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Facebook Android Cellphones Handhelds Privacy Social Networks Hardware Your Rights Online

New Facebook-Branded Android Coming? 112

Earthquake Retrofit writes "The Register reports that 'Facebook has sent out invitations to an event at its Menlo Park headquarters next week that many believe will see the launch of a new, Facebook-branded smartphone...' I have lately become disillusioned with Google having so much power over my phone and the usual privacy concerns, so this announcement means I now have a choice. Oh, wait..."
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New Facebook-Branded Android Coming?

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  • Human beings? (Score:5, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward on Saturday March 30, 2013 @12:39AM (#43316649)

    " Remember, we're addressing over a billion human beings at Facebook."

    http://www.socialbakers.com/facebook-statistics/united-states

    I think that's unlikely, Facebooks users represent 71% of US internet users... which is basically impossible, more likely 20% accounts, 20% fake accounts, 20% dead accounts, 11% robots.

    Similar problem with their UK numbers, they claim 29 million active users... out of 43 million UK Internet users. Unlikely.

    I'm kind of suspicious of FB, their numbers don't add up and they keep getting caught and admitting a little bit of their scams.

    e.g. The 'likes' problem, BBC has researched quite a few of these games. e.g. their virtual bagel company seemed to be getting fake likes from the advert despite doing nothing at all, and being a fake company:
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18870170

    Or the US researcher who spotted they were incrementing likes for comments:
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19832043

    Why would they need to do that if they have 71% of Internet users???? Dodgy.

    So they'll come out with a phone that does Facebook (that would be all phones now), with Microsoft services (Bing etc.) yet that's what the Nokia phone is and its not selling, so why would FB's? I'm sure the phones Facebook page will get a lot of likes mind you!

  • by Nemyst ( 1383049 ) on Saturday March 30, 2013 @01:05AM (#43316715) Homepage
    Google specifically doesn't do it, so I don't know why you're lumping them in the same basket. You can get applications from non-official sources straight off, no rooting or hacking involved. Alternative markets? Sure, there's plenty. Plain and simply download and install an app? Yep, that too. If there's one thing you can't accuse Google of, it's trying to make a walled garden. At worst, it's a slightly overgrown garden with the sign "beware of the leopard" on the unbarred exit.
  • Comment removed (Score:5, Informative)

    by account_deleted ( 4530225 ) on Saturday March 30, 2013 @01:15AM (#43316739)
    Comment removed based on user account deletion
  • by tuppe666 ( 904118 ) on Saturday March 30, 2013 @01:28AM (#43316755)

    http://www.microsoft.com/privacystatement/en-gb/bing/default.aspx [microsoft.com]

    "We collect information when you register, sign in and use our sites and services. We may also get information from other companies. We collect this information in a variety of ways, including from web forms, technologies such as cookies, web logging and software on your computer or other device.

    When you conduct a search, Microsoft collects the following:

            Search term and time and date of your search
            IP address, browser configuration and approximate location
            Any unique identifiers contained in the cookies"

    and...

    "we may use search query data for the purpose of personalising the ads we display to you as you use our services or those of our advertising partners."

    and...

    "Using our sites, applications and services - We collect information that tells us how you interact with our applications or services, including the browser you’re using, your IP address, location, cookies or other unique IDs, the pages you visit and features you use.
    Data from other sources - We may get additional information about you, such as demographic data we purchase from other companies. As discussed in the Facebook Personalization section below, we may also obtain certain information from Facebook to enable personalization features."

    We all know here than Microsoft is using a Double standard here, and is a more oppressive company.

  • by flimflammer ( 956759 ) on Saturday March 30, 2013 @06:30AM (#43317335)

    Google's "garden" isn't exactly "walled". It's more like a chest-high hedge with broad openings on every side. You know, what with being able to install software not explicitly approved by Google or listed in their marketplace and all -- a system that we should hope makes a comeback in other places.

  • Re:TWEENS!! (Score:5, Informative)

    by lxs ( 131946 ) on Saturday March 30, 2013 @07:04AM (#43317375)

    Just because it is put on the news more often these days doesn't mean that it happens more often. In fact in Europe and the US child abduction happens less these days than 20 or 40 years ago. Still not a good idea for kids to to walk off with strangers but not the minefield the media will have you believe.

So you think that money is the root of all evil. Have you ever asked what is the root of money? -- Ayn Rand

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