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4:40 PM ET, March 13, 2011

Techmeme

 Top Items: 
Marshall Kirkpatrick / ReadWriteWeb:
Google to Launch Major New Social Network Called Circles, Possibly Today  —  We believe that Google will preview a major new social service called Google Circles at South by Southwest Interactive today.  If what we've heard is correct, the service will offer photo, video and status message sharing.
RELATED:
Liz Gannes / NetworkEffect:
Google Denies Social Network Called Circles Will Debut Today, Despite Report  —  Google has reportedly built a social network called Google Circles intended to help users share photos, videos and status messages with only the most appropriate people.  Marshall Kirkpatrick at ReadWriteWeb …
Thomas Ricker / Engadget:
Is your iPad 2 backlight bleeding? (video)  —  Now that many of you have collected and used your second generation iPad tablets for a few hours, we're starting to see the inevitable reports of defects.  Thus far, two issues have bubbled to the surface.  The first issue …
RELATED:
Arn / MacRumors:
iPad 2: GPU Benchmarked with Impressive Gains
Jon Evans / TechCrunch:
The Walled Garden Has Won  —  Ten days ago Google discovered that apparently innocuous Android apps were in fact infested with “DroidDream” malware that included an Android rootkit, with the apparent intent of creating a smartphone botnet.  It infected more than a quarter of a million devices before Google intervened.
Discussion: Beyond Search
Jesus Diaz / Gizmodo:
How to Activate the Best Secret Feature In Your iPad  —  How to Activate the Best Secret Feature In Your iPad Your new iPad—and old too, with iOS 4.3—has a new hidden feature that Apple doesn't want you to know about: Extra multi-touch gestures that completely changes the iPad experience …
Kellex / Droid Life:
WiFi-only Galaxy Tab Launching April 4 for $399?  —  One of our posse members was hanging out at a technology fair today and it just so happened to include a Samsung rep who was quick to hand out the flyer above which shows that the wifi-only Galaxy Tab version should be out by April 4.
RELATED:
Kara Swisher / BoomTown:
Exclusive: Engadget's Top Editors Topolsky and Patel Exit From AOL's Giant Tech Site
Michael Oryl / MobileBurn.com:
iSuppli estimates Apple iPad 2 3G component costs at $325  —  Research firm iSuppli is working on its teardown of the new Apple iPad 2 tablet computer and has provided preliminary component cost estimates to All Things Digital.  According to iSuppli, AT&T's iPad 2 3G has about US$326.60 worth of parts …
Discussion: Examiner and NewEnterprise
Robert McMillan / ITworld:
With hacking, music can take control of your car  —  Remote-controlled car hacking is a real possibility, researchers say - About 300 years ago, the English playwright William Congreve wrote, “music has charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.”
Discussion: Slashdot
Tim-o-tato / Droid Life:
Staples Ad For WiFi-only XOOM Shows March 27th Release?  —  So as was mentioned previously, it was looking like Staples was going to be selling the wifi-only XOOM some time in early April, but from the flyer above it looks like it may be sooner on March 27th.
Nik Rawlinson / PC Pro:
The emergency internet bunkers  —  Nik Rawlinson investigates the impregnable underground bunkers that will keep the net running during wartime  —  The Doomsday Clock shows 23:54.  If it ever reaches midnight, mankind's survival will be on the brink.  —  Since 1947, the Bulletin …
Discussion: Slashdot
Mark Gurman / 9 to 5 Mac:
Apple now taking Red Cross donations through iTunes for Japan relief fund  —  Apple has opened up a new portal in the iTunes Store to take donations for the Japan earthquake and tsunami relief fund.  Users who wish to donate can donate in $5, $10, $25, $50, $100, and $200 increments.
RELATED:
Ingrid Lunden / mocoNews:
Mobile Giving: A List Of Shortcodes To Donate To Japan
Discussion: WinRumors and textually.org
Alexia Tsotsis / TechCrunch:
Zynga Enables Donations To Tsunami Relief Through In-Game Purchases
Thanks:danidudeck
 
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Alex Chitu / Google Operating System:
Chrome 12 Will Drop Support for Google Gears
Discussion: Gears API Blog and thechromesource
 

 
From Mediagazer:

Jon Brodkin / Ars Technica:
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced she will leave the agency on January 20; she was the first woman to be confirmed to lead the agency

Evan Drellich / New York Times:
The MLB is planning national packages for streaming companies to bid on in 2028, when its national TV deals with ESPN, Fox, and Turner expire

Lauren Forristal / TechCrunch:
Tubi launches Scenes, a mobile feature that lets viewers watch 60-to-90-second trailer-style clips from its library to help with content discovery

 
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