Odyssey Cable

AP - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was accused of rape and molestation in a Swedish arrest warrant Saturday that turned the spotlight onto the nomadic former hacker who's infuriated governments worldwide with his self-proclaimed mission to put secrets into the public eye.

AP - For months, the U.S. government talked with a boot-on-the-neck toughness about BP, with the president wondering aloud about whose butt to kick.

Macworld.com - When Apple announces a new product, the company spares no expense to extol its new features and benefits. But when Apple releases minor updates, it can often be terse about the magnitude of their importance. Such is the case with this week’s Snow Leopard Graphics Update 1.0.

AP - A group of anonymous Internet activists has set up a website to display information about Thailand that comes from the whistle-blower site Wikileaks, which is blocked to some viewers in the Southeast Asian country.

Reuters - "Double rainbow! Oh my God, it's a double rainbow all the way!"

AP - North Korea appears to have added Facebook to the social networking sites it recently joined to ramp up its propaganda war against South Korea and the U.S.

AP - The seemingly recession-proof smart phone is suffering from a side effect of the rough economy: Manufacturers simply can't build enough of the gadgets because chip-makers that rolled back production last year are now scrambling to play catch-up.

Reuters - BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion may provide some solution next week to help Indian security agencies access corporate email by obtaining encrypted data in readable format, a government source said on Friday.

Digital Trends - Maybe the big screen adaptation of Facebook’s beginnings as told in the movie The Social Network has started a trend.

PC World - LTE is generating excitement in the world of consumer electronics and ever-faster online video viewing, but the 4G (fourth-generation) mobile network technology may have even greater implications for specific industries that lack a good means of connectivity.

Mashable - Facebook has posted its highly-polished promotional video for Facebook Places online; it's a glimpse into how the company hopes users will utilize its new location service.

The Upshot - Here's our daily roster of stories that evaded full-on blog treatment: • Wyclef Jean is confident that he can overcome his failure to meet the legal requirements to run for president in Haiti. (MSNBC) • After she announced her decision to quit radio, Dr. Laura had dinner with a gay friend and a black friend, [...]

PC World - Now that Hewlett-Packard has announced plans to release a webOS tablet early next year, its next big goal--in addition to building the device--is to persuade software developers to write apps for the mobile gadget. Given the early popularity of Apple's iPad, as well as the imminent arrival of numerous tablets running Google's Android OS, that task could prove challenging.

Appolicious - Facebook's Places may be useful, but users need to be careful before activating the powerful location tool. Also, People Magazine introduces a new iPad app and pricing scheme, while Lollapalooza fans can hear special interviews from the show.

PC World - The group responsible for managing the Internet's domain name system is asking Demand Media's eNom division for answers following complaints from Internet security groups.

Ben Patterson - Google tried — and ultimately failed — to turn the U.S. wireless market upside-down by selling its supercharged Nexus One Android phone online, with minimal help from the big carriers. But now, months after shuttering its online storefront for the phone, the Nexus One is a sudden, improbable hit.

Ben Patterson - A new beta of Apple’s iOS mobile software reportedly boasts references to a fourth-generation iPod Touch and maybe even a new iPad — not much of a surprise there. It’s the mention of some "unknown hardware" in the iOS beta code that’s raising eyebrows. Are we talking a new Apple TV, perhaps, or something new we haven’t seen yet?

PC World - Canonical this week released a software framework that brings multitouch interaction to the open-source Ubuntu OS, which could accelerate adoption of the OS on tablets.

Aug. 20 - The world's top microchip manufacturer Intel is partnering with the media company VICE to stage a series of global events aimed at highlighting the use of technology in art.

Aug. 20 - BHP Billiton has made a formal bid to take over fertiliser firm Potash, the EC tells Greece it must impose even tougher austerity measures, Germany says its recovery is likely to extend to year end and BP holds off on capping its Macondo well.