Web Snippets 24th January
Piracy student loses extradition case
Richard O'Dwyer, a 23-year-old Sheffield Hallam University student faces up to 10 years in a US federal prison for operating the TVShack web site which US authorities say hosts links to pirated and copyrighted video content. The website did not itself host unlawful downloads, but acted as a directory of links to others that did. American authorities allege that Mr O’Dwyer made more than $230,000 by selling advertising on TVShack in three years. District Judge Quentin Purdy rejected all three of the defence’s arguments against extradition, including claims Mr O’Dwyer would not get a fair trial in the United States
http://www.telegraph.co.uk
Apple’s Beijing Store Pelted With Eggs
Apple Inc. , whose skill at hyping new products helped make it the world’s most valuable technology company, became a victim of its own success after a botched introduction of its iPhone 4S in China led it to suspend sales. Would-be customers who had endured a wait overnight as temperatures dropped below minus 9 degrees Celsius reacted with fury after the company’s main store in Beijing failed to open. Police temporarily cordoned off the shop after it was pelted with eggs by the crowd. http://www.bloomberg.com
Obsessive smart phone users hear 'phantom vibrations'
Blackberries and iPhones are meant to help workers manage their workload by giving them access to messages and alerts while away from the office. But a new study has found that people become so obsessive about checking their email accounts and social networking sites that they actually become more stressed as a result, researchers said. Some are so hooked to their devices that they even begin to experience "phantom" vibrations where they mistakenly believe their phone is buzzing in their pocket.
http://www.independent.ie