It’s Groundhog Day in France. Or it might just seem that way because French politicians are once again mulling over legislation to punish file sharers.
It seems like only days ago that the proposed laws, which include that controversial “three strikes and you’re out” element, was rejected. A few tweaks and amendments though, and it’s back on the table. (Sound familiar?)
The launch of a new games console – handheld or otherwise – usually has me interested in some way shape or form.So the launch of the Nintendo DSi a few weeks ago should have had me even a little bit excited, right?
Wrong.
Well, well. It seems someone at RTÉ has realised that there’s a whole world of new technology out there that they can take advantage of. Say hello to RTÉ Player, the new online catchup service that will show programmes broadcast on RTÉ One and Two for up to 21 days after they’re first shown.
The Pirate Bay saga rolls on. Fresh from last week’s guilty verdict, the lawyer for one of the convicted men is demanding a retrial, claiming the judge’s membership of copyright protection groups meant he shouldn’t have heard the case.
Good news for travellers: roaming charges will be capped by the European Commission from July 1st.
And it’s about time too. As anyone who has ever travelled overseas will know, a dodgy t shirt, a dose of sunburn and a straw donkey aren’t the only things you can bring home from holiday. There’s also the inevitable shock bill.
We were supposed to begin the phased rollout of digital terrestrial TV in January this year. It may have escaped people’s attention, but that deadline has been and gone.
And now, Boxer DTT has pulled out of the project.
They’re blaming economic circumstances - and the failure to hammer out a deal with RTE Networks.
Will we get to see any rollout of services in 2009?
Truthfully speaking, we’ve managed without DTT until now. But with that deadline for the switching off of the analogue network looming, there may be one or two nervous twitches developing…
Spammers have a bad reputation. In most cases, deservedly so.
I knew spam was a problem - my own spam filter currently has 1,824 messages languishing in it - but I didn’t think that things had got this bad. Not only do they clog up your inbox, but spammers can now be blamed for killing the planet too.
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Sick of sugar laden chocolate treats? I know. As IF. But if you fancy a breather, Xtravision has brought out a list of alternative Easter eggs - the ones found hiding in games and DVD movies.
Personally, I don’t have the patience to root out the extra content in either - short attention span, you see. But if someone hands me a list (and a handy step by step guide on how to actually get to them) I won’t say no. It might take me several weeks to work my way around to it though. I’m lazy like that.
The days of free digital TV may be over for some viewers as UPC steps up moves to boot the boxes off its network for good. Owners of the boxes, which decode UPC’s digital TV signal without users having to fork out for the privilege, have noticed some of the channels have been scrambled, and no amount of software updates will unscramble them, for the time being at least.
Technology gets blamed for a lot of things. If it’s not the declining standards of the English language, it’s a basic lack of manners and common courtesy.
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Well, we knew it was coming. iTunes has revamped its pricing, meaning we’ll pay more for some new releases and more popular artists.
There are two sides to my tech personality. The first is the jaded cynic, who views everything with the question “yes, but what does it actually DO?”. This demands something extra rather than the same tired technology over and over again. Except with maybe a shiny new cover.
The second is the one I usually try to keep hidden. It’s the one that spots the shiniest gadget in the place and immediately starts thinking “SHINY PRETTY SHINY WANT”. It’s not very dignified, and usually leads to me owning things like pink mobile phones and laptops.
I’m not sure what side this new LG phone will bring out. Frankly, I’m a little scared.
Remember the Koobface worm that attacked Facebook and other social networking sites? For those with short memories, it was the one that invited you to check out an unidentified video of yourself online, usually with “LOL” thrown in there somewhere.
The Irish Times has a new homepage. Which, if you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already noticed. Love it? Hate it?
