Social+Network+Update+3

__**Social Networks **__ Update #3



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** February 19th 2011 **** Posted by: Kayla Drake ** ** The Article: Gay-friendly options unveiled on Facebook **** By: Ani of Hindustan Times ** Great news for the LGBT community as Facebook has now launched it's same sex partnership status option. Couples of the same sex can now change their relationship status to “in a civil union” or “in a domestic partnership” officially on facebook. This has marked a big break through for the Gay community and has received very positive feedback from the change. This article discusses the big change in social networking with an official public acceptance of the gay community on facebook. This could possibly set a trend, to be continued throughout the rest of the social networking community.

**February 24th 2011****Posted By: Heather A. Shadd** **The Article:** Disney Buys Social Networking site Togetherville **Copyright © 2011, Los Angeles Times**

"Togetherville is very focused on trying to really reflect what the adult community has been doing on the Web and build a real online experience that adults enjoy for kids, but do it in a safe, COPPA-compliant way," said founder and Chief Disney has acquired an online social network, Togetherville to cater to pre-adolescents and younger. Disney states that the social network "allows for parental supervision" which makes me think there is still an opportunity for children to experience the tribulations older social networking sites face. Togetherville's main objective is to gather children under the age of 10 and socialize with others their own age by playing games and creating works of art for one another. Is this a chance for children to better engage and be more creative or is this just another means of couping up our society in our "private" sectors and diminishing creativity? Disney's new buy is one for debate and discussion.


 * February 27th 2011 **
 * Posted By: Madison Jones **


 * The Article: [|Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg Says No Facebook-Branded Phone, But Dozens With Facebook Integration]**
 * By: Jessica Guynn**

Mark Zuckerberg has denied rumors that Facebook planned to launch its own phone, saying the world's most popular social networking site would instead help roll out dozens of phones. Facebook is giving mobile phone manufacturers the software to build social networking into their operating systems. Facebook wants smart phones to more seamlessly deliver the experience users have on its online service. It was stated that Facebook planned to focus on mobile in 2011 as vital to its future. Nearly 31% of users accessed social networking from smart phones in January, according to research firm ComScore. Facebook has introduced a new SIM card made with Gemalto which makes it easy for people with a feature phone to access Facebook. HTC just released two new smart phones targeting Facebook users, the ChaCha and the Salsa. Each has a dedicated Facebook button that makes it easy to access the site.


 * March 2nd 2011 **
 * Posted By: Sadie Eisley **

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/social-media/Facebook-blamed-for-1-in-5-divorces-in-US/articleshow/7609917.cms
 * The Article: Facebook Blamed For 1 in 5 Divorces**

=
Facebook has socially been known to cause relationship problems for young couples thanks to jealousy issues caused by the availability to converse with all types of people, but now it is actually breaking up marriages. According to this article 1 in every 5 divorces in the US reference Facebook during the actual divorce case. The article states that according to research more and more marriage therapists and divorce lawyers are hearing that social networks, specifically Facebook, are playing a role in the divorce of numerous couples. The aspect of Facebook that is leading to these separations is the possibility of re-connecting with emotionally available high school friends who they set out to catch up with, but end up with something more. As the number of divorces continues to rise in the United States more people are looking for something to blame, and it now seems that Facebook is taking the heat. The article ends by offering suggestions of how to connect with old friends on Facebook while maintaining your marriage. It states that couples should set boundaries and offer to share passwords with one another……'=====




 * March 10, 2011 **
 * By: Brook Bentley **

[] The link above is an article that discusses a new feature arriving to Facebook. The feature is to rent movies. The first movie to employ this action will be //Dark Knight//. This will allow a Facebook user to rent the video for $3.00. They movie is good for 48 hours. It can be paused and resumed during this time. Renting the film from Facebook also leaves you full interaction on Facebook. You can stay connected while watching the movie you just rented. In addition the video will be available to watch in full screen if desired.
 * Warner Bros. to Rent Movies Digitally on Facebook, Starting With 'Dark Knight'**

This is an interesting move for Facebook. With other sites such as hulu, Netflix and network sites streaming videos this will allow Facebook to compete. It reminds me of the idea of On Demand on the television applied to the Internet. With the shift of everything occurring online and some people not having cable this bridges the movie into the Internet with renting a movie instantly. It will also provide a new ground of revenue for Facebook.


 * March 10, 2011 **
 * By: Megan Salkin **

=As Charlie Sheen Tweets, Twitter’s Valuation Grows= (Sorry, I had to.) [|Article Link] by Evelyn M. Rusli, Dealbook, NYTimes



Like we all haven't heard it enough, "Charlie Sheen has posted the word “winning” more than a dozen times since starting his Twitter account on March 1." Although this is unfortunate for us who have had enough of Sheen, his rapid success (1 million followers in 25 hours) is upping Twitter's valuation. As demonstrated by Sheen, other entities (corporations, etc) can see Twitter's potential in "winning" them an engaged audience in very little time. Not only is Twitter's valuation growing, but also is marketers' interest in Twitter. Hence, the more people to target, the more potential profit for all involved.


 * March 10, 2011 **
 * By: Alex Pilon **

=Google Gets Social=


 * [[image:Picture_1.png width="482" height="396"]]﻿ **

Google has upped their social game and enhanced their "profile" capabilities. Although profiles have always been available, users now have more control over the look of their page and the information posted. Google requires a minimum amount of information such as full name, occupation, photo, gender, etc. and although it has a very similar layout to our beloved Facebook, it is not quite a social network compared to what we are used to. It seems all companies are heading down the social path, it will be interesting to see if Facebook remains on the top.

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