Genkii Sparkle Virtual World

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Entertainment, Social Networking, Videos, $4.99

While most applications are meant for only the user, this should mark a change in the way they can be utilized. Tokyo based Genkii has created an app that lets iPhone users connect with others. Sparkle is claimed to be the first virtual world that links your phone to Second Life and OpenSim grids. Send teleport requests and IMs or chat with others. Sparkle is available for $4.99 now but plans include a 3D version to come with personal space, social networking, virtual games and goods, and more.

Read More | Genkii

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Facebook Returns to Original TOS After Complaints

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Internet

After an entire Facebook group complained about their new policy change that inferred that the site would have control of their users information “forever” as opposed to until closing an account, founder Mark Zuckerberg said that they would return to their previous terms of use, at least until they work out the semantics. He said that subscribers will continue to own their information unless it has already been given out. Over 100,000 joined the People Against the new Terms of Service (TOS) Group to make their views heard.

Read More | Facebook

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Man Murders Wife Over Facebook Status

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet

It’s a scary Internet world out there. Edward Richardson of Staffordshire, England, checked out his wife’s Facebook page. That by itself is fairly common, we suspect, but when he realized that she had changed her status to single he freaked. She wouldn’t answer any of his text messages at her parents’ house, so he went there, broke a window out of the front door, went in and killed her. He tried to off himself as well but failed. He was given 18 years for the murder and Detective Inspector Andy Wall said that the wife had wanted to end the marriage but that Richardson couldn’t accept her decision.

Read More | Daily Tech

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Sony Adds 100,00 More Users To The Home Beta

Posted by Aaron Zollo Categories: Home Entertainment, Internet, Software, Video Games

Sony has been trying to play catch up with Xbox Live ever since its inception, and they think they have the answer.  The upcoming release of Home is Sony’s attempt to bring a “Live” community to the PS3, but using their own style.  The Beta has been out for some time and it seems Sony wants it to be perfect before launching.  Today, they have added another 100,000 Beta testers to their program to allow them to enjoy Home, which allows Sony to iron out the bugs.  In case you have not been aware, Home is much like Second Life, but with game rooms, trophies and “Homes” for each of its players, where you can interact with one another.  It’s nice to see Sony trying to take the initiative and attempt something new for online communities, and the free price point makes it a nice alternative.  We’ll still have to wait and see if Home is all Sony claims it can be.

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Facebook Users Get Busted

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Editorial, Internet

Once again, we are amazed at the apparent idiocy of people who are too casual when on the Internet. Tom Stones, a Tesco store worker in the UK, called in sick, but later posted on Facebook. He now faces disciplinary action. Last month, 13 Virgin Atlantic crew members used the same means to trash their employer and were consequently fired. Australian Kyle Doyle called in sick after a night out. His managers found him updating his Facebook page. Thank goodness that those of us who work/play on the Net a gazillion hours a day know that it’s part of the gig. If that’s not you, save the Facebook updates when that you can get away with it are legally off the clock.

Read More | Telegraph

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TroopTube Social Network

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet

Because of security reasons, no doubt, the DOD has restricted overseas military use of sites such as YouTube and MySpace for its personnel. Delve Networks and the DOD’s Military One Source have launched TroopTube. The social site allows active duty, guard and reserve military folks and their families to share videos but they will not be able to embed them elsewhere. The Defense Department will monitor what is shown on the site that could be potential risks. Sign-up is free and uploading is super-simple.

Read More | TroopTube

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RIP Yahoo Mash

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Editorial, Internet

Mash subscribers received this email message: “Thank you for trying out our Mash Beta service. We hope you had fun with it. Please note that we will shut down Mash on September 29, 2008. As a result, your current profile on Mash will no longer be available.”

So ends Yahoo’s second attempt at social networking, following the former demise of Mixd. One of Mash’s features was that you could create a profile for one of your friends, then ask her/him to customize it. Sounds a little creepy to us. We will now share about a nanosecond of silence to commemorate the loss, and ask Yahoo to stick to what it does best, if they ever figure out what that is.

Read More | Daily Tech

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Doggyspace is for Doggy Lovers

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Internet, Misc. Tech

If you love your pup, and we mean really love her/him, then you will want to join Doggyspace, a cross between Facebook and MySpace for canines. You can create a profile, share photos and videos, and meet others who are similarly obsessed. Launched last month, 3,000 dog fanciers have already joined the site and there are claims that there will be about 2 million by the end of the year. While Doggyspace is free to join, Founder Levi Thorton plans to make premium accounts with a percentage of the fee going to animal charities. We really don’t know what paying the extra means, but we assume that gives you a top dog.

Read More | Doggyspace

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Yahoo to Reorganize

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Internet

Yahoo has decided to regroup. They will be taking all their services, such as Flickr, Del.icio.us, and Upcoming, and transforming them into one network. Ari Balogh, Yahoo’s chief technology officer, said, “We are not building another social network. We are building social into everything we do.”

They have already created Searchmonkey that allows users and developers to easily utilize their search technology. The project, referred to as Y!OS (Yahoo Open Strategy,) should be open to all later on this year if Microsoft doesn’t take them over first.

Read More | BBC

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MySpace to Have News Feed

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Editorial, Internet

MySpace plans to adopt Facebook’s news feed. Fox Interactive Media President Peter Levinsohn said that it will come in different versions, one for work, family, and Internet stalkers friends. Although his words were, “The concept of a news feed is something we are very focused on,” we see it as an attempt to keep up with the other guys, who steadily gain new applications and users. Either way, look for it to become a reality in the next 30 to 45 days.

Read More | Reuters

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