Today’s Top Stories in Tech, Mobile & Social Media

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Welcome to this morning’s edition of “First To Know,†a series in which we keep you in the know on what’s happening in the digital world. We’re keeping our eyes on four particular stories of interest today.

Facebook to Launch “Major†Profile Redesign at f8

Facebook plans to roll out a major redesign of user profiles at its f8 developer conference this week, Mashable has learned. The redesign is designed to make the site more “sticky,” and is rumored to include the launch of a music and media platform and more robust shopping capabilities.

Google Wallet Has Arrived

Google’s mobile payment system, Google Wallet, is now available publicly to those who use Sprint Nexus S 4G phones coupled with Citi MasterCards or Visa cards. Here’s why we don’t think you should trade your physical wallet for a Google Wallet just yet.

Samsung to Make Bada Open Source?

Samsung is considering turning its mobile platform Bada into an open-source project next year, according to reports.

Amazon Appstore Goes International for Some

Amazon’s Appstore, which launched in the U.S. in March 2011 to compete with Google’s Android Market, is now also available in Europe, India and Australia. The expansion has not yet been announced by Amazon.

Further News

• Foursquare has rolled out a new privacy option to help prevent users from unwittingly sharing home addresses with strangers.
• Thanks to a series of seemingly poor decisions, Netflix stock has lost half its value in a mere two months.
• Top Chef is giving ousted contestants a second chance with a web show.
• Opera Software has acquired mobile application platform Handster, the leading independent app store for Android applications.
• News International, the UK division of News Corp, is expected to pay 3 million pounds ($4.7 million) to settle phone hacking claims made by the family of 13-year-old murder victim Milly Dowler.
• Zynga has rolled out Lighthouse Cove, an expansion for its flagship FarmVille social game.

Image courtesy of iStockphoto, DNY59

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