05/22, 10:45pm
Yelp points to Google search, lawsuit, auditor's results to deny claims
Crowdsourced review service Yelp has come under attack again over reports of business owners complaints that reviews are "too self-centered and not trustworthy" and that the company hides reviews to its own benefit. A blog post by Yelp's Vice President of Communications Vince Sollitto refutes the claims which have been reported to the media, and hopes to clear up the service's reputation.
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01/18, 12:14am
Rare public photo practically a 'who's who' of Silicon Valley
An unusual photo was posted to Facebook showing a CEO dinner gathering -- hosted by Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer -- that included a significant number of tech CEOs from a wide array of companies, and notably included Sir Jonathan Ive, Apple's SVP of Design. Ive was perhaps the only non-CEO at the table, but was seated next to Mayer in the rare, candid shot. Attendee Mike Cassidy -- of Google X, the experimental project arm of Google -- posted the photo, which includes executives from Dropbox, Path, Twitter, Yelp and more.
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07/27, 10:50am
Hard Shell Case for rMBP
Yelp has released a major update for its iOS app, adding new features for both the iPhone and iPad. The iPhone version has gained a new business page interface, improved navigation for users who are not logged into an account, and the ability to compliment and like Tips. Meanwhile, the iPad version now allows users to edit business information, add photos, and provide Useful, Funny, and Cool votes in reviews. In addition, both versions have also received support for Yelpy Insights.
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06/25, 11:17am
May boost Yelp's prominence in check-in services
The iOS 6 Maps app will allow people to check-in through Yelp, according to developer material examined by Bloomberg. People should, more importantly, be able to check-in without leaving their current map and launching the dedicated Yelp app. The technology is hinted at in screenshots from the SDK given to developers earlier this month.
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03/18, 2:15pm
Apple, Path, Facebook, others in lawsuit sights
A new lawsuit (below) filed last week and uncovered on Friday by CNET could try and take Apple and key iOS app writers to task for alleged unapproved contact access. The potential class action case accuses those who've admitted to any access, such as Path, Twitter, and Instagram, of violating privacy by becoming "mobile radio beacons" that were "broadcasting and publicly exposing" contact lists to everyone. Questionably, however, it also names the developers of numerous other unverified apps of doing the same thing, including Beluga, Burbn, Chillingo, EA, Facebook, Foursquare, Foodspotting, Hipster, Gowalla, Kik, LinkedIn, Rovio (Angry Birds), and ZeptoLab (Cut the Rope).
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03/14, 2:35pm
Oink shuts down under claims of test
Tech idea incubator Milk posted notice Wednesday that it was shutting down its local rating service Oink. While the iOS app had already stopped checking for new updates, the company told users they would have until March 31 before the site and existing content would be taken down. The company argued that Oink was its "first test" in quickly building ideas and that it wanted focus as it was "preparing to move onto the next project."
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03/07, 3:20pm
Apple talks milestones and Android tablet UIs
Apple during its new iPad event touted its iOS device count and was also heavily critical of Android tablet apps. Apple had sold a total of 315 million iPads, iPhones, and iPod touch players in its history. About 172 million of those were sold in 2011, CEO Tim Cook said, while recapping mention that 62 million had been sold just in the fall.
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12/19, 7:25pm
Senate committee leads worry Google hurting rivals
Senate antitrust committee chairman Herb Kohl and supporter Mike Lee sent a formal letter (below) to the Federal Trade Commission backing an investigation of Google over its dominance of search. The Democrat and Republican together were worried enough about Google's lead in search following Senate hearings that they wanted a "thorough" look. They cited familiar arguments that Google might be abusing a dominant position to favor an increasing number of its own services in results on desktop and mobile, in many cases ousting challengers like Nextag or Yelp.
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10/31, 11:25am
Free Verizon UpNext app offers 3D city views
Those with an Android tablet from Verizon Wireless can now download the UpNext HD Maps -- Verizon Edition app (free, Android Market). The app gives users interactive maps, 3D views and a detailed look at roads, road signs and buildings for 55 large US cities, 22 of which have Enhanced 3D viewing for more detail. Users can explore recreation choices, restaurants and local stores and access reviews from sites such as Yelp.
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09/01, 3:20pm
Adds augmented reality to learning experience
Rutgers University has made the iPad 2 an integral part of its Digital Mini-MBA program. The school's Center for Management Development (CMD) will be providing an iPad 2 as part of an upcoming four-day executive program it will be offering in September. The tablet will be preloaded with all instructional material as well as several augmented reality apps.
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08/29, 8:25pm
Apps include Yelp, Twitter, Expedia
TomTom has introduced its latest navigation device, the Go Live 1535M. The standalone GPS unit is claimed to be the first to offer a full app platform, enabling users to take advantage of travel apps and social networking features that have been available on various smartphone platforms. The Live connected services will include Twitter, Yelp, TripAdvisor and Expedia.
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08/10, 5:15pm
FTC to focus on Android fairness and search
The FTC's investigation into Google is centering heavily on Android alongside the expected search, sources leaked Wednesday. A major thrust of the case has been gauging whether Google is preventing Android makers from using rival services. What these were wasn't divulged to WSJ informants.
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06/09, 4:25pm
Includes traffic updates, Yelp and Google search
Magellan has released RoadMate App 2.0 for the iPhone. The new version of the app ($60, App Store) includes "lifetime" map updates for the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, as well as Magellan's Lifetime Traffic service. New features include reviews of local businesses through Yelp as well as local Google search.
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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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08/18, 8:50pm
Facebook Places arrives with mobile apps
(Update: app is now live) Facebook today launched Facebook Places, its own equivalent to location check-in services such as Foursquare. The service both provides a way of marking both immediate presence but also adds a more social component. Visitors can post status updates that stay after they leave and tag friends who are in the area, even if they don't have a device that can check in.
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01/18, 11:35am
Yelp 4.0.0 adds several major features
Developers Yelp and Skype have updated their flagship iPhone apps, introducing significant changes. The free Yelp app is now at v4.0.0, and adds a check-in option, which tells friends that a person is visiting a particular business. Frequent visiting marks a person as a regular, and the system can also be used to locate a user via map or Monocle views.
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12/21, 11:15am
Yelp may be courted by a new buyer
A follow-up rumor today claims that Yelp has stepped away from an offer from Google for unknown reasons. Now thought to be worth as much as $550 million, the buyout was reported by TechCrunch to be near completion but dismissed by Yelp on the weekend. The immediate reasons behind the exit are unknown.
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12/18, 10:35am
Google would get local searching firm
Google is deep in talks to acquire Yelp, more than one source claimed late Thursday. The local business location and reviewing site is deemed "very likely" to sell itself for over $500 million based both on its valuation and its heavy Internet traffic.
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12/08, 5:40pm
Droid picked for free nav, keyboard, more
Time today provided a minor surprise by giving the Motorola Droid a first-place finish in its Gadget of the Year countdown (video below). The Android phone won for including free turn-by-turn GPS through Google Maps Navigation as well as having both a large (3.7-inch) touchscreen and a hardware QWERTY keyboard. In comparison, the iPhone 3GS only reached fourth place, earning the spot for popularizing augmented reality through apps like Layar and Yelp.
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