Byte size news: Facebook justice leaves court cold

It's always tempting to Facebook-stalk someone you've talked to on the phone, met just the once or heard about in passing.

But Facebook-stalking the defendant in a trial that you are serving on the jury for? Too far, lady.

British juror Joanne Fraill, who went as far as chatting online with the defendant in a drugs trial, has now been told she is facing jail.

Fraill admitted contempt of court at the High Court in London for chatting online with Jamie Sewart during a trial last August.

It was also found that Sewart - who ended up being acquitted - had committed contempt by asking Frail for details of the jury's deliberations.

Their chat caused the collapse of one of a series of alleged drug-gang trials in Manchester, northwest England.

Fraill admitted making contact with Sewart through Facebook while the trial was under way and revealing details of the jury's deliberations while they were continuing. She also carried out her own research into the case on the internet.

Checkpoints off Apple's radar

Americans won't be able to check their iPhones to see if there's a drink-driving checkpoint on their route home anytime soon.

Apple has agreed not to allow the App store to stock any applications that identify checkpoints.

A group of senators urged the world's big smartphone makers not to make apps that could help drunks get away with driving, but Apple and Google initially refused.

Apple, however, changed its App Store guidelines this week to ban apps that would identify checkpoints.

One popular smartphone program, PhantomAlert, asks potential customers on its website: "Tired of traffic tickets? The embarrassment, the time, the points, the frustration, the money?

"You will be alerted as you approach: railroad crossings, dangerous intersections, dangerous curves, speed bumps, speed traps, speed cameras, red-light cameras, school zones, DUI (driving under the influence) checkpoints."

Girlie edge for gaming world

People who play video games are becoming gentler in their tastes.

But rather than it being a case of 14-year-old boys choosing Princess Peach over Prince of Persia, demographics are behind the shift - basically, more women are discovering the joys of gaming.

Hence games designed to have the person with the controller feeling more relaxed are emerging as the industry's new top-sellers.

Got any news, gadgets or queries? Contact lindsay.harvey@apn.co.nz