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UK Prime Minister exploring social media crackdown in wake of London riots (video)

As Londoners continue to pick up the rubble and carnage from this week’s riots, UK Prime Minister David Cameron is exploring new ways to maintain order — including, apparently, a government crackdown on social media. In a speech to members of Parliament today, Cameron made clear his belief that law enforcement officials should be able to curb and monitor the use of social networking sites under certain circumstances, lending credence to the theory that mechanisms like Facebook, Twitter and BlackBerry played a critical role in inciting the recent violence: “Free flow of information can be used for good. But it can also be used for ill. And when people are using social media for violence we need to stop them. So we are working with the Police, the intelligence services and industry to look at whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality.” There’s a fine line separating issues of national security from the rights to free speech, but it’s a line that Cameron seems willing to toe. And, though he and his Conservative government are only mulling the idea, it’s difficult to ignore the irony in his statements. Keep in mind that this is the same man who roundly condemned Hosni Mubarak for shutting down Egypt’s internet at the height of its revolution, calling for the now-ousted leader to fully respect the “freedom of expression and communication, including use of telephones and the internet.” Cameron, of course, isn’t calling for anything nearly as drastic as what Mubarak orchestrated, nor is he facing anywhere near the same level of domestic turmoil. But the fundamental narrative remains the same: in the face of social upheaval, a national leader instinctively reaches for a digital muzzle as a stop-gap measure, while (perhaps) ignoring the larger, longer-term ramifications of his actions. Fortunately for the UK, though, Cameron is already doing one thing that Mubarak apparently never did — he’s thinking about right and wrong. Head past the break to see Cameron’s speech, in its entirety. Continue reading UK Prime Minister exploring social media crackdown in wake of London riots (video) UK Prime Minister exploring social media crackdown in wake of London riots (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

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iTableous is a white iPhone 4 fit for a giant (video)

If you like flying unicorns, you probably love giant flying unicorns, right? Well, the white iPhone 4 has officially gone from myth to reality, but it seems some folks are still chasing the dream in a BIG way. Case in point: iTableous, an outsized tabletop bearing a striking resemblance to the long-awaited iOS handset. Unlike previous iPhone tables we’ve seen, this one doesn’t support multi-touch — a wireless keyboard and mouse hold the keys to navigating this behemoth — but it does offer 4GB of DDR2 RAM, 500GB of internal storage, a 5.7 megapixel camera, 720p video recording, as well USB, HDMI and a good old 30-pin connector for hooking up the real-deal. What’s more, this iPhone’s a dual-booter, capable of running Mac OSX 10.6.7 (via Hackintosh ) and Windows 7 Professional. If you’re living at the tip of a beanstalk and need to shake that tired old 3GS, check out the video of iTableous in action after the break. Continue reading iTableous is a white iPhone 4 fit for a giant (video) iTableous is a white iPhone 4 fit for a giant (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

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Nokia N9 gets axed in Germany, global tour looks even more meager

Like slowly waking up from a sweet dream, the Nokia N9 is gradually slipping away from our conscious mind before it’s even released. We knew Stephen Elop & Co. didn’t have high interest in the one (and only) Meego smartphone in its repertoire, but it’s becoming very clear exactly how much the handset doesn’t matter to the company. Nokia’s confirmed with German site MobiFlip that the N9 will in fact not be making its way to Deutschland, just days after making it known that it has no plans to send the device to the US or the UK. Granted, those who can’t shake off their desire for the one-of-a-kind phone will still find alternative methods of procuring it, but this is still a solid indication that Espoo is only staring ahead to its future with Windows Phone , and the N9 is merely in its peripheral vision. Nokia N9 gets axed in Germany, global tour looks even more meager originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

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BMW’s Ultimate Drive app lets you share your favorite routes, crowdsources day tripping

Are you driving to get somewhere, or are you driving to drive ? That’s the fundamental question behind BMW ‘s Ultimate Drive — a new app that allows iPhone and Android users to share and rate their most enjoyable routes. With this arrow in your smartphone’s quiver, you can create and upload your favorite paths using Google Maps, while evaluating other user submissions based on traffic, scenery and that ever-elusive thrill factor. As CNET points out, the app won’t let you upload maps from your computer, nor does it allow for Yelp-style ratings of locations along the way, though those features may only be an update away. Check out the source links to download the free app and enjoy the journey. Full PR after the break. Continue reading BMW’s Ultimate Drive app lets you share your favorite routes, crowdsources day tripping BMW’s Ultimate Drive app lets you share your favorite routes, crowdsources day tripping originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

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Hitachi’s 50-inch P50-GP08 3D TV could be its Japanese swan song

If the P50-GP08 is indeed Hitachi’s last domestically produced TV, it would make for a pretty worthy finale. Unveiled today, this 3D TV features a 50-inch plasma screen capable of beaming images in full HD, 1920 x 1080 resolution, with a contrast ratio of 5,000,000:1. The beast also packs five TV tuners, a 500GB removable HDD, a quartet of HDMI ports and a motion sensor that turns off the set after a preset period of time (between five and 60 seconds). Best of all, everything can be controlled from the comfort of an iPad or iPhone, thanks to the Wooo Remote app, scheduled for release later this month (see an image, after the break). According to AV Watch, the P50-GP08 should start shipping on August 27th for about

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Nokia still ahead of Apple in smartphone sales, according to Gartner

Whoa there, Apple, we know you’re starting to feel pretty darn good about besting Nokia and Samsung for the title of world’s largest smartphone manufacturer , but hold on for just one minute. Gartner has a different idea of how the numbers game really works, and its interpretation makes all the difference in determining who earns the title. Rather than measuring the number of units each manufacturer ships out to the distributors (as IDC , ABI Research and Strategy Analytics do), Gartner gauges its numbers by how many devices were actually sold to end users instead. Thus, Nokia still keeps its title — for one more quarter, anyways. The firm is confident Espoo won’t be the top smartphone contender for much longer, thanks to the company’s grim Q3 outlook as it continues to await the transition to Windows Phone. But hey, there’s always Q4 , right? Right? Check out the full press release after the break. Continue reading Nokia still ahead of Apple in smartphone sales, according to Gartner Nokia still ahead of Apple in smartphone sales, according to Gartner originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

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Samsung Gravity Smart review

In this age of ever-expanding screen real estate, dual-core processors, and 3D cameras, the push to pack more features into every smartphone seems an irresistible force. But this technological ratcheting-up effect isn’t absolute, and in fact, there are plenty of people who prefer a more pedestrian device. One that simply gives them access to email, social networks, and apps without forcing them to pay an arm and a leg for hardware they’re in no position to appreciate. It’s these folks who Samsung’s after with its new Gravity Smart, as it gives you a bowl full of Froyo at a bargain basement price. However, the question remains whether Sammy can provide an agreeable Android experience at a sub-century price point. Read on to find out if this budget-minded slider is a worthy addition to the legion of phones powered by Google’s little green bots. Gallery: Samsung Gravity Smart review Continue reading Samsung Gravity Smart review Samsung Gravity Smart review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

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Apple’s carrier ranking patent application hints at global iPhone

Apple may be hard at work creating the one phone to rule them all (around the world), if this latest patent application is any indication. The filing, first submitted in April of last year, describes a software-based method of determining carrier rankings, allowing owners to browse through a database of network-specific features, such as voice and data, to determine their best fit and sign-up for service. Ideally, this future iPhone set-up would come courtesy of a truly global phone, packing all the necessary radios and software to surf along the globe’s wireless frequencies sans extra SIM cards. Rumors of an open handset have been circling Cupertino for a bit, much to the dismay of operators who fear the move would diminish their function as the industry’s gatekeeper, shifting power to consumers. Certainly, Jobs and co. have a high hurdle to overcome if this purported world phone is to ever become a reality. In the meantime, why not just snag an unlocked device? [Thanks, Neil] Apple’s carrier ranking patent application hints at global iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

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Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy app coming to the iPad, Don’t Panic decal not included

Canadian indie developer Hothead Games is producing a Hitchhikers Guide app, aiming to replicate the titular guide itself (rather than the novels). When it arrives this fall, we can expect beautifully animated sequences describing the Babel Fish and Vogon Poetry — but just a single word about planet Earth (the addition of the word “Mostly” should come in a second, more sinister update). Visit the holding page and you’ll hear the unmistakably honeyed tones of Simon Jones who played Arthur Dent in the original TV and radio series. If he’s voicing the guide then this will be a must-have for fans, taking over a role made famous by his father, Peter Jones, and later Stephen Fry in the movie. As the app is iOS only, Android users should probably still panic — or make a trip to their local laser etching station. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy app coming to the iPad, Don’t Panic decal not included originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

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Mad Catz Cyborg Rat Albino first hands-on

Mad Catz’ aggressively named “Rat” mouse line already looks like an exploding space ship of awesome in the form of a humble human interface device, but why not give it a hint more futuristic edge? Enter the Cyborg Rat Albino, Mad Catz’ alabaster successor to the Rat 7, hitting the scene looking sleeker, cleaner, and somehow ever-so-slightly more futuristic than its matte black brethren. Although the Albino is still technically a Rat 7 itself, this murine clicker squeaked into the Engadget game room to show us it had a little more to flaunt than just a new paint job. Gallery: Cyborg Rat Albino first hands-on Continue reading Mad Catz Cyborg Rat Albino first hands-on Mad Catz Cyborg Rat Albino first hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

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