Consumer content

Snoop Dogg launches new mobile photo app, 'ya dig?!'

Who wouldn't want to create an image of themselves smoking a joint, wearing wrap-around shades, and holding a wad of cash? The new Snoopify app aims to let users do just that.

West coast rapper Snoop Dogg rolled out his new mobile app on Monday, giving users the option of adding photos into the app and then dressing them up gangster style or Rasta-inspired. Free and available on both Android and iOS, the app seems to be making its money with the new trend of the moment -- stickers. While a handful of stickers in the app are free, … Read more

Aereo files complaint against CBS to stop more lawsuits

Aereo is trying to cut CBS off at the legal pass.

The TV streaming service has filed a complaint against CBS (CNET's parent company), to prevent it from filing yet another lawsuit against it. Aereo allows people to watch and record live network broadcasts via the Web, a feature that has gotten it into trouble with CBS, Fox, ABC, and NBC. The networks have argued that Aereo's $12-per-month service is illegal because it distributes their shows without compensating them in return.

Both sides have been battling it out in court, and so far the rulings have favored Aereo. … Read more

Zynga's gameplan relies on FarmVille, says CEO

Social-gaming company Zynga staked its claim with FarmVille. And now -- when Zynga has been reaping more than sowing -- the company will rely on that same title to restore its ailing operation.

In a Reuters interview published Monday, Pincus said his company is relying on FarmVille 2 to rebuild. The company's revenue jumped to $1.2 billion in 2012, but losses continue to pile up.

A key component to the turnaround plan is to give FarmVille players the same experience on mobile as on desktop.

"The ideal is to make that one seamless experience between Web and … Read more

Amazon expands its Android Appstore to China

Amazon is aiming to rival Google in China by launching its own Android app store for Chinese consumers.

Unveiled over the weekend, the Chinese version of the Amazon Appstore provides both free and paid apps, Reuters reported Monday. Google Play stocks only free apps for Chinese users, which makes Amazon the first Western tech company to set up a store for paid Android apps in China.

Amazon may now have a leg up on Google. But the retail giant must also square off against local sites in China, many of which offer paid and free apps. Some of the apps … Read more

Windows 8.1 reportedly updates apps silently

Updating apps in Windows 8.1 will apparently be a simpler process than it is in Windows 8.

Users who installed the latest Windows 8.1 build, known as 9385, discovered that several apps had automatically updated themselves in the background, according to blog site Winbeta. One of the apps that took care of its own update was a new one called Movie Moments, which lets people create and edit short video clips.

The new update process could be an improvement over the one in Windows 8. Currently, people are notified of new app updates but need to venture into … Read more

Spotify buys music discovery company Tunigo

Spotify has picked up Tunigo, a Swedish company that offers its own music discovery app.

Tunigo's app tries to help people discover music by offering playlists picked by its own editorial staff mixed in with songs from its own users. The app is available on Spotify itself and via Apple's App Store. A private beta is also available for Android users.

Tunigo has been a long-time partner of Spotify, and its app has been in the top 10 list of all Spotify apps since the streaming music site opened for business.

"The acquisition fits into our overall … Read more

Verizon beefs up Galaxy Note 2 with Android 4.1.2

Verizon subscribers who own the Galaxy Note 2 may find a major update waiting for them the next time they power up their phone.

Rolling out on Friday, the latest update from Verizon graces the large-screen phone with Android 4.1.2 along with several security patches from Google. The update also brings improvements to such apps and features as VZ Navigator, SMS text messaging, Verizon's Backup Assistant Plus, ISIS Mobile Wallet, Exchange Active Sync, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Galaxy Note 2 users will now be able to use the Multi Window View to juggle more apps, such as YouTube, … Read more

Google smacks down reports that Now for iOS drains batteries

Hot on the heels of Google adding Now to its iOS app, a handful of users began complaining that the app update made their iPhone and iPad batteries drain more quickly. Questions arose, was Google Now slurping too much juice?

Google has responded that iOS battery life doesn't have anything to do with Google Now. The Web giant sent a statement to CNET giving a bit more explanation as to why the battery draining allegations were false.

Reports that Google Now on iOS drains battery life are incorrect. We understand people's concern about seeing the Location Services icon … Read more

Twitter's new exec brings IPO experience

Twitter said Thursday it has hired a new head of corporate development who happens to have years of experience with, among other things, IPOs.

Last week, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey said that the company "isn't even thinking about" an IPO, despite months of speculation in the media and elsewhere that the social networking giant is preparing to go public.

And while Cynthia Gaylor, Twitter's new head of corporate development, has plenty of experience with other things, including mergers and acquisitions, it's notable that IPOs were an important part of her portfolio during her time as … Read more