A MacWorld Without Jobs
The announcement hit the tech world today like a ton of iPhones: Steve Jobs will not be appearing at MacWorld 2009 in early January and Apple is pulling out of future MacWorlds going forward. Everyone has an opinion on what this means and why it's happening. Theories range from the Apple company line (non-Apple trade shows are no longer necessary or relevant), to Jobs being unwilling to front a relatively newsless event, to a sign of the economic downturn, to a slow transition of power within the company to someone like Apple VP Phil Schiller, to (of course) the rumors about Jobs' health. Whatever the real reason(s) it's clearly a changing of the landscape. MacWorld has historically been THE place to witness Apple's big announcements and the most visible platform for its iconic CEO. It certainly leaves one scratching one's head. I'll try to post more thoughts on this tomorrow but in the meantime I'm curious to read people's comments.
Not Your Child's Video Games
This may come as no surprise to folks like me who play on a regular basis (some say TOO regular), but a new study finds that more than half of American adults play video games. And it's both men and women delving into digital worlds -- nearly an even split with 55 percent to 50 percent respectively. And while there's a higher percentage of younger adults playing, older adults are playing more often. There's still some social stigma attached to being an avid gamer (though I'm not ashamed -- far from it), and who can deny the satisfaction of such escapism? We'll have the story on tonight's CBS Evening News with Katie Couric. Put down the controller long enough to watch.
Why, Oh Why, Gen Y?
First, full disclosure: I fall smack in the middle of Gen X. You can do the math (that was never my strong suit). So while I'm not that far removed from Gen Y, as I pointed out yesterday I'm more of a "digital immigrant" (or "digital nomad") than a "digital native." There are many terms for this generation -- Gen Y, millenials, digital natives -- but the point is that someone born after 1980 likely grew up with a mouse in their hand. Using a computer came naturally, and the transition from school to the workplace didn't involve learning new ways to search for information (Dewey Decimel System vs. Web browsing) or adopting different methods of communicating (faxes vs. instant messaging). Bottomline: exactly what has this lifelong immersion in technology done to Gen Y's social skills? Admittedly, it's a broad question, but we try to answer it (at least in part) tonight on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
Why, Oh Why, Gen Y?
First, full disclosure: I fall smack in the middle of Gen X. You can do the math (that was never my strong suit). So while I'm not that far removed from Gen Y, as I pointed out yesterday I'm more of a "digital immigrant" (or "digital nomad") than a "digital native." There are many terms for this generation -- Gen Y, millenials, digital natives -- but the point is that someone born after 1980 likely grew up with a mouse in their hand. Using a computer came naturally, and the transition from school to the workplace didn't involve learning new ways to search for information (Dewey Decimel System vs. Web browsing) or adopting different methods of communicating (faxes vs. instant messaging). Bottomline: exactly what has this lifelong immersion in technology done to Gen Y's social skills? Admittedly, it's a broad question, but we try to answer it (at least in part) tonight on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
Think Before You Post
It's no secret that young people make mistakes; it's a necessary part of growing up. But the internet -- and specifically the rise of video-sharing Web sites -- opened a new portal for potential pitfalls. On tonight's CBS Evening News with Katie Couric we're looking at how teens are posting controversial videos on sites like YouTube, often in the hopes of getting noticed or showing off. But in the process they may be setting themselves up for real-world consequences in the future.
The New Space Race; Google Catches The Flu
It's the new space race: private industry. And there are a slew of startups and some major players all vying to tap into everything from interstellar mining to space tourism. Think of it as capitalism's final frontier. It's a story that's constantly evolving with new discoveries and launches from companies like Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, XCOR, Armadillo Aerospace and many others. But when will it be ready for prime time? Are trips to the moon just around the corner? And how long will it be solely the domain of the wealthy? This weekend on CBS Sunday Morning we'll provide a slice of this ongoing high-tech competition and see how it might inspire the next generation of space travelers.
Voting From Space; The Political Web
Call it the ultimate absentee ballot. The two U.S. astronauts onboard the international space station cast their votes today from 220 miles above Earth, and in the words of ISS commander Michael Fincke: "If we can vote from up here, so can you."
Update: Driver Cell Phone Technology Story Moved
Quick update: Due to today's economic news my story about the technology to prevent people from talking/texting on cell phones while driving will air on tomorrow (Thursday) night's Evening News with Katie Couric. I hope you'll watch!
A Missed Call That Could Save Your Life (Or Someone Else's)
When was the last time your phone rang and you didn't look to see who's calling and decide to answer it? The temptation of a ringing phone is tough to ignore. Is it the boss? Your spouse? The bank? Forget the social etiquette of answering when you're around friends or loved ones and consider what happens when you're driving. Still answer it? We've all done it. But for Dave Teater that act of talking on the cell phone while driving changed his life forever. Four years ago his 12-year-old son Joe was killed when a woman talking on her cell phone ran a red light and plowed into the family vehicle. Now, Teater has joined a technology company in Canada that's got a new way to avoid that ringing or talking temptation. We'll have the story tonight on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
BioWare Wants You To Use The Force (Again)
Breaking news in the video game world: BioWare, part of Electronic Arts, announced details today on an upcoming massively multiplayer online game based on the "Knights of the Old Republic" (KotOR) title called "Star Wars: The Old Republic." From the BioWare press release: "...players will explore an age thousands of years before the rise of Darth Vader when war between the Old Republic and the Sith Empire divides the galaxy. Players can choose to play as Jedi, Sith, or a variety of other classic Star Wars roles, defining their personal story and determining their path down the light or dark side of the Force."
