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Google says no to law enforcement video take-down requests #OWS

Steven — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:13:01 +0000

Scott Olsen before and after the police attack

In a move that I will admit surprises me somewhat Google let it be known that they have been receiving requests from local law enforcement agencies around the United States to take down videos that show any police brutality, as well as any that are critical of police officials.

While Google might not have any problem handing over the Gmail account info for a Wikileaks volunteer when asked for by law enforcement they are definitely being a lot more careful when it comes to these latest requests. To date they have refused to comply with any requests when it comes to taking down video related to the police actions around any of the #Occupy protests.

From their latest transparency report:

We received a request from a local law enforcement agency to remove YouTube videos of police brutality, which we did not remove. Separately, we received requests from a different local law enforcement agency for removal of videos allegedly defaming law enforcement officials. We did not comply with those requests, which we have categorized in this Report as defamation requests.

As nice as it might be to think that Google has grown a set of balls when it comes to dealing with government agencies the fact is that they comply with some 93% of US requests so the fact that they aren’t when it comes to these specific videos I thinks speaks more to the power of the citizen movement than it does to Google’s social conscience.

That said, and for whatever reason the company has I think it is a really good thing that at least in this instance Google has basically told law enforcement to F-off.

via ReadWriteWeb

Google says no to law enforcement video take-down requests #OWS is a post from: winextra
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A great Microsoft image of the future, too bad it’s a video that will go nowhere [Video]

Steven — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:08:05 +0000

There’s a really awesome video that hit the web today which showcases a future of touch and holographic computing as envisioned by Microsoft. Granted it isn’t meant to be some magical template of what Microsoft wants to bring to market but rather interesting ideas for us to consider.

The problem is that I don’t believe we will ever see anything even remotely close to what is envisioned in the video, primarily because our technological future is being killed off by outdated; and abused, patent and copyright laws.

I also agree with John Gruber when he writes at Daring Fireball about this video

Imagine if they instead spent the effort that went into this movie on making something, you know, real, that you could actually go out and buy and use today.

Quit making videos about some imaginary future Microsoft and just bring it to us instead.

A great Microsoft image of the future, too bad it’s a video that will go nowhere [Video] is a post from: winextra
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Mango to bring some juicy goodness to Pictures + Camera

Steven — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:42:14 +0000

Pictures hub in Windows Phone with Mango installed

Other than texting the next most popular use of today’s smartphones is for taking pictures and Windows Phone is no different. I know myself I have probably taken more pictures since getting my Windows Phone than I had for years prior.

It is also an area that according the Windows Phone Blog that is getting a whole slew of improvements as is the Pictures hub in Windows Phone with the Mango update installed.

From the post:

Camera:
Autofix—Apply some common photographic fixes to a picture, on your phone, in one tap.
Touch focus and capture—Tap any spot on the screen to focus there and take the shot. (This varies according to hardware—some phones will have tap-to-capture but will still automatically center focus.)
Sticky settings—Save your custom camera settings for next time.
Ability to mute the shutter sound—Good for taking pictures at those school holiday pageants (not available in all countries and regions).
Review pictures above the lock—Snap a photo when your phone is locked, then take a peek at it above the lock. You’ll only be able to get to photos you just took—better for security.
Changes for portrait orientation—Now, when you take a picture in portrait orientation, you’ll see it in portrait orientation when you review it.
Pictures:
Video sharing—Send your vids in email or post them to Facebook or SkyDrive.
Twitter integration—Tweet your pics!
Easy picture tagging on upload to Facebook or SkyDrive.
View and add tags on your friends’ Facebook and SkyDrive pictures.
Integration with the People Hub—View your friends’ albums on their contact cards and on Group cards.
People view—See snapshots and albums from your favorite contacts in the Pictures Hub.
Personalize—Tag some favorites and choose Shuffle background in the Pictures Hub, and you’ll see your favorite photos on the Hub and on Start.
When you choose a photo from within an app, you can now pick from online albums on Facebook or SkyDrive, not just pictures saved on your phone.
Quick access to the Camera Roll—Before, it took two taps in the Pictures Hub to get the photos you’ve snapped. Now it’s front and center.
Apps pane—Developers can register their photo-related apps to show up in the Pictures Hub for easy access.
Autoshare to SkyDrive changed to Automatically upload to SkyDrive, which you can turn on to upload a lower-res version of every picture you take to a private location on SkyDrive.
Pin any album to Start, including Facebook albums.

Here’s hoping that those of us that already own a Windows Phone will see the Mango update actually get pushed out by the carriers before Christmas; but I’m not holding my breath.

Mango to bring some juicy goodness to Pictures + Camera is a post from: winextra
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