The Chinese government want to meter all internet traffic passing through their borders so that they can charge for it. The ITU (International Telecommunications Union) which is a UN body are discussing it and despite concerns being raised appear to be amenable to the idea. This would potentially lead to countries being able to establish charges to other nations for internet connections and traffic flow. Apparently as it stands many developing countries feel they are being struck with an unfair burden in terms of the cost for international internet connections.

The big worry is that China has some other ulterior motive for this move. They already censor the internet within China and the fear is that they are trying to exert further control over what should be an open and free resource. The ITU claims there is no risk and that the move is not about establishing more government control but rather about being recompensed fairly.

The new T-Mobile G1 or the Google Phone, has been released in the US last week and the Chinese already got their hands on it and are illegally selling it for RMB 3,999 (about $550). In the US, G1 is bound on a two-year contract with T-Mobile and sells for $180 so I suppose it’s too bad for those that want to pay the extra fee (add $73 to unlock it if needed) because I’m sure Google will soon hit the Asian markets and the price won’t be that peppered. Next to get the Android-based mobile phone, are the Brits in early November, followed by Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands in the first quarter of 2009. – via Pacificepoch

While waiting for the best of the best electric car from the giant manufacturers in the US, Germany or Japan, a company from China manages to amaze us. Dubbed Zhejiang 001, the Chinese electric car is going to cost only $5,560. Using sung energy and a solar panel roof, the car has a 93-mile range autonomy if charged for 30 hours because it can only transform 14 to 17 percent of the sun light.

I’m not sure about you, but the financial crisis and with recent fuel prices (which should drop now that oil went below $70, but don’t) I’m really tempted into buying something like that. However, winter it’s coming over here and I’m not sure what will happen when it gets covered in snow. Still, the idea is great if you’re living in California and want a daily commuter alternative. – via Gizmodo

China recently decided to ban Internet access to video sharing website, YouTube, and to GoogleNews. Obviously the bad publicity they’re getting over military forces attacking the Tibetans, is not “healthy” now that the Olympics are coming up. These are communist tactics to put a stop to the information flow, but I don’t think they will manage. People will eventually see what is to be seen.

by tiengdankeu

“Demonstrations in the city started on March 10, a day commemorating the anniversary of a 1959 uprising against Chinese rule after which the spiritual leader of the country, the Dalai Lama, fled to India. China has said the Dalai Lama is to blame for rioting in the country, and puts the civilian death toll at 13, while adding that police and security forces have also suffered casualties”, InfoWorld said.

Google is aware of the problem and announced they’re working towards restoring access to their two services penalized. More to it, rumors say that foreign media has been banned from Tibet, too. There are a lot of other places where videos or pictures can be uploaded so unless China cuts the whole Internet plug, the flow of information will go on like a river.

Research in Motion (RIM), which is BlackBerry’s producer, will sell its smartphones in China. The company has already shipped the first BlackBerry transport to China and intend to put them to sale later this year, perhaps close to Christmas holidays.

RIM has signed an agreement with Alcatel-Lucent for the Chinese distribution. The Chinese market has a great potential for increasing the company’s sales. Also, the RIM officials announced the company is interested to ship BlackBerry for the Indian market too. Both China and India are hot prospects for BlackBerry service subscriptions.
RIM said it has over 10 million subscribers and has shipped its 20 millionth handset recently. Although the company has a strong financial background, the Chinese market could be tough. RIM will face the low-cost rivals and a popular service called RedBerry, which I think is a copy of BlackBerry.

via Yahoo News