Firefox 14 Encrypts Search; Microsoft Browser Glitch; AT&T Charging for FaceTime?

Topping tech headlines Tuesday, Mozilla's Firefox 14 browser update hit computers with automatically encrypted Google searches. The move looks to "protect your data from potentially prying eyes," Mozilla said, citing network administrators who can spy while you use public or shared Wi-Fi networks. Google is currently the only search engine that allows encrypted searches on Firefox 14, but Mozilla said it hopes to add more.

Meanwhile, Microsoft could be in trouble, again, with the European Commission after it failed to roll out the mandated "browser screen choice" (BCS) to Windows 7 service pack 1 (SP1) users. Redmond called the oversight a "technical error," and said the BCS missed about 28 million PCs running Windows 7 SP1. Microsoft began rolling out a fix on July 3, and expects all users to have the missing BCS by the end of this week.

In the mobile arena, when Apple's iOS 6 begins shipping later this year, one of its various new features may include FaceTime access on both Wi-Fi and cellular networks, but it may come at a price. Literally. On Monday, 9to5Mac reported that while testing the app on the AT&T network, it requested account activation via the provider. Video chatting over the cellular network is likely to use loads of bandwidth, so it's not too surprising that this might be under consideration.

Also making headlines Tuesday:

• Wearable Tech Pioneer Assaulted at Paris McDonald's: The "father of wearable computing" was not lovin' it when he was attacked at a French McDonald's early this month, simply for wearing a pair of unusual digital glasses.
• Google Adds Panoramic Antarctica Images to Street View: Google continues to grow its armchair exploration efforts by adding 360-degree views of Antarctic locations as part of its World Wonders Project.
• Another Decent, Unspectacular Quarter for Intel: The chip giant reported small sales and profits gains this week, but has lost its pre-recession spark.
• Madi Malware Hits Middle Eastern Targets: Middle Eastern government, financial, and academic officials were discovered to be the victims of an eight-month malware attack, the second in the area.
• Yahoo Reports Earnings as Mayer Takes CEO Reins: New Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer skipped out on the company's earnings report Tuesday, when the search giant announced better-than-expected second quarter earnings.
• Viacom Restores Online Access to Daily Show, Colbert Report: The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, and other programs have been restored online by Viacom, after a dispute with DirecTV forced their removal.
• iPhone Rumor Tips Slimmer Touch Screen: Apple may be building a thinner touch screen to boost image quality and perhaps allow for a larger battery in the next-generation iPhone model, expected later this year.
• Google+ Tops Facebook in Customer Satisfaction: Newcomer Google+ is crushing its popular social networking rival Facebook in terms of consumer happiness, earning a satisfaction score of 78 out of 100.
• OnStar, RelayRides Roll Out Vehicle-Sharing Service: Put your old car to good use by renting it to someone in need of transportation, through the new partnership between OnStar, General Motors, and RelayRides.

For more from Stephanie, follow her on Twitter @smlotPCMag.

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Source: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2407292,00.asp?kc=PCRSS05039TX1K0000749

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