While it is not clear exactly how the government will track criminals on the social networking sites, many believe that they will use fake friend requests to gain information about their targets. Also, in the PDF that was released, the Department of Justice revealed that Facebook is quite open with the government when it comes to releasing information. On the other hand, Twitter has more of a reputation for only releasing information when an individual is facing legal proceedings.

This is obviously not the first attempt by the government to use the internet to follow criminals. In the past, the FBI has followed sexual predators online. This became evident during CBS’s “Dateline” segment entitled “To Catch a Predator” which invited sexual predators into a legal trap. This show was quite successful in putting criminals behind bars.

The companies who developed the new solar power station aimed to create a solar charging station that would receive the most functional use. The device, which ways just under 10 ounces, will provide up to 2000 separate charges for iPhone users. The device is so powerful that it could last for four consecutive years if it was continuously used.

The new product is extremely convenient for iPhone users as it virtually eliminates the concern of running out of battery. Assuming the sun is available, the charger could be used anywhere to charge a user’s phone.

The new solar charger is available through Muzach’s website for a price of $49.95 plus shipping and handling. This almost seems like a bargain considering plug in chargers cost up to $30. The product also comes in five different colors. The most popular color choices so far are white, black, and green.

Charge Your iPhone With Solar Energy

Motorola intends to add a Bing search widget and Bing browser bookmark to their new phones based on Google’s open source operating system. This should be in effect by the end of the quarter. However, early reports suggest that Bing will not be the default provider on the browser search box of these devices. Motorola has been unwilling to confirm or deny this.

The agreement between Microsoft and Motorola to incorporate Bing search on Android phones in China comes amidst the challenges that Google is facing in China. Google has stated that it will no longer censor Chinese search results, but it continues to do so as it negotiates with the Chinese government.

Earlier in the year, Google threatened to close its China operation in response to an attack on its network that originated in China. Google also intended to delay the release of a Motorola and Samsung Android phone on Chinese carrier China Unicom.

The latest news from Google is that they are considering closing down their relationship with China because talks concerning censorship on the part of the Chinese are at an impasse. Google has already drawn up plans concerning a shutdown of its search engine as it pertains to China. Reports have Google’s top management emphatic about their demand that China cease its censorship of Google’s search engine. Google has been repeatedly warned by Chinese authorities that they cannot flout Chinese laws. It is sometimes forgotten, because of China’s move to a free market economy of sorts, that it is still a dictatorship and claims to be a Communist nation.

This could hurt Google’s bottom line. Google has about 300 millions users in China which is about 35% of the market. China has hacked into many U.S. companies and government agencies, and recently attempted to hack into Google’s mail system to find out information about Chinese dissidents. It is yet to be seen whether money trumps human rights with Google regarding its lucrative Chinese operations.

The city of Edmonton, Alberta, is doing their best to use the technology available through the iPhone to help their city. The city is presently almost done developing a new application that will allow a citizen to report hazards that they see. The application, which is titled “City Watch,” is being developed by Touch Metric.

Through use of the new application, residents or visitors of Edmonton will be able to report hazards to the police department without having to call Edmonton’s non-emergency 311 number. This should add a significant amount of convenience and encourage a citizen to report issues including fallen tree branches or new graffiti. The city officials believe that more citizens would contact the police more frequently if it was easier to do so. It should be noted that this application seems to only be needed for non-emergency crimes. For more serious crimes, calling the police is still recommended.

The new application seems like an excellent idea and is a new way for the average citizen to stay in contact with the city.

The City Watch application will be available for iPhone, iTouch, and iPad users by April 30. The application is expected to be a free application that can be downloaded through the iTunes application store.

The City of Edmonton is encouraging citizens to create their own iPhone applications. The city is now offering a cash prize of $50,000 to the iPhone developer who creates the best application for allowing Edmonton officials to share community information with the citizens of Edmonton. The prizewinner will be announced in October 2010.

Edmonton's Hazard iPhone App: There's An App For That Too

Hollywood has had much success with 3D movies in the last few years and television makers want a piece of the action. A new Blu-Ray DVD is set to be released that will allow you to play 3D movies at home. Ventures are already in place to create 3D television networks to encourage the purchase of these types of sets.

Forecasters believe that 3D viewing will become so popular, that by 2015, over 75 million sets will be in use worldwide. This is the biggest change in viewing in the last 20 years. The new technology, if it catches on with the general public, could actually make the television sales industry profitable again. Sony has stated that its television division has lost money for the last 7 years straight. They believe that this one product could boot their overall profits.

The company claims that around 30% of people use these electronic devices in the kitchen and centralizing the location will now catch on. Space on the counter will be saved by hanging the devices on the refrigerator. Stereo speakers, a camera, microphone and MP3 player necessities can also be connected to the front of the refrigerator.

Why Whirlpool is considering a revival of a failed idea is puzzling. Perhaps it is to boost sales of refrigerators. In a small apartment there might be some purpose involved but not in home with ample kitchen space. Is it really convenient surfing the internet on the refrigerator door? The planners have obviously considered this and have taken surveys but there is still risk involved that the idea will be a flop once again.

Leading the cyber crime issue is child pornography with 507 new cases last year. While international efforts have been undertaken to put a stop to this and other abuses of children, the Japanese underground has managed to thwart the authorities. Like cyber crime in general, child pornography cases have doubled.

Identity theft and bank fraud are Japan’s other top concerns with 2,534 new cases in 2009; an increase of 45 percent. Included in these statistics are the illegal accessing of bank sites and other databases. Fraud cases involving online auctions were down by fifty-four percent however, reflecting the efforts made by auction sites to insure sellers receive no payment until purchased goods are delivered.

High school teacher Melinda Dennehy, a 41-year-old English teacher, sent four revealing shots of herself to a 15-year-old student at Londonderry High School in New Hampshire. The student, in turn, sent the pictures on to his friends. The pictures were reported to have been sent two months ago. Eventually an adult saw the pictures at which time the police were notificed.

The young high school student said the teacher repeatedly sent him text messages. Some of these were quite explicit. The boy reported that the teacher also kissed him two different times in a school classroom. Although it was reported that the relationship went beyond the sexting and the kissing it was not clear if any sexual contact had taken place between the teacher and the student.

The teacher is a mother of two. She turned herself in to Londonderry police last Friday. Her charge is one felony count of indecent exposure. She has been bailed out although she has been ordered to stay away from anyone under the age of 16 years of age. Her arraignment is scheduled in Derry District Court on April 30.

The term ‘Cougars’ has become a popular subject during the last few years. This refers to an older woman and a younger man getting together. In this case, however, there is no ‘cougar case’ as this is considered child abuse.

MOTOBLURed Out!

Android users in Canada are today realizing that there will be a new kid on the block this spring. Motorola issued a statement saying that they intend to release to the public their Android cell phones, which feature social networking, email, status updates and RSS.

What is not clear as yet is who will carry the new devices or how much they will ultimately cost. The Android 1.5 technology is the primary device, but some models will be being upgraded to the more sophisticated 2.1 soon. So maybe it will be good to wait those extra few weeks in Canada, who knows?

It was thought by Canadian cell phone moguls that Motorola had forgotten about them, but the news that the provider will be forwarding the devices has come as welcome news.

Big Three

Internet chatter is already hailing the move by Motorola as brilliant, with nearly every Android blog containing the story reading a ‘buzzed up’ feeling for Canadian Android users.

The big three cell phones being the ‘BACKFLIP’, DEXT and the ‘QUENCH’ tablet, will all be carrying the new MOTOBLUR Interface, but it seems Motorola are leaving everybody in the dark as to who, what where, when and how many.

This is probably a move to block out competitors from knowing too much about the changes, leaving Motorola in an ideal position to profit heavily from the highly anticipated handsets. In fact these handsets are so eagerly anticipated they could even coin the market by early spring 2010.

Rotten Apple?

It has been suggested that many users prefer Android to Apple’s iPhone, simply because of the varied styles, ease of use and capabilities.

But preference will really meet out this spring when Motorola ring in the changes, as it does look ‘on’ for another ‘Tech War’ involving mobile communications.

Motorola have not set an exact date for the release of the MOTOBLUR devices, but it is thought maybe early April will be an ideal time to go up against several other ‘New Technologies’ that are due to be released.

MOTOBLUR Motorola Android Due For Canada Release In Spring