Consumer content

'Google Mine' heads to Google+, Android?

Google is preparing to launch a new service that will be integrated into Google+, according to a new report.

The folks over at Google Operating System, a blog that monitors the search giant, say they have obtained an image of a new service the company is working on called Google Mine. The screenshot describes the feature as allowing users to "share your belongings with your friends and keep up to date with what your friends are sharing." The app also lets users share items within certain Google+ Circles.

The idea appears to center on user interests and sharing … Read more

Sony may unveil new smartwatch next week

Sony seems to be timing the launch of a new smartwatch for next week.

A series of tweets posted by the company's Xperia account have laid a trail of breadcrumbs pointing to the possible debut of a new watch at the Mobile Asia Expo 2013 trade show, which runs from June 26 to 28.

The latest tweet, posted Friday, offers the most obvious clue, saying "Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock" and displaying a photo of Sony's current smartwatch, which launched in April 2012.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock #itstime #MAE13 pic.twitter.com/FdHi4nBjNj

— Sony Xperia (@sonyxperia) June 21, 2013 … Read more

BlackBerry 10.1 OS update for Z10 phone posted in error

BlackBerry Z10 owners on AT&T still can't get the latest update to the BlackBerry operating system.

Earlier on Friday, the BlackBerry OS 10.1 update for the BlackBerry Z10 smartphone was rolled out via AT&T. But that update was actually posted in error, a BlackBerry spokesperson told CNET.

BlackBerry now advises Z10 users who receive a software update notification to disregard it. The company said it's working closely with AT&T to deploy the official update soon.

This means that AT&T and BlackBerry are still behind in launching BB OS 10.… Read more

U.K. regulator to Google: Delete Street View data -- or else

The U.K.'s top privacy watchdog has decided that Google won't be hit with any fines over its collection of Street View data.

The Information Commissioner Office (ICO) announced on Friday that it has placed a "legal requirement" on Google, forcing the company to delete any data it still has on hand related to its Street View snooping. The company had offered to delete data back in 2010. But Google kept some data on hand, leading the ICO to reopen its investigation in April 2012.

"Google has...confirmed that it still has in its possession … Read more

'Heartbroken MS employee' bemoans Xbox One changes

At least one Microsoft employee -- or somebody posing as one -- is none too happy with the company's about-face on the Xbox One.

In an anonymous Pastebin post on Thursday, a self-dubbed "heartbroken MS employee" vented on Microsoft's decision to remove at least two of the more controversial features in the Xbox One. On Wednesday, Microsoft announced that it would jettison the requirement that the Xbox One connect to the Internet. The company also said it would loosen the restrictions on used game sales.

In response, the Pastebin poster tried to highlight the vision behind the Xbox One … Read more

Why Instagram video and Vine are apples and oranges

For someone who has made as much of an impact on Vine as actor and filmmaker Adam Goldberg, it was only natural to see if the new Instagram video tool presented a comparable creative outlet.

After all, in the hours immediately following Thursday's Instagram announcement at Facebook headquarters, it seemed that every tech pundit wanted to put Vine, Twitter's video service, and Instagram video head to head. And why not? Both are short-form video tools, both allow users to create small stop-motion films, and both are owned by social media giants.

But Goldberg, whose surreal, haunting, six-second masterpieces … Read more

Androidly smartwatch can run Android apps from Google Play

Those of you'd like to run Android apps on your wrist may be intrigued by a smartwatch from a company called Androidly.

Developed by a four-person team in the U.K., the Androidly smartwatch lets you install and use apps from Google Play. So, you can access a variety of mobile apps, including Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, Google Maps, Cut the Rope, and Angry Birds.

Pavneet Puri, Androidly's chief communications officer, told CNET that the watch can run most apps from Google Play. Apps specifically designed for Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean devices with a higher resolution aren'… Read more

Yahoo completes blockbuster $1.1 billion Tumblr acquisition

Exactly one month after announcing plans to acquire microblogging platform Tumblr for $1.1 billion, Yahoo has closed the deal.

The Internet giant announced Thursday that it officially owns Tumblr. The company announced the acquisition last month, saying that the $1.1 billion purchase price would be "substantially all...in cash." The company also promised at that time "not to screw [Tumblr] up."

Tumblr is highly popular site with over 300 million monthly unique visitors. The company was founded in 2007. Under the terms of the deal, Tumblr will remain its own entity under the Yahoo … Read more

Dolphin spiffs up its browser for Android

Dolphin has enhanced its free mobile browser for Android users with a few neat twists.

Launched Thursday in the Google Play store, Dolphin Browser version 10 sports a cleaner and simpler interface. Swiping from the left provides access to your bookmarks or history list. Swiping from the right lets you look for add-ons, jump to full-screen view, and share your current page with people on the same wireless network.

You can easily customize the Dolphin home screen to populate it with icons, or speed dials, that link to your favorite Web sites and apps. You can change the order of … Read more