CourseCast of the Week

Episode 144, 3/15/2010

Title/Description: Assorted Tech News Headlines

Welcome to Course Technology's Coursecast of the week, Episode 144, recorded March 13th, 2010.

This is Ken Baldauf bringing you this week's technology news and information.

This Coursecast is brought to you by Course Technology. Check out www.cengage.com/coursetechnology for innovative textbooks and creative digital learning solutions.

Visit the CourseCasts Website at coursecasts.course.com where you will find links to the full stories covered in this coursecast, related discussion questions for use in your technology courses, and the Coursecast Archives.

Be sure to listen for this week's listener shout out at the end of this program.

…and now, the news:

• The FCC has proposed the formation of a National Digital Literacy Corps, to assist individuals and communities without Internet access in becoming connected. Like Americorps, the Digital Literacy Corps would target communities in the U.S. with low numbers of broadband subscribers to assist them in getting online and reaping the benefits provided by the Internet. The proposal is part of the national broadband plan due out this week.
  FCC to propose national digital literacy corps [Computerworld]
• The US Treasury Department has relaxed export regulations against Iran, Sudan, and Cuba for Internet services that provide social networking and communications services. The hope is that these services will help empower oppressed populations.
  US eases restrictions on Web services exports to Iran, Cuba [Ars Technica]
  U.S. Hopes Exports Will Help Open Closed Societies [NYTimes]
• The Iranian government has arrested 30 people, which it claims belong to a U.S.-sponsored cyber war network. It claims the individuals were hacking Iranian government networks to gain access to information on Iranian nuclear scientists.
  Iran arrests 30 over U.S.-linked cyber ring: report [Reuters]
• Larry Wortzel, a member of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission and a former U.S. Army counterintelligence officer, has stated that the Chinese government is likely behind the recent cyberattacks on U.S. government Web sites and U.S. companies, including the much-publicized attack on Google.
  U.S. expert blames Chinese government for recent cyberattacks [Computerworld]
• This week Google execs suggested that the company may soon remove filters used to censor search results in China. Chinese officials responded by warning that if Google lifts its filters, the government will take action.
  Google to stop censoring Chinese search results 'soon,' China warns of consequences [Engadget]
  China Issues Another Warning to Google on Enforced Censorship of the Internet [NYTimes]
• A poll conducted by GlobeScan indicates that 87 percent of the world's Internet population feels that Internet access is a fundamental human right and a force for good. 71 percent of non-Internet users agree.
  Is Internet Access a Fundamental Right? [NewsFactor]
• Target is the first major retailer to roll out a mobile-coupon program. Register for the program by texting the word "coupons" to the phone number T-A-R-G-E-T. Registered users receive periodic text messages that provide links to access discount bar codes in your mobile Web browser. Scan the bar code from your smart phone display at check out to enjoy the savings.
  Target Launches Mobile-Coupon Program [NewsFactor]
• Apple has begun taking preorders for the iPad, which is due out April 3. The online Apple store was down for several hours Friday morning due to heavy demand. Analysts are waiting expectantly to see if the iPad will be as big of a hit as the iPhone.
  Buyers Begin Ordering Apple's iPads Sight Unseen [NewsFactor]
• WiMAX, one of the two major high speed wireless technologies being pursued by cellular network providers, has lost two major supporters recently. Alcatel Lucent announced that it would scale back its support for WiMAX last month, and this week Cisco announced that it is also pulling its support for WiMAX. This gives Long Term Evolution, or LTE, a stronger shot at becoming the dominant technology for high-speed cellular data networks.
  Another one bites the dust: Cisco steps out of the WiMAX game [Engadget]
• Remember the high school caught spying on students at home using Webcams on school-supplied notebooks? This week two school network administrators were suspended with pay until the case is settled and the software company involved has disabled the ability to remotely activate the Web cams.
  Spying school district update: remote webcam functionality disabled, two IT monkeys suspended [Engadget]
• Mobile processor manufacturer ARM has forecasted that at least 50 iPad-style tablets will be launched this year.
  Over 50 ARM-based tablets launching this year [Engadget]
• Attention Cyclists! Google Maps has added a new feature that shows bicycle routes and rails-to-trails bike paths. So now routes between locations can be generated for driving, walking, public transportation, and cycling.
  Google Maps adds bicycle directions, turns out its nothing like 'Quicksilver' [Engadget]
• Sony has unveiled a new motion controller for the PlayStation. Like the Wii controller, the PlayStation Move motion controller is a wireless device that allows gamers to tilt, wave, and swing to control on-screen action. It is said to be more precise than the Wii controller, and can be paired with a second controller to play just about any PlayStation game.
  PlayStation Move motion controller launched at GDC, starter kit to be under $100 with game [Engadget]
• Intel's 6-Core processor has finally hit the streets, and this time for real. A couple weeks ago some counterfeit chips claiming to be Intel's 6-core were sold overseas and at NewEgg.com. It will take some time before software is available that takes advantage of the new 6-core architecture.
  Intel's Core i7-980X Extreme Edition 'Gulftown' review roundup [Engadget]
  Intel, AMD six-core chips mark an evolution for the desktop [Computerworld]
  Intel investigating sale of fake Core i7 chip [Computerworld]
  Newegg terminates supplier relationship over counterfeit Core i7 CPUs [Engadget]
• Twitter has added new location-sharing tools that allow users to include their current location when they tweet.
  Twitter wants to know where you are [Computerworld]
• Twitter is boosting its security by running all posted links through an anti-phishing service.
  Twitter Starts Routing All Links Through New Anti-Phishing Service [TechCrunch]
• A survey of students in grades 3-12 suggests that while the emphasis on STEM education has increased, teachers are failing to teach about the benefits of learning science, technology, engineering, and math to student's future careers.
  Survey: Educators aren’t discussing STEM careers with students [eSchool News]
• Forrester Research forecasts that online retail sales will grow to $250 billion, making up eight percent of all retail sales by 2014.
  Forrester Forecast: Online Retail Sales Will Grow To $250 Billion By 2014 [TechCrunch]
• The New York Times reports that the number of children with cell phones has nearly doubled since 2005.
  Rapid Rise of Children With Cellphones [NYTimes]
• And the most amusing headline of the week: Energizer Bunny's software infects PCs. Apparently the software included with the Energizer DUO USB battery charger contains backdoor malware that gives hackers total access to a Windows PC.
  Energizer Bunny's software infects PCs [Computerworld]

That's it for this week's Coursecast.

This week's shout out goes to Judit Guzman and the students in BCIS I at Garza Early College High School at Mountain View College, Dallas, TX - thanks for listening to CourseCasts!

Email me with your comments and suggestions for the show at coursecasts@gmail.com. Let me know how you use Coursecasts in your classes and I'll give you and your school a shout out on my next Coursecast. Until next time, have a great week and be sure to take advantage of the Power -- of Technology!