NowITWorks.net

It seems that even Facebook has limits.  A new app was released this week called Breakup Notifier, which allows you to track friends that are in relationships so when their status changes, you can swoop in. Facebook is currently blocking this third-party application, despite 3.7 million users in the first three days that it was available. The official statement from Facebook is that they are “looking into it.”

Nothing says friendship like stalking your friend and then trying to pursue them while they are still picking up the pieces of their last relationship.

What do you think? Creepy or cool?

After years of preparation, NASA’s Stardust-NExT space craft will fly approximately 124 miles within comet Tempel 1 tonight, around 11:40 p.m

Find out about NASA’s Stardust NExT mission, its goals and its Valentine’s Day 2011 rendezvous with comet Tempel 1.

Since Google has brought awareness to this, 2-step verification is popping up everywhere. Some banks are doing this now and Facebook is starting to as well.  It’s the next step to make sure your private online life stays private.

For those of you who hate passwords, you’ll need to get past that somehow.  Sadder news for you still, you will only continue to have more passwords to remember.  A word of caution – don’t use the same password for all of your accounts. Think of all the other things in life that you don’t/wouldn’t reuse, maintain that same sensibility for your passwords.

Read more about Google’s Two-Step Verification for Enhanced Security

New information shows that Windows OS use is dropping usage due to SmartPhones and other mobile devices.

I think about Microsoft Windows OS as this complicated animal, which it is, but because I don’t have the ability to modify the Droid OS, I don’t even think about it. I know it exists, but I don’t have the need to tinker.

Many different Operating Systems now exist, in addition to Microsoft Windows and Mobile Windows; Iphone/ipad, Kindle, Droid, Nook, Nintendo DS – any mobile device that can surf the web.

For more information, check out this article from Network World: Windows On The Verge of Dropping…

Every time someone gets infected with malware or spyware on their computer, I always get the same question: How did I get it, if I have a firewall and antivirus protection?

It’s a cat and mouse game – the better the security software, the better the bad guys have to be.

And now, it seems that you can buy software, called attack toolkits for as low as $40 for some or as much as $8,000. Essentially, any child or person (we are training them younger these days) who has $40 can purchase software to help them take down your PC.

Interested in more about this topic? Click here to visit this informational article from Network World.

Verizon announced that they will begin providing iPhone service to nearly 100 million customers, after years of AT&T having exclusive rights. This new version of the iPhone will be unveiled today, with sales of the device beginning in early February.

Here’s more information about this breaking technology story:

• MSNBC: Verizon to start selling iPhone on Feb. 10

• NASDAQ: Verizon Wireless Unveils Version of Apple iPhone

• SunSentinel: Verizon iPhone, here is what you should know

We hope that our customers here in New England are staying safe and preparing for the storm! We will be available tomorrow during regular working hours, as always.

Technology is useful and for the folks who enjoy being efficient – like me. This article is a great summary of some of the items I talk to people about on a daily basis.  Of course, I have my own vendors that I trust and utilize, but the concepts are the same.

Read the full article from the New York Times: 10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Technology.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Still looking for the perfect gift? For the socially conscious geek, Discovery News has compiled a list of some cool yet geeky gifts that are also earth friendly:

• solar powered water bottle cap $20

• hand crank LED flashlight and USB Charger $14

• dissolving traveling toiletries $4/pack

For the full list, click here: 10 Eco-Geek Gifts for Under $30

Wired magazine has released the Top 39 Products of 2010 – here are a few of the top rated products:

• Mobile Product of the Year: Apple iPad 3G

• Home AV Product of the Year: Netflix streaming

• Camera of the Year: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX

With ratings from 1 (complete failure in every way) to 10 (metaphysical product perfection) – read the full article to see where your favorite technology falls on the list!

This sounds strange at first but makes sense – Mount Everest has been provided with a 3G wireless internet connection. There are seven 3G stations in the area and this will allow climbers to make video calls, Tweet and surf the web.

“[Nepalese network provider] Ncell claims to have a base station that reaches up to the mountain’s summit.

According to Mashable, visitors of Mount Everest can now surf the web or place calls trough a standard GSM 3G network. This means that visitors are no longer limited to satellite phones to communicate with those at the bottom of the mountain who were too chicken to make the vertical hike.”

(Source: Geekologie)

And of course, this will be a huge asset to emergency workers who are looking for lost or injured hikers. Just another reason to love technology!

Have a safe Halloween weekend everyone!