The tech circuit

CEBU, Philippines –  “Facebook Privacy Hoax” makes rounds online

A hoax telling netizens that Facebook was going to charge a monthly fee to keep data stored on the social network private went viral last week. It called on Facebook users to copy-paste a “legal notice” on their News Feeds, as a means to protect their online content at no cost.

Much to the chagrin to technology writers and journalists, many followed the hoax’s instructions – failing to remember similar Facebook hoaxes that were circulated in the past.

Facebook – via an official Facebook post – confirmed that the advisory was just another hoax.

Twitter rumored to forgo its 140-character limit

Word of Twitter planning to roll out a new product that isn’t limited to the company’s 140-character posting limit got tech pundits talking last week.

The rumors don’t say how the product would take form – only that it will enable Twitter users to publish “long form” content, as opposed to the limited character number format that has since been the standard for the micro-blogging platform.

Different online articles on the matter attribute statements from multiple sources – unnamed persons who are claimed to be familiar with the company’s plans. Twitter is yet to officially confirm that it’s breaking the 140-character limit – but the rumor has already sparked positive reception among social-mediaholics.

Google Street View to rove the country’s streets

Google – with the support of the Department of Tourism – announced last month that the Philippines is the 69th country to have “Street View” streams via Google’s spectrum of mapping-assistance services.

“Street View” is a Google service that provides users with 360-degree views of a location’s historic landmarks and other places of interest – affording a “ground zero” view of different locations and destinations.

Accessible via the “Google Maps” app or via the stand-alone “Street View” app, Google has set its sights on documenting UNESCO World Heritage sites, popular tourist spots and historic landmarks in the country.

British technology company launches in Cebu

The 2015 lineup of cordless vacuum cleaners and bladeless fans by the Dyson brand was introduced during the brand’s Cebu Grand Launch on September 18.

Held at the third level of the Rustan’s Department Store at the Ayala Center Cebu, the launch had White Planet Inc. executives Warren Sy and Bobby Yan – both representing the Manila-based exclusive distributor of Dyson in the Philippines – leading the activities. Yan himself demonstrated how Dyson’s cordless vacuum cleaners are different from the standard vacuum cleaner models.

Dyson is one of the world’s leading future-forward technology companies, founded by the inventor of the world’s first bag-less vacuum cleaner, James Dyson. With cordless vacuum cleaners in upright and handheld forms – along with bladeless fans that utilize air multiplier technology to create an uninterrupted airflow stream – the company is known for developing products that are built around actual need, not around features alone.