ios

Facebook iPhone app to get speed bump next month

To say that Facebook's iPhone app is slow could be considered generous. In truth, it makes the tortoise look like the hare.

It seems almost inconceivable (and yes, I do think that word means what I think it means) that a Web-focused, modern company could produce such a slow rendition of its product on the most popular mobile product on the planet.

But, not to fear, Facebook has heard the crowing (and has seen the one-star reviews) and plans to update its iPhone app, according to The New York Times.

The New York Times managed to get two unnamed engineers to reveal that the Facebook iOS app has been completely retooled and will feature the only thing that really matters in social-networking apps -- speed. … Read more

Google Glass: $1,500 for developers, shipping next year

SAN FRANCISCO -- The first Project Glass products -- Google's network-enabled, computerized glasses -- are set to ship to a select group of enthusiasts early next year, co-founder Sergey Brin said today.

"This is not a consumer device," Brin told thousands in an enthusiastically cheering audience at the company's Google I/O show today here. "You have to want to be on the bleeding edge. That's what this is designed for."

The glasses will be available only to Google I/O attendees who are in the United States. The geographic restriction is for … Read more

Google+ arriving on Android, Apple tablets

SAN FRANCISCO -- Google+ has been available only through Web browsers and mobile-phone apps, but Google today announced tablet versions of apps for Android and iOS slates.

The app features the same photo-first look currently in the smartphone app, letting people slide photos left or right to see what's posted in their stream. The tablet version shows photos popular on Google+ in larger versions, said Vic Gundotra, a Google senior vice president speaking at the company's Google I/O show here today.

"We're stylizing the stream so it makes it very easy to scan while still … Read more

Google taking on Evite with Google+ Events

Google is taking on the invitation service Evite with Google+ Events. Not surprisingly, the service is tightly integrated into Google Calendar and into Google+, but users will be able to invite anyone to an event, not just users on the Google platform.

At Google I/O, Vic Gundotra showed off the invitation system, which allows "cinemagraphic" themes based on slightly-animated looping photos to grab the eye.

Events isn't just about invitations, though. During an event, users can turn on "party mode" to automatically upload all photos taken to a page for the event. Participants can … Read more

Leaked iOS 6 beta for Apple TV hints at apps -- finally

One rumor that didn't quite pan out following Apple's World Wide Developers Conference earlier this month, was that Apple would roll out a way for developers to make apps for its $99 set top box.

However a new beta version of iOS for Apple's TV box suggests that idea may still be alive and well in Cupertino.

Apparently unafraid of Apple's legal team, Brazil-based Apple tech blog MacMagazine (via Macrumors) has posted a video of an Apple TV set top box running a developer beta of iOS 6.

While seemingly unchanged from the current release, which … Read more

Schedule your day with free task manager 30/30

As a freelance writer, I need all the help I can get to stay on target. I don't have a boss who might suddenly appear, looming over my shoulder, wondering why I'm on Facebook. I don't have co-workers who are depending on me to finish my part of a larger project. It's just me and the Internet, with deadlines to hit and monthly quotas to fill.

I began using the Pomodoro Technique, which has you working for 20- or 25-minute blocks and then taking a 5- or 10-minute break. It has helped me stay focused for … Read more

Google I/O 2012 Day 1 keynote (live blog)

Tune in to CNET's live blog from the Google I/O keynote starting at 9:00 a.m. PT.

SAN FRANCISCO--Google will be kicking off its annual developers conference here on Wednesday, and the company is expected to have lots of juicy news.

The Google I/O conference offers third-party developers a chance to mix-and-mingle with Google engineers. In the past, the company has used the event to highlight and announce new products and initiatives. And this year's event will likely offer the same.

The company will host two keynote sessions on Wednesday and Thursday morning, where company … Read more

Exchange rings. Say 'I do.' Settle in at Google I/O

SAN FRANCISCO -- Some people go to Hawaii or the Caribbean for a destination wedding. But Jon Weissenburger and his bride Nina decided that Google I/O here in San Francisco was much more romantic.

The couple tied the knot at the San Francisco courthouse Tuesday morning, and then swung by the Moscone Center in the afternoon so that Jon could register and pick up his badge for the three day event that gets underway Wednesday.

When I saw them standing in line at the convention center, I assumed they were some wacky, Android-obsessed couple. After all, there have been … Read more

Slacker Radio now streaming lifestyle advice

Popular streaming radio service Slacker Radio today launched a new category of stations that offers a different sort of listening experience to its users: lifestyle. Debuting as part of a partnership between Slacker and ABC Radio, the new stations offer curated talk radio content that includes advice and other stories dealing with the lifestyle interests of both men and women.

For now, Slacker's new lifestyle stations come in two flavors: Men's Life and Women's Life, with much of the content coming from sources like Esquire, Car & Driver, Consumer Reports, Popular Mechanics, Complex Magazine, and GQ. The … Read more

Instagram updates to 2.5 with 'visual improvements'

Instagram gets faster and brighter today as it rolls out its new 2.5 features for iOS.

Among the new items are a spruced up profile tab, different ways to search, commenting improvements, and visual and speed enhancements. There is also a noticeable Facebook feature that lets users share likes, or little hearts, to Facebook if they want.

Of these new features, the app does seem quite a bit faster with photos loading more quickly. The most noticeable change is the "Explore" tab, which was exchanged for the "Popular" tab and also has a new icon.… Read more