Archive for: July 4, 2009

For all of you World of Warcraft fans out there, there’s a new Twitter client that is worth checking out. TweetCraft is an in-game Twitter client for WoW that lets you send and receive Tweets within a game. If you are busy in the middle of a WoW match, you can put Tweets in a queue to send when it’s more convenient. The client also lets you upload in-game WoW screenshots using TwitPic and will automatically send out Tweets when you log in, enter an instance or get an achievement. Tweetcraft also caught the attention of Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, who blogged about the client today. Here’s a video with details of the client: Crunch Network : CrunchBoard because it’s time for you to find a new Job2.0

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Twitter + World Of Warcraft=Tweetcraft

Before everyone gets in a huff, let’s consider Amazon’s intentions with these patent applications. Surely they would never allow advertisements to be placed in books which you have purchased legitimately at full price, so let’s put that out of our heads. But what if you could take a few bucks off the cover price at the cost of a few contextual ads relating (if possible) to the book’s content? Personally, I wouldn’t mind — partially because I don’t use a Kindle or intend to any time soon, but more because it’s a no-lose situation. Amazon wouldn’t risk alienating its loyal Kindle base with dirty tricks like this, so it’s safe to assume it’ll be at least somewhat opt-in. An abundance of free or reduced-price content would widen the appeal of the reader — I imagine many people are put off e-books by the idea that they are not getting their money’s worth. As offensive as the idea of inserting ads into a book is to me (and surely to the average reader), it’s almost certainly part of a value proposition which increases the utility of these expensive little buggers.

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Amazon Applying For In-Book Advertisement Patent

CNET News Poll What’s wrong with you? Why don’t you have an iPod or MP3 player? I’m still using a Walkman cassette player. I listen … Originally posted at The Audiophiliac

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Poll: Why don’t you have an iPod or MP3 player?

A few weeks ago I previewed the Nokia E75 and posted some shots as well. I’ve uploaded a PDF — oh wait, our other blog, The Gadget Blog — has uploaded one as well so let me link to that instead. Specs aside, I’m wondering if this device will appeal to people who have already beheld the N97. Yeah, they may be both QWERTY devices, but there are subtle differences especially in the way each phone handles mobile email . Post from: Cellphone9

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Nokia E75 Marketing Images and Specs

Amazon is set to ship the Oppo BDP-83 on July 6 for $500. (Credit: Oppo) Over the years Oppo’s developed a following for its impressive upscaling DVD players, so a lot its fans were wondering when its much-anticipated BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player would finally show up after being announced …

Originally posted here:
Oppo’s affordabe high-end Blu-ray player is here

Just as America gears up to celebrate Independence Day comes news that iPhone 3GS owners are getting some freedom of their own. purplera1n enables the installation of third-party software not approved for Apple's App Store. George Hotz , who you may recall as the teenage hacker who originally unlocked …

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iPhone 3GS jailbreak, ‘purplera1n,’ hits Web

The haptic feedback patent, if approved, would bring the iPhone in line with rival handsets that provide localized tactile feedback. (Credit: CNET ) Three patent applications by Apple were published Thursday, and they cover technologies including haptics, fingerprint recognition, and RFID. The haptic feedback patent , if approved, would bring the iPhone (… Originally posted at News - Apple

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Apple patents point to haptics, fingerprints, RFID

The nation’s largest media and marketing trade associations introduced a set of self-regulatory principles on Thursday to enhance privacy protection for consumers surfing the Web. Among other things, advertisers and Web sites will be required to clearly inform consumers about the data-collection practices they use. The new guidelines also will enable online users to exercise control over their personal information. “This historic collaboration represents businesses and trade associations working together to advance the public interest,” said Interactive Advertising Bureau CEO Randall Rothenberg. “We are acting early and aggressively on their concerns, to reinforce their trust in this vital medium that contributes so significantly to the U.S. economy.” Changing the Status Quo The new set of principles represents the behavioral advertising industry’s direct response to mounting criticism from members of Congress and the Federal Trade Commission. Earlier this year, FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz warned the industry that it needed to do a better job of delivering meaningful, rigorous self-regulation. “Put simply, this could be the last clear chance to show that self-regulation can — and will — effectively protect consumers’ privacy in a dynamic online marketplace,” Leibowitz said. Self-regulation, if it works, can be the fastest and best way to change the status quo, Leibowitz noted. “If there isn’t an appropriately vigorous response, my sense is that Congress and the commission may move toward a more regulatory model,” Leibowitz said. The industry has incorporated many of the ideas that consumer advocacy watchdogs such as the Center for Democracy and Technology have suggested. On the upside, noted CDT Chief Computer Scientist Alissa Cooper, the guidelines include a robust framework for providing notice outside of privacy policies, and lay the groundwork for the use of a uniform link or icon that would appear on any Web site or advertisement where data is collected ...

The nation’s largest media and marketing trade associations introduced a set of self-regulatory principles on Thursday to enhance privacy protection for consumers surfing the Web. Among other things, advertisers and Web sites will be required to clearly inform consumers about the data-collection practices they use. The new guidelines also will enable online users to exercise control over their personal information. “This historic collaboration represents businesses and trade associations working together to advance the public interest,” said Interactive Advertising Bureau CEO Randall Rothenberg. “We are acting early and aggressively on their concerns, to reinforce their trust in this vital medium that contributes so significantly to the U.S. economy.” Changing the Status Quo The new set of principles represents the behavioral advertising industry’s direct response to mounting criticism from members of Congress and the Federal Trade Commission. Earlier this year, FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz warned the industry that it needed to do a better job of delivering meaningful, rigorous self-regulation. “Put simply, this could be the last clear chance to show that self-regulation can — and will — effectively protect consumers’ privacy in a dynamic online marketplace,” Leibowitz said. Self-regulation, if it works, can be the fastest and best way to change the status quo, Leibowitz noted. “If there isn’t an appropriately vigorous response, my sense is that Congress and the commission may move toward a more regulatory model,” Leibowitz said. The industry has incorporated many of the ideas that consumer advocacy watchdogs such as the Center for Democracy and Technology have suggested. On the upside, noted CDT Chief Computer Scientist Alissa Cooper, the guidelines include a robust framework for providing notice outside of privacy policies, and lay the groundwork for the use of a uniform link or icon that would appear on any Web site or advertisement where data is collected ...

The first jailbreak application for Apple’s new iPhone 3GS has been made available just two weeks after the iPhone debuted. George Hotz, a 19-year-old Google employee originally from New Jersey, created the application. Jailbreaking the iPhone 3GS allows a user to install any programs directly onto the iPhone, including applications that are not from Apple. Hotz, at the age of 16, was credited with being part of the team that unlocked the first-generation iPhone. The unlock, announced in a blog post, allowed users to operate the first-generation iPhone with any SIM card. Hotz traded his unlocked iPhone for three regular iPhones and a Nissan 350Z. “Normally I don’t make tools for the general public, and would rather wait for the development team to do it. But guys, what’s up with waiting until 3.1? That isn’t how the game is played,” Hotz wrote in his blog Friday. “We release, Apple fixes, and we find new holes.” In his blog post, Hotz provides a step-by-step explanation of what users need to do to jailbreak the iPhone 3GS and teases that a jailbreak for the Mac OS is coming soon. Jailbreak Preparation Before jailbreaking the iPhone 3GS, Hotz warns users to be prepared by having Windows (not Windows 7) installed on a PC, the latest iTunes installed, and an iPhone 3GS with 3.0 firmware. He also warns potential jailbreakers to first back up all their files and programs. Once the preparations are complete, Hotz urges those interested in completing the break to go to purplera1n.com. Once at the Web site, Hotz instructs users to click “make it ra1n” and wait. On bootup users need to run Freeze, the purplera1n installer app. “Hopefully you’ll figure out what to do from there,” Hotz wrote. If not, users are instructed to e-mail purplera1n support or call ...

CNET News Poll Digital in 1776 Which use of a modern-day tool would have most influenced the course of American history? Jefferson using all@KingGeorgeSucks.com to keep …

Continued here:
Friday Poll: We the ppl–imagining a digital 1776

Despite the delay in China’s requirement to install Green Dam Web-filtering software on all new PCs, the controversy is not dead. PC makers are including the software with new PCs even though the July 1 deadline has been postponed indefinitely. On Thursday, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology told China Daily that the mandate has not been canceled, only delayed. News media reported that China definitely plans to require Green Dam. In addition, Green Dam publisher Jinhui Computer System Engineering is reportedly testing a version for Apple’s Mac computers, which so far have been exempt. China says the Green Dam-Youth Escort software is meant to protect young people from pornography and violence on the Web. However, opponents say it would be used for political repression. A survey found that many Chinese would not pay for the software after a one-year free trial period. China originally directed all PC makers to pre-install Green Dam on all PCs sold in China, with a July 1 deadline. However, the ministry delayed the deadline on June 30. Earlier, it had modified its mandate to say that the Green Dam CDs could be included with new PCs rather than pre-installed. Multiple tests found the software vulnerable to malware, and Sony has included a disclaimer about the software with its PCs. Tests also showed Green Dam blocked images of cartoon cat Garfield and roast pork, and returned links to both soft- and hard-core pornography.

Originally posted here: 
China Testing Mac Version of Green Dam Web Filter