U.N. could tax U.S.-based Web sites, leaked docs show
The United Nations is considering a new Internet tax targeting the largest Web content providers, including Google, Facebook, Apple, and Netflix, that could cripple their ability to reach users in developing nations.
The European proposal, offered for debate at a December meeting of a U.N. agency called the International Telecommunication Union, would amend an existing telecommunications treaty by imposing heavy costs on popular Web sites and their network providers for the privilege of serving non-U.S. users, according to newly leaked documents.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57449375-83/u.n-could-tax-u.s.-based-web-sites-leaked-docs-show/
Facebook App Center has its kinks (First Take)
Facebook’s App Center has arrived, and it’s got more than 600 apps in tow, including big hitters like Pinterest, Draw Something, Nike+, Path, and Ghost Recon. Let’s take a look at how it all works.
First thing you should know is that App Center is not a Facebook marketplace akin to Google Play or Apple’s iTunes App Store. Rather, it’s a hub for discovering new and interesting apps based on your Facebook activity and your friends’ activity. In fact, whenever App Center recommends a mobile app, it actually links out to Google Play and iTunes so you can easily download it.
http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-57449379-12/facebook-app-center-has-its-kinks-first-take/
Twitter Confirms Facebook Integration of Usernames, Hashtags, Photos
Twitter has quietly tweaked the way usernames, hashtags, photos and more are cross-posted to Facebook.
“The updated Twitter for Facebook integration now includes additional rich media experiences related to the first photo, URL, @mention or #hashtag in the cross-posted tweet,” Twitter spokesman Robert Weeks told Mashable on Thursday night. “This update is available for everyone.”
http://mashable.com/2012/06/08/twitter-facebook-integration-usernames-hashtags/
North Korea ships malware-infected games to South Korean users, uses them to launch DDoS attacks
eoul’s Metropolitan Police Agency has intercepted a cyber attack plot orchestrated by North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau, which successfully shipped malware-infected games to South Korean users.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/north-korea-ships-malware-infected-games-to-south-korean-users-uses-them-to-launch-ddos-attacks/12383?timestamp=1339170491
Crypto breakthrough shows Flame was designed by world-class scientists
The Flame espionage malware that infected computers in Iran achieved mathematic breakthroughs that could only have been accomplished by world-class cryptographers, two of the world’s foremost cryptography experts said.
http://arstechnica.com/security/2012/06/flame-crypto-breakthrough/
Verizon joins auto manufacturers to ‘accelerate development’ of connected cars
Verizon has announced that it’s joining forces with some of the biggest auto manufacturers around in order to “accelerate development of the 4G LTE ecosystem” in connected cars. Called the 4G Venture Forum for Connected Cars, the new group includes BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and Toyota, as well as Professor Sanjay Sarma from MIT. The collaborative group will be a place where the different companies discuss ways to advance the technology in connected vehicles, and will look not only at the cars themselves, but also electronics manufacturers, app developers, and content creators. The news comes less than a week after Verizon made another move into the world of connected cars by acquiring Hughes Telematics for $612 million. The Atlanta-based firm provides connected solutions for fleets and manufacturers, and at the time Verizon said that it expected “telematics to drive significant growth” for the company.
http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/6/3067996/verizon-bmw-honda-toyota-connected-cars
From cats to Cubans: How a 1-man cat-drawing startup won a Mark Cuban investment
Of all the craziest things for Mark Cuban to invest in, a one-man startup consisting of a horrible dancer who sits at his kitchen table drawing kindergarten-style pictures of cats must be at the top of the list. But Cuban obviously knows what he’s doing: he’s already got most of his investment back.
Those who watch ABC’s reality-TV-meets-venture-capital show “Shark Tank” might be familiar with the story of the cat doodler. Steve Gadlin is a web developer in Chicago who wanted to create a business … and also draw pictures of cats. So, naturally, he put the two together.
http://venturebeat.com/2012/06/08/i-want-to-draw-a-cat-for-you/
Facebook forced into revealing identities of cyberbullies
A woman has won court backing to force Facebook to reveal the identities of cyberbullies who targeted her with a string of abusive messages on the website.
Nicola Brookes was granted a high court order after receiving “vicious and depraved” abuse on Facebook after she posted a comment in support of the former The X Factor contestant Frankie Cocozza.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/jun/08/facebook-revealing-identities-cyberbullies
Thomson Reuters Acquires Mobile Startup Apsmart To Re-invigorate Its Mobile Products
Nice win for DN Capital today. Apsmart, a London-based mobile platform and product development firm that was majority owned by the VC has been acquired by Thomson Reuters. Terms were not disclosed.
Thomson Reuters plans to use the startup to provide its customers with mobile solutions with expert-enriched content, news and other features those suited-up Reuters users like. Reuters has been somewhat left behind in the mobile apps stakes so this acquisition should power its new direction.
http://techcrunch.com/2012/06/08/thomson-reuters-acquires-mobile-startup-apsmart-to-re-invigorate-its-mobile-products/
