12/04, 2:15pm
Google Plus 1 said in works with iOS app
Rumors surrounding a Google social network came to a head on Saturday as a leak provided early details of how it would work and a heavy mobile component. Now thought to be called Google +1 to reflect a cornerstone 'like' feature, it would be significantly different compared Facebook and focus on an optional browser extension instead of a website. An iPhone app would figure prominently not just in the service but in clues as to the overall strategy, TechCrunch was told alongside the rumor: tentatively called Loop, the app would reflect social circles known as "loops" where most information would be shared.
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11/03, 4:00pm
Facebook mobile adds location write, deals, more
Facebook during its special mobile event today changed some of the fundamental structure of its mobile platform to bolster third-party apps and add Foursquare-style deals. Android and iPhone apps will now have access to the write and search components of the Places location interface. The update allows apps to not only check into Places themselves but to search and take advantage of the new mobile feature set.
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07/01, 9:30am
Dell Mini 10 to get GPS
Dell on Tuesday announced it will add mapping features to its Inspiron Mini 10 netbooks starting next week. The Wireless 700 add-on combines both an internal GPS card from Broadcom and Wi-Fi triangulation technology from Skyhook Wireless to find its own location, which allows it to operate both indoors and outdoors. Indoors, Wi-Fi access points are used to determine the location via their respective and mapped hardware addresses. Outdoors, or when the line of sight to a satellite is available, it reverts to the assisted GPS chipset for a more accurate, network-independent view.
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06/23, 8:55am
Nokia Acquires Plazes
Nokia on Monday revealed that it has acquired Plazes, a small German software startup. The deal gives access to a self-titled social activity app and website that adds both time and location to short, Twitter-like updates; users can not only pinpoint their present locations while they supply a short text message but also coordinate events for the future, setting a future event with a map marker that lets friends coordinate meetups in advance.
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