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Submission + - Microsoft slams Google over HTML5 video decision (networkworld.com) 2

Submitted by jbrodkin
jbrodkin writes: Microsoft is accusing Google of some heavy-handed tactics in the battle over HTML5 video standards. In an attempt at humor, a clearly peeved Microsoft official wrote "An Open Letter from the President of the United States of Google," which likens Google's adoption of WebM instead of H.264 to an attempt to force a new language on the entire world. Internet Explorer 9, of course, supports the H.264 codec, while Google and Mozilla are backing WebM. The hyperlinks in Microsoft's blog post lead readers to data indicating that two-thirds of Web videos are using H.264, with about another 25% using Flash VP6. However, the data, from Encoding.com, was released before the launch of WebM last May. One pundit predicts the battle will lead to yet another "years-long standards format war."
Microsoft

Submission + - Microsoft Challenges Apple's App Store Trademark (crn.com)

Submitted by cgriffin21
cgriffin21 writes: Microsoft is challenging Apple’s efforts to trademark the term “app store,” arguing that the phrase is too generic for any one company to claim ownership. Apple sought to trademark “App Store” in a 2008 filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. That year Apple debuted the iPhone 3GS and launched its online App Store to provide a site for downloading applications for the smart phone.
Technology

Submission + - Goodbye Bifocals - Electronic Glasses Change Focus (singularityhub.com)

Submitted by kkleiner
kkleiner writes: Move over Ben Franklin, we finally have a replacement for bifocals. Virginia-based Pixel Optics has developed a composite lens that can change the range of focus electronically. The emPower! glasses were created in cooperation with Panasonic Healthcare, and allow you to switch between long distance and short distance vision in a split second. Rather than having a lens divided into two sections, emPower! uses an LCD overlay that can change the focal length of the glasses via electric current. When the LCD layer is off, your lenses are good for intermediate/long distances. Turn the LCD layer on, and a section of the lens is suddenly magnifying close-up images – perfect for reading.

Submission + - WikiLeaks Twitter Spying May Break EU Privacy Law (thinq.co.uk)

Submitted by Stoobalou
Stoobalou writes: A group of European MPs will today push EU bosses to say if the US government breached European privacy laws by snooping on Twitter users with links to whistle-blowing site WikiLeaks.

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) will today pose an oral question to the European Commission, seeking clarification from the US on a subpoena demanding the micro-blogging site hand over users' account details.

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