Switched

Distracted Cell Phone Users Aren't a New Phenomenon

Tim Stevens — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 08:10:00 EST

We have plenty of distractions these days, not the least of which being our cell phones. The things can do just about anything your home computer can, and so they can be rather engrossing. We've seen how they've caused car accidents, and even resulted in multiple people walking into the paths of oncoming trains. But, according to a University of Virginia professor, the practice is certainly nothing new.

Peter Norton is the author of 'Fighting Traffic: The Dawn of the Motor Age in the American City.' He indicates that the so-called "textlemmings" are just the most recent version of people getting lost thanks to some form of modern distraction:

Every time you introduce a new technology, we have to figure out how it fits into the existing technological structure ... Today it's texting. A century ago it was reading books while crossing the street in traffic. Norton has several cartoons that illustrate that very subject - pedestrians with noses buried in books stepping in front of angry motorists.

However, while this practice may not be new, it's still dangerous. So, make sure you at least put down the cell phone when crossing the street -- and don't forget to look both ways! [From: textually.org]

Distracted Cell Phone Users Aren't a New Phenomenon originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Security Cameras, Mobile Phone Help Man Track Down Mysterious House Guest

Paul Miller — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:05:00 EST

Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

Look, we're just as down on crazy Japanese stereotypes as the next guy. We watched 'Lost in Translation.' We're with it. We know it's not all cosplay and weird game shows (but seriously, that human Tetris one? Awesome) and people dressing up as vending machines (pictured). That said, this story isn't doing Japan any favors. A homeless woman was recently arrested in Tokyo after living undetected in a man's closet for a year and sneaking food out of his kitchen. It was the missing food that tipped him off, so he installed some security cameras in his home to transmit images to his phone. Some motion was detected, so he called the police, and soon enough they spotted her in the closet -- where she had planted a mattress. Moral of the story? Move to Japan. Better cellphones and bigger closets. You can't lose.

[Via ixplora]

Security Cameras, Mobile Phone Help Man Track Down Mysterious House Guest originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone Definitely Coming in June

Tim Stevens — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 07:31:00 EST

Filed under: Cellphones, Smartphones, Audio, Cell Phones

Could it be that Apple fans finally have a date to mark on their calendars? According to Engadget (via CNET), that may be the case. AT&T, the mobile provider formerly known as Cingular, has officially confirmed an unofficial release date of June 11th. Normally we wouldn't put much weight behind announcements like this, but given that June 11 just happens to be the same date as Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, there looks to be truth here.

If you've not been under a rock or imprisoned, you already know that the iPhone is Apple's foray into the embattled cell phone market, where it hopes to do to phones what it did to the MP3 players with the iPod. The iPhone will have a touch-screen display, built-in camera, and will of course play tunes and videos. For now AT&T will be the exclusive provider of this phone and will sell a 4 gigabyte version for $499 and an 8 gigabyte version for $599 (each requiring a two year contract).

From Engadget [via CNET]

iPhone Definitely Coming in June originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 02 Apr 2007 07:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Put a Projector in Your Pocket

Tim Stevens — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 11:08:00 EST

Filed under: Cellphones, PDAs, Smartphones, Palmtops, Video, Wearables

Most of the time when you think "projector" you probably visualize a big box with a lens sticking out of one side and vents on the other, innards stuffed with fans to try to keep a smoking hot bulb (or bulbs) from setting the whole thing on fire. Modern projectors are smaller, lighter, and cooler than their predecessors, but if Texas Instruments' latest claims are to be believed, the humble lantern about to take a major leap forward.

Engadget is reporting that TI is about to demo what it's calling a DLP pico-projector to the media. The company's press release indicates it will "fit in your fingertips" and be small enough to be "an integrated component in a mobile device," which basically means your cell phone soon may have a built-in projector (other companies, such as Microvision, are also working on built-in, cell-phone-projectors).

So, instead of trying to view a 150 column spreadsheet on, say, your smart-phone's tiny LCD screen, you could instead project it onto the wall, the floor, or even the back of the head of the blonde sitting in front of you on the bus. While this obviously won't be the ideal means of viewing private information in public situations, a mini-projector paired with a laser keyboard would definitely make for the ultimate in ultra-portable computing.

From Engadget [via PR Newswire]

Put a Projector in Your Pocket originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 28 Mar 2007 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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