Democratic politicians are weighing in on the Net neutrality debate, hoping to direct the FCC to ban internet fast lanes. Senators Leahy and Matsui introduced a bill this week called the Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act. While it wouldn’t give the agency any new powers, it would provide political backing in prohibiting ISPs from charging more for faster delivery of content. Republicans oppose the bill because it could allow the FCC to reclassify broadband providers as a public utility, thus allowing for stricter regulation. This means that the legislation has a slim chance of being passed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
After its failed attempt to buy Snapchat last year, Facebook is now launching its clone called Slingshot. It offers users the same ability to take pictures or videos, send them along quickly to their friends, and then draw on them or add text. But to unlock the message, the recipient has to send a reply. Messages can be sent to one person or all of your contacts at the same time. The photos disappear shortly after they’re viewed, so no harm, no foul if you’ve sent something a bit risqué. But whether it’s truly deleted, still remains to be seen. Slingshot is now available for free on both iOS and Android.
Finding a quick power boost for your mobile devices is about to get a lot easier thanks to the ChargeAll. Claiming to be the world’s smallest portable power outlet, the ChargeAll is a lightweight lithium ion battery that boasts both a USB and traditional power outlet. It can power virtually any device in your mobile arsenal, and anything else you’ve got that requires 85 watts of juice, or less. It comes in two sizes with the small version able to charge a laptop twice and smartphone seven times, while the large version nearly doubles that. A 100 dollar pledge on Indegogo will put you in line to get one later this year. And the company already produces an assortment of charging devices, so we’re pretty confident they’ll deliver on time.
