Student programmers solve real-world challenges
An interface that allows hearing-impaired people to communicate with others using an augmented-reality environment took home the grand prize of $25,000 in the eighth annual Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals in Poland, a prestigious international programming contest for high school and college students.
Students, meet your new teacher, Mr. Robot
Computer scientists are developing machines that can teach people simple skills, like household tasks and vocabulary, reports the New York Times.
Google launches do-it-yourself app creation software
Google is bringing Android software development to the masses, reports the New York Times.
Boston judge cuts penalty in song-sharing case
A federal judge on July 9 drastically trimmed a $675,000 verdict against a Boston University graduate student who was found liable for illegally downloading and sharing 30 songs online, saying the jury damage award against a person who gained no financial benefit from his copyright infringement is “unconstitutionally excessive,” reports the Associated Press.
Judge OKs iPhone class action against Apple, AT&T
A federal judge says a monopoly abuse lawsuit against Apple Inc. and AT&T Inc.’s mobile phone unit can move forward as a class action, reports the Associated Press.
Australia delays internet filter to review content
Australia’s widely criticized proposal to mandate a national web filter blocking child pornography and other objectionable internet content has been delayed at least a year so the government can review what content should be restricted, reports the Associated Press.
Brown University expands Google services, could save $1M per year
Reports of Gmail’s demise, it seems, have been greatly exaggerated. After a spring that saw at least three prominent universities move away from Google’s eMail and applications, technology officials at Brown University will expand the tools beyond its undergraduates this summer after faculty clamored for the services over the past year–a move that could save $1 million annually.
Study: U.S. mobile web use growing, but still low
When it comes to accessing the web over mobile devices, Americans are far behind their internet-connected counterparts in Japan, South Korea, and parts of Europe, reports the Associated Press.
Louisiana governor signs cyber-bullying law
Cyber bullying is now officially a crime in Louisiana, reports the Advocate of Baton Rouge. Gov. Bobby Jindal announced July 7 that he signed House Bill 1259 into law, along with 47 other bills from the 2010 legislative session.
Pew study: The web is redefining our relationships, reputations
Most people agree that the internet has and will continue to be positive for social relations. But according to a survey by the Pew Research Center, it’s also presented many more challenges, and perhaps opportunities, for how reputations are made, tarnished, and remade, reports the Washington Post.