Following protests…Iran again doing the ‘ol blocksie on the internet thing…again

Live in Iran today? Use Gmail or Yahoo. At least concerning the latter, who doesn’t? If you fulfill both requirements however, chances are you’re beginning to notice (if you haven’t already) that Gmail and Yahoo (as well as many other English language sites) have been given the ‘ol heave ho from the digital pipes flowing in and out of Iran. The latest crackdown appears to be a signal that another wave of arrests and oppressive government control is about to be unleashed. Also of interest, news agencies have received word from the National Security Council to NOT publish anything concerning fraud, opposition, or Musavi. While we all know censorship is bad and only increases those trying to get around it, it seems the people in power just don’t quite get that. As usual with such “sensitive” issues, RT away.

Slashdot < Reddit

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56Mbps HSPA+ mobile speeds coming to China Huawei users

Mobile internet junkies on China Huawei’s network have reason to celebrate. The arrival of 56Mbps download speeds has arrived. While here in the U.S., AT&T brags about 7.2 Mbps speeds, Huawei is ushering in the next gen now by actually putting dollars towards their network in a timely fashion. Current users of Huawei’s fourth gen and 38xx series base stations can take advantage of this new found speed with a simple software upgrade. *Super* Even more impressive and interesting however is the fact that the official HSPA+ spec maxes out at 42Mbps yet Huawei is somehow tapping 56Mbps. Indeed interesting. What kind of tom foolery are they doing behind the scenes to push past this limit? Surpassing the official specs is a sure bet. If it is in fact using unofficial specs, any guesses as to the reliability of the network?

Source: Cellular-News

T-Mobile UK raises roaming rates 50%

If you so choose to communicate with the world through a partnership with T-Mobile UK and just so happen to roam more than your average human, you may want to cash out on your 401K or other retirement savings just to make phone calls. Starting October 26th, T-Mobile UK is raising the price on roaming prices upwards of 50% to pretty much every country you can think of. Highway robbery I say. If you were looking to get out of your contract early you’re probably out of luck as T-Mo is giving you ample notice. Still, if you’ve got some digital beef, it never hurts to try I guess. If you’re calling destination isn’t on the list above, jump on in for an extended list with plenty more countries on the roster.

Wireless Logic/Teldat launch first SIM-enabled wireless backup service

If you run a business small or large and rely on any form of computer network to keep you up and running, experiencing a network outage can no doubt be a crushing blow to your budget. However, just because your traditional network goes down doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected. A joint partnership between Wireless Logic and Teldat is bringing the UK its first SIM-enabled wireless backup service. The service is basically a failsafe for your traditional hard line service in case of a failure. All the end user has to do is plug in Teldat’s SIM-enabled 3GE signal booster into their existing fixed line networks so that when a failure occurs, the SIM based network is activated allowing you and your company to continue conducting business over a variety of carriers’ 3G networks. “Competitively priced options” from Vodafone, O2 or Orange UK will give users some leeway in determining which carrier is the best option for them and their business. SIM-enabled backup options are to compete with other options a company is typically faced with such as adding a second backup ADSL line or employing a satellite backup both of which are more costly options and out of reach of many smaller businesses. However, with Wireless Logic and Teldat’s new SIM-enabled service, wireless backup should become more affordable.

Does this sound like a worthwhile option or is your company satisfied with their current setup?

• Press Release

Wireless Logic

Wordmonger iPhone game ported to Zune HD in 12 hours

Well that was fast. If you recently picked up a Zune HD, you have a new game to look forward to. Wordmonger, a word puzzle game by Foundation 42 has successfully been ported to the Zune HD from it’s iPhone counterpart. The nifty factoid: it was completed from start to finish in 12 hours! Talk about getting a leg up on the situation. Because Microsoft is currently keeping the Zune app market (or lack thereof) under tight control, interested hopefuls will have to download the developers kit in order to get this new found goodness on their unit. Hopefully M will take the locks off the app market and allow more end user options for publishing and downloading Zune HD apps. Once they do, expect Wordmonger to be among the first.

Check out a vid of the app in action just inside…

Geek Squad offering bargain $130 PS3 home setup — *Tip* Don’t Do It

In the age of technology quickly creeping into every aspect of our lives, we sit at a unique dividing line where the older generation is coming to a point where they have to quickly learn technology (as opposed to people born within the last 15-20 years which have more or less “grown up” with modern technology). Because of this learning and generation gap, there are groups of people who “get it” and those who don’t. Technology help groups such as Geek Squad are there for the those who don’t quite get technology and have no interest in learning. A sad thing to say the least. Looking to make a quick buck, these individuals are often taken advantage of as the Technology Specialist starts rattling off terms and phrases that might as well be in Latin to the unsuspecting person needing said service. However there has to come a point where we just have to say “STOP”. Stop with the customer raping. Stop with the taking advantage of unsuspecting people.

The latest case in point: Geek Squad’s new $130 PS3 home setup service. For the bargain price of $130, Geek Squad will come out to your house and spend 5 minutes doing what would take even the more technologically retarded 15-20, except for considerable more $$$. Let it be known there isn’t any fancy services that come with the high price tag. Instead such mundane tasks as hooking the PS3 up to your TV, setting up parental controls, installing firmware, and online account setup are the brain busters that warrant the theft of your money. Chances are if you’ve graduated to either gaming or movie watching on the PS3, you at least have some idea of what you’re doing in the digital age or know someone who does. To spend $130 for such simple and uninvolved services is a travesty of epic proportions. Please save the old guy next to you at Best Buy trying to be lured in to this seemingly “good deal” and tell him to go elsewhere. It’s the least you could do.

Gizmodo > Kotaku

Sony gets it’s own Red Ring Yellow Light of Death?

PS3 owners, have you experienced any issues with your console, specifically an illuminated yellow light that signals your unit is as good as dead? If you do, you’re not alone according to BBC and apparently even Sony, though the latter will beg to differ. After a BBC Watchdog program investigating the (increasing?) number of “Yellow Light of Death” occurrences on Sony’s PS3 went live, Sony naturally responded not so lovingly strongly denying the claims. First off, what exactly is the problem? The reason the show highlighting this YLoD even went on air was because over 150 PS3 owners had contacted BBC on the matter stating that their unit stopped working after a yellow light on the PS3 lit up rendering their console a big fancy paperweight. BBC goes even further in their documentary stating that of 2.5m PS3′s sold in the UK since March 2007, up to 12,500 PS3′s have been returned because of this so called YLoD. While not as widespread as the Xbox 360′s RRoD that made it’s rounds a couple years ago, the YLoD appears to be a legitimate problem. Or is it?