A quick burst of 8 links for you to chew over, as picked by the Technology team.

Google is researching ways to make encryption easier to use in Gmail >>> VentureBeat

VentureBeat's source at Google acknowledged that "end-to-end encryption is the best defense for message protection, though it comes at considerable cost in functionality." PGP is currently compatible with Google's Gmail service, although it's widely regarded as unapproachable to a majority of Internet users like the Tor project. Third-party services, including GPG Tools and Mailvelope, have worked to make such encryption more approachable but have largely failed to reach a mainstream audience.

PGP for all, without the usual usability headaches. A win for privacy for sure, but will the average user care?

Facebook launching mobile ad network at F8 conference >>> Re/code

Facebook will pitch the ads to publishers and developers as a way to leverage the social network's vast database of user information for better ad targeting. And Facebook wins by expanding its ad reach now it can make money from its billion-plus users even when they're not on Facebook's own properties.

Users are going to love that.

The Nokia Devices and Services acquisition close date >>> The Official Microsoft Blog

Today we are excited to share that we have completed the steps necessary to finalize Microsoft's acquisition of the Nokia Devices and Services business. The transaction will be completed this Friday, April 25, when we'll officially welcome the Nokia Devices and Services business as part of the Microsoft family.

Took long enough.

UK Police force shutdown of sports torrent network >>> TorrentFreak

Due to its coverage of sports including the NHL, NBA, soccer and Formula 1, The Sports Torrent Network (TSTN) was a site popular with fans on both sides of the Atlantic. With an estimated 20,000 userbase and its own 'capping' team, the site was certainly a fan favorite and possibly the largest site of its type. But now, after an unwelcome warning, the party is over.

As one dies will others spring up in its stead? It is still more difficult than it could be to legally stream content online, especially sports.

Nokia Oyj to become Microsoft Mobile Oy, Nokia to retain its suppliers base post the deal? >>> NPU

First revelation is about renaming of Nokia Oyj to Microsoft Mobile Oy, which will be a wholly-owned Microsoft subsidiary and may be the name of Microsoft's mobile devices arm.

Surely Nokia's brand name is worth keeping for handsets? Perhaps Microsoft will drop Lumia in favour of Nokia?

Patent suggests Sony still sees future for household robots >>> IEEE Spectrum

For example, the robot would look at its hand from different angles to determine if it is dirty, since you don't want your robot picking up and spreading muck around. And if it is a speck of dirt on its camera, the robot can wipe it clean.

Robots that clean themselves. Let's hope this becomes a reality when self-driving cars are common place – no one likes washing bird poop off their cars.

Apple, Google vie to offer exclusive game apps >>> WSJ.com

Last August, for the launch of "Plants Vs. Zombies 2," a highly anticipated sequel to a popular zombie-survival strategy game, publisher Electronic Arts Inc. struck a deal with Apple, which promoted the game prominently in its App Store, according to people familiar with the matter.

In exchange, one of these people said, EA agreed to give Apple about a two-month window of exclusivity for the title, which wasn't released on Google's Android software until October.

Sounds familiar. It is the console wars all over again.

Google Maps now takes you to Westeros >>> The Daily Dot

It gives you all of the benefits of visiting Westeros and Essos without risking getting murdered while you're traveling on the Kingsroad. In fact, it probably could've helped a few characters out.

Game of Thrones fever hits Google Maps. Who said Martin's cartography was less than stellar?

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