Stories about Technology from July, 2016
Here's Why Google Maps Changed Some Town Names in Crimea—And Is Now Changing Them Back
As if by magic, Google Maps has changed some town names in Crimea overnight—but now the company says it will reverse the changes for the Russian version of Maps.
Iran Takes Aim at American Sanctions by Threatening Apple
Tehran threatens to ban all Apple products, if the company doesn't set up a local office, and experts say it's to weaken US sanctions now restricting investment flows into Iran.
Playing Pokémon Go in China Is Not Easy, but Many Are Still Risking It
Here are six things to keep in mind while playing Pokémon Go in China from our Northeast Asia editor Oiwan Lam.
So Long, Phone Companies. Mexico’s Indigenous Groups Are Getting Their Own Telecoms.
For the first time in history, the Mixe, Mixteco, and Zapoteco populations will get licenses to operate a telecommunications network for indigenous communities to access cellular and Internet services.
With Trepidation and Excitement, Pokémon Go Finally Launched in Japan
Pokémon Go was finally released in Japan on July 22, 2016. The entire country has surrendered to the craze of capturing mythical monsters using a mobile device.
PokéStops or Stopping Poké? Iran Reacts to the Pokémon Go Phenomenon
How has one of the most restricted Internet environments, with censors on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, reacted to Pokémon Go?
Iranian Hardliners Want to Stop Blocking Twitter — to Defeat Saudi Propaganda
Iranian hardliners, typically champions of Internet censorship, are calling on the government to stop blocking Twitter in order to counter Saudi Arabian propaganda against Iran.
Russian Artists Reimagine Pokémon Go With Soviet Cartoon Characters
Love Soviet cartoons? These Russian artists reimagined the beloved characters as creatures in the Pokémon Go game. Gotta catch all the Cheburashkas!
Indian YouTube Channel Conquers the Hearts And Minds of Millions Across the World
Launched in 2013 by an Indian entrepreneur, Chu Chu TV is now the most-watched YouTube channel in Asia Pacific and the second-most watched children's “edutainment” channel in the world.
Ethiopia Locks Down Digital Communications in Wake of #OromoProtests
#OromoProtests content on social media has triggered many attempts by the government to limit digital traffic and block telecom services in Oromia.
#ShutDownZim: Will Social Media Protests Drive Zimbabwe to Build a ‘Great Firewall'?
This is the first time Zimbabwe has staged a "shutdown" over government dysfunction by organizing on social media. But protests could trigger new forms of censorship.
Learn Amazonian Languages With Apps Made in Iquitos
The Peruvian Amazon is revealed as an area of great potential for the community of software 'developers' in the region.
Why Did Facebook Remove a Post Criticizing Singapore Police?
After police searched political activist and civil rights lawyer Teo Soh Lung's home and computer without a warrant, she posted about it on Facebook. Then her post was taken down.
Technology, Engineering and Incredible Discoveries Mark the Panama Canal Expansion
"The Panama Canal I visited is now a tiny little canal compared to what's being inaugurated today."
Telegram Bug Leaks Russian TV News Station's Internal Chats to Random User
Telegram's known security flaws do not explain why Anna Gorbacheva, whose device never belonged to anyone associated with TV Rain, suddenly began receiving notifications of the team's private messages.