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Thursday, June 30, 2011

Reports say FTC investigating Twitter (AP) : Technet

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Reports say FTC investigating Twitter (AP) : Technet


Reports say FTC investigating Twitter (AP)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:48 PM PDT

WASHINGTON – Federal regulators are looking into the interactions between Twitter and a company called Ubermedia, which develops applications that help users follow and communicate with each other on Twitter's popular online messaging service, according to two published reports.

The Federal Trade Commission inquiry is still at a preliminary stage and the focus remains unclear, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

The Business Insider blog, which first reported the probe, said FTC antitrust investigators are studying how Twitter deals with outside companies that build applications for its messaging platform _such as photo-sharing, URL-shortening and advertising services — and whether it is trying to limit competition by buying or banning outside developers.

The FTC regularly looks into complaints — often filed by rivals — of anticompetitive behavior by companies in the technology sector. The initial probes do not always turn into full-blown investigations.

The Journal reported that Twitter blocked UberMedia from accessing messages on its platform, called "tweets," earlier this year, but has since restored access.

The FTC and Twitter declined comment. Ubermedia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

US rules partially against Kodak in Apple dispute (AP)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:36 PM PDT

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The U.S. International Trade Commission issued a mixed verdict Thursday in Eastman Kodak Co.'s high-stakes patent-infringement dispute with the makers of the iPhone and BlackBerry phones. The ruling disappointed investors.

The trade-dispute arbiter in Washington, D.C., said it is essentially agreeing with one of its judges, who threw out the photography pioneer's claims.

The federal agency did find limited patent infringement. It also sent some matters back to the judge for further review, and Kodak could still prevail in the remaining claims.

Kodak's stock fell 16 percent.

"This is a negative for Kodak because they didn't win," said analyst Shannon Cross of Cross Research in Livingston, N.J.

Although there's a chance Kodak could prevail on remaining matters, she said, "it seems like the chances that you'd get a large settlement are much smaller."

Chief Executive Antonio Perez had hoped Kodak could draw up to $1 billion from its deep-pocketed rivals.

Kodak held out hope.

Kodak is "gratified that the commission has decided to modify in our favor the judge's initial recommendation," said Laura Quatela, Kodak's chief intellectual property officer. "As we have said from the start, we remain extremely confident this case will ultimately conclude in Kodak's favor."

Apple and RIM did not return calls or email messages seeking comment.

Kodak, a 131-year-old photography pioneer based in Rochester, N.Y., argued that image-preview technology it patented in 2001 was infringed by iPhone maker Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd. of Waterloo, Canada.

The commission decided to "affirm in part" a ruling issued in January by its chief administrative law judge. That decision found no patent violation.

The commission revised definitions for "motion processor" and "still processor" and asked the judge to decide whether Kodak's patent was infringed with those changes.

The commission also found that Apple and RIM infringed on a patent related to "initiating capture of a still image while previewing a motion image."

But the commission said that Kodak had waived its rights to pursue that claim with flash photos. It asked the judge to decide whether Kodak had waived the rights for non-flash photos as well.

The commission ruled that Apple and RIM did infringe a Kodak patent under the commission's revised definition of "at least three different colors."

It did not rule on any penalties. The commission can order Customs to block imports of products made with contested technology. Monetary settlements often result to avoid such import bans.

A revised decision is expected no earlier than Aug. 30 after the judge rules on pending matters.

The ruling came after the stock market closed. Kodak's stock fell 56 cents to $3.02 in after-market trading.

The dispute centers on technology Kodak created for extracting a still image while previewing it in the camera's LCD screen. In 2009, the trade commission ruled that South Korean mobile phone makers Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics infringed the same patent, resulting in $964 million in payouts.

The maker of cameras, film, photo kiosks and inkjet printers is struggling to redefine itself as a 21st-century powerhouse in digital imaging.

It has amassed more than 1,000 digital-imaging patents since the 1970s, and almost all of today's digital cameras rely on those inventions. It has licensed digital technology to at least 30 companies, including cellphone makers such as Motorola Inc. and Nokia Corp.

Mining its rich array of inventions for repeated cash infusions has become an indispensable tactic driven in large part by Kodak's long and painful digital turnaround.

Since 2004, Kodak has reported only one full year of earnings — in 2007 — and anticipates another annual loss this year before crossing back to profitability sometime in 2012. It has trimmed its work force to 18,800 from 70,000 in 2002.

Kodak has a promising array of new businesses, but it needs to tap other sources of revenue before investments in those areas have time to pay off.

It is hoping four growth businesses — consumer inkjet printers, high-speed commercial inkjet presses, workflow software and packaging — will more than double in size to nearly $2 billion in revenue in 2013, accounting for 25 percent of all sales.

Tests show wireless network could harm GPS systems (AP)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:01 PM PDT

WASHINGTON – New test results show that a proposed nationwide wireless broadband network would produce significant interference with GPS systems used for everything from aviation to high-precision timing networks to consumer navigation devices. Changes to the proposal could reduce interference, but wouldn't eliminate it.

The findings, based on extensive equipment tests conducted in Las Vegas, increase pressure on the Federal Communications Commission to block a Virginia company called LightSquared from launching the network, which is designed to compete with super-fast systems being rolled out by AT&T and Verizon Wireless.

Although the FCC in January gave LightSquared approval to build the system, the agency said it would not let the company turn on the network until GPS interference problems are resolved. The agency required LightSquared, GPS equipment makers and GPS users to establish a working group to study the matter.

That group filed its report with the commission on Thursday, with the two sides offering different interpretations of the test results.

LightSquared insisted that the interference problems are fixable.

But GPS equipment makers, and companies and government agencies that rely on GPS technology, warn that the planned network would jam their systems because LightSquared would use airwaves close to those already set aside for GPS.

They say that sensitive satellite receivers — designed to pick up relatively weak signals coming from space — could be overwhelmed when LightSquared starts sending high-powered signals from as many as 40,000 transmitters on the ground. GPS signals, they say, will suffer the way a radio station can get drowned out by a stronger broadcast in a nearby channel.

"The FCC needs to consider other options for the LightSquared signals where they do not run up against the laws of physics," said Charles Trimble, co-founder of Trimble Navigation Ltd., which makes GPS systems.

With the working group report complete, the FCC will now seek public comments. The FCC said it will review the report, adding that it has "a long-standing record of resolving interference disputes."

The working group's report follows the release of federal test results that also found significant interference with GPS systems used by a broad cross-section of government agencies, including the Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation Administration and NASA.

Faced with growing GPS industry resistance, LightSquared last week proposed to launch its network using a different slice of airwaves located farther away from GPS frequencies. It also proposed to transmit signals at lower power levels to ensure that its network would not interfere with most nearby GPS systems.

Most of the testing conducted by the working group was based on the company's original plan to use airwaves next to the GPS band.

The working group said that plan would produce significant, across-the-board interference. Among the findings:

• GPS systems used for aviation would be unavailable over entire regions of the country at normal aircraft altitudes.

• GPS receivers built into cellular devices could experience interference at significant distances from LightSquared's base stations — resulting in delayed or inaccurate location readings.

• Space-based GPS receivers used in NASA science missions could be disrupted.

Although the working group conducted only limited testing based on LightSquared's proposal to use different airwaves, it said the change could reduce problems for some GPS receivers, including those used in aircraft navigation and cellphones.

LightSquared, however, acknowledges that other GPS devices, particularly high-precision receivers used in construction and agriculture, would still experience significant disruption.

LightSquared maintains that the interference is largely a problem of the GPS industry's own making. That's because GPS receivers are picking up signals outside their own bands — in frequencies licensed to LightSquared.

That had never presented a conflict until the FCC provisionally approved LightSquared's wireless broadband network. Until now, that spectrum has been used primarily for satellite communications, with only limited ground-based wireless service to fill coverage gaps. GPS receivers can easily screen that out.

LightSquared, which is based in Reston, Va., also insists the problem can be fixed by installing better filters in GPS devices to screen out its signals. Those filters, LightSquared says, cost as little as 5 cents each.

GPS manufacturers say that solution is speculative because such filters do not yet exist and were not available for testing. They add that although filters might work with some GPS receivers, such as those embedded in cellphones, they would not work in all GPS equipment and could significantly degrade performance and battery life.

Bronson Hokuf, an engineer with GPS maker Garmin Ltd., also said it would be nearly impossible retrofit hundreds of millions of existing GPS devices already in use. The working group said installing new filters in GPS equipment used for aviation, for instance, would be very expensive and could take at least 10 years.

Although the FCC has promised that it won't let the LightSquared network harm GPS systems, it is eager to see the company succeed.

The FCC views the network as one part of a broader government push to free up more airwaves for mobile broadband services to keep up with the explosive growth of online apps, mobile video and other bandwidth-hungry wireless applications.

The agency also hopes LightSquared will help it advance its goal of bringing high-speed Internet connections to all Americans. The company, which plans to wholesale network access to other companies that will rebrand the service under their own names, has pledged to reach 260 million Americans with its coverage by 2015.

London premiere of last Harry Potter film to be livecast on YouTube (Yahoo! News)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 06:14 PM PDT

Virgin America will offer in-flight Chromebooks to lucky fliers (Yahoo! News)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 01:17 PM PDT

Why Do People Follow Brands? [INFOGRAPHIC] (Mashable)

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 06:58 PM PDT

On Twitter, Facebook, and dozens of other social sites, normal consumers often choose to keep tabs on the brands they love. In fact, many brands have highly optimized their marketing and PR strategies to accommodate that behavior, even going to far as to do one-to-one CRM (that's customer or consumer relationship management) through avenues such as Facebook and Twitter.

[More from Mashable: Check In on Foursquare or Facebook for Late Checkouts at Select Radisson Hotels]

As social CRM specialists Get Satisfaction found, many consumers who follow brands online are only in it for the perks. Around 40% of Facebook, MySpace and Twitter users in a recent study said they followed brands to get access to discounts and special deals.

SEE ALSO: The Biggest Brands on Facebook [INFOGRAPHIC]

[More from Mashable: 5 Innovative Facebook Campaigns to Learn From]

Another common response in the same survey indicated that many consumers will follow a brand if they are current customers. And creating interesting, entertaining content online is another great way for brands to earn followers and fans on social services.

Check out this infographic from Get Satisfaction and design shop Column Five for more details on why and how ordinary folks follow brands online.

Click image to see full-size version.

[source: Get Satisfaction blog]

Top image courtesy of iStockphoto user Ridofranz.

This story originally published on Mashable here.

Justin Timberlake: Stealth Silicon Valley angel? (Reuters)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:57 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – As it turns out, Justin Timberlake's role as Napster founder Sean Parker in "The Social Network" was a wink and nod to the celebrity's little publicized role in driving Silicon Valley start-ups.

But his involvement in the technology industry drew public notice this week with news that Timberlake, whose character in the Oscar-nominated movie helped shape Facebook's early days, will take a stake in Myspace, the ailing social network website that New Corp is selling at a large loss.

The move -- in partnership with Specific Media -- is the latest in Timberlake's quietly expanding business and investment empire. It may also be one of his most high-profile to date, thrusting the singer-actor into a category of celebrity-turned-businessman in the mold of Ashton Kutcher.

"Fame is a highly fungible commodity," said Paul Levinson, a professor of communications and media studies at Fordham University and an author on media innovation. "It makes anything you do more likely to be successful."

Timberlake has several publicized business ventures, from jeans and clothing line William Rast and record label Tennman Records, a joint venture with Interscope Records, to 901 Silver Tequila, a name inspired by an area code in Timberlake's hometown of Memphis.

But Timberlake has been providing relatively under-the-radar angel investing to tech start-ups via his Tennman Digital, an operation based in San Francisco's tech hub.

It incubates "great ideas that we think will change how we share information, consume media, and interact with the people around us," in the interactive digital media space, according to a profile posted on techVenture, a website that pairs investors with start-ups.

Tennman Digital has funded start-up Particle, which develops micro-video application Robo.tv, among other things. The group has also provided funding to Apple iPhone gaming application developer Tapulous.

Timberlake's role at Myspace remains unclear, although he will have his own office and a staff of six that will work for him, according to Specific Media Chief Executive Tim Vanderhook.

Vanderhook said his company's expertise in technology and advertising would complement the star's innate creativity to produce a site with "high entertainment value," with original content from a community of musicians, photographers and other creative professionals.

The combination of money, an iconic image and the business acumen displayed by him in the past all increase the likelihood of success, Levinson said.

That's good news for Timberlake and Specific Media, whose investment signals optimism that the brand of Myspace can be revived.

"The one thing that's been underreported is how excited Justin is to do this. I was blown away by his excitement level," said Vanderhook in a phone interview. "I think he was blown away by his excitement level, too."

(Editing by Edwin Chan and Steve Orlofsky)

Street Fighter IV Volt tops iPhone Games of the Week (Appolicious)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:00 PM PDT

Call of Duty: Black Ops - Annihilation map pack review (Digital Trends)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 06:08 PM PDT

The third and possibly final Call of Duty: Black Ops map pack, Annihilation, has been released for Xbox Live (with PC and PS3 releases due out soon), and if this is the final release, Treyarch is going out in style. The pack will cost around $15 which means that if you have bought both previous packs, and plan on purchasing this one, add in the cost of the game itself, and you would have dropped at least $105 for the game. And while that might sound like an exorbitant fee, and you can justifiably grumble over the headshot your wallet just took, compare it to the time most fans of the game actually spend on line. Sure it is a racket, but it is one that pays for itself in time spent using it.

But whether you love them or hate them, the map packs expand the life of a game that people will play to death. Sure it doesn't hurt Activision's pocketbook, but that is the way of games these days. Additional content for dollars isn't going anywhere. Sure an additional $15 might seem steep, but if the content is worth it, it is reasonable. And thankfully the Annihilation map pack with its four new multiplayer maps and zombie map is definitely worth the price. Our own Ryan Fleming and Adam Rosenberg break it down.

Multiplayer Maps

Drive-In

Adam Rosenberg: A lot of Call of Duty fans like their maps small and intimate. You see evidence of this every time Treyarch sets up a "Nuketown 24/7" playlist during Double XP weekends. We all flock at the chance to run buck wild, scoring kills simply for spraying ammo and explosives out randomly. It's no surprise then that "Nuketown" was the inspiration for "Drive-In". The '50s vibe is in full effect, though here we have a war-torn drive-in movie theater replacing the squeaky clean nuclear bomb testing ground of the core multiplayer map.

Unlike "Nuketown", which is highlighted by a wide-open central space that offers good sightlines across the relatively small space, the new map focus on several individual close-quarters engagements. Shotguns and SMGs are your friends here. Even the central area with the tattered movie screen (how the heck is that projector still even working?!) is tight and closed in. The projector booth overlooking it is a danger zone if you happen to be wandering through, as the distance is short enough that even an assault rifle makes an effective sniper's tool. The surrounding space forms a rough oval around that central area, and it's in these surrounding areas that you'll want to run through, moving from building to building as you rack up kills.

The overall map is larger than "Nuketown", but the layout presents a much more close quarters-focused experience. As someone who enjoys breaking out a shotgun every now and again, this has quickly become my favorite map of the four new competitive multiplayer offerings.

Ryan Fleming: "Drive-In" is a tight map with several hiding spaces, but nowhere safe. As with most CoD maps, there are three paths, the center and two flanking areas. All three are defensible, but the relatively small size of "Drive-In" makes this the fastest moving of the four maps. You can try sniping if you like, and you may get a few kills if you are well positioned, but it is only a matter of time before someone flanks you.  Speed and powerful, fast firing weapons are your friends here, although a silenced SMG and a defensible location can net you a ton of kills–until a well thrown grenade ends your streak.

Because of the size, "Drive-In" is a good map for most gametypes, with the possible exception of Ground War—which may be too chaotic for most, but time will tell. Headquarters will also be a little cramped, but domination should offer some interesting battles as the areas are constantly switching hands.

While "Nuketown" is a definite inspiration for this map, there are two things that differentiate it: First, it is slightly bigger and offers more cover. Second, it is a rundown area so enemies can hide in the tall grass, or in dark corners. "Nuketown" is a great map that offers some fun games, but they are a very specific type of frantic game. "Drive-In" has that same appeal, but it is more balanced, and a better map for it.

Hazard

Adam: The word on the street is that Hazard is a remake of the World at War map Cliffside. Actually, that's a fact, confirmed by Treyarch. The shape of the landmass is the same and several key features, including the bridge at one end, the two centrally located bunkers and the wide open lane down the middle that looks from one end of the map to the other. Don't get too caught up in those feelings of nostalgia though, or a sniper will almost definitely take your head off.

"Cliffside"… errr… that is, "Hazard", is all about long-range engagements. That AK-74u you've been carting around isn't going to do you much good here. Not only is this battlefield wide-open, there are also multiple cover points you can use to both cross it and stake out your prey from. Teamwork is essential on this map, especially for objective-based games. The control points in Domination maps are right out in the open, with little to no cover available. It was a devious map in World at War and it is even more so now, thanks to all of the tools you have to work with in this more modern theater of war.

It's actually really cool to see this remade map come to life in a new game. Fans have long talked about the dream scenario of a Call of Duty multiplayer game that ropes in maps from all of the releases in the series. "Hazard" not only proves that it can be done, but that it can work well even in a different time period.

Ryan: "Hazard" is one of the best looking maps in Black Ops. The golf course setting is attractive and lush looking, and it is a stark contrast to the other maps which have a more war torn look dominated by grays and browns. Like the map "Hotel" from the Escalation map pack, the aesthetics alone help break up any possible monotony, and for that reason alone "Hazard" is a great map. It is also a lot of fun to play.

For the people that enjoy rushing out and taking the head first "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka" approach to Black Ops, you will not enjoy your time with "Hazard." If you win a bet against your friend and are looking for a suitable payoff, make them play this map with only a shotgun and see if they can get a single kill. There are paths to avoid being exposed, but they will force you to go out of your way. You can either flank or risk getting shot at. This map is made for snipers and long range fans. Even the average sniper (like me) can land a few satisfying kills from distance, and there is very little chance of getting bored while waiting for enemies to show themselves.

Certain game types will not work well on this map. Deathmatch is always fine, and domination will work if you bring smoke grenades, but capture the flag, demolition, headquarters, search and destroy and others might be frustrating. In fact, any game type where you need teamwork will be especially tough considering half of your teammates will want to hang back and snipe. "Hazard" is an excellent map, but it will turn a lot of people off.

Hangar 18

Adam: There are two layers to "Hangar 18″. First is the coolness factor that comes from exchanging weapons fire on the ground at Area 51. You've got a giant, open hangar with an SR-71 Blackbird – the coolest military jet in this world by a large margin – sticking out of it. You can even walk on the thing. There's an autopsy room with what is almost certainly the body of a Grey alien covered by a surgical sheet. There's even a domed structure containing a bizarre column-shaped apparatus, at the center of which floats a shiny, red, bulletproof apple.

Awesome.

That's the first layer. The second layer is the map itself as a construct for waging team-based gun battles. "Hanger 18" is a success there as well. This is a large map, and a fairly open one in the center area. Some of the heaviest fighting happens in, and spills out of the hangar, the map's centerpiece. There are multiple entrances and quite a few shadowed nooks to sit silently in as you wait for your moment to strike. The fringe of the map is where you'll find the truly weird stuff, like the dead Grey and the floating apple. Also, plenty of windows and hideaways to snipe from. This map isn't all about the snipers, but ranged classes definitely have an advantage.

It really comes back to the SR-71 in the end though. It's a dangerous thing to hang out on top of and snipe from, but man is it cool.

Ryan: Putting aside the cool visuals, including the Blackbird and the mystery apple (which ricochets bullets off of it), the map is actually fairly straight forward, in a good way. In traditional CoD fashion, there are three paths to choose from, with a central area that makes it a good map for most game types. There is plenty of room to snipe or attack with long ranged weapons, but the cover is good enough that you can make your way through the map with close quarter weapons too.

"Hangar" is just a good, balanced map. If you took away the alien stuff and the Blackbird, it would be somewhat basic compared to the other three maps, but that is just in the look. You can play "Hangar" 10 times, and it would move differently all 10 times. A team can set up a coordinated defense, but eventually one team will break through and rout the other. On the other hand, both teams can constantly keep moving. There are a ton of choices, and ways to play. Domination plays particularly well here.

If you don't care about the alien stuff, "Hangar" might come across as a simple map compared to the other three, but it is well balanced and will offer the most for all types of players. It is also deceptive in its size. There is plenty of room to snipe and fight with ranged weapons, but it isn't big enough to hide. Give it time and this may become one of the most popular Black Ops maps.

Silo

Adam: Silo is a lot like "Hangar 18" in some ways. It's a big map, and an outdoor one. You're inside some kind of large, heavily secured military complex. There are also some cool features to the map that have zero effect on the gameplay… they're just cool. Specifically, beyond the borders of the map are missile silos that fire off a large rocket every few minutes. The screen shakes a little and other sounds are temporarily muffled, but it's so short that the impact is minimal. Unless a launching missile happens to distract you long enough for someone to walk up behind you and plant a knife in your back.

That's where the biggest difference between "Silo" and "Hangar 18" lies. Pause too long on the latter map, and a sniper's bullet will inevitably find its way to you. There's a lot less range to work with on "Silo". The rundown missile launch facility is all tight corridors and cramped indoor spaces. There's a lot of ground to cover, but very few wide open sightlines across the map. This is the perfect map to break out the shotgun for and just run amok on.

Ryan: "Silo" is my favorite map in the new map pack, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Sure, it doesn't move as fast as "Drive-In", it isn't as visually stunning as "Hazard," and there are no alien autopsies going on, but there is a lot of freedom in this map. At first glance "Silo" is a big map, but after you learn the pathways, you see that it isn't as much big as it is dense. There are multiple pathways—even one underground tunnel—sniper nests, and plenty of nooks to hide in, wait in ambush, or just use as cover from incoming fire.

The people that learn this map first will have a huge advantage. It's not like you will get lost or anything, but learning where you can duck under cover is going to make a huge difference. While snipers will have plenty of options here, this map truly favors the players that like to constantly keep moving. There is always the fear of being snuck up on, but if you are fast and move with confidence, you can make your way around the map, racking up some kills on the way, and be gone long before anyone knows you were there. There is so much cover that stealth players will murder people here once they learn the map.

Domination plays well here, and for a change, you actually have a chance of sneaking up and taking the B area without eating a grenade. It's not a good chance, but there is a chance. There are just so many pathways and alleys that campers will have a tough time avoiding being snuck up on. So while this is a dense map, it also moves well. "Silo" is well designed and fun to play in almost any game type.

Zombie

Shangri-La

Adam: The new zombie map is arguably the highlight of any map pack from Treyarch. "Shangri-La", the Annihilation pack's addition to the survival-based co-op mode, does not disappoint. The all-star cast and blockbuster sense of scale seen in the previous map, "Call of the Dead", is done away with completely. There's no preamble or postscript cutscene when you load up a solo match, and your zombie hunters are once again the familiar foursome of Dempsey, Nikolai, Richtofen and Takeo. There's a new wonder weapon that transforms your foes into kickable voodoo doll zombies and  three new special zombies: a stun-inducing Shrieker, a deadly, exploding Napalm zombie and rascally little monkeys which only pop up when pickups are left unattended. The furry little bastards steal said pickups and run off with them, though you can gun them down to get a random pickup back.

In short, what we're looking at is more of the same creative lunacy we've come to expect from new zombie mode maps.

There is no "best" when it comes to these maps, but "Shangri-La" is definitely a welcome change after the tense "holycrapwealwayshavetorun" vibe of "Call of the Dead". There's no uber-boss hunting you at all times and there are no boss-specific rounds either. The Shrieker and Napalm zombies pop up in the midst of regular rounds far less frequently than regular deadheads do. It feels like pickups are more common since there's now no boss round – and guaranteed max ammo boost at the end of it – though that could be an illusion.

"Shangri-La" is smaller than "Call of the Dead" and "Ascension" before it; it may actually be the smallest one overall. There's a great deal of complexity, however. None of the traditional traps you're used to seeing, but lots of funky elements. For example, one mud-filled room slows you down and prevents you from jumping unless you're walking on wooden platforms that automatically appear as you progress from one to the next. The platforms appear in a certain sequence, seemingly randomized, that lead you to one of the room's three possible exits. There is also an extended water slide and a mine cart you can ride on.

The centerpiece, though, is the new easter egg. By far the most elaborate puzzle yet conceived for the zombie mode, you'll have to perform a certain action to trigger the map's temporary (and unique) "eclipse" mode. It has no effect on the gameplay beyond changing the color of the surrounding environment, but certain tasks must be performed in a certain order to complete the easter egg, learn more about the mode's ever-developing story and get a little bonus treat. Also, an achievement, if you're into that sort of thing.

Ryan: Unlike Adam, for me the Zombie maps have always been a fun diversion from the multiplayer, but not much more. Treyarch obviously disagrees, and each subsequent zombie map is bigger, more complex, and more incredible than the last. "Shangri-La" is no exception—except for the bigger part.

The first thing to know about "Shangri-La" is that it is not for the casual zombie game fans. This map is a love letter to the players that have passionately flocked to the zombie games. It requires teamwork—and not just the occasional "Watch my back" teamwork, but a true coordinated effort. Even just moving through the trap infested map requires coordination.

"Shangri-La" is also the wildest of all the zombie maps. There are traps everywhere that can separate you and your team unless you coordinate, and turning the power on makes the map even more complicated as new waterways and pathways open up. The bosses of previous zombie maps are gone, but there are new mini-bosses of a sort roaming around that make things tough. I kind of miss the sense of presentation that "Call of the Dead" had, but in terms of game play, "Shangri-La" is a step forward. The zombie maps have come a long way from the simple mini-games that they were. They have taken on a life of their own, and Call of Duty is better for it.

Conclusion

Adam: Overall, Annihilation is my favorite of the Black Ops map packs released so far. Treyarch may well be onto something with the remix of "Cliffside" as "Hazard" (someone, please bring back "Shipment" from Infinity Ward's COD4!), but the new maps hold their own just fine. "Hangar 18" is a highlight simply for being insanely cool, but "Drive-In" is the standout for giving virtual soldiers a new meat grinder to duke it out in. Then there's "Shangri-La", the zombie map, which is a special kind of paradise.

Ryan: The Annihilation map pack is the best of the three Black Ops expansions. The maps are balanced (with the exception of "Hazard" which is still fun to play), they look good visually, and they will accommodate almost any game type. Each of the four new maps has something to offer, and they all offer a ton of variety. A lot of thought went into the design, and it shows. "Shangri-La" is also an excellent addition and will keep fans of the zombie maps occupied for a long time. If this is the final Black Ops map pack, Treyarch is going out on a high note.

 

Trade body backs part of ruling against Kodak (Reuters)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:39 PM PDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Eastman Kodak shares plunged 15 percent on Thursday after a U.S. trade panel upheld portions of a ruling unfavorable to the company in a patent fight over digital camera technology in cellphones.

The U.S. International Trade Commission sent portions of the case back to its internal judge for further review.

In January, the judge had found that Apple and Research in Motion did not infringe Kodak's patented technology because it was invalid.

The commission said it was affirming in part, reversing in part, and remanding in part the prior decision.

Kodak's Chief Executive Antonio Perez had previously suggested the company could reap $1 billion from a favorable ruling.

Kodak filed its ITC complaint against Apple and RIM in January 2010, arguing Apple's iPhone and RIM's camera-enabled Blackberry infringe on a Kodak patent related to a method for previewing images.

It asked the ITC to bar the importation of Apple and RIM mobile phones and other wireless devices with digital cameras.

Apple filed a countersuit at the ITC, accusing Kodak of infringing its patented technology. In an initial ruling, Kodak was found not to have infringed.

The ITC's notice on Thursday gave a brief summary of an opinion to be issued later.

The internal judge had found in January that Kodak's patent was invalid, which means it could not be infringed. The full commission, in its statement, asked the internal judge to reconsider the invalidity decision but said it took no position on the question.

On the issue of capturing a still image while previewing a moving image the ITC said: "We find that the Apple iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 do not literally infringe the asserted claim in their non-flash-photography modes of operation."

But it said the accused products from Apple and RIM did infringe a portion of the technology involving color patterns.

"We are gratified that the commission has decided to modify in our favor the judge's initial recommendation," said Laura Quatela, Kodak's general counsel, in an emailed statement. "As we have said from the start, we remain extremely confident this case will ultimately conclude in Kodak's favor."

Kodak also has related lawsuits pending against RIM and Apple in federal courts in Texas and New York.

The ITC set a target date of August 30, 2011, but said the administrative law judge could himself extend the date based on the need for further proceedings.

Shares of Kodak have moved sharply on developments in the case. They rose in March on word the ITC would review the judge's decision.

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)

Is Facebook launching an 'awesome' iPad feature next week? (Digital Trends)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 08:35 PM PDT

zuckerberg via LA TimesFacebook is building buzz about a mysterious new feature they will be launching next week. What could it be?

According to an article published by Reuters, the CEO and founder of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg himself told reporters that the company has "something awesome" prepared to debut next week. Zuckerberg let this tidbit slip while at the 40-person Seattle Facebook office, and it has tech writers all over the web speculating on the new feature.

Recent whispering has the majority of the speculation centered around a Facebook iPad app. Early this month, rumor had it that the iPad app would be coming in a few weeks so the timing seems only slightly premature. Those that have seen the app say that the photo and video would be "amazing, offering full resolution and full-screen images". The wording seems right, and since Zuckerberg is supposed to have invested time in the iPad project his enthusiasm shown in Seattle would be appropriate.

The Seattle office is also home to a team that played a big part in Facebook's mobile side so the app would make sense, though Zuckerberg has insisted that the iPad isn't a mobile device. If that's the case, the feature could be the recently leaked photo sharing app for the iPhone.

TechCrunch is saying that it most likely isn't the HTML-5 based app platform Project Spartan. Spartan would be premature if released next week and the project isn't based in Seattle. Also, TechCrunch seems to be against the iPad app possibility since one of their sources is saying the app is highly unlikely for next week.

Another few possibilities could be Skype integration and even a social TV feature that Facebook has been developing. AdWeek reported that the social TV idea would be a program guide that figured out what was trending among Facebook friends. The company is refusing to provide further details so we'll just have to use our imaginations for now.

http://blogs.forbes.com/andygreenberg/2011/06/30/anonymous-launches-a-wikileaks-for-hackers-hackerleaks/

Android Leads as Smartphone Use Grows in U.S. (NewsFactor)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 02:10 PM PDT

A new Nielsen survey released Thursday indicates that 38 percent of all U.S. mobile consumers now own smartphones. Of those, 55 percent are recent handset purchasers who selected a smartphone. By contrast, only 28 percent of U.S. mobile consumers were equipped with smartphones in the third quarter of last year -- when 41 percent of recent buyers said they had purchased a smartphone, according to the FCC.

Nielsen's survey also found that Android continued to be the most popular smartphone platform among U.S. consumers in May. Among those respondents who purchased a new smartphone in the past three months, Android was the U.S. market leader.

However, the growth of Google's mobile platform remained flat at 38 percent during May in comparison with survey results from previous months. By contrast, the popularity of Apple's iPhone rose six percentage points over the last three months to 27 percent, according to Nielsen.

Awaiting Mango

Apple's recent U.S. market gains have come primarily at the expense of Research In Motion. According to Nielsen, BlackBerry handsets accounted for 21 percent of the total number of smartphones owned by U.S. customers in May.

Surprisingly, Microsoft's old Windows Mobile platform still accounts for nine percent of all U.S. smartphone owners. By contrast, the software giant's new Windows Phone 7 platform only represented one percent of all U.S. smartphone users, according to Nielsen.

Windows Phone 7 hasn't seen any uptick in growth over the past three months. Some industry observers believe many potential buyers are waiting for Mango -- the next-generation mobile OS that Microsoft has promised to release this autumn.

Still, IDC recently predicted that if all goes smoothly with Nokia's transition to Mango, the Windows Phone 7 platform could attain a 20 percent global market share in 2015. "Windows Phone 7 will benefit from Nokia's support, scope and breadth within markets where Nokia has historically had a strong presence," the firm's analysts said.

Mobile Apps and Brand Loyalty

Now that more U.S. consumers are using smartphones, mobile apps are becoming of greater importance. According to another Nielsen survey released earlier this month, app usage now accounts for 56 percent of all user activity on Android smartphones. By contrast 19 percent of user activity is devoted to e-mail, while 15 percent involves telephone calls, and only nine percent of user activity is browsing the web, on average.

According to a new Futuresource Consulting survey, iPhone users are downloading the most games and most frequently paying for content. The firm's recent survey of mobile-device users in the U.S. and the U.K. shows that one out of every three iPhone users are making "in App" purchases.

By contrast, only one in 10 Blackberry and Android users were doing the same. Moreover, 64 percent of iPhone users are viewing video on their devices, whereas only 32 percent of other smartphone users said the same.

The consulting firm's latest Living with Digital study also demonstrates the huge importance of the non-transferable nature of mobile apps as a driver of brand loyalty. Among the iPhone owners the firm surveyed, 54 percent indicated they are committed to the Apple brand so they can retain the apps they have come to depend upon.

"Apps for smartphones and tablets continue to offer significant opportunities for promoting and monetizing games, books, movie and TV content," said Alison Casey, head of global content at Futuresource. "Although the market is in its early stages, tablets will become the portable device for entertainment in the future, generating a new breed of applications and services that will breathe additional life into this already lucrative market segment."

Google+ tops Android Apps of the Week (Appolicious)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 02:30 PM PDT

LightSquared shifts spectrum (Investor's Business Daily)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:47 PM PDT

The prospective builder of a broadband wireless network filed a revised proposal with the FCC that would move its network to a different block of spectrum to ease fears it would interfere with GPS frequencies. Separately, a technical working group filed a study with the agency that shows LightSquared's original network plans could interfere with GPS signals used in consumer navigation devices and aircraft guidance systems.

Judge's comments boost Dish (Investor's Business Daily)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:50 PM PDT

Dish Network (NASDAQ:DISH - News) rose 3.6% to 30.67 after it got a green light from bankruptcy judge Robert Gerber to buy bankrupt DBSD North America for about $1.4 bil. Gerber said he would wait to enter the official order until Dish has a chance to study changes in the plan. The deal would be Dish's 3rd major acquisition this year. On Monday it won an auction to buy TerreStar Networks, another bankrupt telecommunications company, for $1.38 bil. RBC raised its price target for Dish to $37 from $35.

Nielsen: iOS smartphone marketshare up, Android flat in May (Digital Trends)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 10:54 AM PDT

Nielsen smartphone marketshare May 2011

New survey figures released by market metrics firm Nielsen show that Google's Android operating system remained the most popular smartphone platform in the U.S. market, accounting for 38 percent of smartphone users. However, Nielsen also finds that Android's adoption by new smartphone buyers over the last few months has remained steady at 27 percent, while Apple's iPhone has shown steady growth, jumping from 10 percent of new acquirers in February to 17 percent in May. In other words, Apple's iOS is the only smartphone platform to have shown significant growth in recent months.

Nielsen also finds that 55 percent of mobile users who bought a new phone in recent months have purchased a smartphone—meaning 45 percent of new phone sales were so-called feature phones. A year ago, feature phones accounted for two thirds of new mobile phone purchases.

Industry watchers are attributing the iPhone's market expansion largely to the device recently going for sale on Verizon Wireless, breaking AT&T's multi-year exclusivity deal with Apple for the iPhone. However, it's also worth noting that AT&T has had a minor hit on its hands offering the now two-year-old iPhone 3GS to mid-range buyers for just $50, on a new two-year contract.

Over the same February-to-May period, BlackBerry maker RIM saw its portion of new phone purchases drop from 11 percent to 6 percent, while Windows Phone held relatively steady at one percent.

Nielsen's figures just account for smartphone sales; they don't figure in tablets or other non-phone devices running Android or Apple's iOS.

Open Letter to RIM Management Calls for Massive Change (PC Magazine)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 11:40 AM PDT

An anonymous letter posted to the Web on Thursday, allegedly penned by a senior RIM employee, took Research in Motion to task for a lack of management accountability, poor software tools, and even being too nice.

Although the letter was penned anonymously and submitted to BGR, RIM chose - anonymously - to acknowledge it, and confirmed that its management was "fully aware of and aggressively addressing both the company's challenges and its opportunities".

The author of the letter addressed "Mike and Jim" - Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie, the co-chief executives of RIM - and opened with the statement, "I have lost confidence".

BGR said that it had confirmed the letter's author as a "high-level RIM employee".

"We are in the middle of major 'transition' and things have never been more chaotic," the letter's author wrote. "Almost every project is falling further and further behind schedule at a time when we absolutely must deliver great, solid products on time. We urge you to make bold decisions about our organisational structure, about our culture and most importantly our products."

The letter's author identified eight problems to address: focus on the end-user experience, recruit senior software leaders, pare projects to their essentials, prioritize developers, improve marketing, improve accountability ("Canadians are too nice") and treat the press and customers with humility and paranoia. Finally, the author wrote, it was time to stand up and energize the troops.

The author also suggested renaming the company "BlackBerry" to signify the company's focus on its new QNX superphones.

RIM's missteps have been heavily scrutinized, including the lack of email in the BlackBerry PlayBook, a botched interview with CNBC, and then product delays and poor sales. PCMag.com wireless analyst Sascha Segan went so far as to put the company on a death watch

.

All of those problems can be addressed, the letter said.

RIM's first priority, according to the letter, was identifying and focusing on the end-user experience, almost exactly the same thing Apple chief executive Steve Jobs said upon his return to the company in 2007.

"We often make product decisions based on strategic alignment, partner requests or even legal advice — the end user doesn't care," the letter says. "We simply have to admit that Apple is nailing this and it is one of the reasons they have people lining up overnight at stores around the world, and products sold out for months."

But the letter-writer also suggested that RIM hire some heavy hitters to manage its software programs, including improving its developer SDKs beyond "a rundown 1990′s Ford Explorer" quality to Apple's "shiny new BMW M3". Excess programs should be cut, and RIM should respond to customers, not carriers, he wrote. Finally, the letter's author recommended demoting both co-CEOs.

"To avoid this death, perhaps it is time to seriously consider a new, fresh thinking, experienced CEO," the letter's author wrote. "There is no shame in no longer being a CEO. Mike, you could focus on innovation. Jim, you could focus on our carriers/customers… They are our lifeblood."

For its part, an anonymous blog post on RIM's BlackBerry blog confirmed that the senior management team at RIM is "fully aware of and aggressively addressing both the company's challenges and its opportunities".

"RIM recently confirmed that it is nearing the end of a major business and technology transition.," the company wrote. "Although this transition has taken longer than anticipated, there is much excitement and optimism within the company about the new products that are lined up for the coming months."

8x8 dead to aid cloud services (Investor's Business Daily)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:47 PM PDT

The provider of Internet telecom services partnered with Virtual Computing Environment to speed up deployment of its cloud-computing services. VCE was formed by Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO - News) and EMC (NYSE:EMC - News) with investments from VMware (NYSE:VMW - News) and Intel (NASDAQ:INTC - News) and is making its VBlock platform available to 8x8 (NASDAQ:EGHT - News) to help it accelerate its cloud-based products. With VBlock's help, 8x8 will pursue larger enterprise and gov't clients. 8x8 leapt 9.9% to 5.

Best gadget news

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News@8pm: New Apple MacBook and PSN hack latest

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 12:00 PM PDT


Welcome to your nightly round-up of the day's news and goings on courtesy of T3.com.

Kaspersky Lab CEO Eugene Kaspersky in an exclusive interview with T3 has suggested that Sony may need to overhaul its IT security systems and personnel. Meanwhile Sony has revealed the full details of its ‘Welcome Back’ package, designed to make amends to PSN users for the scandal that rocked the online network back in April.

 

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Sanex has launched a new app on Facebook where social networkers can look to win prizes by taking each other on in a ‘dual-arcade gaming challenge’. Whilst Facebook prospers, the old king of social networks has finally found a buyer, but from a slightly unexpected place. Justin Timberlake has bought a stake in MySpace following the sale of the once-mighty social network site to Specific Media for just £21 million.

 

The Call of Duty franchise shows no sign of a decline as Black Ops overtook its predecessor Modern Warfare 2 to become the UK’s best-selling game ever. Android also reached a landmark today as it recorded its 4.5 billionth app download, though Google still sits at least 10 million downloads behind Apple’s App Store.

 

Apple looks to be preparing for a re-launch of the MacBook, as current supplies of the entry level machine appear to be waning. Apple meanwhile is still mired in a legal battle with Samsung, as the latter has filed to prohibit the sale of all Apple products in the US.

 

Finally there was news on new smartphone OS’ today, as HTC confirmed that Android 2.3 Gingerbread is in testing for the HTC Desire and that the HTC users would be receiving the update soon. HP also looks set to jump into the fray, as CEO Leo Apotheker confirmed that the American IT giant was in talks to deliver its webOS to the smartphone market.

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PSN hacks: Media will spark more attacks says expert

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 09:26 AM PDT


Kaspersky Labs CEO Eugene Kaspersky has spoken exclusively to T3 on the future threat of online hackers following the recent PSN hack attacks

The current mainstream media trend of reporting on incidents of hacking will further spur the hacker community into action, an industry expert and internet security CEO has announced.

 

In the wake of the recent PSN attacks that saw the personal information of up to 100 million users stolen, hacking has become a hot topic with the British and global media with the actions of the LulzSec and Anonymous hacking groups repeatedly probed by the press.

 


“The media coverage that hacking is getting at the minute will prompt hackers to retaliate,” stated Kaspersky Lab CEO Eugene Kaspersky before adding: “It’s like a snowball.”

 

“More attacks means more attention, more attention means more people looking at that and being attracted by these groups. I’m afraid that also the reports about successful cyber crime attacks on enterprises also motivate criminals and activists. Both groups are motivated by the successful attacks and not so many successful investigations.”

 

On the potential dangers facing web users Kaspersky discussed the different threats posed by traditional cyber criminals and a new breed of hacker activists. He said: “There are cyber criminals who look for financial results from these hacks and the data they access, to resell or to use it in order to make money. Also there are hactivists.

 

“Hactivists they have a very different motivation, they just want to show how cool and powerful they are, or they protest against something, or they have a political allegiance, not money.

 

With Kaspersky claiming that “30,000 new virus signatures per day” are being created the internet security head concluded: “Cyber crime is an integral part of the digital world; it is an organised underground industry that has seen its golden age over the past five years. Cyber criminals today have a lot of money and function like real businesses. However, instead of being B2B, business-to-business, or B2C, business-to-consumer, they are C2C, criminal-to-criminal.”

 

Are you concerned for your personal online safety or do you think the media is blowing the threat of hackers out of proportion? Share your thoughts on the matter with us via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.
 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

iPhone app news: Google+ coming to App Store soon

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 08:11 AM PDT


Google confirms it will be launching an app for its new social network Google+ (Google Plus) for the Apple iPhone however, whether it will launch a similar application for Windows Phone or Blackberry handsets remains to be seen

 

Google has confirmed that it will be bringing a Google+ mobile application to the iPhone, although a release date is yet to be announced.

 

An iPhone app for the new Facebook-rival, announced this week, will join the Android 2.1 app that was bundled with the launch of the social networking service.

 

With Google admitting that it is working on an iPhone application, there was no word of a companion for owners of BlackBerry, Windows Phone or Nokia Symbian smartphones.

 

Getting the iPhone app along with Android out of the gate fast could help Google succeed where its previous social ventures like the Twitter-esque Google Buzz failed miserably.

 

Google+ is still, as yet, invite only, but interested parties only need to find a current user and ask them to share a link using the service and they can get involved.

 

The latest social venture from Google is much closer to emulating Facebook than any of its previous efforts. Users can share status updates, web links, pictures and video although Google+ is aimed more at co-ordinating group activity rather that catering to the individual.

 

Link: Google (via Tech Radar)

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HTC Desire Gingerbread update coming soon says HTC

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:07 AM PDT


HTC Desire users are to receive the Android 2.3 GIngerbread update in the near future as HTC confirms the update is in testing

The HTC Desire looks set to receive the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update in the coming weeks as HTC announces it is in the testing phase for its OS upgrade.

 

Making the announcement via its official Facebook page the HTC Desire Gingerbread update is edging closer to the realms of reality after the Taiwanese phone manufacturer was forced to backtrack on its insistence that the former market leading handset would not be getting the latest Android OS due to hardware limitations.

 


“Hi all- We're excited to share that we are testing our build of Gingerbread for HTC Desire and will start doing quality assurance for it this week. When we have an update on availability we'll post another announcement,” revealed the latest HTC Facebook posting.

 

Having declared earlier this month that “there isn’t enough memory to allow us both to bring Gingerbread and keep the HTC Sense experience on the HTC Desire,” HTC was forced into a U-turn by a strong consumer reaction, less that 24 hours later releasing a statement that read: "Contrary to what we said earlier, we are going to bring Gingerbread to HTC Desire."

 

Will the HTC Desire’s Gingerbread update meet expectations or be scaled back to meet the handset’s limits? Let us know what you think via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

 

 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Call of Duty: Black Ops now UK's best selling game ever

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:33 AM PDT


Call of Duty has beaten out Call of Duty as Black Ops replaces Modern Warfare 2 as the UK's biggest ever selling game

Last year's Call of Duty release Call of Duty: Black Ops has officially become the UK's highest selling game ever, dethroning its predecessor in the process.

 

GfK ChartTrack has confirmed that the Treyarch shooter had amassed a massive 3,722,411 until sales in the UK by June 25th of this year, surpassing the total sales of the former leading release Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 by 20,000 sales less than eight months after launch.

 


This is yet another chart topped for the Black Ops release which sold 13.7 million units across the pond to become the US’ best ever selling game back in March with US and UK sales figures hinting at worldwide sales of well over 20 million units.
 
 

Call of Duty developer Activision claimed back in March that Black Ops had attracted 33 per cent more unique online gamers than Modern Warfare 2 with the release of the third Black Ops DLC, ‘Annihilation’, earlier this week meaning the latest CoD title still has room for growth yet.
 
 

"This is an outstanding achievement for the development team at Treyarch and the amazing Call of Duty community," declared Activision's UK Managing Director Andrew Brown.

 

Looking to topple Call of Duty: Black Ops from its lofty pedestal later this year will be Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Set to hit stores on November 8th the next Call of Duty: Modern Warfare instalment will include levels set in New York City, London, Paris and Berlin.
 

 
Is Call of Duty: Black Ops worthy of being the UK's biggest game to date or are you still struggling to see what all the fuss is about? Let us know via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

 

Via: CVG

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Justin Timberlake involved in £21m Myspace buyout

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:06 AM PDT


Justin Timberlake buys stake in MySpace following its £21m purchase by Specific Media, six years after News Corp bought the music-based social network for £361m

 

Just months after T3 reported on the prospect of a MySpace buyout, the site has finally been sold by News Corp, six years after Rupert Murdoch stumped up £361 million for the then massive social network. It has been bought by Specific Media for a reported £21 million - £41.5m less than its original price tag.

 

As well as Specific Media, Justin Timberlake has also stumped up to get involved with MySpace, perhaps taking his part in last year’s The Social Network a touch too seriously. The pop star and actor, who played Facebook investor Sean Parker in the Hollywood hit, will apparently take up “a major role” in MySpace’s “creative direction.”

 

The site was originally on the market for £62.5m however, News Corp accepted the £21m offer, perhaps with a sigh of relief.

 

It's not been a good few years for MySpace. The website, which has seen a steep decline in users since 2008, has lost billions of dollars from its price tag and only this year announced it was to slash 500 jobs from its global workforce.

 

However, it remains popular with musicians and record labels, but in a world where it’s becoming easier than ever to upload and share tracks in myriad ways, how long will this last?

 

For more on this and the rest of the day’s gadget and tech news, stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

Via BBC
 

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MySpace sold at last

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:06 AM PDT


Justin Timberlake buys stake in MySpace following its £21m purchase by Specific Media, six years after News Corp bought the music-based social network for £361m

 

Just months after T3 reported on the prospect of a MySpace buyout, the site has finally been sold by News Corp, six years after Rupert Murdoch stumped up £361 million for the then massive social network. It has been bought by Specific Media for a reported £21 million - £41.5m less than its original price tag.

 

As well as Specific Media, Justin Timberlake has also stumped up to get involved with MySpace, perhaps taking his part in last year’s The Social Network a touch too seriously. The pop star and actor, who played Facebook investor Sean Parker in the Hollywood hit, will apparently take up “a major role” in MySpace’s “creative direction.”

 

The site was originally on the market for £62.5m however, News Corp accepted the £21m offer, perhaps with a sigh of relief.

 

It's not been a good few years for MySpace. The website, which has seen a steep decline in users since 2008, has lost billions of dollars from its price tag and only this year announced it was to slash 500 jobs from its global workforce.

 

However, it remains popular with musicians and record labels, but in a world where it’s becoming easier than ever to upload and share tracks in myriad ways, how long will this last?

 

For more on this and the rest of the day’s gadget and tech news, stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

Via BBC
 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Google Android apps record 4.5 billion downloads

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 02:44 AM PDT


Google has recorded its 4.5 billionth Android app download - but it's still 10 billion behind Apple's iPhone

Google’s Android mobile operating system has recorded more than 4.5 billion app downloads to date, a new report has claimed.

 

Having recorded its 1 billionth Android application download around a year ago, Google’s mobile operating system has gone from strength-to-strength over the past 12 months notching up an additional 3.5 billion Android app downloads, with the last billion coming in the past 60 days.

 


"A year ago that was one billion, and that first billion took two years to happen," announced Google’s mobile advertising sales director for northern and central Europe, Ian Carrington. He added: "The last billion took 60 days."

 

Whilst Google is celebrating 4.5 billion Android application downloads and the activation of 500,000 Android devices per day, bitter rival Apple is today toasting the fourth birthday of the Apple iPhone which first went on sale in the US on this day in 2007. In the past four years Apple’s revolutionary smartphone has recorded more than 14 billion application downloads with over half a million apps now available in the iTunes App Store.

 

Which company has the best offering of mobile applications Apple or Google? Let us know what you think via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

 

Via: TheGuardian
 

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Olympus PEN E-P3, E-PL3 and E-PM1 cameras unveiled

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 02:10 AM PDT


Olympus' latest are smaller and lighter but still boast interchangeable lenses and micro four-thirds innards

After a couple of weeks of rumour, speculation and leaked photos, Olympus has lifted the lid on its new cameras, the Olympus PEN E-P3, E-PL3 and E-PM1. The three cams all boast the same micro four-thirds innards with 12.3-Megapixels and Olympus’ own LIVE-MOS sensors.

There’s also a new auto-focus system and 1080i HD video recording. The differences between the three are mostly cosmetic, then. The E-P3 picks up where its predecessor (the PEN E-PL2) left off, with a similar design but slightly smaller dimensions.


The E-PL3 differs by way of a tilting LCD screen, which should allow you to get the perfect shots no matter what the angle. Arguably the most exciting is the EPM1 (the 'M' stands for mini), which is so small it borders on compact camera territory, while still ramming in all the aforementioned image-quality goodness.
 

 

See the pictures:
- See photos of the new Olympus PEN cameras


Only the E-P3 is priced at the moment, with Olympus billing it at £799. All three cams will be on sale in August, so we’ll keep you posted on price as and when we can. Is one of these your new camera? Let us know on the T3 Twitter feed.
 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Samsung seeking ban on Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod sales

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 02:04 AM PDT


The Apple and Samsung legal battle rages on as the Korean manufacturer attempts to ban sales of Apple products including the iPhone, iPad and iPod in the US, in a complaint made by Samsung to the US International Trade Commission (ITC)

 

The ongoing patent and trademark infringement lawsuit between Samsung and Apple took another twist today as the Galaxy S2 makers filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) to ban sales of Apple products in the US.

 

Samsung has additionally filed another lawsuit in the US, which alleges that the Cupertino company has also violated a patent Samsung holds on telecommunications technology. This has also been extended to the UK and Italy, with additional patent suits possibly to be filed in other European countries.

 

The two companies have been fighting it out in the courts since April this year when Apple sued Samsung for 'copying' the iPhone and iPad. Apple were granted access to unreleased kit such as the Samsung Galaxy S2 and Samsung Galaxy 10.1 at which point the Korean manufacturer demanded to see models of the upcoming iPad 3 and iPhone 5 models.

 

Apple already has a working relationship with Samsung with regards to components for key iOS products, and while Apple execs have said the relationship will continue, Samsung have declined to comment on whether the partnership will still exist as a result of this legal dispute.

 

What do you make of the latest development in the Apple vs Samsung dispute? Share your thoughts on the matter with us via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

 

Link: WSJ

 

 

Samsung Smart View app video: Hands-on

Source: T3 Video

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Samsung seeking ban on iPhone, iPad and iPod sales

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 02:04 AM PDT


The Apple and Samsung legal battle rages on as the Korean manufacturer attempts to ban sales of Apple products including the iPhone, iPad and iPod in the US, in a complaint made by Samsung to the US International Trade Commission (ITC)

 

The ongoing patent and trademark infringement lawsuit between Samsung and Apple took another twist today as the Galaxy S2 makers filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) to ban sales of Apple products in the US.

 

Samsung has additionally filed another lawsuit in the US, which alleges that the Cupertino company has also violated a patent Samsung holds on telecommunications technology. This has also been extended to the UK and Italy, with additional patent suits possibly to be filed in other European countries.

 

The two companies have been fighting it out in the courts since April this year when Apple sued Samsung for 'copying' the iPhone and iPad. Apple were granted access to unreleased kit such as the Samsung Galaxy S2 and Samsung Galaxy 10.1 at which point the Korean manufacturer demanded to see models of the upcoming iPad 3 and iPhone 5 models.

 

Apple already has a working relationship with Samsung with regards to components for key iOS products, and while Apple execs have said the relationship will continue, Samsung have declined to comment on whether the partnership will still exist as a result of this legal dispute.

 

What do you make of the latest development in the Apple vs Samsung dispute? Share your thoughts on the matter with us via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

 

Link: WSJ

 

 

Samsung Smart View app video: Hands-on

Source: T3 Video

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Sony PSN hacks due to Sony's lax internet security?

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 02:00 AM PDT


Kaspersky Lab CEO Eugene Kaspersky talks to T3 claiming Sony's lax attitude on internet security contributed to the recent PSN hacks

 

Sony’s lack of attention to internet security and poor staffing was to blame for the recent PSN and system hacks, the head of internet security firm Kaspersky Lab has announced.

 

In the wake of the Sony hacks that saw the personal details of as many as 100 million PSN users stolen, Kaspersky Lab CEO Eugene Kaspersky has claimed the latest spate of attacks were not Sony’s only association with lax security practices stating that the company behind the PlayStation brand “does not pay a lot of attention to internet security.”

 


Speaking exclusively with T3 the internet security head announced: “To me it seems that there are companies that pay a lot of attention to internet security and there are enterprises that don’t. Maybe in the case of Sony they simply didn’t understand that their IT security issues would be very dangerous.”

 

With PSN users being left fearful for the safety of their personal details including their banking information, repercussions of the hacks that left the PSN out of service for almost a month earlier this year are still being felt.

 

“They have to learn some lessons from the hacks and I’m pretty sure that they have to upgrade not just the IT security systems but maybe their IT security staff as well,” said Kaspersky. Further highlighting Sony’s security issues he added: “These security issues, it’s not the first time there were such issues with Sony.”

 

“Sony was distributing on their CDs and DVDs some software, which was like a Trojan. It was called Sony rootkit because they were mainly malware. Trojans are malware and sometimes have several components and some very similar code to rootkit was found to be a malware component.

 

“This component is responsible for hiding the malicious code, it doesn’t do any bad things itself it just hides the malicious code. So the same technology was used by Sony and it was a little scandal.”

 

Has Sony paid heed to the scathing attacks that followed the PSN hacks and done enough to ensure its users have piece of mind over their personal details or are many still wary of returning to the PlayStation Network? Share your thoughts on the matter with us via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.
 

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Sony PSN hacks were due to Sony's lax internet security

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 02:00 AM PDT


Kaspersky Lab CEO Eugene Kaspersky talks to T3 claiming Sony's lax attitude on internet security contributed to the recent PSN hacks

 

Sony’s lack of attention to internet security and poor staffing was to blame for the recent PSN and system hacks, the head of internet security firm Kaspersky Lab has announced.

 

In the wake of the Sony hacks that saw the personal details of as many as 100 million PSN users stolen, Kaspersky Lab CEO Eugene Kaspersky has claimed the latest spate of attacks were not Sony’s only association with lax security practices stating that the company behind the PlayStation brand “does not pay a lot of attention to internet security.”

 


Speaking exclusively with T3 the internet security head announced: “To me it seems that there are companies that pay a lot of attention to internet security and there are enterprises that don’t. Maybe in the case of Sony they simply didn’t understand that their IT security issues would be very dangerous.”

 

With PSN users being left fearful for the safety of their personal details including their banking information, repercussions of the hacks that left the PSN out of service for almost a month earlier this year are still being felt.

 

“They have to learn some lessons from the hacks and I’m pretty sure that they have to upgrade not just the IT security systems but maybe their IT security staff as well,” said Kaspersky. Further highlighting Sony’s security issues he added: “These security issues, it’s not the first time there were such issues with Sony.”

 

“Sony was distributing on their CDs and DVDs some software, which was like a Trojan. It was called Sony rootkit because they were mainly malware. Trojans are malware and sometimes have several components and some very similar code to rootkit was found to be a malware component.

 

“This component is responsible for hiding the malicious code, it doesn’t do any bad things itself it just hides the malicious code. So the same technology was used by Sony and it was a little scandal.”

 

Has Sony paid heed to the scathing attacks that followed the PSN hacks and done enough to ensure its users have piece of mind over their personal details or are many still wary of returning to the PlayStation Network? Share your thoughts on the matter with us via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.
 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Sanex For Men Challenge Facebook app launches

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 01:17 AM PDT


Men's deodorant giant Sanex has launched a new Facebook application tasking social-networkers to pit their wits against a dual arcade gaming challenge

Deodorant specialist Sanex has launched a new Facebook application challenging men to test out their multitasking skills across two classic arcade games.

 

Pitting their wits against both Tetris and Block-Buster styled games simultaneously, the Sanex For Men Challenge will see users arch back to their gaming youth with top performers of the dual-gaming task given the chance to win an Apple iPad 2 or Xbox 360 console with Kinect.

 


“We have chosen to target Facebook for this activity because we know that our target audience has a specific interest in technology and smart products, and always likes to be aware and up to date,” Lianne Bezzina, Brand Manager for Sanex UK announced.

 

Speaking exclusively with T3 the head of the Sanex For Men deodorant range added: “Sanex has embraced the idea that we need to engage with our audience through digital, and plan to explore the digital space for future launches and brand activities.”

 

The Sanex For Men Challenge Facebook app is available on the social networking site now and will run until July 31st.

 

Could you beat the dual-gaming challenge put out by Sanex? Try it out and let us know your top score via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.
 

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New Apple MacBook update?

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT


Apple's flagship laptop the Macbook is set to receive a long awaited update by the consumer electronics giant as supplies of the company's distinctive white portable computer begin to dry up.

 

The Apple MacBook has quickly been forgotten about what with Apple's Pro and Air ranges storming ahead and rumours of a new and updated Mac Mini gathers pace. But it seems the entry-level machine is all set for a much-needed update, amid growing speculation that supplies of the distinctive white laptop are quickly drying up.

 

AppleInsider reports that stores across the US are struggling to meet demand, with MacConnection, J&R and Amazon US all sold out. A cursory search by T3 this morning showed only one model left in stock at Amazon UK, although the UK Apple store is still delivering the white machine within 24 hours.

 

The news comes just a day after rumours of a Macbook Air update emerged on the blogosphere.

 

The white MacBook has not been boosted since the end of 2009, meaning it’s long overdue an upgrade. But what can we expect? Well, if rumours are to be believed, Intel Sandy Bridge processors, Thunderbolt and maybe even FireWire, to name a few.

 

The Macbook is Apple's best-selling laptop to date, selling over 10million units since launching in 2006.

 

For more on this story as it develops, stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter pages.

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New Apple MacBook prepped?

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT


Apple's flagship laptop the Macbook is set to receive a long awaited update by the consumer electronics giant as supplies of the company's distinctive white portable computer begin to dry up.

 

The Apple MacBook has quickly been forgotten about what with Apple's Pro and Air ranges storming ahead and rumours of a new and updated Mac Mini gathers pace. But it seems the entry-level machine is all set for a much-needed update, amid growing speculation that supplies of the distinctive white laptop are quickly drying up.

 

AppleInsider reports that stores across the US are struggling to meet demand, with MacConnection, J&R and Amazon US all sold out. A cursory search by T3 this morning showed only one model left in stock at Amazon UK, although the UK Apple store is still delivering the white machine within 24 hours.

 

The news comes just a day after rumours of a Macbook Air update emerged on the blogosphere.

 

The white MacBook has not been boosted since the end of 2009, meaning it’s long overdue an upgrade. But what can we expect? Well, if rumours are to be believed, Intel Sandy Bridge processors, Thunderbolt and maybe even FireWire, to name a few.

 

The Macbook is Apple's best-selling laptop to date, selling over 10million units since launching in 2006.

 

For more on this story as it develops, stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter pages.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Sony outs PS Home Welcome Back package

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 11:45 PM PDT


Sony is offering users of its Playstation Network (PSN) £65 worth of freebies in compensation following the infamous hackings which crippled the consumer electronics giant's online gaming system for almost a month

 

Sony has just offered up full details of its PS Home ‘Welcome Back’ package. The offer, which is up for grabs from today, is said to be worth £65 and is part of Sony’s ongoing attempts to make peace with users after its Playstation Network was hacked and users' personal information was stolen.

 

PS Home users can head to the Home Square now and snag freebies which include an anime style apartment, anime themed clothing, a Paris modern office furniture set, a Midway Green ticket worth 50 plays and a selection of virtual clothing. The complete list can be found on the official PlayStation blog.

 

Sony says the free offer will run until 28 July, when the package will become available for the aforementioned RRP.

 

Sony’s Playstation Network was hacked into in April, with hackers making off with the personal details of some 77 million users. In a further blow to the Japanese giant, another breach saw the details of 24.8 million gamers stolen from its Sony Online Entertainment MMO service, including some credit and debit information.

 

After three weeks, PSN officially went back online on May 15, with Sony bosses apologising for the hacking at E3 2011 in June.

 

Will you be hoovering up these new extras? Or have you had it with PS Home after the recent PSN debacle? Tell us now on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

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HP webOS heading to Samsung phones?

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 11:26 PM PDT


Hewlett Packard (HP) deal could see webOS branch out and take on Android and Apple's iOS mobile operating system

Hewlett Packard's CEO Leo Apotheker has confirmed that the company is in talks to licence its webOS mobile operating system to third parties. However, the big cheese has refused to say which other tech giants are looking to get involved.

 

Despite Apotheker’s refusal to name names, insiders have told Bloomberg that Samsung is already in negotiations with HP. That means Sammy’s phones and even tablets could soon come packing webOS.

 

One of the “people with knowledge of the discussions” claimed Samsung was keen on webOS as it would be allowed to fully customise it. The source said this appealed to the Korean tech giant as Google is looking to restrict the way third parties tinker with Android.

 

Neither Samsung or HP would comment on the speculation. Could this be webOS’s watershed moment? Or has it got too much work to do to catch up with iOS and Android? Let us know what you think on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

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Tech Today: Google+ invites and how to get one

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 07:41 PM PDT


It's the tech news that broke after you logged-off.

Myspace sold for a paltry $35m in spectacular fall from grace
News Corp. has flogged former social networking phenomenon MySpace to a little-known advertising firm. The sale comes just six years after Rupert Murdoch paid $580 million for the site. Specific Media says it will team up with Justin Timberlake to reinvigorate the ailing site.
Link: WSJ

 

First HP TouchPad reviews appear
Ahead of it's hotly-anticipated launch, HP's webOS-running answer to the iPad the first reviews are starting to come in. However, the first verdict isn't exactly what we'd all hoped for. Engadget says that the hardware isn't up to scratch and that the lack of apps means it's not really a real alternative to the Android and iPad tablets.
Link: Engadget

 

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Google+ users can invite their pals now
If you're gagging to give Google's latest stab at creating an alternative social network a try but don't have an invite? Well you just need to find someone who does. Google is allowing existing users to send out invites to their friends in order to get the network going. All you need to do is ask an existing user to share a post with you.
Link: Gizmodo

 

MacBook and MacBook Air refreshes coming in mid-July?
We've been awaiting the MacBook Air refresh for at least a month now, and the latest word is that they'll be arriving with the launch of Mac OS X Lion, perhaps on July 19th. However, a new basic MacBook could also be on the way after stocks tightened across the web.
Link: MacRumors

 

Shazam app adds music previews
One of the most popular apps in existence, Shazam has been updated with a music preview section that can be used to jog your memory of any songs you've previously identified using the app. Then you can really decide if you really think it's worth buying from directly within the app.
Link: Phandroid

 

News@8: Wednesday brought more iPhone 5 concept images suggesting a leaner form factor, while the next version of Windows Phone after Mango, will be Tango. There was news of another Android tablet and leaked documents showing that Nokia still plans on releasing four new Symbian phones.
 

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