Facebook is being accused of trying to make people share more, not protect more
Facebook took a step towards opening up parts of its site to outsiders by introducing a broad revision of its users' privacy settings. But Facebook's implementation of the new settings drew quick criticisms from privacy advocates who claimed the changes were pushing Facebook's 350 million-plus users to expose more of their personal information.

Via ITPro


Orange Application Shop launches today
Orange has today jumped on a nearly-full bandwagon by launching its own app store - the Orange Application Shop. Launching on a raft of handsets in the UK today and the rest of Europe over the coming months, the Application Shop typically offers Orange users a raft of apps - 5000 at launch - across several categories including games, ringtones, wallpapaers, productivity tools and media services, including Orange TV.

Via T3


BT to trial improved video delivery network
BT is working with other internet service providers to create an open video delivery network that will improve the experience of watching TV shows and films online. The move has been prompted by the growing popularity of catch-up TV services, such as the BBC's iPlayer and Channel 4's 4oD, which are responsible for an increasing amount of traffic across the network.

Via The Telegraph


Acer Plans up to 6 New Android Handsets for First Half 2010
Acer plans to launch as many as six new smartphones with Google's Android mobile operating system in the first half of next year, a company executive said Thursday. The world's second largest PC vendor this week started rolling out its first Android handset, the Liquid smartphone. The device went on sale via Hong Kong operator CSL on Wednesday and at Far EasTone Telecommunications of Taiwan on Thursday.

Via PCW


AT&T to Urge Customers to Use Less Wireless Data
AT&T is considering ways to encourage customers to use less wireless data as its network struggles to keep up with demand, a company executive said Wednesday. Mr. de la Vega cited the heaviest data users, saying that 40 percent of AT&T's data traffic came from just 3 percent of its smartphone customers. "We're going to try to focus on making sure we give incentives to those small percentages to either reduce or modify their usage, so they don't crowd out the customers on those same cell sites.

Via NY Times


Talking Shop: iTunes Europe director Oliver Schusser
iTunes has revealed its biggest selling singles and albums of 2009, with Black Eyed Peas and Kings of Leon topping the lists. Lady Gaga also caps an amazing year, making the top three on both rundowns. The website has also named the debut album of south London trio The Invisible as their best of 2009, with La Roux's In For The Kill deemed best single. With more than 8.5 billion downloads and counting, senior director of iTunes Europe Oliver Schusser discusses the challenges of the coming year.

Via BBC News