As with any device that ups the ante on usage and reach, added security risks and vulnerability come hand-in-hand—and in this case, fashion issues as well.

Google has been busy hyping Google Glass, as it unleashes the futuristic specs on developers and journalists to test drive. It released a tutorial video this week, demonstrating how the glasses work. 

But as developers pour over the specs of the device, several security loopholes have been discovered, causing already existing security concerns to rise. Jay Freeman, iOS and Android developer discovered that an Android hacking technique could compromise the Glass headset, gaining complete control of its operating system and potentially allowing the installation of surveillance malware. 

This “Explorer” version of Glass that developers received doesn’t have a PIN code or authentication protection, so when left on and unattended, the device is vulnerable to hacking. A USB cable could be attached to the headset and used to gain full "root" access to the device, which could allow surveillance programs to be installed. Such programs could upload a user's photos, video and audio to a remote server.Continue reading...

Twitter is closing in on an $800 million funding deal, $400 million of which will be used to cash out current investors and employees.

Aside from additional revenue, the move will allow current stakeholders to monetize privately held common stock, as the company will probably not file for an IPO in the immediate future.

“Once the latest investments are complete, Twitter’s total cash haul since it was founded five years ago will be $760 million,” according to AllThingsD.

Current investors Benchmark Capital, Union Square Ventures, Spark Capital, and other venture capitalists will be joined, going forward, by Russian heavyweight DST Global, an investor in Facebook, Zynga and Groupon. Continue reading...

JiWire, the location-based mobile media company, is partnering with Geo-Loco for the first ever location-focused awards, The Locals, honoring the best in location-based services and advertising, including apps, individuals and brands.

“While awards have recognized many location-based services as a part of their roster, The Locals pay special attention to the achievement and innovation that has helped to develop this specialized community,” said Geo-Loco founder Mark Evans.

Brands, app developers, startups and advertisers can submit in eleven categories:Continue reading...

Last week, Facebook did something it had been urged not to: listen to its customers.

At the end of last week, Facebook partially rolled back a redesign to its home page newsfeed that had been introduced late last winter. Before March 2009, the Facebook home page presented highlights from a user's friends who were of greatest interest, deduced based on their history browsing Facebook. This was changed into a news feed made up mainly of status updates in real time, which gave the site a Twitter-like feel.

While many users took to the revised interface, complaints were loud and furious. Julia Angwin (author of Stealing MySpace, a book about how Facebook dethroned its rival), and even Facebook employees noted the newsfeed was now unmanageable, dominated by their most annoyingly vocal friends (who often stream their Twitter updates into their Facebook status).

With Facebook under pressure to show revenue and profit, brands were given a comfortable seat at that table, adding to many users' feeling the site had become too spam-heavy.

But Facebook had been admonished to ignore the negative feedback, notably by prominent industry blogger Robert Scoble, who titled a March 21 entry "Why Facebook has never listened and why it definitely won’t start now."Continue reading...