MusicDNA to succeed MP3
Norwegian technology company Bach is to unveil a digital music file, which will have additional content including lyrics, news updates and images embedded, says Computing.co.uk.
The file, called MusicDNA, is touted as a successor to the MP3 file. MusicDNA will only be available from legitimate sites, and is an attempt to counter piracy in the form of illegal downloads.
Essentially it is an MP3 player with extras, and can be downloaded onto fans' computers, where it will be updated when labels, bands or retailers send out information. This might include future tour dates, interviews or updates to social networking pages.
Full-body scanner blind to bomb parts
Most of the uproar over full-body scanners has focused on privacy concerns. There's one larger question, however, that hasn't received much scrutiny, and that is whether they work, writes The Register.
One German TV station says no. By way of Americablog comes a video of a man easily concealing the makings of high-temperature combustibles in a manner that evaded a full-body scanner.
As the blogger writes: "Even if you don't understand German, it's easy enough to follow how this physicist beat the system."
Satellite images help insure Kenya cattle
A new insurance scheme has been introduced in northern Kenya which offers herdsmen a chance to protect their livestock against drought, reports the BBC.
The initiative uses satellite technology to check the pasture available for the herders.
Arid northern Kenya suffered a severe drought last year and hundreds of thousands of animals died.
Italy clamps down on Internet videos
An Italian decree that would require the vetting of videos with sexual or violent content could take effect as soon as 4 February, states CNet.
The government decree, which affects sites such as Google's YouTube, would also require sites that regularly upload videos to obtain a licence to operate in Italy, the Associated Press reported Friday.
Companies and organisations, including Google, telecommunications providers, and press watchdog groups, are seeking changes in the proposed decree. They assert that it would hurt freedom of expression and be extremely difficult to enforce and monitor.
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