Web 2.0 and Web Apps - News, Features, and Slideshows

News

• Google works to soothe users over real name controversy

  Google has heard the public outcry about its name restrictions and the way it killed off many Google+ user accounts and is working fast to fix the problem.

• Internet as hard to give up as cigarettes, liquor, study says

  How would you handle giving up your Internet connection -- your Facebook friends, Twitter, online news and shopping -- for just a single day?

• Facebook blocks access to hidden iPad app

  Researchers over the weekend uncovered a Facebook app for Apple's iPad, and showed how "jailbroken" tablets could run the still-unreleased software.

• Hacker collective Anonymous to launch social networking site

  Anonymous, which has claimed credit for several high-profile cyber attacks in recent months, plans to launch what it says will be a new social networking site called AnonPlus.

• IBM rolls out cloud-based Web analytics tool

  IBM has released a Web analytics tool that combines two existing products from its acquisitions last year, Coremetrics, a Web analytics provider, and Unica.

• What would you pay for a Google+ invite?

  Wish you were on Google's new social networking service, Google+?

• In another shake-up, Twitter co-founder Stone steps away

  Twitter co-founder Biz Stone is stepping away from his day-to-day duties at Twitter.

• Facebook reportedly readying iPad app ... finally

  The Internet is abuzz with reports that Facebook will finally come out with a dedicated iPad app.

• Facebook facial recognition flap gains momentum

  Now that Connecticut Attorney General George has joined the brouhaha around Facebook's new facial recognition feature, it's possible the flap could get bigger.

• Obama's CIO quits

  The first person ever appointed as the CIO of the US government, Vivek Kundra, is resigning after two and a half years on the job, the White House said Thursday.

• Foursquare plans growth around readers who never check in

  NEW YORK -- Foursquare, the mobile social media service built around users "checking in" to their current locations, is adding around a million users a month and should cross the 10 million mark next week, co-founder Dennis Croley said Wednesday.

• Is Facebook's IPO worth $100B?

  Facebook may not be having its initial public offering until sometime in 2012 but its potential valuation is already generating a lot of buzz.

• Lady Gaga and the 'big head' effect in mobile apps

  Apple now has more than 350,000 apps in its App Store, offering developers a large -- and growing -- market in which to sell their wares.

• Privacy groups push for U.S. Facebook probe

  The privacy flap over Facebook's new facial recognition service has gained some momentum.

• Facebook loses 6M U.S. users in May

  Facebook may continue to gain users, but the world's biggest social network isn't gaining them as quickly as it has been and is actually losing users in the U.S.