(Photo: U.S. Army)Even the smartest, most powerful people in the world can still be brought down by breaking a rule so simple that every parent teaches it to their children: Be careful what you write in an e-mail. It appears a lack of respect for the power of e-mail will be the downfall of General David Petraeus. In lighter news, Nokia has bought 3D map technology maker Earthmine Inc. in an effort to win users in the Apple map battle. Finally, IBM introduced some amazing technology that could greatly reduce traffic jams on the road.
Here's our round up of some of the more interesting tech news this week.
E-mail history snags another infidelity
The scandal surrounding ex-CIA boss David Petraeus is developing faster than I can type this sentence. You can either judge the principal players in this one or decide it's none of America's business. However, what can't be denied is the evolving nature of e-mail (and, in other cases, social networking) as a web in which cheaters weave their own traps.
According to CBS News, a 2010 survey of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers found that 81 per cent of divorce attorneys said they had seen an increase in the number of cases over the past five years that relied on evidence from social networking sites, with Facebook being the number one source.
Still not convinced? Visit Facebookcheating.com. The site's founder created it after his ex-wife used Facebook to start an affair with her former boyfriend. Some of the more popular posts include "Can cheating on Facebook ruin someone's career?" and "The telltale signs your spouse is a Facebook cheat."
With this latest high profile case, you can bet some suspecting spouses will be purchasing computer monitoring software to snoop on their spouse. (For instance: http://www.webwatchernow.com)
Nokia mounts map campaign
Nokia's purchase of Earthmine Inc., a 3D map technology maker, will allow them to update their mapping tools as it fights to win back customers from rivals such as Apple. According to Bloomberg News, the company held an event in San Francisco to unveil the new brand, called Here. Nokia announced their new product is compatible with Apple's mobile devices; they will also make the technology open to Android developers. Bloomberg reported that Nokia, which recently started selling the Lumia 920, is promoting location features to differentiate itself from Apple and devices running Android software.
Earthmine is a Berkeley, Calif.-based company. Its developments in collecting 3D location data will be paired with Nokia's location and services business, which now has navigable data for at least 100 countries.
IBM tackles traffic jams with new tech
IBM announced this week that they've worked with Lyon, France to create a system that helps traffic operators at the city's transportation management center reduce congestion on the road, and restore traffic flow.
Mashable.com reported that the tech uses real-time traffic data in what the company calls "Decision Support System Optimizer" or DSSO. The system can find accidents or other traffic anomalies and predict how they will change traffic patterns. The new tech even suggests how these problems can be solved in real time.