Worried about Tamil Tiger air force

The Indian armed forces are using radar-carrying static balloons to provide an early warning of terrorist air strikes, according to reports.

Control freaks

Censorship of internet content is growing across the world. A survey by the Open Net Initiative (ONI) across 41 countries found that 25 applied content filtering to block access to particular websites.

One of the great things about the web is the speed with which it allows new products and services to be brought to market. Another is that it can allow for them to be brought to market very cheaply -- and while that can reduce the risk involved in launching new ventures, it still helps to have a good idea if you want to be successful. In this vein, The Wall Street Journal's Lee Gomes takes a look at Guy Kawasaki's newly launched site, Truemors, which is supposed to be a repository for people to share "true rumors" they hear. It was quickly overrun with spam, but it looks like things are under control on that front now. The problem, as Gomes notes, is that the site seems rather pointless -- but he says that Kawasaki admits that. He adds that he's spent "only" $12,000 on the site (which some might say seems like an awful lot for a Wordpress install), a paltry sum to risk for a chance to earn millions should Truemors take off. Gomes sums things up by calling Truemors a $12K lottery ticket, and noting that even if it fails, it will give Kawasaki fodder for his career as a paid speaker. It's interesting to contrast that tale with that of Gabe Rivera, the creator of TechMeme and some other sites. Rivera has done all the work on TechMeme and his other sites himself, with no staff and no funding, and is seeing a lot of success. The key difference between his efforts and Truemors is that something like TechMeme actually serves a useful purpose, and could be referred to as "a good idea". Kawasaki may brag that the economics of the internet have reduced the cost of bringing a "stupid idea" (as he puts it) to life from $5 million to $12,000 -- but that's of little concern if it's still a stupid idea. It's the reduction in cost of bringing the good ideas to market that's important.

They explain how their attack on the 802.11 wireless security protocol works....

The spending spree on advertising companies continues, as the software giant issues a rejoinder to Google's purchase of Doubleclick.

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

Just about a year ago, JVC introduced its first lineup of quickly refreshing LCD TVs, and now the company is reinstating its support by offering up adequate replacements. The forthcoming High Speed 2 series of sets will sport a second-generation version of its Clear Motion Drive technology, which enables a 120Hz refresh rate that was "designed specifically for Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) displays" and is said to "improve motion detection fivefold compared to the original high speed driver." Essentially, CMD II will offer up reduced blurring, flickering, and motion interpolation, and it will work side by side with the fifth-generation D.I.S.T. (Digital Image Scaling Technology) engine on the "JVC-exclusive" 32-bit Genessa chip. Additionally, the trio will sport three HDMI 1.3 ports apiece, a slimmer bezel around the display, and a whole lot less plastic compared to previous iterations. While there's no word on price just yet, the 37-inch LT-37X898, 42-inch LT-42X898, and 47-inch LT-47X898 should hit US shores sometime this fall.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Residents demand X-rating for 'indecent' tome

The Bible may be reclassified as "indecent" in Hong Kong due to its "sexual and violent content", Reuters reports.