buttons

SendLove takes the measure of a man

Just what we need. Another button on the Web. But Chris Lyman, CEO of SendLove.to, believes there is a gaping hole in the feedback market; that Likes and Tweets and Shares and Comment buttons don't do enough to collect opinion and give people feedback on themselves.

We're not insecure enough already?

"Public figures should be insecure," Lyman says. And there is in fact already a business model here: Polls. Lyman wants to to better: "The social Web should be able to deliver in seconds," what existing polling systems, like the Rasmussen presidential poll, do now.

SendLove gives Web surfers the ability to like--and importantly, to dislike--people they're reading about. Users can also comment on the people they are reading about.

What gives SendLove some potential is that commentary on individuals is collected in one place (on each site or blog). So as a site covers a popular figure--say, a politician, celebrity, or sports figure--the readers can see what other people have to say about that person outside of a particular story. You can track how public opinion on a person is trending over time, see how various articles affect the trend, and compare the popularity on the site you're on with the overall Web-wide popularity. It's an interesting and different way to get into discussions about public figures.

… Read more

Facebook News Feed to get face-lift?

Might we finally be getting the long-sought-after "dislike" button on Facebook?

The social-networking giant is working on an overhaul of its News Feed product, where users post status updates, photos, videos, and other items of interest, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Facebook is considering an unfiltered News Feed, which would dramatically increase the amount of content users see on their homepage, people familiar with the situation told the newspaper.

The site is also working on expanding the functionality of its "Like" button to include other hand gestures created by third-party developers, allowing users to … Read more

Set your power button to end calls on Android 2.2 and up

Using a mobile phone while driving is dangerous enough on its own. Add to that the need to look at your phone to end calls and you have a recipe for disaster. If only today's smartphones had that trusty end-call button that existed on older phones. Fortunately, you can follow these quick steps to turn your power button into the end-call button you've been missing:

Editor's note: This How To is geared toward handsets running Android 2.2 and above.

Step 1: Enter the settings menu from either the app tray or by clicking Menu>Settings … Read more

Add a splash of color to your iDevice with Touch Me Home-button stickers

You can have your iPhone, iPod, or iPad in any color you want--as long as it's black. Or white. So what happens if you want to dress up your device, to give it a dash of style? Or even just a dash of color?

There are plenty of jazzy-looking cases, of course, and if you really want to get funky, you can always choose a decal from an outfit like Skinit.

But if all you want is a small, simple, unique bit of flair, look no further than the Touch Me Button Stickers. Available in three styles, these cute little numbers fit over your iDevice's Home button--meaning they're compatible with all iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches.… Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1480: WHO: cell phones as cancer-causing as coffee (Podcast)

The World Health Organization semi-confirms what we've all suspected for years: it's probably not a good thing that mobile phones cause the cells in your brain to wiggle and change. Also, Lodsys continues its patent trolling unfettered by matters of conscience or threatening letters from Apple, and the PBS hackers turn their attention to Sony, as if Sony didn't have enough problems, already. --Molly

Subscribe:  iTunes (MP3) |  iTunes (320x180) |  iTunes (640x360) |  RSS (MP3) |  RSS (320x180) |  RSS (640x360)… Read more

Twitter adds one-click 'Follow' button to third parties

Twitter appears to be following Facebook's lead by adding a one-click "Follow" button for third-party Web sites.

The new button, which Twitter rolled out today, allows users to instantly follow a specific Twitter account without having to visit the microblogging site and search for the desired account. The new button joins the tweet button, which shares specific content with Twitter users' followers.

"For publishers and brands, adding the Follow button to your Web site and using Twitter to stay connected with your audience is a powerful combination," Twitter said in a statement announcing the new … Read more

Does the iCade prove that the iPad needs a controller?

A fellow co-worker who's an unabashed iOS enthusiast passed by my cube yesterday and saw me playing on a table-top arcade machine sitting on my desk. He stopped, eyes drawn to the bright colors on the sides and the top, and the arcade graphics on the small glass screen. I explained that it was an iPad sitting in the iCade, a $99 self-assemble arcade cabinet with Bluetooth joystick.

Naturally, he wanted to try it out on a few games he liked. I explained that the iCade currently only works with Atari's Greatest Hits app, which admittedly has 100 games, but lacks arcade classics like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Joust--games that are, of course, made by other publishers. I also explained that it really only worked in portrait mode (or a slightly precarious but still-possible landscape mode, by using a groove on the outside edge).

He started to sour. Eventually, he walked away.

Of course, for arcade nuts and fans of novelty bar-top/desktop toys, the iCade is still a pretty awesome little treat. But until it can support other games--which Ion, the maker of the iCade, says will happen via a shared API--its appeal will necessarily be limited. I can think of dozens of games in the App Store that would be perfect for the iCade: Street Fighter IV. Death Rally. NBA Jam. Pinball HD. Tetris. Space Invaders Infinity Gene. The aforementioned Pac-Man. … Read more

Sony to enter tablet market

Links from Tuesday's episode of Loaded:

Facebook launches Facebook Deals in a few, select cities

Facebook also rolls out the Send button, which is similar to the Like button, only not so public

Sony plans this fall to launch two tablets that will run Android 3.0 "Honeycomb" and have access to PlayStation content.

Yahoo buys IntoNow, a social network for couch potatoes

The Barnes & Noble Nook Color gets an update that allows it to run apps

T-Mobile pulls the Bobsled app because it was confusing Facebook users

The 404 789: Where we're desperately clinging to our last peanut (podcast)

Natali Morris is letting go of her peanuts and leaving CNET, but she'll be here until April 29, which means there are only four more Natali Thursdays left! In this edition of The 404, Google is making news with its latest social networking effort, +1; the government is developing a panic button smartphone app; and Reddit users are defending the integrity of the board against link fraud!

The 404 Digest for Episode 789

Single tires are available for sale on Amazon.com. Today is World Data Backup Day--thanks, Reddit! 4chan sends us the Anonymous Bad Guy 404 Augmented Reality app. Uncle Henry shows us The 404 playing on a white iPad 2. Hard Wok Cafe logo mock-ups by Hai Ho and Robin--thanks!

Episode 789 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more