Alphabet to shut Google+ social site after user data exposedThe Saigon Times Daily The Google app logo is seen on a smartphone in this picture illustration taken September 15, 2017 - PHOTO: REUTERS NEW YORK (REUTERS) - Alphabet Inc’s Google will shut down the consumer version of its failed social network Google+ and tighten its data sharing policies after announcing on Monday that private profile data of at least 500,000 users may have been exposed to hundreds of external developers. The issue was discovered and patched in March as part of a review of how Google shares data with other applications, Google said in a blog post. No developer exploited the vulnerability or misused data, the review found. Shares of its parent company Alphabet closed down 1% at US$1155.92 following the latest in a run of privacy issues to hit big U.S. tech companies. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that Google opted not to disclose the security issue due to fears of regulatory … [Read more...] about Alphabet to shut Google+ social site after user data exposed
Mobile share data plans
Telcos prepare plans to prevent network congestion at Tet
Local mobile carriers have unveiled plans to cope with possible network glitches during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, which falls next Friday. Customers are seen at a transaction facility of VinaPhone. Local mobile carriers have plans to cope with possible network glitches during the upcoming Lunar New Year holidayNetwork congestion frequently happens during the annual holiday as mobile users are inclined to upload photos and videos on social media rather than make calls or sent text messages on New Year’s Eve.Therefore, carriers with large numbers of subscribers are working harder to keep their networks from interruption.The military-run telecom giant Viettel Group said it is ready to guarantee the quality of its 2G, 3G, and 4G services in the forthcoming Tet. Notably, this is the first Tet the Viettel network has included 4G which now accounts for half of the total just after over 10 months of operation.Viettel has recently installed 1,000 4G cell towers, … [Read more...] about Telcos prepare plans to prevent network congestion at Tet
VinaPhone discounts iPad plans
VinaPhone has announced favourable data plans for iPad 3Gs. The operator is offering incentives to customers by discounting 30 per cent monthly subscription fee for post-paid mobile broadband subscribers. The lowest fee plan is VND35,000 ($1.75) per month with total data of 1Gb, lasting for 12 months. The highest fee plan has monthly subscription of VND175,000 ($8.75) for 6Gb a month. "We are really happy to bring our customers these data plans for iPad users to enjoy," said Ho Duc Thang, deputy general director of VinaPhone. iPads allow users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad's revolutionary multi-touch user interface. iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G models are 0.5 inches thick and weigh 1.6 pounds and deliver up to 10 hours of battery life for surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching … [Read more...] about VinaPhone discounts iPad plans
AT&T: FaceTime over cellular feature to be included in Mobile Share plans at no extra charge, not available for other data plans
AT&T is offering a bit of clarification on the rumors involving a standalone feature offering FaceTime over Cellular for an additional charge: the iOS6 feature (due out this fall) will actually be included at no extra cost, but only for those customers who opt for the Mobile Share plans. Anyone on the grandfathered unlimited data plans or traditional tiered offerings will only be able to rely on the good 'ol WiFi whenever they feel the urge to use Apple's video chat service. From the looks of it, it seems that AT&T is hoping to conserve the amount of network bandwidth that would be chewed up by unlimited customers, while also having it function as a value-added feature for its newest shared data plans. In terms of usage, this FaceTime capability will use up part of your data allotment (instead of minutes). So, the good news is that the feature is free -- the bad news is that it won't make unlimited users any happier. Find AT&T's official statement below. AT&T … [Read more...] about AT&T: FaceTime over cellular feature to be included in Mobile Share plans at no extra charge, not available for other data plans
AT&T and Verizon shared data plans compared
With the introduction of AT&T's Mobile Share this morning, the two largest mobile operators in the US (the other one, of course, being Verizon) have officially embraced the idea of pooled data plans. The concept is simple: bundle talk, text and data together in the same family plan, instead of forcing each individual member to pay a separate fee if they want internet access. With the announcement of these plans, we were instantly curious to find out if these new options will save customers money on a monthly basis -- and which company offers the best value. Determined to get some answers, we've broken down AT&T and Verizon's plans and will highlight the pros and cons for you after the break. On the surface, both companies offer nearly identical plans. Your family will receive unlimited talk and text, and the variation in cost will ultimately depend on how many devices you want to be covered by these plans (you can put up to 10 on each group), and how much data you want to … [Read more...] about AT&T and Verizon shared data plans compared