TechBytes: Facebook Privacy, iPhone Hogs

Dec. 10, 2009— -- Facebook has released its new privacy controls and is requiring its millions of members to review and update their settings the next time they log on. The controls are designed to simplify privacy, giving users control over each piece of information they add to the site. For example, every time someone posts a picture, they can choose whether friends only, friends of friends, or everyone can see it. Some privacy advocates say the new settings still expose too much information about users.

AT&T is looking to clear up the congestion on its wireless network. The company is considering incentives to encourage some customers to use less wireless data. The iPhone has been a big bandwidth hog with users doing things like surfing the Web and downloading videos on their phones. AT&T plans to focus first on its heaviest users, teaching them how much data they're using, in hopes they'll cut back. Analysts say the company could eventually introduce a tiered pricing structure, charging more for more data use.

Some new technology is turning smartphones into credit card machines. A company called Square makes a small device that plugs into the iPhone and other gadgets. You then swipe the credit card and the buyer signs the screen with a finger. Receipts are sent by text message or e-mail. The technology could help small businesses or even be a way for people to pay one another without exchanging cash or checks.

A new report asks "How much information do we consume?"Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, looked at everything we do from surfing the Web, to watching television to texting. They found that the average American consumes 100,000 words of information a day. We don't actually read that many words, they just cross our eyes and ears in 24 hours. To put it in some perspective, War and Peace is about 460,000 words.