The New Nation - Internet Edition

Google sued for privacy invasion

IT DESK REPORT

A Pennsylvania couple are going to sue Google for posting pictures of their home on Google Street View.

The couple have filed a case claiming that one of Google's vehicles which photographs urban areas using a digital camera mounted on the roof took the photos by driving up a road clearly marked 'Private Property'. "As residents living in a private road Plaintiffs had a reasonable expectation of privacy, as well as within their exclusive residence," the filing reads.

"The invasion of Plaintiffs was substantial and highly offensive to a reasonable person. Revealing this information has caused Plaintiffs mental suffering and diminished the value of their property."

Google Street View includes a function that allows homeowners to have their pictures removed.

But it appears that the couple have not used the feature and are taking a legal approach. They have asked for $25,000 in damages.

The couple's case is also weakened by the fact that photographs of their home, along with their names and a detailed description, are already on the Allegheny County real estate website.

"Isn't litigation the only way to change a big business' conduct with the public?" the couple's attorney, Dennis Moskal, told the Boston Globe. "What happened to their accountability?"

Levi Red Tab Mobile released

IT DESK REPORT

Ah, designer phones. The staple diet of the modern youths and rarely seen outside the confines of the swankiest footballers bars and most distinguished of 'more money than sense' social gatherings.

You're even less likely to catch a glimpse of the Levi Red tab phone, not because it's ludicrously expensive like the diamond encrusted offerings from Vertu, but because it's an 'ultra limited edition' phone, of which only 100 will be made.

It's a pretty stylish design admittedly, with an etched winged skull design on the back and distinctive red tab panel at the top. If you're interested in the features it has on offer, you'll find a two megapixel digital camera with flash, an MP3 player, FM radio, micro SD slot and Bluetooth AD2P compatibility.

And if accessories are your bag there's a metal chain, hands-free headset and case in the box. You can even get your own name inscribed for that personalised bling factor.

If you think you've got a chance at getting your hands on one, you can expect to pay about 550 euros, which is actually quite reasonable for a limited edition fashion phone, though we'll keep our fingers crossed that common sense will prevail.

Nokia 5000: Affordable phone

IT DESK REPORT

Nokia in developing markets, such as Asia and Africa, users would like to demand the same from their mobile phone as anywhere else.

Although the potential mobile users in these countries happen to have relatively little disposable income.

That's why Nokia is offering another performance capable, low-price, mobile phone with a megapixel camera for these markets, called the Nokia 5000.

The mobile is equipped with a large QVGA display, and also possesses many music and email functions.

The device impresses through its balanced combination of functionality, design and an attractive price.

That way wants from different users and budgets can all be incorporated under one roof.

The Nokia 5000, like other low cost mobiles intended for developing countries (as we reported), should be available in the third quarter. The price should lie at around £70 without a contract and before tax.

A UKW radio, including a recording function, is also on board the Nokia 5000. The device supports MP3 ring tones, as well as mobile internet services.

Frequently mobile business users can be pleased with practical features like Nokia Xpress Audio Messages, Bluetooth and GPRS connections.

The Nokia 5000 offers a large selection of possibilities for photos. Recording in landscape format is supported, and the device can record and playback videos.

The mobile phone weighs 74 grams, including the battery, and measures a smart 10.6 x 4.6 x 1.1 centimetres.

According to the manufacturer, the Nokia BL-4B battery, AC-3E charger, and WH-10 stereo headset all come included.

Windows 7: It's alive!

IT DESK REPORT

If someone, in the face of titles like XP or Vista, doesn't exactly know what Windows 7 is, then now they should know it concerns the operating system after Vista.

This might sound a little strange given that many users still haven't switched over to Vista from XP yet. But a good operating system takes a long time to develop. Screenshots already appeared on January 24 that showed an alleged pre-version of the new Windows system. But because screenshots are easy to fake, no one really believed them. However, now there is also a video.

"Windows 7 Milestone 1 Ultimate Edition", is the full name of the presented version, but from the video it doesn't look very different than its predecessor Vista. Which is no surprise, because, firstly the video is from the early development phase, and secondly Vista itself already developed a completely new design, so than nothing has to immediately be reinvented.

The video is not spectacular in itself: We see the start screen, desktop, start menu, and a longer presentation of the new media centre. The displayed version expires in May, so evidently we can expect Microsoft to present the next Milestone for sometime around May.

BEA stockholders approve merger with Oracle

IT DESK REPORT

The merger between IT giants Oracle and BEA has moved one step closer to becoming a formal reality with the announcement of BEA stockholders green-lighting the deal.

Having been met with unanimous board approval, the Oracle takeover bid for BEA has been slowly winding its way through the various regulatory and shareholder approval phases. The US$8.5 Billion deal is now one step closer to reality having been given the all clear by a special meeting of BEA stockholders.

Attendance at the meeting accounted for roughly 68.6 per cent of BEA common stockholders, of which 99.9 per cent voted in favor of the Oracle bid.

The deal is now in need of regulatory clearance from the European Commission (EC) and a number of other closing conditions, though one of the bigger hurdles has now been cleared. Unless the EC decides to extend the review period, BEA and Oracle expect to receive clearance by the end of the month.

Garmi-Apple iPhone still in dark

IT DESK REPORT

The Garmin Apple announced the iPhone a little over a year ago, and major mobile phone makers have still not managed to produce a worthy equivalent.

Whether it be the missing touch screen, insufficient internet access, or an overflow of functions that Apple didn't include in the iPhone for good reasons, the iPhone remains unmatched despite all efforts.

The Touch from HTC and Qbowl from Samsung came the closest to matching the iPhone, and aren't even from pure mobile phone manufacturers. Maybe one can't think like a mobile manufacturer in order to build a really good mobile. After more and more mobile manufacturers, with Nokia at the lead, pushed into the successful navigation industry, Garmin has now decided to turn the tables.

The navigation specialist and US market leader has announced their first mobile phone for the summer, and it looks like Apple will have a reason to fear the competition this time. Really nothing so amazing. While the touch screen seems like a huge innovation in the mobile world, navigation devices have been outfitted with this type of display for years. Furthermore, Garmin took a good look at the iPhone and simply did the same thing.

For example, the nuvifone has no keyboard. Playing MP3 and MPEG4 videos are planned as multimedia functions. An integrated camera should also be able to record films. And then in comparison to the iPhone, they have added a little extra. The nuvifone will obviously be outfitted with numerous navigation features.

After all, Garmin's nuvis without a telephone function have a great reputation. The basis of which should be, next to some map material, different Google services with information about on one's current location. Moreover, the nuvifone will also possess UMTS and HDSPA in addition to WLAN; thereby making it a better equipped web browser than the iPhone.

No one has seen the nuvifone yet. Garmin wants to present a prototype at the Mobile World Congress taking place next week in Barcelona. Then we will likely learn a little more about specifications and measurements. Garmin has announced a third quarter release. But no information was given regarding possible pricing.