Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[EU competition head gives Google a 'matter of weeks' to offer an antitrust fix]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/eu-competition-head-gives-google-weeks-to-offer-antitrust-deal/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/eu-competition-head-gives-google-weeks-to-offer-antitrust-deal/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/eu-competition-head-gives-google-weeks-to-offer-antitrust-deal/#comments EU flag

The European Union has been taking a leisurely pace investigating Google over possible antitrust abuses, but it's now accelerating to a full-on sprint. European Commission competition head Joaquin Almunia has given Google just a "matter of weeks" to propose how it would patch things up and soften fears that it was unfairly pushing its own web services over others. If Google makes the Commission happy, Almunia says, the whole investigation might wrap up and avoid fines. Google hasn't responded yet, but we wouldn't guarantee that it makes a deal: its execs have usually argued that there's nothing keeping users from going to another search site, and the company has been eager to emphasize that competition still exists. That said, Google only has to see what happened to Microsoft to know how expensive an EU antitrust fight can be.

EU competition head gives Google a 'matter of weeks' to offer an antitrust fix originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidantitrustantitrust regulationsAntitrustRegulationscompetition commissionCompetitionCommissionecEUeuropeEuropean CommissionEuropean unionEuropean Union Competition CommissionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionEuropeanUnionCompetitionCommissionfinefinesgooglegoogle androidGoogleAndroidInternetJoaquin AlmuniaJoaquinAlmuniaMicrosoftsearchsearch enginesearch enginesSearchEngineSearchEnginestravelMon, 21 May 2012 09:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Europe votes to cap data roaming prices, will make it cheaper to tweet from Ibiza]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/10/europe-votes-to-cap-data-roaming-prices/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/10/europe-votes-to-cap-data-roaming-prices/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/10/europe-votes-to-cap-data-roaming-prices/#comments European Union flags

European Union countries already had a data roaming cutoff law in place to prevent bill shock after your next Balearic vacation, but the price of the data in question should get much cheaper very soon. The European Parliament has just voted 578 to 10 to cap the price customers pay at no more than 70 Euro cents (91 US cents) per megabyte starting from July 1st, with that price eventually dipping to 45 Euro cents (58c US) a year later and just 20 Euro cents (26 US cents) in 2014. Voice and text price caps are going down to as little as 19 and nine Euro cents (25 and 12 cents US) in that two-year span, and if you're visiting from outside the EU, you'll be glad to hear that the anti-bill shock rule will apply to you this year as well. So, while you still might want to avoid uploading large videos from your phone while in Spain, you'll at least have the option of checking in on Foursquare without having to take out a small mortgage.

Europe votes to cap data roaming prices, will make it cheaper to tweet from Ibiza originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 23:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphonecellphonesdatadata capdata cappingData Roamingdata roaming chargesDataCapDataCappingDataRoamingDataRoamingChargeseuropaeuropeEuropean CommissionEuropean ParliamentEuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanParliamentEuropeanUnionmobilepostcrossroamingThu, 10 May 2012 23:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Expedia adds to Google's EU antitrust woes, decision expected after Easter]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/31/expedia-google-eu-antitrust/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/31/expedia-google-eu-antitrust/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/31/expedia-google-eu-antitrust/#comments Google's position as the dominant search engine doesn't come without a price. Smaller search sites have already tapped on the EU Commission's door to register their complaints about how they are ranked, and Microsoft has also let its feelings on the matter be known. Now, we can add the Redmond spin-off, Expedia, to that list of sore losers disgruntled firms. The travel search site claims it has specific details outlining how the search giant has violated European anti-competitive laws. A Google spokesperson issued a statement saying "We haven't seen the complaint yet, but we've been working to explain how our business works, cooperating with the European Commission since this investigation began." The EU Competition Commissioner says a decision will be made after Easter, at which point Mountain View will either be charged, or the investigation will be dropped. If only that were the end of its EU troubles.

Expedia adds to Google's EU antitrust woes, decision expected after Easter originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anticompetitiveantitrustcompetitioncomplainteceueuropeEuropean Commissioneuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionexpediafairnessformalgoogleinternetlawlegalmonopolyobjectionregulatorsSat, 31 Mar 2012 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Orange says it'll bring LTE to all of its EU markets by 2015]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/orange-lte-europe-africa-middle-east/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/orange-lte-europe-africa-middle-east/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/orange-lte-europe-africa-middle-east/#comments Image
Orange made a bold pledge to the future of Europe's "digital economy" yesterday, promising to bring 4G / LTE networks to all EU markets by the year 2015, and reaffirming its commitment to Africa and the Middle East. The France-based carrier outlined its plan during an event in Brussels, where CEO Stéphane Richard and European Commission digital chief Neelie Kroes met to discuss the Commission's "Digital Agenda for Europe." Orange laid out ten commitments in total, including a promise to make FTTH available for 15 million households and 80 percent of all businesses in France by the year 2020. It also vowed to bring 3 million NFC-enabled handsets to the EU this year, and 10 million by the year 2013. Perhaps most salient to Kroes' agenda was Orange's promise to offer customers a privacy "dashboard" by the year 2015, allowing them to more directly control their personal data. In Africa and the Middle East, meanwhile, the company is looking to roll out its 3G network by the year 2015, in the hopes of providing 80 percent of the population with mobile services. For more promises and optimism, check out the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Orange says it'll bring LTE to all of its EU markets by 2015

Orange says it'll bring LTE to all of its EU markets by 2015 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 06:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3g4gafricaECEUeuropeeuropean commissioneuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionftthltemobilepostminiNeelie KroesNeelieKroesNFCorangeWed, 21 Mar 2012 06:21:00 EST<![CDATA[EU: Google's new privacy policy breaches European law]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/eu-googles-new-privacy-policy-breaches-european-law/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/eu-googles-new-privacy-policy-breaches-european-law/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/eu-googles-new-privacy-policy-breaches-european-law/#comments EU: Google's new privacy policy breaches European lawRemember how proud Google was when it unified all of its services under a single privacy policy? Well, Big G's excitement was tempered when the EU asked it to hold off on the policy's implementation while it investigated the changes. And its enthusiasm is likely all but extinguished now that EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding has declared the policy to be in breach of European law. She found fault with the fact that the EU wasn't consulted in the policy's formation, the policy doesn't meet transparency requirements, and it allows Google to give people's private data to third parties. No word on what Europa's governing body will do with such findings in hand, but it seems certain that the crew in Mountain View's got some policy revisions to make. Guess simplifying those privacy policies wasn't so simple, was it?

EU: Google's new privacy policy breaches European law originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eueuropeeuropean unionEuropeanUniongoogleprivacyprivacy issuesprivacy policyPrivacyIssuesPrivacyPolicyViviane RedingVivianeRedingThu, 01 Mar 2012 13:46:00 EST<![CDATA[European Parliament approves January 2013 deadline for 4G spectrum free up]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/european-parliament-approves-january-2013-deadline-for-4g-spectr/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/european-parliament-approves-january-2013-deadline-for-4g-spectr/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/european-parliament-approves-january-2013-deadline-for-4g-spectr/#comments Back in November, the European Commission, European Parliament and its member states agreed on plans to repurpose their 800MHz frequency bands for 4G mobile networks. Today, that decision has been officially approved. The Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP) has been set up to coordinate the use of this spectrum for fourth-generation services across the continent. Currently, 800MHz is used for analog television, but the new ruling gives member nations until the 1st of January 2013 to switch over to digital and authorize the band for its new role. Those nations dragging their heels can obtain an exemption, but mobile operators will be eager to see the spectrum freed up before then if possible. Swedish politician Gunnar Hökmark, who pushed for the legislation, hopes that it could lead to the EU having the fastest mobile broadband worldwide. Just don't tell AT&T.

European Parliament approves January 2013 deadline for 4G spectrum free up originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4g800mhzanalogbroadbanddigitaldigital switchoverDigitalSwitchoverEUeuropeeuropean commissionEuropean Councileuropean parliamenteuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanCouncilEuropeanParliamentEuropeanUnionfrequencygovernmentlawlteradio spectrum policy programmeRadioSpectrumPolicyProgrammeRSSPwireless broadbandWirelessBroadbandWed, 15 Feb 2012 23:29:00 EST<![CDATA[EU regulators ask Google to 'pause' its privacy changes, need more time to investigate]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/google-eu-privacy-pause/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/google-eu-privacy-pause/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/google-eu-privacy-pause/#comments
Google has gone to great lengths to clarify its revamped privacy policy, but a regulatory body in the European Union thinks the company is moving a little too fast. Today, European regulators formally requested that Google "pause" its rollout, in order to give the EU more time to investigate its forthcoming changes. "Given the wide range of services you offer, and the popularity of these services, changes in your privacy policy may affect many citizens in most or all of the EU member states," the EU's Data Protection Working Party wrote in a letter to Google CEO Larry Page yesterday. "We wish to check the possible consequences for the protection of the personal data of these citizens in a coordinated way." The body didn't specify how much time it would need to investigate, but it stressed that doing so would help to ensure absolute transparency among European users. "[W]e call for a pause in the interests of ensuring that there can be no misunderstanding about Google's commitments to information rights of their users and EU citizens, until we have completed our analysis," the letter reads.

Viviane Reding, Europe's commissioner on data protection, heralded the move as an important step in asserting EU authority over online privacy and regulations, but Google was somewhat taken aback by the request. "We briefed most of the members of the working party in the weeks leading up to our announcement," said company spokesman Al Verney. "None of them expressed substantial concerns at the time, but of course we're happy to speak with any data protection authority that has questions." It's worth noting that Google isn't legally bound to heed the Working Party's request, though we'd expect the company to seek some sort of compromise with Europe's regulators, as it has in the past.

EU regulators ask Google to 'pause' its privacy changes, need more time to investigate originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>datadata protectionDataProtectioneueuropeeuropean unionEuropeanUniongooglegovernmentpersonal datapersonal informationPersonalDataPersonalInformationpolicypoliticsprivacyprivacy policyPrivacyPolicyregulatorFri, 03 Feb 2012 07:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung faces EU antitrust investigation over mobile patents]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/31/samsung-faces-eu-antitrust-investigation-over-mobile-patents/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/31/samsung-faces-eu-antitrust-investigation-over-mobile-patents/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/31/samsung-faces-eu-antitrust-investigation-over-mobile-patents/#comments Samsung's European legal woes don't look to be abating anytime soon, as the EU today formally launched an investigation into the Korean manufacturers' competitive practices. At issue are, not surprisingly, a collection of patents that Samsung has used to launch a series of lawsuits against rival companies. The manufacturer maintains that these patents are essential to complying with European mobile standards, but the EU says Samsung may be in violation of a promise it made more than ten years ago. Back in 1998, the firm said it would license these essential telephonic patents to competing manufacturers, under the terms outlined in FRAND. The Commission explained the obligation and its potential ramifications in the following statement:

The Commission will investigate, in particular, whether in doing so (seeking injunctions on patent infringements in 2011) Samsung has failed to honor its irrevocable commitment given in 1998 to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute to license any standard essential patents relating to European mobile telephony standards on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. The Commission will examine whether such behavior amounts to an abuse of a dominant position prohibited by Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.

No word yet on how long the investigation may take, but we'll be sure to keep you updated going forward.

Continue reading Samsung faces EU antitrust investigation over mobile patents

Samsung faces EU antitrust investigation over mobile patents originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EUeuropeeuropean unionEuropeanUnionFRANDlawlawsuitlegallicensingmobilepostcrosspatentpatent infringementPatentInfringementpoliticssamsungTue, 31 Jan 2012 06:36:00 EST<![CDATA[European Union retailers to be required to accept e-waste without charge, says Parliament]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/22/european-union-retailers-required-to-accept-e-waste-without-fees/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/22/european-union-retailers-required-to-accept-e-waste-without-fees/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/22/european-union-retailers-required-to-accept-e-waste-without-fees/#comments Not sure what to do with your old, outdated electronics? If you live within the European Union, getting rid of your e-waste may soon be as easy as dropping by the local electronics shop. In an effort to increase electronic waste collection from four kilograms per capita to 20, the European Parliament has approved plans that would require electronic retailers with a retail space of 400 square meters or larger to accept e-waste for disposal, free of charge. The new rules will be implemented over the next seven years, and are part of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive -- a measure that also aims to limit illegal e-waste exports to developing countries. Between keeping your house uncluttered with old gadgets and keeping developing nations clean, what's not to like?

European Union retailers to be required to accept e-waste without charge, says Parliament originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delle-wasteenvironmentEuropean ParliamentEuropean UnionEuropeanParliamentEuropeanUnionewasteFinancegadget recyclingGadgetRecyclingrecyclingSciTechtoxic wasteToxicWasteWaste Electrical and Electronic Equipment DirectiveWasteElectricalAndElectronicEquipmentDirectiveSun, 22 Jan 2012 07:29:00 EST<![CDATA[EU online spending estimated to grow 16 percent, reach €232 billion in 2012]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/20/eu-online-spending-to-reach-232-billion/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/20/eu-online-spending-to-reach-232-billion/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/20/eu-online-spending-to-reach-232-billion/#comments Pardon us Americans as we act surprised, but it turns out that we have one more thing in common with our Euro brethren: a growing number of us dislike shopping in stores. According to Kelkoo estimates, online spending in the European Union is projected to continue its upward trend, which is said to reach somewhere in the neighborhood of €232 billion before year's end. If the estimate holds, this would be a 16 percent increase over the €200 billion raked by e-tailers during 2011, and is naturally assumed to come at the expense of traditional brick and mortar outfits, whose growth is projected to increase by a mere 1.8 percent.

The data gathered also suggest there's significant room for expansion, however, as online spending accounted for just 7.8 percent of all EU retail sales in 2011, with the UK, Germany and France being responsible for a whopping 71 percent of that tally. The 16 percent projected growth is a slight decline from 2011, which saw EU online spending grow by 18 percent -- although, Europe's growing habit for click-and-ship continues to outpace the US, which grew by only 12.8 percent in 2011. Now, since you've crammed all these numbers, why not check the funny pages?

[Shopping button via Shutterstock]

EU online spending estimated to grow 16 percent, reach €232 billion in 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20112012consumer spendingConsumerSpendingenglandestimateestimateseueuropeEuropean unionEuropeanUnionforecastfrancegermanykelkooonlineonline salesonline shoppingonline spendingOnlineSalesOnlineShoppingOnlineSpendingretailsalessales figuresSalesFiguresshoppingspendingukunited statesUnitedStatesusFri, 20 Jan 2012 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple and major publishers investigated for e-book price fixing in Europe]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/06/apple-and-major-publishers-investigated-for-e-book-price-rigging/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/06/apple-and-major-publishers-investigated-for-e-book-price-rigging/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/06/apple-and-major-publishers-investigated-for-e-book-price-rigging/#comments The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation into some of the world's largest publishers following a series of unannounced inspections back in March. Hachette Libre, Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster, Penguin and the German owner of Macmillan are all suspected of "anti-competitive practices" in the way they've sold e-books in Europe, "possibly with the help of Apple." Read on for the full press release.

Continue reading Apple and major publishers investigated for e-book price fixing in Europe

Apple and major publishers investigated for e-book price fixing in Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anticompetitionanticompetitiveantitrustapplee booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersearningsebookebooksECeuropean commissioneuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionharper collinsHarperCollinsibooksinvestigationipadkindlemacmillanpenguinpenguin booksPenguinBooksprice fixingprice riggingPriceFixingPriceRiggingprobepublishersregulationregulatorsimon and schusterSimonAndSchusterTue, 06 Dec 2011 07:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital purchase of Hitachi's hard drive business approved by EU regulators]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/23/western-digital-purchase-of-hitachis-hard-drive-business-approv/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/23/western-digital-purchase-of-hitachis-hard-drive-business-approv/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/23/western-digital-purchase-of-hitachis-hard-drive-business-approv/#comments HDD Two of the hard drive industry's biggest players will soon be just one company. European Union regulators have given a conditional thumbs-up to Western Digital's plans to snatch up Hitachi's storage division for $4.3 billion. The companies are the second and third largest hard disk manufacturers in the world (respectively) behind Seagate, which purchased Samsung's HDD division back in April. Out of concern for the quickly consolidating market, regulators only approved the Western Digital deal after assurances that the company would sell off some its production assets, including a manufacturing plant, and transfer some intellectual property to the new unit being put on the auction block. As soon as WD finds a buyer it'll be free and clear to take over Hitachi's HDD division. So, anyone interested in a hard drive manufacturing plant?

Western Digital purchase of Hitachi's hard drive business approved by EU regulators originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitioncompetition commissionCompetitionCommissionconditional approvalConditionalApprovaleuropean unionEuropean Union Competition CommissionEuropeanUnionEuropeanUnionCompetitionCommissionhard diskhard diskshard drivehard drivesHardDiskHardDisksHardDriveHardDriveshddhitachimergerregulatorregulatorssalestoragewestern digitalWesternDigitalWed, 23 Nov 2011 08:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple and Samsung's patent battle draws concern from EU Competition Commission]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/apple-and-samsungs-patent-battle-draws-concern-from-eu-competit/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/apple-and-samsungs-patent-battle-draws-concern-from-eu-competit/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/apple-and-samsungs-patent-battle-draws-concern-from-eu-competit/#comments Apple vs. SamsungIt appears that Samsung and Apple's never-ending game of patent Risk is beginning to draw concern from government regulators. The European Union's Competition Commission is investigating the companies' various disputes out of a growing worry that the war could be stifling competition in the mobile market. The agency's commissioner, Joaquin Almunia, has request information about the patents in question from both companies, though he has yet to receive a reply. Almunia was careful to point out that this is hardly the only example of a potential abuse of intellectual property rights to distort the market, but with more than 20 cases in 10 countries it's certainly one of the largest and most high profile. If the commission chooses to pursue legal action both Samsung and Apple could be fined up to 10 percent of their annual revenue. Maybe under threat of such hefty fines, the two competitors will put aside their differences and actually compete... you know, in the marketplace instead of in the court room.

Apple and Samsung's patent battle draws concern from EU Competition Commission originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecompetitioncompetition commissionCompetitionCommissionEUEU Competition CommissionEuCompetitionCommissionEuropean UnionEuropean Union Competition CommissionEuropeanUnionEuropeanUnionCompetitionCommissionintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyinvestigationJoaquin AlmuniaJoaquinAlmunialawmobilepostcrosspatentpatent warpatentsPatentWarsamsungTue, 22 Nov 2011 14:17:00 EST<![CDATA[EU wants member countries to free up spectrum for 4G rollout, eyes 2013 deadline]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/eu-wants-member-countries-to-free-up-spectrum-for-4g-rollout-ey/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/eu-wants-member-countries-to-free-up-spectrum-for-4g-rollout-ey/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/eu-wants-member-countries-to-free-up-spectrum-for-4g-rollout-ey/#comments This one's been in the works for a little while now, but the EU has just taken another step toward making 4G coverage a continental reality. Last week, the European Commission, European Parliament and member states of the European Council reached what they're calling an "informal compromise" on a new radio spectrum policy. Under the proposed agreement, member countries would have to free up (read: "auction off") their 800MHz frequency bands for broadband service by January 1, 2013, as part of Parliament's plan to accelerate broadband rollout by using spectrum once devoted to analog TV frequencies. The idea is to allocate 1200MHz to mobile traffic sometime after the year 2013, but before the end of 2015. Government authorities would retain the right to allocate their country's radio frequencies as they see fit, though distribution across ISPs and users falls under the EU's aegis -- which is where the proposed Radio Spectrum Policy Programme comes in. A draft of the deal has already received approval, though a final version must still be ratified by the European Parliament's Industry, Research and Energy Committee on November 10th, before making its way to Parliament for a full vote.

Continue reading EU wants member countries to free up spectrum for 4G rollout, eyes 2013 deadline

EU wants member countries to free up spectrum for 4G rollout, eyes 2013 deadline originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1200mhz4g800mhzanalogbroadbanddigitalEUeuropean commissionEuropean Councileuropean parliamenteuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanCouncilEuropeanParliamentEuropeanUnionfrequencygovernmentlawltemobilepostminindustrypoliticsradio spectrum policy programmeRadioSpectrumPolicyProgrammeResearch and Energy CommitteeResearchAndEnergyCommitteespectrumtvTue, 01 Nov 2011 08:02:00 EST<![CDATA[EU to launch first two Galileo satellites today, as sat-nav system lurches forward]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/21/eu-to-launch-first-two-galileo-satellites-today-as-sat-nav-syst/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/21/eu-to-launch-first-two-galileo-satellites-today-as-sat-nav-syst/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/21/eu-to-launch-first-two-galileo-satellites-today-as-sat-nav-syst/#comments
The EU's Galileo satellite navigation system has been beset by delays and budget overruns in recent months, but its future is looking slightly brighter, now that its first two satellites are primed for launch. The European Space Agency is expected to send the satellites into space today, as part of a long-term project that will cost an estimated €7 billion (around $9.6 billion). Slated to take off from Kourou, French Guiana, the pair of satellites will ride on the back of a Russian rocket to an altitude of nearly 15,000 miles, where they'll test system functions both in space and on Earth. If all goes according to plan, they'll also become Galileo's first operational satellites, paving the way, officials hope, for many more to follow. In fact, the European Commission is looking to complete the 30-satellite constellation by the year 2019, with two scheduled to launch during every quarter, beginning in 2012. The idea, of course, is to offer Europeans an alternative to US-operated GPS, with a free consumer service scheduled to launch in 2014, followed by a more precise, paid service in 2020. Nevertheless, budgetary concerns loom large over the project, which, according to the EC, has already racked up a development and deployment bill of over €5 billion ($6.8 billion), since 2003. The commission will present a finalized proposal to EU member governments by the end of the year, in the hopes of obtaining that extra €7 billion, though it may face more acute criticism, considering today's dour economic climate. It remains unlikely, however, that Galileo will be totally shut down, as the EU says it could bring in an extra €90 billion over the next 20 years.

EU to launch first two Galileo satellites today, as sat-nav system lurches forward originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budgetearthECeconomicEUeuropeEuropean Commissioneuropean space agencyeuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanSpaceAgencyEuropeanUnionfundinggovernmentlaunchmilestonemoneynavigationpoliticsrocketrussian rocketRussianRocketsat-navsatellitesatellite navigationSatelliteNavigationsatnavspaceFri, 21 Oct 2011 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[European Court: It's free trade for a reason, dummy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/european-court-its-free-trade-for-a-reason-dummy/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/european-court-its-free-trade-for-a-reason-dummy/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/european-court-its-free-trade-for-a-reason-dummy/#comments
Primer: The EU is many nations with a single market, if wine is cheaper in France, a German can simply purchase it there. It's why Apple was censured back in 2007 for territorial iTunes stores that stopped people from shopping around. Anything sold in Europe on a per-country basis hangs within a grey area of free trade. That includes what many call "The Greatest Show on Earth" -- The FA Premier League. Sky, the Premier League's media partner in Europe charges £480 ($740) a month for pub and bar owners to screen their matches in their establishments. That's what prompted cash-strapped publican Karen Murphy to buy a decoder box and card from Greece's Nova company for only £118 ($180) a month.

Following a legal challenge that has lasted nearly 7 years, the European Court of Justice has ruled that whilst it's legal (or at least, not illegal) to own a foreign decoder in your own home, it is illegal for pubs and other public spaces to use them on copyright grounds. This means that many home users could snap up cheaper European services and erode the value of Sky's £1bn ($1.5bn) Premier League deal, which would make the greatest show on earth just a little less great.

European Court: It's free trade for a reason, dummy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ECJEUEuropean CourtEuropean Court of JusticeEuropean UnionEuropeanCourtEuropeanCourtOfJusticeEuropeanUnionFootballFootball RightsFootballRightsFree TradeFreeTradeiTunes licensingItunesLicensingKaren MurphyKarenMurphyLicensingMarketsminipostNovaNova TVNovaTvPremier League rightsPremier League Territory RightsPremierLeagueRightsPremierLeagueTerritoryRightsSatellite FootballSatellite TVSatelliteFootballSatelliteTvSky Premier LeagueSkyPremierLeagueTerritory RightsTerritoryRightsTue, 04 Oct 2011 11:51:00 EST<![CDATA[European Union extends Beatles' copyright, still gonna have to buy the White Album]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/14/european-union-extends-beatles-copyright-still-gonna-have-to-b/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/14/european-union-extends-beatles-copyright-still-gonna-have-to-b/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/14/european-union-extends-beatles-copyright-still-gonna-have-to-b/#comments
If you've been waiting for the hits of the '60s to lapse into the public domain, prepare to be disappointed. The European Union has agreed to extend the term of protection for sound recordings -- which previously lasted for 50 -- to 70 years. That means the White Album won't be free to own until 2038. The extension was granted to guarantee income for performers in their old age who would otherwise lose out, such as impoverished multi-millionaire Sir Paul McCartney. Opinions are divided, with record companies praising the move and open-rights groups being a lot less enthusiastic. An interesting point to note is that the move was done in spite of government-funded research to the contrary. Either way, ever increasing copyright legislation means it's far more likely we'll see even more extreme anti-piracy adverts, just like the one after the break.

Continue reading European Union extends Beatles' copyright, still gonna have to buy the White Album

European Union extends Beatles' copyright, still gonna have to buy the White Album originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>139721160s Copyright60sCopyrightCopyrightCopyright ExtensionCopyrightExtensionEuropean UnionEuropean Union CopyrightEuropeanUnionEuropeanUnionCopyrightMusicOpen RightsOpenRightsPiracyRecord LabelsRecordLabelsSir Paul McCartneySirPaulMccartneyThe BeatlesThe IT CrowdTheBeatlesTheItCrowdvideoWed, 14 Sep 2011 20:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Did Apple shrink the Samsung Galaxy S in Dutch lawsuit filing?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/19/did-apple-shrink-the-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-in-dutch-lawsuit-filing/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/19/did-apple-shrink-the-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-in-dutch-lawsuit-filing/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/19/did-apple-shrink-the-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-in-dutch-lawsuit-filing/#comments
We haven't had a chance to head on down to The Hague to have a look-see for ourselves, but Dutch tech site Webwereld spotted some more inconsistencies in Apple's Samsung lawsuit filings. This time the culprit is a shrunken Galaxy S, standing side-by-side with an identically tall iPhone 3G -- when in reality the Samsung phone is seven millimeters taller than its Apple counterpart, and slightly wider as well. The image, filed in the Netherlands, is part of an intellectual property suit against Samsung, and came to light just days after accusations that Apple manipulated photos of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 that it submitted to a German court. While misleading, this latest error isn't nearly as concerning as last week's shrunken Tab -- which could easily be described as image manipulation, considering that the tablet included in that filing represented an incorrect 4:3 aspect ratio, while the Samsung device has a 16:10 display.

Update: The phone pictured above is the Samsung Galaxy S, not the Galaxy S II.

[Thanks, Florian]

Did Apple shrink the Samsung Galaxy S in Dutch lawsuit filing? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple iphoneapple iphone 3gapple iphone 3gsApple LitigationApple PatentAppleIphoneAppleIphone3gAppleIphone3gsAppleLitigationApplePatentdesigndisputeEUEuropeEuropean UnionEuropeanUnionfilinggalaxy sgalaxy s iiGalaxySGalaxySIigermanyImage Doctoringimage manipulationImageDoctoringImageManipulationintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyiplawsuitlegal filingLegalFilingLitigationMisleadingmisleading claimsMisleading ImageMisleading PhotoMisleadingClaimsMisleadingImageMisleadingPhotomobilepostcrossnetherlandspatentPhotoshopSamsungsamsung galaxysamsung galaxy ssamsung galaxy s iiSamsung LitigationSamsung PatentSamsungGalaxySamsungGalaxySSamsungGalaxySIiSamsungGalaxyTabSamsungLitigationSamsungPatentsmartphonethe hagueTheHagueFri, 19 Aug 2011 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Did Apple alter photos of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in its injunction filing?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/15/did-apple-alter-photos-of-the-samsung-galaxy-tab-10-1-in-its-inj/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/15/did-apple-alter-photos-of-the-samsung-galaxy-tab-10-1-in-its-inj/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/15/did-apple-alter-photos-of-the-samsung-galaxy-tab-10-1-in-its-inj/#comments
Previously, on Apple Versus Samsung: Cupertino's finest sued Samsung for making "similar" products -- a legal spectacle that most recently culminated with an injunction blocking the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 across Europe (with one exception). The case hinges on Apple's assertion that Samsung is ripping off its designs, but tech site Webwereld spotted signs that perhaps Apple's claims are exaggerated, and that the outfit might have even gone so far as to alter images of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 to suit its case. The comparison shot you see up there is lifted from page 28 of a filing made by Freshfields Bruckhaus Derringer, Apple's European lawyers. Both devices look pretty identical with an aspect ratio of 4:3 -- except in reality, the Tab has a 16:9 16:10 aspect ratio and is far narrower than Steve's magical slate. Of course, we might never know if this was actually a malicious move on Apple's part -- certainly, Samsung's legal team isn't saying anything. For now, though, if you're game to play armchair attorney, head past the break for a comparison shot of the competing tabs as we actually know and love them.

[Thanks, Jack]

Continue reading Did Apple alter photos of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in its injunction filing?

Did Apple alter photos of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in its injunction filing? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Apple iPadApple iPad 2Apple LitigationApple PatentAppleIpadAppleIpad2AppleLitigationApplePatentdesigndisputeEUEuropeEuropean UnionEuropeanUnionfilingGalaxy TabGalaxy Tab 10.1GalaxyTabGalaxyTab10.1Image DoctoringImage ManipulationImageDoctoringImageManipulationiPadiPad 2Ipad2Lawsuitlegal filingLegalFilingLitigationMisleadingmisleading claimsMisleading ImageMisleading PhotoMisleadingClaimsMisleadingImageMisleadingPhotonetherlandspatentPhotoshopSamsungSamsung Galaxy TabSamsung Galaxy Tab 10.1Samsung LitigationSamsung PatentSamsungGalaxyTabSamsungGalaxyTab10.1SamsungLitigationSamsungPatentMon, 15 Aug 2011 16:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Germany challenges Facebook on facial recognition, citing EU privacy laws]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/germany-challenges-facebook-on-facial-recognition-citing-eu-pri/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/germany-challenges-facebook-on-facial-recognition-citing-eu-pri/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/germany-challenges-facebook-on-facial-recognition-citing-eu-pri/#commentsFacebook's facial recognition feature probably won't find too many smiles in Germany, where federal regulators are challenging the social network to change its ways, or face the consequences. On Tuesday, Hamburg's Data Protection Authority (DPA) sent a letter to the company, advising it to obtain user permission before harvesting biometric data, as outlined by EU privacy laws that require consumer consent. As it stands right now, users can opt-out of the photo-tagging function by tinkering with their privacy settings, but the DPA claims that's still too invasive, and has "repeatedly" asked Facebook to shut down the feature altogether. Zuckerberg & Co. now have two weeks to respond to the letter, and could face a fine of up to €300,000 (about $427,000) if a compromise isn't reached. In a statement, company spokeswoman Tina Kulow said, "We will consider the points the Hamburg Data Protection Authority have made... but firmly reject any claim that we are not meeting our obligations under European Union data protection law."

Germany challenges Facebook on facial recognition, citing EU privacy laws originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biometricbiometric dataBiometricDatadatadata protection authorityDataProtectionAuthorityEUeuropeeuropean unionEuropeanUnionfacebookfacebook facial recognitionFacebookFacialRecognitionfacial recognitionFacialRecognitiongermanyhamburgphotophoto taggingPhotoTaggingprivacysocial mediasocial networkingSocialMediaSocialNetworkingtagThu, 04 Aug 2011 08:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Patriot Act admission has the EU up in arms]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/06/microsofts-patriot-act-admission-has-the-eu-up-in-arms/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/06/microsofts-patriot-act-admission-has-the-eu-up-in-arms/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/06/microsofts-patriot-act-admission-has-the-eu-up-in-arms/#comments Last week, Microsoft quietly confirmed that cloud data stored on its European servers can still be handed over to American investigators -- and the EU is none too pleased about it. As it turns out, the revelation has shed new light on a fundamental conflict between US law and the EU's Data Protection Directive -- an edict requiring that companies notify consumers whenever sharing their personal information. The bi-lateral Safe Harbor agreement calls for similarly strict protocol, but under the Patriot Act (which trumps all else), companies like Microsoft could be forced to hand over private data without informing targeted individuals. In response, some members of the European Parliament are calling upon legislators to take action and to implement safeguards that can't be overridden by third-party governments. It remains to be seen whether or not this leads to any new laws or transatlantic tensions, but if we've learned anything, it's that Europeans take their clouds very seriously.

Microsoft's Patriot Act admission has the EU up in arms originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 09:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloudcloud dataCloudDatadataData Protection DirectiveDataProtectionDirectiveEUEU Data Protection DirectiveEuDataProtectionDirectiveeuropeEuropean Parliamenteuropean unionEuropeanParliamentEuropeanUnionlawmicrosoftparliamentpatriot actPatriotActpoliticsprivacySafe Harborsafe harbor agreementSafeHarborSafeHarborAgreementsecurityterrorismUSWed, 06 Jul 2011 09:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft: European cloud data may not be immune to the Patriot Act]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/30/microsoft-european-cloud-data-may-not-be-immune-to-the-patriot/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/30/microsoft-european-cloud-data-may-not-be-immune-to-the-patriot/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/30/microsoft-european-cloud-data-may-not-be-immune-to-the-patriot/#comments If you thought you could evade US intelligence by moving to Europe and storing your dirty little secrets in Microsoft's cloud service, guess again. During this week's launch of Office 365, Gordon Frazer, managing director of Microsoft UK, admitted for the first time that cloud data stored at European datacenters could still be handed over to American officials, as outlined by US law. When asked whether Microsoft could guarantee that its EU-stored data would never leave the continent (even if requested under the Patriot Act), Frazer replied: "Microsoft cannot provide those guarantees. Neither can any other company." Because the company's headquarters are in the US, it's obligated to adhere to American laws, meaning that any of the data stored on its servers is fair game for authorities to seize and inspect. Frazer insisted that targeted users "would be informed whenever possible," but claimed that neither Microsoft nor any other US company can guarantee advanced notification. Bottom line: you're better off hiding those nefarious files the old fashioned way -- in an offshore safe deposit box.

Microsoft: European cloud data may not be immune to the Patriot Act originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloudcloud computingcloud datacloud storageCloudComputingCloudDataCloudStoragedatacenterEUeuropeEuropean unionEuropeanUnionintelligencelawlaw enforcementLawEnforcementmicrosoftMSpatriot actPatriotActpoliticsterrorismUSUSAThu, 30 Jun 2011 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Google to face €295 million French lawsuit over alleged anti-competitive practices]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/28/google-to-face-295-million-french-lawsuit-over-alleged-anti-com/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/28/google-to-face-295-million-french-lawsuit-over-alleged-anti-com/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/28/google-to-face-295-million-french-lawsuit-over-alleged-anti-com/#comments Google's legal woes are piling up in a hurry. French search engine 1PlusV is suing El Goog over alleged anti-competitive practices, less than a week after the Federal Trade Commission opened a formal inquiry into similar accusations levied stateside. The suit, set to be filed in a Paris court this week, claims that Google uses its market dominance to bury rival search results while unfairly promoting those for its own services. According to 1PlusV, Google "black-listed" 30 of its vertical search engines between 2007 and 2010, making it difficult for the firm to compete. The company is also complaining about having to adopt Mountain View's technology in order to use AdSense and, in total, is seeking €295 million (about $418 million) in damages -- the largest damage claim Google has ever faced in Europe. 1PlusV operates the legal search group EJustice.fr and, along with Microsoft, helped spur an EU antitrust probe against Google last year. The company says its forthcoming lawsuit represents the "logical" next step in its ongoing antitrust crusade, while Google issued a brief statement, saying it "look[s] forward to explaining this."

Google to face €295 million French lawsuit over alleged anti-competitive practices originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1PlusVaccusationadsenseadvertisingallegationanti-competitiveantitrustcompetitioncourtEuropeEuropean UnionEuropeanUnionFranceFrenchgoogleillegallawlawsuitmarketmoneyparissearch engineSearchEnginevertical search engineVerticalSearchEngineTue, 28 Jun 2011 09:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Dutch net neutrality first in EU, mobile operators side-eye KPN]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/22/dutch-net-neutrality-first-in-eu-mobile-operators-side-eye-kpn/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/22/dutch-net-neutrality-first-in-eu-mobile-operators-side-eye-kpn/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/22/dutch-net-neutrality-first-in-eu-mobile-operators-side-eye-kpn/#commentsKPN may have shot itself in the foot, but the Dutch parliament certainly helped pull the trigger. Following a very public brag earlier this year that the operator was using deep packet inspection to throttle service and charge users for unintended network usage comes a massive industry buzz kill in the form of mobile net neutrality legislation. Pending approval by the Senate, wireless network operators in the Netherlands will no longer be able to shiv customers for using that nifty rival messaging, or VoIP service of their choice -- Skype and Whatsapp, for starters. The country's telcos put on their lobbying best to whine the usual lines about higher consumer prices, and shaky quality assurance, but the Dutch government called that bluff. Though the ruling bans traffic discrimination, it doesn't preclude tricksier tiered data pricing -- sneaky little carriers. While this win is a first for Europe, OG credit goes to Chile for paving the way. Not yet banned in the Netherlands? Amazing airports, tulips, and cheese wheels.

[Image credit via Arbor Media]

Dutch net neutrality first in EU, mobile operators side-eye KPN originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>data protection actdata throttlingDataProtectionActDataThrottlingdeep packet inspectionDeepPacketInspectionden hagueDenHaguedpadpiDutchDutch parliamentDutchParliamentEUEuropean unionEuropeanUnionHollandKPNMaxime VerhagenMaximeVerhagenmobilemobile broadbandmobile net neutralityMobileBroadbandMobileNetNeutralityNet NeutralityNetNeutralityT-mobileVodafoneWed, 22 Jun 2011 15:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony files for 'PS Vita' trademark in Europe, intends to do something Next Generation with it]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/sony-files-for-ps-vita-trademark-in-europe-intends-to-do-some/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/sony-files-for-ps-vita-trademark-in-europe-intends-to-do-some/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/sony-files-for-ps-vita-trademark-in-europe-intends-to-do-some/#comments The words "PS Vita" and "PlayStation Vita" have just made their way through the EU Trademarks and Designs Registration Office, courtesy of a set of new applications from none other than Sony Computer Entertainment. The name PS Vita showed up in some source code on an official Sony site late last week, though it's still not certain that it'll be the official branding for the company's Next Generation Portable. "Vita" means "life" in Italian, so a literal translation would be PlayStation Life. For now, all we know is that the NGP will be large and in charge at E3, and the best way to find out how this Vita moniker relates to it will be to tune in to our Sony keynote liveblog later today, which can be found right over here.

Sony files for 'PS Vita' trademark in Europe, intends to do something Next Generation with it originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 03:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applicationeueuropeeuropean unionEuropeanUniongaminghandheldipip lawIpLawlawlegallogongpplaystationplaystation vitaPlaystationVitaportablepsps vitaPsVitasonysony ngpSonyNgptrademarkvitaMon, 06 Jun 2011 03:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Holland's net neutrality act threatens to disrupt mobile carriers' pricing schemes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/hollands-net-neutrality-act-threatens-to-disrupt-mobile-carrier/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/hollands-net-neutrality-act-threatens-to-disrupt-mobile-carrier/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/hollands-net-neutrality-act-threatens-to-disrupt-mobile-carrier/#comments Net neutrality advocates are gaining momentum in The Hague as Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Maxime Verhagen, agreed to begin drafting legislation prohibiting teleco providers from blocking or charging extra for specific data traffic. Verhagen's action comes at the request of majority leaders in Netherland's Lower House, which adopted a motion to modify the Telecommunications Act in support of bit equality. The change should cause waves throughout the nation's mobile industry as Holland's largest provider, KPN, recently announced it would use deep packet inspection to monitor and selectively charge customers based on their usage. Currently, Vodafone blocks VoIP unless customers pay extra and T-Mobile has previously suggested it might follow suit.

The Economic Minister is now working with officials in Brussels to ensure the legislation is compatible with the EU framework, and the proposal is expected to go before the Dutch parliament within a few weeks. Skype and WhatsApp have received particular attention, as mobile providers argue they must offset the losses caused by these apps with surcharges -- or to block them altogether. Perhaps it's not the best week to be a telco exec in the Netherlands, but users of these "controversial" apps surely have reason to smile.

[Image courtesy Flickr]

Holland's net neutrality act threatens to disrupt mobile carriers' pricing schemes originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 May 2011 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>data protection actdata throttlingDataProtectionActDataThrottlingdeep packet inspectionDeepPacketInspectionden hagueDenHaguedpadpiEUEuropean unionEuropeanUnionHollandKPNMaxime VerhagenMaximeVerhagenmobilemobile broadbandmobile dataMobileBroadbandMobileDataNet NeutralityNetherlandsNetNeutralityprivacysecurityskypeT-Mobilethe hagueTheHagueVodafonevoipwhatsappWed, 25 May 2011 16:09:00 EST<![CDATA[European Commission regains sanity, cancels €22 million SYMBEOSE project]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/24/european-commission-regains-sanity-cancels-22-million-symbeose/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/24/european-commission-regains-sanity-cancels-22-million-symbeose/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/24/european-commission-regains-sanity-cancels-22-million-symbeose/#commentsLast November, to the surprise and dismay of many, the European Commission decided it needed to stimulate some homegrown innovation in the mobile space and pulled together €22 million in a public/private investment designed to help Symbian get ahead. It was intended to turn Nokia's former lover into the Embedded Operating System for Europe (hence the name SYMBEOSE), but alas the breakup between Symbian and the Finnish mobile maker was too much to overcome. The EC has decided, quite rightly, that there's no sense in continuing its symbtopia project, and now a member of Neelie Kroes' team has confirmed the entire venture has been cancelled. European taxpayers (two of whom you see on the right) will also be glad to know that no money has exchanged hands, so the bullet has been well and truly dodged. Guess that's why they're looking so happy.

[Thanks, Danijel]

Update: Nokia has confirmed the foregoing in a statement, which you can find after the break.

Continue reading European Commission regains sanity, cancels €22 million SYMBEOSE project

European Commission regains sanity, cancels €22 million SYMBEOSE project originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 May 2011 07:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agreementcancellationcancelleddigital agendaDigitalAgendaeueuropeEuropean Commissioneuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionnokiaofficialpartnershipsymbeosesymbianSymbian FoundationSymbianFoundationTue, 24 May 2011 07:20:00 EST<![CDATA[iZettle's chip-reading Square competitor will take your money, no swipes required (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/izettles-chip-reading-square-competitor-will-take-your-money-n/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/izettles-chip-reading-square-competitor-will-take-your-money-n/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/izettles-chip-reading-square-competitor-will-take-your-money-n/#comments
Everyone seems to be getting on board with Square's iPhone credit card reader -- Apple started selling the device in its stores last week, and even Visa has taken a financial interest in the company. However, due to the popularity of fraud-fighting chip-enabled smart cards on the other side of the pond, Square's offering doesn't quite fit the bill. iZettle has a similar solution for Europe that includes the ever-so-necessary smart card reader, which the company is launching in Sweden this June. Not only does it enable you to accept credit card payments from friends or customers, the app adds a social twist. Merchants can email a photograph and receipt to buyers, who can then share their latest spoils on Facebook. Of course, if this starts to catch on, it could make explaining that "awesome deal" you scored on a new laptop that much more difficult when it pops up on your significant other's news feed.

[Thanks, David]

Continue reading iZettle's chip-reading Square competitor will take your money, no swipes required (video)

iZettle's chip-reading Square competitor will take your money, no swipes required (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple iphoneAppleIphonechip and pinchip and pin fraudChipAndPinChipAndPinFraudeuropeeuropean unionEuropeanUnioniphone appIphoneAppizettlemicro transactionsMicroTransactionsmobile paymentmobile paymentsMobilePaymentMobilePaymentspaymentsmart cardSmartCardsquareswedenvideoThu, 28 Apr 2011 23:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Prague to host world's most powerful laser]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/prague-to-host-worlds-most-powerful-laser/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/prague-to-host-worlds-most-powerful-laser/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/prague-to-host-worlds-most-powerful-laser/#comments
To us, Prague will always be the Eastern European capital of roast duck, potato dumplings and tasty, cheap pilsner. But come 2015, the former Soviet Bloc city will also become home to the world's most powerful laser, as part of the European Union's Extreme Light Infrastructure project. According to plans released by the European Commission, the laser will produce peak power in the exawatt range (equivalent to one trillion megawatts). So, for a very small fraction of a second, the beam will generate one million times more power than the entire U.S. electric grid. Believe it or not, that's plenty of time to conduct experiments that could reveal new cancer treatments and ways to deal with nuclear waste. Breakthroughs in either category would be incredible for the €700 million (about $1 billion) project, which also includes future plans to build two similar lasers, and a third that's twice as powerful the Prague installation -- roughly the same current draw as an HTC Thunderbolt.

[Image courtesy of Instructables]

Prague to host world's most powerful laser originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 21:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancercancer treatmentCancerTreatmenteueu laserEuLasereuropean commissioneuropean commission lasereuropean unioneuropean union laserEuropeanCommissionEuropeanCommissionLaserEuropeanUnionEuropeanUnionLaserexawattexawatt laserexawatt powerExawattLaserExawattPowerextreme light infrastructureextreme light infrastructure laserExtremeLightInfrastructureExtremeLightInfrastructureLaserlasermost powerful laserMostPowerfulLaserpragueprague laserPragueLaserThu, 28 Apr 2011 21:29:00 EST<![CDATA[European Commission mandates LTE and WiMAX on 900Mhz and 1800MHz bands for 2012]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/22/european-commission-mandates-lte-and-wimax-on-900mhz-and-1800mhz/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/22/european-commission-mandates-lte-and-wimax-on-900mhz-and-1800mhz/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/22/european-commission-mandates-lte-and-wimax-on-900mhz-and-1800mhz/#comments Color us tickled, but the European Commission has revised its technical rules for the use of 900MHz and 1800MHz spectrums, compelling member states to make room for LTE and WiMAX service by December 31, 2011. As a goal, the EU hopes to provide broadband to all rural Europeans by 2013, and foresees 4G signal on the long-range 900MHz spectrum as the solution. The Commission also released guidelines to ensure UMTS, LTE and WiMAX will co-exist on the 1800MHz spectrum -- a decision that lays the groundwork for global LTE roaming. Now, how about some mandates on those outrageous international roaming charges? Check out the details in the press release after the break.

[Image courtesy of Flickr]

Continue reading European Commission mandates LTE and WiMAX on 900Mhz and 1800MHz bands for 2012

European Commission mandates LTE and WiMAX on 900Mhz and 1800MHz bands for 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 04:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.8ghz1800mhz900mhzeuropeEuropean CommissionEuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionindustryLTEmobileregulationregulatoryUMTSwimaxFri, 22 Apr 2011 04:14:00 EST<![CDATA[EU investigation to take a closer look at net neutrality]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/eu-investigation-to-take-a-closer-look-at-net-neutrality/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/eu-investigation-to-take-a-closer-look-at-net-neutrality/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/eu-investigation-to-take-a-closer-look-at-net-neutrality/#comments The EU has commissioned an investigation into how European ISPs handle traffic and manage their networks, in a move that could lead to new legislation on net neutrality. The investigation, to be conducted by the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), will cover both mobile and fixed Internet providers, with particularly close attention paid to any barriers consumers may face when changing operators. BEREC will also consult with consumers and corporations to determine whether or not ISPs are being completely transparent about their traffic management practices, or advertised connection speeds. In a speech delivered yesterday, Neelie Kroes, the European Commission's Vice President for the Digital Agenda, admitted that some ISPs need to restrict some bandwidth-heavy services in order to protect their networks, but promised to publicly name and take action against any operators found to be stifling competition or consumer choice:
"Mark my words: if measures to enhance competition are not enough to bring Internet providers to offer real consumer choice, I am ready to prohibit the blocking of lawful services or applications. It's not OK for Skype and other such services to be throttled. That is anti-competitive. It's not OK to rip off consumers on connection speeds."
It's unlikely, however, that the EU will implement legislation as pointed as the net neutrality rules the FCC unveiled in the US, nor as expansive as the law that Chile introduced last summer. In a report issued yesterday, the EU affirmed that "operators should be allowed to determine their own business models and commercial arrangements" -- words that no doubt delighted many in Europe's ISP community. The results of BEREC's investigation are due to be published by the end of the year.

EU investigation to take a closer look at net neutrality originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 05:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>berecbusinessconsumerdigital agendaDigital Agenda for EuropeDigitalAgendaDigitalAgendaForEuropeEUeuropeEuropean CommissionEuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionFCCindustryinternet service providerInternetServiceProviderisplegislationNeelieKroesNet NeutralityNetNeutralitypoliticsregulationTrafficWed, 20 Apr 2011 05:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft lodges antitrust complaint against Google with European Commission, ignores irony]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/31/microsoft-lodges-antitrust-complaint-against-google-with-europea/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/31/microsoft-lodges-antitrust-complaint-against-google-with-europea/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/31/microsoft-lodges-antitrust-complaint-against-google-with-europea/#comments So Microsoft doesn't like anticompetitive behavior, huh? Since when? Brad Smith, General Counsel for the Redmond rabblerousers, has posted a lengthy blog post outlining Microsoft's concerns with "a pattern of actions that Google has taken to entrench its dominance" in online search and ads, which he claims is detrimental to European consumers. Funnily enough, half the post is about Google's legal issues in the US, but we'll set that aside for now. What this boils down to is that Microsoft is finally taking the gloves off -- Google accused it of pushing other companies to do its dirty work -- and is now adding its name to the list of objectors to Mountain View's stranglehold on search in Europe. The European Commission is already taking a regulatory looksee at Google's tactics, so this isn't sparking off a new investigation, but it does add the glamor of two big names locking legal horns yet again. Hit the source link for Brad's exposition of Google's villainous wrongdoings.

Microsoft lodges antitrust complaint against Google with European Commission, ignores irony originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anticompetitiveantitrustbrad smithBradSmithcompetitioncomplainteceueuropeEuropean Commissioneuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionfairnessformalgoogleinternetlawlegalmicrosoftmonopolyobjectionregulatorsregulatorysearchwebThu, 31 Mar 2011 03:29:00 EST<![CDATA[European Union's 'One charger for all' starts sampling, coming this year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/european-unions-one-charger-for-all-starts-sampling/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/european-unions-one-charger-for-all-starts-sampling/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/european-unions-one-charger-for-all-starts-sampling/#comments
It was way back in summer of 2009 that Nokia, Apple, RIM, and the rest of the mobile world agreed to make micro-USB the connector around which all future European chargers would be built. Since then, most of those companies have transitioned their hardware to micro-USB without further prompting, but the European Union is still pushing ahead with a universally compatible charger standard to make sure everything is nice and harmonized. The details of what's expected of these chargers were published in December and now the first samples of the new hardware have been produced. The EU expects all manufacturers to have chargers adhering to the new guidelines by the end of 2011 -- and if you're wondering about how Apple, one of the signatories to this agreement, will handle it, there's a note to say that adapters will be allowed on phones without a micro-USB port. Full press release after the break.

Continue reading European Union's 'One charger for all' starts sampling, coming this year

European Union's 'One charger for all' starts sampling, coming this year originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphoneschargercommoncommon chargercommon standardCommonChargerCommonStandardcompatibilitycompatibleeceueuropeeuropean commissioneuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionharmonizationincompatibilitymicro usbMicroUsbphone chargerPhoneChargersamplesamplingsmartphonesstandardstandardizationstandardizeduniversaluniversal chargerUniversalChargervideoWed, 09 Feb 2011 08:26:00 EST<![CDATA[European standardization bodies formalize micro-USB cellphone charger standard]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/29/european-standardization-bodies-formalize-micro-usb-cellphone-ch/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/29/european-standardization-bodies-formalize-micro-usb-cellphone-ch/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/29/european-standardization-bodies-formalize-micro-usb-cellphone-ch/#commentsIt's been more than a year since Nokia, Apple, RIM, Motorola and just about every other major cellphone manufacturer agreed on a micro-USB cellphone charger standard for Europe, but the two key European standards bodies have just now finally followed up on their end of the bargain. CEN-CENELEC and ETSI have today published harmonized standards for a universal cellphone charger based on micro-USB, which has now put the ball back in the manufacturers' court to actually produce phones that rely on the newly standardized chargers. According to the European Commission, the first of those are expect to arrive sometime "in the first months of 2011," and it expects the chargers to be "predominant" within two years. Head on past the break for the official announcement.

[Thanks, Pavel]

Continue reading European standardization bodies formalize micro-USB cellphone charger standard

European standardization bodies formalize micro-USB cellphone charger standard originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphone chargerCellphoneChargerCEN-CENELECchargerETSIeuropeeuropeanEuropean CommissionEuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionmicro usbmicro-usbMicroUsbphone chargerPhoneChargerstandardstandardsWed, 29 Dec 2010 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Google to face formal EU antitrust investigation over unfair downranking of search competitors]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/30/google-to-face-formal-eu-investigation-over-unfair-downranking-o/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/30/google-to-face-formal-eu-investigation-over-unfair-downranking-o/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/30/google-to-face-formal-eu-investigation-over-unfair-downranking-o/#comments Way back in February, the European Union announced its intention to look into allegations made against Google that the search leader wasn't ranking its competitors fairly in the results it delivered. Well, that fact-finding mission seems to have unearthed at least some hint of impropriety on Google's part, as it's now shed the "preliminary" label and has become a full-on antitrust probe. The original complaints came from EJustice.fr, Foundem.co.uk, and Microsoft's price comparison service Ciao, and they're still the basis of the investigation, though secondary issues, such as Google's conditions for advertisers and the way it tracks ad campaign data, will also be looked at. Let's not forget, however, that we're still dealing with allegations here, and it's going to be quite tricky to show any misdoing without delving into Google's famed algorithms and internal practices -- then again, maybe that's exactly what Mountain View's competitors are after.

Update: Google has responded to the news on its Public Policy Blog.

Google to face formal EU antitrust investigation over unfair downranking of search competitors originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 06:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-competitiveanti-trustanticompetitiveantitrustcompetitioneueuropeeuropean commissioneuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionfairnessformalgoogleinvestigationlawlegalproberegulationsearchTue, 30 Nov 2010 06:29:00 EST<![CDATA[EU providing $21 million grant to IBM and others, funding research into cloud storage]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/14/eu-providing-21-million-grant-to-ibm-and-others-funding-resear/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/14/eu-providing-21-million-grant-to-ibm-and-others-funding-resear/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/14/eu-providing-21-million-grant-to-ibm-and-others-funding-resear/#commentsEU providing $21 million grant to IBM and others, funding research into cloud storage Clouds are beautiful things that fill our skies with wonderment, and as it turns out they make awfully good places to store our precious data, too. In that way European Union wants to make them even better, providing a €15.7 million (that's $21.4 million US) research project called Vision Cloud. It's set to tackle a number of related storage issues, including the ability to run applications within cloud storage, proper auditing and access restriction, and mobility of said data, so that it can be accessed from anywhere. IBM's Haifa, Israel think tank is going to be leading the effort, while Siemens and SAP will be playing nice too. Really, when you're getting paid to think about clouds, how would it be possible to not play nice?

EU providing $21 million grant to IBM and others, funding research into cloud storage originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Nov 2010 06:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloudeueuropean unionEuropeanUnionhaifaibmisraelresearchsiemensvision cloudVisionCloudSun, 14 Nov 2010 06:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Spain, Portugal vow to kill off roaming fees]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/08/spain-portugal-vow-to-kill-off-roaming-fees/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/08/spain-portugal-vow-to-kill-off-roaming-fees/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/08/spain-portugal-vow-to-kill-off-roaming-fees/#comments The European Union has been trying to put a tight lid on roaming charges between its member nations for some time (just imagine if you paid roaming fees on interstate travel, Americans!), but it's been slow going -- though there are new per-minute caps in place this year, the fact that the concept of roaming exists at all, particularly when only a handful of companies control all of Europe's wireless landscape, is a little crazy. Well, Europeans, we might recommend using your friends in Spain and Portugal as shining examples of how you can live in a roaming-free future, because the friendly neighbors have agreed in principle to eliminate roaming charges as part of a broader plan to improve Spanish-Portuguese trade. Details have yet to be hammered out -- and therefore, affected carriers aren't yet commenting -- but if this works well, we can only hope the love will spread Europe-wide on the double.

Spain, Portugal vow to kill off roaming fees originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eueuropeeuropean unionEuropeanUnionmobileportugalroamingspainMon, 08 Nov 2010 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Europe drops €22M into Symbian, Harrods shopping spree seems inevitable]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/02/europe-drops-22m-into-symbian-herrods-shopping-spree-seems-ine/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/02/europe-drops-22m-into-symbian-herrods-shopping-spree-seems-ine/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/02/europe-drops-22m-into-symbian-herrods-shopping-spree-seems-ine/#commentsDon't count the Symbian Foundation out just yet, because the European Commission has emerged like a knight in shining armor thanks to a €22 million public / private joint investment and a new consortium of some 24 organizations awkwardly called SYMBEOSE: "Symbian - the Embedded Operating System for Europe." Needless to say, it seems like some of the higher-ups across the continent are feeling a little emotional about the hometown platform -- especially now that it's starting to take a lot of heat -- and have thrown some skin in the game to keep things interesting. For its part, the Foundation says that the initiative (and presumably the money) will go toward developing "new core platform capabilities," exploring cloud computing, and broadening the platform's hardware ecosystem, among other things. Oh, and new Air Jordans would be nice. For Christmas, maybe.

[Thanks, Ronald]

Europe drops €22M into Symbian, Harrods shopping spree seems inevitable originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 13:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eceueuropeeuropean commissioneuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionsymbeosesymbiansymbian foundationSymbianFoundationTue, 02 Nov 2010 13:09:00 EST<![CDATA[EU's Galileo satnav system orbiting way past budget, delayed until 2017]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/eus-galileo-satnav-system-orbiting-way-past-budget-delayed-unt/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/eus-galileo-satnav-system-orbiting-way-past-budget-delayed-unt/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/eus-galileo-satnav-system-orbiting-way-past-budget-delayed-unt/#comments Up and running by 2014? Try 2017 at the very earliest. Such is the bogus news coming out of the European Commission today, as reported by the German Financial Times. Shockingly enough, the ill-organized Galileo navigation network has suffered from yet more delays, which have pushed it back by a further three years and even deeper into the budgetary red. An additional €1.5b to €1.7b will be required to complete the grand project, while fiscal recalculations now indicate that it's unlikely to ever turn a profit. Again, we are shocked. The total bill for European taxpayers is estimated to amount to somewhere in the region of €20 billion ($27.8b) when development, construction, and operation are all factored in. Ah well, it's a cash drain, but at least it'll divert funds from the EU's suicidal scheme of paying farmers to not farm. Every cloud has a silver lining, right?

EU's Galileo satnav system orbiting way past budget, delayed until 2017 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 06:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2017delaydelayseueuropeeuropean commissioneuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUniongalileogpsover budgetOverBudgetsatellite navigationSatelliteNavigationsatnavThu, 07 Oct 2010 06:37:00 EST<![CDATA[EU plans to end Apple antitrust investigation in light of relaxed iPhone rules]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/25/eu-plans-to-end-apple-antitrust-investigation-in-light-of-relaxe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/25/eu-plans-to-end-apple-antitrust-investigation-in-light-of-relaxe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/25/eu-plans-to-end-apple-antitrust-investigation-in-light-of-relaxe/#comments It seems like Apple's legal team is constantly embroiled in a pitched battle of some sort, but this weekend they might get to relax -- citing recent iPhone policy changes, the European Commission's decided to stop breathing down their necks. Though the EU originally joined the US Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission in investigating why Cupertino chose to block third-party dev tools and ads earlier this year, the fact that Apple recently relaxed both restrictions (and created a repair program for iPhones purchased abroad) satisfied European regulators. "The Commission intends to close the investigations into these matters," it wrote earlier today. There's no guarantee that the US powers-that-be will exercise similar leniency, of course, but we wouldn't be surprised -- even inside Apple, the DoJ's got other fish to fry.

EU plans to end Apple antitrust investigation in light of relaxed iPhone rules originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Sep 2010 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antitrustappleDepartment of JusticeDepartmentOfJusticedevelopersDoJEUEuropaEuropeEuropean CommissionEuropean UnionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionFederal Trade CommissionFederalTradeCommissionFTCioslegalSat, 25 Sep 2010 13:34:00 EST