Podcasts

Reporters' Roundtable: Can an employer ask for your Facebook password?

Social-network users have an expectation that their views of their networks are theirs alone, that there is a private side to the public persona. But to get some jobs or scholarships, that expectation is thrown to the wind. What's truly private in a networked world?

Recently, reports have popped up about potential employees being required to divulge their personal social-network passwords or let hiring managers view their account. Some college sports players have to let "compliance officers" into their online social worlds.

What can a hiring manager or school reasonably ask of a person when it comes to monitoring their online social life? And where can, or should, a person draw the line? On this Roundtable, we discuss the topic with Bob Sullivan, author of the Red Tape Chronicles for MSNBC.

CNET Roadside Assistance 49: Where we say goodbye by answering your questions. (podcast)

On this week's episode we tackle our final questions and some comments but also we bid a fond farewell to CNET Roadside Assistance.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 49 SHOW NOTES

Car Tech Live 256: New York auto show preview and the last live show ever! (podcast)

The Feds want to ban navigation systems, a preview of the New York auto show, we take a ride in not one, but two very fast cars, and finally we say goodbye to Car Tech Live.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 256 SHOW NOTES

• Fed driver distraction guidelines make navigation unusable

• Piece the 2013 Nissan Altima together from this trio of teasers

• BMW X1 in New York heralds U.S. introduction

• Toyota new sedan

• New Acura Flagship to Debut at the New York International Auto Show

CNET Labscast 22: Too-big ultrabooks and best iPad 3 cases

Joining us this week is David Carnoy, who brings a collection of his favorite iPad 3 cases to show off. We also get hands-on with a too-big ultrabook, and debate the future of this once-promising new category.

Best iPad 3 cases and covers. Samsung Series 5 Ultrabook.

Buzz Out Loud 1587: Buzz Out Loud is Dangerously Delicious (Podcast)

Comedian Aziz Ansari joins us to talk about putting his stand up show Dangerously Delicious online. The House shoots down legislation that would prevent employers from asking for our Facebook passwords, and you too can make $30,000 a day from Pinterest!

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Android Atlas Weekly 91: Segues? We don't need no stinkin' segues! (Podcast)

CNET editors Lynn La and Eric Franklin join us to dish on tablets, ICS updates, and apps on one of our roughest shows to date!

NEWS:

-Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 review

-Possible Nexus Tablet giveaway at Google IO?

-Rumor: Jelly Bean coming in Q3?

-AT&T announces slew of other devices getting ICS update

-Samsung, LG not done with 3D yet

-BlueStacks beta is out, and it puts Android apps on your Windows computer

-Bluestacks-app-player-beta-goes-live

-Instagram for Android imminent… Read more

Dialed In No. 217: It's now or never for Windows Phone (podcast)

First, the bad news. Saying goodbye to this weekly Dialed In podcast isn't something that any of us expected to do for some time, but it's true: this week marks the second-to-last episode of CNET's cell phone podcast, and of most of CNET's podcasts in general, save the hilarious 404 with Jeff Bakalar and Justin Yu.

CNET is taking a new direction with our video programming. We're going to collectively try out new formats and styles, including an exciting new show that Molly Wood is producing, called Always On. In the meantime, Brian, Lynn, and … Read more

Reporters' Roundtable: JOBS Act makes crowdfunding the law

Crowdfunding is one step from becoming the law of the land. The JOBS Act, which has passed the House and the Senate in slightly different versions, is soon to be voted on again in the House for final approval, before it goes to the President, who has indicated he will sign it. This new law will make it possible for entrepreneurs to raise money from anyone they want to. It will also make it easier for new companies to go public, or to delay going public if they wish.

When JOBS becomes law, the landscape for technology startups will change dramatically. If you want to know how, and why it's happening, and what could go wrong when it does, watch this episode of the Roundtable.

Our guests today are:

George Zachary, partner at the VC firm Charles River Ventures Chance Barnett, CEO of the crowdfunding marketplace, Crowdfunder Tim Rowe, CEO of the Cambridge Innovation Center

Buzz Out Loud 1586: Announcing the end of Buzz Out Loud (Podcast)

Oh, dear fans...we're sad to say that Buzz Out Loud is ending, after an amazing six-year run. Tom, Veronica, and Jason will join us for an epic final show on April 5, and we hope you'll all stick with us as we move on to new projects, including Molly's new show, Always On, launching in June. Meanwhile, enjoy a little tech news, won't you?

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8 tips for ditching your cell phone contract early

We talk a lot about early-termination fees, or ETFs, here at CNET because we have a love/hate relationship with signing a two-year service agreement (or three years if you're in countries like Canada). On the one hand, who doesn't love being able to own a $500 or $600 smartphone for $200, $50, or even a penny? You just can't swing that in the unlocked phone market.

On the other hand, few people enjoy being tied to a carrier, and to their carrier's phone selection, over the course of two years or longer. What if you change your mind about the service quality, what if your dream phone just came out on another carrier -- what if? Once you sign your name on the dotted line, there's little you can do to avoid an up-to-$350 fee to jump ship.… Read more