Triplesourced

My girlfriend has just bought a new MacBook, rather than a recession-friendly netbook, but hey. But despite being a couple of hundred quid more than the old style, Apple seem to have done away with the little remote.

After a bit of searching through the box, and a bit more searching online, we realised it wasn't a packaging error at Cupertino, but they buggers have actually stopped including them. Having looked on some forums the consensus is that most people didn't use them and actually Steve is doing us a big favour by not bothering us with this distraction - Steve knows best!.

I guess I am in the minority but I actually like the remote and I think Apple is missing out on a trick here. One sure way to wow your Windows friends when they come around for dinner is to casually use the remote to launch Front Row from across the room - that always goes down well.

Sad I know but it's one of my few party tricks - well that and flicking peanuts into my mouth. Apple has given the option to buy a remote for $19 but most people won't.

I guess judging by the company's results, Apple doesn't need anymore marketing help but doing away with the remote is going to mean a few less Mac owners get to show off Front Row and saying your Mac Book is made from one complete piece of plastic doesn't have the same effect.

On a flight back from LA last week I found myself in that brain limbo that too much air travel can impose. Too wired to sleep but too tired to sit through a whole movie so breaking with my normal obsessive need to watch all the new movies on the plane I opted for some TV and chanced on the BBC Money Programme Interview with Bill Gates which aired last June.

I missed it at the time, probably consciously expecting it to be more glossed over mainstream coverage of Bill. For the most part it was exactly what I expected with presenter Fiona Bruce steering clear of asking Bill too many of the tough questions despite claiming that it had taken the Beeb almost two years of negotiations with Microsoft to secure the interview. The programme delved into the history of MS and went over the usual ground and then tackled Bill's new philanthropic career.

Various talking heads popped up around the issue including US tech journo and super-geek Robert X Cringely who basically claimed that Bill's latest venture is all about securing a nobel peace prize! Well that makes sense but then thinking about another aspect of philanthropy, the tax saving, it struck me that while it might seem on one hand that Bill is being supremely altruistic with giving away billions the fact is that he has to to do that anyway through taxation. So by setting up this huge philanthropic effort he is able to take back some control of that vast chunk of cash that he was previously sending off to the US Treasury and Bill likes control.

I am sure that there is a lot of genuine altruism here but people don't really change that much. The single-minded focus on achieving a goal has characterised Microsoft's rise to to top and the fact that Gates would suddenly shift gift and become some touchy-feely Mother Teresa-like figure just doesn't wash. There is a plan here with a definite end-game, probably the nobel peace prize, with the handy by-product of being able to have more say over the vast swathes of tax dollars.

Gates wasn't given a completely free-ride by the BBC, the parting segment had Fiona Bruce being shown around the MS Campus by Gates. The pair came up against what seemed to be a locked door. Gates assumed that the door was secured by the high-tech security system and search vainly for his swipe card before resigning himself to calling for help. After credulously asking if Bill was locked out of his own building, the BBC presenter simply leant on the door and strolled in. And neat little segment that said it all really.

Now, listen here 007, seems even though those Hollywood chappies have decided that Q Branch isn't quite in keeping with the new take-no-prisoners image of the SS, the MOD is still keen that we play our part and is going on a bit of recruitment drive to rustle up some brainy-types to keep you front-line Johnies in a regular supply of exploding arm-chairs and self-propelled hats.

Yep depending on your attitude to all things military, the latest missive from the MOD is either your chance to live out a boyhood fantasy or a crude and clumsy strategy to use an out-dated nationalistic icon like James Bond to gather more ideas on how to kill people.

Anyway - here's the mail - you can decide for yourself:

Ministry Of Defence
13/11/2008 10:08
Ministry Of Defence (National)
(MOD) Calling all 'Qs'


BUDDING 'Qs' who think they could supply the armed forces of the future with high-tech gadgets and gizmos should attend a forthcoming innovation day at Glasgow University.

The Ministry of Defence is eager to engage with Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), as well as individuals or academics who think they can provide a solution to future defence technology needs.

Head of the Centre for Defence Enterprise, Dr Helen Almey, said:

"The Support for Operations seminar is our way of taking the Centre for Defence Enterprise on tour to tap into expertise in science, technology and innovation from across the UK.

"There is a strong tradition of research and development in Scotland and we hope to be able to build on this to ensure our front-line forces have the best battle-winning technologies for the future.

"We can only do this by working with the science and technology community, to reach beyond our traditional defence suppliers as we know there are talented individuals and innovative companies out there."

Dr Almey will be attending the Support for Operations Seminar on 19 November, along with Dr Chris Mace, Director General Science and Technology Operations. Armed Forces personnel who have recently returned from operations will also be attending to give a first hand view of the challenges they face.

Five similar, successful seminars have already been held, which were attended by more than 600 people representing over 200 different organisations.

The Glasgow event is being held jointly by the University of Glasgow and the Ministry of Defence Centre for Defence Enterprise, where innovators, entrepreneurs, academics, plus small, medium or large businesses can discuss ideas that could contribute to any aspect of the UK's military capability.

The Centre for Defence Enterprise was opened in May 2008 and has already received more than 130 proposals, all of which will be considered and assessed by MOD's experts.

Proposal submissions are all completed online through the website http://www.science.mod.uk and feedback is provided in just a few weeks. In the first six months the Centre has approved contracts and recommended proposals worth approximately £1.7M.

Dr Almey added:

"The Centre for Defence Enterprise and the UK-wide seminars are a way of showing a practical commitment to innovation, to improve the capabilities of the armed forces and to UK Industry.

"Our task is to anticipate, prepare for and meet the forthcoming challenges by being highly innovative, agile and flexible in our approach to defence science and technology. We can only do this by actively seeking innovative and exciting ideas and contributions from across industry, academia and other enterprises."

Notes to Editors:

1. The Support for Operations seminar is being held at the Kelvin Gallery at the University of Glasgow on 19 November between 10am and 5pm.

2. For more information about business and enterprise at Glasgow University, log on to the Innovation Network Research & Enterprise at http://www.gla.ac.uk/businessandindustry

3. People can register their interest in the seminar by emailing innovationnetwork@enterprise.gla.ac.uk

4. Discussion topics during the seminar include: An introduction to the Centre for Defence Enterprise, support for Land, Sea and Air Operations and the MoD Technology Research Programme

5. For more information about the Centre for Defence Enterprise or to submit a proposal, individuals and businesses can log on to http://www.science.mod.uk

6. The Centre for Defence Enterprise is located in Harwell, Oxfordshire.

7. For further information, contact Sonia Marshall in the MoD press office on 0207 218 2957 or email sonia.marshall571@mod.uk.

This just in on the ongoing ID Card issue. (BTW Bruce Schneier says we shouldn't get all hot and bothered over ID cards as they are just a temporary technology before unseen biometrics take over http://adonoghue.wordpress.com/2008/10/29/uk-id-card-fuss-is-only-temporary/)

Here is the government release in full for you to chew over:

(Home Office) Identity card delivery on time and on budget announces Home Secretary

Significant progress in the delivery of the National Identity Scheme which will protect your identity in the most secure and convenient way, was announced today by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.

In a speech hosted by the Social Market Foundation she set out progress on the delivery of identity cards and action taken to respond to issues raised by the public. The wider scheme will start with the introduction of identity cards for foreign nationals from 25 November this year. The Home Secretary announced today that she will be commissioning further work to explore how a small number of British nationals could reap the benefits of identity cards early by making applications in advance of the official launch date.

Today's announcement also sets out how the Government has listened to the public, and responded to the views raised in the consultation following publication of the Government's National Identity Scheme Delivery Plan in the spring. To help people understand what the Scheme will do for them we have also published the first guide for the public: Introducing the National Identity Scheme.

Alongside our response we are unveiling for the first time the remit of the National Identity Scheme Commissioner who will look after the public's interests. The Scheme Commissioner will scrutinise the way the Scheme is implemented and how identity cards are used by both public and private sectors. The Commissioner will also review how we are keeping personal data secure and report any data protection breaches to the Information Commissioner at the same time as the Home Secretary.

The Scheme Commissioner will be supported by an Identity Scheme Public Panel, which will be established next year, to give greater assurance that the scheme delivers for the public. Its first task will be to develop an Identity Scheme Charter setting out the rights and responsibilities of individuals, business and the Government in relation to the Scheme.

Also today the Home Secretary named the airport operators who will be part of the first phase of the identity cards rollout for UK nationals. For the aviation industry a single, secure way of proving identity will deliver real benefits to employers, employees and the public by bringing faster, cheaper and more joined-up pre-employment and security checking processes. To assist the aviation industry in implementing this, identity cards will be issued at no charge to either the individual or airport operator and an additional fund will be made available to support improvements to the infrastructure and process for pre-employment checking and issuing of airside passes.

Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, said:

"Protecting the public is a top priority for the Government and identity cards, including those for critical workers, will bring increased protection against identity fraud, and help protect our communities against crime, illegal immigration and terrorism.

The announcements today are further steps toward delivering our commitment to a National Identity Scheme with real benefits for everyone. As identity cards begin rolling out, starting later this month with foreign nationals, we will quickly see that a single, convenient and secure way of proving who someone is will bring real benefits to this country."

Geoff Muirhead, Chief Executive of Manchester Airport Group, said:

"Since the Government announced in March that airside workers would be amongst the first to be issued with identity cards, we have engaged in the consultation to maximise the benefits both to the aviation industry and its employees and we have achieved significant progress.

"Since no additional costs will be placed on the industry and a simplified process of applying for airside clearance is established, identity cards now offer real benefits to businesses operating at Manchester Airport. For individuals, identity cards offer the opportunity for greater portability in terms of applying for new jobs within the industry where airside clearance is required without the need to repeat lengthy security checks.

"On this basis, we look forward to being part of the evaluation period."

Richard Gooding, Chief Executive of London City Airport said:

"Providing a safe and secure environment to staff working on site at London City Airport is fundamental to our business. In addition to the rigorous pre-employment screening measures already successfully carried out at this airport, the new Critical Workers Identity Cards will provide greater assurances to both colleagues and the travelling public.

"We look forward to working closely with the Home Office to roll out the new cards for all staff with airside access at London City Airport."

The Home Secretary also revealed that the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) is to begin talking with businesses and other public organisations about how customers can join the scheme and give their biometrics using locations that are convenient to customers, like the high street. As part of this work IPS is publishing a prospectus outlining its vision for the creation of this biometric enrolment market - estimated to be worth approximately £200m a year.

The National Identity Scheme will deliver a single secure form of identity which will:

* make life easier by providing all of us with an easy and convenient means of proving our identity;

* prevent and protect us from identity theft and fraud;

* reassure us all that workers in positions of trust are who they say they are;

* protect the country from illegal immigration and help reduce illegal employment; and

* make it harder for criminals to use false or multiple identities and thus help protect us all from crime and terrorism.

The first identity cards will be issued to non-EEA foreign nationals from 25 November, with 40,000 expected to be in circulation by April 2009.

In autumn 2009 the first cards for critical workers, starting at airports, will be issued.

From 2010 young people will be offered the chance to sign up for cards to help them as they start out their adult lives. And from 2012 the National Identity Scheme will begin to roll-out for the general population with identity cards available in significant numbers.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Manchester and London City airports have agreed to work with IPS and the Government as part of the first wave of airports under the critical workers identity card scheme and will help to develop detailed plans for introducing identity cards from autumn 2009.

2. Using identity cards as a single consistent means of proving identity across airports will bring real benefits to employers, employees and the public. They will help:

* facilitate faster, cheaper and more joined-up pre-employment and security checking processes;

* improve the portability of reference checks between employers and airports creating greater flexibility for employers and staff;

* speed up pre-employment clearances for card holders moving from one airside job to another;

* kick start joint work to explore opportunities for streamlining airside pass regimes;

* give holders a highly secure and convenient identity document that can be used to prove their identity, and as a travel document within the EEA for UK citizens; and

* help ensure all people using airports are confident about their safety whilst there.

3. The Government's response to the Delivery Plan consultation can be found at http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity

4. Introducing the National Identity Scheme, a vision of how the National Identity Scheme will work from 2012, can be found at http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity

5. The latest cost report is published today in Parliament showing over the next ten years the cost of setting up and running the UK scheme is £4,785m while the foreign national scheme will cost £326m. The report is available at http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity

6. As part of work to engage with business over the scheme IPS today publishes a prospectus outlining its vision for the market provision of biometric enrolment. The prospectus can be found at http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity

Just been at a really interesting event at Chatham House in London called Technology: A Platform for Development. (ZDNet.co.uk is one of the media partners). The conference had lots of very interesting speakers from NGOs and development agencies as well as lots of vendors who are keen to show their philanthropic sides whilst also getting very excited about how much dosh they can make out of growing markers such as Africa and India.

During the obligatory coffee break, I got chatting to someone (journalist ethics and Chatham House rules prevent me from saying who) who does a lot of tech-related work in Africa. He brought up the subject of Google and how from his perspective, it's "Don't be Evil" motto is not quite standing up in Africa at least (just as it was put under considerable strain over censoring in China).

My coffee-partner claimed that the line between the philanthropic side of Google, managed by the marvelously named Dr Larry Brilliant, and the commercial Google, appear to be blurring in Africa. And it goes beyond the normal branding exercise that a lot of tech companies go in for when it comes to doing good deeds, but actually seems to involve Google using its philanthropic work as a shoe-in to organisations who might be future clients of Google Inc - even down to data/leads changing hands betweem the two.

Now I can't stand any of this up you understand, so it might be complete rubbish, but this guy was one of the speakers at the event and someone who should know what he is talking about. Even if there is any truth in it, then I am not sure how hard we can be on Google as other companies are certainly guilty of using philanthropy as a loss leader.

Take Microsoft's international student discount iniatives which creates long term demand for their apps, or the companies Digital Pipeline iniative to help send refurbished PCs to the developing world - which mostly (it would have been exclusively but MS couldn't argue the charity commission around) have Windows and Office preloaded.

The truth is that just as green IT goes hand in hand with cost savings, philanthropy for most tech companies has to have some profit generation effect to - even if its just a marketing one. As I said, it might not be true, but I thought better of Google but maybe that's my problem.