twitter posts

Google Launches Buzz, Targets Twitter and Facebook

by Thomas Houston (RSS feed) — Feb 9th 2010 at 1:49PM

Google just announced Google Buzz, a new system for sharing updates, shared info, and media. Buzz, an online social system similar to Facebook and Twitter, seems to be fully integrated into many of Google's services; you'll be able to access it via Gmail, Google's redesigned mobile homepage, a new dedicated Buzz app, and an updated version of the Google Maps app.

Buzz focuses on the exchange of content, building on Twitter's simple retweet and @reply features. In other words, as you share content on Twitter, flickr, Picasa, and what-have-you, you'll be able to scroll through and view the entire exchange.

Gallery: Google Buzz

Don't miss the live Webcast, and check back here for more updates! The official Buzz video is after the break.

Tags: breaking news, BreakingNews, buzz, facebook, google, google buzz, GoogleBuzz, top, twitter

Web, Social Networking

Homophobic Tweet Lands Vodafone Rep on 'Indefinite' Suspension

by Amar Toor (RSS feed) — Feb 8th 2010 at 12:45PM

There's biting the hand that feeds you, and then there's severing the hand that feeds you. The line separating the two, as one Vodafone employee recently proved, is pretty clearly defined.

On Friday afternoon, Vodafone's nearly 9,000 Twitter followers were left scratching their heads after reading a tweet on the company's page that read: "VodafoneUK is fed up of dirty homo's and is going after beaver." The tweet, as The Guardian reports, was apparently the work of a bored (and bigoted) customer service rep based in Stoke, where the mobile company employs people to use Twitter and other social networking media to communicate with users. After receiving complaints within minutes, Vodafone deleted the Tweet and promptly set about doing damage control. Word, however, spread pretty fast, and the company has been forced to apologize and engage in a prolonged mea culpa. In a series of direct messages to its followers, Vodafone reassured its customers that they weren't hacked, as many had suspected, and said simply, "An inappropriate message. Severe breach of rules by staff in our building, dealing with that internally. We're extremely sorry."

Tags: customerservice, homophobia, social networking, SocialNetworking, top, twitter, vodafone, web

Web, Social Networking

Popcorn Tweets Lets You Eat While You Tweet

by Amar Toor (RSS feed) — Feb 8th 2010 at 8:24AM

If you consider pushing a button on a microwave one too many steps between you and a bowl of popcorn, a new invention may allow you to cook up a steaming pile of Orville Redenbacher from the comfort of your own Twitter account.

Created by Dave Britt and Justin Goeres, Popcorn Tweets is a new device that creates fluffy balloons of popcorn deliciousness at the click of a mouse. Whenever anyone posts a '#popcorn' tweet to their Twitter page, the Archimedes screw-powered robot sends an ugly duckling corn kernel into the literally named "Chamber of Blistering Heat", where it's turned into the beautiful swan that is popcorn. You can see a demo video after the break -- although you should probably be warned that the kitschiness quotient is pretty, prett-ay high. And even though we still don't really condone eating while tweeting, if these guys can somehow figure out a way to incorporate '#butter' and '#salt' triggers into their contraption, we might be willing to reconsider. [From: Engadget]

Tags: popcorn, popcorn tweets, PopcornTweets, social networking, SocialNetworking, top, twitter, web

Cell Phones

Feeling Sick? 'Truth on Call' Asks Doctors Questions Via Text Messages

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Feb 5th 2010 at 7:28AM

Nobody likes the long waits and crowded waiting rooms that plague hospitals and doctor's offices. But what if you could ask a group of doctors a question and get instant feedback without ever stepping into an office? A San Francisco company sees it as a reality and a way to change the way we get treated when we're sick. According to The New York Times, for a fee, Truth on Call sends your question to its database of registered doctors via text message. The doctors simply text their response back, and it's forwarded to you. It's sort of like a fee-based version of Twitter, but only for doctors and patients.

Right now, it costs $50-per-doctor to ask a question, and the service is only available to the media, health care professionals and financial firms. That covers the company's cost and pays the doctors $10, which can also just be donated to charity. But in the next few months, the service should be available to the general public -- although, the price would need to drop if it's expected to catch on.

Tags: cellphone, doctor, health, medicine, socialnetworking, text message, top, twitter

Visionaries, Web, Social Networking

Sun CEO Jonathan Schwartz Resigns Via Twitter Haiku

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Feb 4th 2010 at 3:15PM

The now former CEO of Sun Microsystems shared his resignation with the world late last night. Via Twitter. In haiku form. "Financial crisis/Stalled too many customers/CEO no more." With those words Jonathan Schwartz stepped down from the position he's held since 2006, a move which is partially in response to the company being acquired by Oracle.

According to the New York Times, Schwartz became the first Fortune 200 CEO to Tweet his resignation when he posted the update at around midnight (EST).

Tags: haiku, Jonathan Schwartz, JonathanSchwartz, poetry, sun, Sun Microsystems, sundance, SunMicrosystems, top, twitter, unemployment

Mexico Mulling Twitter Ban, SlingPlayer Finally Coming to the iPhone

by Warren Riddle (RSS feed) — Feb 4th 2010 at 11:55AM

Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....

Italy isn't the only nation attempting to regulate the online actions of its citizens, as Mexico is actually targeting Twitter members for proliferating clandestine messages. The government wants to crack down on Twitter because officials believe it has become an effective means for people, specifically drug dealers, to avoid police check points. [From: Global Post]
Despite the landmark liability ruling in the United States, Italy is taking a different approach in terms of copyright infringement on the Web. The nation is reportedly initiating a plan that would hold sites like YouTube accountable and liable for the material uploaded by their users. [From: Ars Technica]
After months of delays and negotiations, the SlingPlayer app is apparently releasing its anticipated 3G upgrade for the iPhone. The new version should be available in the App Store soon, and will enable VoIP and 3G streaming without actually crashing AT&T's network. [From: Engadget]
The iPad may currently be receiving the overwhelming majority of the media's e-reader attention, but Amazon isn't going to just roll over for Apple. To upgrade its Kindle reader, Amazon has reportedly acquired Touchco, a startup company that, as its name indicates, focuses on touchscreen technology. [From: The New York Times]
A federal judge in Australia has rendered a groundbreaking decision about responsibility, culpability, and illegal online downloading. Justice Dennis Cowdroy ruled this week that an ISP (specifically iiNet in this particular case) cannot be held liable for the downloading actions of its users, because "iiNet is not responsible if an iiNet user uses that system to bring about copyright infringement." [From: SMH]

Tags: iinet, mexico, morningxtra, slingplayer, top, twitter

Web, Social Networking

Study Says Teens Aren't Tantalized by Twitter, Blasé About Blogging

by Amar Toor (RSS feed) — Feb 4th 2010 at 9:30AM

Teenagers, those impetuous stewards of the fountain of youth, are always assumed to be at the forefront of online trends. After all, they're the ones who help Grandma Google, or explain Facebook to Uncle Phil. So what does it mean, then, when teens flock to Facebook and MySpace, but neglect their 140-character cousin? Is Twitter a high school outcast? The answer, according to one recent study, is "yes."

The Pew Research Center's latest Millenial Generation report shows that, while the vast majority of teens continue to use online social networking, relatively few are on Twitter. Just 8-percent of kids between the ages of 12 and 17 tweet, compared to the 73-percent that use social networking sites in general. When divided between older and younger teens, the stats are slightly differentiated, with 10-percent of kids aged 14-17 saying they regularly use the site, while a paltry 5-percent of tweens admit to tweeting.

Tags: demographics, facebook, pew, PewResearchCenter, social networking, SocialNetworking, teens, top, twitter

Web, Social Networking

Twitter Undermines Hugo Chavez's Media Takeover

by Amar Toor (RSS feed) — Feb 4th 2010 at 7:29AM

As we learned last summer in Iran, whenever a dictatorial regime senses trouble in Totalitarianville, one of the first things it does is tighten its grip on the media. And whenever the thick walls of censorship go up, Twitter is there to slip through the cracks.

Case in point: Venezuela, where we may be witnessing the signs of an Iran-like brouhaha. With its economy floundering, crime rates skyrocketing, and civil unrest escalating, Venezuela isn't exactly the happiest place on Earth these days. In the face of this discontent, President Hugo Chavez has decided to step up his propaganda game and has unleashed a major campaign to suppress any oppositional media outlets. When five cable stations recently refused to broadcast one of his speeches, Chavez ordered them to shut down operations, a decree that set off a firestorm of protests, police intervention, and the eventual death of two student dissidents.

Tags: FreeSpeech, hugochavez, iran, media, protests, top, Top Searches, TopSearches, twitter, venezuela

Web, Social Networking

'Delete Your Account' Helps You End Your Facebook, Myspace Account

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Feb 3rd 2010 at 10:20AM

Online companies have slowly made account deletion exasperatingly difficult (if not impossible) to accomplish, and success may only follow hours of trial-and-error-induced hysterics. While GetHuman has been guiding frustrated consumers through the maze of support lines for sometime, it was only recently that we spotted a similar service that walked users around the hair-pulling experience of expunging profiles, or accounts, from clingy Web sites.

The plainly titled Delete Your Account does exactly what you think: shows you the steps required to remove your presence from various Web sites. Wherever possible, it offers a link to the page where the deletion process begins.

Tags: delete your account, DeleteYourAccount, facebook, friendster, myspace, top, twitter, web

Web, Social Networking

Twitter Resetting Passwords Following Phishing Attack

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Feb 2nd 2010 at 5:00PM

This morning, many Twitter users found themselves effectively locked out of their accounts. Following a phishing attack, Twitter took the unprecedented measure of locking down several users' accounts and requiring them to reset their passwords. The owners of the accounts were sent messages that read, "Due to concern that your account may have been compromised in a phishing attack that took place off-Twitter, your password was reset."

According to The Next Web, unconfirmed reports from users claim that the attack is associated with @THCx, a service that purports to offer helpful tips and tutorials. The service has picked up 42,000 followers in recent days, but doesn't follow any accounts in return. ~~It's suspected that the exploited flaw resides in NutshellMail, which allows the e-mail-like managing of tweets.~~

Tags: password, phishing, security, top, twitter

Celebrities, Social Networking

Imogen Heap Rocks Twitter-Designed Haute Couture at Grammys

by Leila Brillson (RSS feed) — Feb 1st 2010 at 6:35PM

Even though Lady Gaga is the de facto conceptual fashionista on any red carpet these days, Brit songstress Imogen Heap decided to bring her social media prowess with her to the Grammys last night. Heap, whose 'Eclipse' was nominated for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, was wearing a frock that was relatively normal, save the Elizabethan-style LED collar, the wireless router soldered in back, and the iPhone displaying a real-time Twitter feed. As a result, when her fans tweeted the hashtag #twitdress, their tweets would show up on her pocketbook-sized screen, allowing them to "accompany her on the red carpet."

Imogen fans could upload pictures and messages, which, when she finally won out (over fellow Briton Dido) and took the podium, she held up for them all to see. Clearly, Ms. Heap has more of a communitarian spirit than she does sartorial sense (as her oddly similar but more sloppy 2007 outfit reveals), but her DIY attitude and love of live-blogging (and a simple A-line) belies an intellectual creativity. Plus, we're always interested in an artist who brings an audience into her performance. Regardless, it's refreshing after pants-less bodysuits and poodles. [From: Mashable]

Tags: dress, fashion, grammys, grammys 2010, Grammys2010, imogen heap, ImogenHeap, social networking, SocialNetworking, top, twitter

Celebrities, TV, Web, Social Networking

The 'Lost' Enthusiast's Guide to Twitter... and Season Six

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Jan 29th 2010 at 12:48PM

[Ed. Note: Minor spoiler alerts ahead. If one is saving season five, skip this post] 'Lost' is one of those television shows that often spawn more questions than they provide answers. What other secrets will the Island reveal? Why does Jack's dad keep showing up? How many times will Sawyer appear shirtless? With the final season premiering on February 2nd, we hope all our questions will be answered in the coming months.

But part of the reason we're so hooked on 'Lost' is the Internet fodder created by the characters' dark pasts and the Island's mysterious ways. Countless fan pages, sites, and forums allow folks to wax philosophic about the show. But if you want real-time, up-to-date information on Jack, Kate, and the rest of the gang, there are some excellent Twitter accounts to add to your feed. Here's a list of our five favorites, and as usual, we've assembled them here for you.

Tags: damon lindelof, DamonLindelof, features, john locke, JohnLocke, lost, lostpedia, lostsoup, switchedfollows, television, top, twitter

iPad Frenzy: Jokers, Writers, Gamers, and Actors All Weigh In

by Matthew Zuras (RSS feed) — Jan 28th 2010 at 6:51PM

There's a load of great tech news happening out there every day, and, unfortunately, we just can't cover it all. Here are a few of the other noteworthy things we saw today on our never-ending journey through the wild, wild Web.

Some of the lady-folk out there have been discomforted by the name 'iPad.' (Well, so have some men-folk.) Besides #itampon being a top Twitter trend last night, we've all been awkwardly finding puns on Jobs' greatest achievement. When the malaise begins to set in, look to '5 Stages of Grief: iPad Joke Edition' for consolation. [From: Buzzfeed]
Don't get us wrong -- The New Republic is a great magazine for many things. Covering tech, though, is not one of them. Claiming that the iPad has "killed the PC," otherwise-noted writer Nicholas Carr called the general reaction to the Apple unveiling "rapturous." We want whatever he's smoking. [From: The New Republic]
Independent gaming developers, like the minds behind 'Canabalt' and 'Critter Crunch,' have more of a mixed view on how the iPad will shape mobile gaming's future. On the one hand, pixel doubling means iPhone apps are ready to go on the tablet. On the other, shouldn't Apple have asked the developers first? [From: Boing Boing]
And, of course, our favorite wry Brit actor-cum-tweeter Stephen Fry had to chime in his thoughts on this magical device. After the launch, he penned a 2,180-word essay on the highs and lows of the iPad. Why does he think it's good? Because micromanaging Steve Jobs developed it. "How many other CEOs say...their employees want to murder them? That's the difference." [From: Gizmodo]

Got a tip? Want to talk to us? In need of more choice links like these? Drop us a line on Twitter and check out our Tumblr blog.

Tags: bestoftherest, canabalt, critter-crunch, ipad, ipad jokes, IpadJokes, nicholas carr, NicholasCarr, stephen fry, StephenFry, steve jobs, SteveJobs, the new republic, TheNewRepublic, top, twitter, viral

iPhone Hacker Cracks the PS3, Italy Engaged in Sneaky Web Law

by Leila Brillson (RSS feed) — Jan 27th 2010 at 11:20AM

Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....

A new concern may have reared its slippery head for game developers. GeoHot, the hacker that cracked the iPhone, has now managed to hack a PlayStation 3. Bragging to the BBC, he remarked, "I can now do whatever I want with the system. It's like I've got an awesome new power - I'm just not sure how to wield it." Two words from us: backwards compatibility. [From: Joystiq and BBC.co.uk]
We'll be honest. It's no secret that Switched doesn't favor Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, whose own MediaNet is in a legal battle with YouTube over copyright infringement. A newly proposed Italian law would make ISPs and content providers responsible for monitoring what's online -- a move that will certainly help MediaNet get the one-up in court. Suspicious? We think so. [From: Reuters]
The real deal on news aggregation monolith Digg will soon be revealed, thanks to a book deal for site's founder Kevin Rose. The lovable entrepreneur-turned-TV-host will tell his story to HarperStudio, an offshoot of HarperCollins, which, like Digg, is an experiment in information and publishing. [From: The Business Insider]
Once a dominant force in the tech industry, Microsoft is now struggling to keep up with the times (well, minus the Xbox). However, a recent Microsoft job listing asks for an engineer with a working knowledge of 2G and 3G technologies, leading Engadget to speculate that the next Zune may have a cellular component. [From: Engadget]
Twitter is a already a great tool for sensing trends in the cyber-sphere, but, soon, after users set their location, they will be able to tap into local happenings, too. It's too bad that feature wasn't enabled around Switched when the Jets took a Colts pounding. We could have lamented in unison. [From: Mashable]

Tags: berlusconi, digg, geohot, hack, harperstudio, kevin rose, KevinRose, MediaNet, microsoft, morningxtra, ps3, Silvio Berlusconi, SilvioBerlusconi, top, twitter, zune, zunephone

Web, Social Networking

Twitter a Tool for the Industrious Unemployed

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Jan 27th 2010 at 8:25AM

With the job market more competitive than it has been in years, people must get creative, whether hiring or searching for a position. We all know that Twitter can be used for nefarious means, but, as it turns out, the social networking site has emerged as a useful tool for employers and job candidates, alike.

Thanks in part to job search engines like TwitJobSearch, more and more people are finding gainful employment, 140 characters at a time. According to The New York Times, 340,000 jobs have been listed on Twitter in the last month alone. At one time, it might have been difficult to scour the Twitterverse for positions, but TwitJobSearch and TweetDeck have released a new application called JobDeck that does the work for you. The app scans tweets for employment-related keywords, lets users search for job openings, and compiles updates and listings from human resource professionals and places like LinkedIn.

Tags: job search, jobs, JobSearch, socialnetworking, top, trends, twitjobsearch, twitter, web

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Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.

Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.

Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.

Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.

HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.

HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.

HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.

GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.

Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.

Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.

Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.

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