exchange

Dozens of lawsuits and investigations emerged after Facebook's initial public offering on the Nasdaq Stock Market last year. One investigation, initiated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, focused on technical errors in Nasdaq's system that inadvertently delayed trading that first day.

Now, word has it that Nasdaq may be able to settle the debacle with the federal regulators, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Sources familiar with the matter have told the Journal that Nasdaq has been in preliminary settlement talks with the SEC. If the two sides do make a deal, it will most likely … Read more

Facebook advertisers will soon label and identify which ads use information from outside Facebook to target you -- at least, if they choose to.

The blue "AdChoices" -- developed by a coalition of advertisers and marketers specifically to show consumers when they are looking at targeted ads using third-party information -- will make its appearance after months of complaints from ad agencies and advertisers, AdAge reported today.

Although this is meant to make this type of advertising more transparent, users won't see the icon unless they try to opt out of the ad.

Facebook confirmed the change, … Read more

Simple FX comes in two versions: the lite and paid version. Both contain the same features, but the paid version allows for more currencies. Instead of the regular display of direct rates, the app opts for a chart that shows monetary increments of one currency and the corresponding exchange value of another. This feature allows for quick estimation, sets it apart from other converters, and increases its utility for average travelers. Sometimes having an instant estimate for costs of items is better than having to tediously calculate values to the nearest cent. However, this chart function is not as useful … Read more

Microsoft and Google are having a war of words on their respective blogs.

Google last week announced in a blog post entitled "Winter cleaning" that on January 30, it will be shutting down Google Sync -- a feature that allowed Gmail users to sync their mail, calendar, and contacts through Microsoft's Exchange ActiveSync protocol -- for consumers who use the company's free e-mail application. Google Apps for Business, Government, and Education users will still have access to Google Sync.

Google Vice President of Engineering Venkat Panchapakesan said the decision was made after the company adopted CardDAV, … Read more

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Peeved? Apple will exchange your third-gen iPad for the newer model.

- Counterfeit ketchup scheme busted!

- PlayStation 'Master' key leaked online.

- 'Jesus,' 'welcome' join list of worst passwords.

- Apple user claims iMacs ruined his eyesight.… Read more

The Securities and Exchange Commission didn't find any evidence that Facebook withheld pertinent information from investors prior to its initial public offering, Bloomberg reported today.

The commission began investigating the social network's initial public offering, or IPO, in May, after Facebook's stock dropped. The stock still hasn't recovered from that day, and is currently trading at around half of its $38 IPO price.

While the investigation isn't over, the commission has determined that Facebook did not act wrongly, an unnamed source told Bloomberg. The SEC is still looking at whether or not retail investors lost … Read more

Facebook, responding to worries about some of its recent advertising changes, shared some details about how it safeguards user information and said it created its new features with "privacy in mind."

Joey Tyson, Facebook privacy engineer, said yesterday in a blog post that while Facebook has designed its site to show ads that "help people discover products that are interesting to them," it also realizes that users trust the company to protect their information.

"Maintaining that trust is a top priority as we continue to grow," he said.

Tyson took pains in his blog … Read more

Nasdaq plans to release its Facebook IPO investor compensation plan next week and it will probably be more than the $40 million originally proposed, Fox Business News reported today.

The deal will be all cash and Nasdaq is working with the Securities and Exchange Commission on a second draft of the proposal, unnamed sources told Fox.

The SEC has declined to comment. We have a call into the Nasdaq and will update when we get more information.

The stock exchange's bungle of the social network company's opening day of trading has been widely criticized.

Facebook's first day … Read more

On today's 404 episode, we'll solve the mystery of phantom cell phone vibrations and why we're so often tricked into thinking our phones have a mind of their own. One psychologist from the University of Sydney thinks that it has to do with electrical currents running through parts of the body surrounding the phone, while another professor of psychology believes it's in ours heads, that our addiction to technology has made us paranoid about e-notifications.

Walking around New York in this heatwave is enough of a workout for anyone these days, but some gym-goers in Canada are so sick of skinny people making them look bad that they've issued a ban on anyone that can't be described as "plus size."

According to the NY Daily News, Body Exchange gym in Vancouver claims to be a "safe haven" for overweight people that feel scrutinized when they work out next to those without an addiction to food. Unfortunately, we'll have to defer to Richard to comment on this story, as neither Jeff nor I have ever been inside a gym.… Read more