83342411
submission
Master Moose writes:
Deep within a dense Central American forest sit the ruins of an ancient city the world forgot.
And it has just been discovered by a precocious 15-year-old boy.
Quebec teenager William Gadoury claims he has discovered a long-lost ancient Mayan city using a clever combination of old-world astronomy and ultra-modern technology.
56309679
submission
Master Moose writes:
New Zealands Government wants to override privacy laws to supply the US Government with private details about Americans living in New Zealand.
As part of a global tax-dodging crackdown, the US is forcing banks and other financial institutions to hand over the private financial details of US "persons" and companies based overseas.
From July this year, Kiwi banks and insurers will be required to provide US tax authorities with American customers' contact details, bank account numbers and transaction history.
The move comes amid continuing criticism of New Zealand's participation in Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement talks, aimed at securing a wider-reaching free trade deal with the US and other countries.
Critics say the secretive talks could restrict New Zealand's ability to make its own laws on everything from the environment to employment.
42752429
submission
Master Moose writes:
Kim Dotcom's Mega file sharing site has been stung with 150 copyright warnings, according to an international report.
Dotcom launched the new fire-sharing website on January 20 in a blaze of fireworks and publicity.
Less than two weeks later and Computerworld.com is reporting the company removed content after receiving 150 copyright infringement notices.
35115181
submission
Master Moose writes:
Brisbane-based entrepreneur John Lambie currently has in beta an alternative to what he calls the "dysfunctional" QWERTY keyboard.
Given the way the world is abandoning their keyboards for smartphones he sees now as the perfect time to introduce a new layout.
He calls his new keyboard Dextr and believes it is the natural progression from using a number pad to enter text — This is especially so in developing countries where users have not grown up with QWERTYs on thier phones.
While he is not the first to ever propose an alternate or alphabetical keyboard — Are we locked into QWERTY for familiarities sake, or as we shift to smaller, more mobile and new devices, is Mr Lambie's project coming at the right time?
35111337
submission
Master Moose writes:
Kim Dotcom claims the United States criminal case against him is collapsing but he is offering to go there without extradition provided federal authorities unfreeze his millions of dollars.
In a now hallmark style, he made the offer on Twitter.
"Hey DOJ, we will go to the US," he tweeted, "No need for extradition. We want bail, funds unfrozen for lawyers & living expenses."
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter Dotcom says the department knows it does not have a case.
"If they are forced to provide discovery, then there will be no extradition. That's why they don't want to provide discovery. If they had a case, they would not need to hide what they have."
33470961
submission
Master Moose writes:
When Apple's next iPhone hits store shelves, Technicolor's engineers will rush to get the handset — not to make calls or play games, but to rip it apart.
Technicolor, an unprofitable French company that invented the process for colour movies used in The Wizard of Oz and countless other classics, plans to cash in on its 40,000 video, audio and optics patents to turn its fortunes around.
Although Technicolor signed its first licensing deal in the 1950s, de Russe (executive vice-president of intellectual property at Technicolor) said, "it feels like the rest of the world has just woken up to why patents are interesting".
Patent licensing is the most profitable business of the company.
25222046
submission
Master Moose writes:
New Zealand's Largest ISPs confirmed yesterday that they had received their first notices under the Government's new copyright regime, which came into effect on September 1.
All the notices received so far appear to be from the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (Rianz).
Telecom received 42 notices — 35 for alleged download of songs by R&B star Rihanna, six for Lady Gaga tunes and one for British recording artist Taio Cruz.
Curiously the music rather than the movie industry has fired the first shot as it was believed the Motion Picture Association was keen to go after copyright infringers.
19766962
submission
Master Moose writes:
Pepsi unveiled a new bottle yesterday made entirely of plant material.
The bottle is made from switch grass, pine bark, corn husks and other materials. Ultimately, Pepsi plans to also use orange peels, oat hulls, potato scraps and other leftovers from its food business.
"This is the beginning of the end of petroleum-based plastics," said Allen Hershkowitz, a senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defence Council and director of its waste management project. "When you have a company of this size making a commitment to a plant-based plastic, the market is going to respond."
