Australia

The Xbox One Kinect 2.0′s potential for spying is a target of a new Congressional bill called “We Are Watching You Act Of 2013″ due to privacy concerns. And, no, I didn’t make that name up for the bill. As previously reported by The Inquisitr, the announcement of the Xbox One $499 price point after all the other Microsoft stumbles had some critics claiming Sony has already won the latest console war with the PlayStation 4. Now Microsoft has to deal with Congress if the ”We Are Watching You Act Of 2013″ bill is passed by both the House and Senate. The Xbox One Kinect 2.0 is being touted as a main feature by Microsoft. Most of the basic functionality assumes the Xbox One Kinect is turned on all the time. Microsoft responded to concerns over Xbox One Kinect spying several weeks ago: “You will determine how responsive and personalized your Xbox One is to you and your family during setup. The system will navigate you through key privacy options, like automatic or manual sign in, privacy settings, and clear notifications about how data is used. When Xbox One is on and you’re simply having a conversation in your living room, your conversation is not being recorded or uploaded.” With the ”We Are Watching You Act Of 2013″ any Xbox One Kinect spying will pretty much be impossible (unless it’s sanctioned by Congress and the NSA). ”We Are Watching You Act Of 2013″ will require the Xbox One Kinect, or any other camera-equipped device, to display the message “We are watching you” whenever viewers are being monitored for any reason. The bill would also require devices like the Xbox One Kinect to provide a camera or Kinect-free user experience. If the Xbox One Kinect collects any data this info must be displayed on-screen. Even other governments are concerned about Xbox One Kinect spying after the NSA PRISM scandal. Germany’s Federal Data Protection Commissioner Peter Schaar says the Xbox One collects all sorts of personal information: “The Xbox [One] registered all sorts of personal information about me. Reaction rates, my learning or emotional states. You are then processed on a remote server and possibly even to third parties. Whether it be deleted ever, the person concerned cannot influence.” The NSA PRISM spying program supposedly includes Microsoft. But no one knows for sure if the NSA had plans to turn the Xbox One into a “NSABox.” Do you think the “We Are Watching You Act Of 2013″ bill’s limitations on potential Xbox One Kinect spying are reasonable? Xbox One Kinect Spying Via NSA PRISM A Target Of ‘We Are Watching You Act Of 2013′ is a post from: The Inquisitr

Australia, exactly 6 years ago, were close to invincible. They had the World Cup, the Champions Trophy, the Ashes, test victories over India and South Africa and a squad which boasted of Ponting, Hussey, Lee, Gilchrist, Mcgrath, Warne and Hayden. Atleast three of the aforementioned players would be a shoo-in in the “Squad of the [...] Related posts: Ashes 2013 live: Clarke confident of Australia’s chances Ashes 2013 live: Warner dropped till first Ashes test, fined Ashes 2013 live: Gayle warning for Australia

Curb Your Enthusiasm star Jeff Garlin won’t face charges of vandalism after getting into a heated dispute over a parking space. The comedian was arrested over the weekend after being accused of breaking a window in a car that supposedly took the spot he was eyeing at a Studio City CVS Pharmacy on Saturday. According to TMZ, Jeff Garlin became so enraged at the woman in the Mercedes that he broke her side window with his bare hand. Police soon arrived on the scene and slapped the cuffs on the comedian. He was facing charges of felony vandalism at the time. However, it appears Garlin won’t fan any charges for losing his cool over the parking space. Instead of coughing up a fine or spending a bit of time behind bars, prosecutors have other plans for the Curb Your Enthusiasm star. CBS News reports Jeff Garlin is scheduled for a hearing at the Los Angeles city attorney’s office. Instead of fines or jail time, the comedian will be instructed about the law and how he can avoid such incidents going forward. In other words, he’s getting off pretty light for his unruly behavior. “We examined the facts and determined an office hearing is most appropriate in this circumstance,” city attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan said. He added that Garlin’s actions didn’t “reach the threshold” for criminal charges. As for Jeff Garlin’s scheduled appearance at the Los Angeles attorney’s office, Mateljan said such hearings are done in order to avoid going to trial. Of course, the woman whose car was damaged still has the option of pursuing a civil case against the comedian in the future. Although Garlin spends a fair amount of time on Twitter, he’s yet to address the situation on the micro-blogging site. His last tweet was sent out on June 14. Are you surprised Jeff Garlin won’t face criminal charges for breaking a woman’s car window over the weekend? Do you think the comedian overreacted? [Image via Entertainment Press / Shutterstock.com] Jeff Garlin Won’t Face Charges In Parking Space Fiasco is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Australian dollar has opened weaker despite another strong gain on Wall Street.

Chad Johnson said he learned his lesson after a brief jail stint and hopes to put the mistakes behind him and focus on a return to the NFL. The 35-year-old former NFL player spent a few days in jail this weekend after he angered a judge overseeing his domestic violence case. Johnson, who was working out a plea bargain for an incident in which he head-butted now ex-wife Evelyn Lozada, slapped his attorney on the backside during court proceedings. People in the courtroom laughed, but Broward County Judge Kathleen McHugh chided Chad Johnson for making light of the allegations against him and ordered him to jail. Johnson apologized to McHugh and was released on Monday, though he’s still required to serve 25 hours of community service and take domestic violence counseling. After he was released, Johnson said the incident sobered him to the reality of his situation. “I’ve learned my lesson, especially over those past seven days,” he said. “I think everyone deserves a second chance. Many would say I might not deserve it. I would like to finish my career off the right way.” Johnson said he realized that his actions caused him to lose to two things he loved most in life — his “beautiful ex-wife” and the game of football. Johnson was cut by the Miami Dolphins last year following the domestic violence charges. Now Chad Johnson wants at least one of those things back. “I don’t want the last thing to be remembered you know, well, Chad was cut from the Dolphins for an incident he had with his wife,” Johnson said. “I would love to grace the football field one more time and to help some team. I’m not injured. There’s nothing wrong with me.” But for Chad Johnson, an NFL comeback would likely run into the same problems facing his friend and former teammate Terrell Owens. Too many burned bridges, combined with declining skills, will likely keep most teams away from both the former Pro Bowlers, NFL insiders say. Chad Johnson Wants NFL Comeback After Learning His Lesson In Jail is a post from: The Inquisitr

Anti-pervert stockings in China is one of those things that makes you go hmm. They have now come up with the contraptions to discourage unwanted attention from men. A picture posted on the Chinese Twitter has gone viral. It shows what apparently looks like a pair of very hairy male legs but are not. The picture is actually of a woman wearing the latest craze in the country. “Super sexy, summertime anti-pervert full-leg-of-hair stockings, essential for all young girls going out,” HappyZhangJiang posted on Sina Weibo, China’s version of Twitter. The post is directed at women who want to fend off unwanted attention when out and about. Chinese men appear to be very vocal while the ladies stroll down the street, and women are not happy about that. It is unclear where these so-called anti-pervert stockings can be found. Certainly, the manufacturer will step up and make itself known. In foreign countries and big cities, it is common for men to try and “flatter” the pretty ladies as they walk past, a practice that does not sit will with them. Many see it as harassing, and it appears that someone has finally come up with the perfect solution. Who would want to look at a woman with hairy legs? The comments from users are almost as hilarious as the photo is. One user posted: “Damn, so disgusting!!!” While another lady added, “Essential for the subway?” Women are already thinking of the best way to put the hairy stockings to good use and whoever the manufacturer may be will probably get flooded with requests. One user did have a good point stating, “This will not only prevent against perverts, it’ll definitely also result in preventing handsome guys from approaching you.” If you are in the market for a boyfriend or significant other, it may not be wise to use the hairy stockings. Do you think the anti-pervert Chinese stockings will make it in the US? Anti-Pervert Stockings In China Are The Craze is a post from: The Inquisitr

Australia seems to be leading the game in forward-looking music evidenced by our favorite up-and-comers Flume and Flight Facilities . To add to the list, Sydney-based producers Rfshave just posted what is sure to be the future sound of electronic music. Combining elements of garage, deep house and an old school deadmau5-like trance beat with a indie-like emotional vocal, this song was made for fans of all genres of house music alike. The single will be released on iTunes June 21 st as their second single from debut album Atlas available August 9 th Read MoreBlog: Dancing AstronautRelated: RFS Desert NightTiesto and Wolfgang Gartner feat. Luciana We Own The Night (Original Mix)Tiesto & Wolfgang Gartner feat Luciana We Own The Night (Original Mix)AN21 & Max Vangeli vs Tiesto People of the Night (Original Mix)AN21 & Max Vangeli vs Tiesto People of the Night (Original Mix)

Russell Brand is in the news for mouthing off to MSNBC anchors, but the sometimes bawdy star has donned his “social commentator” hat for a new Gawker interview about Bradley Manning, American patriotism, and whistleblowers. Russell Brand is a well-liked comedian, but he’s also spoken out eloquently and compellingly before on social issues before the Bradley Manning debate. In the past, Brand has advocated for compassion toward drug abusers and opened up about his own struggles, subsequently penning a heart-wrenching piece about his relationship with troubled singer Amy Winehouse and her failed battle with addiction. Before Brand lambasted the MSNBC team for talking about him impolitely, he spoke to Gawker at length about Bradley Manning, and the role of a whistleblower in today’s news cycle. Asked why he chose to address Manning’s plight, Brand said in part: “I don’t know a great deal about international espionage, but sometimes one senses that an issue is drifting in a certain direction, and just by speaking out in a small way, you can make a subtle difference on that perception. Some people have made their mind up no matter what: ‘Bradley Manning is a traitor because of revealing classified information.’ ” He went on to opine that “[Manning] was motivated out of a different kind of patriotism: a genuine love of the people of this country and concern for the people.” Brand also quipped that public conversation exempts “what’s now regarded as esoteric information [such as] everything except for stuff that directly concerns Kim Kardashian,” the actor explains: “I happen to believe that Bradley Manning has the right to a fair trial; it seems clear to me that some of the charges against him are mendacious and duplicitous from the outset … The things I’d say I’m highly qualified to talk about are drugs and alcohol abstinence, social consciousness broadly, and sex. Under my libertarian umbrella, occasionally Bradley Manning or the demonstrations in Turkey will fall under my shade.” Addressing possible criticism stemming from the fact Russell Brand isn’t American, he answers: “As long as you know that all of this stuff is arbitrary—that karate is invention, that Catholicism is invention, that America in an invention—but that humanity is an actual thing, we don’t have to all pretend to believe this s*** … What’s actually important? A human being doing a thing that was quite bold—possibly from a position of some personal trauma—but that regardless has brought attention to important stuff.” When asked if he believes Bradley Manning is a hero, Brand answers in the affirmative (essentially), before adding “[but] don’t make me look like a d***head.” You can read Russell Brand’s full Bradley Manning interview over on Gawker. Russell Brand Says Bradley Manning Is A Hero is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Australian sharemarket looks set to open higher.

Dame Judi Dench is your new favorite celebrity, and it has nothing to do with her Oscar and Tony-winning performances. It has everything to do with her quirky hobby of carefully handcrafting embroidered gifts for her co-stars with NSFW sayings. According to Jezebel, Dame Judi Dench practices the somewhat-stereotypical hobby of needlework and often embroiders little pieces while she’s sitting around doing movie shoots. The twist here is that Dench’s embroidery is apparently all swear words. According to Angus MacFayden, who was Dench’s co-star in the 2005 Joe Wright adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, the 78-year-old troublemaker makes beautifully ornate embroideries during her downtime on sets, and they always pull a laugh from unsuspecting cast and crew. “She makes these like needlework embroideries on set in the tedium of filming”, MacFayden said, “but they are all: ‘You Are a C*nt’. And she gives them as presents. And it’s Dame Judi Dench. And she is doing this beautifully, intricate, ornate (work). You kind of see the work materializing as the shoot goes on. Like: ‘You Are a F*cking Sh*t.’” This is a hilarious bit of news, with one commenter calling it “my favorite piece of information that I have ever learned in the history of ever,” but remember that this is the same Judi Dench who once said: “I think you`ve got to have your feet planted firmly on the ground, especially in this business, and you must not believe things that are said or written about you, because everything gets out of proportion one way or the other.” Hopefully it’s true! Are you a fan of Dame Judi Dench? [Image via: Featureflash / Shutterstock] Judi Dench Embroiders NSFW Gifts For Co-Stars is a post from: The Inquisitr