Twitter will tell you when a user blocks you – Twitter users are now being told that they are being blocked by another user. Whether it is a bug, or designed as so, it is not clear. Under the ‘New New’ Twitter, which was recently announced, users are now informed when another user is blocking them. In form of a bar notification at the top of the page, when a user goes to follow or tweet a user that is blocking them, they will be informed that they cannot do so – “(because they’re blocking you)”.
How to Benchmark Your Android Phone for Free – Three of our favorite free Android benchmarking tools, and why you should use them.
Microsoft: Angriest Android Users Get a Free Windows Phone – Been burned by Android malware? If so, Microsoft wants to hear from you, via Twitter, for a chance to score a free Windows Phone device. Microsoft’s promotion ties into the recent RuFraud Android scam, in which third-party apps masquerading as legitimate programs like Angry Birds rack up premium SMS charges on the sly. Microsoft wants users to post their #droidrage story as it attempts to capitalize on the hysteria.
Create your own Classic Start Menu in Windows 7 – In this edition of the Windows Desktop Report, Greg Shultz shows you how to create your own Classic Start Menu in Microsoft Windows 7 right alongside of the operating system’s new Start Menu.
Android Blog Buzz: Google Prepping Siri Killer Dubbed Majel – The Android blogosphere is abuzz that Google might have a Siri killer called Majel out by year-end.
Lifehacker: Most Popular Windows Downloads and Posts of 2011 – Windows had some great apps and how-tos in 2011, not to mention our first preview of Windows 8 and all the fun that comes along with a public beta. Here’s our look at Lifehacker’s most popular Windows downloads, how-tos, and other posts from the past year.
Lifehacker: Most Popular Mac Downloads and Posts of 2011 – 2011 brought a new version of Mac OS X and plenty of great Mac-oriented content. Here’s a look at our most popular Mac downloads and posts this year.
Yahoo! Mail now with second sign-in verification – More than a year after Google rolled out 2-factor authentication for its Gmail service, Yahoo! is finally beginning to add the option for its users. Owners of a Yahoo! Account can now activate the second sign-in verification by adding their mobile phone number to their account.
Mobile pickpocketing and botnets will rise – In the report, Lookout reveals that the annual likelihood of an Android user encountering malware today has increased to 4% up from a 1% likelihood measured at the beginning of 2011. Web-based mobile threats are also an important component of Lookout’s research, and the company found Android users worldwide have a 36% chance of clicking on an unsafe link in 2011.
Carrier IQ bug did allow some SMS recording – Carrier IQ, the mobile analytics company that has lately been in the midst of a battle to prove that their CarrierIQ software didn’t log private information, has admitted that in certain circumstances the software had, indeed, recorded some text messages – but in encoded form.
Company News:
Pogoplug gains USB 3.0, SATA ports – Pogoplug announced a new version of its Linux-based file-sharing and backup device. The Pogoplug Series 4 adds more local storage options, including two USB 3.0 ports and a SATA port compatible with Universal Storage Module-compliant devices such as SeaGate GoFlex hard disk drives.
Syncplicity launches Security and Compliance Console – Now, businesses of all sizes can deploy cloud-based file sync, mobile access, sharing and back up that gives users access to all the files they need while giving IT administrators the centralized tools they require to protect corporate assets and dramatically reduce infrastructure and support costs.
Carrier IQ Explains Itself: 5 Highlights – Carrier IQ mounts an offensive to fend off critics with a detailed report outlining what information it collects from users and how it is used.
Qualcomm chips can bump existing smartphones to dual cores – Qualcomm announced new chips that will let smartphone manufacturers upgrade existing designs to dual cores with no other hardware or software changes. The MSM8625 and MSM8225 run at up to 1GHz, include integrated 3G modems, and will work as drop-in replacements for the existing MSM7x27A and MSM7x25A devices, the company says.
Off Topic (Sort of):
The Internet is Not Solely Populated by Pirates and Thieves – Comedian Louis CK conducted an experiment this past week that could change the InterWebs forever. At least, it may change how people promote and consume content online, as well as how they feel about file swapping. Comedian Louis CK bets on fans’ better instincts — and they happily pay for his online offering. Ball’s in your court, RIAA.
Jingle Barks: Dogs Barking Jingle Bells – Holiday Video (:25) (submitted by Michael F.)
Researchers Accuse Google of Plotting to Undercut Firefox – A security testing firm today said a recent report that named Google’s Chrome as the most secured browser was flawed — and part of a campaign by Google to undermine Mozilla’s Firefox.
100 years–and counting–at the South Pole (photos) – A century after explorer Roald Amundsen arrived there, the South Pole is a hub for scientific exploration.
Today’s Quote:
“Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it.”
- Henry David Thoreau
Today’s Free Downloads:
nSpaces – Virtual desktop software nSpaces provides four virtual workspaces that you may split your applications and documents between. The idea is to organize your work and reduce clutter.
Fences – Fences does exactly what it says: It fences off parts of your desktop and devotes them to certain things, such as applications, Web links, folders, recent items, files and documents, and more. That way, instead of having to search through your disorganized desktop for an item, you just go to the appropriate fenced area and find it immediately there.
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