Today in Tech News Digest, Paper fights Paper in a story akin to David and Goliath, Windows 8.1 Update 1 leaks online, Google officially bans porn apps from Chromecast, Flappy Bird flies around the world, Apple releases its latest commercial, and Esurance is trolled on Twitter.

Paper Vs. Paper

So @FiftyThree should release an app called "Facebook" and be all "What...what's the problem?" [shrugs]

— Charlie O'Donnell (@ceonyc) February 4, 2014

Facebook's new Paper app is now available for download to iOS devices in the U.S. And it's receiving some very positive reactions, with TechCrunch suggesting it "could be a Facebook replacement," and The Verge labeling it "the best Facebook app ever." There's just one problem; there's another Paper, and the company behind it aren't happy that the name has been used so brazenly by Facebook.

The other Paper, the one that doesn't belong to Facebook, is a sketch app for iPad developed by a start-up called FiftyThree. As noted by Nick Bilton at Bits, FiftyThree has released a public statement asking Facebook to stop using the name, but to no avail. Facebook has so far declined to comment in public.

This is shaping up to be a battle between the behemoth that is Facebook and the little guy that is FiftyThree. In the meantime the publicity isn't harming either party.

Windows 8.1 Update 1 Leaks Online

http://youtu.be/Dvxh4t9jGyE

Windows 8.1 Update 1 has leaked online, appearing on several file-sharing sites despite not being due for release until March. The version released is only an early build but it still reveals some obvious changes, including a title bar for all 'Metro' apps, and more customization options for the Start Screen. Will these changes be enough to persuade people to upgrade from Windows XP?

Chromecast SDK Released, Minus Porn

Google opens Chromecast SDK, internet then swiftly builds extension to send random pics of Nichols Cage to your tv.

— Cameron Callahan (@camcallahan) February 4, 2014

Google has released the Cast SDK (Software Development Kit) to all developers looking to make apps for Chromecast. Unfortunately for all fans of pornography, "content that contains nudity, graphic sex acts, or sexually explicit material” is officially banned in the Terms of Service.

Chromecast was released six months ago, but until now only selected apps were allowed on the service. The release of the SDK means third-party apps will start appearing soon. This strongly suggests Google is serious about growing the impact of Chromecast, and an expansion into international markets is sure to follow.

The Flappy Bird Phenomenon

http://youtu.be/9DdQVnSQ6rE

You may have heard of Flappy Bird by now, as this frustratingly difficult mobile game has dominated the charts for both iOS apps and Android apps recently. It's not a great game, with simple gameplay mechanics and poor visuals, but it's succeeding thanks to its insane difficulty level, which means people keep playing and failing, playing and failing, repeat ad nauseum.

Flappy Bird was created by Vietnamese game developer Nguyen Ha Dong, who TechCrunch reports as suggesting the popularity of the game is "luck." VentureBeat has charted the worldwide popularity of Flappy Bird, and while the U.S. accounts for most downloads, its popularity is spreading to other countries fast. This game is clearly not going anywhere, but if you want to retain your sanity I advise you steer clear of Flappy Bird.

Apple Celebrates 1.24.14

http://youtu.be/zJahlKPCL9g

Apple recently celebrated the 30th birthday of its Macintosh computer, with January 24, 2014 marking the third decade of this phenomenal piece of hardware. As reported by Ina Fried at Re/code, Apple kept one of its celebrations quiet, with a short film marking the occasion being shot in 10 countries on five continents.

The film, embedded above, shows people around the world using Apple products, and was filmed entirely using iPhones and edited using Macs. Whether you love Apple or hate Apple, you have to admit they know how to make compelling commercials. Interestingly, Apple chose to post the video to YouTube rather than pay millions for an advertising spot during Super Bowl XLVIII. Talking of which…

Esurance Trolled By Twitter

Have we compiled a list of D-list celebrities who've debased themselves by tweeting to enter that Esurance game yet?

— Rob Hoffman (@Rob_Hoffman) February 4, 2014

And finally, Esurance has learned just how dangerous it is to use social networking for advertising. The company is offering to give $1.5 million away to someone, anyone, using the #EsuranceSave30 hashtag on Twitter. Millions of people have duly used the hashtag, but not all have been complimentary about the company.

As noted by CNET, obscenities, racism, and general nastiness have been uttered alongside the hashtag, and all of these tweets may be eligible to win the money. There are also people setting up fake Twitter accounts to try and fool people into thinking they have won. Will companies never learn that the Internet is a beast not easily tamed?

Tech News Digest… Breaking News Into Bite-Sized Chunks.

Image Credit: Dan Taylr