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Facebook to reveal ads targeted to user behavior patterns
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Advertising, Corporate News, Social Media, Social Networks
Facebook is now compliant with the Online Interest-Based Advertising Accountability Program, and has to show the AdChoice icon in behaviorally targeted Facebook Exchange (FBX) ads. This allows users to know when an ad is marketed to them on their browser behavior. The catch, however, is that the icon is only displayed when a user interacts with it by scrolling of the gray "X" over the ad.
Facebook will change the "Report this Ad" text with "Learn About Facebook Ads," and users can choose to opt out of specific ad networks. As Engadget notes, however, whether this legally complies with the Federal Commission guidelines for "clear and prominent notice" is unsure, as the ads only reveal itself as targeted once a user interacts with it.
AdChoice implementation will start at the end of March.
Read More 
| ASRC Reviews via AdAge
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Apple releases OS X 10.8.3 build 12D65 to developers
Posted by Andru Edwards - 
Categories:
Apple,
PC / Laptop,
Software
Apple has seeded OS X 10.8.3 build 12D65 to developers just a week after releasing the 12D61 build. Apple is asking developers to focus on AirPlay, AirPort, Game Center, graphics drivers, and Safari in 12D65. The update also appears to fix the "File:///" bug that currently plagues OS X, where by typing that into a text field, you immediately crash the app you are working in. If you're a Mac dev, you can grab the update through the Mac App Store right now.
Australian courts overturn ruling the ACCC brought against Google
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Corporate News, Google
Six grueling years of the ACCC dragging Google in and out of Australian courtrooms and hearings for "misleading advertisements" displayed in search results have now come to an end.
Five Australian High Court judges have overturned a ruling requiring Google to set up programs that properly vet ads. The lawsuits started because of the specific claim that if one were to search Google in 2006 for "Honda Austrailia," the user would also be shown sponsored ads from competing car companies. This new ruling, however, proves that the concern of the ACCC is an outdated one.
Read More | Reuters
Belkin FastFit Bluetooth keyboard for iPad mini announced
Posted by Andru Edwards -
Categories:
Accessories,
Apple,
Handhelds,
Peripherals,
Wireless / WiFi
Belkin has announce its FastFit Bluetooth keyboard case for iPad mini. Measuring in at 7mm thick, the FastFit Bluetooth case provides about three months of battery life, equating to about 150 days of active use before its 200mAh battery needs to be charge. It attached to the iPad mini magnetically, and automatically wakes the tablet when opened. Belkin also touts the TruType keyboard layout, which is says has well-spaced keys for fast and accurate typing. No word on a ship date, but it'll be available from Belkin soon for $79.99.
Read More | Belkin
RIAA Google takedown requests near 10 million
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Corporate News, Google, Internet, Music
Thanks to Google's Transparency Report, we can see just how many copyright takedown requests it gets, and who issues such requests. The RIAA tops the list with nearly 10 million takedown requests issued. The RIAA issues hundreds of thousands of notices every week in regards to piracy sites, and has topped the most recent monthly requests. This goes to show just how severe the piracy network is, or even perhaps, how futile the RIAA's attempts are at squashing it.
Read More | Google Transparency Report via Engadget
Twitter acquires Bluefin Labs to create innovative ad products
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Acquisitions, Advertising, Social Networks
Twitter is expanding on its Nielsen deal to develop social TV ratings through an acquisition of Bluefin Labs, a firm specializing in statistics for television networks. The acquisition, says Twitter, will allow the social network to create "innovative new ad products."
Second-screen apps seem to be on the rise these days, but in the case of Twitter, people are more than likely already using it while watching TV. The question is, how much money will this bring Twitter through advertising?
Read More | Twitter Blog via Engadget
USPS to cease Saturday mail delivery on August 1
Posted by Andru Edwards -
Categories:
Corporate News,
Household
Saturday mail delivery through the United Stated Postal Service will be a thing of the past beginning August 1, 2013. It's a move focused on cutting costs as the USPS tries to deal with, and recover from, massive financial losses due to mandatory retiree health care benefits, and should end up saving the struggling agency about $2 billion per year. Not all Saturday mail activity will go away--packages will still be delivered, P.O. boxes will receive mail as usual, and post offices will still be open on Saturdays. Of course, with the proliferation of email, snail mail demand has decreased significantly over the years. We're sure that this is unwelcome news for Netflix DVD subscribers, but on the bright side, with Saturday mail delivery ceasing, it's another junk mail-free day to look forward to on the weekend.
Read More | AP
Apple announces 25 billion songs sold through iTunes
Posted by Andru Edwards -
Categories:
Apple,
Corporate News,
Music
Apple is touting the latest milestone for iTunes, as the service has now sold over 25 billion songs. The 25 billionth track sold was Chase Buch's "Monkey Drums (Goksel Vancin Remix)" by Phillip Lüpke, who Apple will be rewarding with a €10,000 gift card. Not bad. "We are grateful to our users whose passion for music over the past 10 years has made iTunes the number one music retailer in the world." said Apple's Eddy Cue, who went on to mention that iTunes sells over 15,000 songs per minute. Who says no one buys music anymore?
Read More | Apple
Mophie Juice Pack Helium arrives to keep iPhone 5 charged
Posted by Andru Edwards -
Categories:
Accessories,
Apple,
Cell Phones,
Handhelds
The iPhone 5 launched four months ago, and power users everywhere have been waiting for a compatible Mophie Juice Pack--the wait is over, as the Juice Pack Helium for iPhone 5 has arrived, supporting the new Lightning Connector. Packing a 1,500mAh batter, the Juice Pack Helium more than doubles the battery life of the iPhone 5. This means you get 6 more hours of talk time, or 6 more hours of web browsing. Like the older models, you can charge and sync the iPhone with the Juice Pack Helium on it through micro USB. Mophie is taking orders now, and the $79.95 Juice Pack Helium should ship later this week.
Read More | Mophie
How to hack Wii U GamePad to work as PC controller [Video]
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Mods/Hacks, Nintendo, PC, Wii U
The Wii U is in line for its time in the hacker spotlight, with the Wii U GamePad hacked to work as a simple PC controller. The modder, Chris Manning, learned the GamePad's input by connecting the Wii U browser to a site running a custom script. He was then able to map the GamePad inputs to keyboard functions. While it doesn't support touch screen at the moment, Manning told Kotaku that he plans to integrate it in a future update, as well as attempt to crack GamePad streaming. Check out the video below to see how it works, and then grab the files to perform the mod yourself.
Read More | Kotaku
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