UK considers ban on ‘key fob’ mobiles, Groklaw news site shuts down over US surveillance, and high speed, in-flight wi-fi is expected by 2014

UK considers banning ‘key fob’ mobile phones
The UK is considering placing a ban on the sale of small mobile phones that have been designed to look like car key fobs. The phones are sometimes marketed as the ‘world’s smallest mobiles’ and feature logos from companies such as BMW, Audi and Volkswagen. The Times has reported fears that the products have been advertised with prisoners in mind, allowing inmates to get around the ‘no mobiles in prison’ rule. The UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says that it had reason to believe that the phones were being made without the permission of its members. Although the devices are still currently available on eBay and Amazon, the National Trading Standards Board has asked retailers to stop selling them.

Groklaw news site abandoned due to US surveillance
Groklaw founder Pamela Jones has announced that the award-winning legal news site is to close, citing her inability to guarantee contributors’ privacy. The site was launched 10 years ago and is known for its coverage of technology law, including privacy disputes and software patents. The news comes after secure email provider Lavabit also announced its closure, referring to an ongoing legal dispute, presumably with the US government, in its closing message. The owner of Lavabit supposedly spoke to Jones and warned her of the privacy dangers when it comes to using email. After concluding that Groklaw would be unable to run without email, Jones decided she felt too uncomfortable with the possibility of constant surveillance and shut down the site.

High speed, in-flight wi-fi expected by 2014
It’s thought that in-flight wi-fi fast enough to stream services such as Netflix could be available on airlines by 2014. The communications regulator Ofcom is currently considering licensing a new satellite that would deliver connections to aircraft, ships and trains at speeds ten times faster than those currently available. Certain communications operators are already planning to launch networks that support the higher speed Earth Stations on Mobile Platforms (ESOMPS) in just a few months. The Federal Communications Commission has already legalised the use of ESOMPS in the US.