Facebook f8 to bring music in desktop rivalry

Facebook's f8 conference next month is now very likely to include its rumored major music initiative, tipsters disclosed Wednesday. The service would be more of an aggregator and merge Spotify, MOG, Rdio, and other streaming music to play them through a central area on the social network. A pair of sources for Mashable made clear once again that this wouldn't involve direct hosting.

Responding to the rumor, Facebook claimed there was "nothing new to announce" but also didn't deny the plans. It was always in talks to "improve these integrations" between a music service and its network, a spokesperson said.

The approach would see Facebook avoid direct competition with other services or bias itself towards any one company. However, it would also signal an attempt by the site to claim ownership of music on the desktop and take away the influence of iTunes and other apps.

A possibility has simultaneously been raised today that Facebook could take advantage of that integration in mobile. Spotify just Wednesday published an third-party interface for iOS apps that would let others tie in its music. If used by Facebook, it could centralize music and social networking in one app and possibly lead to a shift in mobile music away from single-purpose apps.

By Electronista Staff

HTC to have special Beats Sensation, US Eternity

HTC signaled plans for a pair of likely US-bound phones on Wednesday through escaped official documents. One Beats audio processing. CNET heard that, along with better output, it would come with a higher-end set of in-ear headphones with an in-line remote.

The smartphone would get a quiet speed upgrade, too, jumping from the 1.2GHz Snapdragon of today to a faster 1.5GHz chip. To match, HTC would load up a larger 1,730mAh battery (versus 1,520mAh) and roughly quadruple the non-removable side of the storage to 4GB.

Pricing would be high on the phone when unsubsidized, at $847, but it would be including headphones that normally cost at least $120 at retail. A price quote alludes to the launch coming soon, although whether that involves a US release is still undetermined.

Separately, HTC has passed a Windows Phone 7 device through the FCC. Other than a PI39110 model number, little is given out, although it's clearly using WP7's Mango update as it has 3G hotspot support.

It could be the Eternity, a 4.7-inch flagship that could come to AT&T as soon as this month. If not, the only other known option would be the smaller but still competitive Omega. [FCC via Engadget]

By Electronista Staff

Microsoft accused of ignoring WP7 location info

Microsoft faced a lawsuit on Wednesday accusing it of violating privacy in Windows Phone 7. The federal Seattle suit claims that the phone's camera app marks the location over GPS even after the owner switches the feature off. The user, Rebecca Cousineau, further accused Microsoft of false testimony when it wrote Congress claiming that it only ever got location information with consent.

The lawsuit is intended as a class action and could see all Windows Phone 7 owners receive a payment from Microsoft if successful. Exact damages weren't mentioned.

Microsoft hasn't commented on the complaint but is expected to contest the accusations.

The lawsuit may prove a symbolic problem for Microsoft. Apple and Google have also been accused of collecting excess location data. Both, however, have either more explicitly outlined why they believe their location methods are permissions-based or have taken direct action. Apple released iOS 4.3.3 to cut back on the amount of data it collected and to better secure what was left. Google hasn't changed its approach but does, as a general rule, pop up a notice asking for permission any time it or an app developer needs location information.

US government officials have been increasingly scrutinizing the truth of the claims. A proposed Senate bill would make consent a matter of law rather than just a voluntary gesture.

By Electronista Staff