social-networking features

Imagine how you'd feel if you peaked in middle school. That's pretty much what happened to cell phone maker Motorola Inc., which had a megahit in 2005 with its Razr handset but has since failed to fashion another that can approach its popularity.

The growing lineup of Android-powered devices has a new entry arriving Oct. 19. That's the date the Motorola CLIQ will be available to current customers, T-Mobile announced Tuesday. Others will be able to buy Motorola's first device for the Android open-source operating system on Nov. 2. The price is $199.99 with a two-year contract.

Automatic Syncing

Apple has confirmed it will hold its traditional invitation-only media event on Sept. 9 at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. An announcement of the rumored Apple tablet computer is unlikely, but Apple is expected to announce new iPods.

Invitations with an iPod-style silhouette holding what appears to be an iPod touch were sent to members of the press, with the words "It's only rock and roll, but we like it," a play on the title of a Rolling Stones song. A keynote address will begin at 10 a.m. Pacific time.

AT&T is poised to launch a new Motorola handset later this month that is expressly designed to deliver mobile socializing capabilities. Called the Karma, the 3G handset with QWERTY keyboard -- which will retail for $79.99 after the mail-in rebate -- combines text messaging and instant messaging with one-click Facebook and MySpace icons on the device's home screen.

Microsoft had the honor of the first major keynote at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles Monday, and got the much-anticipated conference off to a rousing start. The Redmond-based software giant introduced a number of new innovative features for its high-end gaming console, the Xbox 360, including social-networking features, a controller-less system for interacting with games, and 10 new titles.

Microsoft had the honor of the first major keynote at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles Monday, and got the much-anticipated conference off to a rousing start. The Redmond-based software giant introduced a number of new innovative features for its high-end gaming console, the Xbox 360, including social-networking features, a controllerless system for interacting with games, and 10 new titles.

Sony BMG Music Entertainment has agreed to pay $1 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the commission's implementing rule.

COPPA prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices in connection with the collection, use or disclosure of personally identifiable information from and about children under 13 on the Internet. The law requires operators to notify parents and obtain their consent before collecting, using or disclosing children's personal information.

The drumbeat of expectations for Apple's Sept. 9 announcements continues. Fueled by Apple's cryptic "Let's Rock" and "playing soon" e-mails to reporters, the blogosphere has lit up with opinions on what will be announced. One blog is even holding a contest for readers -- whoever gets the most announcements right, wins.