TechLuver.com

Dec 25, `07 — Slashdot reports on Google linking up Google Reader with Google Talk to make shared items visible to your contacts on Google Talk.

“One week ago Google Reader’s team decided to begin showing your private data to all your GMail contacts. No need to opt-in, NO way to opt-out. Complaints haven’t been answered. Some users share their problems, including one family who says they won’t be able to enjoy this Christmas because of this ‘feature.’ Will Google start doing this with all their products? You can browse the thread in Google Groups.”

Comments from Google Groups

User ‘banzaimonkey’ writes:
“I think the basic mistake here, as Modulo has noted, is that the people on my contact list are not necessarily my “friends”. I have business contacts, school contacts, family contacts, etc., and not only do I not really have any interest in seeing all of their feed information, I don’t want them seeing mine either. This is a major privacy problem.”

User ‘Paul Russell’ writes:
“Using my Gmail contacts as a friends list is a dangerous thing. Especially because a lot of the addresses in there were added automatically when people emailed me. I understand that sharing is a public activity, but to date Google reader shares were pseudo private by obscurity. In reality the only people that were going to see my share were people I told about it. I don’t like the idea of an opt out only mechanism. Facebook just took a bath on this concept. Granted Beacon was a complete disaster, but I think the lesson to be learned is when you change personal sharing to become more public it should be an opt in process.”

Chrix Finne at Official Google Reader Blog invites your feedback on Google Reader features here at Google Groups.

SAN JOSE, Calif — Dec 18, `07 — Pressured by a lawsuit, social networking giant Facebook will adopt new measures to prevent its 58 million members from sending text messages to recycled cell phone numbers, the AP reports.

The lawsuit filed by Lindsey Abrams of Patriot, Ind., said she received text messages with explicit comments and other upsetting content — and had to pay 10 cents each time. Facebook received a share of the fee, according to the complaint.

According to the complaint, which Abrams’s lawyers had hoped would be certified as a class action, Abrams started getting the unsolicited messages shortly after she got a new mobile number from Verizon in November 2006.

Her suit alleged thousands of other unauthorized text messages had been sent nationwide to other recycled phone numbers, including some used by young children.

Without admitting any wrongdoing, Facebook agreed to make it easier for recipients of text messages to block future messages originating from the social network, and also will work more closely with mobile phone carriers to monitor the lists of recycled numbers and reduce the frequency of unwanted text messages. More at AP.

Little Rock, Ark — Dec 17, `07 — Alltel is unveiling a new feature that uses voice-recognition software to allow wireless phone customers to read their voicemail messages as text messages.

Voice2TXT is available on any Alltel Wireless SMS text message capable phone and quickly converts incoming voicemails to text messages in the customer’s inbox. This innovative service allows the user to discretely respond to voicemails in any setting without having to dial and listen to voicemail messages. Voice2TXT also allows customers to store and forward converted voicemails as regular text messages as well as retrieve the original voicemail should they choose to do so.

Monthly fees for the Voice2TXT service start at $4.99, and users will still have the option to listen to the messages.

Alltel began offering the service in a soft launch Friday. To access it, customers need to reset their voicemail and greeting. After that, the voicemail text option will be available. More at AP, Alltel.

REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 6, 2007 — Microsoft today launched Windows Live, a new set of personal Internet services and software, which encompasses more than 20 services, including Windows Live Hotmail, Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live OneCare Family Safety.

A free and fun upgrade for the online and Windows experiences, the new Windows Live was launched today at Windows Live and at events in New York and Los Angeles. To celebrate the launch, Microsoft is partnering with the children’s nonprofit Operation Smile to encourage people to share smiles through Windows Live to help Operation Smile make a difference in the lives of children around the world.

Windows Live Features:

Communicate. Stay close and connected how you want, wherever you are.

Share. A simpler way to share your photos and express yourself online.

Access Anywhere. Connect easily and share information you want.

Safety. Enjoy a worry-free computing experience with built-in safety features.