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********************************************************** Don't forget to check out http://auda.org.au/domain-news/ for today's edition of the complete domain news, including an RSS feed - already online! And see my website - http://technewsreview.com.au/ - for daily updates in between postings. *************************************************** Google Again the World's Most Powerful Brand http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=4692 Are mobile phones wiping out our bees? http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/are-mobile-phones-wiping-out-our-bees-444768.html China ties US for most Web users at 221 million people http://news.theage.com.au/china-ties-us-for-most-web-users-at-221-million-people/20080424-28cv.html Oz broadband gets faster http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23591949-16123,00.html Microsoft Reveals a Web-Based Software System http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/technology/23soft.html FBI wants widespread monitoring of 'illegal' Internet activity http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9926899-7.html UK net card fraud 'underestimated' http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7362055.stm EBay claims Craigslist unfairly diluted eBay's stake in it [AP] http://news.theage.com.au/ebay-claims-craigslist-unfairly-diluted-ebays-stake-in-it/20080423-27yq.html N.J. court says users can expect privacy from Internet providers [AP] http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20080422_N_J__court_says_users_can_expect_privacy_from_Internet_providers.html Internet TV To Ditch PCs http://www.forbes.com/technology/2008/04/22/netflix-digital-movies-tech-personal-cx_mji_0422netflix.html Arrests by UK child sex abuse unit triple in a year http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3787516.ece Australian judge demands child porn law changes after photo 'horror' http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23576979-5007133,00.html Inquiry into Yahoo! link-up with Google http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article3804360.ece Yahoo's profit bolsters takeover defence http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/23/technology.yahoo Australian states chase Conroy over broadband http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23585200-15306,00.html NZ National plans $1.5bn broadband spend-up http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10505539 WiMax backers: Our future is bright http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9925958-7.html Downturn busting VOIP to herald end of traditional telephony http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2008/04/23/230405/downturn-busting-voip-to-herald-end-of-traditional-telephony.htm Telecom carriers: 'Phantom' voice traffic costing billions [IDG] http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/04/23/Telecom-carriers-Phantom-voice-traffic-costing-billions_1.html ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Google Again the World's Most Powerful Brand Google has been ranked the world's most powerful brand for the second straight year in the third BrandZ annual ranking from Millward Brown, which surveyed more than 1 million consumers about 50,000 brands. GE was ranked second with Microsoft third. Nokia was the top European brand at ninth. http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=4692 Google, the world's most powerful brand [Bloomberg] Google ranked as the world's most powerful brand for the second straight year, as the company capitalized on its name to sell advertising globally, according to a study by a consulting company. http://business.theage.com.au/google-the-worlds-most-powerful-brand/20080422-27po.html http://business.smh.com.au/google-named-worlds-no1-brand/20080422-27po.html 'Google generation' lack basic research skills In real life, Sheila Webber is a senior lecturer in information studies at Sheffield University. In Second Life, she is Sheila Yoshikawa, blue-haired babe and cultivator of a Japanese garden - Webber's avatar in the online virtual world populated by millions. "I see her as a digital extension of me. I do some teaching, some professional networking and some shopping. I have a huge wardrobe and I'm much thinner." http://education.guardian.co.uk/librariesunleashed/story/0,,2274796,00.html Are mobile phones wiping out our bees? Some scientists suggest that our love of the mobile phone could cause massive food shortages, as the world's harvests fail. They are putting forward the theory that radiation given off by mobile phones and other hi-tech gadgets is a possible answer to one of the more bizarre mysteries ever to happen in the natural world - the abrupt disappearance of the bees that pollinate crops. Late last week, some bee-keepers claimed that the phenomenon - which started in the US, then spread to continental Europe - was beginning to hit Britain as well. http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/are-mobile-phones-wiping-out-our-bees-444768.html China becomes world's largest Internet population China has surpassed the United States to become the world's largest Internet-using population, reaching 221 million by the end of February, state media said on Thursday. http://uk.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUKPEK34240620080424 China ties US for most Web users at 221 million people China's fast-growing population of Internet users has soared to 221 million, tying the United States for the largest number of people online, according to government data reported Thursday. http://news.theage.com.au/china-ties-us-for-most-web-users-at-221-million-people/20080424-28cv.html http://news.smh.com.au/china-ties-us-for-most-web-users-at-221-million-people/20080424-28cv.html Australia's Reserve Bank could scuttle eBay's plans eBay's plan to force all of its users on to PayPal faces opposition from the Reserve Bank, which is considering weighing in to the issue. The Central Bank has long called for buyers and sellers to have as much choice as possible in what payment systems they use and strongly opposes any moves that reduce competition in the market. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/04/22/1208742915911.html http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/04/22/1208742915911.html Oz broadband gets faster Internet connections in Australia are getting faster, new figures released by the country's chief statistician have revealed. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23591949-16123,00.html Internet Activity in Australia [news release] http://abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/mf/8153.0 Web 2.0 is set for spending boom Web 2.0 is set to be embraced by Enterprise 2.0 as businesses prepare to spend nearly $5 billion by 2013 on social networking tools. Over half of the companies in North America and Europe see Web 2.0 as a priority for next year, a report says. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7359927.stm Rural Europe Left Behind on the Net Out of the half a billion EU citizens, more than 250 million regularly use the internet, according to newly released figures. A European Commission report on the results so far for i2010, the EU's digital-led strategy for growth and jobs, further showed that of this number, 80 percent have access to some form of broadband connection. http://businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/apr2008/gb20080421_140363.htm UK Broadband providers ordered to come clean in adverts ISPs have just a few weeks to sign up to a voluntary code on the promotion of broadband speeds or the industry will face mandatory regulation, the communications watchdog has warned. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/broadband-providers-ordered-to-come-clean-in-adverts-814120.html ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Facebook under fire for 'cyber bullying' application Facebook has been accused of encouraging online bullying by allowing users to post anonymous comments about other members of the site. By installing the Honesty Box application, members of the social-networking site can send and receive untraceable messages to other users. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/main.jhtml?xml=/connected/2008/04/23/dlface123.xml ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** Microsoft Reveals a Web-Based Software System Microsoft is preparing to take its most ambitious step yet in transforming its personal computer business into one tied more closely to software running in remote data centers. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/technology/23soft.html Microsoft unveils its web vision Microsoft has lifted the lid on a new web service called Live Mesh, designed to connect a multiplicity of devices and applications online. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7362361.stm Developers question Mesh openness Developers have questioned the commitment to openness in Microsoft's Live Mesh service, which is designed to bridge the offline and online worlds. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7362144.stm Microsoft to begin trials of web-based Office Microsoft is poised to cast off a decades-old model of installing programs such as Word and Excel on computers prior to shipping and instead charge consumers to access them on a monthly basis. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article3792085.ece Cloud Computing Gains Steam With New I.B.M. Gear I.B.M. is entering the market for Internet-focused data centers with computer systems designed to reduce power consumption sharply and take up less floor space. The move by I.B.M., which the company planned to announce on Wednesday, is the most recent sign that the major computer makers are beginning to compete aggressively to supply Internet companies and others with the specialized hardware needed for so-called cloud computing. In the cloud model, data centers with vast stores of information and processing resources can be tapped from afar through a personal computer, cellphone or other device. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/technology/23blue.html In Afghanistan, insurgents attacking cellphone network Afghans tend to be stoic in the face of poverty, hardship and seemingly endless warfare. But mess with their cellphones, and the response is one of undiluted outrage. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-cellphones23apr23,1,3026509.story ********************** SPAM ********************** Proposed Californian Anti-Spam Law Would Make Lawsuits Easier California is mulling new anti-spam legislation that would strengthen state law by making it easier for private citizens to sue some e-mail marketers. http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=81118 ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** FBI wants widespread monitoring of 'illegal' Internet activity The FBI on Wednesday called for new legislation that would allow federal police to monitor the Internet for "illegal activity." The suggestion from FBI Director Robert Mueller, which came during a House of Representatives Judiciary Committee hearing, appears to go beyond a current plan to monitor traffic on federal-government networks. Mueller seemed to suggest that the bureau should have a broad "omnibus" authority to conduct monitoring and surveillance of private-sector networks as well. http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9926899-7.html Executives harpooned by online 'whalers' Corporate bosses have become the latest target of cyber-criminals, after a string of attacks in which senior management have been singled out to receive fraudulent e-mails. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article3800373.ece UK net card fraud 'underestimated' UK credit and debit card fraud on the internet is much greater than previous estimates, new figures suggest. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7362055.stm UK Internet fraud 'up to £500m a year' [PA] UK credit card and debit card fraud on the internet is much greater than previous estimates, findings published today have suggested. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/internet-fraud-up-to-pound500m-a-year-814220.html eBay files governance lawsuit against Craigslist [IDG] eBay has filed a lawsuit alleging that some changes made by Craigslist's board of directors have diluted eBay's investment in the online classified site. http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/04/22/eBay-files-governance-lawsuit-against-Craigslist_1.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/144964/ebay_files_governance_lawsuit_against_craigslist.html EBay sues Craigslist ad website The online auction giant eBay is suing the popular internet community ad site Craigslist to "safeguard its four-year financial investment". In a statement, eBay claimed that in January, Craigslist executives took actions that "unfairly diluted eBay's economic interest by more than 10%". http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7362221.stm EBay files suit against Craigslist All is not well in eBay's extended family. EBay, based in San Jose, California, filed a lawsuit Tuesday in the state of Delaware against Craigslist, the online classified advertising company in which it owns a minority interest. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/technology/23ebay.html http://iht.com/articles/2008/04/22/technology/22cndebay.php EBay claims Craigslist unfairly diluted eBay's stake in it [AP] In a move that pits two of the Internet's most popular sites against each other, EBay Inc. sued Craigslist on Tuesday, alleging the classifieds company unfairly tried to dilute the online auctioneer's stake in it. EBay purchased a 28 percent stake in privately held Craigslist in 2004. http://news.theage.com.au/ebay-claims-craigslist-unfairly-diluted-ebays-stake-in-it/20080423-27yq.html http://news.smh.com.au/ebay-claims-craigslist-unfairly-diluted-ebays-stake-in-it/20080423-27yq.html Craigslist fires back, blasts eBay actions as unethical [AP] Craigslist is firing back at its rival and minority owner eBay, scolding the online auctioneer's actions as unethical and smelling of a hostile takeover. http://www.thestate.com/technology-wire/story/383409.html Google puts kybosh on 'eco' search engine A new Australian green search engine seeking to capitalise on web surfers' eco-guilt has been barred by Google from using its search technology and advertising platform. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/04/23/1208743015487.html http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/04/23/1208743015487.html ************************** PRIVACY ************************** New Jersey court requires subpoena for Internet subscriber records [AP] ISPs must not release personal information about users in New Jersey without a valid subpoena, even to police, the state's highest court ruled today. http://origin.siliconvalley.com/news/ci_9004014 N.J. court says users can expect privacy from Internet providers [AP] ISPs must safeguard personal information about users in New Jersey - even when the police ask for it - the state Supreme Court ruled yesterday. http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20080422_N_J__court_says_users_can_expect_privacy_from_Internet_providers.html Security firms scrutinise Phorm Online advert system Phorm could be automatically blocked by security programs, BBC News has learned. The controversial system is based around small files called cookies that some computer security firms say they may label as "adware" and block. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7359024.stm ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Internet TV To Ditch PCs Apple and Microsoft, with their AppleTVs and Media Centers, keep hoping that their personal computers will win a seat in the living room, but so far few consumers are inviting them in. Only 1.5 million broadband-connected households have a PC connected to their TV, according to a study conducted by Park Associates last year. "It might come down to the simple fact that consumers don't want to buy one more black box for the living room," says analyst Kurt Scherf. http://www.forbes.com/technology/2008/04/22/netflix-digital-movies-tech-personal-cx_mji_0422netflix.html Music piracy ring busted in Australia The Australian Federal Police have busted an international piracy ring that produced and sold pirated music in a clandestine manufacture and export operation from Sydney. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/04/22/1208742919040.html http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/04/22/1208742919040.html Study: BitTorrent sees big growth, LimeWire still #1 P2P app Last week, the Digital Music News Research Group released its quarterly P2P report. The for-pay report covers the fourth quarter of 2007, but a publicly available excerpt breaks down the data for the period between September 2006 and September 2007. The data consists of snapshots of P2P application and protocol use collected from over 1.66 million Windows PCs. Gnutella is still the top P2P network, but BitTorrent has been steadily rising. http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080421-study-bittorren-sees-big-growth-limewire-still-1-p2p-app.html ie: Eircom rejects record firms' claims Eircom has rejected claims by four major record companies that it, as the largest broadband internet service provider in the State, must bear some liability for the illegal free downloading of music by computer users. The companies have claimed Eircom's networks are being used 'on a grand scale' for illegal downloading. http://www.rte.ie/business/2008/0421/eircom.html ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Smut blocking? We're more bothered about Bebo Travel, webmail, and social networking sites are more commonly blocked by businesses than gambling and adult content sites. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/23/censorware_social_networking/ ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ Teachers told to protect children from online risks[de] Leading internet and telecoms firms have teamed up with the European Commission in the fight against cyber-bullying by launching a new website showing teachers how to spot inappropriate use of the Internet and mobile phones by children. Child pornography and sexual grooming on the Internet and mobile phones is becoming an issue of growing concern. http://www.euractiv.com/en/infosociety/teachers-told-protect-children-online-risks/article-171879 Arrests by UK child sex abuse unit triple in a year The number of arrests by Britain's pioneering unit to tackle child sexual abuse has tripled in its second year of operation to nearly 300 suspects. Results published today by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre show that 297 offenders have been arrested and 131 children protected from further abuse. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3787516.ece Increase in UK sex offender arrests The number of suspected child sex offenders arrested in the UK has risen threefold in the past year, says the organisation set up to tackle abuse. Nearly 300 suspects were arrested and 131 children protected after work by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7357389.stm Rise in UK child-sex arrests The number of child sex offenders arrested has trebled over the last year, according to the organisation set up to deal with the problem. ... Detectives have also infiltrated and dismantled six paedophile rings, which all had international connections outside the UK, and identified 18 child victims from indecent images. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/21/npaedo121.xml Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre publishes 2nd year results And lays out the challenge ahead [news release] 2nd year results from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre – the UK’s dedicated organisation for tackling the sexual abuse of children – show the battle against child sex offenders continues to gather pace. http://www.ceop.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2008/ceop_21042008.asp uk: Police to question chatroom girl A young girl who left obscene messages on an internet chatroom is to be questioned by police. Devon and Cornwall Police were contacted by the girl's parents after she admitted pretending to be a male paedophile looking for local children. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/7364001.stm Australian judge demands child porn law changes after photo 'horror' A judge has called for the reform of child pornography laws after jailing a man for possessing more than 35,000 images of "the most disturbing and depraved kind", including the torture and abuse of babies and bestiality. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23578246-5013404,00.html http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23576979-5007133,00.html au: Girls club underage sex, drugs Controversy surrounding a girls' club that excludes "ugly" members deepens, with ex-members claiming the group is involved in underage sex, drinking and drug taking. ... Cyber bullying epidemic - A leading academic says the group and the online activities of its members out of school are an example of the increasing problem of cyber bullying. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,20797,23576327-3102,00.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** European game ratings face update Europe's game rating system must be strengthened to protect children from harm says the European Commission. The recommendation came in a survey of how Pan European Game Information (Pegi) is implemented in member states. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7362374.stm Video Games: Commission welcomes progress on protection of minors in 23 EU Member States, but asks for improvement of industry codes [news release] The European video games sector is dynamic, with expected revenue of € 7.3 billion by the end of 2008. However, public concerns that video games can cause aggressive behaviour, heightened by school shootings such as in Helsinki (Finland, November 2007), have led several national authorities to ban or block video games such as "Manhunt 2". In response, the European Commission has surveyed existing measures protecting minors from harmful video games across the 27 EU Member States. 20 EU Member States now apply PEGI (Pan European Games Information), an age-rating system developed by industry, with EU support, since 2003. In the Commission's view, industry must invest more to strengthen and in particular to regularly update the PEGI system so that it becomes a truly effective pan-European tool. Also, industry and public authorities should step up cooperation to make classification and age rating systems better known and to avoid confusion caused by parallel systems. A Code of Conduct for retailers should be drawn up within two years on sales of video games to minors. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/618 "Irresponsible" online gambling advert banned A gambling advertisement that claimed online betting would improve sexual prowess and self esteem has become one of the first campaigns to be banned under tough new laws, following criticism from the advertising watchdog. http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKELK33050220080423 ********************************* COMMENT, MICROSOFT & DEVELOPMENTS ********************************* Inquiry into Yahoo! link-up with Google Jerry Yang, co-founder and chief executive of Yahoo!, yesterday suffered a potential setback in his bid to fend off advances from Microsoft after Washington’s Justice Department launched an investigation into a trial tie-up with Google. It is thought that the Justice Department was concerned at talks between the two internet searchers over a two-week test to combine some web search and advertising business. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article3804360.ece Ballmer: Microsoft could walk away from Yahoo deal [IDG] Microsoft gave its first hint that it may abandon its $44.6 billion bid for Yahoo, as it approaches the deadline for a threatened proxy battle to oust Yahoo's board. http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/04/24/Microsoft-could-walk-away-from-Yahoo-deal_1.html Yahoo! says it may accept offer from Microsoft Jerry Yang, the co-founder of Yahoo!, said yesterday that the online search engine may still recommend a hostile takeover from Microsoft after admitting that it had already spent $14 million (£7 million) in fees to advisers such as Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers to fight the approach. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article3799757.ece Yahoo's profit bolsters takeover defence First quarter results from Yahoo came in better than Wall Street expected last night, thanks in part to the internet company's international operations, but it is understood it will remain in talks with News Corp and AOL to see off the threat of a hostile takeover from Microsoft. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/23/technology.yahoo Yahoo Toots Its Horn as It Falls Further Behind Yahoo did just well enough in the first quarter for it to be able to hold its head up high as it tries to justify its continued rejection of Microsoft’s hostile bid. The company’s earnings, after special charges, were 11 cents a share, compared to the 9 cents that analysts had forecast. Its revenue, excluding payments to sites that display its ads, were $1.35 billion, $30 million more than analysts expected. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/22/yahoo-toots-its-horn-as-it-falls-further-behind/ Yahoo Reports Jump in Profit; Suitor Microsoft Is Unimpressed Yahoo reported first-quarter results yesterday that surpassed Wall Street's expectations, but analysts said it might not be enough to fend off an unsolicited takeover bid from Microsoft. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/22/AR2008042202054.html ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Australian states chase Conroy over broadband Several state Labor governments have asked federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy to give them access to highly sensitive telecommunications network information that is being distributed to bidders for the $4.7 billion national broadband network - even though they do not plan to make a bid themselves. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23585200-15306,00.html NZ National plans $1.5bn broadband spend-up The National Party says it would invest up to $1.5 billion to get fast broadband into nearly every home in the country if it wins the election. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10505539 Stop moaning, start thinking about broadband plan, says Dunne United Future leader Peter Dunne says Labour, ACT and New Zealand First should stop attacking National's broadband plan and start coming up with their own answers. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=137&objectid=10505976 National antes up with bold broadband plan Ask the National Party what it plans to do in the area of telecommunications and broadband as I did of Bill English last May and you usually don't get an answer of much substance. http://blogs.nzherald.co.nz/blog/griffins-tech-blog/2008/4/22/national-antes-bold-broadband-plan/?c_id=5 NZ National vows to upgrade broadband National is promising to spend one and a half billion dollars on getting ultra-fast broadband connections to New Zealand homes, schools and businesses if it wins the election. http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1733660 Key pledges $1.5b for fast internet John Key has announced National would invest up to $1.5 billion as part of a "fibre to the homes" fast broadband network. http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/4492362a28.html New Zealand's National Party unveils NZD1.5bln fibre plan The National Party of New Zealand has said it would invest NZD 1.5 billion of public funds in an open access fibre-to-the-home network if they are elected. National's medium to long-term vision is for a fibre connection to almost every home, supported by satellite and mobile solutions. The Party’s initial goal is to ensure the accelerated roll out of fibre right to the home of 75 percent of New Zealanders. In the first six years, priority will be given to business premises, schools, health facilities, and the first tranche of homes. http://www.telecom.paper.nl/news/article.aspx?id=212063 Ultra-fast broadband plan 'waste of money' Telecom and the business sector are praising National's plan to put $1.5 billion into ultra-fast broadband access but the Government says it would be a huge waste of taxpayer money. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=93&objectid=10505730 What will Cunliffe's counter-offer be? Some interesting feedback around the blogosphere to the news yesterday of National's plan to inject $1.5 billion of taxpayers' money into a fibre optic network that would reach 75 per cent of the population by 2014. http://blogs.nzherald.co.nz/blog/griffins-tech-blog/2008/4/23/what-will-cunliffes-counter-offer-be/ ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** WiMax backers: Our future is bright WiMax's most prominent supporters are predicting that, despite not exactly stunning support of the wireless technology so far, it will take off this year. Speaking at a conference here hosted by the Wireless Communications Association International, Michael Seymour, vice president of Alcatel-Lucent's North American broadband wireless unit, said WiMax has experienced "tremendous growth" in recent years, even in "emerging markets" like the Dominican Republic, and predicted improvements in the technology would only continue. http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9925958-7.html Canadians increasingly chatting it up on cellphones: StatsCan Less than a quarter of Canadian households now rely solely on land-line phone service, as the steady shift to cellphones and other alternatives continues, new figures show. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/04/23/landline.html The revolution will be mobilized First it was instant messaging during office hours that gave us the thrill of passing notes in class. Then it was exposing ourselves via Web cams, ranting our minds on blogs, uploading our baby photos on Flickr and poking each other on Facebook. These days, as corporate records show, we choose to spend our lunch breaks watching YouTube, if not chatting over Skype. The bad news is the Web 2.0 revolution is over. The good news is now we can take it with us. http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/04/23/digitalbiz.mobilesns/ ********************** VoIP ********************** Downturn busting VOIP to herald end of traditional telephony The VoIP sector will continue to grow over 2008 despite the global downturn, according to new research by business and financial analyst Grant Thornton. http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2008/04/23/230405/downturn-busting-voip-to-herald-end-of-traditional-telephony.htm Telecom carriers: 'Phantom' voice traffic costing billions [IDG] Some VoIP and mobile phone service providers are riding free when connecting to the traditional telephone network in the U.S., potentially costing carriers billions of dollars, according to testimony at a Senate hearing Wednesday. http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/04/23/Telecom-carriers-Phantom-voice-traffic-costing-billions_1.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/145018/telecom_carriers_phantom_voice_traffic_costing_billions.html VoIP: When Cheaper Could Mean Costlier For enterprises, the primary reason for adopting VoIP phone service is money. Long-distance phone calls placed over the Internet typically cost a mere fraction of those placed under the business rate plans offered by traditional telephone companies. http://www.technewsworld.com/story/62723.html?welcome=1209036234 Skype Launches Low-Cost US Global Calling Plans Skype on Monday launched an aggressive $9.95-a-month international calling plan for U.S. customers that includes landlines and some cell phone calls to 34 countries. http://www.informationweek.com/news/telecom/voip225002=telecom/unified_communications/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=207400912 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Check out http://auda.org.au/domain-news/ for the most recent edition of the domain news, including an RSS feed - already online! The domain name news is supported by auDA For information on subscriptions to the domain name and/or general internet news please contact me. For archives of postings to the list, see http://lists.technewsreview.com.au/pipermail/technewsreview/. Also see http://technewsreview.com.au/ for recent updates. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2008 --------- David Goldstein address: 4/3 Abbott Street COOGEE NSW 2034 AUSTRALIA email: Goldstein_David @yahoo.com.au phone: +61 418 228 605 (mobile); +61 2 9665 5773 (home) "Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim Flannery Get the name you always wanted with the new y7mail email address. www.yahoo7.com.au/y7mail _______________________________________________ APPLe mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.apnic.net/mailman/listinfo/apple
