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Latest by Mike Flacy

Twist automated location notifications

Twist eliminates texting while driving with live ETAs on travel time

Ideal for providing vital travel updates to friends and family members while on the road, Twist could put a stop to drivers that are distracted by continually texting their location.
researchers develop in car cell phone jamming system driving while using

Police start confiscating phones from distracted drivers

In order to curtail the amount of people using cell phones when driving a vehicle, the Cape Town police department has escalated to taking possession of phones for a short period.
Sprint 4g network

Sprint 4G LTE launches in five major cities on July 15

Playing a bit of catch up to wireless competitors like AT&T and Verizon, Sprint is finally rolling out 4G LTE to several metropolitan areas next month.
Facebook Photo Nikon Lost

Facebook users scour the social network for owner of lost Nikon camera

Harnessing the power of the viral phenomenon on social networks, a good Samaritan is using Facebook to help return a camera full of memories to the owner that lost it.
Facebook changes users' default email to @facebook.com address

New state law requires sex offenders to list convictions on Facebook

Cracking down on the online activity of convicted sex offenders after they are released, a new law requires a larger amount of disclosure on social networks.
Snooze Alarm iPhone Dock at Bed

Embrace laziness with Snooze for the iPhone

Ideal for anyone that desperately wants to stay curled up in bed in the morning, a new iPhone dock will help you banish an alarm with one slap.
4G LTE

4G adoption is rapidly increasing with young consumers

As more consumers slowly start to understand the difference in speed between 3G and 4G devices, the youngest generation is driving the transition to the faster data network.
insteon bulb iphone

Networked light bulb can be controlled with a smartphone

Ideal for anyone that's too lazy to get out of bed to turn off the light, a company in Irvine, California has developed a light bulb that can be turned off with a smartphone.
facebook-timeline

Facebook reacts to Airtime by adding Call button on Timeline

Likely an attempt to bring more attention to the Skype-powered video calling feature, Facebook hopes more video chats will be initiated from the Timeline page.
DirecTV Dish

DirecTV considers rolling out commercial skipping technology

Looking carefully at consumer demand of ad-skipping technology, DirecTV management may offer the service to customers in the near future.
Milkmaid Milk Jug

Quirky jug sends you a text message when the milk goes bad

Attempting to solve everyday problems with creative digital solutions, the development team at Quirky has come up with an interesting way to keep an eye on the milk.

Future Google TV hardware streams video from Android devices

As Google TV continues to struggle to gain acceptance within North America, a new wave of set-top boxes may encourage Android smartphone owners to invest in Google TV technology.
iPad on an airplane

Airline ditches heavy, in-seat televisions in favor of the iPad

As more air travelers are looking for ways to keep themselves entertained during long trips, a Singapore airline is offering shiny, new iPads to customers for the flight.
WD TV Live media streamers

Western Digital adds SlingPlayer functionality to WD TV Live media streamers

Continuing to support its lineup of video streaming devices, Western Digital has rolled out another firmware update for the WD TV Live lineup.
Ford-Sync

Ford, State Farm team up to track drivers for cheaper insurance rates

For anyone looking to trade privacy for a discount on car insurance, Ford owners will soon be able to authorize State Farm to watch mileage through Ford SYNC.
Hundai Veloster Pandora

Man proposes to girlfriend through Pandora audio advertisement

Likely one of the more unique marriage proposals of 2012, a college graduate popped the question to his girlfriend with the help of Pandora employees.
Facebook Addiction

Are you addicted to Facebook? Psychologist develops tool to measure addiction

As the amount of time Facebook users spend on the social network continues to increase, a psychologist out of Norway has developed an evaluation tool to identify Facebook addiction in patients.
Facebook Messenger Read Receipts

Facebook updates Messenger app, shows when a friend has read your message

Focusing on providing more information to people exchanging messages on mobile devices, Facebook added a few key features to the Facebook Messenger app earlier today.

Microsoft abandons Windows Live branding in Windows 8

As Microsoft continues to finish up work on Windows 8 for a projected Fall 2012 release date, the company is leaving behind a familiar brand in favor of continuity across devices.
Space Shuttle Enterprise

Space shuttle Enterprise races along the NYC skyline

Much to the delight of people living within New York City, the space shuttle Enterprise took off from Washington earlier today on its journey to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.
Students Computers

Student candidate allegedly hacks his own election results

With students that often know more about computer systems than teachers or administrators, cheating through digital methods continues to be an issue for high schools and universities.
gmail

Google Meter breaks down your email habits

As email continues to be the dominant form of digital communication within businesses, Google has rolled out a set of analysis tools that will help users better understand their inbox.
Battleground on Hulu

Hulu Plus hits two million subscribers, more original content incoming

As Hulu continues to mature and carve out a successful subscription model in the form of Hulu Plus, the company promises a larger investment in content over the next year.
4g-phones-verizon

Verizon’s 4G LTE service available to two-thirds of U.S. population with expansion

As more consumers are upgrading to 4G-capable smartphones, Verizon is continuing to quickly expand 4G LTE service into new markets across the country.
D-Link-MovieNite

D-Link releases streaming-only MovieNite media player

As more people turn to streaming video on the Internet to avoid the high cost of cable, D-Link has launched an inexpensive set-top box through Walmart for aspiring cord-cutters.
Netflix_UI

Netflix updates Windows Phone, Xbox 360 apps

In order to attract more subscribers to the streaming video service on Netflix, development teams have rolled out improved versions of the Netflix application on mobile and gaming platforms this week.
spotify wall

Spotify extends free, unlimited listening period in the United States

As more people in the United States discover Spotify through Facebook and other sources, the music subscription company is extending the free service for all early adopters.
att-corporate

Feds sue AT&T over $16 million collected from fraudulent charges

After AT&T's attempt to merge with T-Mobile quickly fell apart due to pressure from the federal government last year, the telecommunications company is in hot water with the Justice Department yet again due to alleged abuse of a service for the hearing impaired.
batmobile

Economics students create cost estimates to build Batmobile, Death Star

Students at a private, four year university in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania have come up with some interesting economics predictions regarding the production costs of a couple iconic, fictional items.
3ds-close

Top five Nintendo 3DS eShop games

Digital downloads are a growing field for gaming systems, and handhelds are no exception. Here’s our roundup of the top five 3DSWare games on the Nintendo eShop.
Facebook browsing

Judge ordered employees to be rehired after inflammatory Facebook comments

As long at employees aren't utilizing work hours to make comments on Facebook, it appears that the NLRB believes that employees should be able to disparage other employees on Facebook without serious reprisal.
Facebook browsing

Study: Is Facebook more addictive than alcohol or cigarettes?

While the addictive nature of checking social networks has only been escalated by more smartphone sales, one study has come to the conclusion that it may be even more addictive than popular vices.
ecoatm-front

EcoATM offers cash for old mobile phones, MP3 players

While old electronics continue to pile up as consumers move on to the next great device, a company called EcoATM is looking to offer consumers a way to easily ditch unused gear for a quick payday.
mbrace2

Mercedes-Benz Mbrace2 adds Facebook, Google Street View and Yelp

While drivers continue to rely on smartphones to check services like Facebook and Yelp while driving, Mercedes-Benz is looking to move that behavior to the dash of the car with the second version of Mbrace technology.