Syria tests internet freedom theory

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/03/30/syria.internet.revolution/index.html?hpt=C1

As today's headline on CNN.com, I found this article analogous to the political issues that we have discussed about in class. (China and Egypt) Interesting point that was made by the author is that the technology (internet in this case) could provide both opportunities for freedom and repression for the people in Syria.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/03/30/syria.internet.revolution/index.html

This article notes how the internet was not used to bring out freedom, but allow for controlling the people.

China's role in Central African conflicts

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/jan/27/china-role-africa-conflicts?INTCMP=SRCH

Copyright in China

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/03/28/chinese-search-giant-baidu-under-fire-for-online-library/?mod=google_news_blog

Story of Chinese search engine giant facing problems after a judge shot down Google's plan to create a digital library of books over copyright concerns.

HP to Expand into Cloud

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/15/technology/15hewlett.html?ref=technology

With the change of heads, HP is also changing strategies of expansion from hardware to software, and cloud.

Japan takes toll on U.S. tech companies

http://money.cnn.com/2011/03/15/technology/japan_us_tech/index.htm

Interesting article of the international effect on tech firms.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The impact of the massive earthquake that struck just off the coast of Japan last week has been felt as far away as Texas.

Dallas-based Texas Instruments (TXN, Fortune 500) said late Monday that it had suffered "substantial damage" to its production plant in Miho, Japan and slight damage to its Aizu-wakamatsu plant. Both facilities are located north of Tokyo in the areas most affected by the disaster.

Shares of TI fell 2% on Tuesday.

Quake affects high tech market supply

Here is an interesting article about the earthquake's effects on the supply of advanced technology coming out of Japan including memory chips and LCD displays. This may increase the price of products in the short run and in my opinion offers an opportunity for another technology producer to pick up the slack and possibly take away some of Japan's technology market.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704893604576199971886000168.html

http://money.cnn.com/2011/03/13/technology/angry_birds_sxsw/index.htm

This link shows how through digital game downloads (and the internet) individuals are able to create and expand businesses in new ways.

After Quake and Tsunami, Japanese Citizens Flock to Social Networks for Information

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/13/after-quake-and-tsunami-japanese-citizens-flock-to-social-networks-for-information/?scp=2&sq=japan%20twitter%20&st=cse

Article above mentions how social network websites could be useful and necessary in era of national crisis, especially when phone services are limited.

Google aids in helping find missing in Japan

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2011/03/13/aqui.japan.google.tool.missing.cnn

This is a quick video showing how Google has a page where Japanese can search for someone that has been missing since the earthquake/tsunami or someone can post information about a known missing person.
I thought it was interesting that even in the midst of a disaster people can use the internet to find missing people.

How the Earthquake in Japan Affects the Tech Industry

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704893604576199971886000168.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLTopStories

The gruesome earthquake that hit forced many manufacturing companies in Japan causing prices of some common technology components to rise.

Taking down the Apple and Google smartphone duopoly

http://money.cnn.com/2011/03/09/technology/wac_wholesale_applications/index.htm

It follows that the iPhone and Android devices are the hottest on the market. Google recently took over the top spot among smartphone operating systems in the United States, as BlackBerry and Microsoft are falling fast. HP's WebOS is a distant fifth.

Smart ways to ditch your old phone

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/06/23/iphone.old.phone/index.html?iref=allsearch

Article shows list of options that could be done to reduce cell phone waste. Electronic resell site such as Gazelle sounds attractive to the sellers who are willing to earn good amount of money as a return, however it is important to track how those phones are processed.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/03/08/auto.industry.gadgets/index.html

I found this article interesting because it shows how apple is working its products into different markets.

Should Electronic Manufacturers Be Responsible for Recycling?

Colorado lawmakers are trying to pass a bill that would hold manufacturers responsible for ensuring their products are recycled. The bill’s purpose is to keep toxic e-waste out of landfills. In Colorado alone, over 50 tons of electronic e-waste is produced every year, but only 16 percent of it is recycled. Some of it is stored, but the remainder is dumped in landfills in the U.S. and overseas.

http://www.toptenwholesale.com/news/should-electronic-manufacturers-be-responsible-for-recycling-3829.html

Futurama and E-waste

Here is an episode of Futurama that addresses the issues of e-waste and how they are being "recyled" in another country. The opening addresses the issue until around 3:30.

I felt this directly related to the article that we read for tomorrow's class and despite its humor does address what happens when we ship our e-waste to other countries.

http://futuramaepisode.org/episode-3-attack-of-the-killer-app/

Former Apple manager admits taking kickbacks from Asian suppliers

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/afp/20110301/ttc-us-asia-it-company-crime-apple-0de2eff.html

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - – A former Apple manager has pleaded guilty to accepting kickbacks from suppliers and manufacturers in Asia seeking contracts with the California gadget-maker.

Paul Devine, 38, who worked at Apple from 2005 to 2010, entered a guilty plea in a federal court in San Jose, California, on Monday to charges of wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, US Attorney Melinda Haag announced.

Devine was accused of transmitting confidential Apple information, such as product forecasts, roadmaps, pricing targets, product specifications, and data obtained from business partners, to suppliers and manufacturers of Apple parts, the US Attorney's office said in a statement.

In return, the suppliers and manufacturers paid Devine kickbacks, including payments determined as a percentage of the business they subsequently did with Apple, it said.