Microsoft testing Bing Boards integration with search

Bing Boards are a collection of slideshows, videos and text with specialized content.

Microsoft recently explained the improvements it is making on Bing, and formally introduced Bing Boards, a community experiment. This new feature brings news and articles of the user’s interest to the forefront. Microsoft has not elaborated on the other experiments it is conducting, stating users will see some changes on the site soon.

Microsoft stated that Bing Boards is a one of a kind of experiment that will focus both on the community and the user’s social connections. This feature will bring additional content to the user apart from Bing search. The user will have access to highly specialized content from social connections as well as leading experts from different fields.

Bing Boards will have a visual collection of images, videos and links from the blogger’s point of view. The company said that it is working with a small group of experts as well as food and lifestyle bloggers, to create content for the Bing Boards. Microsoft claimed that over time Bing Boards will evolve and broaden to cover more content.

The new Bing Board features are visible in the middle column on Bing's Search page. Unfortunately since the feature is still under testing phase not everyone can access Bing Boards. Users may get access in near the future.

Microsoft has recently launched a new "Bing it on" TV campaign for users in the US that will set up comparisons between Google and Bing search results.

Facebook 'privacy notice' message a hoax

For quite some time now, a message has been doing rounds on Facebook advising users to post a “Facebook Privacy Notice”, which supposedly restricts public use of material posted by them on Facebook. While many have disparaged the message, there are still those who post the “Privacy Notice” in the foot-steps of their obtuse Facebook friends.

Hoax-Slayer however, has confirmed that the message is pointless and irrelevant. "The supposed Privacy Notice has no legal standing of any kind and posting it on Facebook will do nothing whatsoever to protect the privacy of users. Reposting this message will do nothing other than spread misinformation and clutter Facebook with even more garbage."

Examples of these kinds of messages:

For those of you who do not understand the reasoning behind this posting, Facebook is now a publicly traded entity. Unless you state otherwise, anyone can infringe on your right to privacy once you post to this site. It is recommended that you and other members post a similar notice as this, or you may copy and paste this version. If you do not post such a statement once, then you are indirectly allowing public use of items such as your photos and the information contained in your status updates.

PRIVACY NOTICE: Warning - any person and/or institution and/or Agent and/or Agency of any governmental structure including but not limited to the United States Federal Government also using or monitoring/using this website or any of its associated websites, you do NOT have my permission to utilize any of my profile information nor any of the content contained herein including, but not limited to my photos, and/or the comments made about my photos or any other "picture" art posted on my profile.

You are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from disclosing, copying, distributing, disseminating, or taking any other action against me with regard to this profile and the contents herein. The foregoing prohibitions also apply to your employee, agent, student or any personnel under your direction or control.

The contents of this profile are private and legally privileged and confidential information, and the violation of my personal privacy is punishable by law. UCC 1-103 1-308 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WITHOUT PREJUDICE

Hoax-Slayer has explained in detail as to why these notices are useless and will do nothing to protect your privacy on their website.

Facebook also responded to this status message via its Facebook and Privacy Page:

We have noticed a recent status update that is being widely shared implying the ownership of your Facebook content has recently changed. This is not true and has never been the case.

Facebook does not own your data and content.

Please see our Terms of Service for more information: https://www.facebook.com/policies

Nintendo reportedly launching Mini Wii on December 7

It would seem that Nintendo is planning on launching a smaller version of its Wii U console system, the Mini Wii, sometime around December 7 of this year. If the rumour is true, then the official announcement should be coming up soon, but we’re not holding our breath.

The unfortunate thing about rumours is that they either come with so much juicy information and detail that we can’t wait for the product, or they come with absolutely no threads to tug on. Sadly, the latter would be the case for the Nintendo Mini Wii. All we know is that it will come bundled with a sensor bar, nunchuks and a Wii Remote Plus which is standard package for the Wii. What we don’t know is just how “Mini” it would be, seeing as how the current Wii already has a much smaller footprint when compared to the Xbox 360 and PS3. 

If and when the Nintendo Mini Wii hits the store shelves, speculations are that it would be priced at around $130, which is what new Wii’s are generally priced around. However, we can’t say for sure that Nintendo won’t be breaking that tradition. 

A newer console would make sense for Nintendo as it would help them rake in some of that holiday money, however, we can only hope that the console would bring something new to the table than just a smaller size. Regardless, it’s all speculation till December 7 (or an announcement date) comes around. Till then, we’re going to hold onto our pinch of salt.

Source: VG247

Facebook pushes Android adoption internally

Posters are cropping all over Facebook HQ, imploring the employees to switch from iPhones to Android based phones. The social media company doesn’t share a particular bias for the green droid, but feels that the only way to speed up the development process for a bug-free Android app would be if the employees switch to Android.

However, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen companies make a switch with respect to their mobile platform. Recently, The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has cemented its resolve to replace RIM's BlackBerry devices in favour of the iPhone. RIM’s services failed twice over the year, causing the services of the NTSB to get severely impacted during crisis situations. This sort of an outage could be catastrophic, given how the NTSB looks after the investigations for aviation and other transport based accidents. So with BB services going out, the coordination of the investigation could get affected, which led to the NTSB switching to the iPhone.

This is sad news given that BlackBerry had just launched BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, a multi-platform device management suite. Through Fusion, BB had hoped to at least consolidate its enterprise business, allowing the people to use just a single tool to manage iOS, Android and BlackBerry devices all in one go.

BlackBerry is the leading example of changing times, of how even big names can lose out to competition. While Facebook’s push for Android adoption may seem like the company’s trying to promote the OS, but the reality remains that its only trying to push its developers to get used to an OS for which they are having a hard time developing a well fleshed out app.

Google Nexus 4 owners report strange buzzing sound from earpiece

Some users of the Nexus 4 have reported ‘a faint buzz’ coming from around the earpiece of the smartphone. A small but growing number of Nexus users are reporting this problem on their device.

The exact reason of the emission of this noise on the LG Nexus 4 isn’t known, and it seems that problem may require more than a simple software update to fix.

The official forum: Issue 39936: Nexus 4 constant buzzing in earpiece, elaborates on the problem that users are facing. Some users say that the noise is apparent whether the screen is on or off. Other users on the forum suggest that it's either poor shielding or a service constantly running. The Nexus 4 emits the noise even when it is shifted to Airplane mode.

The noise can only be heard when you press the device to your ear, so it is not like the device is making a constant disturbing sound. The only downside to consumers is that the smartphone may consume more battery is the earpiece isn’t shutting down between calls.

The Nexus 4 runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, has 2GB of RAM, 1.5GHz quad-core processor, an 8MP rear snapper, and a 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 1280x768 pixel. The front and back of the device are encased in Gorilla Glass. In the US, the 8GB variant is priced at $299 (Rs. 16,500 approx.) where as the 16GB variant is priced at $349 (Rs. 19,000 approx.).

LG explains why the LTE chip on the Nexus 4 is useless

The presence of 4G LTE connectivity on the LG Nexus 4’s hardware has let some people to believe that the device may eventually support the super-fast data transfer speed via some sort of hack. This however, is not be the case – as LG confirms.

An LG spokesperson has told TechRadar, “In order to provide the best possible specification for Nexus 4, LG utilized the same powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset as can be found in its 4G LTE product, namely LG Optimus G. This powerful chipset is only available with a combined processor and modem and cannot be implemented separately. The modem contains 4G LTE capabilities but is only effective when combined with other essential hardware parts such as a signal amplifier and filter in order for it to work. It therefore cannot be upgraded to 4G LTE capability through software.”

The lack of the necessary hardware to support 4G LTE is the reason why the smartphone is cheaply priced. We speculate that when the device officially launches in India, it will be priced at around the Rs. 30,000 mark.

Currently, the 8GB Nexus 4 model is priced at $299 (Rs. 16,300 approx.), and a 16GB model is priced at $349 (Rs. 19,000 approx.). These are the prices for the factory unlocked Nexus 4’s in markets where the Google Play store’s hardware section is accessible.

Though the device isn’t LTE enabled, it still managed to work on an LTE network in Canada as reported by GSMArena. Is it possible that LG has some trick up its sleeves?

The Nexus 4 has only officially launched in markets where the Google Play store selling hardware is active. The smartphone went out of stock in a matter of minutes after going on Sale.

Apple to release two iPads in next month

Drop everything. There's another iPad rumour. According to Digitimes, Apple will unveil not one, but two new iPads next month.