After years of bluster and misguided policy from government and the music industry alike, a change in the attitude to file-sharing may be on the horizon thanks to a new survey that shows illegal downloaders actually spend more on music then their straight-as-a-die counterparts.

The Demos poll of 1,000 people between 16 and 50 found that illegal downloaders on average spend £77 a year on music, whereas the rest fork out just £44.

Discovery mechanism

Analyst Mark Mulligan of Forrester Research took the opportunity to highlight a truth policy makers seem unable or unwilling to grasp: "The people who file-share are the ones who are interested in music. They use file-sharing as a discovery mechanism."

Whether or not the Demos findings will have any impact on Peter Mandelson's plans to introduce a US style 'three strikes and you're out' approach to discouraging illegal downloading remains to be seen.

Posted under Cameras, Computers, GPS Navi, Gadgets, Monitors, Notebooks, PC Accessories, Printers, Scanners, iPod

Car owners who are either a bit on the smelly side or who have problems with hay fever might want to check out one of the more unusual gadgets to run off a cigarette lighter socket.

Japanese firm Seiwa's Airwasher fits in a standard car cup holder and uses the lighter power to suck in all the air in the car and scrub it clean with the aid of a water filter.

Pollen too

Costing just ¥2,980 (£20), the FS13 Airwasher is available only in Japan, but Seiwa does offer to handle international orders by email, although we've no idea of the price on that front yet.

As well as lighting up blue when powered up, the Airwasher's 120ml of water absorbs grime from the air and pollen particles. When it becomes saturated with filth after about 24 hours of operation, the water can be replaced from any tap or bottle.

Posted under Cameras, Computers, GPS Navi, Gadgets, Monitors, Notebooks, PC Accessories, Printers, Scanners, iPod

Posted under Cameras, Computers, GPS Navi, Gadgets, Monitors, Notebooks, PC Accessories, Printers, Scanners, iPod

Here is the new Wireless USB Digital microscope from ThinkGeek that uses a 2.4GHz wireless frequency with a switch on the cradle/wireless receiver for choosing one of 4 channels. The microscope is able to magnify the object from 10x to 200x and comes equipped with 8 white LEDs around the lens for added illumination. Other features include a built-in Li-ion battery that can be recharged using its cradle. You can purchase the Wireless USB Digital Microscope for $139.99 each. [Product Page]

Posted under Cameras, Computers, GPS Navi, Gadgets, Monitors, Notebooks, PC Accessories, Printers, Scanners, iPod

Filed under: Beta Beat

Want to see something scary this Halloween? Like, perhaps, a browser that doesn't coddle you with all that silly stability and reliable performance? Feel like spending a little time on the bleeding edge? You too can taste the future (which, I am told, has a distinctive metallic tang) by downloading the first public beta of Firefox 3.6, now featured over at the Mozilla developer blog.

The next release of the open-source browser includes more flexible video options, better Javascript performance, updated font support and single-click appearance customization through the Personas skinning system. You can read more about the 3.6 changes from a web development perspective here.

The Mac version requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher, and you can get it from the beta download page. Happy surfing!

TUAWBeta version of Firefox 3.6 for Mac now available originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Posted under Cameras, Computers, GPS Navi, Gadgets, Monitors, Notebooks, PC Accessories, Printers, Scanners, iPod

Filed under: Odds and ends, Steve Jobs, Apple

Update: As our loyal commenters have pointed out, Gizmodo (which was among the first sites to report that Clow was changing roles, echoing a piece in the industry journal Advertising Age) has followed up with an internal email from Clow where he says Miller's promotion does not imply that Clow is stepping away from his own leadership role with the company, including "keeping an eye on Apple."

---

When many people think of Apple, they think of the ad campaigns that the company has used over the years:

• The original "1984" Super Bowl ad that introduced the Mac to the world
• The "Think Different" campaign that coincided with the return of Steve Jobs to the company
• The iPod dancing silhouettes
• "There's an app for that" -- the iPhone ads
• "Hello, I'm a Mac. And I'm a PC." -- the Get A Mac ads

Apple's advertising agency is TBWA / Media Arts Lab, and the person who has been the creative force behind all of these ads is a man by the name of Lee Clow. The 66 year-old Clow has decided to step down as chief creative officer at the agency, although he'll remain chairman and global director of Media Arts Lab and fulfill other roles within TBWA.

Clow's replacement is no stranger to Apple. Duncan Milner is currently the executive creative director on the Apple account and is considered by many in the advertising industry to be the perfect replacement for Clow, a close friend of Steve Jobs.

TUAWApple's ad man changes roles, but another Apple fan will take his place originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Posted under Cameras, Computers, GPS Navi, Gadgets, Monitors, Notebooks, PC Accessories, Printers, Scanners, iPod

Posted under Cameras, Computers, GPS Navi, Gadgets, Monitors, Notebooks, PC Accessories, Printers, Scanners, iPod

The iNo CP09 is a new GSM cell phone for kids and elderly that features only a basic calculator-like screen with a large font display, large buttons, an FM radio, a torch light, a headphone jack, and a text messaging. There is also a SOS button that is useful in an emergency situation. The phone can send a text alarm to a configured number and calls that number. The iNo Mobile is available exclusively in Singapore at $78 each. [ePrice via Upcoming Cell Phones]

Posted under Cameras, Computers, GPS Navi, Gadgets, Monitors, Notebooks, PC Accessories, Printers, Scanners, iPod

Posted under Cameras, Computers, GPS Navi, Gadgets, Monitors, Notebooks, PC Accessories, Printers, Scanners, iPod

Posted under Cameras, Computers, GPS Navi, Gadgets, Monitors, Notebooks, PC Accessories, Printers, Scanners, iPod