and here for instructions on how to set them up. Do let us know what you think about Firefox OS if you give it a shot.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: 75% of Google and Apple apps will be easily ported to Firefox OS, Firefox 14 launched, encrypts Google searches by default,
Jul 17
After confirming the existence of the random messaging bug on Skype, it looks like its developers have been hard at work to provide a fix to the solution. Skype announced on its blog today that over the next few days it will be rolling out the hotfix which addresses the random messaging issue. The update also fixes the problem of not being able to save files when a user’s hard disk is in FAT 32 format.
Keep an eye out on Skype for the update notification, or head over to Skype’s website to download the latest version of the client. Take note that Skype 5.9 for Windows, Skype 2.8 for Android and Skype 4.0 for iOS have not been affected, so it’s only for users on Skype 5.10 for Windows, Skype 5.8 for Mac, Skype 4.0 for Linux and Skype 1.2 for Windows Phone. Were any of you affected by the messaging glitch?
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Skype confirms messaging bug (updated), Skype updates for Windows and Mac versions,
Jul 17
Larry King Now streaming on Hulu
Posted in: Today's Chili
If you missed Larry King Live on CNN, you’ll be pleased to know that the king of talk shows will now be back – this time in the form of an online show on Hulu. Called Larry King Now, it will feature him doing what he does best – interviewing people. Already online on Hulu.com, the first episode has Larry King interviewing Seth MacFarlane – the creator of Family Guy and American Dad. This 30-minute talk show will air four times a week from Monday to Tuesday, and other guests expected this week are Meghan McCain and Matthew McConaughey.
I haven’t checked out the first episode myself, but I’m guessing it’s going to appeal to fans of his talk shows and his style of questioning. If you’re interested in checking out Larry King Now, just head over to Hulu’s website (for folks in the US only).
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Full Hulu Access To Require a Cable Contract Soon?, Hulu advances with Gay and Lesbian Genre,
Jul 17
And just as you thought that your Amazon Kindle for the Web was enough to keep you busy all day, Barnes & Noble is launching a new service that offers an entirely new reading experience on your browser. Barnes & Noble, considered as the largest book retailer in the United States, is launching Nook for Web today. Nook for Web offers avid readers the capability to flip through the hottest digital titles and bestselling books right straight from their computer. Nook for Web can be accessed through today’s standard browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer.
The company said that support for Internet-enabled tablets and smartphones will be arriving as well this fall. For a start, Barnes & Noble is now offering six bestselling NOOK books for free. Titles include Map of Bones by James Rollins, Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell, The Vow by Kim Carpenter, The Boxcar Children Summer Special by Gertrude Chandler Warner, Brave by Tennant Redbank and Perfect Island Getaways by Patricia Schultz. You can check out Nook for Web here.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: DC graphic novels now available on Nook Color and Tablet, Barnes & Noble CEO says Nook will be getting NFC,
Jul 17
Google launched the first Street View imagery of Antarctica in 2010, allowing people from far-flung places to view the lovely penguins in the region for the first time. Today, the search engine giant is taking Street View to an entirely new level by bringing panoramic imagery of historic locations in the Antarctic.
Google partnered with the Polar Geospatial Center at the University of Minnesota and the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust to add 360-imagery of the historical locations in the region, such as the South Pole Telescope, Shackleton’s hut, Scott’s hut, Cape Royds Adelie Penguin Rookery and the Ceremonial South Pole.
The team used a lightweight tripod camera with fisheye lens to capture the stunning images. Apparently Google’s mobile Street View backpack isn’t going to work because of the snow. Google said that the main goal of the update will be to provide scientists and travel enthusiasts all over the world with the most accurate, high-resolution data of these important historic locations.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Google improves Street View in California, brings panoramic views to five national parks, Google Business Photos shows you store interiors,
Jul 17
Barnes & Noble brings out Nook for Web, comes full circle with e-reading (update: not on iOS)
Posted in: Today's Chili 
We’d say it’s about time. Although it’s almost two years late to the party, Barnes & Noble is responding to Amazon’s Kindle for the Web with Nook for Web. Much like its counterpart across the virtual aisle, the Nook web edition lets readers browse free samples and whole books entirely from a web browser while preserving the bookmarking and layout options we’ve come to know and love. Social mavens will like the options to share over Facebook and Twitter without having to leave the page, and recommendations will pop up as you shop. There’s no highlights, however, so it won’t quite replace the Nook app on your iPad just yet. Nook for Web is already ready and waiting as part of Barnes & Noble’s online store, so those who can’t be bothered with native apps can get their fix immediately.
Update: It most definitely won’t replace that Nook app for the iPad. As TechCrunch found out, the web version won’t load on iOS devices.
Barnes & Noble brings out Nook for Web, comes full circle with e-reading (update: not on iOS) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 09:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Jul 17
Hotels.com launches Deals Facebook app, combines travel booking and social networking
Posted in: Today's Chili
If finding the right hotel is a problem for you, Hotels.com has recently launched a new Facebook app that will allow users to view the most frequented places within their network. The Deals Facebook app, as it is called, does this by incorporating social recommendations into the travel booking process. Hotels.com combines its collection of more than 150,000 hotels with your friends’ top destinations to find the perfect place for you to stay. Essentially, the app will show you the top destinations of your friends on Facebook (given that they use the app of course), and it will also allow you to save all your desired destinations into a “Wish List”.
“We at Hotels.com are pioneering a new approach to social recommendation and discovery on the Facebook Platform,” said Nigel Pocklington, CMO, Hotels.com worldwide. “This application and the algorithm behind it, surfaces friends’ popular destinations and matches that with great hotel deals. This creates a powerful social context that will drive travel recommendations and enable users to find their ideal destination.” You can get the app here.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Facebook for Android updated, StumbleUpon rolls out Facebook Timeline app,
Who's in charge here?
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.