Mashable: Latest 8 News Updates - including “Pakistan Lifts Facebook Ban” |  |
- Pakistan Lifts Facebook Ban
- Meet iPed, The Android-Based Chinese iPad Clone [VIDEO]
- 5 Matching iPhone and iPad Cases
- Google Maps Lawsuit: Woman Follows Directions, Gets Run Over
- 10 Free Android Apps to Boost Your Productivity
- Department of Justice Inquires Into Apple’s Adobe Flash Policy
- Bangladesh Blocks Facebook Over Satirical Images
- 5 Things the Library of Congress is Archiving Online
- 60+ Awesome Android Apps
| Posted: 31 May 2010 02:12 AM PDT  
Two weeks ago, a Pakistani court had ordered the authorities to block Facebook due to a contest that called for caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. “The government has assured the court on behalf of the website that the blasphemous material would not be seen in Pakistan,” lawyer Azhar Siddique told Reuters. Siddique is a representative of the Islamic Lawyers Forum, a group whose petition called for the Facebook ban. It seems that Facebook didn’t completely remove the groups deemed offensive to Muslims, instead blocking access to them from Pakistan and, possibly, other Islamic countries. The same Facebook search we conducted when the ban was first imposed still yields two groups which feature several caricatures of the Islamic Prophet. Recently, Bangladesh also blocked Facebook over satirical images deemed offensive to Muslims. For more social media coverage, follow Mashable Social Media on Twitter or become a fan on FacebookReviews: Facebook, Twitter Tags: ban, facebook, Pakistan, social media, social networking
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| Meet iPed, The Android-Based Chinese iPad Clone [VIDEO] Posted: 31 May 2010 01:27 AM PDT 
Although cheap and visually quite similar to the original, the iPed sports far weaker hardware. It’s based on an Intel chip, and has 128 MB of RAM and 16 GB of storage space. It runs on Android, but from what we can see in the video below, it’s quite slow, probably hampered by the low amount of RAM it possesses. However, given the fact that Apple’s iPad is not yet available in China (it took iPhone years to reach China) and the attaractive price, the iPed will probably find its audience – unless Apple manages to sue it out of production. For more Apple coverage, follow Mashable Apple on Twitter or become a fan on FacebookReviews: Android, Facebook, Twitter Tags: apple, china, ipad, iPed
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| 5 Matching iPhone and iPad Cases Posted: 30 May 2010 07:40 PM PDT 
We’re guessing if you have both an iPhone and an iPad then you’re a fan of Apple products, and proud of your shiny new tablet and its “mini-me” phone buddy. So, what better way to celebrate your iPhone and its big tablet brother than with matching cases? Here we bring together five trendy options that are available for both of the devices. Get coordinated across your entire Apple mobile portfolio with one of these paired up solutions that will give your iDevices the twin look. The Schwarzenegger/Devito twin look maybe, but a twin look nonetheless… 1. SeasideSew Handmade Fabric CasesFor the iPad For the iPhone If you’re the arts-and-crafts type then there’s a treasure trove of great homemade cases and sleeves to be found on Etsy. This cheerful mermaid design from California-based SeasideSew caught our eye. With bamboo padding for protection, the outer fabric is water-resistant making these a sensible, as well as sweet, option. Cost: From $25 and from $21 2. Vers Audio Wooden CasesFor the iPad For the iPhone We’re big fans of Vers Audio and its policy to plant 100 trees for every one cut down, so these fabulous wooden cases crafted from bamboo and hardwoods are guilt-free, while their steel reinforced build quality should mean they’ll be the only ones you’ll need for a long, long time. Cost: $79.99 and $39.99 3. Beautiful Skin Leather CasesFor the iPad For the iPhone Made from 100% kid skin (re: young goats, not actually “kids”) and cow hide, these cases offer unique graphic designs printed directly on to the leather. This results in unusual cases that are attractive and handcrafted without being too cute or too homely. This cherry blossom and swallow design is available from Etsy seller tovicorrie’s “Beautiful Skin” shop but order requests can be made for any of the many leather designs available. Cost: $90 and $38 4. Griffin Technology FlexGrip CasesFor the iPad For the iPhone If you’re not the handcrafted or wood type, then Griffin Technology’s FlexGrip cases might be the option for you. They offer functional, minimalist coverings for your iPhone and iPad that protect and give better grip with absolutely no fuss whatsoever. Made of durable, non-scratching silicone, the white option is available for both devices. Cost: $34.99 and $9.99 5. Cygnett “Glam” CasesFor the iPad For the iPhone These glossy, patent leather efforts are appropriately named “Glam” and will bring some high-sheen shine to both your iPhone and iPad. Inside you’ll find micro-suede to cushion your precious devices in the luxury they deservs while the screens get protected with the book-style cover for the iPad and the flip down top for the iPhone. Cost: $69.95 and $29.95 BONUS: Uncommon Capsule Cases — Coming Soon for iPad Uncommon offers a fabulous range of customizable shatterproof polycarbonate “capsule cases” for Apple’s iPhone (and iPod touch) with a iPad version planned for the coming months. The option to take advantage of the Uncommon’s design-your-own service that lets you upload your own images or photos to be made into a personalized case means this might be one worth waiting for. Cost: TBC and $39.95 For more Apple coverage, follow Mashable Apple on Twitter or become a fan on FacebookMore iPhone resources from Mashable:
Reviews: Facebook, Twitter Tags: accessories, Apple iPad, cases, cygnett, Etsy, griffin technology, ipad, ipad accessories, iphone, uncommon, vers audio
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| Google Maps Lawsuit: Woman Follows Directions, Gets Run Over Posted: 30 May 2010 06:31 PM PDT 
The walking directions from 96 Daly Ave to 1710 Prospector Ave in Park City, Utah told Rosenberg to walk just over one half of a mile along Deer Valley Dr, also known as highway 224. The highway did not have sidewalks or any other pedestrian-friendly amenities, and Rosenberg was struck by a car driven by a man named Patrick Harwood. Rosenberg filed suit against both Harwood and Google, claiming both carried responsibility in her injury. Her lawyers claim that Google is liable because it did not warn her that the route would not offer a safe place for a pedestrian to walk. Note that the Google Maps website actually does do that, as pictured here.  However, Rosenberg says she used Google Maps on her BlackBerry, which did not show that warning, so she’s suing for more than $100,000. She should have probably realized upon arrival that it was an unsafe place to walk, though — but isn’t that how these lawsuits always go? Anyway, we’ve embedded the dangerous Google Maps route below in case you want to check it out. View Larger Map For more social media coverage, follow Mashable Social Media on Twitter or become a fan on FacebookReviews: Facebook, Google, Google Maps, Twitter Tags: Google, Google Maps, lawsuit, utah
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| 10 Free Android Apps to Boost Your Productivity Posted: 30 May 2010 04:19 PM PDT 
Here are ten highly rated, absolutely free Android apps that will help you work smarter, get more accomplished, save time and stay organized. 1. DropboxDownloads: 50,000-250,000 Dropbox is great because it’s not just a mobile app; it allows you to manage files in fully synced folders from desktop and mobile devices. Dropbox’s Android application allows users to access a Dropbox — and any kind of content it contains, including music and movies — from anywhere. Users can also upload files, such as images and links, to their Dropbox account. This video will give you an idea of how it works: User comments: 2. CamCard LiteDownloads: 10,000-50,000 Rating: 4 stars This simple application allows you to snap pictures of business cards and automatically import that information to your virtual Rolodex. CamCard Pro is also available as a paid app for $9.99; both versions of the app support multiple languages – from English to traditional Chinese.
User comments: 3. GDocsDownloads: 50,000-250,000 Rating: 4 stars GDocs is a text editing application that allows you to access, view, edit and sync documents stored in a Google Docs account. It also lets users create, send, import and export documents.
User comments: 4. SpringpadDownloads: 5,000-10,000 Rating: 3.5 stars Springpad is brand-new to the Android Market, but has been getting rave reviews from users on other devices. Like Evernote, this app allows you to save items in a virtual notebook. But it doesn’t just save these items; it also pulls in data from other sites and helps you take action on your lists, not just remember them. User comments: 5. SlideScreenDownloads: 50,000-250,000 Rating: 4 stars If you struggle with information overload, here’s an app that might help you. SlideScreen turns your Android device’s home screen into a display of your information with a meaningful hierarchy to distinguish signal from noise. The app shows a summary of data from text messages, phone calls, GMail, your calendar, Google Reader, stock market data, Twitter and Facebook. A pro version is available for $6.99.
User comments: 6. Remember The MilkDownloads: 50,000-250,000 Rating: 4.5 stars This app represents mobile task-management at it finest. Users can add and check off tasks on the go, organize upcoming tasks, get alerted when they are near a task location and sync their mobile actions with a web interface. It’s available with a $25 yearly subscription to the RTM web interface.
User comments: 7. Astrid Task/To-Do ListDownloads: >250,000 Rating: 4.5 stars Astrid is more than just a to-do list; its friendly reminders will help you stay focused and productive. It’s location-aware and can sync with Remember the Milk. Best of all, it’s open-source and built specifically with Google technologies in mind.
User comments: 8. EvernoteDownloads: >250,000 Rating: 4 stars Half notebook app, half reminder app, Evernote lets you save your ideas, inspirations and favorite things to the cloud for future access. It’s basically a virtual substitute for a good memory. You can record text, images or audio.
User comments: 9. Voice RecorderDownloads: >250,000 Rating: 4 stars Here’s a simple, useful application for taking notes on the go, capturing ideas, remembering songs or recording interviews. The audio recordings are timed, and files are sent as attachments to your Gmail account. You can search for recordings by title or date, and you can set your recordings as ringtones.
User comments: 10. JorteDownloads: 50,000-250,000 Rating: 4.5 stars Jorte is a personal organizer app that was designed to be both attractive and practical. It’s a scheduler and to-do application that syncs with Google Calendar. Its three home screen widgets allow you to quickly view a monthy or weekly calendar or a to-do list.
User comments: For more mobile coverage, follow Mashable Mobile on Twitter or become a fan on FacebookMore Android resources from Mashable:
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| Department of Justice Inquires Into Apple’s Adobe Flash Policy Posted: 30 May 2010 03:09 PM PDT 
Apple failed to support Flash in the iPad’s web browser even though it’s the most widespread format for interactive and video content on the web, and the iPad is touted as the ideal device for surfing the web. Apple’s Steve Jobs believes that Flash’s days are numbered, and that it will be replaced by the recently developed HTML5 format, which is supported by the browser used by the iPad and other iPhone OS devices. Adobe adapted its Flash development technology to make it possible to produce applications that would run on the iPad despite its lack of browser Flash support, but Apple updated the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement to forbid that process, blocking Flash developers from the device entirely. As the Post’s source said, the decision has drawn the ire of many media professionals who have made their livings distributing content in the Flash format. They believe Apple is trying to bully the industry into switching to HTML5 by refusing to support it on the iPad. The iPad isn’t quite popular enough yet to make that happen on its own, but its siblings the iPhone and iPod touch might do the trick. The DoJ hasn’t released any comment about its alleged inquiry into Apple’s Flash policy, but it’s already watching Apple closely for something else entirely: the iTunes Music Store, which companies like Universal, Sony and Warner Bros. have accused of antitrust violations. For more Apple coverage, follow Mashable Apple on Twitter or become a fan on FacebookReviews: Facebook, Twitter, iPhone Tags: adobe flash, apple, Department of Justice, DOJ, Flash, ipad
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| Bangladesh Blocks Facebook Over Satirical Images Posted: 30 May 2010 01:12 PM PDT 
The protests were in response to groups and pages like “Everyone Draw Mohammed Day,” which criticizes the Muslims who responded negatively to South Park’s depictions of the Prophet and suggested that thousands of Facebook users draw images of Muhammad — an act forbidden by Islamic law. The page has just shy of 3,000 fans, and it hosts several visual depictions of the Prophet. Pakistan blocked Facebook allegedly for the same reasons last week. The bans will be temporary in both countries; it’s likely that access will be restored once the offending images are removed — and they will be. Facebook’s policy is to allow access to offending content outside of the countries where it’s offensive while censoring it in sync with individual countries’ laws within their own borders. Update: We’re getting conflicting reports from different news outlets and sources — some say the ban was made in part because of images of the Prophet, others say it was solely because of the political caricatures. Either way, students have been organizing protests to demand renewed access to the social network. For more social media coverage, follow Mashable Social Media on Twitter or become a fan on FacebookReviews: Facebook, Twitter Tags: bangladesh, censorship, facebook, islam
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| 5 Things the Library of Congress is Archiving Online Posted: 30 May 2010 09:56 AM PDT 
"Part of it is the election question: What do we want to archive?” says Abbie Grotke, a digital media project specialist on the Library of Congress's web archiving team. "We can't easily identify what is the 'U.S. web.' We can't just say we want to get everything that's '.com' or '.gov.' So we do have to do this selective process." So what does the Library of Congress think is worth saving? Here are the portions of today's web your grandchildren will be able to access through the Library of Congress: 1. Twitter feeds—all of them The Library of Congress announced in April that it would begin archiving Twitter feeds. Some Twitter feeds had already been archived in the past as part of special projects—for instance, some tweets regarding the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor were included in the collection about Supreme Court changes. But now Twitter has plans to donate their entire archive of public content. Which means your tweets, my tweets, and Britney Spears's tweets will all become a part of the archives. What is not yet clear, is exactly how all of these tweets will be used. "The point is not to provide a Twitter interface at the library that you can go in and use like they do on the current website," Grotke says. "There's talk of more of a researcher, data mining –type access to it. We're still trying to figure out what that is exactly, but people probably won't be able to go in and look for you specifically." 2. National Election Candidates' Internet Presences The Library's web archive started with a project that documented an election, and much of its work continues to revolve around this topic. The archive collects about 2,500 snapshots of websites during every election cycle. "A lot of what we do, particularly with the elections, goes away rather quickly," Grotke says. "If the candidate loses the election, their website disappears." The archives include presidential, congressional, and even overseas elections. The Library's foreign operations offices document elections in those regions. Researchers of the future, for instance, will be able to see the web that surrounded the 2009 general elections in India and Indonesia. 3. Facebook Pages—A Selective FewThe web crawler often follows candidates' or congress people's websites to their public Facebook Pages. While Facebook has made no Twitter-like deal to donate archives to the Library, sites on the social media platform inevitably come up while documenting major events. Thus far, the Library has left it up to the author of the Page—not Facebook—to give permission to archive relevant pages. "The position that we've taken so far is that the content we're archiving is actually owned by the site owner who put it up there," Grotke says. "We've been asking permission of the original site owner." So unless you're a national election candidate who has given permission, you probably don't have to worry about your grandchild stumbling across an embarrassing Facebook photo while doing archival research for his or her college thesis. 4. Notable Historical Events The Library has also been archiving Congressional websites since 2002. The web archive team has collected websites regarding Supreme Court changes, the Sept. 11, attacks, the 2005 papal transition, Hurricane Katrina, the Iraq war and the crisis in Darfur. A full list of current projects is available here. 5. News Sites That Give PermissionUnlike libraries in some other countries, the Library of Congress has no legal mandate to preserve the web. Therefore, the web archive team can't collect everything they would like to without asking permission. Because news sites and blogs earn money on their content, the Library needs to get consent before it includes their pages in the archives. Grotke says that few news organizations that the web archive team contacts for permission ever respond, which means that not much of the content in the web archives comes from news sites. More social media resources from Mashable:
Image courtesy of iStockphoto, LawrenceSawyer Reviews: Facebook, Twitter, iStockphoto Tags: archive, facebook, government, history, Library of Congress, politics, research, twitter
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| Posted: 30 May 2010 08:55 AM PDT 
If you’re looking to scoop up some of the best apps the Android Market has to offer, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive list is your one-stop shop for reviews and recommendations — perfect for kicking back on a nice long weekend with a data card’s worth of new mobile goodies. We’ve got music, sports, news, and some digital toys that are just plain cool. Check them out, and if we’ve missed anything, be sure to serve up your own suggestions in the comments. 
For more mobile coverage, follow Mashable Mobile on Twitter or become a fan on FacebookReviews: Android, Android Market, Facebook, Twitter, iPhone Tags: android, Android apps, apps, droid, List, Lists, Mobile 2.0, Mobile Lists, nexus one
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Pakistan lifted the Facebook ban on Monday after Facebook officials 
It’s a tablet. It comes in a box nearly identical to the iPad. Yet, one letter makes a big difference: it’s called the iPed, and it costs only $105 – approximately five times less than Apple’s original, the iPad. And of course, you can only 
When 
If you value efficiency and effectiveness, then your 
The People’s Republic of Bangladesh has 
In 2000, the 
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