Student Tech News

Sweden’s Pirate Party, a political party centered around copyright reform, has won 7.1% of the vote in Sunday’s European Parliamentary elections. This guarantees them at least one, and probably two seats in the European Parliament.

The Pirate Party was formed in 2006 and is said to have been inspired by The Pirate Bay, whose founders and a financial backer were recently found guilty of facilitating copyright infringement.

Of course, it’s not as though that small number of seats is going to guarantee reform of copyright law, which is what the Pirate Party wants. It wants all non-commercial copying to be free and file sharing to be encouraged. Good luck with that.

However, as the party started with 0.63% of the vote in 2006, perhaps someday … The Pirate Party’s leader Rick Falkvinge told TorrentFreak:

“We’ve felt the wind blow in our sails. We’ve seen the polls prior to the election.But to stand here, today, and see the figures coming up on that screen … What do you want me to say? I’ll say anything.

“Together, we have today changed the landscape of European politics. No matter how this night ends, we have changed it. This feels wonderful. The citizens have understood it’s time to make a difference. The older politicians have taken apart young peoples’ lifestyle, bit by bit. We do not accept that the authorities’ mass-surveillance.”

Things should get interesting.

The WWDC keynote was given today, starring Phil Schiller, SVP of Apple worldwide product marketing. Of course, what many (not all) want to hear about, the new iPhone (3GS), was saved for last, although not for “one more thing.” Nope, no Steve Jobs appearance, and no stock bump via a surprise appearance, of course.

First up: MacBooks

Unibody (natch), just like the latest and greatest other McBooks. Built-in battery (in other words, non-user replaceable just like the 17″ model). Just like the 17″ model, Apple claims that lack of user-replaceability means they can use more (wasted) space in the body, meaning up to 7 hours of battery life. 2 hours longer than before. Also, just like they advertised with the 17″ model, while most batteries get 300 recharge cycles, this new lithium polymer battery will get over 1,000 recharge cycles. Apple estimates “typical users” will get about 5 years of life.

The new 15″ model will be their fastest ever made, with up to a 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, 6MB L2 cache, up to 8GB of 1066MHz DDR3 RAM. Storage: up to a 500GB 7200rpm hard drive or a 256GB SSD. It also adds a new 60% greater color gamut display, and replaces the ExpressCard slot with an SD card slot (for all those digital cameras, natch).

In this recession (my words, not theirs), another goodie: base price is $1699, $300 less than previously. The baseline model includes a 2.53GHz CPU, 4GB of RAM, 250GB HD, 9400M NVIDIA integrated graphics, SD Card slot for said $1699. At $1999, the CPU jumps to 2.66Ghz, you get a 320GB hard drive, both 9400M AND 9600M GT graphics, while at the high end there’s a standard configuration of 2.8GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD, at $2299 ($200 less than before).

The 17″ model gets a price cut as well — $2499 for 2.8GHz CPU, 4GB RAM, both 9400M AND 9600M GT graphics.

And that completes the MacBook Pro family. Most affordable lineup ever.

Let’s not forget the 13″ unibody design. Updated, as well, now with the same non-replaceable battery, but also the same 7 hours of life, and all the “greenness” that Apple states in terms of overall battery longevity. It has the new 60% greater color gamut display, and the SD card slot as well. Sounds like it fits in the Pro line, and that’s what’s been done, the 13″ model is now a MacBook Pro. Oof, more aggressive pricing, with it starting at just $1199, less than the 13″ aluminum MacBook it replaces.

Standard configurations: $1199 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo CPU, 2GB of RAM, 9400M graphics, 160GB hard drive, SD card slot; $1499, 2.53GHz CPU, 4GB RAM, 250GB hard drive.

The white MacBook was recently updated, so nothing there, but the MacBook Air? Apple is dropping the price to $1499, with the the SSD configuration starting at $1799. A deep cut,. $700 than previous pricing. It makes you wonder how much of this is lowering margin and how much is efficiency improvements.

Next Up: Mac OS “Snow Leopard”

Frankly, I’m not going into detail on this. Most users just care that it runs. WWDC is really for developers (or it’s supposed to be), and tech details will be exposed in sessions throughout the week. One thing: they did dig at Windows Vista, and Windows 7, in fact calling Windows 7 just another version of Vista (which in reality, it is).

A few highlights though: they called it Snow Leopard because Leopard was their best received OS ever. They wanted to build on that. In this part of the presentation, they emphasized multi-core support, better Exchange Support, OpenCL, and more.

But here we are with a “finally”: the iPhone, what we all came for. Well, many of us, anyway.

After a mild amount of (deserved) slapping themselves on the back about the number of applications in the App Store, Apple focused on the new iPhone OS 3.0, which adds features and enhances the ability of developers to monetize their creations. And typically, a buncha demos.

Tethering! This allows you to use your iPhone as a modem. “It is a seamless experience. There’s no need to run any software once it’s turned on. This requires carrier support. We have 22 partners in 44 countries.” Yah, except I don’t see AT&T in the list. Wha? Just last year AT&T said tethering was coming.

Remote Wipe for anyone in iPhone OS 3.0. That matches up with Palm Web OS’s functionality in that area. Not sure that was announced previously.

More stuff that was definitely announced previously: copy and paste, push notifications, ability for apps to work with third-party hardware, Google Maps integration, on and on. Typical of Apple presentations, there is demo, after demo, after demo.

Developers will get the GM seed today. For the public, you’ll have to wait until June 19th. Free for iPhone users, $9.95 for iPod touch (as expected) users.

And here we go: the new iPhone is called the iPhone 3GS, not iPhone Video as some thought. The iPhone 3GS moniker was rumored really late. S means “speed.” Launching the messages application is twice as fast, loading a game is 2.4x faster. Viewing attachments, 3.6x faster. 7.2 Mbps HSDPA.

3 megapixel camera. Video on the iPhone 3GS, 30fps VGA with audio.

Voice Control (once again expected). In any application, you hold down the Home button and the Voice Control UI pops up. Commands scroll by in the UI. You can even use Genius by saying “play songs like this.”

And when’s this all available? June 19th in the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and U.K., with six more a week later, and on and on.

For those who want a $99 iPhone, you’ll get it. They will continue to sell the 8GB iPhone 3G at $99.

• $99: 8GB iPhone 3G;
• $199: 16GB iPhone 3GS;
• $299: 32GB iPhone 3GS

And here’s the best part: you can pre-order it online and receive it on June 19th. Assuming, of course, you can get the website to cooperate (currently inundated with requests).

More than just an external storage device, this Nissan GT-R gadget on eBay “was created using a 1/18th scale Jada Toys Nissan GT-R mated with loving and delicate care to a 500GB Seagate 2.5 inch hard drive.” Product page. Click here for first picture in gallery.

The doors and hood still open revealing a fully detailed engine bay and interior. To access your new desktop racer, a USB 2.0 interface is located in the rear along with a supplied 6-foot USB cable.

[via eBay - Jalopnik]

In addition to TomTom’s new iPhone application, the company has also unveiled “a specially developed car kit for secure docking, enhanced GPS performance, clear voice instructions, hands-free calling and in-car charging.” Available next week. Video after the break.

Now that you’ve seen the iPhone 3GS announcement, Apple provides us with an in-depth guided tour that covers everything from hardware to software. Other new features include: a digital compass and web pages that reportedly “render in a fraction of the time.” Video after the break.

Finally, Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 3GS. This model features a 3.0-megapixel camera with video recording capabilities (30fps VGA), 7.2Mbps HSDPA, 3D graphics chip, integrated Nike+ support, voice control, and an impressive 5-hours of 3G talk time. Available June 18th, priced at $199 (16GB) / $299 (32GB).

There are some surprises, too — holding down the home button now enables a new voice control interface that lets you do everything from make calls to control iTunes.

[via Engadget]

The U.S. Air Force has unveiled the stealth-looking Dodge Challenger Vapor, which even requires “biometric verification to enter the cockpit via gull wing doors.” Video after the break. Click here for first picture in gallery.

The driver can view night/thermal vision projections on the windshield while sitting in a compartment that looks like something out of Crimson Tide.

[via Geekologie]

While it’s no secret that China blocks web sites that it doesn’t want its citizens to view, the Wall Street Journal is reporting an escalation in this censorship. The WSJ reports that China plans to require that all PCs sold in the country as of July 1st be equipped with software that blocks access to certain Web sites.

The software’s Chinese name is “Green Dam-Youth Escort.” The software was developed by Jinhui Computer System Engineering Co. Additional input came from Beijing Dazheng Human Language Technology Academy Co.

According to Bryan Zhang, founder of Jinhui, Green Dam operates in a way similar to such products as Net Nanny, that allow parental blocking of sites. Green Dam would use a regularly updated database of banned sites, possibly downloaded to the PC like an antivirus update, and block access to those web sites addresses.

The WSJ notes that PC makers have been informed of the new requirement but China has not yet publicly announced the change. The notice of the change, made on May 19th, says it is aimed at “constructing a green, healthy, and harmonious Internet environment, and preventing harmful information on the Internet from influencing and poisoning young people.”

While being advertised as primarily preventing access to pornography, the software will perform just as the “Great Firewall of China” does, blocking access to Web sites that might contain material critical of the Chinese government.

Interestingly, the software will not have to be pre-installed on the PC, but could be shipped on a separate CD. There would also be no restrictions on removing the software, according to Jinhui. There was also reportedly no mention made of any punitive measures taken against a PC maker that did not comply.

As such, it seems hard to understand of what use the software would be, as it need not be installed and can be uninstalled. It could, however, be the beginning of a spiral towards something else in the future.

While many have marveled at the screen on the Palm Pre, some which knowledge have said that getting the screen “just right” is part of the reason for the limited stock on the device. Users in at least two Palm Pre forums have noted screen distortion or blotchiness on their new purchases.

It should be noted that Apple has had issues with past versions of the iPhone as well, ranging from cracking cases to its own screen complaints. So don’t slam Palm yet. On the other hand, there are also reports of crashes (but realistically, it’s all software).

Here’s a thread at PreCentral, and one at EverythingPre. Apparently, Sprint stores are (if they have stock, good luck on that) replacing the units with new ones.

Ah the perils of being an early adopter. We’ll see if this becomes a widespread issue or not.

Fake Twitter accounts are nothing new, but a lawsuit by a “celebrity” over a fake Twitter account, that is news. Last month Tony La Russa sued Twitter over a fake account, and Twitter, in response, has said that later this summer they will start using a special seal on “Verified Accounts.”

Twitter’s blog post says:

Verified Accounts will feature a special seal.

We’ll be experimenting with a beta preview of what we’re calling Verified Accounts this summer.

The experiment will begin with public officials, public agencies, famous artists, athletes, and other well known individuals at risk of impersonation. We hope to verify more accounts in the future but due to the resources required, verification will begin only with a small set.

While this is a response to La Russa’s impersonated account, along with others, in response to LaRussa’s lawsuit, Twitter was very precise:

Impersonation violates Twitter’s Terms of Service and we take the issue seriously. We suspend, delete, or transfer control of accounts known to be impersonation. When alerted, we took action in this regard on behalf of St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa.

Reports this week that Twitter has settled a law suit and officially agreed to pay legal fees for an impersonation complaint that was taken care of by our support staff in accordance with our Terms are erroneous. Twitter has not settled, nor do we plan to settle or pay.

With due respect to the man and his notable work, Mr. La Russa’s lawsuit was an unnecessary waste of judicial resources bordering on frivolous. Twitter’s Terms of Service are fair and we believe will be upheld in a court that will ultimately dismiss Mr. La Russa’s lawsuit.

Well, let’s not forget just how litigious America is. The only winners in this lawsuit are probably the lawyers. My guess is Twitter was working on this before the incident. While it’s clear the tweets were demeaning, for some of it, La Russa has only himself to blame.

One of the tweets in question said:

“Lost 2 out of 3, but we made it out of Chicago without one drunk driving incident or dead pitcher.”

In 2007, La Russa was found sleeping behind the wheel of a running SUV in spring training with a blood-alcohol level of 0.093 percent. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence. For that, La Russa can only blame himself.

Reference to a dead pitcher, however, is a little morally bankrupt. Cardinals reliever Josh Hancock died in an auto accident in April 2007. The medical examiner measured his blood-alcohol level at 0.157, nearly twice the legal limit.