Tech roundup for the week

A roundup and discussion of the week in the technology arena for Friday, August 20.

This week we saw new developments in the Wikileaks saga, widespread anger over a new game, even more problems with the iPhone 4, a new world record and more.

It's your chance to catch up on what you missed and share your thoughts on big stories from the past seven days.

Leave a comment and say what you think on one of the stories of the week, or remind us of something big that we missed.

---

Thai cyber-protesters get around Wikileaks censorship

When Thailand decided that it didn't want its citizens reading the contents of the Wikileaks Afghan War Diaries, a block was put in place - but it didn't last long.

A mirror site called thaileaks.info was quickly set up by a group calling themselves the Wikicong, which contains links to several pages of information relating to Thailand, which is still active.

Not too long ago, if you wrote something unfavourable the government came to your house and took away your printing press. Now, the Wikileaks saga is demonstrating the all but uncontrollable nature of the Internet.

---

Widespread outcry over the new Medal of Honour game

Britain was notably upset that gamers would be allowed to take on the role of Taleban fighters in the latest Medal of Honour first-person shooter, and this sentiment was echoed by New Zealand Defence Minister Wayne Mapp.

The game's developer, Electronic Arts, stands by its creation, saying someone has to be the bad guy - like cops and robbers - and that there are two sides to every conflict.

Controversy has only ever been good for games, with titles like Grand Theft Auto gaining steam from the media coverage they got for pushing the limits.

Besides, people have played shooting games as terrorists for years now. One of the most commonly played games on Earth is still Counter-Strike, which pitches counter-terrorists against terrorists in matches involving bombing, hostages and all-out death and destruction.

---

iPhone 4 camera problems appear

iPhone 4 users are complaining that the camera on their new phones is playing up, give a green and purple tinge to shots when photos are snapped under fluorescent lights.

Apple's latest features a 5-megapixel back-lit sensor, which was widely considered a huge step up from standard in-phone cameras.

As with the "antennagate" issue, Apple has not yet made an official statement on this issue, perhaps waiting to see if it gains momentum.

One thing's for sure - this has the potential to be even bigger. There's no fixing a dodgy camera with a case, and fluorescent lighting is very common.

---

New headset can't use Jedi name, says George Lucas

A company that developed a headset to control a computer using the mind is suffering the wrath of Lucasarts, creator of the Star Wars franchise.

Jedi Mind is on the sharp end of a NZ$7 million trademark infringement case because of its use of "Jedi", which George Lucas says goes too far.

Lucasarts also claims to hold dominion over everything else associated with Jedi Knights, including "Jedi robes, the lightsaber weapon, the power to levitate objects, a telepathic oneness with other Jedi and the universe, and the ability to shoot energy beams called 'Force Lightning' from the fingertips".

While it may have been a poor choice of brand name, the device is a marvel of engineering that will give better access to computers to those with physical impairments - and those who just want to pretend they are Jedi Knights.

---

Texting record smashed

The world record for the world's fastest test messenger has been shattered by Melissa Thompson of England.

Melissa managed to key in "The razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In reality they seldom attack a human" in 25.94 seconds flat, beating the previous record of 35.54 seconds.

Once verified by Guinness, the record will officially shift from the US to England.

---

Harvey Norman and Kogan Technologies go head to head

An Australian discount retailer who claims to use components from well-known brands in their televisions has raised the ire of electronics giant Harvey Norman.

Kogan Technologies, run by Rusland Kogan, has drastically undercut many of the major retailers and claims to buy the components on the "free and open market".

The response from Gerry Harvey, head of Harvey Norman, was swift and straight to the point: "he's a con". Harvey went on to say it wasn't possible that Kogan was buying the components from well-known factories, but then admitted that he didn't know which factories Kogan bought from.

Harvey Norman is a hugely successful business with many branches and a long-standing reputation in the electronics market. However, a good market is a competitive one, and if it takes a plucky young man to show us the true cost of electronics, then I say so be it.

---

Apple rumoured to be renting shows via iTunes

Apple looks to be setting up a new form of sales via iTunes - the renting of TV shows for 48 hours.

They are said to be in talks with New Corp (which owns Fox), CBS and Walt Disney about the idea.

It's not a bad idea, especially if it means that more content will be available worldwide - but that's a big if. Many people seeking the latest episodes of their favourite show are probably willing to pay, but regional restrictions mean they can't even if they want to.

---

Google setting up phone calls from Gmail

Gmail users in the US will soon be able to make calls to landlines from the Gmail account.

The ability to make video and web-to-web calls via Gmail has been an attractive feature for some time, and this move is thought to be putting serious pressure on the current Internet calling king, Skype.

Of course, this will not a be a free service. After the end of the year Google will charge "low prices" for the service, which would be charged to a credit card.

The move comes after a company released a product called Magic Jack that offers internet to home-phone calls via a USB-connected device.

Competition in the Internet telephony area is really heating up, and competition can only be good for consumers.

---

Microsoft's TechEd promo girls cause embarrassment

Microsoft has been in apology mode after an embarrassing show of flesh at their TechEd conference on the Gold Coast in Australia.

The computer giant says it didn't realist the girls they had hired for the event - the well-known Meter Maids - would be so scantily dressed.

That sort of excuse is like saying you didn't realise the stripper you ordered for your stag night would take their clothes off. You only have to Google "Meter Maids" to see what they're about. If you ask me, the "booth babe" sensation is well past its use-by date.

---

What caught your eye this week? What are your thoughts on these stories? Any other big stories that need a mention?

» Join Connector on Facebook, Twitter @lukeappleby or Email Luke at connectornz@gmail.com