Philippines suspends cybercrime law for 120 days

Earlier today, the Surpreme Court of the Philippines suspended the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, a controversial law aimed at making cyberspace a safer place. Critics have argued that the law gives the government too much power, and puts Internet users at risk of jail time for performing common, non-harmful Internet activities, such as sharing tweets. The suspension is in place for 120 days.

Critics argue that several provisions within the Cybercrime Prevention Act law are unconstitutional, with some referring to it as enacting “eMartial Law.” Fifteen petitions against the Act were filed with the High Court of the Philippines, to which the Philippine government had a 10 day response window. The Act was signed into law on September 12 by President Benigno S. Aquino III.

When passed, opponents to the Cybercrime act stormed the streets in protest, and started several social media campaigns against it. Shortly after, several government and news websites were hacked so that they redirected to anti-Cybercrime Prevent Act websites and social media accounts. Websites that were hacked include the Philippine National Police, the National Telecommunications Commission, and the Intellectual Property Office.

While critics argue that the Prevention Act will bring harm to innocent individuals and restrict freedom, Senator Edgardo J. Angara, who authored the legislation, says that the act only regulates “socially destructive acts.” Not all senators share his opinion, however. Senator Teofisto D. Guingona III stated that the “temporary restraining order” against the Act was the first success in the battle of getting it repealed. Public debates will begin January 15th.

[via New York Times]


Philippines suspends cybercrime law for 120 days is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Zipcar CEO talks mobile app improvements, predicts connected vehicle future

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We wondered why Zipcar CEO Scott Griffith was slated as a keynote presenter at CTIA’s MobileCon — after all, what does renting cars have to do with mobile? Apparently, quite a lot. Griffith stated in his keynote that Zipcar’s app and mobile services have taken a much more central role in the organization. The company is developing its own in-car device holder so that customers can hook up their phones for hands-free functions, and more importantly, the Zipcar smartphone app is due for a major update. The current version can be used to schedule rentals and remote unlock vehicles, but future iterations will transform it into more of an “in-car assistant.” It’ll let you know more information about the car, help you around town with a personal recommendation service, stream your iTunes playlist, and detailed trip feedback like fuel-levels and car conditions will be far easier to report. Zipcar hopes to add new members through the app as well — just take a photo of your driver’s license and get an approval “in minutes.” According to Griffith, the connected car will change our urban landscape, especially with the combination of services like Lyft, Uber, bike sharing, and public transit. It’s not quite the flying car, but the nerd in us is sufficiently pleased.

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Zipcar CEO talks mobile app improvements, predicts connected vehicle future originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 03:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceTechCrunch, VentureBeat  | Email this | Comments

Green House GH-SDMRXC64G6 64GB microSDXC Memory Card

Green House GH-SDMRXC64G6 64GB microSDXC Memory Card

Green House has rolled out the GH-SDMRXC64G6 64GB microSDXC memory card. Weighing at just 0.2 grams, the waterproof memory card provides read and write speeds of up to 40MB/s and 12MB/s, respectively. It comes bundled with an SD adapter. The Green House GH-SDMRXC64G6 64GB microSDXC memory card retails for $151. [techPowerUp]

Astrobotic Technology Inc. reveals lunar prospecting robot

Astrobotic Technology Inc., a spin-off of Carnegie Mellon University, has unveiled a prototype lunar prospecting robot called Polaris. Specifically made to search out water, Polaris will be equipped with a drill that allows it to bore a little over 3-feet into the moon’s surface, and will have the ability to operate in areas covered with large shadows. Polaris is the first of its kind.

Specifically, Polaris is designed to drill in search of lunar ice. Although other prospecting robots have been developed with the capability to drill through the moon’s surface, none of them were ever made with the intent to be shipped into space. Polaris, on the other hand, is destined for the stars, and will allow scientist to explore the moon’s surface with precision.

Polaris measures in at 8 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 5.5 feet tall, with a weight of approximately 330lbs and the ability to transport up to about 150lbs of equipment, such as drills. Unlike past robots, Polaris is designed to operate in areas where the sun is hitting the ground at low, harsh angles thanks to a series of carefully positioned solar panels, which will generate about 250 watts of electricity.

Perhaps most amazing of all is that Polaris’s position will be accurate up to ten feet. Scientists will spend the next several months testing and fine-tuning the robot, and once it is ready, Polaris will be sent into space via a SpaceX Falcon 9. Basically, Polaris is the Neil Armstrong of lunar ice-prospecting robots.

[via Carnegie Mellon]


Astrobotic Technology Inc. reveals lunar prospecting robot is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Softbank unveils Disney-themed Android handset in pink and white

Softbank unveils Disney-themed Android handset in pink and white

Softbank unveiled a bevy of new phones for its winter and spring lineup, and among the raft of new hardware is a Disney Mobile Android handset. Clad with a white or pink back, the smartphone’s rear is emblazoned with the smooching likenesses of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, who also make an appearance on live wallpaper. A cutesy motif may pervade the cellphone, but its specs are a sign that the mice can hold their own. The waterproof device packs LTE connectivity, a 4.5-inch display (1280 x 720), 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 13-megapixel camera, 8GB of built-in storage and a microSD expansion slot. Currently, the phone runs on Ice Cream Sandwich, but an update to Jelly Bean is coming down the pike. Unfortunately for avid Mouseketeers in other territories, the mobile is only slated for a launch in the Land of the Rising Sun.

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Softbank unveils Disney-themed Android handset in pink and white originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 02:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Newlaunches, Impress Watch (translated)  |  sourceSoftbank (translated), Disney Mobile (translated)  | Email this | Comments

Samsung to reveal mini Galaxy S III thursday

Last week, we posted that Samsung seemingly planned to announce the existence of the much-rumored Galaxy S III Mini on October 11th. The company had sent out invitations to an event, which hinted at the announcement of “something small that will be big,” and given the massive popularity of the Galaxy S III, it wasn’t hard to guess what they meant. Following this is an announcement that Samsung does, indeed, plan to announce a 4 inch version of the massively popular Galaxy S III, confirming the rumors that have been circulating.

JK Shin of Samsung Mobile Communications stated that the 4-inch version of the S3 will be released in Germany on October 11th. Less the smaller size make you think otherwise, Shin assured reports at the announcement that the phone will have “full form factor,” and that it will not be an entry-level smartphone. The Galaxy S III Mini will be bucking the trend set by other high-end Android smartphone by offering such a small screen; most high-end smartphones have considerably larger displays.

The downsized Galaxy S III could be deemed to be a direct competitor to the newly release iPhone 5; Samsung feels the need to go head on with what Apple has offered recently. Lets see if that would be fruitful – or would consumers prefer the full sized Galaxy S III.

[via The Verge]


Samsung to reveal mini Galaxy S III thursday is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Samsung mobile head confirms 4-inch Galaxy S III mini announcement tomorrow

Samsung mobile president JK Shin confirms Galaxy S III mini announcement tomorrow

It looks like the rumored Samsung Galaxy S III mini is real, and it will make its debut at an event in Frankfurt, Germany tomorrow. Mobile chief JK Shin said that the company believed there was demand “in Europe” for a cut down 4-inch version of the popular smartphone, which would otherwise carry the same specs of the original. That would give the company a high-end smartphone with an iPhone 5-esque form factor for folks who don’t want to wedge the original 4.8-inch model into their pockets. Pricing and stateside availability wasn’t mentioned, but Shin did say that launching the product in Korea was also “under consideration.” Naturally, we’ll have a lot more to report about it on October 11th, so stay tuned.

Update: We’ve reached out to Samsung’s PR folks and they’ve doubly confirmed the story: “we’ll unveil the 4 inch Galaxy S III Mini in Germany on October 11th.”

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Samsung mobile head confirms 4-inch Galaxy S III mini announcement tomorrow originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 01:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Verge  |  sourceINews24 Korea (translated)  | Email this | Comments

Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini confirmed, is a 4-inch device

There has been plenty of rumors surrounding what could very well be a smaller version of the Samsung Galaxy S3, where it has culminated in the device being widely known as the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini (which we have seen its UAProf prior). It seems that the Galaxy S3 Mini is slated to be released as a 4” device, where Samsung executive JK Shin has confirmed that the Galaxy S3 Mini will be unveiled to the world first in Germany tomorrow.

The reason why it will see a Germany debut is because Samsung figured out that there is more than enough demand for a 4” device in the European region, hence justifying its release in that part of the world. It is widely believed that the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini will be pretty much similar to its regular sized brother in terms of hardware design, except for the fact that it will come in a shrunken form factor. Just which part of the hardware underneath the hood do you think Samsung will remove in order to accommodate the newer and more petite size? [Translated Page]

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini photo and specs leaked ahead of official launch, Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini purported to appear on retailers’ systems,

Tomb Raider Survival Edition and Deluxe Collector’s Edition announced

If you are a huge fan of the Tomb Raider franchise, never mind the fact that there were duds along the way, then you would be pleased to hear the announcement of the Tomb Raider Survival Edition and Deluxe Collector’s Edition from Square Enix. Both special editions were accompanied by additional details of other pre-order bonuses for Lara’s latest heart thumping adventure. The Deluxe Collector’s Edition will definitely come with the game itself, in addition to a mini art book, a double sided map of the game’s island, and a protective survival pouch. Opening it will reveal a code that allows you to download a digital copy of the game’s soundtrack and a DLC weapon pack.

As for the Survival Edition, it comes with a Pizza Hut voucher for one week’s worth of pizza delivered to your doorstep with Coke to boot, twice a day, to help you complete the game while you are holed up at home. I’m just kidding, it will feature all that the Deluxe Collector’s Edition offers apart from the inclusion of a 6″ Play Arts Kai Lara Croft figurine and a “unique Endurance crew member’s metal survival box”. No idea on pricing for either edition though, so sit tight and wait!

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Tomb Raider not making its way to Wii U, Tomb Raider Wii U spotted in scan?,

Motorola RAZR HD LTE now available in Canada through Rogers for $100

Motorola RAZR HD LTE now available in Canada through Rogers for $100

Motorola had said its dearest RAZR HD LTE would be coming “later this fall” as an exclusive to Rogers, and today’s the day that relatively thin and powerful Android handset hits shelves across the border. Available now for $100 (with the obligatory three-year commitment, of course), the RAZR HD LTE will hand interested Canadians a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich (sorry, no Jelly Bean for now), a 4.7-inch Super AMOLED HD, 720p display and a 1.5GHz, dual-core S4 CPU — not to mention the ability to surf on Rogers’ LTE waves in areas where the network’s live. Meanwhile, those who would like to go the “outright” way will have to spend a cool $600 on Moto’s Kevlar-sporting slab, but, needless to say, that’s the price folks have to pay for walking out the door with a bit of leeway. Usually we’d say you should check out Rogers’ website to snag one for yourself, however the site appears to be experiencing some technical difficulties right now — but, hey, there’s always the good ol’ brick-and-mortar store.

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Motorola RAZR HD LTE now available in Canada through Rogers for $100 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 01:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink MobileSyrup  |  sourceRogers  | Email this | Comments