Ever since Nokia introduced Python for their Series 60 phones I have been planning on acquiring one. The phones have slowly become smaller, less expensive and with more features. Whilst the N95 represents the future of features, with a decent camera, WiFi and integrated GPS, it’s not there in terms of cost, size and battery life. So I have selected the E65, only slightly heavier than my current phone but with lots of S60 goodness, WiFi and VoIP capabilities.
Naturally the first thing I’ve attempted is to install Python. There are a couple of gotchas, one a bug and the other related to increased security measures within the 3rd edition of Series 60.
1. You need to configure the phone to allow self-signed applications to be installed before installing Python.
2. When installing Python you must install the current version to the phone memory rather than the memory card (BTW: the micro-SD cards are tiny), this is a known bug and will be fixed in future releases.
Nokia provide great access to the phone’s features via Python so I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do with it. Here are some initial ideas: send the phone a SMS to take a photo, time lapse photo sequence with auto-upload to flickr and have the phone record locations of open WiFi spots detected (requires the external GPS).
JB HiFi
After buying the E65 I chanced upon JB Hi-Fi on Queen St. opposite Smith & Caughey. The Ockker retailer looks set to stir things up - they have a massive selection of games, music and DVDs with a smattering of consumer electronics. Nice to see some more competition in Auckland. Its not a pretty retail environment with its fluoro sale now look and if you’re looking for decent staff recommendations I would still head down to Marbecks.
I attended the Auckland InternetNZ session on the Copyright Amendment Bill last Wednesday. This was part of InternetNZ’s process of consultation to help frame their submission to the Commerce Select Committee. The presentations and discussions also helped many in translating the language of statute to discover the essence of the bill.
The submission period has now been extended, so you have until March 9 to provide your input into the proposed changes.
The materials from the presentations are available online.
Here are a few issues that emerged:
Format shifting
The provisions provide weak rights to the consumer. As previous noted:
There is a two year sunset clause which will see this right removed unless the clause is renewed by an Order in Council.
Companies can remove this right through contracting out.
It is limited to audio material.
One issue I hadn’t seen raised before is the “private and domestic” use clause limiting the format shifted music to your home. Clive Elliott raised the question of whether it would be legal to listen to your format shifted iPod music at work.
As noted by more than one learned lawyer at the workshop - the format & time shifting clauses will be irrelevant to most NZers. After all we have been happily time shifting since Sony introduced the consumer video tape recorder in 1975, have been copying CDs onto iPods/MP3 players since the Diamond Rio appeared and will continue to copy DVDs onto portable video players such as the video iPod. Despite the fact that this will remain illegal if the bill is passed in its present form.
Law? The Big Picture
This is an area where the law as statute and the law as in what is socially acceptable are poles part. The format shifting and time shifting provisions do help close up the gap. The question of what is fair in the balance between copyright holder and society
was raised by questions from the floor. These sought to question or reframe the basis of copyright. As Bronwyn Turley from the Ministry of Economic Development noted the process, leading to this bill, has solely been targeting a digital update of current legislation, and not a complete review of copyright.
More importantly NZ’s ability to redesign copyright within our jurisdiction is framed by our international relationships including the treaties on IP and Trade we are signatories of.
TPM test case
If the bill passes, without change to the TPM sections, we will have an interesting test case with the introduction of the new high definition video discs into NZ. More specifically the test will involve the lawful playback and viewing of region controlled video.
Although the back catalog HD DVD discs now available appear to be region free, it is clear that some form of Region Playback Control (RPC) is likely to be introduced. This would bring HD DVD in line with Blu Ray which already has defined its RPC.
Therefore it appears certain that we will be able to legally import a HD DVD or Blu Ray disc which will not play in a NZ zone player.
It is equally clear that the MPA et al are aware of this thorny issue and are lobbying against it through submissions to the US government.
TPMs & Creative Innovation
During Peter Gutmann’s presentation on TPMs he cited an example of a creative individual being stymied by TPMs that prevented them from viewing their own content on a PC. The TPM in question was Macrovision, an analog video TPM. This issue emerged last year when there were fresh attempts to impose measures against the so called analog hole. TPMs pose a real danger to creators. In protecting ‘proper’ content all other content is assumed to be illegal. This will remove or reduce the functionality available to creators who are limited to consumer level equipment. Given that copyright is supposed to exist to promote the creation of works, if TPMs place a barrier to creation you have to wonder if they have a place in copyright legislation.
Creative Commons & Govt
There was some brief talk during the panel on the history of attempts to get a NZ set CC licences available. Afterwards during drinks there was a suggestion raised that when a NZ CC non-commercial licence exists it would be a great way to allow government departments, SOEs and CROCs to provide non-commercial use of our information and content assets - whilst still allowing commercial exploitation. By allowing citizens to experiment with our national assets commercial applications could be discovered. In a similar way that the BBC’s Backstage non-commercial feeds have helped spawn commercial licence paying applications. BTW for a great discussion on the realities of DRM and complex rights situation within archives spend a hour listening to backstage’s first podcast.
Yesterday, as predicted by a certain media commentator, Apple opened iTunes and a proper Apple Store in NZ. Nice to see some NZ music there and promoted. No telly or film available.
I prefer nice physical objects and come out in a nasty little rash when handling DRM goods so I’m not likely to be an iTunes punter.
But just to test myself I searched for music I’ve been trying to track down retail in downtown Auckland. Sadly neither Hellwood or Nomo were returned from my iTunes searches.
Channel 4
Channel 4 in the UK launched a catch up TV service, 4oD. Wouldn’t get excited it’s UK & Eire only. It’s Windows only, XP and above, using Windows Media Player 10 or 11 with associated DRM. Not sure if that’s the plays for sure DRM or the Zune DRM or another form of DRM being offering by Microsoft;)
4oD appears very similar to the BBCs offering.
UK IP Report
More interesting is the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property which also emerged overnight. The leaks reported by the BBC seem to have been accurate – including the contentious issue of term extension for protection for sound recordings and related performers’ rights, which Gowers recommends is not extended past the current 50 years.
Gowers is recommending:
strongerenforcement of IP, up to 10 years for online copyright infringement
balance – providing consumers with a private copying exception, to allow format shifting (e.g. to copy your CD onto an iPod), allowing educational users to access content.
helping UK business to create/protect their IP with various restructuring and new initiatives
Recommendation 4:Policy makers should adopt the principle that the term and scope of protection for IP rights should not be altered retrospectively.
Gaming
Meanwhile today the Nintendo Wii is launched in NZ & Oz. It reinforces the fact that the quality of gaming is not just down to the power of CPU and GPU of the console. And it looks like a lot of fun… I plan some serious research later in the day.
I’m not into WOW but couldn’t help come across the LeeroyJenkins meme.
It’s kinda bonghead humor but I can’t help appreciate the Jenkins inspired promos for Spike TV below.
