Techmeme
February 3, 2014, 7:20 PM

Top News

Nick Bilton / NYT Bits:
Facebook declines to change name of Paper news app at the request of FiftyThree, maker of iPad drawing app Paper  —  Makers of Paper App Ask Facebook to Change Its New App Name  —  If you go to Google and type in the word “paper,” the top result doesn't have anything to do with traditional pulpy vellum.
Josh Constine / TechCrunch:
Paper Now Available For iOS In The US, And It Could Be A Facebook Replacement  —  Facebook's new standalone app Paper is now available for download on iOS to everyone in the US, and it's more than just a content reader.  Paper has messages, notifications, search, and a completely redesigned profile.
Ellis Hamburger / The Verge:
This just in: Paper is the best Facebook app ever  —  With 1.25 billion users, can Facebook still think small?  —  After a long succession of mobile mishaps, he has delivered the portable Facebook app I've always wanted... and there's hardly any evidence that Paper is a Facebook product.
Richard Salgado / The Official Google Blog:
With inclusion of FISA requests, Google's transparency report now contains all types of government requests for users' information  —  Shedding some light on Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) requests  —  We believe the public deserves to know the full extent to which governments request user information from Google.
Ken Yeung / The Next Web:
Facebook, LinkedIn, Yahoo, Google and Microsoft disclose new data about number of NSA requests received  —  Facebook, LinkedIn, Yahoo, Google, and Microsoft have all released new data about the national security requests they've received.  Under new rules from the US government …
Tom Warren / The Verge:
Windows 8.1 Update 1 leaks on the web ahead of its March release  —  Microsoft's first update to Windows 8.1 has leaked today on various file sharing websites ahead of its March debut.  The early build includes a number of changes that Microsoft is making to improve the keyboard and mouse experience in Windows 8.1.
Scott Knaster / Google Developers Blog:
Ready to cast: Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK  —  Back in July we announced the developer preview of the Google Cast Software Development Kit (SDK), the underlying Chromecast technology that enables multi-screen experiences across mobile devices (phones, tablet, laptops) and large-screen displays.
Bloomberg:
Gates Seen Taking Bigger Products Role at Microsoft  —  Even as Bill Gates weighs giving up his title of chairman of Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), he's poised to remain involved at the company he co-founded in an area of its deepest need: crafting must-have products.
Chris Welch / The Verge:
Pebble app store launches on iOS, Android version due ‘very soon’  —  The Pebble app store is here.  Pebble has released a major update for its iOS app that includes the store, which offers 1000 apps and watchfaces at launch.  But convenience is more important than any one number …
Jeff John Roberts / Gigaom:
Passengers win ruling in fight over Gogo's in-flight Wi-Fi “monopoly”  —  A federal judge has refused to throw out a class action complaint by air travelers who claim that in-flight internet provider Gogo is violating antitrust laws through its long-term contracts with major airlines.
Ina Fried / Re/code:
Apple Celebrates 30th Anniversary of the Mac With Movie Shot on iPhones  —  To mark the 30th anniversary of the Mac, Apple gave its store workers special T-shirts, changed its home page and granted ABC News an interview with CEO Tim Cook.  —  But its biggest anniversary project was one done in secret.
Todd Spangler / USA Today:
Feds to propose requiring car-to-car communication  —  WASHINGTON — Obama administration officials said today that they are completing an analysis of data on vehicle-to-vehicle communication and will propose requiring that automakers equip new cars and light trucks with technology that lets vehicles communicate with each other,
New York Times:
As device makers strive to improve battery and charging tech, Apple tests inductive charging for its watch  —  Building a Better Battery  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The next breakthrough smartphone, or maybe the one after that, might not have a traditional battery as its sole source of power.

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Danny Sullivan / Marketing Land: