Brand: MacNews

Children who play video games too much are at risk of damaging the development of their brain, according to scientists at Japan’s Tohoku University. The scientists found that while playing video games encouraged areas of the brain devoted to vision and movement, that they hinder the development of the frontal lobe, which plays a crucial role in developing memory, emotion, and learning.

At a conference held today by the Progress & Freedom Foundation, Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina called for government legislation to ensure privacy on the Web. “I think we in the technology industry have fallen in love with technology. And in the end it is not about the technology… privacy and security, or trust, are vital to consumers, and that is what we should focus on.

REAL Software has begun shipping REALbasic 3.5, which adds a host of new features and improvements to the programming environment for Mac OS and Mac OS X. The new version improves support for Mac OS X, adds new 3D graphics, Microsoft Office automation, an internal scripting language, and more. REALbasic 3.5 Standard is available for US$149.95; the Professional edition sells for $349.95.

Apple is shipping new Power Mac G4 systems with Mac OS 9.2.1, according to ThinkSecret, which notes that the update provides bug fixes and other minor improvements. Mac OS 9.2.1 will be available to download in the coming weeks, according to the site, although it’s unclear if this update will be for all Mac OS 9 users or just those that already have Mac OS 9.2. Apple has yet to release Mac OS 9.2 for general consumption.

Sorenson and Future Media Concepts have teamed up to present The Ultimate Streaming Seminar, a two-day training seminar covering MPEG, QuickTime, Real Media, and Windows Media solutions for video on demand and live streaming. Seminars will be held in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. and cost US$895 to attend, or $795 if you register prior to September 7.