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Cell Phones

Senior Citizen Sexting on the Rise

Troubling instances of teen sexting have been all over the news as of late, with randy kids and their sexy messages and photographs often leading to public derision, expulsion, and sometimes even arrest. Thankfully, the disturbing trend among the nation's youth seems to be nearing an end.

The primary reason? Because it looks like old people are getting into it. We know (gag), and we're sorry, but the American Association of Retired People (AARP) Web site recently posted a story that details the growing popularity of raunchy text exchanges among senior citizens. (Hopefully its exaggerating.) One man named Roger (His last name was apparently withheld to prevent his grandchildren from jabbing pencils into their eyes and ears.) told the AARP, "I'll say, 'You have an amazing body. You have amazing breasts.' The next thing you know, you'll get a picture of a breast." Shudder.

So, the next time you see Grandma sheepishly grinning as she checks her cell, don't even try to wipe the memory of this indelible story from your brain. It will, unfortunately, be permanently seared into your subconscious. Again, our apologies. [From: AARP via Tech Radar and Gawker]

Cell Phones

Wanted Thief Texts Mugshot to Local Paper, Old Pic Too Ugly

Fugitives, take note. If you're disgruntled over that unflattering mugshot, follow Matthew Maynard's lead and send in one of your own.

Last Monday, the 23-year-old Welshman took cheekiness to the next level by texting The Evening Post a shot of himself, posing in front of a police van and dressed in matching neon yellow trousers. Maynard, wanted in conjunction with a burglary in Swansea, South Wales, was apparently unhappy with the official mugshot, according to The Daily Telegraph.

South Wales Police had originally issued his mugshot, along with those of seven other suspects, as part of a larger crackdown that eventually led to 81 arrests in 48 hours. Four of the pictured suspects were picked up within hours, but Maynard remains one of the four still at large. After receiving his sensational new photo, The Evening Post responded in kind by splashing it all over the front page of today's paper. "He thinks he's being clever by showing off like this, but we'll have him in soon now," said one officer. "Everyone in Swansea will know what he looks like now." Prison time is a big price to pay for your vanity, Matthew. [From: The Evening Post, The Daily Telegraph, and The Daily Mail]

Cell Phones

Texting Bus Driver Caught Red-Thumbed by Passenger's Phone Pic

The debate about driving while texting (DWT) is about to hit a fever pitch. If you think people were up in arms about this dangerous habit before, just wait till you hear the latest alarming story. According to the New York Post, a New York City bus driver is being investigated after a passenger snapped a picture of him texting while steering the bus through thick traffic Thursday. Allegedly, the unnamed driver sent three messages during his route from Manhattan to Staten Island. Transit spokesman Charles Seaton told the Post that drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone while in the driver's seat.

While this story is a black eye on the city, it's also ill-timed news for the entire state, which saw a new ban on texting go into effect today. There's a positive side, though. More people might be waking up to the dangers of texting on the road. Yet another new poll by The New York Times and CBS News found that 97-percent of those polled support a ban on driving while texting. Even more resounding, 50-percent said the practice should be treated like drunk driving. With such overwhelming support, it wouldn't be a surprise to see stateside crackdowns similar to the one in England (where texting now results in serious jail time.)

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Cell Phones

Texts to Wrong Number End in Shooting

Dialing a wrong number is always awkward. Though the exchange of obligatory apologies only lasts a few, fleeting seconds, it's pretty uncomfortable for all involved -- and invariably makes you just a bit nervous about your next attempt. Believe it or not, though, some unintended phone calls can result in more than brief formalities. If one recent case is any indication, the consequences can be violent.

Scott Allen Elder, 22, of Georgia, is facing aggravated assault charges after allegedly shooting another man over a series of angry text messages and phone calls, local NBC affiliate WSAV reports. According to Savannah police, the entire incident was the unfortunate result of a wrong number. Police spokesperson Veda Nichols told WSAV, "[It] was just a mistaken phone call. The two men did not know each other prior to that and they allowed a text conversation to escalate to physical violence so it was just a senseless act." Luckily, the 24-year-old victim Brian Matison wasn't killed. As of Thursday evening, he was hospitalized in serious but stable condition.

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Holiday Gift Guide

Gift Guide: Freehands Texting Gloves



Freehands Texting Gloves (Earth Lover, Under $50)

Smoking gloves are so passé, not to mention, environmentally-unfriendly. Texting gloves, on the other hand (pun intended), are like the 2009 version of the foldback-mittens (the simple, removable finger piece, above, means you can keep on texting regardless of the weather). Keeping digits toasty while shooting off a text is actually pretty crucial, especially when hiking, cross-country skiing, or just driving in an unheated (presumably hybrid) car. Available in fleece, tech liner and real leather (for both men and women), Freehands gloves ($18-$24) keep outdoorsy texting addicts flexible and warm all winter long. That is, as long as their (presumably eco-friendly) cells gets reception on Mount Anywhere....

Cell Phones

Texting Driver Crashes Into Cop Car


By now, we're all aware of how dangerous it is to text while driving. But, like children who just can't resist touching a hot stove, people continue to do it. While a car accident is never good, some are worse than others. For example, crashing into a parked cop car because you were texting is about as bad as it gets. That's just what happened late Wednesday night to one unfortunate, or just dumb, Rhode Island man.

According to The Providence Journal, David Mercer crashed his Jeep into a police car that had been parked on the highway in order to divert traffic around a wreck farther up the road. Mercer claimed that he didn't see the empty idling car, despite its flashing blue lights, because he was text messaging. Thankfully, no one was injured, and, lucky for Mercer, texting while driving hasn't been banned in Rhode Island (although it has been in several other states). That being the case, he won't face any criminal charges stemming from the accident. According to the Journal, he was cited with "failure to maintain control of his vehicle, obedience to devices, and no insurance," none of which are criminal charges.

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Cell Phones

Phone Users Thumbing Out Over 4 Billion Texts per Day


CTIA released the results of its semi-annual wireless survey yesterday (pdf), and the findings revealed that the mobile industry continues to grow at a ridiculous, exponential rate, particularly in the area of data services. According to the survey, 276 million consumers now use wireless devices, up from 262 million in 2008, and use a total of over 1 trillion minutes.

Revenue from text messages and other data services hit $19.4 billion for the first half of 2009, a 31-percent increase from the same period last year. Just two years ago, people seemed shocked when the survey concluded that almost 1 billion text messages were being sent per day, but that number now pales in comparison to those of the current texting frenzy.

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Cell Phones

93% of Americans Support Ban on Texting While Driving, Finds Poll

Apparently all those studies and advertisements about the dangers of texting while driving are getting through to the American people. According to Motor Trend, Ford recently commissioned a survey that found 93-percent of the participants support a nationwide ban on texting while driving. It looks like the automotive giant surveyed a bunch of cynics though -- because only 42-percent said they believe drivers would actually stop texting if the ban was enacted.

Ford has (sort of) found a compromise, of course, and it has the numbers to back it up. When asked if they'd use voice-activation technology (like Ford's SYNC), 76-percent said they'd be interested in a car equipped with such a feature. Ford executives are surely licking their chops at the potential market possibilities. But there's one problem. It's not just busy hands that make using a cell phone while driving dangerous. Studies show that it's the burden put on your brain that leads to distracted drivers and more accidents.

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Car Tech, Computers

Truckers' Nav Systems as Bad as Driving While Texting

People continue to text message and use other portable devices while driving, despite knowing what a dangerous habit it can be. Just look out your window while rolling down the interstate, and you'll see that businessman glued to his BlackBerry or a teenage girl texting away. But glance a little higher, and you might behold an even scarier sight.

Truck drivers rely heavily on electronic devices ranging from computers to GPS systems to complete their jobs in a timely fashion. However, The New York Times reports that many lawmakers are pushing for such devices to be banned because of the dangers involved with distracted driving.

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Cell Phones

'Moby Dick' to Be Translated Using Japanese Emoticons

For those of you who thought Herman Melville's 'Moby Dick' was too archaic, or just too hallowed, why not give a new translation a chance? According to the Telegraph, the epic novel about a man's quest for a white whale will be translated into Emoji -- a language based on the emoticons many Japanese use when sending messages via mobile devices.

In order to accomplish this massive (and ridiculous) task, New Yorker Fred Benenson, the man with the plan, is asking the online community to donate $3,500, which will pay folks to translate the classic. If the money is raised, three for-hire editors will come up with their Emoji-fied versions of the epic novel's 6,438 sentences. Then, another group of pre-selected workers will choose the best sentences, eventually making up the final draft. And, bam, you have 'Emoji Dick'.

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Cell Phones, iPhone

iPhone MMS Makes Early Debut for Some

iPhone MMS Makes Early Debut for SomeWhen AT&T claimed it was going to take a while to get MMS on the iPhone (partially because it had to be manually enabled for each account), the company wasn't lying, it appears. Many iPhone 3G and 3GS users are reporting that they're now able to send and receive multimedia messages, despite being nearly two weeks ahead of the announced September 25th launch date.

According to our friends over at TUAW, reports of iPhone users suddenly having access to MMS have been trickling in over the last few months. But recently, claims of having early access have increased to a dull roar. At least one of the TUAW staff even reports to have access.

This would makes sense. If AT&T wanted to have access for all iPhone 3G and 3GS users (sorry, 1st gen iPhoners) ready by September 25th, it would have to start turning the service on ahead of time. No one here at the Switched offices has yet seen MMS options show up in their iPhone settings, or received an unexpected picture message.

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TV, Web

'Texts From Last Night' to Become Fox TV Show


'Texts From Last Night' was funny, at first. But, when friends started posting text messages from the Web site on our Facebook page, it became annoying. Then, the user-generated site, which is full of embarrassing admissions sent late at night, became a full-scale phenomenon -- spawning an iPhone application, a Twitter page, an online store, and now, a television show -- all much to our chagrin.

Fox has landed the rights to create a television show, which will be produced by Sony TV and Happy Madison, based on 'TFLN.' The show's writer Steve Holland told The Hollywood Reporter, "The show is about twentysomethings in that post-college, pre-the-rest-of-their-lives limbo trying to figure out what to do, and texting is a large part of that." Apparently, finding your life's calling is as simple as getting wasted and sending texts to your buddies. If that were true, our lives would be in a lot better shape.

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Cell Phones, Social Networking

Parents Now Inescapable Thanks to Text-Nagging


While cell phones and social networking provide kids with a sense of independence and maturity, that same technology also ensures that a particularly nosy and invasive group can keep a tight clamp on newly found teen cyber-freedom.

According to the Washington Post, parents are increasingly using online grading systems, Facebook, and text messaging to not only keep tabs on their kids, but, more importantly, to constantly nag their progeny into submission. Tech-savvy mother Martha McGrath told the Post that she celebrates "the plethora of nagging options," and many other parents seems to agree with the sentiment.

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Editor's Picks, Top Lists

14 Annoying Tech Types



Though technology generally makes our lives better, it can also turn us into idiots. Inspired by Blue Tools -- those people who never remove their wireless headsets -- we've compiled a list of personality types who irritate by misusing gadgets and the Internet in ways that are mean, rude, or simply clueless.

Are we stereotyping a bit? Sure, but ultimately, we're here to help. Recognizing that you have a problem is the first step to recovery. So take that headset off for a moment and ask yourself: "Is this what I've become?" If so, just look up from the screen, turn down the volume, and your friends will be happy to have you back. But first, take a look at 12 types who we think should take their technology and shove it.

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Cell Phones

'Social Knitworking' Turns Sweet Texts to Cozy Textiles


Feeling a need to literally show your love, as opposed to just texting sweet nothings to a special someone? What if you could turn your kind words into a warm blanket of affection in which a cherished person could wrap themselves? Sounds like romantic talk, but this is actually the notion behind Distance Lab's newest experiment in communications.

Earlier this summer, the Scotland-based research firm presented the Mustugoto, which let long-distance lovers 'draw' on each other with light. Now the company is experimenting with 'Social Knitworking,' which uses software to scan electronic messages for certain words and phrases, and then to translate the text into patterns. The patterns are transferred to a knitting machine, which then creates a scarf, a tee, or a simple piece of fabric with an abstract pattern embroidered on its surface.

Distance Lab is working in conjunction with researcher Hilary Grant, who studied textile design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, Scotland. Grant became fascinated with the idea of turning ephemeral digital conversations into concrete objects, and with her background in textiles, immediately thought of a knitted keepsake. Whether her notion will turn into a trend remains to be seen, but a scarf made of 'I love yous' might just catch on. [From: BBC.co.uk]
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Top 11 Geek T-Shirts
According to none other than Wired magazine, T-shirts have come into their own as a form of media, one that uniquely documents messages and stories, not to mention emergent technologies and companies changing the way we use the Internet. Here at Switched, we write a lot about these next-gen, "Web 2.0" companies and technologies, which include everyone from MySpace and Facebook to Twitter and even Google.

Given that we're partial to t-shirts with nerdy, tech-infused jokes and terminology, we figured it was high time to find the best geek t-shirts specifically related to Web 2.0 speak (like the "Your Podcast is Lame" t-shirt, flickr user ericskiff, pictured above). So here, dear readers is our humble survey of the wild, cotton-meets-code world of Web 2.0 t-shirts. If anything, it'll give you something cool to talk about during your podcast.
Getty Images

Top 11 Geek T-Shirts

    According to none other than Wired magazine, T-shirts have come into their own as a form of media, one that uniquely documents messages and stories, not to mention emergent technologies and companies changing the way we use the Internet. Here at Switched, we write a lot about these next-gen, "Web 2.0" companies and technologies, which include everyone from MySpace and Facebook to Twitter and even Google.

    Given that we're partial to t-shirts with nerdy, tech-infused jokes and terminology, we figured it was high time to find the best geek t-shirts specifically related to Web 2.0 speak (like the "Your Podcast is Lame" t-shirt, flickr user ericskiff, pictured above). So here, dear readers is our humble survey of the wild, cotton-meets-code world of Web 2.0 t-shirts. If anything, it'll give you something cool to talk about during your podcast.

    From Facebook and MySpace on down to countless start-ups, social networking sites are Web 2.0 bread and butter. Unfortunately, the facts and pictures on someone's profile don't always match the real, offline version. If you enjoy racking up virtual friends, but worry about the real world rendezvous, you'll be prepared for the worst with this straight-shooting t-shirt.
    From CafePress

    For all of its entrepreneurial, spare-garage innovation, Web 2.0 has bred some sprawling companies. Google's certainly risen to the top, but a $600 share price has incited a fair amount of jealousy and worry from outsiders as the company continues to buy startups and expand its information empire. Only time will tell what the men of the "Don't Be Evil" mantra hath wrought, but for now you can preserve the madness across your pecs.
    From Scary Go Round

    Success has a strange currency on the social news site Digg, where links rated positively by users (given a 'digg,' in other words) can drive Web sites, blog posts, and all kinds of stories to new heights of popularity. Isn't this the kind of validation we yearn for offline? And what will this shirt do to the 'Kiss me I'm Irish' industry?
    From NerdyShirts

    Michael Scott's classic catch phrase might be a tad different if he had been written as a Web entrepreneur instead of a regional manager at Dunder Mifflin (from 'The Office,' for those of you who don't watch TV). Twitter traffics in brief update messages that its users can send from any Internet-connected device, making it ripe for compulsive friend-monitoring as well as double-entendre hunters. "Come Twitter on my sensitive iPhone touchscreen?" The possibilities are endless.
    From Cottyn

    While the lolcat phenomenon started on Internet message boards, sites such as I Can Has Cheezburger? brought goofy cat pictures and idiosyncratic captions to the Web masses. It might not fit the strictest definition of Web 2.0, but ICHS is a vast social network with some very cool features (it also mints ad money, which always helps in Web 2.0 circles). This shirt allows for easy, dry-erase marker customization of a classic lolcat caption meme. Prepare to be the life of the party. Im in ur Switched bloggin ur tshirts!
    From ThinkGeek

    This might be what she Twittered if she thought your bookmarks were del.icio.us. Or if she really wanted to StumbleUpon your toolbar discoveries. Or... never mind. Fact is, tagging links, images, and other pieces of information online are the hot way to organize things in Web 2.0, and this shirt means its wearer is in the know. Just remember to stop staring and make eye contact occasionally.
    From CafePress

    'Don't drink the Kool-Aid' is a warning adopted by those skeptical of Web 2.0 optimism and wary of a second dotcom bubble. Mule Design's Feed Store describes this shirt as an "image of Tim O'Reilly (acknowledged as the coiner of 'Web 2.0') busting out of his lawyers office." Indeed.
    From Mule Design

    Events like the 'Snakes on a Plane' phenomenon suggest that Samuel L. Jackson is down with Web 2.0, but as 'Pulp Fiction' fans know, there are some words that he'd rather not hear repeated. Despite your awesome Technorati ranking, friends and relatives might feel the same way. Tread carefully.
    From coolestshop.com

    The nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation has been fighting for digital rights since its founding in 1990. The importance of its work grows with the ever-expanding reach of the Internet, a place where things like free speech, intellectual property, and privacy are still being defined and contested. Wear your support for digital freedom and the EFF on your sleeve with this shirt. We hear that the Internet finds it irresistible.
    From Electronic Frontier Foundation

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Latest Reviews from CNET.com

CNET provides the latest tech news, unbiased reviews, videos, podcasts, software, and downloads, making tech products easy to find, understand and use.

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