This Day in Tech: Google opens social network; Facebook turning into cash cow

Too busy to keep up with the tech news? Here are some of the more interesting stories from CNET for Tuesday, September 20.

• File this one under "think before you tweet." A Microsoft employee tweeted about an unreleased Nokia Windows device. In doing so, he violated Microsoft's social-media policy and is now out of a job.

• If you haven't joined Google+ yet, now you can. Today, Google opened its social network to everyone. It also added new features such as livestreaming to its video Hangouts.

• HTC executive Jason MacKenzie says Rhyme is a better upgrade phone than Apple's handset.

• Facebook is turning into a cash cow, with global revenue expected to hit $4.27 billion. CNET's Laura Locke writes: Facebook is also on track to pull in $3.8 billion from advertising worldwide, that's up 104 percent compared to last year's $1.86 billion. While brand advertising remains a primary revenue stream, analysts at eMarketer and elsewhere anticipate advertising revenue to decline as the company continues diversifying its model.

• Full Tilt Poker cheated players out of $300 million, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Justice Department claims the Web site is a Ponzi scheme. CNET's Roger Cheng wrote: "The Full Tilt logo was a regular fixture worn on hats, shirts, and other articles of clothing by poker players who competed in televised events. The Web site touted the ability to compete against professional players, as well as get tips and advice."

• Glam Media is acquiring Ning for an undisclosed sum. (Sources close to the deal say the social content platform sold for $200 million).

• Yahoo blocked e-mails about Wall Street protests and blamed the spam filter for the blocked messages.

• Can Digg make a comeback with its new news algorithm? Digg rolled out Newsrooms in private beta, a feature designed to sort out meaningful stories from the popular ones. The topics range from technology to Lady Gaga. The newsroom will be curated based on a "three-step algorithm."

• Cable giant Comcast is offering cheap broadband to poor families. The Internet Essentials program launches today in Washington D.C.