Apple iPods are assembled in sweatshop conditions in China, according to a newspaper report. But are they? Commentary by Leander Kahney. <a href=”http://feeds.wired.com/columns/cultofmac”><img src=”http://wiredblogs.tripod.com/cultofmac/xml.gif” /></a>

No more “poke the doll.” The lusty crowd at the first-ever Sex in Videogames conference sees a future where adult video games are creative, inspired and, most of all, profitable. Annalee Newitz reports from San Francisco.

Newspapers struggling to thrive have been hamstrung for years by the enormous production costs associated with printing on paper. New technology may turn the news all digital — and you can still roll it up and stick it in your back pocket.

The Chinese walk out of international talks on a standard encryption technology. <strong>Plus:</strong> Qualcomm accuses Nokia of patent infringement…. A data theft in the Energy Department goes unreported for eight months…. and more.

China reminds foreign companies that they must observe national law. <strong>Plus:</strong> Sirius boosts its satellite service…. IPod television moves ahead…. and more.

The last Luddite column resulted in a welter of e-mail, so we’ll stay on topic for another week. Commentary by Tony Long, with a little help from his friends. <a href=”http://feeds.wired.com/columns/theluddite”><img src=”http://wiredblogs.tripod.com/games/xml.gif” /></a>

Google admits to compromising its principles with the Chinese. <strong>Plus:</strong> Apple fires back against Creative….. Video game industry seeks to halt fines for children buying adult games…. and more.

Bigger is often better in the dog-eat-dog world of global competition, but size alone does not guarantee success. Who are the hottest hounds in the tech-hardware kennel? From Forbes.com.

Readers endorse the suspension of reality, vent on the music industry, and chastise iPod listening cyclers.