10. 8.2008
You probably wouldn't expect to find advice on the current financial crisis in a science magazine. But Scientific American has posted a short article offering same. The piece has nothing specifically to say about Europe, now undergoing a meltdown of its own, albeit probably related to U.S. events.
"How to Fix the U.S. Financial Crisis" is by economist Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, who is best known for his high-profile, and sometimes controversial, analysis of economics in the developing world and sustainable development. Sachs argues that rescue legislation just passed by the U.S. Congress, while it may boost confidence, is not nearly enough to turn things around.
Among other measures, Sachs advises federal short-term loans to shore up lending between U.S. banks so as to keep capital markets operating. He also advocates easing repayment terms for mortgage holders and expanded spending abroad, especially in Asia.
His depressing forecast: several more months, minimum, of bad times in the U.S., and no serious additional action to fix things until after the new President Whoever takes office late in January.
Posted by Tam
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10. 3.2008
If you have a teenager, you already know this. In a study released this week, polled teens say that after clothing, a cellphone tells the most about a person's social status or popularity. It took a Harris Interactive and CTIA-the Wireless Assn., study to tell us this?
So, for example, the fact that my daughter has an iPhone (old version) brings up her ranking even more than the funky jewelry or the latest Vans. It's not that I recommend giving 13-year olds iPhones necessarily, but as the daughter of a gadget reviewer she inherits all my hand-me-downs. Having the latest cellphone is "absolutely essential," according to 28% of all teens and 34% of kids 13 to 15 years old.
More breaking news from the study:
- About 4 of every 5 teens carry cellphones, up 40% from 2004
- Nearly half of them say having a cellphone is "key to my social life."
What's more , 42% of the teens surveyed said they could text while blindfolded.( Let's just hope they don't text while driving.) The only surprise; it turns out male teens talk on their phones more than they text, while females text more than they talk. Females are generally more dexterous, which may account for those results.
Advertisers- for whom obviously this study was designed -- will be overjoyed to know that 59% of teens would be willing to provide personal information to wireless providers so they can receive targeted text messages, and about 40% of teens believe that mobile phones should be free and paid for by advertisers, much like television.
Since teenagers are going to be the drivers for the new technology and phones, they were queried about the next generation. No surprise, they expect them to be waterproof and drop- proof, able to translate languages instantly (handy for Spanish homework), and run the rest of the gizmos in the home. I'm surprised they don't expect them to open the kitchen and bring them a snack.
Read the entire study here and starting saving for that brand-new smart phone for your teenager. A small price to pay for popularity?
Posted by Evan
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09.29.2008
This is an inventive idea for an art installation: artists/designers Stephen and Theodore Spyropoulos will ask members of the public to send text messages to them which will then be projected in the air as giant smoke signals (just don't ask me how). The installation will be taking place in Trafalgar Square, Central London, on three nights in October (but there doesn't seem to be any news as to which nights just yet).
And in case you're wondering, nope, messages will not be censored. I hope people play nice...
Via Textually.
Posted by Diane
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Tags: texting
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09.29.2008
The Wall Street Journal is calling its roundup of news about The $700 Billion Meltdown/Bailout "Wall Street in Crisis."
I suppose if your name is The Wall Street Journal, that narrow canyon has to be part of the label. Even if the whole poin t- the reason Washington policymakers are in an uproar - is that the financial tsunami is spreading far beyond downtown NYC. Lawmakers are contemplating ponying up taxpayer billions only because it is threatening to engulf freeways and cul-de-sacs from from sea to shining sea. With more than ripple effects elsewhere on the planet.
Which is the reason I'm paying attention, and probably you are too. So here's a time-saving way to do it. Despite the misnomer, dedicated to one-stop-shopping for this heart-stopping financial news, even when its place of origin is not Wall Street.
WSJ online content used to be subscription only, but a while back it joined the Web trend to making at least some of it available free to freeloaders like me - including much of the news on the "WS in Crisis" pages. RSS feeds, however, are yours only if you pay up.
So this has got me thinking: if I'm reading Wall Street Journal content without paying, am I part of the reason Wall Street is In Crisis? Or does the fact that I'll be contributing to that $700 billion bailout entitle me to free news about it?
Posted by Tam
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Tags: finance
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09.24.2008
Here is some bad news for iPhone 3G users - if your phone adapter looks like what you see in the picture above, it would be wise for you to stop using it immediately as it could be potentially hazardous. Apple has announced on Friday that the metal prongs on these plugs are weak enough to break off and remain stuck inside a power outlet, creating the risk of electric shock.
These ultracompact USB power adapters have been sold by Apple with the iPhone 3G models in the US, Japan, Canada, Mexico and Several Latin American countries. But the good news is that Apple has offered to replace these adapters with new, redesigned ones (pictured below, with a green dot). The old adapters can be exchanged via the Web, or at an Apple retail outlet starting October 10th.
Via Krunker.
Posted by kanchana
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09.17.2008
Ever since the October issue of O, The Oprah Magazine came out, we've been getting numerous mysterious emails from readers telling us they found out about Popgadget in the magazine. At first, we replied, "What?" Then we noticed a huge spike in our website traffic that hasn't been seen since that crazy Bar 89 bathroom post.
What a thrill to find out that Popgadget, indeed, is mentioned in the latest issue of O Magazine - page 72. Goes to show - even the smallest mention in O Magazine can have an enormous impact.
So, while we have your attention, dear O Magazine readers, let us direct you to our email sign up page, where you can subscribe to our free emails to get weekly tips and Popgadget highlights, and to win great gadgets from our sponsors. Here are some of the few products we've given away recently.
Take a look at past emails:
Win a Zen Mozaic Music Player
Giveaway: ShareCentral lets 2 computers share USB devices
Win a limited edition "Infection" watch from TokyoFlash
Have a look around. Don't forget to come back to see our holiday gift guides!
Have any questions? - we love to hear from you. Email our editor Mia at mia@popgadget.net, or contact us here.
Posted by Hoyun
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Tags: oprah
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09. 1.2008
The Pew Internet and American Life Project has been undertaking research into US Internet habits for a few years now, and according to its latest information, podcasts are increasing in popularity, with 19% of web users downloading them (but more of those are men than women: 22% versus 16%).
Continue reading "Podcasts become more popular, says Pew"
Posted by Diane
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08.29.2008
Sometimes technology can be put to really great use. Sometimes it can just be used to spy on us.
Researchers Nitesh Dhanjani and Akshay Aggarwal are developing a tool which allows them to create a real time picture of how an Internet user is feeling, based on their profile on a series of social networking sites.
"It will tell you what's going on in your brain," says Dhanjani.
I know super-geeks can be a bit clueless about emotional stuff, so I'm going to spell this one out: I already know how I'm feeling. (I know a lot more about myself than Facebook does).
So if you want to know how I'm feeling, ask me. And if I want you to know the answer, I'll tell you. Otherwise, stop the stalking. Sorry, I mean 'profiling'...
Via CNET news.
Posted by Diane
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Tags: facebook social networking
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08.26.2008
If there's one woman I like despite having seen her colon (okay, so I didn't actually look) it's Katie Couric. This week she'll be presenting a series of live webcasts presenting the highlights of the Democratic National Convention, followed by a roundtable discussion.
You can tune in to watch the 'casts from 7-8 PM PDT untilTuesday, Wednesday and Thursday by clicking here.
Via CNET news.
Posted by Diane
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08.20.2008
If there's one job I couldn't do in a million years, it's forensic scientist. I get grossed out wiping up food stains, so despite my grudging admiration for Sara Sidle, there's no way I could hold onto my nerve (and my cookies) for long enough to swab human fluids.
But it seems a lot of women are a lot less wussy than I am. In fact, USA today reports that perhaps in part due to shows like CSI, more women are entering the field than ever before: 74% of recent graduates in forensic science are female, up from 60% just six years ago.
This is one of the few areas of science to contain a high proportion of female graduates, which is great. But it's also one of the lowest-paid science-related jobs... which is not so great.
Posted by Diane
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Tags: science
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