Italian iPhone Fever
The inimitable Apple iPhone was officially launched in Italy by TIM (Telecom Italian Mobile) and Vodafone yesterday.
The Milanese, at least, decided that this object was the apple of their eyes, and formed long queues outside mobile phone shops in a attempt to obtain what has become the latest technological must-have fashion accessory.
All this enthusiasm comes despite high priced mobile phone service plans, and the sluggish Italian economy. To be fair though, Milan’s own economy is far from sluggish, which means the well heeled Milanese can afford to splash out and make the iPhone ‘MyPhone’, so to speak.
Was I in the queues? No. I’m probably going to end up with a Blackberry, sooner or later, at least once I’ve paid off the dear old Italian tax man.
Has Google Italy been Got At?
What an interesting question. I mean, would it be possible for someone working within Google Italy to manipulate the Googleplex’s search engine systems to the extent that the ranking of certain sites could be manipulated?
As I understand it, Google’s systems are based on cold and complex algorithms. Although these sophisticated formulae perhaps could not be tweaked, one who knows how the algorithims do their stuff could, I suppose, pass information on to certain parties. Certain parties could then use this information to make their sites more Google friendly. What a naughty thought.
Why am I on about this? Good question. Actually, it’s because I was speaking to someone involved in the running of a major Italian website, and this site’s page ranking in Google had fallen. The fall was such that this person intimated that someone somewhere was possibly exerting influence on someone in Google Italy.
Could this really be the case? Well, this is Italy…. And Italians are ‘furbo‘. This post, of course, is pure speculation.
Can anybody tell me what these are?
I’ve been seeing these odd symbols on quite a few websites recently, and even within Google search results. I don’t know what they are, or why they are there?
Anyone care to enlighten me?
Here’s a picture of these mysterious critters:
The Politicians’ Favourite Cell Phone
Recently in Italy, many of the power mongers here, including a good few politicians have had their mobile phone conversations tapped by Italy’s law enforcement authorities, usually in connection with one of Italy’s many ongoing scandals.
Of course, having people listening in on telephone conversations concerning dodgy dealings can be potentially rather embarrassing. Indeed, many of the big names in Italian politics, much to their annoyance, have been recorded and subject to investigations in connection with various potentially illegal activities.
Italian politicians, who are quite an arrogant bunch, think they really should be above the law, and so have been trying to do just about everything they can to render the results of the cell phone surveillance operations inadmissible in the Italian courts.
Well, now the power brokers and dodgy deal merchants need fear no more. They can set up a few Swiss bank account swelling insider trades, and the odd protectionist take over, without having worry about the pesky attention of those bothersome law enforcement types.
Yes, an Italian (surprise, surprise) company, Caspertech (this site has an English version), has recently launched the ‘Cryptofonino‘, which is a mobile phone with software capable of encrypting telephone conversations and text messages. I’ve noticed adverts for these interesting devices on the front page of Italy’s biggest financial daily, Il Sole 24 Ore, for a few months now.
One suspects that these things have been selling like hot cakes here in Italy, and many of the clients are most probably those democratic representatives of the people, plus a few of those running various ‘enterprises’ down in the south of Italy. Not to mention just about anyone with a bulging Swiss or offshore bank account.
One of these technological jewels can be had for €999 + Italian VAT, a price, I’m sure you will agree, which is a mere drop in the ocean for someone who is likely to make the odd million or two from a few creative business deals.
Should you feel the urge to keep your cellular conversations confidential, all you will need is a GSM operator which supports CSD data services.
I’ve ordered four - one for me, one for the other half, another for the little one, and yet another for the dog. Better safe than sorry, that’s what I say.
News From Ansa- Gomorra writer 'death sentence' October 14, 2008Camorra 'wants Saviano dead by Christmas'
- September inflation drop confirmed October 14, 2008Pasta and bread still post double-digit jumps
- Gomorra writer 'death sentence' October 14, 2008
- Beppe Grillo
-
The 442
-
Subscribe
-
-
