Category: Top stories
Web censorship more widespread than expected
A study carried out by the OpenNet Initiative shows that at least 25 countries around the world block websites for what are usually political or social reasons. China, Iran, Myanmar, Syria, Tunisia and Vietnam had the most extensive filters for political sites. Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen had the strictest social-filtering practices, blocking pornography, gambling and gay and lesbian sites. The study was limited in its scope It didn’t include any countries in North America or Western Europe on grounds that filtering practices there have been better known than elsewhere, and they wanted to study something new. [GT]
Panorama Wi-Fi scare: Academic experts dismiss fears
The debate on whether Wi-Fi is bad for your kids’ health is still thrumming in advance of tonight’s episode of Panorama investigating the issue. I’ve had my say on how worrying it is for consumers, and we’ve heard from Exradia’s Jim Lawler, who thinks the industry should be leading the way in addressing Wi-Fi fears.
Top 10 rumours that might do an Apple / Engadget on other tech firms
Poor Apple. One blog post about an iPhone delay based on a faked internal memo, and $4bn is wiped off its stockmarket value. Which has to make you wonder, what in God’s name will happen to Apple’s share price if the iPhone turns out to be rubbish? It’s a thought.
Another thought: could this happen to other tech firms? What sort of crazy rumour would send Microsoft’s stock diving, for example, or grind Sony’s share price into the dust? Weeell….
Is Wi-Fi safe? Why Panorama's health risks report will worry parents
Stuart Dredge writes…
As I write this, I’m upstairs at home, connected to the internet via my home Wi-Fi network. The router sits downstairs next to the TV, and right now my three-week-old son is sleeping just a few feet away from it. Rather than providing for his future welfare, is my work actually frying his brains with Wi-Fi radiation?
Beatles on iTunes? It's not such a big deal
Stuart Dredge writes…
Right now, the Apple online gossip-hounds are distracted by trying to think up more rumours big enough to shave a few billion of the company’s share price. I’ve heard Steve Jobs is about to jump ship to Microsoft to kickstart Zune sales *taps nose*
Top Ten superstar DJ gadgets
The wheels of steel aren’t dead; they’re just evolving. While there are still plenty of DJs out there playing vinyl records to adoring crowds of blootered enthusiastic clubbers, new technology is having a big effect on dancefloors around the world.
Microsoft, Blu-ray, and the back-up plan?
Andy Merrett writes…
Last week we reported that, based on an iTmedia interview with Peter Moore, there was the possibility that Microsoft would support Blu-ray via the Xbox 360 console if that format became dominant over HD DVD at some time in the future.
Apparently, we were wrong.
On the Gamerscoreblog, a Microsoft representative “cleared the air” by stating that those reports were based on taking Moore’s words out of context, and are simply incorrect.
We firmly stand behind the HD DVD format as the best choice for consumers. Current reports indicating that Microsoft has a back-up plan, which includes Blu-ray support are incorrect. We’re fully committed to HD DVD and have absolutely no plans to support other optical formats.
Now I’m left wondering if Microsoft is arrogant, or stupid, or both.
One day, robots will play in the FA Cup final…
There’s only two days to go until the FA Cup final, and an eager nation is waiting to indulge in a mass bout of schadenfreude if Chelsea lose and end the season with just the Carling Cup to show for their roubles. So far, Roman Abramovich has concentrated on splashing his cash on flesh-and-blood footballers…
Please: no more wooden retro DAB radios
Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) is the future, right? It's Radio 2.0, providing crystal-clear access to loads of digital stations, some of which aren't available on FM. It's starting to get interactive features too, including proper EPGs, two-way connectivity, and the ability to pause live radio and record shows.
