In the ongoing patent battle waged by Samsung and Apple, score one point for Samsung—at least in terms of originality. Apple is arguing that the design of Samsung’s products is too similar to that of its iPhone and iPad. Samsung, in turn, is trying to argue that it’s not…
Continue reading …Google has agreed to pay $500 million to settle a US government investigation into its distribution of online ads from Canadian pharmacies illegally selling prescription and non-prescription drugs to American consumers, a US attorney announced today. The settlement means the Internet search engine giant will not face criminal prosecution.
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Computer hackers are frequently denigrated as mere digital pranksters. But some are now finding they have the power to change the world for good Hackerspaces are the digital-age equivalent of English Enlightenment coffee houses. They are
Continue reading …Computer hackers are frequently denigrated as mere digital pranksters. But some are now finding they have the power to change the world for good Hackerspaces are the digital-age equivalent of English Enlightenment coffee houses. They are
Continue reading …US military leaders, sensitive to winning hearts and minds in Afghanistan, have instituted several unloved regulations on troops there—no swearing, no talking about volatile subjects like politics or girls. But now leaders apparently want to win ears and noses, too, as they have introduced an usual no-no—no farting,…
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Analysis of tweets during recent unrest appears to undermine the case for banning people from social networks Interactive: Twitter traffic during the riots Analysis of more than 2.5m Twitter messages relating to the riots in England has cast doubt on the rationale behind government proposals to ban people from social networks or shut down their websites in times of civil unrest. A preliminary study of a database of riot-related tweets, compiled by the Guardian, appears to show Twitter was mainly used to react to riots and looting. Timing trends drawn from the data question the assumption that Twitter played a widespread role in inciting the violence in advance, an accusation also levelled at the rival social networks Facebook and BlackBerry Messenger. The unique database contains tweets about the riots sent throughout the disorder, which began in Tottenham, north London, on 6 August. It also reveals how extensively Twitter was used to co-ordinate a movement by citizens to clean the streets after the disorder. More than 206,000 tweets – 8% of the total – related to attempts to clean up the debris left by four nights of rioting and looting. The home secretary, Theresa May, will meet representatives from Facebook, Twitter and Research in Motion, the Canada-based BlackBerry maker, on Thursday. The companies said they would warn ministers against introducing emergency measures that could usher in a new form of online censorship. Amid a growing censorship row, government sources said the home secretary did not expect to discuss closing social networks, but wanted to explore what measures the companies could take to help contain future disorder, including how law enforcement agencies can use the sites more effectively. David Cameron had previously indicated he would contemplate more restrictive measures. The day after the riots subsided, the prime minister told parliament the government was looking at banning people from using sites such as Twitter and Facebook if they were thought to be plotting criminal activity. Cameron said the government would do “whatever it takes” to restore order, adding that a review was under way to establish whether it would be right to attempt to prevent rioters from using social networks. He said he had also asked police if they needed new powers. The Metropolitan police later revealed it had considered switching off social networks during the disorder in London, but had decided not to on legal advice. The Guardian database, which contains riot-related tweets sent between midnight on 6 August – the day riots began in Tottenham – and 8pm on 17 August, will be subject to more advanced analysis in the coming weeks as part of an ongoing investigation into the riots. Twitter Social networking UK riots Internet Theresa May Paul Lewis James Ball Josh Halliday guardian.co.uk
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Cancer survivor Jobs becomes chairman of technology company, nominating Tim Cook as his successor Steve Jobs has resigned as chief executive of Apple, to be replaced by its chief operating officer, Tim Cook, in a surprise move that may signal that the 56-year-old co-founder of the company is losing his battle with cancer. The announcement was made at about 4pm Pacific time in a statement from Apple following a letter from Jobs, who said: “I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.” He added: “I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as chairman of the board, director and Apple employee. As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple. “I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role. I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.” In a statement on Wednesday night, Apple said that it had appointed Cook, who was recruited to the company by Jobs in 1997, and had elected Jobs chairman of the board. Apple’s shares fell by 7% in after-hours trading, as market digested the impact of Apple losing its charismatic leader, who had led it back from near-bankruptcy after rejoining in 1996 to become the world’s most valuable company by market value earlier in August. “Steve Jobs is not your typical CEO. He is both a visionary from a technology industry perspective as well as a micro-manager,” said Ashok Kumar, an analyst at Rodman and Renshaw. “To say that he is instrumental or key in the turnaround of Apple’s fortunes would be a gross understatement.” Fred Wilson, a venture capitalist, said: “I’m sad. He’s the greatest entrepreneur ever.” No reason was given for the resignation, but Jobs has been battling medical problems for the past seven years. He was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer of the pancreas in 2003 and operated on in July 2004. Although he returned to work within a few months, in April 2009 he received a liver transplant. Medical observers suggested that the long-term effects of the required autoimmune drugs could mean that the cancer would return. Jobs made a small number of public appearances in 2011, launching a new version of Apple’s iPad tablet, attending a dinner with US president Barack Obama and other technology chiefs, fronting the launch of new software from Apple in June and presenting plans to the Cupertino council the next day. But he looked increasingly frail and thin, which looked increasingly like the effects of a spread of the initial cancer. “Steve’s extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world’s most innovative and valuable technology company,” said Art Levinson, chairman of Genentech and a member of Apple’s board. “Steve has made countless contributions to Apple’s success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple’s immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration.” Analysts – who had previously pressed Apple to publicise its CEO succession plan, without success – said that Cook was a safe pair of hands, but wondered whether the company would have the same drive. “[Tim Cook] is very highly regarded internally at Apple. From a succession perspective they could not possibly identify a better candidate. He has a track record to back it up,” said Kumar. “What Steve Jobs leaves behind is a very deep and a broad bench and so they will continue in his footsteps.” Shannon Cross of Cross Research said: “It won’t affect next the iPad or next iPhone. Apple’s product line-up is well set. Steve, keep in mind, has been training people at Apple and there is a culture at Apple that is very strong.” Steve Jobs Apple Computing Charles Arthur guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …It sounds like quite the deal: Kill or capture Moammar Gadhafi, and you’ll be pardoned for any crimes you may have committed … and walk away with $1.7 million. That’s the offer from Libya’s National Transitional Council, which hopes the fairly sweet package will compel someone close to Gadhafi to…
Continue reading …Some fashion companies sponsor celebrities. Others beg celebrities to stop wearing their clothing. Lacoste, of the famed crocodile logo, has taken a third tack: It’s dressing normal people in its clothes. Waiters, busboys, and valets, specifically. Given, the brand has chosen to outfit the employees of some pretty posh places:…
Continue reading …Odds are, Sarah Palin’s occasional gestures toward the 2012 race are “a long and tiresome tease,” and that’s a shame, writes Steve Kornacki of Salon , because a presidential run “may be the best way of making her disappear for good.” Palin would definitely suffer defeat, after all, “and not just…
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