Low demand hurts Blackberry maker

15 September 2011 Last updated at 17:25 ET

Blackberry manufacturer Research in Motion (RIM) has seen its second-quarter profits more than halve, hurt by low demand for its older models.

The firm rolled out new smartphones but only late in the quarter.

Net profit fell to $329m (�208m) for the three months to 27 August, from $797m in the same period a year earlier.

In July, the company said it would cut 2,000 jobs - 11% of its workforce - as part of a shake-up of its operations.

Revenue for the second quarter fell to $4.2bn, a drop of 10% on the same three months last year.

During the quarter, RIM shipped some 10.6 million Blackberry smartphones and about 200,000 Blackberry PlayBook tablets, which was well below analysts' expectations.

Following the results announcement, RIM's shares fell by as much as 10% in after-hours trading in New York.

The Canadian firm said it expected things to improve in the third quarter though, forecasting shipments of between 13.5 million and 14.5 million smartphones and revenues of between $5.3bn and $5.6bn.

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Web pirates readying block-buster

15 September 2011 Last updated at 07:32 ET

Usenet indexing site Newzbin2 is readying software it claims will defeat attempts to stop people visiting it.

In July, BT was ordered to block access to Newzbin2 after legal action by the Motion Picture Association (MPA).

The MPA said the member-only Newzbin2 site brings together pirated movies and music put on Usenet discussion boards.

The block is to be enforced via BT's Cleanfeed system which is more usually used to stop people visiting sites that peddle images of child sex abuse.

Before the block goes into effect in mid-October, programmers who work for Newzbin2 have been working on software they claim will be able to defeat the blocking system.

On 14 September, the first version of the Windows program Newzbin2 members will use to get at the site was released. Versions for Apple's OSX and Linux are planned.

According to file-sharing news site TorrentFreak, Newzbin2 is not willing to reveal how the code attempts to get around the Cleanfeed block.

However, TorrentFreak ran some tests using network sniffing software and found that the program relies on encryption to hide communication between users and Newzbin2.

Another technique it uses is to route all traffic through a well-established system known as TOR, which masks the identity of users and what they are trying to look at.

A spokesman for BT declined to comment on the development. He added that the specifics of the court-ordered block were still being debated.

Sites such as Newzbin2 have become more popular as people keen to get at pirated content move away from better known file-sharing technologies.

The original Newzbin was shut down via an earlier court case but its successor avoided that sanction by setting up shop outside UK jurisdiction.

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FBI tackles celebrity photo leaks

15 September 2011 Last updated at 06:12 ET

The FBI is investigating computer hacking attacks on celebrities after photos which appear to show Scarlett Johansson nude were posted online.

The images, apparently taken by the actress, follow the leaking of naked photos of stars including Jessica Alba.

The FBI said it was investigating "the person or groups responsible for a series of computer intrusions involving high-profile figures".

A spokeswoman for Johansson was not available for comment.

Hacked photos of Justin Timberlake and his Friends With Benefits co-star Mila Kunis have also appeared online, according to reports.

Laura Eimiller, of the FBI's Los Angeles office, said dozens of stars had been the victims of hackers who had stolen personal information from email and other accounts.

She did not name any alleged victims "due to the pending nature of our investigation".

One leaked photo appears to show Johansson topless on a bed while another apparently shows her wearing a towel while revealing her bottom.

According to US celebrity website TMZ.com, Johansson has contacted the FBI over the leak.

TMZ also reports that her lawyer has sent letters to websites stating that Johansson owns the copyright to the pictures and threatening legal action if they are not removed.

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