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Google's video sharing platform, YouTube, has been a center of incessant lawsuits from aggrieved individuals as most people are featured in videos by users without their consent or express approval. The terrific media platform has thereby suffered continuous criticism from various Privacy Advocacy Groups.

YouTube's director of communications and policy, Victoria Grand, has hinted on the inclusion of a new technology that will enable users to blur the faces of people in videos, as the case may be, allowing users to edit the videos so that a complainants face is blurred.

The face blurring tool will serve as additional privacy control option on the video sharing platform, as critics had argued for the possibility of concealing the faces of individuals in questionable instances.

Google had earlier demonstrated the image blurring technology capability in dealing with aggrieved parties in its Street View Images Controversy. 

The enhancement to video editing tool to blur faces may be coming to YouTube in the next few months, so users are hereby enjoined to avail themselves of the new privacy tool when uploading videos that may generate controversy.

YouTube Privacy: Blur Faces In Video

The extent of tracking users on the mobile platform has been a great privacy challenge, with the latest location-based technologies, there seems to be no feasible sign of containing the exploit. And coupled with the growing need of monetizing the social networking platforms on mobile application, the exploit may even take a more intrusive nature.

Mozilla is reportedly working on an open-source operating system for tablet devices and smartphones that will support its revolutionary "Do Not Track" feature on mobile.

The OS is code-named 'Boot to Gecko (B2G), and based on the Linux kernel. Also referred to as 'Open Web Devices Platform' - the Linux-based mobile OS, still in early developmental stage, is billed to introduce comparative privacy standard to the Mobile Web.

B2G will be overtly web-centric, bringing the full flavor of the web to the mobile platforms. All B2G apps will be live online (web apps), accessible directly instead of downloading to the device.

Privacy and security will be built from the foundation up, unlike the conventional mobile-app system whereby a single vendor controls all available apps, Boot to Gecko, will support multi-platforms and vendors applications.

The 'Do Not Track' option helps maintain privacy only when the concerned developer updated its app to respect the security user-demand. And unfortunately, there is wanting the legislation to compel all developers to comply with the 'Do Not Track' command.

However, the fact that Mozilla had envisioned a project built on security and privacy as a basic architecture, maintaining open all aspects of the design and implementation is rather more user-centric than just plausible. So, the call goes to all mobile web users, practice 'Safe Browsing'.

Mobile Web: Next Privacy Call

Google has launched a new service to replace the Android Market Place. The service is called Google Play, and among other things, it promises to bring virtual fun to the mobile experience according to the company blog, as the hassles of endless syncing across mobile devices is now eliminated.

Google Play, is duped a digital entertainment center, a place where you share music, movies and apps on the web, as well as on your Android devices. It's entirely Cloud based, bringing the mobility advantage to users, either on your PC or on smartphones.

The new service incorporate, Google Music, Android Market and Google eBook Store as one service. The Android Market will be upgraded to Google Play in the countries where the service is available in the coming days according to Google.

Android has proven a great platform as it now accounts for the major mobile browser share ahead of Opera Mini according to a recent StatCounter Analytics.

The celebration tagged '7 Days To Play' promises making the service for users in the U.S. and Canada available for a special discount price with assorted music titles, movies and eBooks. Google's long time goal is to continue rolling out credible services across the platform.

Enter Google Play

The emerging web standard, HTML5 is generating an intense debate as to the inclusion of copy-protection as proposed by its leading advocates: Google, Netflix and Microsoft Corp. Hypertext Markup Language, HTML5, which has revolutionized web content creation, making it possible to include streaming video and audio to web pages lacks mechanism for Digital Rights Management (DRM).

The web contents DRM is an encryption mechanism which permits only authorized access to video and audio. It invariably prevents unauthorized usage and distribution of web contents.

Adobe Flash Player, is an example of platforms that support DRM and copy protection, whereby commercial web video industries employ it through browser plug-in to protect their contents. But, how the open standard can effectively implement such mechanism without infringing on the pros of the popular technology remains a daunting task.

The staunch editor of the HTML standard, Ian Hickson, has completely opposed the move and stated categorically that the proposal is "unethical and should not be pursued", according to a W3C mailing list.

The obvious reason for the push for the proposal by leading web technologies is the rate at which commercial TV and video companies throng to the World Wide Web Consortium. And developers on the contrary have stressed the difficulties in coding video and audio tag as HTML does not support content protection.

The MegaUpload web portal law suit for infringement on copy-righted materials is a case in point for arguments in favor of the proposal.

But, would the HTML5 video copy protection, not in effect bring-up the enthroning of browser plug-in all over again?

HTML5: Proposed Copy Protection

The buzz is all over the web, and perhaps, Pinterest has got the drive to take-on Facebook advances after all. This post, however, is not another social network wars stuff, but rather a research into the innovations that has made the new entrant unique. As stressed earlier, it's not the name behind the brand, but availability of user-engaging functionality that spells success in the social sphere.

The project started around December 2009, with the actual closed-beta service commencing March 2010. And, which till date is still an invitation only service.

Pinterest is unique from the fact that it has reinvented the 'image worth's more than a thousand words ideology', as pioneered by David Galbraith's Project Wist in 2005. Albeit, the social web phenomena has not taken-off, which may be the reason for the project's failure.

Pinterest is simply put as a 'visual bulletin board', bringing the beauty and power of images to live to convey specific message on the social platform. It is more related to Twitter in functions, and employs similar terminologies: Pin (is an image uploaded on Pinterest), Repin (is the equivalent of retweet), while Board (is a collection of pins).

There are varied interests and topic boards which are open for users to follow, and that reflects the updates on the home screen. Each image board contain items of media, known as pin, which may be a picture, video or related media stuff.

Pinterest, similar to other social networks, allows a user to follow the activities of other users, receiving updates on the Homepage through 'Pin Feed'. And the high point of the service, is perhaps, the ability to convey a vivid picture of events as in wedding, than words can relay, more reason the feminine folks are trooping en masse.

Pinterest: Reinventing The Social Wheel

Microsoft has scheduled the 'consumer preview' date for the newest version of Windows operating system, Windows 8, on February 29. Windows 8 design is perhaps the most critical update the incumbent OS has put-up so far, and so much hypes have followed its announcement.

The leaked overview has shown a radical interface change in the new OS, the ever popular start button which first appeared in Windows 95 will be replaced by an intuitive 'hot spot' (the smart corner serves the function of start button hub, with a swipe it brings-up the menus).

The new OS builds on the elements of the former version Windows 7, bringing with it the Metro Themes and Tiles. The Tiles is a live screen displaying updates from social networks realtime, and messaging status from email and IM on the Home screen.

Microsoft has maintained a keen sight on the Tablet market dominated by Android and Apple Device, and obviously, the new OS designs may nonetheless mark Microsoft incursion into the mainstream of the mobile platforms. As the timing and place also coincide with the date for the Mobile World Congress.

Although, no release date has been announced for the final version of the new OS, trend watchers are of the candid-view that it may show-up before the holiday season.

Final Windows 8 Preview

Push notifications is a feature that is native to Android and iOS apps, allowing it to notify users about the availability of a new content. Mozilla, is reportedly working on introducing the technology to the web according to Jeff Balogh, a developer at Mozilla Foundation.

The push notifications application for the web will allow websites to notify subscribers of new updates similar to how mobile apps notify users, albeit, mimicking the capability of RSS feeds, but as a core web technology.

The prototype and designing of the new API is currently in the works, and the notification service invokes the Firefox browser to deliver push contents to users. And user's permission is sort before the browser commences the notification service. It delivers the message to Firefox on the desktop, on Android, on Boot to Gecko, or iOS on Firefox Home.

The major point of the service is that we live in a multiple device, and cross-platform world. So, it acknowledges all the major platforms: Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS as Firefox Home.

Definitely, the notification service takes-on the role of RSS feeds, but rather built into the core web programming interface. The paramount question, then is, are we heading to an upgrade to the RSS feeds or just another viable alternative to the service?

Push Notifications: Web Application

The ubiquity and power of technology along with mobile web convergence have created a new paradigm in the accessibility of information. Nowadays, people want prompt access to the news on the go, as reflected in the dwindling of the conventional media system. Now, how about a tool that will put the full power of the conventional media right on your mobile device?

That is exactly what PressDisplay has done, bringing the full flavor of your favorite Newspapers to you on the go, through a mobile app, PressReader. The PressReader newspaper app brings 2,000 plus full-content digital newspapers from 95 countries right on your mobile device. PressReader is currently available in 51 languages and supports the following mobile OS: iOS, Android, BlackBerry OS, Windows Phone, and HoneyComb.

Our team member had a hands-on the latest version of PressReader for iPad, which is now available for download from the iTunes App Store. And to be frank the app did not disappoint on what has been written about it already.

In fact, I was impressed to find BusinessDay Nigeria on the list, making it the only local newspaper available. But, the avalanche of international newspapers really made it a delight, coupled with the innovative navigation feature that makes it possible to browse entire publication with a finger-tip. Also the jump feature is quite handy, it allows you shuffle from one article to another with ease.

Now, you may want to ask, how about bandwidth consumption? Well, truly innovative is the way the app is designed to fetch content and disconnect without any trace.

The pricing for individual newspapers (as the actual app is free) comes cheap compared to the conventional newspaper. Newspaper can be purchased for $0.99 per issue, or downloaded with a paid subscription. And, obviously you will enjoy complete digital replica of newspapers right before they are available in print version on newsstand, as every article, advertisements, crossword puzzle and cartoon on the original context.

Review: PressReader Newspaper App

Google earlier today announced new features to its social search innovations according to its official blog. The new search enhancements involves the inclusion of its social networking platform, Google+,  into its search algorithms, to create what it calls 'Personal Results' search.

An innovation it has termed 'Search Plus Your World', combines the conventional Google search algorithm with Google+ recommended results based on individual preferences and permission.

Google's 'Search Plus Your World' feature is made up of three basic enhancements: Personal Results, Profiles In Search, and People & Pages. It involves the inclusion of Google+ posts into Google search results where necessary and relevant to the search query, enabled by a user, and permitted by the Google+ Circles in which the given post is originally shared.

The 'Profiles In Search' aspect, enables a user to immediately find people within a Circle or a given area of interest, in both auto-complete and search results. While, the People And Pages, finds Google+ pages and people related to a specific topic or interest.

The internet search giant's obsession with Social Search may perhaps have found satisfaction in mingling with its own networking platform.

Google was fast to add that the 'Search Plus Your World' feature will never undermine users privacy and security, since the information that will be made available is already secured by Google+ SSL encryption. And the results page will also have the same level of security and privacy protection, that is to say, when a user is signed in to Google account, the search results, both private contents are protected by the same standard of encryption as your Gmail.

Also on effective control on features, Google stated that it will introduce a prominent new toggle on the upper of search results page where users can see how search results look like without personal contents, which translates to transparency and control over personal search results.

Social Search: Google Plus Your World

Internet search activities or patterns can help make available an incredible source of data that may translate to advancement in social/cultural breakthroughs as may be applied in checkmating the spread of epidemics or other real world activities.

What started with the Influenza outbreak in 2008, search discovery made available by Google revealed how Influenza outbreak correlate to searches for flu-related terms with Google Flu Trends. Google search data tools, Google Trends and Google Insights, were not designed with such research capabilities in mind.

Internet researchers needed a system more like Google Trends but in reverse functionality, they wanted to enter some real world activities and be able to see which search terms best match the trend. In response to the researchers quest, came the launch of Google Correlate in mid 2011.

Google Correlate allows search patterns to be compared against a specific time series (weekly/monthly), or against U.S. states. It mines similar patterns in search data terms. The new search tool does not yet support international application, however, users can upload their own data set and map it against Google's search terms.

The most unique feature in the new search tool is the ability to approximate data points from a data set based on graphs. Google Correlate is able to find data set which map closely to a given graph. You draw a time series and Google Correlate find terms that best match the trend.

Google, however, is fast to point-out that correlation is different from causation both in the FAQ and explanatory note.

Review: Google Correlate

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