The RP’s Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of Tech

If you haven’t already heard, Google has acquired Motorola Mobility. Very nice get for Google as they look to expand more into the mobile market. [The Google Blog]

A 13-year-old boy increased the efficiency of solar panels by 20-50 percent by using them to mimic the form of tree branches and leaves. Wow, way to go, kid! [The Atlantic Wire]

A restaurant in North Carolina is being forced to pay $30,450 in statutory fees for “illegally playing” four unlicensed songs. This should be illegal. [techdirt]

27,000 South Koreans are suing Apple for $26 million for claimed privacy violations due to location information. [MSNBC]

Google wants to map the Amazon river like they have done with streetview. Please do! [BBC]