activity

Your searches on Facebook to show up in activity log

Facebook is tracking what searches you've made and displaying it in your activity log, the company noted in a blog post today.

In addition to any other activity tracked on your profile, Facebook has added search activity to your log (you can read the log by clicking the "Activity Log" button at the top of your profile). Facebook is rolling out the additional activity tracking in the next few weeks.

Facebook was quick to remind users that the activity log is for your eyes only -- your friends don't get to see the log. But, the … Read more

Q&A: MacFixIt Answers

MacFixIt Answers is a feature in which we answer questions e-mailed in by our readers.

This week readers wrote in with questions about a Mac system issuing a beep tone and not turning on when the power is pressed, Active Directory accounts not properly accessing e-mail through Apple's Mail program, and the best way to install OS X on a new hard drive. We welcome views from readers, so if you have any suggestions or alternative approaches to these problems, post them in the comments!

Question: Mac beeps and does not turn on MacFixIt reader Navid asks:

I have … Read more

Adobe patches critical security bugs in Flash, Reader, Acrobat

Those of you running Adobe Flash, Reader, and/or Acrobat are advised to download the latest updates. Adobe yesterday rolled out new and critical security fixes for all three products.

The update for Flash patches a vulnerability that could cause the software to crash and allow someone to remotely take control of an infected computer.

This hole has already been exploited through limited attacks, Adobe said. Deployed through a malicious Word document, this exploit attacks the ActiveX version of Flash Player installed as a plug-in on Internet Explorer for Windows.

Windows and Macintosh users can update Flash through the Adobe Flash Player Download Center. … Read more

2014 Mazda Mazda6 sedan teased in photo, videos

We knew that the handsome Mazda Takeri concept that debuted at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show was an indicator of the direction that Mazda would be taking with its Mazda6 sedan. Now, after a handful of teaser videos released to YouTube, the automaker has finally given us a clear look at exactly how close the concept is to production with a handful of photos of the production 2014 Mazda6's front end.

The 2014 Mazda6 will be the third model in the automaker's lineup to wear the SkyActiv badge and to be powered by the 2.0-liter SkyActiv-G direct-injected … Read more

How to delete Facebook activity using iPhone, Android app

As more and more apps integrate with Facebook and each app shares more of your online activity to your Timeline, there's bound to be information you'd rather not share. As Mashable recently reported, Facebook has given users the ability to edit their Activity Log while on the go.

You'll need to go to your profile, or Timeline. While there scroll the About, Friends, and Photos thumbnails over until you see an Activity Log thumbnail. Once you select Activity Log, you'll be able to view, edit, or delete any unwanted activity from your Facebook Timeline by tapping … Read more

Active 3D vs. passive 3D: What's better?

CNET reader Taher asks:

I'm trying to decide between two 3D TVs: a Panasonic that's active 3D and LG that's passive 3D. LG has all these international certificates for the best 3D picture and claims it's full resolution, but you and others claim Passive 3D is half the resolution of a real 1080p. Is there is a way for me to really tell the difference between an active and a passive 3D?

There sure is.… Read more

Sorta universal active-3D TV glasses compared

OK, so only the middle pair is actually universal, but all three pairs of active-3D TV glasses on my head, and compared below, will work with all 2011/2012 Samsung 3D TVs, as well as with 2012 Panasonic 3D TVs.

So if you have one of those 2011/2012 Samsung or 2012 Panasonic TVs and want to watch 3D sources, you actually, for the first time ever, have a real choice in spectacles. The question then becomes, "Which ones should I buy?"

The short answer is, as always, "What do you want?" If you just want to get 3D capability as cheaply as possible, the Samsungs are a shoo-in. If you're willing to pay more for better comfort and durability, I'd recommend the Panasonics. The more expensive Xpand glasses appeal to a smaller niche than either: people who actually anticipate regularly watching active 3D on multiple TVs (namely, ones incompatible with those Samsung or Panasonic glasses) in addition to their primary 3D television.

The shorter answer is "I like the Panasonics best." If you're into 3D enough to actually be buying 3D glasses for the whole family, it might make sense to grab a pair or two of the Panasonics as primary ("daddy" and/or "mommy") glasses and as many Samsungs as you need for other viewers. For 2012 Panasonic TV owners who just want to dabble in 3D, the $20 Samsungs are as risk-free as you can get.

Check out the full reviews, arranged in order of rating below, for more detail. I also listed current Amazon pricing (Xpand's $20 RF dongle will be widely available in four weeks).… Read more

When in Roamz, do as the locals do

Roamz is an "intelligent" local discovery app that pulls real-time data from Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, and Instagram in order to show you what's going on in your area. It can even "learn" what you're into and calibrate its recommendations accordingly.

Roamz opens up to a Hot Now screen, which shows public photos, check-ins, and other status updates originating in your immediate vicinity. So, right off the bat, you can swipe through all of the updates and see if anything looks interesting. For instance, in my trials, I saw that several people checked in to … Read more

Microsoft gets reprieve in Motorola suit on Exchange ActiveSync

Score one for Microsoft.

Judge Andreas Voss of the Mannheim Regional Court in Germany today ruled that a complaint Motorola has brought against Microsoft related to data-sync technology in Exchange ActiveSync will not be decided on anytime soon. According to Foss Patents' Florian Mueller, who was first to report on the news and has acknowledged being a paid consultant for Microsoft, the judge instead decided to reopen the case. The move could push back a final ruling several months, according to Mueller.

"We are pleased the Mannheim court is looking even more closely at this case and remain confident … Read more