The XBIZ Weekly Tech Watch

This week's tech watch offers reports on President Bush's final words on tech, as well as looks at a slew of new toys for webmasters and tech fans everywhere.

• As one of his many parting gifts to the nation, President Bush has opposed a plan to bring free WiFi to the country.

• Webmasters with parked domains can now fill those sites with Google AdSense ads.

PartyBeans.com lets users send customized candy gifts.

• CNET has some opinions on what Facebook could stand to learn from its competitors.

• Ustream.tv is working on an application to bring better streaming video to mobile devices.

• Google's Chrome web browser has left its beta-testing phase in record time.

• Gizmodo takes a look at some cheap HDTV sets and some wacky new toys and gadgets designed for wintertime fun.

• A sleek new coffeemaker gets a very bad online review.

• Is Sony working on a new touch-screen Walkman?

• Do the new MacBook Pros have faulty microchips inside?

• Users of Apple's iPhone haven't been able to copy and paste text between Safari and Mail – until now.

• Industry professionals who want to find a place to stay in Washington, D.C., for the Obama inauguration may want to visit this website.

• A Danish e-commerce website produced a racy online ad that's become a viral phenomenon, and for good reason.

• Mac users may be interested in trying out TuneUp, a new application that cleans up bad or missing data in an iTunes library. Also, there's a new product called MacPadd that's designed to make using a mouse easier.

• Gmail has unveiled some new features, including SMS messaging from Gmail chat and a few other mini-apps.

• Social networking giant Hi5 has added a new virtual gift-giving feature. Industry professionals who maintain presences in Europe may want to consider Hi5 as a promotional outlet, as it has a larger following overseas.

• After much criticism, Google has added an on/off button for its new search-wiki feature in search results.

• And finally: The Sharper Image, aka the store for people who don't even know what kind of stuff they don't need, is planning a comeback.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Sansyl Group Acquires Blue Donkey Media

Sansyl Group, parent company of AdultPrime Network, has acquired Blue Donkey Media B.V., owner of Dutch adult site Meiden van Holland, among several other erotic websites and television channels.

Pineapple Support to Hold Mental Health Summit

The annual Pineapple Support Mental Health Summit is taking place Dec. 15-17.

Ofcom Fines AVS Group $1.3 Million for AV Noncompliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom on Wednesday imposed a penalty of one million pounds, or approximately $1.3 million, on AVS Group Ltd. after an investigation concluded that the company had failed to implement robust age checks on 18 adult websites.

Updated: Aylo to Help Test EU Age Verification App

Pornhub parent company Aylo plans to participate in the European Commission’s pilot program for its “white label” age verification app, a spokesperson for the company has confirmed.

Missouri Lawmaker Attempts to Revive 'Health Warnings' for Adult Sites

A Missouri state representative has introduced a bill that would require adult sites to post notices warning users of alleged physical, mental, and social harms associated with pornography, despite a previous federal court ruling against such requirements.

New Age Verification Service 'BorderAge' Launches

French startup company Needemand has officially launched its subscription-based age verification solution, BorderAge.

Ruling: Italy's 'Porn Tax' Applies to All Content Creators

Italy’s tax revenue agency has ruled that the nation’s 25% “ethical tax” on income generated from adult content applies even to smaller independent online content creators.

Proposed New Hampshire AV Bill Appears to Violate Constitution

A bill in the New Hampshire state legislature, aimed at requiring adult sites to age-verify users in that state, contains a provision that seemingly contradicts the Supremacy Clause in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution.

AEBN Publishes Report on Fetish Trends

AEBN has published a report on fetish categories from its straight and gay theaters.

Online Child Protection Hearing to Include Federal AV Bill

A House subcommittee will hold a hearing next week on a slate of bills aimed at protecting minors online, including the SCREEN Act, which would make site-based age verification of users seeking to access adult content federal law.

Show More