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English, Conference
Smart City Event in Amsterdam takes place
On the 29th and 30th of May the Smart City Event will take place at RAI in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Smart City Event is a 2-day conference which provides the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the world of sustainable innovation.Smart City Event in Amsterdam takes place
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English, English
Smart School: “No one misses textbooks”
Oerestad Gymnasium Digital is the first school in Copenhagen, Denmark, to switch to 100 percent digital teaching with laptops and tablets. Principal Allan Kjaer Andersen talked about the advantages of and problems with the switch at the edudays in Krems. Smart School: “No one misses textbooks”
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English, English
Double Security for Online Services
There is no complete protection. But you can considerably improve the security of some online services – with something that you know (a user name and password), and something you have (a mobile phone).Double Security for Online Services
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English, Education Offensive 2013
Wanted: the smart school of tomorrow
There are over 55,000 classrooms and around 1.2 million students in Austria. You will find a green chalkboard and a piece of chalk at the front of most of these classrooms. Together with Samsung, futurezone.at is looking for ideas for the digital classroom of the future, and is being helped by the Federal Ministry for Education, Art and Culture.Wanted: the smart school of tomorrow
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English, English
Platform for Increased Democratic Participation
The Viennese platform iDepart wants to provide citizens with tools for participating in political processes and generate more attention for community initiatives. futurezone spoke with its founders Philippe Hoffuri and Bernhard Schreder about grass-roots participation, direct democracy and “slacktivism.” Platform for Increased Democratic Participation
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English, English
Semantic Web: Clearing Up the Language Jumble
While it is a CX-7 for some, it is simply a sports car for others. Companies often speak a very different language than their customers. Semantic technologies are designed to dispel the “Babylonian confusion.” They are also used in Apple’s Siri voice recognition software, and IBM’s Watson supercomputer. Semantic Web: Clearing Up the Language Jumble
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English, English
Frequentis to Conquer the Seas
After taking to the air, the Austrian technology company now wants to take to the sea. Thanks to a contract won in Australia, 20 per cent of the world’s oceans are already covered by Frequentis communication solutions. In an interview with futurezone, CEO Hannes Bardach talked about how the company aims to become the world market leader. Frequentis to Conquer the Seas
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English, English
“Cars will have services like a smartphone”
Horst Leonberger from Deutsche Telekom believes that the connected car will be a reality sooner than we think. Together with the car manufacturers BMW and Daimler, Deutsche Telekom wants to offer between 20 and 30 services for cars like music and video streaming, LTE WIFI hotspots, real time traffic information and mobility offerings by the end of the year. “Cars will have services like a smartphone”
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English, English
EU data protection: “More exceptions than rules”
The deadline for submitting amendment motions for the EU data protection revision passed nearly two weeks ago. A total of 3,133 amendment motions were received. They showed a clear “trend”: There should be more exceptions than rules. Max Schrems from europe-v-facebook.org is appalled at this. EU data protection: “More exceptions than rules”
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English, English
Copyright: “Media use in the gray zone”
Media use that goes beyond pure consumption often takes place in a legal gray area or illegally, says media theorist Felix Stalder. “Many things that would be socially beneficial are not done because of this,” Stalder said in an interview with futurezone, “We lose a lot of potential.”Copyright: “Media use in the gray zone”
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English, English
IT group Atos eliminates e-mails in Austria
The death of e-mail has been predicted many times since the advent of social media. And there have been multiple attempts at this, for example by Google. The IT service provider Atos is now stepping up to the plate and wants to eliminate internal e-mails in Austria by the end of June 2013. Employees will be moved to the enterprise social software blueKiwi ZEN. Not everyone is enthusiastic about this plan. IT group Atos eliminates e-mails in Austria
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English, English
Crowdfunding: “We need a culture of innovation”
Kickstarter collected close to USD 320 million for crowdfunding projects in 2012 alone. A veritable boom has arisen around this alternative means of financing in recent years. Now, the recently launched platform 1000x1000.at wants to establish crowdfunding in Austria. Crowdfunding: “We need a culture of innovation”
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English, English
Digitalista: “We want to learn from men”
A new women’s network was recently established in Austria’s digital industry and is aiming to increase the number of women in management positions. The association’s chairwoman Elisabeth Oberndorfer told futurezone why Digitalista doesn’t want anything from politicians, and why men can be a model for women. Digitalista: “We want to learn from men”
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English, English
“OpenStreetMap has won the race”
The registered mapper community behind the free map service OpenStreetMap passed one million members early 2013. These mappers are people who make contributions to improve the map material. The “Wikipedia of maps” is especially popular in Europe, and the most active users are located here. In Austria, between 50 and 80 people make active contributions to the free map every day.“OpenStreetMap has won the race”
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English, English
All Debit Cards to Have NFC Function
In Austria, it will soon be possible to make purchases for less than EUR 25 by means of contactless payment. This means that the card will only need to be briefly held up to a POS terminal, and no PIN will need to be entered. Many local banks will be introducing this new function over the course of 2013, without giving customers a choice. futurezone asked when the new contactless cards will be available. All Debit Cards to Have NFC Function
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English, English
Content Award: Crazy Hedgy and CutOutCam Win
ZIT, the technology agency of the city of Vienna, has bestowed its Content Award for the fourth time. Aside from the State Multimedia Prize, this is the highest Austrian honor for companies in the technology and creative industries sector. This year, the iOS game Crazy Hedgy was top in the games category, and the photo program CutOutCam won the app category. The audience prize went to the WhatchaDo career portal, and special prizes were awarded to the Facebook game DataDealer, the student-created game Of Light and Shadow and the Parken Wien parking app.Content Award: Crazy Hedgy and CutOutCam Win
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English, English
Data Retention: Nearly 200 Inquiries to Date
A parliamentary hearing on Wednesday dealt with the petition to stop data retention that has been signed by over 100,000 Austrians. The Ministry of Justice released the first figures on the queries made under the controversial data retention system. The demand of the petition, a government mandate to contest data retention at the EU level, will not be met. Data Retention: Nearly 200 Inquiries to Date
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English, English
Bongfish: Skating in the Fast Lane
The Graz game studio Bongfish will soon be releasing two fully featured console games. Crashed Ice, a Kinect game based on Red Bull’s sporting event, will be available on the Xbox Marketplace on December 1. And Avatar Motocross Madness will follow by the beginning of 2013 at the latest. On Thursday evening, company director Michael Putz reviewed the development process and took a look at the future in an interview with futurezone during the Subotron Pro Games.Bongfish: Skating in the Fast Lane
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English, English
Educational Game Ludwig Taking International Markets by Storm
One year after the launch of Ludwig, the educational game can boast some impressive results. The physics game is used at 500 Austrian schools, and has won international awards. Austrian teachers will again be able to obtain the game free of charge this academic year through the Stromschule campaign from the power utility Verbund. Educational Game Ludwig Taking International Markets by Storm
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English, English
Games in Jail: Escaping the Daily Grind
The days of playing cards in jail to pass the time are long gone. Now, the PlayStation is just as much a part of life behind bars as locked doors. futurezone took a look around Austria’s correctional facilities and spoke with inmates and psychologists. And discovered that things are much the same as on the outside: Games are a common way to escape the daily grind.Games in Jail: Escaping the Daily Grind
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English, English
ORF TVthek: “The expansion benefits everyone”
ORF TVthek is celebrating its 3-year anniversary. Nearly 700,000 users per month consume the on-demand offerings. This is to grow substantially in the future – time and content restrictions are to be lifted. But what would be a gain for the users is still a thorn in the side of private competitors. ORF TVthek: “The expansion benefits everyone”
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English, English
“Austrian games well known in South Korea”
The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and the ministry of the economy organized their second trip to South Korea for Austrian game developers. The goal is to establish contacts, present products and initiate business negotiations. The participants are very satisfied with the results.“Austrian games well known in South Korea”
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English, English
Startup Scene: “Can Learn Much from Britain”
Many startups and young entrepreneurs dream of success in California’s Silicon Valley or in the USA. But this is no easy undertaking, and hopes are often dashed by the inability to get a visa. Because of this, London is a stopover on the way to global expansion for many. An initiative of the Federal Economic Chambers now wants to help startups there achieve their breakthrough.Startup Scene: “Can Learn Much from Britain”
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English, Innovation
Philips: “It always starts with a problem”
Philips operates one of its most important innovation sites in Klagenfurt. The focus is on consumer and lifestyle goods, and devices like the Jamie Oliver HomeCooker that are developed here are sold around the world. futurezone spent a day behind the scenes at this idea forge. Philips: “It always starts with a problem”
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English, English
I-New: Mobile Communications from Mattersburg for Colombia
When Colombian mobile communications customers place calls through Virgin Mobile starting on December 1, they will be using Austrian technology. Because I-New, a company that is hardly known in Austria and that specializes in virtual mobile communications networks, is supplying the complete technical system for the network.I-New: Mobile Communications from Mattersburg for Colombia
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English, English
Vienna Transport Authority Unwilling to Share Data
Real-time data from the public transportation system makes many useful applications for smartphones and the Internet possible. But not in Vienna. The Vienna Transport Authority has declined to share this data, and has no plans to share it in the near future – much to the chagrin of app developers. Now, they are to be given access to this data on a test basis for one weekend. Vienna Transport Authority Unwilling to Share Data
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English, English
EUR 500,000 Outdoor Television from Austria
The Austrian company C SEED has created an outdoor flat-screen television based on LED screens from stadiums. The display weighs over one ton and can be folded together and retracted into the ground at the press of a button.EUR 500,000 Outdoor Television from Austria
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English, English
Barrier-Free Navigation through the City
The Ways4all project will help people with special needs reach their destination safely with a smartphone app, WIFI and RFID chips. Austrian Railways and the Vienna Transport Authority are highly interested in the system, but it must prove itself first. It will be tested at the new Vienna Central Station starting in October. Barrier-Free Navigation through the City
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English, English
mySugr: Diabetes App Will Be Free for Frequent Users
Diabetes patients can use the mySugr iPhone software from Vienna to manage their condition in a fun way. The pharmaceuticals company Sanofi Österreich and its parent company in France will cover the monthly fee for especially motivated app users who accept the new challenges. In exchange, Sanofi will be advertised in the app and will be given the e-mail addresses of the users with their express approval.mySugr: Diabetes App Will Be Free for Frequent Users
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English, English
Fruji calculates most important Twitter followers
Britney Spears, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sascha Lobo follow people on Twitter - but how much are these stars and the many other followers worth? An Austrian wants to tell you with a new web service - and analyzes Twitter followers for free or for a small annual fee.Fruji calculates most important Twitter followers
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English, International
mHealth to Transform Healthcare in Africa
Africa faces big challenges when it comes to healthcare. The system very often lacks enough resources, and many people are sceptical about clinics and hospitals. Mobile health services could be the solution to many of these problems.mHealth to Transform Healthcare in Africa
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English, International
Mobile Technology Developed in Africa for Africa
Mobile phones have changed the lives of many people of all ages and classes in Africa. Communication has always been an important bridge to development, and this bridge has become increasingly strengthened by mobile phones. Surprisingly, a great deal of new technology is now being developed within Africa.Mobile Technology Developed in Africa for Africa
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English, English
Wikitude: “Camera Will Replace Mobile Browser"
The Salzburg high-tech company Wikitude sees itself as the market leader in augmented reality. Google’s foray into the field with its Project Glass does not concern the Wikitude team – because it sees the future of the technology on the smartphone, and not in glasses.Wikitude: “Camera Will Replace Mobile Browser"
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English, English
mysms: Graz App Cooperating with Evernote
The mysms messaging service offered by the Graz sms.at successor Up to Eleven has entered into a technical partnership with the Evernote note service from California. Now, text messages can be saved in a special Evernote account where they can be conveniently searched.mysms: Graz App Cooperating with Evernote
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English, English
AKG: Uncompromising Sound from Austria since 1947
One of the few domestic high-tech brands turned 65 this year. The former Akustische und Kino-Geräte GmbH, which is now operating under the name AKG Acoustics, helped to shape the world of sound over the last decades and drove development in the industry with patents of its own. Let’s take a look back. AKG: Uncompromising Sound from Austria since 1947
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English, English
kompany: Viennese Startup Knows All about Companies
The young web service company is now operating in Austria. It provides information about companies including owners, partners, parent companies and suppliers for a fee. Founders Russell Perry and Bernhard Hötzl, previously executives at the people search engine 123people, imagine a “company graph” like Facebook.kompany: Viennese Startup Knows All about Companies
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English, English
New Contactless Card Planned for Vienna’s Public Transport System
Eight million people in London use the Oyster card, a contactless pass for public transportation, every day. The introduction of a contactless “mobility card” is also being considered in Vienna. But contactless payment with NFC smartphones is still a long way off.New Contactless Card Planned for Vienna’s Public Transport System
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English, English
Austrian Discovers NFC Flaw in Google Software
A researcher at the NFC Research Lab at Hagenberg University of Applied Sciences discovered a security flaw in Google’s virtual wallet. This made it possible to use a third party’s mobile credit card to make payments over the Internet. futurezone met the security expert, who was inducted into Google’s “Hall of Fame,” and asked him about the security of NFC on the mobile phone.Austrian Discovers NFC Flaw in Google Software
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English, English
“File sharers are also being sued in Austria”
Internet service providers are currently not permitted to reveal the identity of file sharing service users in Austria for the purposes of lawsuits. According to Peter Burgstaller, attorney and professor for IT law in Hagenberg, such lawsuits are filed on a regular basis. He has defended around 20 file sharers himself over the past three years. Burgstaller fears that that data now being saved under the data retention laws will also be used to prosecute copyright violations.“File sharers are also being sued in Austria”
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English, Apple
Users take their Digital Items to the Grave
The news about Bruce Willis wanting to sue Apple turned out to be false. But what actually happens with purchased digital content from the iTunes store after the buyer's death still remains a mystery, even to legal experts. Apple's iTunes terms and conditions do not give any clues. In contrast, the iCloud conditions state that all the rights of the Apple ID and contents end with the death of the buyer.Users take their Digital Items to the Grave
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English, Pirate Party
"Protests Against ACTA are Hard to Repeat"
Amelia Andersdotter is 25. She is the youngest deputy of the European Parliament for the Swedish Pirate party. Her biggest concern is to find out how to reform the copyright law. Andersdotter heavily criticizes that the debate has been moving in the wrong direction for years. She thinks that a success like ACTA cannot be repeated easily. In an interview with futurezone.at she also criticizes party leader Rick Falkvinge's blog entry about child pornography."Protests Against ACTA are Hard to Repeat"
