By Cynthia Herbert :: 1:42 PM
Facebook today has rolled out a new feature that allows public wall posts to be embedded in the code of other websites.
The new functionality allows Facebook users to insert posts directly into their blog or web site. When embedded, posts will show pictures, videos, hashtags and other content, similar to how it is shown on Facebook’s site. Visitors can interact with the embedded posts, similar to how they do on Facebook, and like and share directly from the embedded content.
As an example (below), Facebook has shown how the official British Monarchy Page published a post shortly after the royal baby was born earlier this month. You can click the #RoyalBabyBoy hashtag directly from the embedded post to discover similar content on Facebook.
To embed a post, follow these steps:
1)Go to the post you want to embed
2) Click the icon in the top right of the post and select Embed Post
3) Copy and paste the code that appears and add it to your own website or web page
Note: If you’ve already embedded a post onto a website but subsequently change the audience to anything other than “public,” a message saying the embedded post is no longer available will show on the website the code has been embedded on.
By Paul Thomson :: 10:36 PM
BMW today took the wraps off its first electric vehicle, the i3, and the company’s Chief Executive, Norbert Reithofer, stated that the automaker will need to increase sales of battery and plug-in electric vehicles sharply in the next 10 to 12 years to comply with regulatory obligations.
The i3 will hit U.S. markets next year, with a price tag of just over $41,000. Customers who want the flexibility of a gasoline motor along with the all-electric vehicle can add an optional range-extending fossil fuel burner that pushes the cost up to around $45,000.
BMW’s new model will compete in the U.S. with offerings from Tesla Motors. The U.S. carmaker’s Model S luxury sedan carries a much heftier price tag of nearly $70,000 before tax incentives are calculated. However, the i3 is much smaller than the Model S, and won’t compete on a model-to-model basis, although Tesla is said to be readying other models for the U.S. market.
For direct comparisons, BMW’s i3 will provide between 80 to 100 miles of driving between charges.The electric Fiat 500e, which starts at $32,600, has an 87 mile range, and Nissan’s Leaf, priced at just under $30,000, has a 75 mile range.
By Paul Thomson :: 10:31 AM
Video (below) has surfaced this morning of yesterday’s horrific rail crash in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Footage of the accident was obtained from a security camera that was adjacent to the tracks at the time of the derailment. It shows the express train jumping the tracks as it rounded a curve.
At least one of the train cars burst into flames after the accident, and another car was broken in half. Local law enforcement officials have stated that at least 78 passengers were killed in the crash, and over 185 were injured.
The cause of the accident has not yet been determined, but many transportation experts believe excessive speed was a factor.
By Gilbert Falso :: 12:06 AM
A glitch in the software behind New York City’s new Citi Bike initiative has resulted in the release of personal and financial information, including credit card numbers, of at least 1,000 Citi Bike users.
In a letter sent to Citi Bike users last week, it was revealed that a data breach occurred in April, but was not discovered or fixed until late May. The breach affected 1,174 users who were signed on for annual memberships in the bike sharing program. An annual membership costs $95.
The breach was possible because a system error log that contained personal data was made accessible for a short time on the public facing Citi Bike website. The file contained the names and contact details of riders, along with credit card numbers with security codes, passwords, birth dates, and security questions used to log into the service.
According to a statement released by Citi Bike, there is, “no evidence that any personal information was maliciously accessed or misused.” Citi Bike is currently working with a security contractor to investigate the breach, and will provide identity and credit monitoring services free of charge to those customers affected.
By Paul Thomson :: 10:29 PM
A Boeing 737 belonging to Southwest Airlines experienced a landing gear failure when it touched down at New York’s LaGuardia airport earlier today.
The aircraft’s nose gear collapsed, and the plane tilted forward, skidding along the ground and sending sparks flying. At least ten people, including both passengers and crew members, were injured in the accident.
According to the FAA, the pilot of the plane, inbound from Nashville, Tennessee, had reported possible issues with the landing gear shortly before touching down. 149 passengers and crew were on board when the plane careened to a stop on a grassy area adjacent to the runway it landed on.
Passengers deplaned from the aircraft via emergency chutes at the rear of the plane.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were on the scene and assessing the situation. Airport officials hope to have the plane moved out of the way by early Tuesday morning to return to normal operations on the affected runway.