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Computer engineer Barbie needs men to code for her

Mattel apologizes for a book in which Barbie needs programming help from men, Walmart stores are scammed into price-matching fake Amazon listings, and Facebook launches yet another app.

Bridget Carey Principal Video Producer

Bridget Carey is an award-winning reporter who helps you level-up your life -- while having a good time geeking out. Her exclusive CNET videos get you behind the scenes as she covers new trends, experiences and quirky gadgets. Her weekly video show, "One More Thing," explores what's new in the world of Apple and what's to come. She started as a reporter at The Miami Herald with syndicated newspaper columns for product reviews and social media advice. Now she's a mom who also stays on top of toy industry trends and robots. (Kids love robots.)

Expertise Consumer technology, Apple, Google, Samsung, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, social media, mobile, robots, future tech, immersive technology, toys, culture Credentials

Bridget has spent over 18 years as a consumer tech reporter, hosting daily tech news shows and writing syndicated newspaper columns. She's often a guest on national radio and television stations, including ABC, CBS, CNBC and NBC.

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Bridget Carey

Nov. 19, 2014 2:35 p.m. PT

Barbie has been a doctor and an astronaut, but when it comes to computer programming -- well, that requires some help from the boys. At least that's the message criticized in a 2010 children's book titled, "Barbie: I Can Be A Computer Engineer," in which the iconic character needs to have her friends help her code a computer game. She also somehow infects two computers with a virus. Oops!

Although the book is still available for purchase, Mattel apologized and said its Barbie books have been since reworked. Watch CNET Update to learn how the Internet is taking action to fix Mattel's mistakes:

Watch this: Computer engineer Barbie needs men to code for her

02:55

But there's more than Barbie news for you techie boys and girls. Facebook launches another app, this time just for chatting with Groups. And Walmart stores are falling for a price-match scam tied to bogus Amazon listings.

You can write your own Feminist Hacker Barbie book, and feel free to e-mail me with your best Barbie high-tech tales.

CNET Update delivers the tech news you need in under three minutes. Watch Bridget Carey every afternoon for a breakdown of the big stories, hot devices, new apps, and what's ahead. Subscribe to the podcast via the links below.

Computer engineer Barbie needs men to code for her

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