paths

Dave Morin is sorry.

In reaction to the disclosure that the social networking service Path absorbs iPhone address books to connect users together -- without asking users first for permission to use that data -- Path CEO Dave Morin has posted an apology. He also says that Path has deleted all the address book data it has, to date, collected, as Path investor Michael Arrington suggested.

A new version of Path for the iPhone, 2.0.6, which should be live in the App Store now, prompts users for permission before it uploads the phone's contacts to the Path … Read more

Path takes a wrong turn, Yahoo's board gets new faces, and Amazon Instant Video adds Viacom content.

Links from Wednesday's episode of Loaded:

The popular photo sharing service Path is deep in the weeds today after a blogger revealed that the company's app automatically uploads iPhone users' entire address books to its servers.

In a blog post, a developer named Arun Thampi said that he discovered that his "entire address book (including full names, emails, and phone numbers) was being sent...to Path." And while he also wrote that he wasn't accusing Path of doing anything "nefarious," he noted that the service had never asked for his permission to upload something as sensitive as his contacts.

In … Read more

Facebook may dominate the social media landscape today with 845 million users, but experts say that instead of consolidating around the market leader, the social media landscape is fragmenting, leaving big opportunities for startups, especially those targeting mobile users.

This could be good news for entrepreneurs and investors who might be green with envy over Facebook's projected $5 billion gain from its upcoming initial public offering. But for consumers, it means that managing Facebook, Google+, and Twitter accounts is just the beginning.

Fred Wilson, a venture capitalist and principal at Union Square Ventures, discussed this notion of a more … Read more

At first, I admired the new version of smartphone social network app Path more than I liked it.

When Path 2 premiered at the end of November, I thought it had one of the prettiest, most clever user interfaces I'd ever seen on any piece of software, for any type of device. I also bristled, however, at the cap it placed on your social network: It let you friend a maximum of 150 people, who were supposed to consist only of loved ones and close friends. The limitation seemed artificial and pushy, and I was skeptical that my loved … Read more

GeoDefense Swarm is the follow-up to GeoDefense, and is an extremely challenging open-path tower-defense game. Like its predecessor, GeoDefense Swarm stands out for a unique play style that mixes frantic arcade action with bang-your-head-against-a-wall puzzle-solving. Aside from the new open-path format, GeoDefense Swarm has much in common with the original GeoDefense, from its psychedelic vector graphics to its drag-and-drop interface and the same selection of upgradeable towers (GeoDefense Swarm adds a sixth tower, the Thumper, which deals damage in a wide area). You're still destroying a set number of waves of geometric "creeps," all with differing health … Read more

Why are schools no longer teaching typing? Typing class used to be a sanctuary for nerds, but now that everyone has a smartphone and a Facebook profile, some school districts are making a case against teaching standardized touch-typing lessons.

But before we dive into the technology lessons we think should be taught in all grade schools, we start today's episode of The 404 Podcast with a recap of the past week's metaprotesting in San Francisco and the flames that ignited Anonymous to shut down public transit.

Renewable energy investment firm CleanPath will pour more than $800 million into large photovoltaic solar projects in North America, the company said yesterday.

The company's new fund is expected to invest in more than 1,000 megawatts of solar power plants over the next five years. The plants will range in size from 5 MW to more than 100 MW.

Financing has been a major bottleneck for big solar projects that many see as critical to driving down the cost of the emissions-free power source.

The tax equity market, the key financing tool used by solar developers, has recovered … Read more

Jedi training just got cheaper. Nearly a year ago, "The Jedi Path" by Daniel Wallace hit the market and changed the destiny of many Force-sensitive padawans. Now, some good Father's Day news for those of you who want to help enable Dad to confidently swing a lightsaber during his next home improvement project. The price of the anthology just dropped from $99 to around $60.

After Order 66 and The Great Jedi purge(s) nearly eliminated most Jedi, it became nearly impossible for one to learn the complexities of the light side of the force. Luke Skywalker eventually opened up a New Jedi Order on Yavin 4, but getting there from Earth is a tough proposition. The 160-page hardcover Jedi training manual, created in collaboration with Lucasfilm, is a great alternative for those not wanting to travel millions of miles to a galaxy far, far away. … Read more