Recently, a snippet of disabled code was discovered by Tom Waddington, a web developer from Cut Out & Keep. The code suggests that a ‘Want’ button may be on the way from Facebook. The small bit is an XFBML tag, <fb:wants>. Which in plain terms means there is a real chance that a ‘Want’ button could be built-in to Facebook similar to the like button, without the need for users to authorize apps.

A ‘Want’ button would mean a world of opportunity for retailers and merchants to determine what users actually desire in products. Facebook has been actively improving their ad targeting by focusing on users interests, interactions, etc. A ‘Want’ button would open up a new door to advertising revenue and could make Facebook appear more stable in the eyes of Wall Street.

The question of why or why now should be asked. Although we don’t know for sure Facebook will be introducing the ‘Want’ button or just how long its been in the works, we can say that increased social network competition is part of it. Facebook has no real competition, but with the rise of other social networks their grasp weakens on small bits of the social experience. Pinterest for example has turned social sharing through images on its head. Pinterest users share colossal amounts of images and spend a high percentage of time on the site. Google+, while not the competitor it was billed to be, does have a steady following. Those numbers combine to equal less interaction on Facebook.

Facebook’s would be willingness to grow can only be beneficial. Users may gain more enticing deals from brands that know what they want and are willing to give it to them. Merchants could get their products in front of users, creating more exposure and potential profit. For now, the ‘Want’ button is just a snippet of code that is disabled, but the social, consumer potential is enormous.

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Facebook settles with FTC on “unfair and deceptive” privacy practices. Facebook essentially lost the battle over user’s privileges as they relate to privacy.

Among the findings, that Facebook made users personal information public without consent, allowed advertisers to obtain personal information from users when ads were clicked, allowed access to images and video from deleted accounts and shared user information with outside developers.

Facebook’s Zuckerberg acknowledged the company made “a bunch of mistakes”. As a result, Facebook will be subject to privacy audits for the next 20 years and any new privacy changes will need to be opt-in versus the opt-out philosophy of the past.

Chrome surpasses Firefox as #2 browser

For the first time, Google’s Chrome browser is being reported from some research firms as the number two browser in terms of usage. It is the first time Chrome has surpassed Firefox for the number two spot. While Chrome is a nice clean, fast browser it isn’t without it’s troubles as well.

As with Firefox, the browser itself is bare with limited features, but just enough to make it unique and appealing. Additionally, just as Firefox, if you begin to load add-ons for Chrome, then the browser slows and at times can become unusable if too many extensions are installed. While it’s a milestone for Chrome, it may be just what Firefox needs to pursue innovation. Living at the top leads to stagnant development and uninspired change. As an example, just look at the number one browser, Internet Explorer.

YouTube Changes Layout, Adds Channels

In a continued push to redesign their menus and services, Google unveiled YouTube’s new layout this week. The format shows a dark gray panel down the left side with “channels” for users to navigate. Google struggled and some would say failed to launch their Google TV has a viable content source and YouTube hasn’t exactly attracted content producers from networks. The new “channels” view is likely the first step by Google to venture forward with media content for television.

Widespread Phone Infection Discovered

Designated as a Rootkit, Carrier IQ was discovered on smartphones this week. The rootkit can essentially track everything you do on your phone. For those not familiar with the term rootkit, to simplify it, it’s another form of malware or virus which are infamously found on Windows PCs regularly. Rootkits became popular back when Sony used them on music CDs, but rootkits in general have been a thorn in the side of PC techs for some years.

We recommend you test your phone to see if Carrier IQ is present. We’re providing a link to guide you in testing and removal of the rootkit.

View How To Test Your Phone For Carrier IQ Rootkit

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