iPhone Nano Rumors Gain Strength

It seems like almost every month Apple has a new version of one of their gadgets to release, and new rumors indicate this soon could include a new version of their iPhone — an iPhone Nano! The iPhone is already both thin and small, so it would be interesting to see what a Nano version would look like, and how easy to operate an iPhone device with a smaller screen would be.

Of course, right now, this is just a rumor, and we probably won’t know if it’s for sure or not until after the annual MacWorld conference in January. However, the rumor of an iPhone Nano release is gaining strength, as now two different case manufacturers have leaked prototypes of what are thought to be iPhone Nano cases. The latest manufacturer in question is Vaja, who has since removed the images from their website.

Apple has not confirmed or denied the production of an iPhone Nano, but I’ll post an update if they do!

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Facebook Bans Breastfeeding - Removes Photos

A Big grouping of Facebook users are prepared to protest because Facebook has censored the posting of breast-feeding images on their social networking internet site. As a matter of fact, the campaign to have such images permitted has drawn in over eighty-thousand people to join the cause by signing a petition. In addition to that, a Facebook group has been established, which is known as “Hey Facebook, breastfeeding is not obscene!”. The name sure gets right to the point, eh?

This all began as Facebook removed a great deal of breast-feeding related photos from their website, with the reasoning that too much of the breast was on display. Facebook was also clear that if such photos were regularly posted, the offending member could find themselves banned from the social networking website entirely.

I can see that both sides have a point on this one. Facebook is well within their rights to enforce their website’s rules however they see fit, although I personally find it hard to believe that photos of infants feeding could be very offensive — especially in a western culture where we see cleavage and suggestive clothing everyday.

Oh My, Windows Seven Leaked!

Well, it’s not a huge surprise, as software leaks are quite common, and almost expected nowadays, but it’s news nevertheless. Microsoft’s new OS, the successor to Vista, called Windows 7 has had its pre-beta version leaked on the web!

Is it any good? Well, first I should mention that I haven’t tried it! I mean, I don’t do Bitorrent, and tend to buy my software truthfully and legally. But, of course, after the disaster that has been Vista, we’re all curious as to whether “7″ will be a success or another flop. So far, all indications are that while it has a Vista-like design, there is much improved functionality, and is streamlined in a more-XP type manner. Good news, for sure.

Personally, during my time using XP I don’t ever recall receiving the “blue screen of death”, however, after my unfortunate decision to buy a Vista PC, I have witnessed it regularly. While I am currently considering a switch back to XP (if you have any tips on “downgrading”, feel free to drop me a line!), if Windows 7 gets great reviews, I may just wait and “upgrade”. Anyhow, let’s all hope to hear more positive things about Windows 7!

Pay-As-You-Go PCs Coming?

Microsoft is looking at the use and price of software differently these days, which is proven by a new patent they recently applied for. The computer giant has filed for a patent which would, in effect, allow them to charge for software on a per-use basis. So no longer would a user shell out a giant sum of money for say, Adobe Photoshop, but would instead pay per use. Hopefully frequent users would still be able to buy programs outright, but there would be a new pay-as-you-go option.

Now, as you probably know, many if not most patents never really see fruition, so whether this idea is just a far-off consideration for Microsoft, or something that will really happen, is still unknown.

However, one benefit the new model would bring, is that users would likely see lower prices for PCs, as all models would no longer come stocked with full versions of many softwares. If nothing else, it’s at least an interesting concept.

UK To Give Websites Ratings?

Some interesting and disturbing news is coming out of the UK these days, regarding a possible censorship of the internet there. The UK government is considering enacting a movie-like rating system for websites, which would have websites considered “not-appropriate” banned.

While the intent is in part noble — trying to protect children from possible harmful material — why should adults be censored? As long as websites aren’t breaking the law, it just doesn’t make sense. I mean, isn’t it the job of those children’s parents to monitor and control what their children view online? There are various programs that can help them with such a goal, too.

Personally, I am never in favor of censorship, and part of what makes the internet so appealing, is its true freedom of speech and information. So I certainly hope the UK doesn’t go through with this new plan.

Big Layoffs at EA

While their have been layoffs at a many companies over the last year, I was actually surprised that EA will need to let some of their employees go, as well. One thing I have heard a lot is that the video game industry has remained strong and even experienced growth during this tough economy. It would seem, however, that it hasn’t been enough to keep the industry free of layoffs.

Today I was saddened to read that big name video game producer, EA, will be laying off up to ten percent of their North American work-force. This is specifically upsetting for me to read, as I live very close to a big EA facility, and have many friends who work there. They are talented people, and hopefully they will find other work soon, and land on their feet!

Twitter sure is growin’ fast

I have admit, when I first heard about Twitter I was quite skeptical about how useful it could me. I really thought it was just a bunch of people noting what they had for lunch or who won the hockey game. And while, to an extent, it is, it’s also a lot more.

For instance, the main benefit I’ve noted of Twitter is how easy to makes companies to communicate with consumers. Instead of taking a hour to write a professional, informative blog post, if a company has something to say, they can tweet it out in just a few seconds.

It would seem many others are warming up to the service, and their exponential growth is proof of that. Just how fast is Twitter growing? Over seventy percent of their user base signed up just this year! They’re clearly one to watch.

News For Palm Fans

Things sure are movin’ and shakin’ at Palm, as they are planning a new OS release, and have a new app store for their Palm wireless line. And frankly, it’s about time! Before the new Palm app store, users had to download the application first to their PC, and then transfer it to their Palm device. Talk about behind the times!

The just-released new store is a big upgrade, supporting over twenty-five Palm gadgets, including their popular Treo Pro and Centro offerings. Also, as a big plus for users is that approximately twenty percent of the apps are complimentary. Free is always good in my book.

As far as their soon-to-be-released new OS, that will debut at the January Consumer Electronics Show. It’s said to contain a variety of robust new features, which should certainly be interesting.

Massive Web Outages In Egypt

It’s not a great time to be a web-junkie in Egypt, as the country has experienced some massive internet outages as of late. This is because the country utilizes an under-sea cabling system, which was cut and damaged. The result was a very large-scale internet outage which spanned most of the country. It’s going to take likely three days to have the internet up and running, country-wide. The country does have an alternate method of internet access, coming from Asia, that they will attempt to utilize to stop the gap, so to speak.

This was, unfortunately, not the first time a mass web-outage has occurred in Egypt. Previously this year there was again damage to under-sea cables, which caused massive outages in both the Middle-east, as well as India and Egypt.

Engineer Taking Software to Iran Gets Prison Time

An Iranian-born engineer who worked at the largest nuclear power plant in the US was sentenced for 15 months in prison for taking software that he found at the plant to Iran. The judge ordered that Mohammad Reza Alavi’s 2 sentences of 15 months each be served at the same time. Alavi, a naturalized U.S. citizen, worked for the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station west of Phoenix for seventeen years. Palo Verde officials have stated the software didn’t contain sufficient data to pose a security  threat.

Alavi, 51, apologized in court before the sentence, which was more than the 6 months the defense had asked for but less than the prosecution sought.  Alavi said. “I love America and would never do anything to hurt this country.” The U.S. and  its allies suspect that Iran wants to develop weapons through a peaceful nuclear program, but Tehran says it is focused solely on power generation.

Prosecutors said Alavi probably wished to use the software to promote his chances for a job in the Iranian nuclear industry. Access to protected American software would have made him especially worthy, they said. Alavi’s lawyer said he took the software with him because he was proud he had helped design it. He said he showed the software only to his family, and then only for a few minutes.

Alavi’s access to the plant’s computer network had ceased 11 days after he left the job in August 2006. But when he was in Iran 2 months later, investigators said, Alavi downloaded an access code from the software manufacturer.