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France is set to enact a series of laws which could give the government the power to cut off internet access for users deemed as pirates. French Parliament, which recently tried and failed to enact a three-strike policy, passed a bill that will create a digital police agency targeted with shutting down pirates. The bill, like the others, is expected to be passed by the Senate any day.
A leaked spec sheet for Microsoft’s new smartphone includes a multi-touch interface. The multi-touch feature, made famous by the iPhone and soon to be packaged with Palm’s Pre, is a logical step for Microsoft to take if it want’s its Windows Mobile system to catch on with smartphone consumers. While the move is an obvious and logical one for Microsoft, it may end up in hot water as Apple owns the patent for multi-touch controls.
Google has upgraded its search algorithm to include more user-generated content. The algorithm tweak will allow for user reviews on sites like Yelp to be featured in Google search query’s. The upgrade will also allow users to read search results by time, content, and other more specific options.
Intel CEO Paul Otellini announced that things in Silicon Valley are improving. Otellini noted a month ago that the tech-market had “bottomed out”, and recently told analysts that sales are picking up and that Intel “will see seasonality in the second half.” While research group Gartner Inc believes Intel sales will fall roughly 10%, Ortellini believes that recent findings may help the company beat expectations.
Donald Trump announced that Miss California will get to keep her crown. The contestant, Carrie Prejean, has been in hot water over semi-nude photos she took that leaked onto the Internet. For the second time in three years, the Donald has decided to let a scandal fueled contestant keep her crown, stirring media buzz and creating free advertising for the Miss America Pageant, and in turn, Celebrity Apprentice.