Hasta La Gadget!

It’s like Jeff Goldblum’s neurotic, chaos theory spouting character in Jurassic Park said: “life, uh, finds a way.” Or, in this case, it’s the internet that can’t be kept down at heel. According to a Reuters report, the Chinese government’s State Internet Information Office has instituted a “crackdown” on rogue mobile news apps that purportedly transmit images of pornography and other “obscene information” to children. But what’s more likely, however, is that the apps in question serve as a workaround for citizens seeking news reports from established foreign media outlets; news that would otherwise be censored.

The move could see any offending app makers, which includes popular apps like Zaker and Chouti, effectively shut down if they fail to fall in line and sanitize their content. China’s long had a history of strangling internet access, but this development, coupled with recent news of censorship as usual for its Shanghai free trade zone, highlights just how difficult it is for the state to control the web. And with new social networks cropping up every day and promising novel means of spreading illegal information, that fight’s fast becoming a losing battle.

Filed under: Internet, Mobile

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Source: Reuters

Looks like Lenovo and its executives are taking a page out of Huawei’s book to start leaking its own products, with the victim this time being an oddly named Yoga Tablet. Our source told us that unlike the Yoga laptop series, this mysterious device isn’t a transformable device. Instead, the main selling points here are the product will have a “leg” that can somehow stand itself up (and our source specifically said this is not a kickstand), plus it has some sort of mechanism that can shift its center of gravity, in order to give you the illusion that it’s lighter in hand. As a bonus, the Yoga Tablet claims to be the world’s slimmest slate with the longest standby battery life, according to Lenovo’s own “spy shot” above. If all goes well, we can expect this intriguing device to launch a month from now, as confirmed by Lenovo SVP and head of China, Chen Xudong, on Sina Weibo.

Filed under: Tablets, Lenovo

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Via: Ubergizmo

Source: Sina Weibo (1), (2)

Consider this the somewhat end of China’s 13-year old (loosely enforced) “ban” on videogames. A new policy issued by the country’s State Council amends the language of a prior bill from 2000 which “strictly limited” the manufacture and import of game consoles. Now, foreign companies that register within Shanghai’s free trade zone, the country’s first such pilot program designed to spur private investment, competition and economic growth, are free to sell gaming consoles and arcade machines throughout China. Restrictions on “unhealthy” content still remain, however, with only games whitelisted by the Ministry of Culture allowed for sale. But despite this official reversal, Chinese gamers have long enjoyed access to popular videogames and consoles, anyway. Systems from Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft, as well as knock-offs, have all been easily accessible on the black market. That’s not to mention Nintendo’s China-only iQue — a “safe” mini-N64 created with the country’s cultural guidelines in mind — which has been on sale through official market channels for some time.

Filed under: Gaming

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Source: Chinese Government (Translated)

Xiaomi might be far from being a household name in the West, but it has a lot of clout in its home country, China. The company’s devices are quite popular in the country. Xiaomi is often referred to as “the Apple of China,” given their strong position in that particular market. Xiaomi is going to open its first retail store very soon in China, in a bid to be more close to their customers. The first Xiaomi retail store is being opened in the Wangjing district of Beijing.

The announcement was made by Xiaomi’s Vice President, Liwan Jiang, that the company’s first flagship store is going to be opened in Beijing very soon. Demand for its products in China is amazing already, it is now also beginning to see increased demand in other markets as well. Up till now the company has resisted opening brick and mortar stores, but that is going to change with the first Xiaomi experience store. Customers will be able to try out the latest products there, including the latest Xiaomi Mi3 smartphone as well as the Xiaomi TV. Professional help will also be provided to customers, and even a 1 hour repair service will be offered. [Image via IntoMobile]

Xiaomi’s First Retail Store Opening In China Soon original content from Ubergizmo.

This expansive stone mansion—known Chaonei No. 81—is an architectural anomaly in Beijing. Once a church, then a home, today the building stands out for its ornate Baroque style, yet it lies in decay. Why? Because it’s probably haunted, and no one wants to go near it.

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