The XBIZ Weekly Tech Watch

This week's tech watch brings good news for the open-source community, as well as a slew of new toys for iPhone fans, as well as a look at an electric car.

• In a dramatic development, a U.S. appeals court has ruled that software patents may only be granted if the software interacts with a physical object like a machine or otherwise changes the physical world. This means that straight software cannot be patented, giving the open-source community a victory – at least until this case reaches the Supreme Court.

• Hopefully electric cars are on the horizon, and in the meantime, CrunchGear has a review of the Chevy Volt.

• Is MTV censoring the names of file-sharing sites from the songs that appear on its site?

• Gmail has a new text-messaging feature.

• Social-networking addicts have another way to aggregate their online activity with Yoono.com.

Syncplicity.com has an unusual domain name, but it's another online alternative for computer professionals to back up their data.

• Google is now indexing scanned documents, an elaborate process that will use optical recognition technology to index scanned text data.

• Like CafePress, Zazzle.com lets anyone create their own clothing lines instantly.

Radus is a full-scale content aggregator that lets users scan loads of online information, including RSS feeds, photos, videos and music.

• Facebook continues to become more popular than MySpace outside the United States.

• Users of the document-sharing service DocStoc.com can now upload files by simply sending an email.

• People who own the Apple iPhone can now access WiFi service at all AT&T HotSpots.

• Need to spy on someone? The EyeClops night-vision goggles may the answer.

• Gizmodo has a run-down of this week's new applications for the Apple iPhone.

• On the heels of news that Sony's Blu-ray format may be dying, Sony has stopped delivering its good to Circuit City stores.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

FSC Summit Event Schedule Announced

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has revealed its slate of networking events and symposiums for its annual summit, set for January 15 during XBIZ 2026.

Pornhub Releases 2025 'Year in Review' Report

Pornhub has released its “Year in Review Insights” report for 2025, the 12th edition of the site’s annual statistics, data analysis, and infographic initiative.

Washington AV Bill Jumps on 'Health Warning' Bandwagon

A new age verification bill in the Washington state legislature would require adult sites to post notices warning users of alleged health risks, despite a previous federal court ruling against such requirements.

BranditScan Launches '25 Days of Christmas' Promo

BranditScan has launched its 25 Days of Christmas promotion.

MelRose Michaels Named Host of Online Industry Edition of XBIZ Honors

Performer and entrepreneur MelRose Michaels will MC the online industry edition of the 2026 XBIZ Honors, set for Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Kimpton Everly Hotel in Hollywood.

Irish Regulator: EU States to Ramp Up AV Enforcement for Smaller Sites

A representative of Irish media regulator Coimisiún na Meán told legislators that Ireland and other EU states are preparing to expand enforcement of age verification regulations to include smaller adult sites, British newspaper The Times is reporting.

Sansyl Group Acquires Blue Donkey Media

Sansyl Group, parent company of AdultPrime Network, has acquired Blue Donkey Media B.V., owner of Dutch adult site Meiden van Holland, among several other erotic websites and television channels.

Pineapple Support to Hold Mental Health Summit

The annual Pineapple Support Mental Health Summit is taking place Dec. 15-17.

Ofcom Fines AVS Group $1.3 Million for AV Noncompliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom on Wednesday imposed a penalty of one million pounds, or approximately $1.3 million, on AVS Group Ltd. after an investigation concluded that the company had failed to implement robust age checks on 18 adult websites.

Updated: Aylo to Help Test EU Age Verification App

Pornhub parent company Aylo plans to participate in the European Commission’s pilot program for its “white label” age verification app, a spokesperson for the company has confirmed.

Show More