Sony is being sued over the Playstation Network data breach. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

The data breach of the Sony Playstation Network has exposed millions of users to possible identity theft. Experts call it one of the biggest data hacks in recorded history, possibly opening 77 million people up to identity theft, and Sony is scrambling to fix the problem. The company has been slapped with a class action lawsuit over the incident.

Class action suit filed against Sony over Playstation Network breach

Sony has been named in a class action lawsuit concerning the data breach of the Playstation Network, according to InformationWeek. A suit was filed in Calif. against the Sony Corporation, on the behalf of all users of the Playstation Network, or PSN. The suit alleges that Sony failed to adequately shield its users from potential threats. The suit also claims that Sony was not compliant with Payment Card Industry (or PCI) standards of security, part of which is not storing customer credit card numbers and account information. Sony initially shut its Playstation and Qriocity networks down about a week ago, after noticing an “external intrusion,” according to the New York Daily News. Sony later disclosed that the networks had been hacked.

Data at risk

There are more than 77 million people that are members of the Qriocity network and the Playstation Network. Sony released a statement saying that customers that had provided their credit card data through either network might have been obtained by hackers. There is no confirmation that any information has been obtained or identities used for fraudulent purposes, but it is possible. Information security experts, according to USA Today, consider it among the biggest data hacks on record. In response to the breach, investigations have been launched by the British and American governments, according to Reuters, to see just how big the breach was and the extent of the damage done. Sony is currently retooling both networks.

Users are recommended to take steps to ensure security

The data that hackers were able to obtain, according to the Wall Street Journal, includes their name, date of birth, address, email address, Sony network identity, account history and credit card information. Normally, credit card thieves can only get card numbers, but that much information is a rare find for an identity thief. Playstation and Qriocity network users should change all of their passwords immediately. Any email or message from Sony asking for any of the information they would already have should be deleted, as it is a scam email. As far as credit or debit cards are concerned, card holders should closely monitor their accounts and contact their bank or credit union and notify them immediately of any charges they believe to be fraudulent.

Sources

New York Daily News

Information Week

Reuters

USA Today

Wall Street Journal

The new Playstation Phone, based on the design of a PSPGo, may be released as early as November 2010. Image: Flickr / thinksincode / CC-BY-SA

For the last five years, the Playstation Portable has been a powerful player in the mobile gaming market. Though not confirmed by Sony, there are very convincing rumors of a Playstation Phone. The PSP Phone will likely run on Android and be a game-centric competitor to the iPhone.

Playstation Phone for 2010 release

The Playstation Phone is currently in prototype stage. Tech website Engadget has gotten its hands on that prototype. The Playstation Phone could be released for the 2010 holiday shopping season. Sony has not yet confirmed the existence of the Playstation Phone, though reports say that the current prototype has a lot of bugs.

The stats for the Playstation Phone

The Playstation Phone will reportedly have a 1GHz processor chip. The phone will also have 512 MB of random access memory, 1 GB of ROM, and a microSD card slot. The phone will have a multitouch touchpad, as well as the eleven standard PSP control buttons. The lack of a numerical pad also indicates that the Playstation Phone will have a touchscreen. In short, the Playstation Phone will most likely be mostly a Playstation device that also happens to make phone calls.

Gingerbread – Android 3.0 to run Playstation Phone

The Playstation Phone is the first major device that has announced it will be running Android 3.0. Codenamed “Gingerbread,” the new Android operating system will most likely release within the next few months. The Android 3.0 Gingerbread base will likely be heavily customized. There is no word yet whether games designed for the original PSP will operate on the Playstation Phone, though that backward compatibility is standard in gaming devices. One producer for Mortal Kombat is said to have a “PSP2 in house” and it “looks like a pretty powerful machine.” Most likely, the PSP2 and Playstation Phone are either the same device or very closely related the way the iPod Touch and iPhone are.

Sources

Joystiq
Engadget

A chief complaint of consumers is the need to constantly re-purchase films after the format goes out of date. Ultraviolet aims to fix this. Image: Flickr/jayceeloop

A huge consortium of media and technology companies have announced the launch of UltraViolet. Designed to be a “digital movie locker” and media management system, UltraViolet aims to allow consumers to view movies they’ve purchased on multiple devices. UltraViolet has a huge list of supporters, but a competitor called KeyChest is already on the horizon.

UltraViolet creates a cloud-based ‘movie token’

With about 60 member companies, the digital consortium that has created UltraViolet is full of heavy hitters. The basic idea is that a cloud-based account at UltraViolet — uvvu.com — will track and record film purchases. Customers will then be able to use this “digital token” that will allow them to play the film on a wide variety of devices and services. In other words, buy a movie on Comcast, then play it on Netflix. Buy a Blu-ray DVD, then play the film on your smartphone. The goal is ultimate cross-compatibility with minimal hassle.

Ultraviolet’s competitors and challenges

Though UltraViolet has a huge list of supporting companies, a format war is already shaping up. Much like the Blu-ray versus HD-DVD and BetaMax versus VHS wars, this one has two major players. Disney is working on its own digital rights management system called KeyChest. With a huge movie library that includes Marvel Entertainment and Pixar studios, Disney controls a large number of movies. Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, also serves as a board member and stockholder of the company. Apple has not signed onto UltraViolet, and it is likely that its iOS technology will not allow app developers to put UltraViolet on their devices.

Which digital management system will win?

If previous format wars are any indication, there will be several years where both formats for digital rights management will co-exist. Eventually, whichever format the pornography industry sides with is likely to win. However, the music industry has long tried to create similar digital rights management systems, most of which have failed rather spectacularly because of lack of corporate support and customer backlash. The way to win for either Ultraviolet or KeyChest will be a compelling library, huge amounts of corporate support and the ease of use that so many customers have come to expect.

Even if you can't be at the Google I/O, you can follow it. Image from Flickr.

For months, the internet has been rife with rumors about what the Google I/O conference may reveal. The Google I/O has already started with the kickoff keynote. There are expectations that Adobe, Logitech, Sony, Intel and possibly DISH network will be involved with Google I/O announcements. If you’re a tech follower, an investor or just curious, following the Google I/O could be quite exciting.

Follow the live Google I/O feed

There are multiple ways to follow what is going on at the sold-out Google I/O. Your first option is the official YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/GoogleDevelopers. Twitter followers can either keep an eye on @Googleio or the #io2010 hashtag. There are also live-blogging feeds all over the web, some of the best of which will be at CNET and mattcutts.com. No matter how much you want to get in on some of the technology that might be announced, hold off on contacting loan lenders – it will be several months before anything goes to market.

Google I/O Targeted for developers

Technically, the Google I/O conference is supposed to be for web developers. Just because there is a focus on the technical aspects of Google’s new developments doesn’t mean that the conference won’t be exciting. Google is expected to talk about the Android 2.2, or “Froyo” mobile operating system, among other things.

Google I/O to announce new technology

The Google I/O conference is the kickoff for multiple new technology partnerships. While nothing has (yet) been confirmed, there are many new tech possibilities. A potential “Google Tablet” from Acer or other manufacturers may be announced. A new Chrome OS operating system track focuses on the web-based operating system. Enterprise uses for Google Docs, Gmail and the App engine will also be a focus.

The real stars of Google I/O

The biggest and most-expected announcements of the Google I/O focus on the possibility of new media. A big announcement that, unlike Apple, Google phones will support Flash and HTML5 is going to be the first big star. Second, separate reports from Sony, Google, Logitech and more indicate they might be working on the code-named “Dragonpoint” set-top box. This set-top box could possibly combine online streaming content with television content, making TV a more “integrated” experience.

No matter why you are following the Google I/O, it is sure to be an exciting few days for tech geeks around the world.

Looking to make a little more of this? Join the club.

Google has long been on the short list of high-earning companies who still continue to reap huge profits during the recession. So it’s no surprise that whenever Google is involved in a new venture, many people get the same idea: “I want to work for them!”

Google’s latest project is Vevo, which will be an online music video service. Other heavy hitters such as Sony Music Entertainment are in on the project as well, making Vevo jobs some of the most coveted in the country, even though the company hasn’t even announce a release date for the new service.

How many Vevo jobs are available

Vevo President and CEO Rio Caraeff says the company is looking to hire about 35 people to do Vevo jobs. He says they’re hiring for positions including ad sales, engineering, accounting, music programming and others. He says they’ll be hiring for Vevo jobs for about the next six months.

I’m sure people will be falling all over themselves to get Vevo jobs, so you’ll have to be prepared to do whatever it takes. That might me taking out an online cash advance for a plane ticket or a new suit. Be careful, though, Vevo jobs are in very high demand, so don’t go through all the trouble unless you are extremely well qualified.

How is Vevo linked to Google?

The Vevo music video service will run on YouTube technology.  Google owns YouTube, so the service will have Google power behind it. Other stakeholders include Universal and Abu Dhabi Media Company, who reportedly bought somewhere in the neighborhood of $300 million worth of shares. The Christian Science Monitor recognizes why there is so much interest in the venture and it Vevo jobs:

Content, cash, battle-tested video technology, a record industry plagued by slumping sales – you can see the appeal of the Vevo project.

If you’re seriously thinking of applying for one of the Vevo jobs, I suggest getting started on the process right away. No doubt those 35 Vevo jobs will be snapped up in no time. Not only are there a lot of unemployed workers out there right now, I am sure a lot of people will be more than willing to leave their current jobs to take Vevo jobs.

You know the PS3... but do you know Slim? (Photo: commons.wikimedia.org)

When it comes to video game systems or any other form of consumer electronics technology, there’s always a danger that comes with being an early adopter. First of all, if there is a competing technology on the market (take HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray, for example), the other one might take over, leaving your choice in the land of Betamax limbo. Then of course there’s always the maximal price tag for those who buy as soon as a product is available. I found that out when I bought my PlayStation 2 a number of years ago. I was an early adopter, then after a few years, I sold it on eBay (and I accidentally left my copy of “Monty Python’s Holy Grail” inside). A few years after that, I purchased a Slim PS3 for $99 because I’m a “Guitar Hero” fan. I’ve felt the sting, to say the least.

Now early PS3 folks will get theirs

As PC World puts it, Sony Claus is coming “right down Sears and K-Mart lanes.” These retailers are offering pre-sells for the PS3 slim… at a price of $299. This doesn’t appear to be a trick, or some dastardly Photoshop tease. The PS3 Slim price appears to be set, and it is definitely under $300. The stalwart tech bloggers at Engadget link to the ads. Unless both Sears and K-Mart have been fooled, the PS3 Slim price is the real McCoy.

Dammit Jim, I’m a video gamer, not a patient spender

Yet in light of my PS2 satisfaction, I won’t be one to budge on this deal. There’s no budge in my budget for it, anyway. “The Rumors Are Reality, New Low Price & A New Exciting PlayStation 3″ festoons a K-Mart ad, taunting me. “Sony PS3, Slim Presell 2, Sold by Kmart, item #018W014436760001, Mfr. Model #PS3″ for $299.99 is sitting there, ready to slap the fannies of those who have already taken the PS3 plunge. For your torturous pleasure, here’s the Sears link.

What will gamers find in this exciting new package? Based upon Engadget’s specs, you’ll be getting a capable Blu-ray, player; a 120GB hard drive for your game saves, music and other data; a DualShock 3 gamepad to guide you in your flight through the virtual world; and HDMI support for fancy shmancy Hi-def television sets.

And the release date?

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That would be Monday, August 24, 2009. Not coincidentally, that’s immediately following the Gamescom 2009 extravaganza. PC World wonders if the $100 will pull people off the fence. I believe there will be some of that effect felt, but I think there will be many thousands more who will feel anger toward Sony for their price manipulation.

Didn’t they know what they were getting themselves into, however? That’s the way the technology bubble bobbles and bursts. PS3 Slim price is evidence enough. And once the PS4 takes flight, they’ll be right back on the bus, applying for short term loans and installment loans to cover the gap. I don’t recommend this kind of usage of those loans, but it is entirely up to you.

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