Facebook Strikes Back Against Google Games (GOOG)

Facing a serious challenge from the introduction of games on Google+, Facebook is striking back with some changes that will let developers make their apps more engaging -- and more in your face.

The goal is to keep developers excited about building games for Facebook, even though Google will offer advantages, like taking a much smaller cut of in-game payments.

Facebook says it's the biggest set of changes to the canvas -- the main Facebook Web page -- since Facebook started. The changes were announced on Facebook's developer blog a few minutes ago, and include the following:

Bigger apps -- developers will be able to make their apps take up the full height and width of the user's Web browser.

Real-time updates -- apps will be able to send a stream of real-time notifications in the form of a scrolling ticker to keep friends alerted to your every move.

Game stories -- apps will be able to publish alerts related to scores and achievements -- for instance, whenever you pass your friend's high score, the game could let the world know.

More prominent bookmarks -- links to apps will be available in a new pane that appears on the upper-right hand side of every page on Facebook, so users will be able to start and resume play more easily.

This could be really annoying for users who don't care about what their friends are doing with games.



Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-hits-back-against-googles-game-announcement-2011-8#ixzz1UnQDKfwK

Pippa Middleton Media Stardom Grows Into Documentary

From the moment that tooshie hit the altar, it was the question millions around the world asked. The girl in that white dress, with the glowing smile and mysterious allure, who took in the wedding with a sort of silent grace.

And we're not talking about the bride.

The name Pippa Middleton held marginal significance until the 29th of April, when her big sister, Kate, tied the knot to Prince William. Now known as the sister-in-law of Britain's apparent future King, Middleton, 27, gained immense popularity virtually overnight, even garnering the moniker "Her Royal Hotness."

"It's all part of the Middleton interest, the ordinary family being part of the royal family. It's the dream, the fantasy," said Colleen Harris, former press secretary to Princes Charles, William and Harry.

You know you've hit it big when, within mere months of your name taking over the twitterverse, you're the sole subject of a film. Next week, TLC will air a one-hour special entitled "Crazy About Pippa," a documentary that tries to answer the question of who is this British party planner and what is she really all about?

"Our interest stemmed from the fact that a pretty young woman entered Westminster Abbey as a sister of a bride, and emerged as a global phenomenon in the space of an hour," the film's executive producer, David Notman-Watt, said. "It was literally within minutes of her appearing holding Kate's train, Twitter went crazy, Facebook went crazy."



Read more at http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/pippa-middleton-media-stardom-grows-documentary/story?id=14203847

Randi Zuckerberg Leaves Facebook to Start Social Media Firm

Randi Zuckerberg, who is director of marketing at Facebook and also the sister of CEO and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg — is leaving the company after six years to start a new media firm to help companies become more social.

In her resignation letter, which is below in its entirety, Zuckerberg said:

“I have spent my years at Facebook pouring my heart and soul into innovating and pushing the media industry forward by introducing new concepts around live, social, participatory viewing that the media industry has since adopted. We have made incredible progress, but there is still much to be done and other ways I can affect change. Now is the perfect time for me to move outside of Facebook to build a company focused on the exciting trends underway in the media industry.”

Facebook confirmed the departure and in a statement said: “We can confirm Randi has decided to leave Facebook to start her own company. We are all grateful for her important service.”

There was no comment from Mark Zuckerberg directly.

The company Randi Zuckerberg is creating is apparently called RtoZ Media, which is obviously a play on her name.

The move is likely to be much noticed, since Randi Zuckberberg has been at Facebook since its early days and has also been a high-profile and charismatic personality both inside the social networking company and in Silicon Valley.

She has been on maternity leave for the last three months, after having her first child, and sources said she has told them that being away from the rapid-fire pace at Facebook has given her time to reflect on what she wants to do in the next phase of her career.

Presumably, leaving Facebook will give Zuckerberg greater freedom to work for a range of companies without a conflict. That said, it’s unlikely she’ll take on Google+ as a client.

Zuckerberg is certainly going out on a high note — she was recently nominated for an Emmy award.





Read more at http://allthingsd.com/

iPhone App Makes Facebook Friends More Like Google+ Circles

A new iPhone app will organize your Facebook friends into groups for easier sharing with select people. Created by startup Katango, the app of the same name is an easy way to make Facebook friends work more like Google Circles, the friend-organizing tool built into the search giant's new social network, Google+.

Facebook has offered friend lists and groups for a while, of course, but few users actually create them. In fact, Mark Zuckerberg said at an event last week that only five percent of Facebook users organized their friends into subsets or create specific groups. Google+, on the other hand, holds its Google Circles feature—which lets you wall off specific friends in your network from others—as its primary differentiator from Facebook.

In either case, it's up to the user to make and create the various lists, an exercise in bookkeeping that may be the reason why so few Facebook users actually use the feature. Katango aims to take away the heavy lifting of going through contacts one by one to create groups, freeing up Facebook users to just sit back and share.

"It's not at all inspired by Google+," says Katango co-founder Yoav Shoham. "It was started a year ago. I have now maybe 350 friends on Facebook, and if I want to share a piece of news about Katango or a baby picture, neither one of those is appropriate to send to everybody. If I want to focus on particular people, I have no way of doing it—at least not an easy way."



Read more at http://www.pcmag.com/

HubSpot Announces World's First and Largest Marketing Software App Marketplace

Image via CrunchBaseHubSpot announced the "HubSpot App Marketplace," the world's first and largest application marketplace for marketing software today, with more than a dozen approved applications being used by more than 1,000 companies representing more than 3,000 application installations. Already the world's largest marketing platform with more than 4,900 customers, HubSpot has now enabled the software developer community to build new applications that seamlessly integrate with HubSpot software. Just like adding a new app to your Android device or iPhone or iPad, now thousands of marketing professionals can install and start using a new applicationfrom a third-party developer in just one click -- and thousands of them have already done exactly that.



The HubSpot App Marketplace is a showcase of third-party applications that provide marketers with valuable insight and tools across the spectrum of their day-to-day marketing activities, including:

• providing immediate access to leads via CRM integrations by using HubSpot Inbound Marketing Connector for Dynamics CRM


• more efficient content publishing via content networks, seamlessly integrated to their publishing tools by using Zerys Content Marketplace


• benchmarks of marketing metrics compared to companies similar to yours by using Benchmarks


• finding the Google rank for your competitors' most important SEO keywords by using Search Grader

"Successful software companies offer ways for third-parties to extend the value to the end user," said Dharmesh Shah, co-founder and CTO of HubSpot. "Facebook has the Facebook platform and Salesforce.com has the AppExchange. At HubSpot, we believe that the best way to address customer needs is to open our platform and collaborate with developers that share our passion for marketing."

CASEY ANTHONY MURDER DIARY "CONFESSION" REVEALED

Casey Anthony has "confessed" to killing her daughter Caylee, a source has exclusively told The ENQUIRER.



In a search of Casey's home, cops found a shocking "diary of death" in which the murder-mom basically admits to killing her angel-faced daughter, sources have told The ENQUIRER.



And the detailed handwritten diary written by Casey in the days immediately before and after the toddler's death is so damning that prosecutors could reconsider seeking the death penalty, sources told The ENQUIRER.



In the diary, sources tell The ENQUIRER, twisted Casey spelled out her evil intentions and said she planned to murder her daughter as a "mercy killing" to keep her out of the hands of her mother, Cindy. Police believe the night before Caylee died, Casey and her mother had a vicious fight, and Cindy swore that she would take the little girl away from Casey for good.



"Casey snapped," a source told The ENQUIRER. "In her sick mind, she became convinced that Caylee would be better off dead, in heaven, than in the hands of her mother."



Authorities recently released 650 pages of evidence, including one page of a diary in which Casey wrote: "I have no regrets, just a bit worried. I just want for everything to work out okay. I completely trust my own judgment. I know that I made the right decision."



Read more at http://www.nationalenquirer.com/

Casey Anthony Facebook ‘Confession’ Scam

Casey Anthony, America’s most notorious pariah is being used as a Facebook scam, the warning from PC World:



If you see a post on Facebook about a Casey Anthony confession, or a link to download the video chat app, run away. These two new Facebook scams demonstrate why the social network is such fertile ground for attackers to target.



Malware attacks frequently use social engineering to spread and current events as bait. With the recent unveiling of Facebook’s partnership with Skype to deliver video chat from within the social network, and the public outrage over the acquittal of Casey Anthony, attackers have the key ingredients they need to dupe victims into installing malware.



Did Casey Anthony ‘confess’ to her attorneys?



The answer may lie in Jose Baez’ opening statement during the Casey Anthony trial, a claim made by Baez which should have raised red flags with the jury.



From Casey Anthony Trial: Defense Throws Casey’s Father Under the Bus:



Jose Baez:



‘On June 16th 2008, Casey was home with Caylee and so was her father. Early morning hours, the exact time is not known, it could have been Early afternoon, Early morning, actually it was Early morning hours, George Anthony approached Casey and starting yelling at her ‘Where’s Caylee? Where’s Caylee?’



‘The exact time is not known’, the first red flag. The second red flag: Baez waffled on the time frame of Caylee Anthony’s ‘accidental drowning’, ‘it could have been early afternoon, early morning, actually it was early morning hours.’



Those who have tragically lost a child by way of an accident, illness, or a crime have the uncanny ability to recall the exact time their precious child died, went missing, or was murdered.



Casey Anthony was found not guilty of the three felonies related to Caylee Anthony’s death on July 5, 2011. Casey Anthony is set to be released from the Orange County Jail on July 17, 2011. After the acquittal verdict from the jury Casey Anthony has not issued a statement about her daughter’s death via the County Jail or her attorneys. It’s a sure bet behind the scenes major news media outlets are vying for Casey Anthony’s first interview after being released from jail. It’s also another sure bet, if Casey gives a (paid) interview she won’t ‘confess’. The interview, Casey’s first opportunity to put yet another ‘spin’ on what happened to Caylee Anthony in June of 2008. Or, Casey Anthony may wait to tell her ‘story’ in a book, a la OJ Simpson.



Read more at http://deathby1000papercuts.com/

Four Reasons Businesses Should Start Using Facebook Video Chat

Facebook held a media event Wednesday morning to unveil 'something awesome'. That something awesome is that Facebook is adding a group chat feature, and the ability--in partnership with Skype--to conduct video calls from within Facebook.





1. You are already there.

2. They are already there.

3. Saves time and money.

4. The price is right.



Facebook video chat is limited to one-on-one calls, unlike Google+ Huddles which allow for group video chat, or even group simultaneous watching of YouTube videos. There are certainly some practical business applications for the group aspects of Google+. Hopefully, Facebook will continue to expand on the video chat concept and include a group video chat function at some point. What would really be cool is if Facebook, Google+, Skype, Apple FaceTime, and any other competing video chat platform could all get on the same page so they could all work together, but I won't hold my breath.



Read more at http://www.pcworld.com/

HOW TO: Launch Facebook Skype Video Chat [PICS]

You can now make video calls on Facebook, thanks to a new Skype-powered feature the social network launched Wednesday.



During the product announcement, Mark Zuckerberg described how his elderly neighbor in Palo Alto asked if he could to video chat his grandson on Facebook — without the hassle of setting up a new account or downloading a program. “Tune in,” Zuckerberg told him.



It’s not quite as seamless as Zuckerberg’s neighbor was hoping, however. The first time you try to video chat someone or answer a call, you will indeed be asked to download a program. The chat window will then ask you to select some Flash settings.



Click here to open facebook video chat Page https://www.facebook.com/videocalling



After that, the feature works like “a mini-Skype client,” as Skype CEO Tony Bates mentioned during the announcement. It also has a neat option to record a video message if the person you’re calling doesn’t answer. Here’s a brief walk-through in pictures.



Read more at http://mashable.com/

Facebook Reveals Video Chat Powered by Skype

Facebook video chat is real: the social network has unveiled its rumored video chat product, powered by Skype.



“A few months ago, we started working with Skype to bring video calling to Facebook,” Facebook announced on its blog. “We built it right into chat, so all your conversations start from the same place. To call your friend, just click the video call button at the top of your chat window.”



The new chat product, according to Facebook’s blog, will allow users to call their friends right from Facebook. The revamped chat system now includes a sidebar with “the people you message most.” It automatically appears when your browser is big enough.



Read more at http://mashable.com/

Google Plus invite like a “diamond,” proves Facebook and Skype hate growing?

Google now facing “overcapacity,” halted more Google+ invites.

Looks like Google+ is quickly becoming one of the hottest properties of the search engine giant.

According to a recent post by Google’s Senior Vice-President of Social Vic Gundotra, the company is currently facing an “insane demand” of customers wanting to have their very own Google Plus account. Apparently, early adopters of Google+ reveal that the new Google service is a powerful piece of art, but getting some lagginess, maybe due to the exceeded capacity.

Google Plus website is also updated, now showing a notification that the service “temporarily exceeded” the capacity, and suggesting users to “please try again soon.” So, Google underestimated the number of early adopters? Looks like a lot of social networking fans are wanting a new ecosystem outside the blue barn.. Facebook.

Some early adopters also revealed that the user interface of the Google Plus social networking site “looks good,” and resembles Facebook’s interface. According to Business Insider’s Matt Rosoff, Google Plus user interface “looks exactly like Facebook,” and even all-capping the word EXACTLY.

Another evidence that Google Plus is gaining momentum is the eBay entry selling a Google+ invite. According to TechCrunch, Google+ invites are being sold for up to $75. That’s almost a $100 for a service that looks like Facebook, LOL.

Google Plus invite like a “diamond,” proves Facebook and Skype hate growing?

Google now facing “overcapacity,” halted more Google+ invites.

Looks like Google+ is quickly becoming one of the hottest properties of the search engine giant.

According to a recent post by Google’s Senior Vice-President of Social Vic Gundotra, the company is currently facing an “insane demand” of customers wanting to have their very own Google Plus account. Apparently, early adopters of Google+ reveal that the new Google service is a powerful piece of art, but getting some lagginess, maybe due to the exceeded capacity.

Google Plus website is also updated, now showing a notification that the service “temporarily exceeded” the capacity, and suggesting users to “please try again soon.” So, Google underestimated the number of early adopters? Looks like a lot of social networking fans are wanting a new ecosystem outside the blue barn.. Facebook.

Some early adopters also revealed that the user interface of the Google Plus social networking site “looks good,” and resembles Facebook’s interface. According to Business Insider’s Matt Rosoff, Google Plus user interface “looks exactly like Facebook,” and even all-capping the word EXACTLY.

Another evidence that Google Plus is gaining momentum is the eBay entry selling a Google+ invite. According to TechCrunch, Google+ invites are being sold for up to $75. That’s almost a $100 for a service that looks like Facebook, LOL.

‘Barefoot Bandit’ Colton Harris-Moore back in court

Colton Harris-Moore -- Camano Island's own"Barefoot Bandit" and international celebrity fugitive --again pleaded not guilty to a string of burglaries on Thursday. Appearing Thursday in U.S. District Court, Harris-Moore pleaded not guilty to chargescontained in a second grand jury indictment filed last month . The case, however, may be resolved soon. John Henry Browne, Harris-Moore's attorney, said prosecutors and the defense are "very close" to a plea deal for the Barefoot Bandit. A preliminary draft of the plea deal could be completedlater Thursday. Browne wouldn't offer details of the plea deal but said it would resolve criminalaccusations against Harris-Moore in state and federal courts. Harris-Moore, 20, is facing a slew of charges stemming from his lengthy flight from justice. The alleged plane andboat thief was arrested in the Bahamas after he crashed a stolen aircraft there in July.

Cane Corso Mastiff Fatally Mauls Boy, But Dog Is Not To Blame

Jones with another one of his killer (and abused) dogs taken from his Facebook page.


A 4-year-old Brooklyn boy was tragically mauled to death on Friday night by the family dog. Young Jayelin Graham was attacked by the dog as his 2- and 5-year-old brothers (who were also injured) watched in horror from underneath the bed. His mother, Saquina Jubeark had stepped out of the apartment into the hall with her infant daughter when the dog grabbed onto the boy’s neck and never let go.


A neighbor ran in when she heard the mother’s shrieks, but was unable to even get close to the dog who had gone into a full blown killing mode. Whatever caused the Cane Corso Mastiff to attack is unclear but neighbors were not surprised. They say the dog which belonged to the mother’s boyfriend, Damian Jones was trained tokill. Jones had bragged aboutthat fact many times.


Neighbors report that the family home was a disaster waiting to happen for more reasons than this dog alone.
The first-floor family home housed the Cane Corso, two other dogs, two birds and fish in a midst of filth along with 4 young children.
The NY Post reports that neighbors said Jones “routinely punched and kicked his feared canine collective — a pit bull, a husky mix and the cane-corso mix.” When people would ask breed of dogs they were, he’d reply “monster dogs.” Jones was a fan of When Animals Attack” on Facebook page.

The homeis said to have had “putrid smell as flies hovered over dog feces in every room. A giant parrot cage rose four feet high in the center of the living room. Motorcycle wheels were stacked in the kitchen.”