A weekly roundup of talking points, sans effort

 

Thought for the week

“This is the latest confirmation that consumers are being kept in the dark about what data on us Google collects and how that data is used… …Google ignored concerns its policy broke the law and put its profit before the legal rights of British citizens.” Director of privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch, Nick Pickles, commenting on news that Google has been told to change its policies on data storage by watchdogs in the UK, Germany, and Italy.

Weekly high

Cat food giant Felix has been handing out packs of its ‘Party Mix’ feline treats across Polish cities- from Warsaw to Gdansk. All the owners had to do in order to get their hands on the good stuff was mew into a special snack machine, with build in microphone, impersonating their furry friend’s pines for sustenance. Take a look below.

Weekly low

Although we’ll have to wait and see if this ends up becoming the irritation we predict, everyone in the office was amazed and a little alarmed to hear that Sky’s German arm has developed a device that can literally beam messages into the head of any commuter weary enough to rest their head on a train window. No more 40 winks on the way home, as yet it remains unclear where to draw the ‘subliminal advertising’ line.

 

Things that might happen in the next week…

More potentially violent protests are expected to sweep across Egypt today as supporters of ousted leader Mohamed Morsi prepare for a ‘day of rejection’ agains the new interim government. In a UK first, the latest film from British director Ben Wheatley, A Field In England, will premiere simultaneously at cinemas, on video on-demand services, and on Film 4, tonight (10.30PM). The Wimbledon Championships, the biggest of all grand slam tennis tournaments, will come to an end in South West London, with the women’s final taking place on Saturday, followed by the men’s on Sunday.

Just in case you missed it…

According to a survey by We Are Social, Apple’s iPhone 5 is the most talked about smartphone on the market, but it’s also the most complained about, with 20% of conversations surrounding the product deemed to be negative. Read the full story here.
 
If there is a success story, blunder, or news event you’d like to see included email helloATsmokinggun.co.uk or tweet using #blaggersblog. Happy Friday!