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Faster broadband "top of in-tray"

The man who will be in charge of the government’s Digital Britain plans has been named at Stephen Timms, the current treasury minister.

Following the departure of communications minister Lord Carter, author of the recent Digital Britain report, Timms will take on the “extra ministerial responsibilities” within Lord Mandelson’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills this autumn.

Joining Timms is the creative industries minister, Sion Simon, who will handle the relevant aspects of the plan for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

“Building a 21st century knowledge economy is at the heart of government’s vision. It’s vital for jobs and growth that Britain is able to maximise the benefits of the digital revolution”, Timms said.

“I look forward to driving this project forward in my joint role working in the Treasury and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills”.

“At the top of my in-tray will be plans to ensure faster broadband access for homes and businesses and combating digital piracy – as we move towards publication of the Digital Economy Bill”.

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Related links:

• News – Digital Britain report published
• News – Gordon Brown talks up "Digital Britain"

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Biz Software Digital Britain Broadband Stephen Timms

"Digital Britain" chief named as Stephen Timms originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:10:20 +0100

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"Beneath A Steel Sky – Remastered" for iPhone first new title

UK games developer Revolution Software has announced it is to open a new division to offer games as digital downloads for the current crop of popular handheld devices.

“Revolution Pocket” will produce both original and “classic” titles for the iPhone, iPod touch and Android platform as well as the PSP Go, DSi shop “and other online stores”.

“Beneath A Steel Sky – Remastered” is the first title being developed by the division that will be launching initially for iPhone and iPod touch in the autumn and then roll out across other handheld formats.

“Beneath A Steel Sky – Remastered is just the start of what we want to do. We’ll be announcing more Revolution Pocket titles soon – some of which people will recognise, others which will be wholly original”, the company says.

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Gaming Mobile phone games Revolution Software iPhone apps PSP Go Nintendo DS

Revolution Software announces digital division for handhelds originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:59:05 +0100

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Lots more Pre apps incoming

Following the early access program, described as “successful”, that we brought you news of, Palm has announced that the Pre’s Mojo Software Development Kit is now available to “all interested app developers”.

Mojo lets developers integrate their applications into “core” webOS functionality, such as linked contacts, layered calendars, multitasking, notifications and GPS capabilities with the apps running “natively” on the device, not dependent on a server connection.

In a blog post, Palm says the reaction to webOS apps – from both developers and customers – has been “enthusiastic”.

In its initial beta stage, over 1.8 million apps have been downloaded from the beta App Catalog since Palm Pre was released in the States less than six weeks ago.

The SDK can now be downloaded by anyone with a valid email address from developer.palm.com, as well as access associated documentation and new Mojo developer forums.

Palm promises new applications “are in the pipeline” for the Palm App Catalog, and the App Catalog submission process will be opened to all developers beginning in the autumn, which will be the time we really see a potential flood of Pre apps.

This will mean when the Pre hits the UK through operator O2 “before Christmas”, we get a much wider choice of applications for the phone, something that will hopefully make up for the late arrival of the device.

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Related links:

• News – Palm announces expanded webOS SDK programme
• News – O2 confirms it’ll be selling the Palm Pre

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Phones Mobile phone apps Pre Software Operating Systems

Palm opens Mojo webOS SDK to all originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:50:43 +0100

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Sunnies with storage

Apparently due from ck Calvin Klein this autumn, the designer label has decided to add a bit of USB chic to its sunglasses.

The sun goggs get a detachable arm that pulls away from the main frame to reveal a USB flash drive good for 4GB of data storage.

Spies and label-lovers take note – the USB-equipped glasses will go on sale in October for $199.

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Related links:

• News – USB engagement ring launched
• Via – GetUSB

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Calvin Klein USB sunglasses revealed originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:23:45 +0100

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400 take part in non-violent protest

Just the other day, Germany banned the “public display” of Counterstrike – a video game that the government blames for a recent spate of school shootings.

It’s also been making noises about banning violent games entirely. But the gaming community is starting to mobilise against the political groundswell, as depicted in the video above.

400 gamers showed up to a protest in the city of Karlsruhe, peacefully marching around the city and waving placards. More protests are due – in Cologne, Karlsruhe and Berlin on 25 July.

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Related links:

• News – Germany bans "public display" of Counterstrike
• Via – GamePolitics

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Gaming Biz Germany Counterstrike Video

German gamers protest against violent game crackdown originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:53:59 +0100

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