Tech 2.0 for Thursday, January 3, 2013

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Contributor: Matt Davenport

Email: mdavenport@kpvi.com

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Published: 1/03 11:36 am

Updated: 1/03 11:43 am

It has happened, there are now more Internet-connected gadgets than people in America. According to the NPD Group, there are 425 million Internet-connected devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles in American homes, compared to 311.5 million Americans. And it seems many Americans have a growing appetite for screen-sharing. The "shared-screen" experience, such as streaming a movie or photos from your smartphone or tablet to the TV, is expected to be used by more Americans in 2013.

You're looking at the iPhone 5, but word is out that Apple is already testing its next iPhone and mobile operating system. According to The Next Web, multiple developers of Apple apps say they're beginning to see references to iPhone 6 hardware running iOS 7 in their app data usage logs. App data usage logs help developers identify the types of devices and operating systems that are using their apps. What the logs don't reveal is anything about new features that may be coming with a new product.

Some of you might remember the old Facebook "poke." You know, the little nudge you'd give someone to remind them you existed. Well, the social media site has re-launched "poke" as an app... and it's not getting great reviews. In fact, some are calling it a dud. Basically, the new poke feature copies Snapchat, the app where users' messages self-destruct. A research expert from Altimeter Group claims Facebook just created the app to keep up with the younger users, but that the app is very badly done. The app hit number one in Apple's App Store on day one, it fell out of the top 50 just as quickly.

Intel's rumored venture into television service may have hit a roadblock. The Wall Street Journal reports the tech giant is having trouble coming to agreements over licensing content. According to the paper, that could delay the launch of its TV service to later this year. Intel is said to be developing a set-top box to provide Internet-based TV service.