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Google moves to make image use online more transparent

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:36:13 +0100

Google has launched a new image search tool that aims to stop confusion over picture usage on the web and could spell the end of image libraries like iStockPhoto.

While a large majority of users are happy to drag and drop images from wherever they find them and use them for their own commercial gain, the practice actually breaks copyright law.

Google's new approach however sees a new option within the advanced search of its Image search tool that allowing you restrict your searches to images that have been tagged with licenses like Creative Commons licence or other licences like GNU Free Documentation licence, or merely ones that are in the public domain.

The news is likely to come as a shock to photo library's around the globe as it makes finding an image not currently held by them easier to find.

But before you start scouring the Internet to publish that book of famous landmarks around the world with images other people have taken Google warns that the licensing information may not be accurate.

"We can help you take the first step towards finding these images, but we can't guarantee that the content we linked to is actually in the public domain, or available under the license," says the company on its blog.

VIDEO: Office 2010: The Movie part deux

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:22:17 +0100

We've already seen one cheese ball trailer from Microsoft for its yet to be announced Office 2010 suite, however that hasn't stopped them employed "the voice of cinema" once again for another all out bash at trying to impress office types.

With classic one liners like "A hacker has released a rogue font on the internet" and "Spell check this D.E.D" you know they are having fun but we the viewer are left none the wiser.

In related news, Neowin, is reporting that Monday's Microsoft announcement will see the company detail the launch of Office Web Applications and the Office 2010 beta.

We will keep you posted.

Datawind Ubisurfer netbook comes with free internet access

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:02:21 +0100

Datawind, the makers of the PocketSurfer range of internet handsets, has announced that it is entering into the netbook market creating a netbook that comes with 30 hours of internet connectivity for the first year within the initial price.

Called the UbiSurfer, the new model will cost £159.99 and offer users keen to avoid contracts the chance to stay connected via a GPRS or Wi-Fi connection when out and about.

The laptop, which isn't very heavy on the specs compared to offerings from Toshiba, Samsung or Acer, will feature a 7-inch (800x480) screen, 1GB Solid State Drive (SSD) and 128MB of ram. Elsewhere users will get a built-in microphone, speaker, and earphone Jack, Touchpad Mouse Pointer, SD card slot, and 3x USB Ports.

Software will include datawind's own browser Web Browser, Calendar, Media Player, XIP Office (Word processor, Spreadsheet, Presentation) PDF Viewer, Email, Paint, Games.

Although not needed to run the device, Datawind has teamed up with Vodafone to offer an embedded SIM and GPRS modem within the price allowing access to the internet away from a Wi-Fi connection.

Like the company's PocketSurfer handsets, users get 30 hours of free surfing a month for 12 months (£29.99 thereafter) and 5p per minute roaming in Europe and the USA. Upgrading to an unlimited usage package is available for an additional £5.99 a month or £59.99 if you want it for the life of the product.

The UbiSurfer is priced at £159.99 and is available now.

Datawind PocketSurfer3 debuts

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:02:11 +0100

Datawind, the company behind the PocketSurfer handset has announced that it has launched two new models on Thursday hoping to appeal to those keen to use the internet on the go without signing up to a lengthy contract.

The new models, called the PocketSurfer3 and PocketSurfer 3 Lite, will allow users to access the internet for 30 hours a month (up from 20 a month for the PocketSurfer2) for the first year of the product for free (£29.99 thereafter).

Those looking to go beyond the 30 hours a month can opt for an unlimited internet package from Vodafone for £5.99 a month and unlimited usage for the lifetime of the product is a one off payment of £59.99.

Powered by Linux and sporting Wi-Fi, and GRPS rather than 3G connectivity, the devices will come with a 5-inch 640 x 240 TFT screen, touchpad mouse pointer, backlit QWERTY keyboard, and GPS.

Datawind, the company behind the product says that the PocketSurfer3 will offer 4 hours active usage on a single charge and 4 days standby
The new devices will cost £199.99 and £159.99 respectively.

Daily news roundup - 09/07/09

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:32:14 +0100

Catch up on the most-read stories from the last 24 hours with Pocket-lint's daily news roundup.

NEWS: <a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25403">Microsoft planning major news for Monday</a>
Google Chrome OS announcement related to rival's
Google's surprise decision to take its Apps package out of beta and even more sudden announcement of the Chrome OS may be as a result of soon-to-be-announced Microsoft plans, a blogger is hinting...<a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25403">read more</a>

NEWS: <a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25422">Nokia makes 3720 classic official </a>
Rugged handset on sale this summer
Following the video-based teaser campaign that saw the handset used and abused, Nokia as now made the 3720 classic, its most rugged mobile handset to date, official...<a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25422">read more</a>

NEWS: <a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25425">BT names next super-fast broadband locations</a>
"Fibre is the future"
BT has revealed the next set of locations where it will make super-fast fibre broadband available...<a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25425">read more</a>

NEWS: <a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25406">Google Chrome OS partners named</a>
Big names, but not everyone joins the party...
Following the announcement today that Google will be launching its own free operating system, Google Chrome OS, the search giant (or should that be software giant) has confirmed a number of hardware manufacturers that it is already working with...<a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25406">read more</a>

NEWS: <a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25429">Google Chrome OS screenshots surface</a>
Colour us suspicious
We're not convinced these are necessarily the real deal, but an anonymous employee at a company that supplies parts to Acer claims to have got some screenshots of Google's new Chrome OS...<a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25429">read more</a>

REVIEW: <a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/reviews/review.phtml/4153">Cisco Linksys Media Hub NMH405</a>
Simple home media networking?
As we amass digital content, it becomes more of a problem storing, sharing and protecting that content...<a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/reviews/review.phtml/4153">read more</a>

NEWS: <a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25411">Amazon cuts Kindle price </a>
To under $300
Amazon has cut the price of its Kindle ebook reading device by 17%...<a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25411">read more</a>

NEWS: <a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25407">Microsoft Hohm goes live</a>
Still only for people with a US zip code though
Microsoft's eco friendly energy tracking service has now gone live, the company has confirmed...<a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25407">read more</a>

NEWS: <a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25408">Apple Safari 4.0.2 update released</a>
Recommended download fixes security issue
It seems like only last week that Apple launched a new version of Safari, however that hasn't stopped the laptop, software, phone and iPod maker releasing what it claims is a must download update for the browser...<a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25408">read more</a>

NEWS: <a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25415">USB engagement ring launched</a>
Massive Swarovski rock on top
Got a geek partner that you'd love to pop the question to, but you haven't quite found the right ring yet? Perhaps this is it...<a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25415">read more</a>