9 posts and columns on controls

Facebook’s New Privacy Settings an Improvement Over the Old–Which Isn’t Saying Much

in Social on May 26, 2010 at 4:20 pm PT

Announcing Facebook’s newest set of privacy controls this morning, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, “We are really going to try to not have another backlash.” If backlash is the metric for evaluating the company’s approach to member privacy, it seems to have done okay, at least at this early juncture. Within hours of Facebook’s announcement of new privacy controls, four of its most outspoken critics weighed in on them. And all had positive things to say.

Facebook’s New(est) Approach to Privacy

in Social on May 26, 2010 at 10:47 am PT

In a Washington Post editorial Monday, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg pledged to simplify the privacy tools that have so befuddled the social networking site’s members and sparked complaints from privacy advocates and lawmakers. This morning, we found out just how he proposes to do that.

Windows Phone 7 Series Even More Impressive Than Previously Thought

in News on March 15, 2010 at 10:55 am PT

Microsoft added a bit more to its Windows Phone 7 Series story at its MIX10 event this morning, revealing some of the mobile operating system’s features and detailing how developers can write software for it. While it’s obviously far too early to make any big declarations about it, the OS certainly seems competitive–and compelling.

Apple to Give Next-Generation iPhone the Finger?

in Mobile on February 26, 2010 at 11:55 am PT

Now that rumors of an Apple tablet have manifested themselves in the iPad, speculation about the next iteration of the iPhone can begin in earnest. In a research note published today, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty offers a few thoughts on what a successor to the iPhone 3GS might look like. “We expect Apple to launch new iPhones in June that offer both a lower total cost of ownership and new functionality, potentially including gesture-based technology,” she wrote.

Facebook’s New Privacy Policy: Share Everything With Everyone!

in Media on July 1, 2009 at 11:44 am PT

Are you one of those Facebook users who worries that your boss will see photos of what you did last weekend? Then you’ll like Facebook’s new privacy policy. But if you’re part of the large group of people who think that nothing is really private on the Web and that everyone should see everything you do online, then you’re really going to like Facebook’s new privacy policy.
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Monitoring Kids’ Web Access

in Mossberg’s Mailbox on January 10, 2008 at 12:01 am PT

Walt answers questions about monitoring children’s Web access, switching Outlook content to a Mac and using the new Microsoft Office for Mac on non-Intel Macs.

Downloadable Movies in a Box: Where’s the Magic?

in The Mossberg Solution on October 10, 2007 at 12:01 am PT

Movie download service Vudu likes to think of itself as the instant-gratification alternative to running to the video store. But the device, which plugs into your TV and Internet connection, has a poor movie selection and slow downloads.
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