Weekly Links #1

I am planning to post a weekly link selection with some significant news, insightful information bits and interesting analyses from the Internet and Technology sector as wells as related areas. Initially I chose Thursday, but might change that (or even the frequency) at some point.

• How Brazil Plans to Teach a Million People English Before The Rio Olympics
  
  More countries should launch initiatives like this, with or without upcoming Olympics.
• The failed economics of our software commons, and what you can about it right now
  
  The programmer Paul Chiusano criticizes the short-sighted resource allocation within the field of computer science which leads to neglected investments in fundamental software tech.
• Microsoft now accepts Bitcoin to buy Xbox games and Windows apps
  
  That could be a huge victory for Bitcoin and increase user and retailer adoption.
• American smartphone shoppers favour Sundays with Amazon still ruling the e-commerce roost
  
  The rise of Smarthones changes many things, even the days when most shopping happens: American mobile users favor shopping from their devices on Sundays, desktop users prefer Mondays.
• An update on Google News in Spain
  
  Google News is closing down in Spain, following a new Spanish law that, according to Google, forces publishers to charge them for snippets, whether publishers want that or not.
• Web report: Online surveillance and censorship are getting worse
  
  It’s concerning yet not surprising: With increasing reach and importance of the Internet, governments realize the potential threats to their power.
• A tipping point for bio
  
  Peter Bihr thinks biohacking might have reached a tipping point.
• Millennials are way more educated than their parents. They’re also paid less.
  
  The Internet impacts the whole economy and work system, and one major group that is affected are those who have recently entered the work force.
• The $7 Israeli device that just might change the world forever
  
  A $7 USB stick with an Android operative system that instantly can turn any old notebook or desktop into a personal computer. In many less developed countries, a tool like this can bring millions their first personalized computing experience ever.
• Ev Williams’ Obvious Ventures Is A Fund For Investing In ‘World-Positive’ Startups
  
  I like this approach: A startup fund that wants to invest in companies that make positive changes to the world. That kind of thinking is missing in the booming tech industry of the San Francisco Bay Area.
• U.S. to Invest $9.5 Billion in Chip & PIN Smartcards Says a New Report by Homeland Security Research Corp
  
  As the only G20 country the U.S. still relies on magnet stripe credit cards. Now this is about to change, and it will become costly in the short term (but due to lower fraud risk probably cheaper in the long term).
• Totally Obsessed: The new age of cultural manias
  
  A major phenomenon of our time well described.
• Here’s what happened when a news site only reported good news for a day
  
  People really seem to thrive on negativity. At least in Russia.