Location, Location, Location

Staff / Truthdig Aug 19, 2010 The trend of geographical location is coming to Facebook. “Places,” the new feature to be implemented in coming weeks, will allow Facebook users to phone home not only their personal information and consumer preferences but their actual physical location to their friends (and advertisers). Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Multitasking Our Way to Distraction

Staff / Truthdig Jun 7, 2010 What do we stand to gain from all our gadgetry in this, our wired (not to mention wireless) era? Improved manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination? The ability to soundly defeat pixelated alien hordes via video games? Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Cell Phones, Cancer and You

Staff / Truthdig May 17, 2010 Here's some good news for all of us who are tragically glued to our mobile phones: According to a new study, there may be reason to doubt the alarming cell-phones-cause-cancer theory, but it should be noted that this study was funded in part by the mobile industry. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Jonesin’ for Their Net Fix

Staff / Truthdig Apr 25, 2010 Researchers at the University of Maryland have studied the consequences of 200 American college students unhooking from all media -- cell phones, social media, Internet -- for 24 hours, finding that many suffered symptoms of withdrawal similar to those in drug and alcohol addictions. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘Invisible Things That Might Kill You (but Probably Won’t)’ Edition

Staff / Truthdig Feb 8, 2010 Look out for those TSA body scanners and cell phones, take a minute to ponder the oddest book titles of the year (including "Bacon: A Love Story") and read all about the political collapse of the left, right here on today's list. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

What Can the FCC Do for You?

Staff / Truthdig Dec 7, 2009 The Federal Communications Commission has a long and disappointing history of generally failing to regulate ever-larger media and telecommunications companies, except, during fits of prudishness, in the area of so-called indecency. But the latest incarnation of the FCC is proving to be more of a consumer advocate than its predecessors. (continued) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Thanks to Sprint, the Cops May Have a GPS Fix on You

Staff / Truthdig Dec 3, 2009 Most mobile phones have tiny GPS chips that do things like give directions or route your call to the right city when you dial 911. It turns out that law enforcement can ask phone companies for GPS info that reveals exactly where a phone owner is, and, according to a disturbing piece of audio making the rounds, the cops asked Sprint-Nextell for the locations of customers 8 million times in one year. (continued and video) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

When Life Gives You Corn, Make Corn-Based Cell Phones

Staff / Truthdig Aug 7, 2009 Samsung and Sprint are coming out with a new cell phone for the green crowd. The "Reclaim" is made from recycled materials and corn-based plastic and comes in eco-friendly packaging complete with soy-based ink. It's enough to make one long for the day when all electronics are manufactured sustainably and iPhones grow on trees. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Texting and Driving Spell Trouble on the Road

Staff / Truthdig Jul 28, 2009 Despite any illusions some of us may still harbor about our manual dexterity and multitasking prowess behind the wheel, a study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute has found that text messaging and driving really don't mix. Surprise. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Conflict Cell Phones

Staff / Truthdig Jun 22, 2009 You've heard of conflict diamonds, but did you know there might be blood on your cell phone? This PSA brings a little-known aspect of the conflict in Eastern Congo to light and offers a suggestion on how global consumers can help. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

U.S. Opening More Commerce Channels With Cuba

Staff / Truthdig Apr 14, 2009 The Obama administration is relaxing some of the restrictions on travel to and business with Cuba, launching a new initiative that will allow American telecom companies to set up cell phone and other services on the island nation. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Can You Hear Me Now?: Terrorist Edition

Staff / Truthdig Jan 10, 2009 In a reactionary move against technology and the beasts who wield it, the NYPD has announced it wants to jam cell phone frequencies in case of a terrorist attack, citing Mumbai as an example of how mobile phones allowed attackers in that Indian city to micromanage their assault in real time. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )