Services and applications

Verizon is reportedly preventing jailbreakers from unauthorized tethering, at least according to one account at ReadWriteWeb.

The tech blogging site recently revealed that one of its own employees tried to use a jailbroken Motorola phone without a data plan to tether on Verizon's network. But instead of gaining access, the person was "blocked" by Verizon and redirected to a page describing the carrier's terms and conditions for using a mobile hot spot.

If accurate, this is a new development on the part of Verizon since the employee said she was able to use her jailbroken device … Read more

It's not just your mom who's telling you to sit up straight anymore.

Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel have developed a new training method that uses Webcam imaging to tell workers sitting at computers when their posture needs a boost.

In their six-week study of 60 university and hospital workers using the Webcam pop-up photo method, the researchers report in the journal Applied Ergonomics that while traditional ergonomic training and photo training both resulted in short-term improvements in posture, only the Webcam approach resulted in longer-term gains, and it had the most impact on … Read more

The mobile payments universe is expanding at a terrific rate, but the key players are still working their angles to convert amorphous opportunity into real, viable services that retail-hungry Americans will trust and use.

The companies are getting closer every day, as corporate heavy hitters bring weight, money, and experience to nimble start-ups through a web of partnerships. Traditional credit card brands, online payment companies, carriers, and smartphone manufacturers are all jumping into the game in various ways by joining to form coalitions, buying up tiny mobile payment start-ups, and attacking rivals' credibility by going straight for the panic button … Read more

Since 2010, Facebook users have been able to list family members on their profiles. In February, the social-networking site added "in a civil union" or "in a domestic partnership" to its relationship status line.

Now, Facebook lets people announce that they are expecting through a status update that includes anticipated date of birth and name(s). (Being a twin, I am compelled to point out that some will be entering multiple babies/names.)

An obvious debate quickly ensued, and will likely rage for a good week or two before everyone forgets that there once was a time when such an option was unavailable.

Among the currently trending questions: Is this just another way for Facebook to add to its data pool? Is it at all appropriate to announce pregnancy (or adoption) online? Does this simply serve our growing ability to self-aggrandize? Et cetera.

Immediately after Facebook launched the feature, it was discovered that a technical glitch enabled pranksters to enter their Facebook friends' names as the expected children, but that has since been fixed.

Of course, the beauty of the system is that the user gets to decide whether to take advantage of the new status option. If you like it, use it. If you don't, then don't. And people can still let everyone know in their preferred way first, before releasing the news in one fell swoop via Facebook.… Read more

A new version of the Gmail Android application arrived last night for Android 2.2 to 2.3.3 that provides enhanced notification and sync options. If you're like me and use filters and labels to keep your inbox free of clutter, then you'll certainly appreciate version 2.3.5 of Gmail. On its surface it might not look much different, but under the hood there are plenty of new options.

For starters, rather than grabbing anything and everything in the inbox, you now can sync specific labels and set individual notifications. Not only does this provide peace of mind, but it helps to conserve battery life on your device.

What's more, it's now possible to identify who sent you that e-mail just by listening to the notification tone. This is a feature that many users have come to depend on for text messages, so it only makes sense in Gmail. Additional performance enhancements in the new Gmail client include setting preferences to always display pictures from specific senders, and Priority Inbox sync.… Read more

In the 10 business days from July 11 to July 22, 10 CNET personalities chose their 10 favorite Android apps as part of the 2011 CNET 100. Just like last year when we focused on iOS apps, the top Android titles ranged from practical and popular to esoteric and perhaps a little strange.

Yet, such diversity is all part of the fun when showing personal lists from 10 very different people. Some of us like to travel, others are happiest when surfing, and some prefer to spend their time massacring zombies. I certainly enjoyed seeing what excites my colleagues most, … Read more

Editors' note: Over the past two weeks, 10 CNET personalities have showcased their 10 personal favorite Android apps as part of the CNET 100. With each post, you can read why they hold the apps so dear and you have the opportunity to vote for your own favorite title. Next week, we'll collect the full list of 100 apps and announce the 10 that you, our readers, love the most.

Of course, Molly Wood doesn't need an introduction. As an executive editor for CNET TV, Molly hosts Buzz Out Loud and appears as the face of CNET on media across the country and around he world. She's a geek at heart, of course, and an expert ranter who channels everything that frustrates us about technology.

Molly enthusiastically volunteered for the CNET 100, and I welcomed her insights given her experience with Android. Her apps reflect all the tools she needs to navigate an urban life. She has picks for getting around town, listening to music, working out, and shopping. She also knows how to customize her phone, plan her travels, and she has what might be the nerdiest app of the entire CNET 100 series. … Read more

After focusing on iOS in 2010, this year the CNET 100 series tackled the top apps in the Android Market. On each of the 10 business days from July 11 to July 22, a different personality offered his or her 10 favorite Android apps. With each post, you have the opportunity to see what makes that title so special and you can vote for your own favorite title. And now that the series is over, it's your last chance to vote! We'll announce the 10 reader favorites on Wednesday, July 27, so be sure to check back.

We do have to warn you, though. While many of the apps (like Wikipedia) will no doubt be familiar, a few will be a bit more obscure. So if you've ever wondered how you can listen to air traffic control on your phone or get surf reports from the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, please read on. … Read more

Editors' note: Until Friday, 10 CNET personalities are showcasing their 10 personal favorite Android apps as part of the CNET 100. With each post, you can read why they hold the apps so dear and you'll get the opportunity to vote for your own favorite title. Then after the series ends, we'll collect the full list of 100 apps and announce the 10 that you, our readers, love the most.

Senior Associate Editor Nicole Lee is an integral part of CNET's cell phones team. Over the years, she's reviewed countless handsets, ranging from quick messaging phones to the latest BlackBerrys. She's also our resident Bluetooth headset expert and writes a bi-weekly column called The 411 where she answers your questions on all things mobile.

Nicole's favorite Android apps allow her to indulge her other interests outside of technology. This includes keeping up with the World Champion San Francisco Giants, checking out reviews for the latest movies, and catching up on the latest issue of The Economist. Always one to try out new tech, she's quite smitten with the new Google+ and Rdio music service. Nicole also enjoys a mean game of Words with Friends, even though it refuses to accept LOL as a legit word. … Read more