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Google talks back in new voice search

CNET Update wants answers:

In this episode of Update:

- Get chatty with Google's new voice search on the Chrome browser. But Google's still working out the kinks, so don't expect it to be flawless at first search.

- Give your home the right touch with a Kwikset Kevo door lock that opens with a finger tap.

- Hear what a Walmart executive has to say about the future of shopping with apps.

- Plan to give your future GM car some apps to call its own.

- Share your e-mail to advertisers with the click of a tweet. … Read more

Twitter fights hacking with two-factor authentication

After a string of high-profile hacking incidents, Twitter has finally introduced a two-factor authentication system as a way for members to keep their accounts more secure.

On Wednesday, the information network rolled out the new login verification feature, which people can select to require entry of a six-digit code, in addition to their standard password, to gain access to their Twitter accounts.

"When you sign in to twitter.com, there's a second check to make sure it's really you," the company said in a blog post announcing the optional security feature.

The two-factor system mirrors that … Read more

Twitter lets advertisers collect contact info from tweets

Twitter aims to turn the tweet stream into a more efficient marketing channel with the addition of a new Twitter Card that lets people quickly sign up for advertiser offers or promotions inside tweets.

Twitter Cards, also known as expanded tweets, are a 1-year-old feature meant to keep information network users glued to their streams. Cards bring rich media from partners to tweets so that when people click to expand a tweet, they can view and interact with photos, videos, content snippets, and product information without needing to leave Twitter.

On Wednesday, the company added a Lead Generation Card that … Read more

Woman outed after Twitter brag that she hit cyclist

Road rage can mist the eyes. There is no reason, however, for that mist to travel to the brain.

Yet this may have happened in the case of Emma Way and her indomitable belief in the right of Way.

Way was allegedly driving her car through Norfolk, England last Sunday. Maneuvering wasn't, perhaps, so easy as she encountered a 100-mile cycle ride called the Boudicca Sportive.

It seems, though, that she channeled her inner combative Boudicca and asserted herself excessively.

Please don't take my word for it. Take hers on Twitter: "Definitely knocked a cyclist off his … Read more

Hooked Up: The iPad-obsessed Christina Milian and her love of tech

In this week's Hooked Up episode, Kevin Frazier hangs out with Grammy-nominated singer, actress, and fashion designer Christina Milian. She talks about her love for technology, how she started off in AOL chat rooms during the early days of the Internet, and the technology and apps she can't go without.

She's also the social-media correspondent for "The Voice," and she talks about how it allows her to connect the performers to the audience in a genuine way.

Christina's truly a gadget girl and she's obsessed with Google Glass so I'll break down … Read more

Teens: Facebook is just, like, too much drama

When your hormones are harassing you to within an eyebrow-width of your sanity, all you want is a simple life.

You want to be able to curl up with the kind of social network that understands you and doesn't give you headaches.

That kind of social network is, increasingly, not Facebook.

At least this is what teens seem to have told the Pew Research Center during its latest study.

Indeed, the teens surveyed were disturbed by the increased presence of adults and the increased tendency of other teens to angst-ridden self-expression on Mark Zuckerberg's site.

There is, as … Read more

Review: Carbon for Twitter enhances your social media experience

Now that Twitter is no longer blocking third-party apps, it's time to love your Twitter feed again, thanks to Carbon for Twitter. Carbon for Twitter adds all sorts of speed and style to your Twitter profile. It doesn't even sacrifice any of the features you love, in order to do it.

This app lets you view your Twitter profile, so you need to log in to Twitter to use it. It gives your Twitter a darker layout, which is so much easier on the eyes and on your gadget's battery. Carbon for Twitter seems to load new … Read more

Twitter granted 'refresh' patent, vows to use it only defensively

Twitter has won a new patent that it hopes to use as an example to stem the tide of patent lawsuits.

Granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today, the patent named "User interface mechanics" refers to a way of refreshing the screen by pulling it down, a feature found in Twitter's mobile app as well as a host of other apps for smartphones and tablets.

In this case, though, the patent itself may be less important than the way it which Twitter plans to use it.

Under a new assignment known as the Innovator's Patent Agreement, … Read more

Pandora now lets you listen to albums before they're released

Dying to listen to the new Kanye West album before it's for sale? You just might be in luck.

Pandora, the music streaming site and app, on Tuesday launched Pandora Premieres, a station that allows listeners to preview upcoming albums up to a week before their release. The company said it will feature previews from a wide variety of artists, both established and emerging and across multiple genres.

Pandora Premieres will be updated weekly with new releases. Users can choose to hear any track on a featured album, in any order, and as many times as they'd like, … Read more