The Weekender: Social Security numbers, maps security, and life with a Chromebook
Welcome to The Verge: Weekender edition. Each week, we’ll bring you important articles from the previous weeks’ original reports, features and reviews on The Verge. Think of it as a collection of a few (very few!) of our favorite pieces from the week gone by, which you may have missed, or which you might want to read again.
 | The Xperia Tablet S is the first Sony tablet to feature the Xperia branding, and as such is something of a re-launch for the company. The tablet is out now, starting at $399 — is it enough to elevate Sony into the Android tablet race? |
 | Somehow, Social Security numbers have become America's de facto identifiers. Adrianne Jeffries investigates how that happened, the problems it's caused in the 75 years since their creation, and what (if anything) we can do about it. |
 | Can one man survive without 'Counter-Strike' and Photoshop? Louis Goddard tries it so you don't have to. |
 | Among the three companies, Apple's new mapping product is the most transparent — but when it comes to national security, is that a good thing? |
 | "Double down" has becoming a running joke in the consumer technology industry, a phrase used by executives to inspire confidence in their failing businesses. We've put together a quick look at some of the more notable double-downs in recent memory. |
 | Paul Miller's offline experiment continues and this week, he turns his eye to email, the oft-hated form of communication he now lives without. |
