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Turns out texting while driving is even more dangerous than we thought
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Transportation,
In case you need and more proof that you shouldn't be texting while driving (or really, doing anything at all with your smartphone,) it's just been found that the practice is more dangerous than originally thought:
Drivers were asked to stop when they saw a flashing yellow light, and their reaction times were recorded, Yager said.
The typical time it took a driver who was not texting to respond to the flashing light was one to two seconds. But when the driver was texting, the reaction time extended to three to four seconds, and the texting motorist was 11 times more likely to miss the flashing light altogether.
Yager said the reaction time was the same whether the driver was typing a message or reading one.
One in five motorists admit to texting, emailing, and checking social networks while driving.
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AT&T launches super-expensive global text messaging plans
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News,
AT&T launched two global messaging plans today to attract international travelers who prefer to text while abroad.
Global Messaging 200 lets you send 200 messages for $30 per month, while Global Messaging 500 lets you send 500 text messages for $50 per month. Previously AT&T only offered a package of 50 text messages for $10. Don't let that fool you, though, as these prices are ridiculously expensive.
The new plans let you send text, photo, or video messages in more than 100 countries. Without a plan, AT&T charges $0.50 to send a text, $0.20 to receive a text, and $1.30 to send a message with a photo or video.
Click to continue reading AT&T launches super-expensive global text messaging plans
Facebook Messenger joins the group messaging fray with iOS and Android apps
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Social Networking, New Apps, Free Apps,
Facebook has just released a new Android and iOS app called Facebook Messenger, and it's exactly what it sounds like. Basically, Facebook has taken its messaging system, used their Beluga team to simplify it a bit, and pushed it out as an independent app. You can message your contacts without using up SMS (similar to things like BBM, Google+ Huddle, iMessage, GroupMe, Fast Society, and plenty of others,) and you can also create group messages on the fly as well. People will see these messages show up in the Messenger app, their Facebook inbox, or by SMS if they don't have the app installed. You can also share your GPS location and attach images to the message conversations as well. If you've used Beluga or Facebook, then you know how to use this.
You can grab it now from the App Store and Android Market.
T-Mobile Sidekick service gets killed
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Microsoft,
RIP, Sidekick. T-Mobile's once-beloved e-mail phone will finally die on May 31, when T-Mobile and Microsoft pull the plug on the specialized data service that delivers Web pages, e-mails, and apps to the Sidekick line.
"It was a joint decision reached by Microsoft and T-Mobile," T-Mobile spokesman Tom Harlin said. "We think it's a natural order for products to be replaced by newer technology, and we've announced there will be a 4G-enabled, Android-powered Sidekick."
But here's the catch: Harlin refused to commit to releasing the new Sidekick before May 31, saying only that "in terms of the next Sidekick, we'll have more information in the coming weeks."
Originally known as the Danger Hiptop, the T-Mobile Sidekick was a huge breakthrough for affordable, easy-to-use messaging phones when it first came out in 2002. Seven more models came out through 2009, and the Sidekick built a reputation as a popular messaging solution for young people with prepaid accounts. T-Mobile stopped selling the Sidekick last July.
Click to continue reading T-Mobile Sidekick service gets killed
Video: Girl falls into mall fountain while walking and texting
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Videos,
Just a quick PSA to those of you who do a lot of texting while walking--you should really look up every once in a while, just so you can be aware of your surroundings. You dont wanna end up in this unfortunate situation.
Teens sending 3,339 texts per month on average
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Smartphones,
New reports from Nielsen show that teens are sending and/or receiving an average of 3,339 text messages every month, or 111 texts per day.
The statistic shows that girls are more prone to texting than males are, averaging 4,050 texts per month; while males averaged 2,539 texts a month. While text usage is rising, voice calls are declining rapidly. Teenagers spend 646 minutes per month talking on their cell phones on average. This is a 14% decrease from last year.
However, males take the lead when it comes to browsing the web, averaging 75 MB of mobile data per month. Females only averaged 53 MB in this category. Even so, both sexes have seen an extraordinary leap over last years stats of 11 MB and 17 MB of data per month.
Read More | TG Daily
The New “Vernacular”
Posted by Melissa Trebus Categories: Humor, Parenting,
I try to pride myself in being a cool “hip” mom (wait, do they say “hip” anymore), however I am having a little bit of trouble with the new technology-age vernacular. I guess my background of being an English teacher runs deeper than I thought, because the new verbs are causing me a lot of trouble. Example number one - texting. Every time I hear a group of kids talk about “texting” my grammatically correct nose twitches. A text is a noun or an adjective. They should say, “I sent you a text message.” And what about “friending” on MySpace and Facebook? Really? To an unknowledgeable observer the comment, “She friended me,” sounds absolutely ridiculous!!! How about - She sent me a friend request? Oy! The ultimate in weird is “tweeting.” I don’t use Twitter, but the thought of telling someone that I just tweeted makes me laugh out loud - seriously!!! I suppose the gauntlet has now been thrown. Will I resist these crazy verbs or will I cave and join the crowd. Stay tuned!
AT&T Responds to American Idol Voting Controversy
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, Rumors,
As previously reported, reports have surfaced that one of American Idol’s biggest sponsors, AT&T, might have influenced the surprising conclusion of season 8.
According to the New York Times, AT&T reps were present at Kris Allen parties during the final voting night of American Idol 8. Allegedly, employees of the company not only provided free text-messaging to party-goers but also showed them how to power text. This method of texting allows voters to send out multiple votes simultaneously, using only a single button. Technically, power texting is against the Idol voting rules.
Click to continue reading AT&T Responds to American Idol Voting Controversy
Read More | E! Online
Daily Happenings
Posted by Colleen McKie Categories: Celebrities,
Text mess up
Anna Faris is not trying to contribute to the delinquency of minors despite the fact that she recently asked a kid to get drunk with her. Faris just made a texting faux pas. The actress meant to send the text to a friend, but got the numbers mixed up.
Footloose and fancy free
Gossip Girl hottie Chace Crawford has just been confirmed as the lead in the remake of Footloose. Crawford will be playing Ren McCormack, the role that Zac Ephron recently turned down.
While the female lead, Ariel Moore has yet to be chosen, there have been a slew of Hollywood heavy hitters vying for the part, and the latest to throw her tiara into the ring is none other than Miley Cyrus.
The life and times of Amy Winehouse
There’s an Amy Winehouse documentary in the works, set to show the world how hard it is to be Amy Winehouse. I envision two hours of watching the messed up singer trying to stand and dress herself.
A-rod scores a Hollywood actress
The latest rumored Hollywood hook-up is Kate Hudson and Alex Rodriguez. The two were spotted together in a bar and then outside of A-rod’s apartment. If you are trying to prove that you have commitment issues, Kate, dating a cheater will definitely go a long way.
Man Fined for SMS Hate Message
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones,
Be careful when you text message. A German man was fined $2,300.00 for accidentally passing on an SMS hate message right before Germany defeated Turkey in the Euro 2008 soccer tournament. The message said, “by opening this SMS, you have killed a Turk.” Accused with inciting racial hatred, the man claimed that the only reason he was caught was because he accidentally forwarded it to someone whose house was searched by police. We figure texting something like that in the first place would be about the same as saying the “b” word in an airport.
Read More | Reuters
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