Freedom has gone offline in China, along with Google’s international search site.

China enacted a national block to Google.com’s uncensored international search engine, Google News and Google Mail on 31 May, according to the BBC. Replacing the site is Google.cn, the censored Chinese language version that launched in January.

The new search engine censors “sensitive” political material in order to comply with Chinese laws. Google’s co-founder, Sergey Brin, said he feels the move was warranted to maintain Google’s presence in the country.

“We felt that perhaps we could compromise our principles but provide ultimately more information for the Chinese and be a more effective service,” he said.

It seems in complying with Chinese internet censorship, Google has forgotten its motto: Don’t be evil. But, it has good company as Yahoo! and Microsoft have also shown acceptance of internet repression.

The New York Public Library has expanded its massive online collection by introducing free films. Cardholders now have access to movies, foreign films, children’s shows, documentaries and filmed live stage performances through the library’s eCollection web site.

The eCollection also boasts an online gallery of more than 450,000 images. Users can search for images (such as treasure chests or giraffes) and download a low-resolution copy or order a high-resolution print.

The library has been leading the movement to provide web access to library material. In 2004 it teamed up with Google to introduce entire texts of public domain books to the internet. Members can now borrow from almost 7,000 titles, including Spanish-language texts and audio books.

New media technology has made learning foreign languages even easier or more affordable. Three new programmes allow users to search a foreign word bank and translate phrases on moblie phones.

The SkyZone Entertainment Merriam-Webster Spanish-English Dictionary has a bank of 80,000 words and more than 100,000 translations. Verizon Wireless customers can pick up the application for $3.49 per month.

The VOCEL Living Language Programme boasts translations, short readings and audio pronunciation from 20 foreign languages. The application shows flash cards on phone screens to help with lessons. This programme costs $3.99 per month or $9.49 for unlimited usage.

Spanish Anywhere by AppAbove stores more than 1,200 phrases that can be translated in both English and Spanish. Users have access to more than 5,500 words and a verb conjucator. Spanish Anywhere costs $2.99 per month or $9.99 for unlimited usage.

The National Union of Journalists has called on its 40,000 members to boycott Yahoo! and its products and services. Yahoo! aided the Chinese government’s attack on pro-democracy writers by providing information on its users, which allowed authorities to track and prosecute them.

For more information, read about Amnesty International’s campaign against internet repression.

Haven’t taken time to relax and watch the sunset lately?

Now, thanks to Eternal Sunset, you can see the sun setting 24 hours a day. The site follows web cams around the globe and posts photos from current sunsets. Using Google Maps you can also track upcoming sunsets yourself.

Don’t have the extra cash to splurge on sightseeing adventures this summer?

Try sightseeing with Google Maps. This site lists the most popular tourist attractions around the globe and lets you zoom in to see for yourself using the interactive satellite maps.

Feel like trying space travel?

Check out Google’s map of Mars and play space cadet for a day.

A thought controlled robotic hand has been introduced by scientists from Kyoto, Japan. The technology uses functional magnetic resonance imaging to map out areas of the brain that are used to compute different tasks. Subjects were asked to make rock, paper, scissors hand gestures while lying inside an MRI scanner. The imaging data was then fed to a computer which could command the robotic hand to mimic the gestures.

A “mental typewriter” also debuted by Berlin Brain-Computer Interface in March. This machine employs an electrode cap through which while imagining cursor manoeuvres the subject can operate the computer’s movements by thought. Scientists hope the technology will someday allow paralysed people to operate computers. Both inventions aim to allow amputees to use electronically controlled artificial limbs.

Do you have a dusty old computer you haven’t used in ages? Don’t just throw it away. There are many creative uses for antiquated computers. Here are a few simple ideas:

You can hollow it out and create a flower box, a barbeque grill, a work of art or a mail box.

And if you had a particularly mischievous machine, you can always use it for target practice!

Better yet, there are many UK charities that would love to take your old computers to fix up to sell or donate to people and organisations that need them!

According to science fiction writer Isaac Asimov, the first Law of Robotics is, “A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.”

As a new generation of robots begins to enter the healthcare and home use markets, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is refining safety guidelines for robots to meet this standard. Guidelines require that manufacturers must employ sensors on robots to keep them from colliding with people, as well as emergency shut-off buttons. Also, soft and light materials must be used when possible to help prevent injury.

The standards apply to the new robot nanny, elder-care nurse and medical rounding models.

Millions have wondered what exactly made Mona Lisa smile, but thanks to Dr Matsumi Suzuki, a Japanese acoustics expert, the sound of her voice no longer remains a mystery. Suzuki used the length of her finger along with average height of Italian women to estimate Mona Lisa’s 5ft. 6in. height. Researchers then calculated the size of her bones, the volume of her nose and throat and her skull structure. Using voice print technology and a database of more than 150,000 voices, Suzuki and his team used voice synthesizers to record the sound of Mona Lisa’s voice.

Suzuki, a 2002 Nobel Peace Prize winner, also successfully uses this technology in criminal investigations, including solving murder cases. Previously, he also identified Osama bin Laden’s voice from an audio tape.

But Suzuki’s technology isn’t just for use on humans. He has created “Bow-lingual”, a transmitter that, when attached to a dog’s collar, can translate what its barks mean in human phrases. The transmitter says phrases such as “Let’s go” and “I miss you” based on the tone and other factors of its bark.