Google has threatened to quit it's China operations citing a massive cyber attack on it's computers that originated there. As a result Google has said that they will no longer censor their search engine and may completely exit altogether.
Google said that a primary goal of the attackers was accessing the Gmail accounts of Chinese human right activists, but that the attack also targeted 20 other large companies in the finance, technology, media and chemical sectors.
In a blog posting by David Drummond, the corporate development and chief legal officer, Google said that it had found a “highly sophisticated and targeted attack on our corporate infrastructure originating from China.”
He further went on to say "Second, we have evidence to suggest that a primary goal of the attackers was accessing the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists. Based on our investigation to date we believe their attack did not achieve that objective. Only two Gmail accounts appear to have been accessed, and that activity was limited to account information (such as the date the account was created) and subject line, rather than the content of emails themselves."
These attacks and the surveillance they have uncovered--combined with the attempts over the past year to further limit free speech on the web--have led us to conclude that we should review the feasibility of our business operations in China. We have decided we are no longer willing to continue censoring our results on Google.cn, and so over the next few weeks we will be discussing with the Chinese government the basis on which we could operate an unfiltered search engine within the law, if at all. We recognize that this may well mean having to shut down Google.cn, and potentially our offices in China.
This is a good thing as a search engine it should be fair an unbiased. It can only then be called one. Censoring results to please the government was always the wrong move as it leads to other forms of censorship. And censorship falling into the wrong hands can further create a stranglehold on the situation. Google has done this in support of freedom and free speech. It has upheld it's core values as a company.
Showing posts with label Tech News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tech News. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Group behind the Twitter hack take down China's Baidu
Baidu Inc, China's top search engine was unavailable early Tuesday. And some users reported seeing signs of the attack by Iranian cyber hackers. According to the official newspapers of the Chinese communist party.
Users reported seeing a banner for the "Iranian Cyber Army," complete with an Iranian flag and a shattered Star of David, when they tried to access Baidu's home page Tuesday.
The company when contacted said that they were looking into the matter.
Users of Twitter will remember that a month ago the same thing was seen on Twitter. When the site was down and a message posted by the "Iranian Cyber Army". With a complete black screen showing the Iranian flag and a shattered stat of David.
According to security experts, Baidu's domain name records appear to have been tampered with. On Monday, the company was using domain name servers belonging to HostGator, a Florida ISP, instead of the Baidu.com nameservers the company normally uses. "It looks like their domain account credentials may have been snagged," said Paul Ferguson, a researcher with the antivirus vendor Trend Micro.
That's the same technique that was used to hijack Twitter, when Iranian Cyber Army hackers were apparently able to log in to the account used to manage Twitter's DNS records and redirect visitors to another Web server that posted a message similar to the one spotted on Baidu.com. That attack knocked Twitter offline for more than an hour.
Baidu's domain name registrar, Register.com, could not be reached immediately for comment.
Users reported seeing a banner for the "Iranian Cyber Army," complete with an Iranian flag and a shattered Star of David, when they tried to access Baidu's home page Tuesday.
The company when contacted said that they were looking into the matter.
Users of Twitter will remember that a month ago the same thing was seen on Twitter. When the site was down and a message posted by the "Iranian Cyber Army". With a complete black screen showing the Iranian flag and a shattered stat of David.
According to security experts, Baidu's domain name records appear to have been tampered with. On Monday, the company was using domain name servers belonging to HostGator, a Florida ISP, instead of the Baidu.com nameservers the company normally uses. "It looks like their domain account credentials may have been snagged," said Paul Ferguson, a researcher with the antivirus vendor Trend Micro.
That's the same technique that was used to hijack Twitter, when Iranian Cyber Army hackers were apparently able to log in to the account used to manage Twitter's DNS records and redirect visitors to another Web server that posted a message similar to the one spotted on Baidu.com. That attack knocked Twitter offline for more than an hour.
Baidu's domain name registrar, Register.com, could not be reached immediately for comment.
Monday, January 11, 2010
iPhone pocket heat App simmers down
iPhone App provides heat. Pocket heat turns your iPhone or iPod Touch into a pocket heater by use of maximum CPU processing power. There is also an onscreen slider that allows you to adjust the heat levels. Well that was in the past. What Pocket Heat actually does now is that it lights up the screen with a mellow warm glow and has no heating capabilities and battery drain. According to the iTune's store.It mearly features warming effects and soothing music.
Pocket Heat does not work in the traditional sense of generating heat but just shows pictures of a heater on screen. Consumers would never use it had it drained their batteries and CPU power. Besides over heating in the past has caused a lot of problems.
Pocket Heat does not work in the traditional sense of generating heat but just shows pictures of a heater on screen. Consumers would never use it had it drained their batteries and CPU power. Besides over heating in the past has caused a lot of problems.
Pssst... YouTube giving away free Nexus One phones
Yeah thats right. Super-users on the YouTube site are being sent a Nexus One for free. There is a note attached that says...
Dear YouTube Partners,
We’re pleased to present you with this gift of a Nexus One phone, the new Google-branded mobile device sold only online at google.com/phone. There are no strings attached, it’s just our gift to you for being such an important part of the YouTube Partner Program.
Dear YouTube Partners,
We’re pleased to present you with this gift of a Nexus One phone, the new Google-branded mobile device sold only online at google.com/phone. There are no strings attached, it’s just our gift to you for being such an important part of the YouTube Partner Program.
Hmmm... well most of us don't qualify but those people who belong to the partnership program....Wow!!!
Below is the video doing the rounds
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Twitter tiff leads to Murder
Jameg Blake, 22, is accused of shooting and killing Kwame Dancy after the two childhood friends got into a tiff on Twitter. Now the tweets sent by the two men may prove to be key evidence in the case that follows.
Dancy, who was studying to be a nurse, was killed by a shotgun blast to the neck Dec. 1 across from Lenox Terrace in Harlem, where he grew up with his father.
Blake - who lived on the same floor as Dancy, one floor below Paterson in the luxury high-rise on W. 132nd St. - was arrested two days later.
Possibly attempting to establish a cover, Blake also showed up at the hospital after the shooting and hugged Dancy's bereaved father. Besides their Twitter-beef, the two had fought previously, and publicly, over a woman. The victim's mother was shocked to learn that the long-time pal fired the shot that killed her son. "They were good friends, that's the sad part about it," she said. "Obviously, I didn't know him like I thought I did. I just want to ask him. 'Why? How could you?'
Dancy, who was studying to be a nurse, was killed by a shotgun blast to the neck Dec. 1 across from Lenox Terrace in Harlem, where he grew up with his father.
Blake - who lived on the same floor as Dancy, one floor below Paterson in the luxury high-rise on W. 132nd St. - was arrested two days later.
Possibly attempting to establish a cover, Blake also showed up at the hospital after the shooting and hugged Dancy's bereaved father. Besides their Twitter-beef, the two had fought previously, and publicly, over a woman. The victim's mother was shocked to learn that the long-time pal fired the shot that killed her son. "They were good friends, that's the sad part about it," she said. "Obviously, I didn't know him like I thought I did. I just want to ask him. 'Why? How could you?'
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Google may be sued over the'Nexus One' name
The UK's Telegraph is reporting that the family of author Phillip K. Dick is set to sue Google over the Nexus One name. Isa Dick Hackett, Dick's daughter claims the name was lifted straight from her father's novel 'Do Android's dream of eclectic sheep'. This book published in 1968 and later became the basis for the movie Blade Runner features a series of robots known as Nexus 6 models.
“In my mind, there is a very obvious connection to my father’s novel,” Isa Dick Hackett, the late author’s daughter, has gone on the record as saying. Isa Dick Hackett, the author's daughter, has sent a letter to Google demanding that it change the name of its new phone.
"Google takes first and then deals with the fallout later," Hackett told the Mail. "In my mind, there is a very obvious connection to my father's novel. People don't get it. It's the principle of it."
Google on the other hand define 'Nexus' as a word meaning where things meet. And has it's root in the ancient Greek. Google said that they used this common word based on it's original meaning and not the creation of Dick.
“In my mind, there is a very obvious connection to my father’s novel,” Isa Dick Hackett, the late author’s daughter, has gone on the record as saying. Isa Dick Hackett, the author's daughter, has sent a letter to Google demanding that it change the name of its new phone.
"Google takes first and then deals with the fallout later," Hackett told the Mail. "In my mind, there is a very obvious connection to my father's novel. People don't get it. It's the principle of it."
Google on the other hand define 'Nexus' as a word meaning where things meet. And has it's root in the ancient Greek. Google said that they used this common word based on it's original meaning and not the creation of Dick.
Isa Hackett, daughter of author Philip K. Dick, says the Google Nexus One uses names taken from his book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Photo Courtesy Daily Mail
Google building a Nexus One for enterprise.
Google's Andy Rubin the brain behind the android operating system speaking with All Things Digital has said that the next version of the Nexus One would be for business and enterprise. Yes the next Nexus One will have a physical keyboard. This could spell trouble for Motorola's Droid and Research in motion and their Blackberry phone's. Who already have a strong presence in the enterprise cellphone market.
nteresting. Rubin mentions that Google is working on an enterprise version of Nexus One. What would a enterprise version of Nexus One look like? Would it support exchange? It might, says Rubin. “An enterprise version might also have a physical keyboard … it might be a world phone…” But then it’s a different device,” Walt suggests. Rubin: “Yes, it would be a different SKU.”
On a further note Rubin also agreed that they are doing doing too well in their customer service department as there is only e-mail support and no phone support, and they are working on a 3-day delay in response time. We need to get better at customer support he said.
nteresting. Rubin mentions that Google is working on an enterprise version of Nexus One. What would a enterprise version of Nexus One look like? Would it support exchange? It might, says Rubin. “An enterprise version might also have a physical keyboard … it might be a world phone…” But then it’s a different device,” Walt suggests. Rubin: “Yes, it would be a different SKU.”
On a further note Rubin also agreed that they are doing doing too well in their customer service department as there is only e-mail support and no phone support, and they are working on a 3-day delay in response time. We need to get better at customer support he said.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Sony to launch your personal media viewer 'Dash'
Sony Dash features a 7-inch screen and stays connected to your home network through a standard Wi-Fi connection. Once you get it connected you can load it up with all the Apps you want and Sony has 1,500 of them. You can choose from weather to sports to news to Facebook. It's also got internet radio, speaks and a headphone.
Full movies can also be played thjrough a link with Sony Bravia's Internet. It does not have a browser so this will be a connected App experience.
It's got iPhone style use, just swipe a finger to move from one App to the next. Priced at $199 and set to release in April 2010.
Full movies can also be played thjrough a link with Sony Bravia's Internet. It does not have a browser so this will be a connected App experience.
It's got iPhone style use, just swipe a finger to move from one App to the next. Priced at $199 and set to release in April 2010.
Intel's New Chips and Appstore
Intel unveiled on Thursday at the CES their new family of which included the Core i7, i5 and i3 processors, the Intel 5 series chipsets and Intel centrino Wi-Fi and Wimax adaptors.
The company also laid claim to the advancement of computing technology and how it was no more restricted to PC's only with the advance of so many new smart devices. All this possible with Intel technology.
The company released 11 mobile processors, six desktop processors, and four wireless adapters.
On the mobile front, prices range from $225 for a 2.4-GHz Core i5 520M to $332 for a 2.66-GHz Core i7 620M or a 2.13-GHz Core i7 640LM. Desktop versions range from $113 for a 2.9 GHz Core i5 530 to $284 for a 3.46 GHz Core i5 670. Pricing was not provided for the wireless adapters.
Technology known as 'Hyper Threading' which allows each processor to run multiple threads will be available on the Core i7, i5, and i3. Which makes technology previously available only in Hollywood now in the hands of everyday computer users.
On that same front, Intel also used CES as a platform to introduce the Intel Wireless Display, also known as WiDi, which wirelessly streams video content from a PC to an HD television. Otellini said that WiDi capable laptops, along with a $100 adapter box to connect to one's television, will be available starting next week at Best Buy.
Intel also announced their App Store that initially focus on Netbooks they expect the store to cater over time to PC's Handheld devices, Smartphones TV's and other electronic toys.
The company also laid claim to the advancement of computing technology and how it was no more restricted to PC's only with the advance of so many new smart devices. All this possible with Intel technology.
The company released 11 mobile processors, six desktop processors, and four wireless adapters.
On the mobile front, prices range from $225 for a 2.4-GHz Core i5 520M to $332 for a 2.66-GHz Core i7 620M or a 2.13-GHz Core i7 640LM. Desktop versions range from $113 for a 2.9 GHz Core i5 530 to $284 for a 3.46 GHz Core i5 670. Pricing was not provided for the wireless adapters.
Technology known as 'Hyper Threading' which allows each processor to run multiple threads will be available on the Core i7, i5, and i3. Which makes technology previously available only in Hollywood now in the hands of everyday computer users.
On that same front, Intel also used CES as a platform to introduce the Intel Wireless Display, also known as WiDi, which wirelessly streams video content from a PC to an HD television. Otellini said that WiDi capable laptops, along with a $100 adapter box to connect to one's television, will be available starting next week at Best Buy.
Intel also announced their App Store that initially focus on Netbooks they expect the store to cater over time to PC's Handheld devices, Smartphones TV's and other electronic toys.
Kodak Easy Share M530 let you share online with a single click
The Kodak EasyShare M530 is now available. With it's new easy share button you can upload your pics to Facebook, YouTube, Flickr and Kodak Gallery sites. You could also use e-mail or connect it to your computer. And you the share button upload it to your computer with one click.
You can organize your pictures with your own tags, star ratings, date and time stamps. You would also be able to create photo projects either online or at home.
It has a 3X optical zoom and a 12MP camera for great shots. With it's Smart Capture feature it automatically identifies the shot and adjusts itself for a great picture in any setting. The Kodak Easy Share M530 is being show at the CES in las Vegas.
You can organize your pictures with your own tags, star ratings, date and time stamps. You would also be able to create photo projects either online or at home.
It has a 3X optical zoom and a 12MP camera for great shots. With it's Smart Capture feature it automatically identifies the shot and adjusts itself for a great picture in any setting. The Kodak Easy Share M530 is being show at the CES in las Vegas.
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