Engadget RSS Feed http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2013 AOL Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Apple appeases European lawmakers with Lightning-to-microUSB adapter]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/13/apple-lightning-to-micro-usb-adapter/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/13/apple-lightning-to-micro-usb-adapter/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/13/apple-lightning-to-micro-usb-adapter/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Apple appeases the EU, announces Europeonly Lightning to microUSB adapterWe do love products that only exist to circumvent the finer points of legislation (hello there, Aston Martin Cygnet), but even better are the ones that actually serve a purpose. To comply with the European Commission's insistence that all smartphones must have a microUSB connector, Apple is putting out a Euro-specific adapter for its new Lightning standard. It's turned up in the UK and French stores so far, setting you back £15 / €19 ($25) -- and we imagine it won't be long before some entrepreneurial soul starts buying them in bulk to sell to microUSB users Stateside.

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Via: TechnoBuffalo, 9to5Mac

Source: Apple Store (UK)

]]> AppleApple Lightning to microUSBAppleLightningToMicrousbECEUEuropeEuropean CommissionEuropean UnionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnioniPhone 5Iphone5iPod NanoiPod TouchIpodNanoIpodTouchLegislationLightningLightning to microUSBLightningToMicrousbmicro USBMicroUsb Thu, 13 Sep 2012 04:13:00 -0400 21|20322506 <![CDATA[New EU legislation requires cars to include autonomous braking system]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/05/eu-legislation-requires-cars-to-include-autonymous-braking/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/05/eu-legislation-requires-cars-to-include-autonymous-braking/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/05/eu-legislation-requires-cars-to-include-autonymous-braking/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments New EU legislation requires cars to include autonymous braking system

While we're still a long way from living the fully autonomous car dream, baby steps are being taken. The EU evidently shares this dream, and has passed regulations that will require new cars to have emergency self-braking systems (known as autonomous emergency braking, or AEB) if they want to achieve a five-star safety rating. The systems can use radar, laser or video to detect when obstructions or pedestrians are present, and a recent study suggests that the technology reduces accidents by up to 27 percent. Commercial vehicles will have to sport the systems from November next year, and everything else from 2014. Safety aside, we're thinking that anything that can help prevent rear-ending our new ride, is definitely a welcome addition.

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]]> AEBautomatic carautomatic emergency breakingAutomaticCarAutomaticEmergencyBreakingbrakingcarcarsemergency breakingEmergencyBreakingEUeuropeEuropean CommissionEuropeanCommissionlegislationroadsafety Sun, 05 Aug 2012 04:34:00 -0400 21|20293433 <![CDATA[Less banhammer, more gaming fun down under as Australia OKs R18+ game rating]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/19/australia-approves-r18-rating-mature-video-games/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/19/australia-approves-r18-rating-mature-video-games/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/19/australia-approves-r18-rating-mature-video-games/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Less banhammer, more gaming fun down under as Australia OKs R18 game rating

Looks like folks from the land down under will be able to enjoy more of those upcoming titles featured recently at E3 2012. Australian gamers can now yell a collective "Get over here!" at more mature video gaming fare after the country's Parliament passed a new law to create an "adults-only" R18+ rating. The new classification puts video games on equal footing with films and other media that already allow mature content to be accessible in Australia via a similar rating. Prior to the creation of the new category, games deemed too mature for an MA15+ rating -- previously the strongest video game classification in Australia -- either had to be reclassified or banned from sale. One high-profile casualty that received a fatality from the old ratings system, for example, was the Mortal Kombat reboot. Lawmakers, however, agreed to pass the new rating law following years of consultation and strong public support for the change. One can only hope the legal tussle occurring in Australia between Apple and Samsung would reach an equally satisfactory resolution.

[Image Credit: Associated Press]

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]]> australiaaustraliangame ratingsgamerGameRatingsgamesgaminggovernmentlegislationr18+video gamesVideoGames Tue, 19 Jun 2012 03:47:00 -0400 21|20261317 <![CDATA[Google's self-driving cars will return to roots, tour California]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/california-law-passed-google-driverless-cars/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/california-law-passed-google-driverless-cars/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/california-law-passed-google-driverless-cars/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments california-law-passed-google-driverless-cars

Thanks to a new law passed in California, Google's driverless cars might soon be stuck in its traffic with all the other hapless commuters. Although they won't hit the highway yet, like they can in Nevada, the bipartisan bill will allow bureaucrats to craft safety and performance standards -- letting the robotic rigs roll (with licensed minders) in the near future. Joining Hawaii, Florida, Arizona and Oklahoma with similar legislation, the state hopes to reduce carnage on the roads caused by human error, and is backed by Google, the California Highway Patrol and various civic, auto and tech clubs. Of course, given that it was birthed in Google's Mountain View X lab, it's only natural that the autonomous EV should be allowed to roam free on its home turf.

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]]> autoautonomous automobileautonomous carAutonomousAutomobileAutonomousCarcaliforniadepartment of transportationDepartmentOfTransportationdriverlessdriverless cardriverless carsDriverlessCarDriverlessCarsdrivingEVgooglegoogle cargoogle self-driving carsGoogleCarGoogleSelf-drivingCarslawlegislationpoliticssafetyself driving carself-driving carSelf-drivingCarSelfDrivingCarstandardstatetransportvehicle Tue, 22 May 2012 13:41:00 -0400 21|20242386 <![CDATA[House passes bill that would call for a single website tracking federal spending]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/26/data-act-passes-house-vote/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/26/data-act-passes-house-vote/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/26/data-act-passes-house-vote/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments ImageThe last time a proposed law captured our attention it was so widely loathed it was never even put to a vote, but today we bring you the kind of no-brainer legislation that seems to have strong support on both sides of the aisle. The US House of Representatives has passed the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA), a bill that calls for the creation of an independent board to log all federal spending on a single, centralized website. What's more, these expenses need to be recorded with identifiers and markup languages that make them more easily searchable. As Computerworld notes, the vote happens to come on the heels of a recent dust-up involving the US General Services Administration spending $823,000 on a conference in Vegas -- precisely the sort of excess this proposed website would be designed to expose. The next step, of course, is for the bill to win Senate approval, though for now it seems the legislation has garnered strong bi-partisan support: in a rare showing, all of the lawmakers who discussed the DATA Act on the House floor argued in favor of it.

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]]> billbillsbipartisanbipartisanshipDATAdigital accountabilitydigital accountability and transparency actDigitalAccountabilityDigitalAccountabilityAndTransparencyActHouselawlawmakerslawslegislationpolicypoliticstransparencyus houseus house of representativesUS politicsUsHouseUsHouseOfRepresentativesUsPoliticsvotevotes Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:34:00 -0400 21|20224751 <![CDATA[Senate black box bill could see 2015 car models ship with data recorders]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/20/senate-black-box-bill-could-see-2015-car-models-ship-with-data-r/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/20/senate-black-box-bill-could-see-2015-car-models-ship-with-data-r/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/20/senate-black-box-bill-could-see-2015-car-models-ship-with-data-r/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments ImageBlack boxes aren't just for airplanes anymore, it seems. Though car companies have been installing the devices at their discretion since the early aughts, a new bill, ominously entitled Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, has just passed Senate approval containing a provision that would mandate the inclusion of these Event Data Recorders in all automobiles produced from 2015 and on. Privacy fans may already be reaching for those protesting pitchforks, but keep in mind this legislation still needs to pass the House of Representatives on its way to becoming law. And given its other, more controversial elements (i.e. revoking passports for unpaid back taxes), it could still head back to the recycle bin. If it does pass Congressional muster, you'll still have ownership of any collected data, so long as the court doesn't require you to hand it over. Regardless of the outcome, we wouldn't breathe a sigh of relief just yet -- your car might be snooping on you as we speak. Just check your owner's manual.

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]]> automakersbillblack boxBlackBoxcarcarsedrEvent Data RecorderEventDataRecorderlawlegislationprivacySenate Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:13:00 -0400 21|20220527 <![CDATA[European Commission outlines plans for Internet of Things regulation]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/13/european-commission-plans-nternet-of-things-regulation/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/13/european-commission-plans-nternet-of-things-regulation/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/13/european-commission-plans-nternet-of-things-regulation/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments European Commission outlines plans for Internet of Things regulationThe Internet of Things is on the rise, and when things get big, they tend to get regulated. The European Commission has spotted this trend, and has decided to get its rubber stamp ready, in a bid to protect individual rights from all the data that it collects, as well as "unleash the potential economic and societal benefits." While this may seem like bureaucratic party-pooping, the Commission points out that much of the information carried includes personal location, preferences and behavioral patterns. There will be an initial consultation to determine the required privacy and security of an IoT infrastructure which will then be fed into the Commission's recommendation -- expected to be presented in summer 2013. The good news is that there's a survey open to citizens and businesses to have their say on how on how the regulation should be administered. Check the more coverage link below to make your opinions heard.

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]]> data protectionDataProtectionEUeuropeEuropean CommissionEuropeanCommissioninternet of thingsInternetOfThingsIOTlawlegislationregulation Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:52:00 -0400 21|20214921 <![CDATA[Nevada is getting serious about driverless cars]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/nevada-driverless-cars-law-regulation/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/nevada-driverless-cars-law-regulation/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/nevada-driverless-cars-law-regulation/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
We were admittedly cynical last summer, when Nevada's state legislature passed a law regulating the safety of driverless cars. But maybe we shouldn't have been, because it looks like they're actually serious about it. The state has now begun fleshing out its campaign with new regulations for testing these robocars, which, of course, are still very much in their infancy. According to the Associated Press, drivers looking to test a driverless vehicle will have to first purchase a bond worth between $1 million and $3 million, depending on the specifics of their project. The data from each test, moreover, will have to be shared with state officials, and all automated vehicles must have some sort of black box-like device to securely store this information, in the event of a crash. Most interesting, however, is how humans fit into all of this. Under the state's regulations, a passenger is still considered an "operator" of the vehicle, even if he or she isn't driving. They'll be exempt from Nevada's ban on driving while texting, but they won't be able to rely on their robocar as a designated driver -- which is fine, because it's not like anyone drinks in Vegas anyway.

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]]> black boxBlackBoxDriverless CarsDriverlessCarsdrivingdrunk drivingDrunkDrivingduilas vegasLasVegaslawlegislationnevadapoliticsregulationsafetytest driveTestDrivetransport Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:01:00 -0500 21|20173948 <![CDATA[Hawaii's online tracking law is all but dead, lead sponsor confirms]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/hawaiis-online-tracking-law-is-all-but-dead-lead-sponsor-confi/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/hawaiis-online-tracking-law-is-all-but-dead-lead-sponsor-confi/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/hawaiis-online-tracking-law-is-all-but-dead-lead-sponsor-confi/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments The Hawaii state legislature has apparently pulled an about face on a proposed internet tracking bill, amid swelling concerns from civil libertarians and internet service providers alike. First introduced last week, the controversial measure calls for all ISPs to track and record a user's online activity and identity within individual digital dossiers. The law's supporters trumpeted it as a vital step in protecting "victims of crime," but its momentum has all but come to a halt, now that its lead champion has proclaimed its death. In a recent interview with CNET, Democratic Representative John Mizuno (pictured left) confirmed that his bill has been shelved, attributing the decision to the avalanche of critical feedback he's received (see the coverage links, below). "It's generated a lot of national attention," Mizuno explained. "I've taken into consideration the thousands of e-mails (which were often) colorful and passionate, which is absolutely fine... This bill just isn't ready. It needs a lot of work." Unfortunately, this doesn't mean spell an outright death for the law, as Mizuno still believes that keeping a record of browsing history could help authorities hunt down pedophiles and other evil doers. "I think both would be very strong pieces of evidence if there's going to be a criminal proceeding," he argued. Despite our own fundamental misgivings with Mizuno's approach, it's still encouraging to see politicians respond to public outcry so swiftly and, as with the SOPA debacle, appropriately.

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]]> ACLUbillcivil libertiesCivilLibertiescrimegovernmenthawaiihb 2288Hb2288john mizunoJohnMizunolawlaw enforcementLawEnforcementlegallegislationlegislaturemeasureoahuonline trackingOnlineTrackingpedophilepoliticsprivacyweb Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:43:00 -0500 21|20161586 <![CDATA[Hawaii's proposed online tracking law comes under fire from ISPs, civil libertarians]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/hawaiis-proposed-online-tracking-law-comes-under-fire-from-isps/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/hawaiis-proposed-online-tracking-law-comes-under-fire-from-isps/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/hawaiis-proposed-online-tracking-law-comes-under-fire-from-isps/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
There may be some trouble brewing in paradise, thanks to a seemingly draconian law currently under consideration in Hawaii's state legislature. If passed, H.B. 2288 would require all ISPs within the state to track and store information on their customers, including details on every website they visit, as well as their own names and addresses. The measure, introduced on Friday, also calls for this information to be recorded on each customer's digital file and stored for a full two years. Perhaps most troubling is the fact that the bill includes virtually no restrictions on how ISPs can use (read: "sell") this information, nor does it specify whether law enforcement authorities would need a court order to obtain a user's dossier from an ISP. And, because it applies to any firm that "provides access to the Internet," the law could conceivably be expanded to include not just service providers, but internet cafes, hotels or other businesses.

Democratic Representative John Mizuno is the lead sponsor of the bill, though his support already seems to be waning. Not long after H.B. 2288 was introduced, Republican Representative Kymberly Pine told CNET that she would be withdrawing her support for it, adding that her intent was not to track Hawaiian web surfing, but to simply protect "victims of crime." "We do not want to know where everyone goes on the Internet," Pine explained. "That's not our interest. We just want the ability for law enforcement to be able to capture the activities of crime." Pine went on to acknowledge that the proposal has come under fire from many civil libertarians and internet companies within the state, and that the measure will likely be revised. In retrospect, she said, the concept of storing personal information "was a little broad," and Hawaii's lawmakers "deserved" the criticism they received during today's hearing.

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]]> businessconstitutiondemocratfourth amendmentFourthAmendmentgovernmenthawaiiinternet service providerInternetServiceProviderISPlawlegislationpoliticsprivacyrepublicantrackingUSweb Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:15:00 -0500 21|20158152 <![CDATA[FCC tells advertisers to CALM down, lowers the volume on commercial breaks]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/14/fcc-tells-advertisers-to-calm-down-lowers-the-volume-on-commerc/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/14/fcc-tells-advertisers-to-calm-down-lowers-the-volume-on-commerc/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/14/fcc-tells-advertisers-to-calm-down-lowers-the-volume-on-commerc/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Pretty soon, you won't have to scramble to lower the volume during noisy commercial breaks -- that's if you even watch live TV. After making its way through Capitol Hill, the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act (or CALM) -- which aims to keep the sounds coming out of your flat panel even-keeled -- has just been adopted in a ruling by the FCC. Starting next December, ads and promos will have to remain in-step with the audio levels of scheduled programming. While the affected parties have a full year to get their acts together, the main burden of enforcement lies with broadcasters and MVPDs like Comcast and Verizon FiOS. So, come next holiday season, you'll be able to tune in and tune out without being blown away.

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]]> actadvertisingaudiocalmcalm actCalmActCommercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation ActCommercialAdvertisementLoudnessMitigationActcommercialscongressdecibelsfcchdpostcrosslawlegallegislationloudloudnessnoisenoisynuisancepassedrulesoundtvtv commercialsTvCommercialsvolume Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:31:00 -0500 21|20128041 <![CDATA[Google, Facebook, Twitter and others speak out against the Stop Online Piracy Act]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/16/google-facebook-twitter-and-others-speak-out-against-the-stop/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/16/google-facebook-twitter-and-others-speak-out-against-the-stop/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/16/google-facebook-twitter-and-others-speak-out-against-the-stop/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Earlier today, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act (or SOPA) which, depending on who you ask, is either a means to stop piracy and copyright infringement on so-called "rogue" websites, or the most serious threat of internet censorship that we've seen in some time. In the latter camp are some of the biggest internet companies around, including Google, Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo, eBay, LinkedIn, Mozilla, Zynga and AOL (full disclosure: Engadget's parent company), who today made their stance clear by taking out a full-page ad in The New York Times.

The ad itself is a letter sent by the nine companies to Congress, which states that while they support the stated goals of the bill and the related Protect IP Act, they believe that, as written, the bills "would expose law-abiding U.S. Internet and technology companies to new uncertain liabilities, private rights of action, and technology mandates that would require monitoring of web sites." The companies further went on to say that they believe the measures also "pose a serious risk to our industry's continued track record of innovation and job-creation, as well as to our Nation's cybersecurity." While they didn't all sign onto the letter, those companies also also joined by a host of others who have spoken out against the legislation, including Foursquare and Tumblr. The sole witness against the proposed measures at today's hearing, however, was Google's copyright policy counsel, Katherine Oyama -- you can find her testimony on Google's Public Policy Blog linked below.

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]]> AOcensorshipcongresseBayfacebookfoursquaregooglehearinghouselegislationLinkedInMozillapiracyprotect ip actProtectIpActsenatesopastop online piracy actStopOnlinePiracyActtumblrtwiiterTwitterYahooZynga Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:43:00 -0500 21|20108134 <![CDATA[Senate to vote on net neutrality repeal today, Obama counters with a veto threat (update: 52-46 vote in favor of net neutrality)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/10/senate-to-vote-on-net-neutrality-repeal-today-obama-counters-wi/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/10/senate-to-vote-on-net-neutrality-repeal-today-obama-counters-wi/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/10/senate-to-vote-on-net-neutrality-repeal-today-obama-counters-wi/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments The US Senate is slated to vote on a repeal of the FCC's controversial net neutrality regulations today, just a few days before they're scheduled to go into effect. Today's vote, like most these days, is expected to be divided along party lines, with most Democrats standing in favor of the rules, and Republicans calling for them to be overturned. Texas Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, who sponsored the resolution, claims that the FCC's regulations would obstruct innovation and investment by jeopardizing the openness upon which the web has thrived, thus far. "The internet and technology have produced more jobs in this country than just about any other sector," Hutchinson argued. "It has been the cradle of innovation, it does not have a problem, and it does not need fixing." Senate Republicans aren't the only ones taking issue with the rules, either. Both Verizon and MetroPCS have already publicly aired their grievances, with the former filing a formal appeal in late September.

But Senate Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller believes the GOP-led opposition won't be strong enough to overcome his Democratic majority. "There's still 53 of us, and if we stay together we'll win," Rockefeller said. "I think we're going to prevail." Even if they don't, they'll still have the backing of the White House, which has already threatened to veto the resolution, should it survive past the Senate floor. "It would be ill-advised to threaten the very foundations of innovation in the Internet economy and the democratic spirit that has made the Internet a force for social progress around the world," the White House said in a statement, adding that the FCC's rules provide an "effective but flexible" means of preserving the web's intrinsically wild, wild west nature. Rockefeller, however, certainly isn't banking on a presidential veto to bail his party out. "You can take the cheap way out and just say, 'What if we fail, then Obama will veto it,'" he explained. "But that speaks so badly of us." All told, it's shaping up to be another net neutrality showdown on the Hill, but we'll keep you updated on the latest developments.

Update: It wasn't an overwhelming victory, but the Senate today rejected the attempt to repeal the FCC's net neutrality rules in a 52 to 46 vote that fell largely along party lines.

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]]> barack obamaBarackObamabusinessdemocratfccindustrylawlegislationMetroPCSnet neutralityNetNeutralitypoliticspresident obamaPresidentObamaregulationrepealrepublicanresolutionsenateUS senateUsSenateverizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvotewhite houseWhiteHouse Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:25:00 -0500 21|20103274 <![CDATA[Verizon appeals net neutrality rules, let the legal wrangling begin]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/30/verizon-appeals-net-neutrality-rules-let-the-legal-wrangling-be/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/30/verizon-appeals-net-neutrality-rules-let-the-legal-wrangling-be/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/30/verizon-appeals-net-neutrality-rules-let-the-legal-wrangling-be/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments FCC Net Neutrality We told you it was only a matter of time and, honestly, it took a bit longer than expected. Verizon has officially filed an appeal to the FCC's net neutrality rules, which are set to take effect on Novemeber 20th. It wasn't until the regulations were published in the Federal Register on September 23rd that they became fair game for legal challenges -- a technicality that resulted in Verizon's previous attempt to block the rules being tossed out by the US Court of Appeals in April. While Verizon senior vice president and deputy general counsel, Michael E. Glover, assures netizens that the company is "fully committed to an open Internet," it none-the-less takes issue with the FCC's attempt to institute new "broad" and "sweeping" regulations on the telecommunications industry. We're sure this is only the first of several cases that will be brought before the courts challenging the commission's authority. Stayed tuned to see if and when MetroPCS re-enters the fray, and to find out the ultimate fate of net neutrality here in the US. Check out the brief statement from Verizon after the break.

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]]> appealbroadbandchallengefccfederal registerFederalRegisterinternetlaw suitLawSuitlegislationNet NeutralityNetNeutralityopen internetopen internet rulesOpenInternetOpenInternetRulesregulationregulationsrulesverizon Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:08:00 -0400 21|20071131 <![CDATA[America may join the net neutrality parade on November 20th, if the courts let it]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/america-may-join-the-net-neutrality-parade-on-november-20th-if/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/america-may-join-the-net-neutrality-parade-on-november-20th-if/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/america-may-join-the-net-neutrality-parade-on-november-20th-if/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Net Neutrality FCC Well America, on November 20th you too will finally have net neutrality regulations all your own... provided the anticipated pile of lawsuits don't derail the process. The FCC will publish its "open internet rules" in the Federal Register tomorrow, making the regulations official. These are the same fairly modest proposals that were passed nearly a year ago over Republican opposition and, on that fateful day in November, they're scheduled to take effect. The rules have already faced challenges from Congress, Verizon and MetroPCS, but those suits were dismissed since the regulations technically didn't exist. After tomorrow though, any and all legal challenges will be fair game. Since the FCC is relying on its ancillary powers instead of reclassifying broadband as a Tier II service (similar to telephone landlines), those challenges could actually meet with success. If you need a refresher, just check out or guide to net neutrality as well as our interview with advocate and law professor Tim Wu. Now, we just have to wait and see what tomorrow will bring.

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]]> broadbandfccfederal registerFederalRegisterlegislationNet NeutralityNetNeutralityopen internetopen internet rulesOpenInternetOpenInternetRulesregulation Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:09:00 -0400 21|20050159 <![CDATA[US Senate passes patent system reform bill, Obama expected to sign into law]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/09/us-senate-passes-patent-system-reform-bill-obama-expected-to-si/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/09/us-senate-passes-patent-system-reform-bill-obama-expected-to-si/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/09/us-senate-passes-patent-system-reform-bill-obama-expected-to-si/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Think it's time to change our patent system? So does Congress. Yesterday, the Senate approved the America Invents Act by an 89-8 vote that could bring about the most drastic changes to the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in five decades. Under the bill, which the House approved back in June, patents would be awarded not to the first person to invent a technology, but to the first one to actually file with the USPTO, bringing US policy in line with protocol adopted in most other countries. It also calls for a streamlined application process and would allow the USPTO to charge set fees for all apps. The revenue generated from these fees would go directly to a capped reserve fund, allowing the office to retain the lion's share of the money, rather than funneling much of it to Congress, as had become the norm.

Supporters say this extra revenue will give the USPTO more power to chip away at its backlog of some 700,000 patent applications, while a new third-party challenge system will help eliminate patents that should've never received approval in the first place. Opponents, meanwhile, criticized the bill for not eliminating fee diversion altogether (an amendment that would've placed more severe restrictions was ultimately killed, for fear that it would jeopardize the bill's passage), with Washington Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell questioning the legislation's impact on small businesses, calling it "a big corporation patent giveaway that tramples on the rights of small inventors." But Senator Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat who sponsored the bill, argued that yesterday's approval marks a major and historic inflection point in US patent policy:

The creativity that drives our economic engine has made America the global leader in invention and innovation. The America Invents Act will ensure that inventors large and small maintain the competitive edge that has put America at the pinnacle of global innovation. This is historic legislation. It is good policy.

The America Invents Act will now make its way to President Obama's desk, where it's expected to receive his signature. For more background on the legislation, check out the links below.

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]]> america invents actamerica invents act 2011AmericaInventsActAmericaInventsAct2011applicationapprovalbarack obamaBarackObamabillbipartisancongressdemocratfeefee diversionFeeDiversionhouse of representativesHouseOfRepresentativesinnovationintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyinventionIPlawlegislationmaria cantwellMariaCantwellmoneypasspatentpatent trollPatentTrollpatrick leahyPatrickLeahypolicypoliticsrepublicanrevenuesenatortrademarktrollingUS patent and trademark officeUS senateUsPatentAndTrademarkOfficeUSPTOUsSenate Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:31:00 -0400 21|20038452 <![CDATA[Dutch parliament passes strict new law regulating cookies -- the non-edible variety]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/23/dutch-parliament-passes-strict-new-law-regulating-cookies-the/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/23/dutch-parliament-passes-strict-new-law-regulating-cookies-the/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/23/dutch-parliament-passes-strict-new-law-regulating-cookies-the/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Well, it's certainly been an interesting month for those interested in all things technology-related in the Netherlands. Just last week, the Royal Dutch Mint showed off some new coins emblazoned with QR Codes promising untold "surprises," and this week the Dutch parliament made a bit of history by passing the first net neutrality legislation in the EU. Now it's taken aim at another target: internet cookies. Despite warnings that it could cause websites to flee en masse to less-restrictive countries in Europe, the parliament has also passed an amendment to the net neutrality law that drastically changes how cookies are handled on the web. Specifically, websites will have to prove that visitors explicitly agreed to allow cookies, which likely means an extra click or a pop-up window before anyone's able to actually visit a site. Of course, there's also the possibility that it could lead to a drop in a cookie use in the country, although that seems about as likely as a drop in actual cookie consumption.

[Thanks, Lucian; image: The Bygone Bureau]

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]]> cookiecookiesdutchdutch parliamentDutchParliamentinternetlawlegislationnetherlands Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:00:00 -0400 21|19974797 <![CDATA[Rep. Eshoo intros 4G disclosure act, hopes to turn consumers into techies]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/22/rep-eshoo-intros-4g-disclosure-act-hopes-to-turn-consumers-int/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/22/rep-eshoo-intros-4g-disclosure-act-hopes-to-turn-consumers-int/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/22/rep-eshoo-intros-4g-disclosure-act-hopes-to-turn-consumers-int/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments We're gonna shoot from the hip here -- wireless carriers have gotten a little out-of-hand with their 4G marketing. Even industry standard setter, the ITU, can't figure out a way to keep the story straight. This consumer disinformation loop is exactly what Rep. Anna Eshoo plans to undo with her "Next Generation Wireless Disclosure Act." Like its title says, the bill would force carriers to be absolutely, unfalteringly crystal clear on minimum data speeds, network reliability, accessible coverage maps, and, of course, the technology being used. Think the T-Mobile girl can handle that in thirty seconds? We didn't think so, either. Retailers tried a similar consumer hand-holding effort during the DTV transition, although that came without a regulatory shove. Hit the source for legalese in all its undisturbed glory, and while you wait for Uncle Sam to act, you can clear up any lingering confusion by diving into our primer.

[Image credit via Going WiMax]

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]]> 2g3g4gcdmacdma2000edgeev-doev-do rev. 0ev-do rev. aEv-doRev.0Ev-doRev.AHSPA PLUShspa+HspaPluslegislationLTElte 4gLte4gregulationregulatoryumtsWiMaxWiMax 4GWimax4gwireless Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:39:00 -0400 21|19973873 <![CDATA[Transportation Department to propose mandatory black boxes in passenger vehicles?]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/27/transportation-department-to-propose-mandatory-black-boxes-in-pa/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/27/transportation-department-to-propose-mandatory-black-boxes-in-pa/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/27/transportation-department-to-propose-mandatory-black-boxes-in-pa/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments A few years back, the Department of Transportation recommended that auto makers give car owners a heads up when they slip event data recorders -- also known as "black boxes" -- into new models. Now, it looks like the department is considering taking its policy a step (or several) further: a memo reveals that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plans to propose later this year that all new passenger vehicles have EDRs. So far, heavy-duty vehicles appear to be excluded, and either way, it's unclear how many years auto makers might have to work black boxes into their future models. Interestingly, when we asked a DoT staffer for clarification, he reminded us that the agency hasn't issued a press release and said he wasn't sure where Wired and other outlets were getting their information. Indeed, the Transportation Department hasn't proposed such a law yet, though it's pretty safe to say it's at least pondering it. Hit the source link to pore over the 197-page doc for yourselves (tip: we suggesting paying particular attention to page 54). [Warning: PDF source link]

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]]> black boxBlackBoxcarcar safetyCarSafetydepartment of transportationDepartmentOfTransportationEDRevent data recorderEventDataRecorderlegislationpolicyproposalregulationsafetytransportation departmentTransportationDepartmentvehicle Fri, 27 May 2011 14:38:00 -0400 21|19952122 <![CDATA[EU investigation to take a closer look at net neutrality]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/eu-investigation-to-take-a-closer-look-at-net-neutrality/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/eu-investigation-to-take-a-closer-look-at-net-neutrality/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/eu-investigation-to-take-a-closer-look-at-net-neutrality/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments The EU has commissioned an investigation into how European ISPs handle traffic and manage their networks, in a move that could lead to new legislation on net neutrality. The investigation, to be conducted by the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), will cover both mobile and fixed Internet providers, with particularly close attention paid to any barriers consumers may face when changing operators. BEREC will also consult with consumers and corporations to determine whether or not ISPs are being completely transparent about their traffic management practices, or advertised connection speeds. In a speech delivered yesterday, Neelie Kroes, the European Commission's Vice President for the Digital Agenda, admitted that some ISPs need to restrict some bandwidth-heavy services in order to protect their networks, but promised to publicly name and take action against any operators found to be stifling competition or consumer choice:
"Mark my words: if measures to enhance competition are not enough to bring Internet providers to offer real consumer choice, I am ready to prohibit the blocking of lawful services or applications. It's not OK for Skype and other such services to be throttled. That is anti-competitive. It's not OK to rip off consumers on connection speeds."
It's unlikely, however, that the EU will implement legislation as pointed as the net neutrality rules the FCC unveiled in the US, nor as expansive as the law that Chile introduced last summer. In a report issued yesterday, the EU affirmed that "operators should be allowed to determine their own business models and commercial arrangements" -- words that no doubt delighted many in Europe's ISP community. The results of BEREC's investigation are due to be published by the end of the year.

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]]> berecbusinessconsumerdigital agendaDigital Agenda for EuropeDigitalAgendaDigitalAgendaForEuropeEUeuropeEuropean CommissionEuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionFCCindustryinternet service providerInternetServiceProviderisplegislationNeelieKroesNet NeutralityNetNeutralitypoliticsregulationTraffic Wed, 20 Apr 2011 05:55:00 -0400 21|19918419 <![CDATA[House of Representatives votes to block FCC's net neutrality rules]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/08/house-of-representatives-votes-to-block-fccs-net-neutrality-rul/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/08/house-of-representatives-votes-to-block-fccs-net-neutrality-rul/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/08/house-of-representatives-votes-to-block-fccs-net-neutrality-rul/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Well, it looks like Republicans in the House of Representatives weren't about to let this one slip past a possible government shutdown -- they just passed a measure that seeks to block the FCC's net neutrality rules by a largely party line vote of 240 to 179. That follows a House subcommittee vote last month but, as then, the bill still faces an uphill battle in the Senate and with the President, who's expected to veto any such legislation if it somehow got to his desk. Not surprisingly, the rhetoric from both sides is only increasing following this latest development, with Democrat Rep. Henry Waxman saying the Republican bill would "end the internet as we know it," while Republican Rep. Fred Upton argues that "the internet is not broken and this bill will assure that the FCC does not break it."

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]]> billbreaking newsfcchousehouse of representativesHouseOfRepresentativeslegislationnet neutralitynet neutrality rulesNetNeutralityNetNeutralityRulesvote Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:26:00 -0400 21|19907710 <![CDATA[Federal Wi-Net bill proposes a femtocell and WiFi hotspot in every federal building]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/06/federal-wi-net-bill-proposes-a-femtocell-and-wifi-hotspot-in-eve/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/06/federal-wi-net-bill-proposes-a-femtocell-and-wifi-hotspot-in-eve/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/06/federal-wi-net-bill-proposes-a-femtocell-and-wifi-hotspot-in-eve/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Here's one way to fix the spectrum crunch: set up wireless base stations and WiFi hotspots in every single one of the 9,000 buildings currently owned and operated by the US General Services Administration. That idea, along with the proposal that such installations be made mandatory in all future federal structures, was put before the US Senate this Friday. It's argued that installing femtocells at those locations would improve reception indoors, lighten network loads in busy areas, and expand accessibility for more rural locales. Ubiquitous WiFi routers, on the other hand, hardly require any justification beyond "common sense," but you should be aware that the Federal Wi-Net bill also asks for a $15 million budget for the performance of retrofitting and future installs. Full PR after the break.

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]]> accessactbillbroadbandfederalfederal wi-net actFederalWi-netActfemtocellfemtocellsGeneral Services AdministrationGeneralServicesAdministrationgsahotspotinternetlawlegallegislationreceptionrulesenateususawifiwireless Mon, 06 Dec 2010 01:26:00 -0500 21|19747377 <![CDATA[CALM Act approved by Congress, should make TV commercials slightly less obnoxious]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/03/calm-act-approved-by-congress-should-make-tv-commercials-slight/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/03/calm-act-approved-by-congress-should-make-tv-commercials-slight/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/03/calm-act-approved-by-congress-should-make-tv-commercials-slight/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments We did say it'd take an Act of Congress to lower the volume on televisual commercials and, shockingly enough, that's exactly what we've got now. The House of Representatives has given its nod of approval to the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, which, having already cleared the Senate, is now on its way to President Obama's desk for final validation. Once signed into effect, the new legislation will require that all advertisers modulate their volume down so it's no higher than that of the program you're watching, and it'll be the FCC's duty to ensure that they all adhere to the new rule. A year's leniency will be allowed for all those who struggle with figuring out how to turn it down from 11, but after that we should all be able to watch the dying medium that is live television without dreading the commercial breaks.

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]]> actadvertisingaudiocalmcalm actCalmActCommercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation ActCommercialAdvertisementLoudnessMitigationActcommercialscongressdecibelsfcclawlegallegislationloudloudnessnoisenoisynuisancepassedrulesoundtvtv commercialsTvCommercialsvolume Fri, 03 Dec 2010 04:06:00 -0500 21|19743036 <![CDATA[President Obama signs bill to give disabled better access to technology]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/08/president-obama-signs-bill-to-give-disabled-better-access-to-tec/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/08/president-obama-signs-bill-to-give-disabled-better-access-to-tec/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/08/president-obama-signs-bill-to-give-disabled-better-access-to-tec/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Now this is something we can all get behind. Today, President Obama signed a bill pledging to see that the blind and deaf get better access to cellphones, the internet, and other technologies which are a necessity of life in the modern era. Joined by a group of lawmakers and Stevie Wonder, the president signed into law the bill which promises guaranteed access for 25 million blind or visually impaired and 38 million deaf or hearing impaired people living in the United States. New federal guidelines resulting from the bill include requiring improved user interfaces on smartphones, providing audible descriptions of television programming, captioning online programming, making telephone equipment compatible with hearing aids, and adding buttons to remote controls to provide quick access to closed captioning. The bill, S. 3304, should bring down the cost of these technologies for people who need them significantly.

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]]> accessbarack obamaBarackObamablindcellphonesclosed captioningClosedCaptioningdeaflaeslawlegislationobamapresident obamaPresidentObamaS. 3304S.3304smartphonestechnologyuser interfaceUserInterface Fri, 08 Oct 2010 20:35:00 -0400 21|19667357 <![CDATA[Finland the first country in the world to make broadband access a legal right]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/01/finland-the-first-country-in-the-world-to-make-broadband-access/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/01/finland-the-first-country-in-the-world-to-make-broadband-access/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/01/finland-the-first-country-in-the-world-to-make-broadband-access/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments We knew this was coming, but starting today, every citizen of Finland has the legal right to a 1Mbps broadband connection, meaning that providers are now required to make the connections available to everyone. The government of Finland has also promised to make good on its goal of getting every citizen with a 100Mbps connection by 2015, saying that they now consider internet access a basic requirement of daily life. We're with you on that one, we promise.

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]]> broadbandeueuropefinlandinternetinternet accessInternetAccesslawlawslegallegislation Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:25:00 -0400 21|19538612