IM proves six degrees of separation

A social graph derived from billions of instant messages validates folklore that there are about six degrees of separation between any two strangers on the planet, says AFP.

A research team at US software giant Microsoft studied 30 billion instant messages sent by 240 million people in June of 2006 and determined that, on average, any two could be linked in 6.6 steps.

"We've been able to put our finger on the social pulse of human connectivity, on a planetary scale, and we've confirmed that it's indeed a small world," says Microsoft researcher Eric Horvitz.

The NYPD is embracing picture messaging and any other camera or video camera technology in its fight against wrongdoers, reports Into mobile.

Following an incident last year involving an act of police brutality, caught on video and posted to YouTube, the NYPD is inviting citizens to send in pictures and videos of any criminal actions, whether the illegal acts are being carried out by citizens or police officers.

The move mirrors camera phone initiatives in Boston and Cincinnati, enlisting citizens in the fight against crime.

Industry observers are weighing in on plans by two of Canada's wireless carriers to charge for text messaging, denouncing claims that the service overloads cellphone networks as a money grab, states National Post.

The debate may fan the flames of a burning issue among Canadian cellphone users after BCE Bell Mobility unit and Telus announced they would be charging subscribers 15c for each incoming text message later this month.

One of the chief reasons the two companies have given their subscribers for the pending action is the need to accommodate a larger volume of traffic.