New Media Technologies

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AOL acquires Bebo social network

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7294174.stm 

AOL acquires Bebo social network is an article about AOL buying Bebo, which has more than 40 million members worldwide.  AOL (Time Warner) paid £417 million for Bebo, a social networking site. It is the third biggest social networking site in the USA after MySpace and Facebook. Bebo was founded in California by Michael Birch who is a British entrepreneur who continues to owe a big stake in the business and therefore will make a great deal from this sale. Social Networking sites like Bebo are seen as an extremely valuable location for online advertising as members are able to post information about themselves and can then be targeted easily with products and services that are more likely to appeal to them. 

1. AOL buys Bebo for £417 million
2. Bebo has more than 40 million members worldwide
3. Bebo was the world’s ninth most popular social networking site in January
4. Bebo was also ranked the second most visited social networking site in the UK
5. Microsoft brought Facebook, News Corp brought MySpace and Bebo was the next logical target for AOL
6. This sale comes at a time when Time Warner are considering splitting its business to part company with the AOL unit
7. The price paid for Bebo by AOL is tiny in comparison with the valuation of similar websites
8. Microsoft brought 1.6% of Facebook for $240 million last year
9. News Corp brought MySpace for $580 million in 2005 but now it is estimated to be worth around $15 billion
10. Online Advertising is popular on social networking sites as people can be targeted easily with products and service likely to appeal to them (through their blogs etc.)

 Quotes:

•  AOL says that Bebo has more than 40 million members worldwide who view an average of 78 pages per day each.
•   “Bebo has an incredibly strong brand identity, particularly with the teenage and young adult market, so it will be very interesting to see how AOL makes best use of their new youthful Trojan horse.” – Alex Burmaster, European Internet Analysist for Nielson Online 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7293988.stm 

BBC releases fix for iPlayer hack is an article about hackers that have been able to download BBC programmes from the iPlayer website and saving them on their hard disk to then share with others. Due to rights issues the BBC is only able to offer streamed programmes for up to seven days a week. The Digital Rights Management on downloadable programmes said the iPlayer was exploited and had been breached some time ago. The BBC announced a version of the iPlayer for the iPod touch and iPhone owners last week. The content for the iPhones and iPod is streamed as an MP4 file without copy protection and thus hackers soon realised that they could access the files using as simple plug in for Firefox.  

1. The BBC has issued a software update to stop people from downloading programmes from the iPlayer website that were intended for streaming on an iPhone or iPod only
2. Hackers had discovered a way which allowed them to save the programmes to hard disk and share them with others (exploit)
3. Due to issue rights the BBC is only able to offer streamed programmes for up to seven days after broadcast
4.  The Digital Rights Management on downloadable programmes was breached and exploited some time ago (13/03/08)
5. Most likely that hackers are intent on circumventing copy protection
6. The content for the phones and iPod is streamed as an MP4 file without copy protection
7. Broadcasters take the issue  of security rights-protected content online extremely seriously
8. The BBC announced an iPlayer for iPod touch and iPhone owners in March
9. The content for the phones and iPod is streamed as an MP4 file without copy protection
10. Hackers have realised that they can access the file by using a simple plug in for Firefox

 Quotes:

• The BBC admitted that it was most likely facing a cat and mouse game with hackers intent on circumventing copy protection
• It’s an ongoing, constant process and one which we will continue to monitor. Like other broadcasters, the security of rights-protected content online is an issue we take very seriously,” – Digital Rights Management

 

1. Ofcom have approved the usage of mobile phones on aircrafts flying above 3000m
2. The decision to offer mobile phone usage on aircrafts is up to the individual airline
3. Calls would be made via pico cells to terrestrial networks via a satellite link
4. Mobile services, however, could stop working once aircraft leave European airspace
5. There are fears that mobiles used onboard that are not fitted with pico cells could disrupt the working of terrestrial networks
6. Ofcom’s decision comes out of a consultation exercise that began in October 2007
7. Airlines that are keen to offer the services must still satisfy other regulators about how the hardware will be used
8. The European Aviation Safety Agency needs to approve any hardware that would be installed in an aircraft to ensure that it does not interfere with other flight systems
9. Airlines would need to develop operating procedures to ensure cabin crew were trained in the proper use of the mobile phone systems
10. The cost of making a mobile phone call from a plane will be higher than making one from the ground

 Quotes:

• The spokesman said the CAA knew many airlines had expressed interest in offering such services but added: “None have formally approached us yet.”

• “It’s down to the airlines to decide whether they want to fit the systems then they would have to get approval for that”
• Mobile use is currently prohibited on planes because there is evidence that they interfere with onboard communication and navigation systems.

Buffalo launches HD DVD/Blu-ray combo drivehttp://news.sky.com/skynews/xml/article/tech/0,,91221-13633,00.html Buffalo launches HD DVD/Blu-ray combo drive is an article about a new combo drive that plays both the HD DVD format and the Blu-ray disks. The device consists of single and double layer Blu-ray read/write speeds of up to 6x; HD DVD read speeds of up to 3x and DVD read/write speeds of up to 16x. The drive can play existing DVD formats as well as burn DVD-ROM disks that are compatible with normal DVD players. The drive consists of a simple plug and play connection to any PC via a USB interface. 

1. This HD DVD/Blu-ray combo drive is Buffalo Technology’s first external optical disk drive, which can both read/write Blu-ray and read HD DVD
2. The drive is backwards compatible meaning that it can play both the HD DVD format and Blu-ray disks
3. The device has both single and double layer Blu-ray read/write speeds of up to 6x
4. The device has HD DVD read speed of up to 3x and DVD read/write speeds of up to 16x
5. The drive seems easy to use with a simple plug and play connection to any PC via USB interface
6. The drive offers Buffalo’s TurboUSB with Secure Lock Ware Software for Windows
7. Drive offers the latest version of Nero8 software for burning multimedia content
8. The Blu-ray and HD DVD combo drive will be available in late April
9. The estimate price for the drive will be £284 plus VAT
10. The Blu-ray and HD DVD combo drive will be available from Amazon, Dabs.com, Misco and Play.com

 Quotes:

• …its first external optical disk drive and the BRHC-6316U2 is a Blu-ray – and HD DVD – combo drive that can both read/write Blu-ray and read HD DVD
• Buffalo says the drive is easy to use, with a simple plug and play connection to any PC via a USB interface

 

 5.Watchdog investigates Miss Bimbo websitehttp://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article3628914.ece Watchdog investigates Miss Bimbo website is an article about a new website called Miss Bimbo which has been criticised for encouraging young girls to have plastic surgery and diet which is currently being investigated by a communications watchdog. Children, as young as 9, can sign up to the Miss Bimbo website for free and receive 1000 ‘dollars’ they can then buy more of these virtual ‘dollars’ by sending £1.50 text messages to afford ‘gifts’ and ‘treatments’ for their character on the Miss Bimbo website. 

1. PhonePlus is looking into claims that the Miss Bimbo website and game exploits children’s naivety and vulnerability and contains content that parents would, usually, feel were unsuitable for children
2. The Miss Bimbo website gives it users ‘dollars’ in which they can spend on plastic surgery and dieting etc.
3. The investigation on the Miss Bimbo website was launched after the site was rounded on for sending a dangerous message about dieting
4. The website lets children create a virtual doll, monitor it’s diet and weight and buy it breast implants and facelifts
5. The users of the website are invited to buy more ‘dollars’ by sending £1.50 text messages in order to buy more ‘gifts’ for their virtual character
6. If the Miss Bimbo website is found to have flouted guidelines it will face a fine of anything up to £250,000 and a possible ban from providing premium rate phone calls
7. The designers of the Miss Bimbo site decided to remove virtual pills from the game following the public outrage about the message it sent to girls
8. The Miss Bimbo website is described by its creators as a fashion game, and has attracted children as young as 9
9. Chris Evans, who is the British businessman helping to introduce the Miss Bimbo website to Britain said that the game can be completed without using the premium rate number
10. Girls from the ages of 8 to 18 are the main target audience for the Miss Bimbo website

 Quotes:

• A PhonepayPlus spokesman said: “Our code of practice has specific requirements for services that are targeted at children or likely to be particularly attractive to children. In addition to issues around cost, our rules make clear that services should not exploit or provide content that parents are likely to think unacceptable. We are looking into claims that the Miss Bimbo service might contravene these requirements.”
• Miss Bimbo is described by its creators as a fashion game

Facebook, Bebo, My Space face censorship ordershttp://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article3635685.ece Facebook, Bebo, My Space face censorship orders is an article about a new report that has been written, the first of its kind, about internet safety. The Byron Review on safety on the internet was published on March 27^th 2008 and also recommends that search engines such as goggle display a ‘safe search’ button on their home page so that it is obvious and easy to access, this ‘safe search’ will filter out potentially harmful material when children search the web. The review recommends the creation of a UK council for child internet safety, established by and reporting to the Prime Minister and including representatives from the Home Office and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The digital industry welcomed the report and all the main businesses emphasised the importance of pulling together to tackle the problem. However, none have given their specific backing to any of the recommendations. 

1. Social networking sites will be required to remove material unsuitable for children, such as nude or violent images and comments, within 24 hours of receiving a complaint, under a tough new code for internet safety
2. The Byron review recommends that search engines like goggle prominently display a ‘safe search’ button on their home page
3. The report is by the clinical psychologist and writer Tanya Byron
4. The report also recommends that websites promoting suicide be closed down using the existing laws on assisted suicide
5. Websites that promote self harm and eating disorders should also come under greater legal scrutiny according to the report
6. The review recommends the creation of a UK council for child internet safety, established by and reporting to the Prime Minister and including representatives from the Home Office and the Department for Children, Schools and Families
7. The review also recommended e-safety lessons in schools and a campaign to inform parents, grandparents, carers, and teachers about how to ensure safe use of the internet
8. Andy Burnham, the Culture Secretary, suggested that the public education campaign might be funded by industry and not by the Government
9. The report was commissioned by the Prime Minister last year in response to the growing moral panic about the dangers of the digital world as children are being expose to pornography, violence, self harm or contact from paedophiles
10. The report found that children and young people had positive attitudes and views towards the internet

 Quotes:

• Dr Byron, a mother of two, said: “Many parents seem to believe that when their child is online it is similar to them watching television. In fact it is more like opening the front door and letting your child go outside to play unsupervised.”
• Nine-year-old boy: “I’m worried I’ll get lost on the internet and find I’ve suddenly got a job in the Army or something.”

Google admits YouTube rape video was ‘a mistake’http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article3662228.ece Google admits YouTube rape video was ‘a mistake’ is an article about a YouTube video of a woman being raped was viewed on YouTube 600 times in half an hour before Google, who now own YouTube took the video of the website. Google’s general counsel, Kent Walker gave evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport committee whom are investigating the dangers of the internet to children. A proposal to screen the whole of the content uploaded by YouTube’s users, which comes to about 10 hours of footage every minute before it made public was deemed inefficient and ineffective by Mr Walker. 

1. Google resisted calls to screen videos before they appeared on YouTube
2. Google admitted that it had been too slow to take down a clip which showed a 25-year-old mother being gang-raped
3. The video showing the woman being raped was watched 600 times before being removed from YouTube
4. Google owns the video sharing site YouTube
5. Google’s general counsel, Kent Walker, said it would go against the spirit of the internet to require all videos to be screened and resisted calls for tighter regulation of sites like YouTube
6. Google said that of the offensive videos that were put on the site, more than 50 per cent were removed within half an hour
7. Walker said that it would not be ‘neither efficient nor effective’ for YouTube to screen all content uploaded by users before it was made public
8. Mr Walker was giving evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport committee, which is investigating the dangers of the internet to children
9. About 10 hours of footage every minute is uploaded onto YouTube by its users
10. Mr Walker also defended the company’s decision to respect the Chinese Government’s policy of censoring the material on its site

 Quotes:

• “That would burden the process of creativity,” Walker said. “You do not have a policeman on every street corner to stop things from happening; you have policemen responding very quickly when things do happen.” (Of screening every video uploaded by YouTube user’s)

• “A large majority is removed within an hour” – off content that does not fit with the rules and regulations of the YouTube website
• “clearly a mistake” (Of the video of a woman being raped being shown and viewed on the YouTube website)

 

Virgin Media takes on Illegal dowloadershttp://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2213225/virgin-media-cracks-illegal Virgin Media takes on Illegal dowloaders is an article about Virgin Media who have joined forces with the British Phonographic Industry in a scheme that could mean that warning letters are sent to users who download music tracks illegally. This is the first time that a UK internet company has taken a public stance to share responsibility for stopping piracy. BPI technicians will trace illegal music downloads to individual Virgin Media accounts and hand over account details to the broadband supplier, matching them to names and addresses. 

1. This is the first time that a UK internet company is taking a stance to share responsibilty for stopping piracy
2. This move follwos 2 years of wrangling between internet service providers and record labels in an attempt to reach an industry-wide agreement
3. BPI technicians will trace illegal music downloads to individual Virgin Media accounts and hand over account details to the broadband supplier, matching them to names and addresses
4. The pilot follws governemnt warning in Febrauary that legistalation would be introudced in April next year unless ISPs reached a voluntary agreement with the music and film industries
5. Then record labels want to have a ‘three strike’ policy
   1. First strike: Letter warning customers thay are commiting an offence
   2. Second Strike: Suspension
   3. Third Strike: Illegal downloaders would have their accounts disconnected
6. Six million broadband users are thought to have engaged in the illegal download of files each year
7. Record labels claim that illegal downloading are costing them billions of punds in lost CD sales

 Quotes:

• “We have been in discussions with rights holders organisations about how a voluntary scheme could work. We are taking this problem seriously and would favour a sensible voluntary solution,” said a spokesman for Virgin Media.
• “This is not the time for ISPs to delay further. The government clearly shares the creative community’s frustration at the failure of ISPs to take action,” said BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor.

 

CD-Wow faces £41m finehttp://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2190961/cd-wow-faces-41m-fine CD-Wow faces £41m fine is an article about the British High Court who have ordered the online music store, CD-Wow to pay £41 million in compensation to the British Phonographic Institute after CD-Wow broke a promise to stop selling CDs and DVDs in Britain. The ruling stated that Music Trading Online, which now owns CD-Wow was in breach of a 2004 agreement to stop importing CDs from places like Hong Kong and selling them to customers in the UK at up to a third off high street prices. 

1. The 2004 agreement was made to stop CDs from places like Hong Kong and then selling them to UK consumers at up to a third off the high street price.
2. CD-Wow must pay £41m too the British Phonographic Institute after breaking a 2004 agreement
3. Music Trading Online owns CD-Wow
4. The damages award is the largest ever made in favour of the BPI
5. CD-Wow denies deliberately breaking the court undertaking, and puts any breach down to human error
6. The BPI has already obtained an order against CD-Wow, freezing all of its assets and bank accounts in order to recover the money it is now owed
7. CD-Wow maintained that the British courts had set a “dangerous precedent” and that the ruling “spelled disaster for millions of music fans who object to being ripped off by unnecessarily expensive albums”
8. “The vibrancy of British music depends on a fair return on the investments that allow British talent to shine. This decision is an important step in ensuring that British music has a bright future” said BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor
9. CD-Wow has vowed to appeal against the ruling in the European courts and has called for a full review of copyright law
10. The British Court is basically saying that cheap exports are illegal

 Quotes:

• “The vibrancy of British music depends on a fair return on the investments that allow British talent to shine,” said BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor. “This decision is an important step in ensuring that British music has a bright future.”
• Henrik Wesslen, chief executive of CD-Wow, said: “I fear what is happening is an attempt to use the combined brute force of the record industry to force the retailers and, in turn, our clients, to keep lining the pockets of the fat cat executives. It should not matter whether we are buying from an official distributor in the UK, Europe or the Far East. What is important is that we are buying legitimate products from the record companies themselves.”

 

10.Students In Trouble Over Facebook Entrieshttp://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91221-1275699,00.html Students In Trouble Over Facebook Entries is an article about how Oxford University has relied on ‘private’ photos as such on social networking websites to discipline students. However, not only universities are using social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook to learn more about people – employers have been relying on information posted on user’s profiles when making employment decisions. Alex Hill, a maths and philosophy student, was reportedly charged by the Oxford disciplinary body with disorderly conduct, after incriminating photos posted on her Facebook profile were used against her. 

1. Oxford University has relied on ‘private’ photos on social websites to discipline students, according to reports
2. Students are being advised to alter privacy settings on sites such as Facebook and Myspace
3. Students are being advised that the only way to prevent information from getting into the wrong hands is to keep it offline altogether
4. A survey by Viadeo found that one in five employers have used the internet to find personal information about candidates
5. A quarter of recruiters have rejected applicants based on their findings of them on social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace
6. Advice now is to delete photos, or better still, never put them online as this will ensure they won’t get out and be seen by people that you don’t want
7. This is not just affecting people in the UK, but Miss Jersey almost lost her crown after embarrassing photos of her were found on Facebook
8. Universities as well as employers are increasingly relying on information on social networking sites to find out about a person

 Quotes:

• Citing problems with antisocial behaviour, a spokesperson for Oxford University said that “Proctors wish to take the steps available to them to identify and discipline the culprits.”
• A recent graduate, who wished to remain unknown, told us: “Many of my friends are now worrying about all the dodgy photos on Facebook from their time at uni. You’ve got to delete photos, or better still never put them online, to guarantee they won’t get out.”