Don't forget to check out http://www.auda.org.au/domain-news/ for the archive of the last 3 months of the news. And see my website - http://GoldsteinReport.com/ - for daily updates in between postings. *************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** Iceland hosts internet governance forum today Reykjavik will host the first one-day Internet Governance Forum today (Tuesday), on International Safer Internet Day. The free-to-attend forum features international experts and government ministers alike. http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2011/02/08/iceland-hosts-internet-governance-forum-today/ ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Update on ICANN Board/GAC Consultation on New gTLDS There is a considerable amount of interest in the upcoming Board/GAC consultation on new gTLDs to be held in Brussels on 28 February and 1 March 2011. This message is intended as an update to information we have already posted on the consultation. http://blog.icann.org/2011/02/update-on-icann-boardgac-consultation-on-new-gtlds/ ICANN pushes on with gTLD plans ICANN is hoping that it will soon be able to begin proceedings on an expansion of the generic top-level domain (TLD) system. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2274685/icann-gtld-registrar-domains New TLD rulebook unlikely to get March nod ICANN?s new top-level domains Applicant Guidebook is unlikely to get its final approval at ICANN?s March meeting, according to the senior staffer responsible for the program. http://domainincite.com/new-tld-rulebook-unlikely-to-get-march-nod/ ICANN Considers Bringing Whois Escrow In House Domain Name Wire has learned that ICANN is considering handling whois escrow services internally. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/02/08/icann-considers-bringing-whois-escrow-in-house/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** auDA wins Bottle Domains wind-up case The Australian Domain Name Administrator (auDA) has won a winding-up order against Australian Style Pty Ltd, parent company of troubled domain provider Bottle Domains, in the Victorian Supreme Court. http://www.zdnet.com.au/auda-wins-bottle-domains-wind-up-case-339309094.htm Australian Style in liquidation Australian Style, which traded as domain name registrar Bottle Domains, has been place in liquidation. http://www.itwire.com/it-industry-news/strategy/45018-australian-style-in-liquidation Oz companies buying misspelt internet addresses to stop others from using their brands [ANI] Australian companies are reportedly buying misspelt Internet domain names with the intention of stopping others from gaining profit from their brand names. http://www.andhranews.net/Intl/2011/Oz-companies-buying-misspelt-internet-addresses-2139.htm http://www.medindia.net/news/Oz-Companies-Preventing-Brand-Misuse-by-Buying-Misspelt-Internet-Addresses-too-80552-1.htm Yes to Secure Internet! - DNSSEC Is Coming for .de DNSSEC (Domain Name Security Extensions) shall improve security for .de domains too in the future. This is the result of the broad-based test phase that ended with today's concluding meeting. http://www.denic.de/en/denic-in-dialogue/press-releases/press/3116.html Denic to offer DNSSEC from 31 May German internet domain name registrar Denic has tested DNSSEC (Domain Name Security Extensions) for its domain names. http://www.telecompaper.com/news/denic-to-offer-dnssec-from-31-may Microsoft Scores Bi.ng Domain Name Microsoft registered the short URL Bi.ng on February 4 thanks to the liberalization of Nigeria?s .ng domain name to allow limited second level registrations. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/02/09/microsoft-scores-bi-ng-domain-name/ ccTLD Competition: Somalia?s Regional Entities Bidding for their Own ccTLD-- another Domain Issue Somalia is one of the young African countries to get connected to the Internet after the country established its first ISP in 1999. But today some preferred regions of the country have internet connectivity close to 73%, while Southern and Central Somalia has connectivity of 0-3%-- this is despite the booming of the Internet business and the existence of central government in which systematically encourages price discriminations and lack of regulations. Currently, a young Somali student or internet user in the South and Central Somalia or some parts of the North pay skyrocketing fees, and while the rest of the country pays less ? this is the courtesy of few greedy government officials, and lack of governmental intervention. http://www.hiiraan.com/op2/2011/feb/cctld_competition_somalia_s_regional_entities_bidding_for_their_own_cctld_another_domain_issue.aspx 99 super-short .uk domains registered Nominet, the .uk registry, has allocated 99 one and two-letter .uk domain names to trademark holders including the Financial Times and Manchester United. http://domainincite.com/99-super-short-uk-domains-registered/ ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** Internet is growing this year Kieren McCarthy, the general manager of .nxt, speaks about the conference that will examine the new process ICANN is set to approve that will create an unlimited number of domain names. It will be held at the Hyatt Regency today and Thursday. http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/3-minute-interview/2011/02/internet-growing-year Jothan Frakes, Domain-Name Guru, Offers Tips on the New "Internet Land Rush" So you want to be a domain-name millionaire? Now's the time. The obscure California nonprofit that controls the domain names of the world--known as ICANN--is about to authorize an unlimited number of new suffixes. http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2011/02/jothan_frakes_domain_name_guru.php Rush is on for custom domain name suffixes The pillar of the basic Web address - the trusty .com domain - is about to face vast new competition that will dramatically transform the Web as we know it. New Web sites, with more subject-specific, sometimes controversial suffixes, will soon populate the online galaxy, such as .eco, .love, .god, .sport, .gay or .kurd. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/06/AR2011020603940.html Web battle rages for .gay The internet might soon be overrun with new suffixes ? and the race is on to secure and protect .gay. http://www.samesame.com.au/news/international/6406/Web-battle-rages-for-gay.htm Veto Power For Governments Against Any Internet Domain Name? The United States Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is proposing possible veto power for governments against applications for new top-level domains. NTIA is asking for a change to domain name system management that would allow governments to object to any proposed internet address for any reason, which has not surprisingly stirred debate among observers. http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2011/02/08/veto-power-for-governments-against-any-internet-domain-name/ U.S. Seeks Veto Powers Over New Domain Names The Obama administration is quietly seeking the power for it and other governments to veto future top-level domain names, a move that raises questions about free expression, national sovereignty, and the role of states in shaping the future of the Internet. http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20030809-281.html http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-20030854-501465.html http://www.zdnetasia.com/us-seeks-veto-powers-over-new-domain-names-62206503.htm U.S. Proposal Raises Questions About Control of Web Addresses With billions of people accessing the Internet, the Web's governing body has for years been working on a plan to expand the number of available Web addresses. This includes increasing the number of generic top-level domains (gTLDs) so that Web sites are not restricted to things like .com or .edu, but can expand to anything from .technology to .yams. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2379691,00.asp Governments Should Promote Cultural Diversity on the Internet by Nacho Amadoz The entire new gTLD applicant community is awaiting, patiently, the forthcoming Brussels meeting between the ICANN Board and the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) to take place from February 28th. After years of delays to the new gTLD process, ICANN and the GAC will try to reach an agreement on how and when to launch the new Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) programme. The expectations for the outcome of the Brussels meeting is huge among potential new gTLD applicants. Despite this, the media attention will be negligible when compared to the news coverage that the next ICANN public meeting in March will receive. http://www.circleid.com/posts/governments_should_promote_cultural_diversity_on_the_internet/ ICANN chief cancels .nxt keynote With the first-ever .nxt conference on new top-level domains just hours away from opening its doors, it looks like star speaker Rod Beckstrom has canceled his appearance. http://domainincite.com/icann-chief-cancels-nxt-keynote/ Neustar wins .gay contract Neustrar has signed a deal to provide back-end registry services to DotGay LLC, one of the companies hoping to apply for .gay as a new top-level domain. http://domainincite.com/neustar-wins-gay-contract/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** us: Hatch To Reintroduce Cybersecurity Bill Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said Wednesday he plans to reintroduce cybersecurity legislation designed to boost international cooperation to confront digital threats. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2011/02/hatch-to-reintroduce-cybersecu.php Defence groups set sights on cyberspace The call by William Hague, foreign secretary, on Friday for an international agreement to set rules that will protect countries from ?the darker side of cyberspace? underlined the speed with which cyber security is climbing up the political agenda. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2cf24288-321b-11e0-a820-00144feabdc0.html Verisign to bolster .gov security The U.S. federal government's ongoing effort to improve the security on its Web sites may get a boost now that Verisign has taken over operation of the .gov registry. http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=14D97BC3-1A64-6A71-CE8B78FEBC331F3C ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Legal Brief: Personal Jurisdiction: A new European rule could affect domain owners by Andrea Christensen, Legal Intern, Sedo.com A recent European Court of Justice decision gives new meaning to personal jurisdiction and could have potential implications for domain name owners. Personal jurisdiction determines when a court has power over a defendant and when it can hold a person to a ruling. It is also what requires a defendant to travel long distances to defend against infringement claims in different courts. The court examined two cases and issued one ruling. https://sedo.com/links/showlinks.php3?tracked=&partnerid=&language=us&Id=2802 UDRP Cases Spike in 2010 The number of Uniform domain-name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP)cases filed at the two largest arbitration providers increased over 25% in 2010 compared to 2009, a Domain Name Wire analysis shows. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/02/09/udrp-cases-spike-in-2010/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** New bugs for feds to fight in transition to Internet 2.0 The Internet's administrator last week finished allocating space for new Internet subscribers and Web-enabled devices, bringing federal agencies closer to the culmination of a half-decade of preparatory work to make systems compatible with Internet 2.0. Still, the transition will not be without risks that will require immediate attention, many federal officials say. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110207_4693.php APNIC ready for IPv6 transition As the last blocks for IPv4 addresses have already been allocated, the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) said it is prepared for the transition to IPv6. http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=846C42C2-1A64-6A71-CE63660F5D53EE28 New internet will leave older modems behind CONSUMERS need to prepare for changes to the internet as the authorities switch address systems to cope with the load. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/new-internet-will-leave-older-modems-behind/story-e6frg6nf-1226001786628 Changeover to IPv6 is no time to panic, as addresses run out IN about three months, Australia will run out of its last batch of internet addresses under the old IPv4 naming system and experts say we should panic, a little. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/changeover-to-ipv6-is-no-time-to-panic-as-addresses-run-out/story-e6frgakx-1226001761580 Suddenly everybody's selling IPv6 For IT professionals and network industry vendors alike, the events of last week represent a game changer regarding IPv6, which was developed in 1998 but has scarcely been deployed. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/020711-address-depletion-ipv6.html http://www.techworld.com.au/article/375753/suddenly_everybody_selling_ipv6/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** The Internet As We Know It Is Under Attack The Internet was never supposed to be as big or successful as is it today. This has been hammered home by two recent events that show the Net is creaking at the seams. Such weaknesses mean the Net as we know it is open to attack from all sides. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/218922/.html ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Sedo.com Releases 2010 Market Trends Study Sedo.com releases 2010 Market Trends Study with Q4 highlights revealing steady growth in the domain market and opportunities abound for businesses and investors. https://sedo.com/links/showlinks.php3?tracked=&partnerid=&language=us&Id=2801 Sedo.com: Our Story A Decade of Domains by Jaclyn Jordan, Marketing Assistant, Sedo.com We have often been asked how it all started at Sedo. How did the idea to create a domain marketplace begin? How have we grown over the years and how have we come to measure success today? As we celebrate our decennial anniversary, we have a special opportunity to share our story with you. https://sedo.com/links/showlinks.php3?tracked=&partnerid=&language=us&Id=2799 ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Bing searches more accurate than Google's, study finds Microsoft's search engine Bing, and even Yahoo, are providing users with more accurate searches than their rival Google, according to a report out this week. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9208879/Bing_searches_more_accurate_than_Google_s_study_finds http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/020911-bing-searches-more-accurate-than.html http://www.pcworld.com/article/219208/.html Newspaper publishers warn Apple over iTunes sales Apple is being warned against trying to squeeze cash out of the newspaper industry by controlling subscriptions for iPads and iPhones. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12391899 us: Report: Hispanics Lag Behind In Technology Use A new report released Wednesday from the Pew Hispanic Center found that while Hispanics have much lower levels of home broadband use compared with whites, the gap narrows when it comes to cell phone use. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2011/02/report-hispanics-lag-behind-in.php http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110209_4356.php au: Alarm sounded over Dr Google's diagnosis Doctors are warning of catastrophic consequences after new research revealed four in five Australians are turning to the web for health information and nearly half of those are using Dr Google to make a self-diagnosis. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/alarm-sounded-over-dr-googles-diagnosis-20110210-1anl7.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/alarm-sounded-over-dr-googles-diagnosis-20110210-1anl7.html ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Facebook Privacy: 10 Settings Every User Needs to Know Facebook?s privacy settings are extremely detailed, giving you the ability to fine-tune the privacy aspects of almost every little part of your Facebook account. Unfortunately, for most users, this level of micromanagement makes Facebook?s privacy settings a convoluted mess. http://mashable.com/2011/02/07/facebook-privacy-guide/ http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/facebook-privacy-10-settings-every-user-needs-to-know-20110208-1akkp.html ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** Smart phones outsell PCs for the first time [AP] For the first time ever, smart phones such as Apple Inc.'s iPhone are outselling personal computers, according to a report by research group IDC that was released Monday. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/08/AR2011020804373.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/smart-phones-outsell-pcs-for-the-first-time-20110209-1am1g.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/smart-phones-outsell-pcs-for-the-first-time-20110209-1am1g.html ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ Digital Agenda: Commission to step up efforts to safeguard children online [news release] On the occasion of Safer Internet Day 2011, the European Commission today announced that it will step up talks with ICT industry and children's organisations to encourage the design of safer products to help keep children safe online. Moreover, the Commission will shortly review the 2006 Recommendation on minors and how to protect them in audiovisual media and Internet and on the 2008 Communication on the protection of youngsters from harmful content in video games. Children are going online from a younger age and not just from computers, but also games consoles and mobile phones. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/135 EU children still exposed to Internet risks Only 14% of Europeans use web filtering software to prevent children from accessing inappropriate websites, despite the European Commission having carried out multimillion-euro awareness-raising campaigns in the last decade. http://www.euractiv.com/en/infosociety/eu-children-exposed-internet-risks-news-501970 Take a stand on Safer Internet Day! It's more than a game, it's your life! [news release] Today the Insafe network, European network of Safer Internet Centres, is celebrating Safer Internet Day for the eighth consecutive year. This is the occasion of the year to join our efforts in making the internet a better place for our children and young people. Since the first edition of SID in 2004, interest has grown tremendously world wide to reach all five continents and almost 70 countries, from Canada to South Korea and Russia to Kenya, including all 27 countries of the European Union. http://www.saferinternet.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=fe0cdb1e-a76a-4eaa-a74d-d65f22b53ccb&groupId=10145 au: It?s more than a game, it?s your life??ACMA supports Safer Internet Day 2011 With more Australians using social networking than ever before, staying safe online is the core message of tomorrow?s Safer Internet Day. Almost 9 million Australians accessed social networking sites from their home computers alone in June 2010, and up to 25% of these users were under the age of 18. http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_312437 au: More than two-thirds of girls under 10 bullied: survey More than two-thirds of girls under the age of 10 have been bullied, according to a survey of Girl Guides. http://www.smh.com.au/national/more-than-twothirds-of-girls-under-10-bullied-survey-20110210-1angs.html School filters coddle kids, are ineffective Preventing cyberbullying using Internet filters in schools is ineffective due to the popularity of Internet-connected mobile devices, says Australian parliamentary committee on cyberbullying. http://www.zdnet.com.au/school-filters-coddle-kids-are-ineffective-339309053.htm http://www.zdnetasia.com/school-filters-coddle-kids-are-ineffective-62206532.htm au: Online predator sought 'vampire sex' A young Melbourne university student who preyed on nine girls that he met online has been jailed for more than four years. http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/online-predator-sought-vampire-sex-20110210-1anmo.html nz: Phone ban in school changing rooms to stop 'sexting' Some secondary schools are banning cellphones in changing rooms to try to stop students photographing and then texting images of their peers without their permission. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10705261 at: Safer Internet Day 2011: More than 200 schools are taking part in a month of activity! This year in Austria, online safety is not only promoted on Safer Internet Day, but during the whole month of February through a variety of activities. In cooperation with the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture, all Austrian schools were invited to come up with their own safer internet activity. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=153409 de: Celebrating Safer Internet Day with a broad range of activities and events Safer Internet Day 2011 is celebrated in Germany with over 100 events, workshops, online activities and broad media participation. Activities range from a conference of the Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection via information events of ministries of the states, through to workshops for pupils and parents? evenings at schools all over Germany. It also sees the launch of a new pedagogical resource: 'Let?s talk about porn - adolescent sexuality, internet and pornography'. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=153471 Grid: the new home for web safety online Buried among the less imaginative announcements for Safer Internet Day is an incredibly impressive project produced by Fosi, the Family Online Safety Institute based in Washington, US. What Fosi released today - Grid, the Global Resource & Information Directory - is a rare and well-executed model for policy-level global information, and we're struggling to think of a comparable project. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/pda/2011/feb/08/web-safety-fosi uk: Kids lie about their personal details on the web Half of kids aged 11 to 18 lie about their personal details on the web, says Kidscape. http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/securityadvisor/news/index.cfm?newsid=3260017 uk: Police launch website to protect children online West Mercia Police has launched a website aimed at keeping children safe when they are online. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-12395800 uk: Anti-pornography campaigners claim 'favourable consensus' on internet filters A Conservative backbencher has claimed there is a "scary degree of favourable consensus" between campaigners, the government and ISPs on introducing filters that would mean internet users would have to opt in to access pornography. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8311758/Anti-pornography-campaigners-claim-favourable-consensus-on-internet-filters.html In Tokyo, a Crackdown on Sexual Images of Minors In a manga comic book that is well known here, ?My Wife Is an Elementary School Student,? a 24-year-old teacher marries a 12-year-old girl as part of a top-secret social experiment. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/10/business/global/10manga.html us: Lawmakers urge FTC to investigate free kids games on iPhone Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate potentially deceptive practices on Apple's iPhone that allow makers of free children's games to charge users. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/08/AR2011020805721.html us: L.A. school devotes a day to the battle against bullying Officials hope the 'Stand Tall Day' program of presentations, videos, self-defense sessions and student-written sketches at Hale Middle School in Woodland Hills can be a model on combating bullying. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0209-bullying-20110209,0,5469235.story Safer Internet Day: "Es fehlen Ideen und Konzepte" Zum f?nften europ?ischen Safer Internet Day veranstalteten das Bundesverbraucherministerium und der IT-Verband Bitkom gemeinsam eine Konferenz in Berlin, bei der insbesondere auch technische L?sungen f?r einen besseren Verbraucherschutz im Netz diskutiert wurden. http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Safer-Internet-Day-Es-fehlen-Ideen-und-Konzepte-1185601.html ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** ACS:Law told file-sharing case must continue by court A controversial law firm that sent letters to alleged illegal file sharers has been told it cannot drop its cases to "avoid public scrutiny". http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12396443 uk: Filesharing prosecutions will face serious problems, says judge A senior court judge has pointed to severe problems with the way the Digital Economy Act enables copyright owners to prosecute people accused of illegal filesharing. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/feb/08/filesharing-prosecutions-digital-economy Re-thinking peer-to-peer file sharing: charging the pirates for the ship and not the plunder A decade of lawsuits, particularly in the US, has failed to curb the vast scale of copyright infringing activity occurring on peer-to-peer file sharing networks. In Australia, last year?s iiNet decision arguably shields internet service providers (ISPs) against claims by copyright owners that, by failing to take action against their infringing subscribers, ISPs authorise those infringements. As a result of this decision (currently the subject of an appeal), many Australian ISPs now simply forward infringement notices received from rights holders to users, or take no action at all. http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=e7020dda-f963-4818-ad0b-cb536904c762 ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Nokia Chief Sees Company on 'Burning Platform,' According to Leaked Memo The new chief executive of the mobile phone maker Nokia, preparing the company for a wide-ranging shake-up, has reportedly compared its plight to that of a man standing on a ?burning platform? and trying to decide whether to jump into icy waters. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/10/technology/10nokia.html On the Menu: Future of Mobile Apps: Entrepreneurs Gather in New York to Discuss Wireless Trends Moments after the fettuccine with duck confit appetizer was served in New York's Gramercy Tavern, Mark Ferdman dissed Apple Inc. chief Steve Jobs. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704364004576132530157431902.html Mobile cybercrime threat rises Cyber criminals are increasingly targeting mobile devices as they look to exploit consumer ignorance of potential security risks associated with smartphones and tablet PCs. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5a4ed514-32e5-11e0-9a61-00144feabdc0.html Cellphone security threats rise sharply - source Cellphone security threats rose sharply last year as a proliferation of Internet-enabled mobile devices like smartphones and tablets provided new opportunities for cybercriminals, security software maker McAfee said. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/02/08/oukin-uk-security-mobile-idUKTRE7170M020110208 http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/02/08/idINIndia-54727920110208 Android Smartphones Gain Market Share as Nokia, BlackBerry Lose, IDC Says HTC Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co., smartphone makers that sell handsets running on the Android operating system, gained market share worldwide last quarter as the Google Inc. software became more popular. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-07/smartphone-shipments-rose-87-in-fourth-quarter-idc-says.html Android drives big smartphone growth in 2010, IDC says Worldwide smartphone shipments were up 75%, to 302 million in 2010, a trend driven by impressive Android growth in the fourth quarter, market research firm IDC said. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9208478/Android_drives_big_smartphone_growth_in_2010_IDC_says Android outranks iPhone in latest US comScore data Google's Android outranked Apple's iPhone in total smartphone subscribers in the U.S. at the end of the fourth quarter of 2010, according to survey data released Monday by market research company comScore. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9208540/Android_outranks_iPhone_in_latest_comScore_data German IT body sees 2011 mobile phone sales up Sales of mobile phones in Germany are set to grow 4.3 percent in 2011 to 29 million units, a third of which will be more expensive smartphones, German technology and telecoms association Bitkom said on Monday. http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/02/07/idINIndia-54717120110207 International cellular network industry association releases Privacy Principles Hot on the trail of the FTC's recent report on privacy, the GSMA, the London-based industry association representing over 800 cellular network operators worldwide, released its "high-level" Mobile Privacy Principles (the "Principles") on January 27, 2011. http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=39118fe8-2ae8-47c4-8512-c03e19ebcff4 Manufacturers deliver the common mobile phone charger Have you ever been annoyed for not being able to borrow a friend's or a colleague's mobile phone charger because it wasn't compatible with your phone? This era is coming to an end. A common charger compatible with mobile phones of all brands is the simple idea that the Commission has been pushing for many years. Thanks to the cooperation between fourteen companies and the European Commission the solution is there: onechargerforall.eu. New technical standards for data-enabled mobile phones were published on 29 December 2010. Today, Vice President Antonio Tajani receives a sample of a compatible common charger from Bridget Cosgrave, Director-General of DIGITALEUROPE, the largest Association of European digital technology industry. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/136 ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** Europe's virus victims revealed Almost one third of internet users in the European Union caught a PC virus despite the majority having security software installed, statistics show. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12390650 us: Super Bowl cyber attacks For many people, Super Bowl Sunday is an opportunity to get together with friends, eat some good food and knock back a few cold ones. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2011/02/your-weekly-scamwatch.html Anonymous hackers attack US security firm HBGary Online activist group Anonymous has targeted an American security firm that claimed to know the identities of its leaders. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12380987 Austria: Avoiding "Genericide" Of Your Trademark On February 3rd, Schoenherr will present its Roadmap 2011. Now in its fifth edition, the Roadmap is an annual publication which presents an overview from our lawyers of recent and upcoming legal developments in our core practice areas, as well as critical insights and analyses of those developments. This is one of the articles that will appear in the upcoming edition http://www.mondaq.com/article.asp?articleid=121562 us: Hatch To Reintroduce Cybersecurity Bill Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said Wednesday he plans to reintroduce cybersecurity legislation designed to boost international cooperation to confront digital threats. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2011/02/hatch-to-reintroduce-cybersecu.php Defence groups set sights on cyberspace The call by William Hague, foreign secretary, on Friday for an international agreement to set rules that will protect countries from ?the darker side of cyberspace? underlined the speed with which cyber security is climbing up the political agenda. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2cf24288-321b-11e0-a820-00144feabdc0.html ************************** PRIVACY ************************** Twitter and WikiLeaks, Firefox Do Not Track, Google and Facebook users have privacy concerns Twitter is at the heart of a debate in a WikiLeaks hearing as a judge considers whether or not Twitter account information from WikiLeaks volunteers can be obtained by the Justice Department. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2011/02/the_circuit_twitter_and_wikile_1.html ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Syria to set Facebook status to unbanned in gesture to people Syrian authorities are to lift a five-year ban on Facebook in a move seen as an apparent "appeasement" measure, aimed at staving off unrest in the country following recent political developments in Egypt and Tunisia. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/08/syria-facebook-unbanned-people ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** us: Tim Wu, Creator of the Term ?Net Neutrality,? Joins the Federal Government The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday named Tim Wu, author of the book ?The Master Switch,? a senior adviser for consumer protection and competition issues that affect the Internet and mobile phones. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/09/tim-wu-creator-of-net-neutrality-term-joins-f-t-c/ ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* EBay Says Big Growth Is Not Over EBay was growing so fast early in its history that Meg Whitman, its former chief executive, liked to joke that ?a monkey could drive this train.? http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/07/technology/07ebay.html Betting on News, AOL Is Buying The Huffington Post The Huffington Post, which began in 2005 with a meager $1 million investment and has grown into one of the most heavily visited news Web sites in the country, is being acquired by AOL in a deal that creates an unlikely pairing of two online media giants. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/07/business/media/07aol.html Huffington Post-AOL, a marriage made in SEOland Arianna Huffington remade the media landscape this morning when she became content leader for AOL, which purchased her 5-year-old Huffington Post website for $315 million. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big_picture/2011/02/huffington-post-aol-a-marriage-made-in-seoland-.html ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** au: Taxpayers lead the world in funding Labor broadband bill The Gillard government faces pressure to greatly increase private sector involvement in the National Broadband Network after international research found it was spending more taxpayer funds to connect each household than any other country. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/taxpayers-lead-the-world-in-funding-labor-broadband-bill/story-fn59niix-1226003302845 au: NBN takes the cake in terms of public costs For Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, the government's $36 billion National Broadband Network is the best money can buy, a "first class" network that will future-proof Australia's internet needs for decades. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/nbn-takes-the-cake-in-terms-of-public-costs/story-e6frg6z6-1226003246326 $36bn price for NBN slammed The $36 billion national broadband network has come under attack in a new global survey, which ranked Australia below many of our peers because of the project's ''exorbitant'' price tag. http://www.theage.com.au/national/36bn-price-for-nbn-slammed-20110209-1an2x.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/nbn-report-onetenth-the-speed-at-24-times-the-price-20110209-1an1z.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/nbn-report-onetenth-the-speed-at-24-times-the-price-20110209-1an1z.html au: NBN to cost 24 times South Korea's faster network, says research body The National Broadband Network will cost taxpayers 24 times as much as South Korea's but deliver just one tenth the speed, according to one of the world's most respected economic research organisations. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nbn-to-cost-24-times-s-koreas/story-e6frg6n6-1226002952747 NBN costs taxpayers 24 times South Korea at one tenth the speed: report Australia's national broadband network will cost taxpayers 24 times as much as South Korea's but deliver services at just one-tenth the speed, new research claims. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/nbn-costs-taxpayers-24-times-south-korea-at-one-tenth-the-speed-report-20110209-1amm2.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/nbn-costs-taxpayers-24-times-south-korea-at-one-tenth-the-speed-report-20110209-1amm2.html Conroy slams anti-NBN report as 'ideological dogma' Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has slammed as "ideological dogma" a report that claimed the national broadband network would cost taxpayers 24 times more than South Korea's network for one-tenth the speed. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/conroy-slams-antinbn-report-as-ideological-dogma-20110210-1anx5.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/conroy-slams-antinbn-report-as-ideological-dogma-20110210-1anx5.html nz: Broadband plan 'lags behind world' The Government's plans for fast internet lag behind broadband initiatives in Europe, Asia and Australia, according to a global report. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10705236 Full speed ahead: The government broadband index Q1 2011 With ambitious targets for both the speed and coverage of next-generation broadband networks, the developed countries of South-east Asia score highest in the gBBi, the first-ever index to assess countries on the basis of government planning, as opposed to current broadband capability. http://www.eiu.com/public/topical_report.aspx?campaignid=broadband2011 Telstra deal to boost NBN rollout, says Stephen Conroy The Gillard government has hailed a commercial agreement with Telstra for the use of its network by NBN Co, saying it will deliver a more efficient rollout of optical fibre. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/telecommunications/telstra-deal-to-boost-nbn-rollout-says-stephen-conroy/story-fn4iyzsr-1226003578911 Telstra nets NBN deal Telstra and NBN Co have finalised the key commercial terms for a deal allowing NBN Co to use Telstra's infrastructure to build the national network, Stephen Conroy announced in Canberra this morning. http://www.smh.com.au/business/telstra-nets-nbn-deal-20110210-1anew.html nz: Slower rural broadband plan cops flak Debate over broadband technology flared up this week as the Government opted for a slower, more stable internet service for rural New Zealand. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10704973 InternetNZ: Telecom-Vodafone has no incentive to upgrade to 4G InternetNZ and Kordia are trying to keep the acid on Steven Joyce as the government enters negotiations with Telecom-Vodafone for its $300m rural broadband initiative. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/internetnz-telecom-vodafone-has-no-incentive-upgrade-4g-ck-85623 Tiny device could transform mobile communications, says its creator Mobile phone base stations no bigger than a golf ball could help to bridge the digital divide and bring mobile broadband to distant areas both in the developing and developed world, the networking company Alcatel-Lucent has claimed. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/feb/07/mobile-communications Alcatel-Lucent plans smaller cells for mobile networks [IDG] Alcatel-Lucent's next-generation mobile networks will use slimmed-down base stations that can be placed almost anywhere in order to improve coverage and mobile broadband performance, and cut costs for operators, the company said Monday. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9208461/Alcatel_Lucent_plans_smaller_cells_for_mobile_networks Risky Bets on War-Torn Countries Bring Rich Returns for Mobile Operators Emad Makiya, chief executive officer of Zain?s Iraqi unit, has had to contend with suicide bombings, kidnappings, curfews and a network sometimes jammed by U.S.-led forces to prevent insurgents from communicating. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-08/risky-bets-on-war-zones-bring-rich-returns-for-phone-companies.html us: Billion Dollar Expenditure for Broadband Proposed for 2012 The FCC could make up to a billion dollars or more available to telecom carriers beginning next year to encourage them to expand high-speed Internet connectivity to rural areas that lack service. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2011/02/billion-dollar-expenditure-for.php Cuba welcomes new internet cable link with Venezuela Cuba has welcomed the arrival of an undersea fibre-optic cable linking it to Venezuela as a blow to the US economic embargo. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12411845 in: Vodafone hits at spectrum price plan Vodafone and India?s Bharti have criticised a proposal by the country?s telecoms regulator to increase the price of mobile spectrum, saying it discriminates against older operators. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8140b0d2-3490-11e0-9ebc-00144feabdc0.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2011 --------- David Goldstein email: goldstein_david§yahoo.com.au web: http://davidgoldstein.tel/ http://goldsteinreport.com/ phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/home "Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim FlanneryReceived on Wed Feb 09 2011 - 21:06:40 UTC
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