Wireless data roaming

Article from Ars Technica regarding wirelss data roaming. Voice roaming has been common for quite a while.

Appeals court upholds FCC's wireless data roaming rules

AT&T and Verizon had sued to block their implementation.

by Timothy B. Lee - Dec 4 2012, 1:12pm CST

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/12/appeals-court-upholds-fccs-wireless-data-roaming-rules/

NTSB calls for national ban

The National Transportation Safety Board is calling for a national ban on all cell phone use while driving. Theres' an article in Time about this, plus dicussion of several studies on talking/texting while driving.

Mobil blog

I have enabled a mobile view for Lex Scripta and tested it on my iPhone. If you have internet access on your mobile phone, give it a test and let me know by commenting on this post. Please include which type of phone (examples: iPhone, Blackberry, Android) you have. You may comment anonymously if you wish.

Juror Tweets, Facebook Updates Now a Crime Under CA Law - Mobile Phones / Smartphones - Technologist

Juror Tweets, Facebook Updates Now a Crime Under CA Law - Mobile Phones / Smartphones - Technologist

If you're in California, leave that smartphone at home!

App roundup

The following are from the ResourceShelf blog.

Deloitte -- Technology, Media & Telecommunications iPad App (free)

January 25, 2011 13:58
Deloitte releases their 10th edition of technology, medial, and telecom preditions in an iPad app.

Nature Publications Group Releases iPad App

January 25, 2011 02:07
Nature Publishing Group has a new iPad reader app for their news and articles content. Access is by subscription.

Harvard University: "New Release of Mobile Web and iPhone App Lets You Find Books In Harvard Library"

January 22, 2011 17:40
Harvard University now has a library module for their mobile app. It is available as both an iPhone app and a mobile web app for smartphones.

Industry News: A New iPhone/iPad/iTouch App from LN: LexisNexis Legal News

January 21, 2011 17:24
LexisNexis has a legal news app for the iPhone and the iPad. The app is free, but the content requires a subscription.

And one from Money Blog - ConsumerReports.org
January 24, 2011

IRS and tax-prep software companies roll out tax apps
Reports on apps from the IRS and tax-prep software companies.

Fastcase iPhone app

Yup, there's an app for that.

Fastcase has announced their iPhone app for searching cases and statutes. Details at http://www.fastcase.com/fastcase-releases-first-legal-research-app-for-iphone/

One of my fellow librarians, Riva Laughlin, sent me a short list of reviews:

• Robert Ambrogi's review:
• http://www.legaline.com/2010/01/exclusive-first-look-fastcase-iphone.html
• Legal Geekery review:
• http://legalgeekery.com/2010/01/29/fastcase-iphone-app/
• iPhone J.D. review
• http://www.iphonejd.com/iphone_jd/2010/02/review-fastcase.html

I've downloaded it and am testing it for a few days. This is something we should all be aware of since our attorneys will probably load it and ask for help later.

New lawsuit over unpaid time

From the Ars Technica web site:

Off the clock? Hyperconnected workers sue employers

Ubiquitous Internet connections and a proliferation of smartphones have put more employees "on call" than ever before, and many aren't being paid for the extra time. Some are pushing back in lawsuits against their employers, but it may simply be time for companies to draw a clearer line on out-of-office communications.

By Jacqui Cheng Last updated August 10, 2009 12:30 PM CT

Interesting article bringing up the basic question of are you working or not when required to answer work calls/emails after work hours?

Thank you, Ars Technica, for including the court and docket number!

Further reading:

If you have PACER access, the case against T-Mobile is 1:09-cv-02955-RJD-RML in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Technology trend

I noticed an interesting technology trend while at AALL in DC. More people were using some type of laptop to take notes than ever before. What I noticed the most often:

• Netbooks (usually Acer brand)
• Macbooks
• Mid-sized Toshibas
• iPhones
  

I saw some other types when people were sitting at tables (Sony, Dell, H-P), which leads me to believe think that people who had larger laptops were using them to connect back to the office, but those with lighter laptops were taking notes. I was intrigued seeing people using iPhones to take notes. I love my iPhone, but can't type fast enough on it to take notes.

Some tentative conclusions:

• Battery life for smaller laptops and netbooks is getting better, so you can use for multiple sessions.
• Netbooks are small enough and light enough to toss in a bag, and to balance on your lap.
• People were bringing their personal laptops/netbooks, not their work machines.
  
• Any type of laptop helps keep the lap warm during long sessions in cold convention center rooms.

I had my MacBook Pro with me, and when I had the light turned down and the wireless off, I could usually get at least four hours before it started getting into the danger zone. (Hearing Kenny Loggins in my head.) People using the netbooks could go all day without recharging.

Anyone else have any experience in taking notes directly on a laptop during conferences? I found it was much faster than longhand, and I could read it afterward.

Discuss amongst yourselves now.

Review of first Google phone

David Pogue reviews the first Google phone, the G1, made by HTC and carried by T-Mobile. His review is three part: the Android software, the phone itself, and the T-Mobile G3 network.

State of the Art
A Look at Google’s First Phone
New York Times Online
By DAVID POGUE
Published: October 16, 2008

The Google phone is real, and it’s finally here. Stand clear of popping corks.

The T-Mobile G1, the first cellphone with the Android operating system designed by Google, will be available Oct. 22. Actually, to be completely accurate, there isn’t anything called “the Google phone.” You can’t buy “the Google phone,” any more than you can buy “the Windows PC.” Google makes the software (called Android), and it’s up to the phone manufacturers to build cellphones around it. (cont.)

Cell phones and the Do Not Call List

It is true, you may register your phone number on the federal Do Not Call list. Contrary to the occasional round of emails you might receive, cell phone directories are not going to be released to telemarketers in the near future.

For more information, read the press release from the Federal Trade Commission at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/04/dnc.shtm.

The Do Not Call registry is located at https://www.donotcall.gov/.

iPhone and enterprise apps

The iPhone is going through a series of beta tests for enterprise applications. What does this mean? The possibility of using an iPhone with push email from Microsoft Exchange servers. More from this story on Computerworld.com:

FAQ: What iPhone 2.0 means to you
The gadget meets Exchange, and developers get a green light
By Gregg Keizer
March 9, 2008 (Computerworld)

The iPhone has always been an unusual product in the Apple Inc. lineup. Apple announced the iPhone months before the device went on sale, something the Cupertino, Calif. company never does.

(snip)

Apple has licensed Exchange ActiveSync, a communication protocol that synchronizes messages, contacts, calendar items, notes and tasks between a mobile device and an Exchange 2003 or Exchange 2007 server. Unlike tethered sync, which the iPhone now supports, the synchronization happens over a wireless cellular or Wi-Fi connection.

cont.

More from Apple.com

Intelius Cell Phone Directory

I saw a blurb from The Virtual Chase with links to sources on the new Intelius directory of cell phone numbers (https://www.intelius.com/phone-search-name.html). There was also a reference to the national do not call registery (https://www.donotcall.gov/).

I tested the search function. It does show if a number is out there, and where it originates, but so far, the additional details such as name, address, etc. seem to be available only if you pay for it.

Pew Internet Research

Another interesting study from Pew Internet Research; they find that 85% of American adults use cell phones or the Internet. The press release, which includes a breakdown of types of users, may be found here.

FCC and hearing on cell phones on planes

In a press release dated April 3, 2007, the Federal Communications Commission decided to terminate proceedings examining the rule requiring that cell phones be turned off before an airplane takes off.

4/3/07
FCC Terminates Proceeding on the Use of Cellular Phones Onboard Aircraft.
News Release: Word | Acrobat
Order: Word | Acrobat