TechBytes: Facebook Privacy Concerns
Lost iPhone case, violent gaming, Frogger review, floppy retirement.
April 27, 2010— -- Four Senators want Facebook to make it easier for its users to protect their privacy. The Democratic Senators are sending Facebook a letter today to ask for simpler privacy controls. They are concerned about new features and want the social networking site to get members' explicit consent before sharing personal information with other sites.
The blog that published pictures and details of the next-generation iPhone is now in the middle of a rapidly expanding criminal investigation. Authorities seized four computers and other gadgets from the home of Gizmodo's editor last week. The warrant said the equipment may have been used to commit a felony. The prototype phone was lost in a California bar last month and sold to Gizmodo for $5,000.
The Supreme Court is going to weigh in on violent video games. The high court agreed to hear a case this fall to determine whether a California law banning the sale of violent games to minors is constitutional or a violation of free speech. The law never took effect because of legal challenges.
One game that won't be confused with a violent video game is the arcade classic Frogger. The game has recently been brought back to life for the iPad. Instead of using a joystick to guide a frog across the busy highway players use their fingers. "If you like the old Frogger game from the '80s, the games of your childhood or your parents' childhood for that matter, you will love Frogger," says Dan Evans of PCMag.com. Although Evans says the game appeals to old fans of the game he also says it's good for new players. "You can hand it to a child, your niece, your nephew, your kid and they're going to pick Frogger up very quickly," he says. "It's a great game for the whole family." Frogger Pad sells for $4.99.
An era in computing is coming to an end. Sony says it will stop selling 3.5 inch floppy disks next March, 30 years after they were introduced. The disks used to be the best way to store and transfer files, but technology including CDs, USB drives, and the web have made them irrelevant.
