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All posts tagged "driving"


Monday, July 27, 2009

The Proof: Texting While Driving is Idiotic

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Pocket PC News" @ 07:00 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/t...xting.html?_r=3

"The first study of drivers texting inside their vehicles shows that the risk sharply exceeds previous estimates based on laboratory research - and far surpasses the dangers of other driving distractions. The new study, which entailed outfitting the cabs of long-haul trucks with video cameras over 18 months, found that when the drivers texted, their collision risk was 23 times greater than when not texting."

While common sense tells us that texting while driving is a bad idea, I frankly didn't realize what a stratospheric jump in the chances of having an accident texting incurs. This is a sobering article that I'd urge everyone to read and pass on to their friends - there's absolutely nothing cool about endangering the lives of those around you. Don't send or read texts, or emails, while driving. Nothing you're getting send to you is important enough to warrant endangering the lives of those around you.


Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Texting + Driving = Bad News

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Pocket PC Talk" @ 01:00 AM

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26727674/?gt1=43001

"It's suspected, but not known for sure yet, that that the engineer of a Los Angeles Metrolink commuter train may have been text messaging when the train ran a stop signal, crashing into an oncoming freight engine. It will likely take the National Transportation Safety Board up to a year to investigate the tragedy, which resulted in 25 deaths, including that of the engineer himself, and 138 people injured."

Regardless of why this happened, the loss of human life is saddening - but if it was was due to negligence on the part of the engineer because he was texting, it's all the more tragic. In my history of texting, which is admittedly not as long as some people, I've sent exactly two texts while driving - or more accurately, composed most of them while at a stop light and finished them while driving. And that was completely and totally stupid of me to do - I couldn't imagine how badly I'd feel if I caused an accident because I thought my text messages were more important than the safety of the people around me. Reading texts and email messages is almost as bad - there's hardly any message that can't wait until you're at a red light to red, or pulled over to the side of the road. Time to confess: do you text while driving your car?


Friday, December 15, 2006

Mobile Phones Driving Image Sensor Market

Posted by Jerry Raia in "OFF-TOPIC" @ 12:00 PM

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20061213PR201.html

"Mobile phones have emerged as the single largest market for image sensors, surpassing the entire consumer electronics segment to become the main application for both charge-coupled device (CCD) and CMOS image sensors, according to iSuppli...In 2005, 199 million image sensors were sold for all other applications outside of mobile phones, including digital still cameras. By 2010, this disparity will grow more, with nearly 1.2 billion sensors shipped for mobile handsets and slightly less than 350 million shipped for other applications."

User submitted image

Even though they keep putting the cameras in the phones, the usage isn't all that high. The article points out lower usage because of image quality and ease of use. I find ease of use to be the big one in my book. Usually the camera in my phone gets activated by accident because the button is usually located in a ridiculous place. Once you have the picture taken, if you really wanted to take one, you then have to figure out how to get it someplace. I have found myself fumbling though menus and finally just looking for the "exit" on the menu. You are all laughing now because there is no "exit" in any phone camera menu is there?


Monday, September 18, 2006

California Joins Growing List of States Against Mobile Use While Driving

Posted by Mike Temporale in "NEWS" @ 05:00 PM

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/24310.html

"The law that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Friday banning motorists in California from holding cell phones while driving does not take effect until July 1, 2008, but the governor is urging drivers to begin complying now. "You can use a cell phone, but use a headset or use a speaker system and you will be fine," the governor said during a signing ceremony at a hotel in Oakland. State Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, predicted Senate Bill 1613 -- the law he pushed through the Legislature after four unsuccessful attempts -- will save lives by decreasing driving distractions."

While I do applaud California for taking action aimed at making the roads safer, I still think that this legislation has missed the mark. First of all, the fines are too small - $25 for the first offense and $50 for each additional offense. If you really want to do something about it, how about $250 and $500 because that would make people think twice. However, the real issue is that driving and talking is no worse than driving and eating, or putting on make-up, or reading the newspaper. These are all common tasks done by people every day. Why not word the law to say anyone doing anything with their hands, other than driving, while behind the wheel will be fined. It's just that simple. :)

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  • Source: billcalle


Tuesday, September 12, 2006

NVIDIA's GoForce Driving Windows Mobile Devices

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "NEWS" @ 12:15 PM

http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_35442.html

"NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA), the worldwide leader in programmable graphics processor technologies, today announced that its NVIDIA GoForce handheld graphics processing units (GPUs), are powering some of the world's first mobile TV production roll outs. DVB-H, or Digital Video Broadcasting for handheld devices, delivers digital broadcast quality TV to your mobile phone. NVIDIA GoForce handheld GPUs provide hardware acceleration for Mobile TV, delivering higher quality visuals than devices using only software, and with less drain on the battery thanks to innovative power saving technologies employed by the GPU. The first of these devices to launch were the Samsung P910 and P920 in Italy, and soon to be available in the US is the Forseer device, designed and manufactured by HTC, and coming to market with Modeo, a subsidiary of Crown Castle International."

User submitted image

I am excited by this news! The NVIDIA GoForce GPU brings us one step closer to wonders of Digital Video Broadcasting on our mobile handsets. The even better news here, is that this GPU will help power the HTC Foreseer, one device I have been waiting very patently for. :)

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  • Source: Pocket PC Thoughts


Thursday, January 19, 2006

T-Mobile Pulls Dangerous Driving Ad

Posted by Mike Temporale in "OFF-TOPIC" @ 11:15 AM

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/01/18/t_mobile_asa/

"T-Mobile UK has pulled an ad aimed at business users who want to stay connected on the move because it "condoned dangerous driving". The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received 13 complaints from people concerned that the ad - which featured a woman driving a car with her glove box crammed full of office equipment - was "irresponsible". Aongside the image of the woman at the wheel of a car, the accompanying blurb said: "Work where you work best. Business data solutions from T-Mobile puts your business wherever you are. BlackBerry, mobile broadband access and HotSpots mean the internet and email are always with you." Defending the ad, T-Mobile argued that the image did not show any of the mobile gizmos being used while driving. Nor did the ad suggest that the products should be used while driving, it said."

User submitted image

I can understand the concern and I don't recommend driving while under the influence of a mobile device. However, I don't think that a picture of someone driving with one hand on the wheel means that you are endorsing dangerous driving. There are a lot of commercials that show people driving with one hand, and most of them are at the drive through window. I would argue that this is far worse. Regardless, T-Mobile did the right thing by pulling the ad. Hopefully, the ASA will start paying attention to the fast food industry too, because they have been endorsing this type of thing for a long time!


Thursday, March 10, 2005

Man Dies Typing SMS Message While Driving

Posted by Mike Temporale in "OFF-TOPIC" @ 08:00 PM

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/NEWSV5/storyV5oncellwreck08.htm

"A Tennessee man who was typing a text message on his cell phone as he traveled south on Interstate 65 died when he lost control of his pickup, which overturned as it went down an embankment, authorities said."

:twak: Come on people, put the phone down while driving! For that matter, put down the cheeseburger, pop, coffee, newspaper, or whatever it is you're doing, and focus on the road. :evil: Thankfully, no one else was hurt in this accident.

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  • Source: Textually.org


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