UN Report: 6 in 10 People Worldwide Use Cell Phones
[Via TG Daily]
Culture posts
[Via TG Daily]
The Cell Phone Comes to Cuba
Cuba's new president, Raul Castro, has introduced cell phones to the Cuban marketplace -- along with other formerly contraband devices like DVD players, microwaves and computers -- and, from all appearances, the average Cuban is anxious to acquire one.
Once he or she can save up for it, that is.
At present, the Cuban government offers a simple Nokia 1112 phone and charger for the equivalent of $58, a small fortune for the average Cuban who, according to the BBC, earns $20 a month.
And billing plans are just as costly. To actually use the phone, a consumer must pay a $65 registration fee and a rate of 65 cents per minute. Due to the latter charge, many essentially use their phones as beepers. In a typical situation, an individual would call a friend's cell phone from a land line. The friend, seeing the number pop up on the cell phone, would then hustle to the nearest land line to return the call.
Some, enticed by the Cuban government's 17 cent per text message rate, prefer to go that route.
As far as overseas calls go, folks fearing communist influence riding the airwaves into the U.S. have nothing to worry about; a one minute call to the States runs a Cuban cell phone user $2.70. [From: Washington Post via Textually.org]
Google Street View Becomes a Stage for Performance Art
The project, called Street With a View, features neighborhood residents acting out a parade, a marathon, and a practice for a garage band. Moving down Sampsonia way and looking about the 36- degree field of view reveals smaller scenes like a sword fight and a love laser.
Check out the Street With a View site for more details about the project and to be taken straight to the narrow roadway lined with performers. [From: Google Blogoscoped]
UN Chief Predicts Four Billion Cell Phone Subscriptions By 2009
As predicted, it's growth in developing regions such as Africa and the Middle East which will boost the overall figure the most, with yearly increases in those areas expected to hit 27-percent and 25-percent, respectively. So, what are the chances a post eerily similar to this pops up in 2012 or so saying the entire world has a cellphone? Our trusty Magic 8-ball says "Signs Point to Yes." [From: The Guardian via Core77, image courtesy of Road and Travel]
_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
