1225783
submission
praps writes:
In a fascinating interview with two of the founders of The Pirate Bay entitled 'Are they baby-eating monsters or what?', Swedish news site The Local discovers that far from being the radical Robin Hoods of the digital age, Peter Sunde and Fredrik Neij are actually "polite, humorous and down-to-earth". They may run one of the biggest sites in the world but "it's just a hobby that's grown to be very, very large". Financially, they are "happy as long as it doesn't make a loss" and both hold down regular IT day jobs. And apparently they spend a lot of time with a Bedouin in the Sinai desert.
761999
submission
praps writes:
There's been much controversy lately over Sweden's new law which allows the signal intelligence agency (FRA) to monitor all data traffic within the country's borders. The Swedish government has kept curiously quiet about the new law's objectives but sources close to the intelligence community say that Russia is the prime target. "80 percent of Russia's contacts with large parts of the world travel through cables in Sweden. That is the core of the issue," said one source.
739323
submission
praps writes:
Children are becoming increasingly worried about their parents' internet habits, according to a report just released in Sweden. Unsurprisingly, dads surfing for pornography is the most common problem, but chatroom addiction also featured in the report — as did a mother who has become obsessed with World of Warcraft. "This summer she has been sitting up all day and all night and she forgets what's important to me," wrote the woman's 13-year-old daughter. "And when she's not at the computer she's like a lost soul. She just looks straight ahead and says nothing."
735649
submission
praps writes:
A three year trademark conflict has ended with Google withdrawing its use of the Gmail brand in Germany. On Friday, a plain text message appeared, stating "We can't provide service under the Gmail name in Germany... Bummer." But despite the climbdown, Google's Germany spokesman said on Monday that the action was being taken "even though we believe we're not legally obliged to do so".
660722
submission
praps writes:
Having tasted blood with its victory over TorrentSpy, the MPAA is now stepping up its attack on The Pirate Bay. The association is claiming damages of over $15 million, based on The Pirate Bay's distribution of four films and a TV series — Harry Potter, The Pink Panther, Syriana, Walk the Line and the first season of Prison Break. The Swedish court is unlikely to be as generous as the California court was over TorrentSpy, although the four Pirate Bay founders are already facing charges of being accessories to breaking copyright law.
650054
submission
praps writes:
Two German companies have patented technology for sending scented text messages between mobile phones. The chip, which carries a range of around 100 pre-defined scents, has been developed by the Institute of Sensory Analysis and interactive services firm Convisual and will be on the market in one to two years. Naturally the makers think that the chip will be used for sending pleasant odors to friends and family — vanilla, rose and Christmas cinnamon are on the list — but surely the claim to be able to send 'the smell of the beach and sunshine' is a little optimistic? SMS stink bombs cannot be far away.
599814
submission
praps writes:
Last summer a 75 year old woman from central Sweden became the envy of the IT world with her scorching 40Gbps internet connection. 1,500 simultaneous HDTV channels or a whole high definition DVD downloaded in two seconds were hers for the taking. Now Sigbritt Löthberg could soon be treated to an incredible 100 Gbps link — but it may not be put to great use. According to the head of the ultra-fast fiber connection project, Sigbritt mostly used the gear "to dry her laundry".
2537
submission
praps writes:
UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) technology is here — well, in Denmark — meaning users can access mobile and Internet (IP) telephony on the same phone, according to The Local. The same phone that works outside the home as a normal mobile phone that automatically seeks out a mobile network can also be used as an IP phone, which uses wireless technology to make very low-cost calls.
