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Submission + - Windows Phone users bloked from accessing Google maps (neowin.net)

Submitted by Deviate_X
Deviate_X writes: It’s unclear if Google is intentionally doing this or if it was an honest mistake but given that Google has stated they will not be building Windows Phone applications, is
screwing around with Windows Phone apps access to YouTube and is killing off EAS support for free Gmail accounts, it’s likely safe to say this was probably not an accident.

It’s unclear as to why Google has gone all anti-Microsoft as of recent but it may have to do with Microsoft turning the screws on Android vendors and forcing patent royalties to be paid for each device sold. Either way, the consumer is once again harmed as these two giants try to become the mobile alpha-dog.

You can still access maps via http://maps.google.co.uk/ in desktop mode, but who knows how long that will last

Comment Re:dont try to fucking rationalize this. (Score 1) 615

by esocid (#39049027) Attached to: Leaked Heartland Institute Documents Reveal Opposition To Science

You better have some damn FUCKING GOOD PROOF of the bad outcomes to justify taking away ANY of anyones freedoms.

What happens when you get all the freedom constraining policies you want and it either

a. Doesn't fix the problem. or b. Has no affect.

The government will just say "oops, sorry" right.

We already have dire predictions from over 20 years ago that HAVE NOT HAPPENED.

All I am saying is that I think technology has the potential to save us from global warming and I think government regulation does not.

In fact I think new technology is the only solution to the global warming problem.

With all due respect, you are a tool.

Regulation of CFCs.

Comment Re:Or your PR dept. (Rovio is lying) (Score 2) 321

by esocid (#38894523) Attached to: <em>Angry Birds</em> Boss Credits Piracy For Popularity Boost
Your entire comment is based on a false premise. Where did Rovio say that they don't pursue the removal of copies of their game not distributed through their channels? They didn't take anyone to court, they asked xda to remove the apks in question. It's not a dichotomy between turning a blind eye and suing consumers. They acknowledged that piracy got their name out, and instead of taking the MAFIAA route, they take the route of not alienating and punishing their consumers.
Linux

Submission + - The HUD As The New Desktop Manager (markshuttleworth.com) 1

Submitted by esocid
esocid writes: Mark Shuttleworth, founder of the Ubuntu Project, is proposing the next direction for desktop managers, focusing on interaction and intent.

Even casual users find typing faster than mousing. So while there are modes of interaction where it’s nice to sit back and drive around with the mouse, we observe people staying more engaged and more focused on their task when they can keep their hands on the keyboard all the time. Hotkeys are a sort of mental gymnastics, the HUD is a continuation of mental flow.

It’s smart, because it can do things like fuzzy matching, and it can learn what you usually do so it can prioritise the things you use often. It covers the focused app (because that’s where you probably want to act) as well as system functionality; you can change IM state, or go offline in Skype, all through the HUD, without changing focus, because those apps all talk to the indicator system. When you’ve been using it for a little while it seems like it’s reading your mind, in a good way.
Microsoft

Submission + - Microsoft confirms UEFI fears, locks down ARM devi (softwarefreedom.org)

Submitted by
walterbyrd
walterbyrd writes: "At the beginning of December, we [Software Freedom Law Center] warned the Copyright Office that operating system vendors would use UEFI secure boot anticompetitively, by colluding with hardware partners to exclude alternative operating systems. As Glyn Moody points out, Microsoft has wasted no time in revising its Windows Hardware Certification Requirements to effectively ban most alternative operating systems on ARM-based devices that ship with Windows 8."
Programming

The Bosses Do Everything Better (or So They Think) 469

Posted by Soulskill from the make-a-button-that-does-everything dept.
theodp writes "Some people, writes Dave Winer, make the mistake of thinking that if the result of someone's work is easy to use, the work itself must be easy. Like the boss — or boss's boss's boss — who asks for your code so he can show you how to implement the features he wants instead of having to bother to explain things. Give the code to him, advises Winer. If he pulls it off, even poorly, at least you'll know what he was asking for. And if he fails, well, he might be more patient about explaining what exactly he wants, and perhaps even appreciate how hard your work is. Or — more likely — you may simply never hear from him again. Win-win-win. So, how do you handle an anything-you-can-do-I-can-do-better boss?"

Comment Re:That's nice.. (Score 1) 571

by esocid (#38472840) Attached to: New Study Confirms Safety of GM Crops

4. crop monoculture

There's the biggest one. I'd have no problem eating GMOs. My concern is that >90% of the cereal grains grown in the US are genetically identical. Did no one learn anything from the potato blight? If our crops are so identical, what happens when they encounter some pathogen that can wipe them out? 90% of our crops are susceptible, and I don't like those odds. Genetic diversity is the spice of life.

Comment Re:You know what else store CC numbers in cleartex (Score 1) 213

by esocid (#38397732) Attached to: Google Wallet Stores Card Data In Plain Text

The good news is that viaForensics confirmed that the app does repel man-in-the-middle attacks, and is protected by a PIN to conduct transactions with the cards.

Isn't that the important part? If someone steals my phone (which is encrypted btw - galaxy nexus ftw) they're going to have an easier time just grabbing my wallet to make fraudulent charges.

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