1. Don’t post pictures showing personal data

Even if your Twitter account is private and you closely monitor who sees what on your Facebook profile, personal data revealed in photos isn’t necessarily safe. Strangers and hackers aren’t the only threat; people you know can steal your identity, too. And according to a study conducted by the Javelin Strategy and Research group, they are with increasing frequency, thanks to social media. According to Javelin’s 2010 Identity Fraud Survey, people between the ages of 18 to 24 were especially prone to this kind of identity theft, likely due to their high level of engagement with social networking websites.By 2011, this demographic had shifted to the 25- to 34 age group who are now the most likely victims of so-called “friendly fraud. Older Americans are the least likely to secure their social media accounts, which also puts them at high risk for identity theft at the hands of friends and acquaintances.

* Don’t post any images with any identifying information whatsoever. No driver’s licenses, marriage certificates, leases, or passports. You may think that’s obvious, but do an image search and you’ll see plenty of newly married couples, proud teen drivers, and world travelers posting high resolution pics of their documents.

* Even if you think your photos are private, more people might be able to see them than you think. On Facebook, friends of friends might be able to see photos tagged of you, if the photo’s owner has the setting enabled. Facebook’s photo settings are notoriously complex, so err on the side of caution and untag photos when necessary.

2. Disable location services and geotagging

Cameras are increasingly sophisticated — even the ones built into our phones. As you snap pictures, many cameras record information called EXIF data or metadata, including the camera’s make & model, settings like speed and aperture, and the time the photo was taken.  While much of this is helpful, it’s just good for you to know you may be posting this info with a photo. Probably the biggest issue with embedded photo data is geotagging: when a GPS-enabled camera, memory card, or cell phone camera pinpoints your exact location in the metadata — even without your knowledge. Some social networking services strip that data out, but others include it — which mean you’ve essentially posted your home address online for anyone who knows how to view the geotagging data.If your device includes this geodata as the default option, you’ll need to disable it in your settings. If you’re working with a point-and-shoot camera or a DSLR, you can find this through the settings menu on your camera — just look for a menu mentioning “geotagging,” “location” or “geodata” and to be sure the feature isn’t enabled.Turn off geotagging on Android and iPhoneTo disable geotagging on an Android device, open the camera app and be sure the “geo-tag photos” box in the settings menu is unchecked. On an iPhone, hit the settings icon, click on “location services” from the menu, find “Camera” and move the slider from On to Off.

3. Incriminating photosAs social networks skyrocket in

popularity, employers are increasingly hopping on the web to research potential new hires. Many businesses search the web for information about their prospective or current employees. Now, background checking companies like Social Intelligence Corp. have capitalized on this kind of job vetting. The FTC recently ruled that such companies can store your long-deleted online indiscretions for up to 7 years. And since 47% of Facebook walls contain content that could be deemed profane, that fact is relevant to a lot of us.

* Resist the urge to post “party photos” on social networks. And yes that means no pics with the red keg cup in hand, even if you were only drinking water.* Keep the way you’d like to be perceived professionally in mind when choosing a profile picture.

* If friends tag you in an incriminating Facebook photo, a recent privacy overhaul means you can approve or disapprove the tag, which will keep it from showing up on your profile page. Keep in mind this new feature is limited, so those photos can still pop up elsewhere on Facebook.

4. Cut out poorly cropped photos

While it’s no security risk, there’s little reason to choose Facebook profile photo with a stray arm or shoulder in it. If you’re looking to meet people online on a dating site or social network, make the effort to choose a profile that features you, without the distraction of half of someone else in the picture. That someone else could distract anyone who looks at your profile — who is it? Where was it taken? Is that your ex? But keeping the focus on you is easy, thanks to free apps.

Improve your photos with these free tools.

Photos editing services like Picnik, and DrPic, can make cropping a snap. There’s no need to use Microsoft Paint to edit a photo — if you need to tinker around with a shot, use one of these free services.

And pick an interesting one — according to stats from OKCupid, one of the web’s most popular dating sites, you’ll be far more likely to strike up a conversation with a potential match if your photo shows you doing something interesting, like playing the guitar or scuba diving.

5. Avoid webcam profile photos

There are a range of great, cheap, easy-to-use cameras out there, which means something better than your computer’s built-in or external webcam is often at hand. Even cameraphones often boast 5 megapixels or more, which can easily eclipse the photo quality of a webcam, even on new computers. Since many webcams are optimized for video, the photo quality deteriorates when it comes to still images. Apple’s new FaceTime cameras, found on the iPad 2, the MacBook Air, and other devices are one example of this. These cameras make moving pictures look great, but your still shot may be grainy and blurred.

How to improve your self-portraits

To get a good shot of yourself, you’re better off using any kind of point-and-shoot camera, a DSLR for the best image quality, or even your phone. Since you can potentially find a tripod for each of these devices (check out GorillaMobile for your phone), set up your shot in advance so it will be well-framed and well-lit.For a flattering outdoor photo, avoid the high-noon sun. Instead either take your own photo — or better yet, recruit a friend’s help — during the early morning and late afternoon hours, when photographers are known to capture the best kind of light for portraits.

More surprising may be how big the merchandise side has become. As of last June, the company had sold three million plush toys, but now Stalbow says they’re selling one million a month, in addition to selling one million t-shirts each month.

The news bodes well for Rovio, which is capitalizing on Angry Birds’ success in every way possible, with more than 25 ways to get it across multiple platforms — iOS, Android, Nook, Chrome Web app — to talks of an Angry Birds movie that would likely be developed in-house thanks to the acquisition of Helsinki-based animation studio Kombo earlier this summer. On the subject of Amazon’s (AMZN) reported Kindle tablet, due out later this year, Stalbow wouldn’t confirm an app, but given the companies’ close relationship — the two collaborated on the exclusive distribution of Angry Birds Rio — Rovio’s presence on the new platform seems inevitable, sooner rather than later.

And as we’d previously reported, expect two new Angry Birds experiences by the end of the year with new kinds of gameplay entirely unlike the current crop using buzzy new features like geolocation, something the company is tinkering with to draw foot traffic to stores and restaurants. In other words, there’s lots more to come.

“The SE-208BW breaks new ground for ODD’s by adding wireless access point (AP) and repeater functionality to connect the drive to an Ethernet LAN cable,” the company said. “For users with an existing AP that suffers from weak signal strength, the SE-208BW also serves as a repeater to amplify Wi-Fi signals and widen the connectivity range across the home.”

In addition to streaming content to mobile devices, the ODD will also wirelessly connect to those same devices to easily backup data such as pictures, video or contacts onto CDs or DVDs without ever having to fire up a desktop or laptop. What’s more, it will perform as a private cloud server thanks to Dynamic DNS support, allowing users to connect an external hard disk drive or USB memory drive in addition to the Ethernet cable.

“For TV’s with DLNA compatibility, the SE-208AB comes with Allshare allowing users to view drive content through the TV menu to play and record multimedia files onto CDs and DVDs,” the company said. “The drive complements any home entertainment system with a sleek hi-gloss surface built around a slim case measuring 140mmx21.5mmx200mm. The drive also offers a USB power interface that eliminates the need for a separate electrical outlet.”

As a disc burner, Samsung’s SE-208BW provides a variety of speeds across different data media types including 24X CD-ROM, 24X CD-RW, 8X DVD reading and 8X DVD±R, 5X DVD-RAM, 6X DVD+R Dual Layer, 6X DVD-R Dual Layer, 8X DVD+RW and 6X DVD-RW recording.

Friday Samsung also revealed a slim, portable Blu-ray ODD for the mobile sector. Called the SE-506AB, the drive can easily connect and play content via an AV connectivity function on multimedia TVs with an available USB port. It also recognizes and allows access to the fifth sub-directory and more than 3000 files – previous Blu-ray writers only recognize the first sub-directory and 1000 files, Samsung said.

The company also stated that the drive provides a variety of speeds across different data media types featuring BD Quadruple layering. Specific speeds include: 6X BD-ROM, 24X CD-ROM, 24X CD-RW reading and 6X BD-R, 6X BD-R Dual layer, 4X BD-R Quad layer, 8X DVD±R, 5X DVD-RAM, 6X DVD+R Dual layer, 6X DVD-R Dual layer, 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW recording.

Samsung’s SE-208BW external Blu-ray writer is available now for $140 USD.

According to the survey, from May 11 to July 11, this year, 40 percent of mobile device users over 18 in the U.S. own smartphones like iPhone, Android devices and BlackBerry.

Google’s Android platform continued to gain market share, increasing by 1 percent over the last period to 40 percent. Apple’ s iPhone stayed flat with 28 percent while BlakBerry dropped by 1 point to 19 percent of the U.S. smartphone market.

Among those potential buyers who said that they are likely to get a new smartphone next year, around one third said that they want to buy an iPhone and one third said an Android device.

The survey also asked respondents questions to determine how they embrace the new technologies.

Among those “innovators” who said that they are usually the first to embrace new technologies, 40 percent of them said that they are looking for an Android phone next year, while 32 percent want the iPhone.

The “late adopters,” which are about 19 percent of those surveyed, also favor Android over iPhone with 32 percent to 23 percent while 30 percent of them said that they are not sure about their smartphone candidate.

The survey noted that those “undecided” consumers are the swing vote smartphone makers should be hoping to win over.

Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs, said the Beijing-based advocacy group found polluted water and was told of hazardous gas in areas surrounding plants in China believed to be Apple suppliers. In a report Wednesday, the IPE called Apple “stubbornly evasive” and said its refusal to discuss suppliers “can only be seen as a deliberate refusal of responsibility” for environmental issues.

The report added to concerns about hazardous materials that were raised in a similar report in January, to which Apple didn’t respond for eight months, Mr. Ma said. Apple sent him an email on Wednesday before the latest report was released, saying that several of the suppliers listed by the IPE aren’t in Apple’s supply chain and requesting to discuss the matter, Mr. Ma said. By Wednesday evening, a call hadn’t yet been set up.Mr. Ma said the IPE focused its latest report on Apple because other technology companies have been willing to discuss their suppliers with the IPE, while Apple hasn’t. “We had no choice but to do further research,” he said.

Apple spokeswoman Carolyn Wu said the company “is committed to driving the highest standards of social responsibility throughout our supply base” and that it requires that suppliers “use environmentally responsible manufacturing processes wherever Apple products are made.” She declined further comment.

The institute’s latest report appears to be based largely on complaints, about polluted water and hazardous-gas emissions, from residents living close to factories suspected of being Apple suppliers.

The IPE released videos, including one shot this year showing Mr. Ma touring canals filled with a white substance in water leading to the Yangtze River near a factory in Wuhan, China. The reported labeled the factory a “suspected” Apple supplier. The IPE said sediment samples from the site tested in June contained heavy metals, including nickel and an abnormally high quantity of copper.

Whether the factory is an Apple supplier couldn’t be determined and IPE’s tests couldn’t be verified.

Apple releases a supplier report annually with results from the company’s inspections of suppliers for compliance with ethics, labor, health, safety, human-rights and environmental policies. But Apple doesn’t identify most of its suppliers. The company’s 2011 report, released in February, said it found and took corrective actions on 80 facilities that weren’t storing or handling hazardous materials properly, and 41 that weren’t recycling or disposing of hazardous wastes properly as required by law. Apple didn’t list the companies or the specific violations.

The IPE’s report and videos didn’t appear to be widely discussed Wednesday among Internet users in China. The country is home to much of Apple’s production and is an important growth market for the Cupertino, Calif., consumer-electronics company.But some people expressed concern. “We should definitely force Apple to take responsibility for its purchasing and outsourcing,” a user called Swimming Cupid wrote on Twitter-like microblogging website Sina Weibo. “It can’t just focus on its product quality.”

We heard just yesterday that the iPhone 5, or whatever it might be called, might have a 3.7inch screen and a metal back. Today we can add a few more physical features to the latest idevice. The leaked camera is thinner than the iPhone 4’s sensor which leads us to believe that the next device will also be thinner seeing as the camera is typically one of the thicker components in a phone. With the iPad 2 being 30 percent thinner than the original iPad it has been a pretty safe bet that the iPhone 5 will be thinner than the iPhone 4.Another interesting thing about the part in question is that it has the volume buttons on the other side of the phone. While this might seem like an odd change seeing how all four of the previous iPhones had the volume buttons on the left side of the screen. One of the new iOS 5 features is the ability to take pictures with the camera buttons. Having the volume buttons on the right side of the screen should made taking pictures easier when holding the phone in a landscape orientation.

It also looks as though the lingering rumor about the next iPhone having an 8megapixal camera would be confirmed if this part is in fact real. The information that we are able to gain from isn’t groundbreaking, but it helps us piece together a final device. The question here is how believable is it that a Greek tech site got its hands on a new iPhone part when the phone is made in China?

A day after the chief of HP’s personal devices division told Reuters the TouchPad might get a second lease on life, HP announced a temporary about-face on the gadget after being “pleasantly surprised” by the outsized demand generated by a weekend fire-sale.

HP slashed the price of its tablet to $99 from $399 and $499 the weekend after announcing the TouchPad’s demise on Aug. 18, part of a raft of decisions intended to move HP away from the consumer and focus on enterprise clientele.
That ignited an online frenzy and long lines at retailers as bargain-hunters chased down a gadget that had been on store shelves just six weeks.

“The speed at which it disappeared from inventory has been stunning,” the company said. “We have decided to produce one last run of TouchPads to meet unfulfilled demand.”
HP may lose money on every TouchPad in its final production run. According to IHS iSuppli’s preliminary estimates, the 32GB version carries a bill of materials of $318.
“We don’t know exactly when these units will be available or how many we’ll get, and we can’t promise we’ll have enough for everyone. We do know that it will be at least a few weeks before you can purchase,” HP said in a blogpost.
Critics have blasted HP for wavering on pivotal decisions, such as its original stated intention to integrate its webOS software into every device it makes, followed by a decision to stop making webOS gadgets, including the TouchPad.

The storied Silicon Valley giant is struggling to shore up margins as smartphones and tablets eat away at its core PC business, the world’s largest. On Aug. 18, HP said it was also considering spinning off the PC division.

CEO Leo Apotheker is under immense pressure from investors unhappy with HP’s back-and-forth on strategy. The former SAP chief has also been forced to slash HP’s sales estimates three times since he took over last November.
In a resounding rejection of his grand vision, shareholders sent HP shares down almost 20 percent the day it announced its sweeping moves, which included a pricey acquisition of software player Autonomy (AUTN.L). That wiped out $16 billion of value from HP in the stock’s worst single-day fall since the Black Monday stock market crash of October 1987.
HP declined to comment beyond the blogpost. Shares in the company were down marginally in after-hours trade on Tuesday. (Reporting by Poornima Gupta, Bill Rigby and Edwin Chan; Editing by Richard Chang)