Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Google’s new online virtual world program “Lively” is causing a bit of a stir for some users. It seems it has become a tad too lively in some of it’s rooms. Apparently there have been some “sex rooms” created in the virtual world, and a few users are complaining. Complaints which Google isn’t taking lightly. 

“Our community standards prohibit sexually explicit images and rooms intended for sexual activity, even if virtual. When we become aware of ‘sex rooms’ that violate our Terms of Service, we’ll work to remove them.”

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Microsoft is touting two new LifeCam models which are uniquely designed to have a bendable attachment base. These new webcams which mold to any surface are the LifeCam VX-5000 and VX-500. In addition, Microsoft is also releasing the LifeChat LX-2000, a full-size headset which is bendable as well.

Both of these LifeCams are affordable, easy to use and come with individual features. The LifeCam VX-5000 which comes a colored ring around its front, which you can choose to have in either Cool Blue, Lucky Green or Fire Red. This LifeCam is equipped with Windows Live optimization as well as the latest version of the LifeCam software. Its features include; Windows LiveCall Button, LifeCam dashboard, advanced VGA optics with VGA sensor at 640 x 480 resolution, built-in unidirectional microphone, 3x digital zoom and pan and tilt features.

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Facebook chat was initially confirmed late in March, which was proceeded with a limited roll-out that began in early April for users in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York. It seems the testing must have gone over well and that means good news for anyone who was itching to chat and feeling left out. The new chat feature is now available for all active Facebook accounts.

While the ability to chat with other Facebook users is great, it would be nice to see some integration in the future, whether it coming from Facebook building in support for other services or releasing an API that other services can then use to integrate Facebook chat. With such a popular service I am sure the community would be behind it.

Via [Inside Facebook]

Finally, the long awaited Facebook chat is rolling out. First reported by the Inside Facebook blog, and a few hours later, the Official Facebook blog announced that new Chat facility is indeed being gradually rolled out in some Facebook networks.

The Facebook blog did not specify any exact date as to when the Chat feature will be implemented across all Facebook networks. But users don’t need to do anything to install the Chat facility, as it will just pop out at the bottom part of the users browsers. When the Facebook Chat bar appears, users can view the list of online friends and even start a conversation with any or all of them. 

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Sixty-seven million Facebookers can now control what their contacts see. The social network which rose fast to popularity in 2007 introduced new privacy controls Wednesday. The new settings will allow members to control what their family and friends can access, which means that managing friends’ list is now possible.

Officially launched more than a year ago, Facebook first started as a social network site for Harvard University way back in 2004 and soon found it way to universities and offices and now the world. According to a Facebook statement, only 25 percent of the users are currently using the network’s default access settings. With the new privacy controls, Facebook users can create as much as 100 different ‘contacts lists’ to organize their friends when such filter enables only the chose friends can view one’s messages or a part of one’s profile. 

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It was back in November when Skype first announced the beta release that added video chat support for Linux users, and now they have announced the official Skype 2.0 with video for Linux. Now Linux users will be able to freely and without having to worry about running beta software, be able to have video chats with Windows and Mac users alike. Similar to other Skype offerings, version 2.0 for Linux is of course a free download.

Read [Skype] Via [Gizmodo]

Ever wanted to just quickly log in and check your email only to have a bunch of friends instantly hit you up on chat, well now you can do just that, just switch yourself to invisible. A new option that was added to Gmail Chat will let you switch yourself from visible to invisible. The nice part about this is that while you are logged in and invisible you will still be able to see your friends status, they just cannot see you, meaning you may actually be able to get your work completed.

This new option works in the latest version of Gmail on Firefox 2 and IE7. The only limitation seems to be that you cannot switch yourself to invisible if you are logged in using another (gadget or desktop application) Gmail Client.

Via [Google Operating System]

Finally realizing that integrating instant messaging with email is a success, Yahoo has decided to build Yahoo Messenger into Yahoo Mail.  Starting yesterday, the company began rolling out the service to select users, and plan to fully deploy it over the next serveral months. 

As you Gmail / Google Talk users know, Google has had this feature for about a year now.  It’s possible that Yahoo simply didn’t want to come off as copying Google’s Gmail, so they waited a year for the hype to die down.  Yahoo mentioned that Gmail’s chat functionality is not as integrated as the new Yahoo Mail.  I’m not sure how much more integrated it could be, but if you’ve used it, feel free to drop a line in the comments below.

Read [CNET]

Userplane, acquired by AOL mid 2006 because of its private IM and chat networks, communication platform for online dating, and social networking sites, has added four two-player games that can be played through an instant messaging window.  Userplane’s Webmessenger and Webchat apps are used on more than 100,000 sites including MySpace.

The four games are:

• Fruit Mixup, a “match three” puzzle game


• Seabattle, a game in which users try to locate the position of battleships (read: a Battleship clone)


• Truth, a question-and-answer game designed to help two people get to know each other


• Trivia (der)

Read [SocalTech] Site [UserPlane]

According to National Retail Federation, parents and teens getting ready for school are expected to spend $10.46 billion on consumer electronics.  That’s why Best Buy has started up the Ask A Best Buy Blue Shirt Online to help the store connect with customers while they’re still at home.  Starting tonight, you can log on to AskABlueShirt.com and join a live chat with the company’s employees.  Ask any of your questions relating to “popular gadgets, helpful shopping tips, gift ideas, technology trends, and more.” If you trust the Blue Shirts, then why not ask them your questions?  Here’s the schedule:

August 27 at 8 p.m. EST

August 29 at 9 p.m. EST

August 31 at 1 p.m. EST

If you’re not available during any of these times, you can still submit your questions via the website and they’ll post the answers in the transcript.  Enjoy!

Read [AskABlueShirt]