The Controversy Surrounding Mobile App Path: A Gadget Lab Podcast Discussion

Summary

The hosts of the Gadget Lab podcast discuss the recent controversy surrounding the mobile app Path, which was found guilty of uploading users’ address book data to its server without their consent. They debate the necessity of apps to access such data and conclude that opt-in policies should be enforced. The podcast then shifts to speculation about the potential release of the iPad 3 or iPad HD, discussing various rumors surrounding its updated features and education pricing. The hosts joke about lining up for the release and closing the episode by teasing the possibility of more Apple-related stories in the future.

The Tattoo Challenge or iPhone Case Giveaway
Rumors Surrounding the Release of the iPad 3
The Debate on App Access to Address Book Data
Potential Education Pricing for the iPad 3
The Release Date and SXSW Event
Conclusion

The Tattoo Challenge or iPhone Case Giveaway

The podcast conversation begins with a unique opening of a challenge where the winner can choose to get a suggested tattoo or a Vapor Pro case. The hosts analyze the challenge and choose the case, excitedly moving the conversation to the more pressing topic of the day – the rumors surrounding the release of the iPad 3 or iPad HD.

Rumors Surrounding the Release of the iPad 3

The topic of discussion is centered on the speculation of the highly anticipated release of the iPad 3 or iPad HD. The hosts debate if Apple will lower the price or push more educational pricing for the new release. The potential updates on the display, battery, processor, and camera is discussed, with the release date rumored to be around the first week of March. The podcast hosts discuss the intriguing possibilities of the new tablet and the problems it may solve.

The Debate on App Access to Address Book Data

The crux of the podcast is the recent scandal surrounding the mobile app Path, which has been uploading users’ address book data without their consent. The CEO of Path, Dave Mora, apologized for the mistake, citing that some of the app’s features required the use of address book data. The podcast hosts argue that apps that require such data should have opt-in policies available for users.

The hosts also bring up the fact that this is not the first time a social network app has accessed users’ address book data without their consent. Facebook and other social network apps have been guilty of similar actions in the past. The hosts discuss the public’s general lack of knowledge regarding companies’ access to their data and the need for more comprehensive privacy settings.

Potential Education Pricing for the iPad 3

The hosts switch back to the potential release of the iPad 3 and discuss the possibility of education pricing for the new tablet. They debate the benefits of allowing more students access to the device and the potentially positive economic impact of the pricing model.

The Release Date and SXSW Event

The hosts conclude by discussing the rumored release date of the iPad 3, which is speculated to be around the first week of March. This is also the same time as the SXSW Interactive event, which the hosts speculate may be related to the iPad 3’s release. They joke about the possibility of lining up for the release and closing the episode by teasing the possibility of more Apple-related stories in the future.

Conclusion

The Gadget Lab podcast provides an insightful discussion on the recent controversy surrounding the mobile app Path and the issues surrounding apps’ access to users’ address book data without their consent. The podcast also speculates on the potential release of the iPad 3 or iPad HD, discussing rumors, potential pricing models, and the release date. The hosts end on a lighthearted note, joking about the possibility of more Apple-related stories on their next episode.