Internet freedom in US declines, thanks to the NSA

U.S. ranks fourth in Internet freedom as surveillance grows worldwide - Network World: "Network World - Internet freedom has declined in the United States over the past year as a result of its surveillance policies, reflecting a trend that appears to have caught on worldwide, according to a recently released study. The study [PDF], conducted by Freedom House, gauged Internet freedom in 60 countries by tracking obstacles to access information online, limits on content, and violations of user rights. Among the issues cited in the report are government agencies’ outright blocking of specific Internet content, surveillance measures, and legal and violent repercussions taken against those who use the Internet to criticize governing or religious bodies. Iceland was the top-ranking nation on the list, which may not come as a surprise considering its recent role as a safe-haven for controversial Internet whistleblowers. . . ."

But as they say, what goes around, comes around --

NSA Investigators Stumped by What's Causing Power Surges That Destroy Equipment
Meltdowns Hobble NSA Data Center - WSJ.com: "Chronic electrical surges at the massive new data-storage facility central to the National Security Agency's spying operation have destroyed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of machinery and delayed the center's opening for a year, according to project documents and current and former officials. There have been 10 meltdowns in the past 13 months that have prevented the NSA from using computers at its new Utah data-storage center, slated to be the spy agency's largest, according to project documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. One project official described the electrical troubles—so-called arc fault failures—as "a flash of lightning inside a 2-foot box." These failures create fiery explosions, melt metal and cause circuits to fail, the official said."

RCS & RDS will introduce the fastest wired Internet connections: "The largest Internet provider in Romania, RCS & RDS will soon introduce the fastest data connection on the market. they will be available in November for residential customers in over 150 locations. speeds below have was possible due to the expansion of fiber networks. Future subscription Digi Net Fiberlink 500 allows a download speed of up to 500 Mbps and will have a monthly cost of £ 49 . Subscription Digi Net Fiberlink 1000 will provide a download speed of up to 1000 Mbps and will cost 59 lei , VAT is included."

Microsoft updates YouTube app for Windows Phone, apparently surrenders to Google as web player returns | Windows Phone Central: "Microsoft updates YouTube app for Windows Phone, apparently surrenders to Google as web player returns"

Samsung Plays Catch-Up on Software
Wall Street Journal
Samsung Electronics Co. is stepping up its hunt for acquisitions and building out its presence in Silicon Valley to try and overcome its key weakness: software. The South Korea-based company became the world's largest maker of smartphones by ...

Google, HP's Chromebook 11 on sale for $279
PCWorld
The new Chromebook 11 developed by Google and Hewlett-Packard has gone on sale for $279, and can be powered by the same charger used for Android tablets and smartphones. The laptop runs on Chrome OS, and is designed for people who do most of ...

LG starts production on bendy, strokey curved displays
Register
LG's display unit has confirmed it is beginning mass-production of a flexible, "unbreakable" screen for its new smartphones. The screen is capable of curving rather more than one might want on a handset but, more importantly, it's made of plastic.

Obama Administration Upholds Ban on Some Samsung Devices -- Update
Wall Street Journal
The Obama administration on Tuesday upheld a U.S. ban on the import and sale of some Samsung Electronics Co. (devices, backing Apple Inc. in a trade and patent battle with its South Korean rival. U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman chose not to ...

Yahoo Mail celebrates Sweet 16 birthday with bevy of new features
TechSpot
Yahoo Mail is celebrating its Sweet 16 birthday and you're invited. To honor the occasion, Yahoo is offering users a wealth of new Mail features across the desktop, Android and iOS – many of which were previously only available in the $19.99-per-year Mail ...

Google survey: 40% of India's urban voters undecided, Narendra ...

NDTV
New Delhi: Over 40 per cent urban Indian voters are undecided on the political party of their choice, a survey by Google India has revealed, months ahead of ...

India Today

Apple may sell 5 million to 10 million iWatches in first year: analyst

USA TODAY
SAN FRANCISCO -- Apple could sell up to 10 million iWatches in the first year it launches the product, adding more than $2.5 billion to the company's top line ...

ValueWalk

Google's Schmidt: Android more secure than iPhone

ZDNet
ORLANDO — Delivered with a spice of arrogance, Google's executive chairman ... on Monday declared the Android platform more secure than Apple's iPhone....

Apple Insider

Microsoft pays out $28K to IE bug hunters in its first-ever bounty ...

Computerworld
Fratric is also well known: In 2012, before he joined Google, he won second place ... Gregg Keizer covers Microsoft, security issues, Apple, Web browsers and ...

Help Net Security

Google's Enterprise Cloud Problem

InformationWeek
But a cloud stigma still sticks to Google in the enterprise. ... They consistently compare the company with Microsoft. ... But naysayers should remember this: Apple rode into the enterprise on the strength of consumer affinity ... Amazon.com To Hire 70,000 In Fourth Quarter · IBM Debuts Educational Network For Pediatricians, ...

Business Insider Australia

Google in talks with DTH cable providers to bring YouTube to TV ...

Economic Times
Google in talks with DTH cable providers to bring YouTube to TV screens ...MUMBAI: Google is making a big push to boost YouTube usage in India and is in ...

Economic Times

Microsoft offers Equinix customers private Azure access

PCWorld
Microsoft will soon allow customers of Internet business exchange (IBX) ...Equinix also struck a similar agreement for Amazon Web Services (AWS) in May, ...

New York Times

Amazon Wins Ruling for $600 Million CIA Cloud Contract

Bloomberg
Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) defeated International Business Machines Corp. (IBM)'s effort to reopen bidding for a $600 million Central Intelligence Agency cloud ...

Times of India

Amazon Hints at Bay Area Grocery Service

Wall Street Journal (blog)
Amazon.com gave the strongest indication yet it will bring its grocery-delivery ... Google and eBay both offer same-day delivery, though not fresh groceries....

Wall Street Journal

Google Updates Glass With Transit Directions

Mashable
You might think that anyone who can afford a $1,500 pair of interactive glasses might not be inclined to ride public transit, but Google has a different vision in ...

Evening Standard

Microsoft: The Cloud Can't Be Slave to the Past - NYTimes.com

By QUENTIN HARDY
It's an interesting claim, anyway. Microsoft has long been in thrall to the Windows operating system and its associated products. Now, says the head of its cloud ...

NYT Bits 

Samsung and Google working together on 'Gear Glass'? - CNET News

Eric Mack
Could Google and Samsung be collaborating to bring Glass to the streets next year? (Credit: Google+/Google Glass). Just a few days ago, I casually polled other ...Crave: gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. - CNET 

Google Glass edges toward launch with latest software update ...

Trevor Mogg
Each Glass software update pushes Google's device another step closer to its commercial launch, with October's release bringing with it transit directions, links ...

Digital Trends 

Google's Eric Schmidt says Android is more secure than the iPhone

Cody Lee
Google's Eric Schmidt says Android is more secure than the iPhone. By Cody ... when he said that the Android platform was more secure than Apple's iPhone…

iDownloadBlog.com

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