Propelling Web 2.0

Netscape Finds a New Home
Search Engine Journal
Despite many predicting its imminent demise, Netscape’s dig-like social news service has resurfaced, this time under the name Propeller. A number of bloggers are expecting site traffic to be dramatically lower without the Netscape brand, but Loren Baker predicts that the new domain will quickly grow popular. “I foresee this service squeezing its juice all over the news sites and blogs which participate in the social news sharing and voting arena, especially with all of the Netscape redirects and expected links from AOL properties.”

Mobile Social Networks Eye Presence Detection
TechCrunch
A handful of startup companies are trying to build mobile social networks around the concept of presence detection. As Michael Arrington explains, “Knowing when your friends are around, and having the ability to meet new people who share your interests (even if it’s just that you are both single), will drive massive usage of networks.” In his popular blog TechCrunch, Arrington details several companies that offer this feature, but he argues that until “massive usage” is achieved, many potential users will be hesitant to get on board.

iPhone Unlock Now Freely Available
jkOnTheRun
While already available for $99, a hack to unlock the Apple iPhone can now be downloaded for free. Apple has reportedly said it will not try to block third party applications, but James Kendrick suspects that the company can and will take action to reverse this hack. “I would be very surprised if Apple didn't have the ability and the plan to undo any unlocking that is applied by the end-user. Apple can roll out "updates" whenever they want via iTunes and it could get messy to keep the iPhone unlocked.”