Wi-Fi Body Scale Ups Weight to the Web, U.S. Gov Urges 'Cyber Hygiene'
Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....
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'Wii Fit' is receiving some competition in the virtual weight-monitoring world, as French company Withings has reportedly developed a 'WiFi Body Scale.' The scale determines weight and BMI, and then uploads the data to a Web site so people can point and laugh and make fat jokes. Just kidding, you look great. [From: Newsvine]
- A recent report indicated that a staggering 59-percent of the world's PCs are infected with malware. Since October is National Cyber Security Month, the US government is urging citizens to improve their "cyber hygiene" in order to thwart the dangerous epidemic of unprotected browsing. One of its proposed safe-surfing techniques includes abstaining from clicking on those tempting, random e-mails. [From: The BBC]
- New York resident and iPhone owner, Manoj recently learned that his maddening 22-percent call drop rate was actually way above average for the Big Apple. Apparently, an unacceptable 30-percent of all iPhone calls get dropped in New York. So, when exactly is the iPhone going to pick up another carrier and finally allow some fair market competition? Not soon enough. [From: Boing Boing]
- Canadian billionaire, and Cirque de Soleil head-man, Guy Laliberte has embarked on a mission to the International Space Station onboard the Soyuz capsule which was launched yesterday. He was reportedly wearing a clown nose and pantomiming, and allegedly said that he would tickle his crewmates while they sleep. Over/Under on the number days before the real astronauts dispatch him on an unanchored spacewalk? Let's set it at one. [From: USA Today]
- Cisco Systems recently sponsored a study that investigated broadband Internet connection performances in countries across the globe. Nine nations comprised the first, and best, group, which included South Korea, Japan, Bulgaria, and Romania. The US, which, of course, played an integral role in the development of the Web, ridiculously ranked in the second group. Romania? Bulgaria? Come on. [From: The New York Times]
- Earlier this year, Twitter played a significant role in helping to disseminate information during the Iranian elections. Once again, the oft-decried and supposedly narcissistic site has helped spread breaking news during a cataclysmic period. Recent tweets have helped warn people about impending tsunamis and earthquakes, further demonstrating the positive benefits of a widely-used, instant communication tool. From: Asylum]
- Rumors recently began swirling that the forthcoming Apple tablet will incorporate a 10-inch screen with high resolution. With its gaudy and flashy reader, Apple is apparently unleashing its hatred of books, newspapers, and all other paper publications. It's time to take a stand to protect the value of signed first-editions! Bibliophiles unite! [From: Wired]
- Hewlett-Packard recently received kudos from Greenpeace for significantly reducing the amount of environmentally dangerous material in its PCs. Of course, Greenpeace has been staging protests at various HP offices, so the tech geeks probably just got sick of all the annoying hippies in the parking lot and the accompanying stench of patchouli. [From: Boing Boing]
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