Augmented reality comes to cellphones

A new wave of innovation in the mobile market will bring augmented reality to smartphones, allowing users to interact virtually with their surroundings, says CNet.

Augmented reality is a term that refers to technology that superimposes computer-generated content over live images viewed through cameras.

Thanks to more sophisticated devices, faster wireless broadband networks, and new developments at the chip level by companies like Qualcomm, the technology has become inexpensive enough to put into smartphones and tablets.

BT has admitted it sent the personal details of more than 500 customers as an unsecured document to legal firm ACS:Law, following a court order, writes the BBC.

The news could put BT in breach of the Data Protection Act, which requires firms to keep customers' data secure at all times.

The e-mails emerged following a security lapse at ACS:Law. A BT official admitted "unencrypted" personal data was sent, adding it "would not happen again".

A New York state judge has ruled that a woman's deleted postings on Facebook and MySpace must be turned over to a company fighting allegations she suffered “permanent injuries” that have prevented her from living an active lifestyle, reveals The Register.

Last week's decision said Kathleen Romano had no reasonable expectation that the information she posted to restricted parts of the social networking sites would remain private, even if she had previously deleted it.

Because the postings may contradict claims she made about the injuries she sustained, they are fair game under New York's discovery procedures.

The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has confirmed it is in the process of imposing fines against organisations that have breached the Data Protection Act, reports Computing.co.uk.

Deputy information commissioner David Smith told V3.co.uk, at an Internet Society event, in London, that the regulator hopes the fines will make a significant statement about data protection.

"This will be a landmark moment in ensuring that firms take [data protection] seriously," he said.