Frustrated Subscribers Target AT&T

Staff / Truthdig Dec 15, 2009 Thanks to the runaway success of the iPhone, AT&T has the largest wireless network in the country -- and the lousiest. Fed-up subscribers, who pay the telco about $30 a month just for data (and another $40 or so for voice), are planning an assault this Friday called Operation Chokehold. (continued) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Phone Made Out of Corn

Peter Z. Scheer / Truthdig Oct 12, 2009 The Samsung Reclaim is an odd little device that raises the question: Why isn't everything made out of corn? Dig deeper ( 3 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 )

Obama Calls Bush About Iraq

Staff / Truthdig Feb 28, 2009 Before he made his announcement Friday about withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, President Barack Obama called Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as well as his predecessor in the White House, George W. Bush. The White House described the call to Bush as a courtesy. 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 )

Robocalls Confuse Voters

By Will Evans, Center for Investigative Reporting Nov 5, 2008 Calls have been going out in Virginia and Pennsylvania, telling people to vote tomorrow, on Nov. 5, according to Jonah Goldman, director of Election Protection at the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights. Goldman says he doesn't know who's responsible, but similar misleading messages are being distributed via e-mail, FaceBook and fliers, often targeting young and minority voters. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

McCain Scares Kids for Halloween

Staff / Truthdig Oct 20, 2008 John McCain's robocalls, which are bombarding swing-state voters with the message that Barack Obama "worked closely with domestic terrorist Bill Ayers," are reportedly scaring children who make the mistake of answering their phones. Sarah Palin, who may or may not realize she's on a sinking ship, says she disapproves of the robocalls. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

U.S. Soldier Accidentally Dials Mother During Battle

Staff / Truthdig May 6, 2008 Here's a sobering moment that could happen only with the aid of today's technology: Sandie and Jeff Petee of Otis, Ore., were recently given a scary dose of reality in the form of a brief message on their answering machine when Sandie's soldier son, Stephen Phillips, accidentally dialed their number during a battle in Afghanistan. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The President You Are Trying to Reach Is Unavailable

Andy Borowitz / Truthdig Mar 10, 2008 The satirist says the president doesn't understand Hillary Clinton's "red phone" ad. He just sends all those calls to voice mail. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Jenna Bush Calls Dad on ‘Ellen’

Staff / Truthdig Dec 6, 2007 Ellen DeGeneres put Jenna Bush on the spot on Wednesday's episode of "Ellen," asking her if she couldn't, you know, just pick up the phone and talk to her dad, "like, right now." So, the first daughter, in turn, put President Bush on the spot, nervously asking him if he was mad at her for the impromptu call. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Obama Campaigners Work the Switchboards

Bill Boyarsky / Truthdig Nov 19, 2007 If the Illinois senator beats Hillary Clinton and the others for the nomination, a good portion of credit will go to the volunteers now making phone calls in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, California and other places. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

America Is Watching You

Elliot D. Cohen / Truthdig Oct 31, 2007 The "Last Days of Democracy" author warns that Congress is about to aid the Bush administration with its Orwellian plans by granting retroactive immunity to the telecommunications giants for helping the government spy on Americans. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )