In a ‘fiery’ interview by The Wall Street Journal, RIM’s co-CEO Mike Lazaridis commented on the recent multiple bans on their BlackBerry smartphones. Lazaridis said that “this is about the Internet,” and that “everything on the Internet is encrypted. This not a BlackBerry-only issue,” before adding that if “they can’t deal with the Internet, they should shut it off.” But that’s not all. Lazaridis further went on to saying that “we’re going to continue to work with them to make sure they understand the reality of the Internet,” noting that “a lot of these people don’t have Ph.Ds, and they don’t have a degree in computer science.” Despite those statements, however, Lazaridis seems confident that the situation will get sorted out, saying that it “will get resolved if there is a chance for rational discussion.”

Hmm… sounds to me like he’s not very happy and doesn’t wish to collaborate with them. Actually, that is very true. If the Middle East powerhouse wants to ban the BlackBerry, they might as well ban all the smartphones like Apple’s iPhone and HTC’s Android phones too. Who would in his sane mind allow a breach in their customers’ content privacy?

SOURCE via Wall Street Journal

What started as a web app for real time communication and collaboration that would like to mimic social networking sites has ended up in the Recycle Bin of Google’s database. Back at Google I/O 2009, Google announced Google Wave, which they hope to revolutionize how people communicate online. The awesome ability to view character-by-character live typing, and the ability to drag-and-drop files from the desktop, even “playback” the history of changes — all happening within a browser.

But what Google hoped would turned into something similar to the successful Facebook, did not quite turn out to be. Due to the low reception and adoption, Google ‘don’t plan to continue developing Wave as a standalone product, but we will maintain the site at least through the end of the year and extend the technology for use in other Google projects. The central parts of the code, as well as the protocols that have driven many of Wave’s innovations, like drag-and-drop and character-by-character live typing, are already available as open source, so customers and partners can continue the innovation we began. In addition, we will work on tools so that users can easily “liberate” their content from Wave.’

SOURCE Google Official Blog

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The folks in UAE might have until October to scout for new smartphones while still enjoying their BBM until then. But the girl next door might not have a better luck then them. Saudi Arabia doesn’t seem to have a good patient when it comes to privacy issue. According to U.S. news agency SPA, the Communications and Information Technology Commission for the country has ordered all BlackBerry services in the country to be halted by this Friday. The reason apparently has to do with “not meet[ing] regulatory requirements,” which echoes what UAE and India have said before. Looks like the new Torch 9800 won’t be going to the Middle East so soon.

[via Yahoo! News]

Ultrasn0w version 1.0-1 is here, courtesy of the iPhone Dev-Team. Yes, that means you’ll soon find lots of AT&T iPhone 4 unlocked-versions at eBay.

Version 1.0-1 of ultrasn0w works for:

• iPhone4 baseband 01.59
• 3G/3GS basebands 04.26.08, 05.11.07, 05.12.01 and 05.13.04

(If ultrasn0w doesn’t show when you search Cydia, add the repo:  repo666.ultrasn0w.com)

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If you carry a BlackBerry and plans to go to Dubai soon, you might need to consider getting a new phone, or any other arrangement. The important thing is, you need to leave behind your BlackBerry. This is because the UAE has confirmed that their BlackBerry ban also applies to you, you, and you foreigners. Everyone! Blasphemy! I’ve gotta get busy and dig back my Nokia 3310 brick phone if I’m going there in October, as the ban starts at 12^th of October.

The ban applies to BlackBerry data services, so you’ll still be able to make calls from your phone. But since so much business is conducted online—and on BlackBerry—it’s going to be a huge blow to a country that depends so much on, and so actively courts, international commerce. Not very investor-friendly, unless you give them some free iPhones while they travel in UAE.

There’s still plenty of time for either RIM or the UAE telecommunications regulator to blink. Let’s hope someone does, because this current policy ends with everybody losing, except for Steve and Co.

SOURCE Washington Post

Not really the first hearing aid to sport Bluetooth, but surely a neatly designed one. With the help of its built-in support for 2.4GHz frequency wave, the ReSound Alera actually allow those who have difficulty hearing to pipe in audio from TVs, stereos, cellphones and PCs without any funky cables or fancy setup procedures, but using only the accompanying Unite wireless accessories from the package. Better still, there’s no blockage of environmental noise, so folks will know if their evil grandson is bad mouthing them while they’re fused in Inception’s 5th level. There’s no mention of the price yet, but you can have a look at the video below to judge whether it’s worth it to grab one for your grandma.

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Microsoft sure is late in catching the Twitting trend. But at least they gave in some effort lately; with a tease of new black gadget (the back would be black, at least). Nothing was mention, only a photo of the back of a black device. There’s a somewhat unclear scribbling of the word ‘Microsoft’ at the bottom center of the device, as the word’s angle and direction seemed horizontally flipped. “Don’t be so touchy…flat is where it’s at.” – was stated over at Twitter by Microsoft Hardware. What could it be? The biggest bet would be a phone. Maybe Microsoft’s taking the same path of Google and their Nexus One.

SOURCE Microsoft Hardware (Twitter)

The good ol` Thanko Spy Camera’s back, with a new update. Yes it still fit snuggly in your formal wear, but it’s got itself a bigger sensor this time! We’re talking about 8-Megapixel quality spy photos, and 1280 x 960 HD videos of your 50 minutes (on a 16GB virgin microSD) mission, in a charge! Just don’t use it on a stained shirt, or even the hallway cleaning lady would get out her deagle and shoot at you. For $58 bucks (¥4,980), you’ll be James Bond instantly! Just remember to gel your hair with mooze and bring your own microSD card. Try wear a black suit, if you want your mission to be successful.

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Not the smartest method, but it still works. The Cyglo Tyres which recently got patented, uses embedded LEDs in the tire threads, literally, will turn your wheels into two perfect circles of neon bling bling.

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