In light of the recent recommendations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to eliminate the use of hand-held cellular devices while driving, I've been looking into voice assistants. Voice command tools are seen as possible solutions to distracted driving, so I decided to check out my Android options for the best assistant. Here are my findings: Most accurate—Vlingo Unfortunately, for an Android voice assistant, being rated the most accurate isn't saying too much. As far as commands go, Vlingo understood what I was saying, especially Google queries and name recognition. It's …

At any moment, almost one in 100 drivers is using an electronic device while operating a vehicle— a 50 percent increase since last year, according to authorities, and that's no small issue. In fact, it's a big enough concern that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) unanimously recommended a nationwide ban on the non-emergency use of cell phones while driving. This vote was following the investigation of a 2010 fatal accident in Missouri involving two school buses, a bobtail and a car. Two people were killed and 35 were injured in the pileup. The primary cause? Distracted driving …

Facebook broke the ice with several revolutionizing implements to the social networking experience, such as the News Feed, so you won't necessarily be seeing anything radically different in comparison. Same feature, different name, different service. That being said, Twitter's changes are likely to make the average individual's use easier. The bad news? The improvements will probably be just as addictive and time-wasting as its major competitor. Now, there are small things, like rechristenings (@Mention is called “Connect,” for example) and a visual redesign of the tabs, which you can preview…

Confession time: the era of my dumbphone is over; Ol' LG has been replaced.  It was a good run, and I thought of commemorating the occasion by ceremonial torching, running over it with my car, or chucking it over a bridge like they do in movies. All seem like pretty satisfying options—but aren't the most environmentally conscious—so I looked into possible solutions. Maybe you've got some electronics lying around the house, too. Instead of taking them to a nearby landfill, here are some things to consider: It's probably not trash Unless it's pre-1995, of course. If you bought an old computer …

We are past the first decade of the 21st century, nearing certain doom at every special Mayan calendar date and Harold Camping “prophetic” readjusted utterance, and according to nearly every 80s classic film, we should definitely have flying cars by now. At best, we have vehicles that swim. So, I guess I shouldn't be terribly surprised to find that California is only the eleventh state to pass a bill with slight adjustments to voting standards today. SB 397, the bill announced by Gov. Jerry Brown in early October, will allow the state to begin voter registration online next year. Election …

Imagine a sweaty, pockmarked, agitated man gripping an ancient computer monitor while he sits alone in his low-lit, derelict apartment. The blinds behind him are broken and twisted. Things are falling apart, knocked over. He clearly lives alone. His mouth is hardened, glaring hard at something on the screen. Suddenly, you get a glimpse of that which he's intently focusing. Those faces look familiar. Those people on the screen are your friends. That's you at the fair last year. Hey... That's... That's your latest profile picture! He's stalking your Facebook profile and he is definitely not …

Twice within the last week I've encountered my friends having to deal with fraudulent purchases made with their own accounts: One with PayPal, who discovered five separate payments made to someone in California and another who was surprised to find a purchase made in Mexico for an $800 airline ticket with her credit card. Hearing this, I was horrified and concerned about my own protection and the protection of my family. If I can guess my parents' passwords, it's probably pretty easy for full-time hackers. After some investigation, I found that all identity thieves need in some cases is an …

Samsung's newest smartphone model— Galaxy S II with AT&T—reached the public for sale Sunday. Only problem? That pattern lock (standard smartphone security nowadays) that keeps information private has turned out not to be so secure. In fact, according to TechCrunch staff, it's“pretty much useless.” Normally a smartphone will lock after a period of idleness, requiring an unlock pattern to access applications or data after timing out. In the case of Galaxy S II, the user simply has to tap the lock button that wakes the display and then allow the screen to go black again. Tap it again and the …

Earlier this month, Netflix forced increased prices on its 25 million subscribers, as it announced the unveiling of Qwikster, a DVD-only service. Netflix itself will continue with streaming video, but instead of the value combo Americans had become used to, subscribers who want both will have to entertain two services to get it. The $9.99 a month deal is now about $16 a month for users who still want both streaming video and DVDs through the mail. It makes sense for Netflix—it's the first of many steps in the company's plan to switch to a streaming-only service. It doesn't, however, make …

In this age, you can practically live your life online. We pay bills, shop, communicate, organize, work, research and entertain ourselves, all with a stroke of a key and a clicking mouse. And now? Attend virtual church. Yes, that's right. Pause the sermon, eat breakfast, multitask, skip the ironing and stay in your jammies while you worship. Church services are now being debuted on the web. In fact, my own church in Manassas has live streaming for attendees out of town and podcasts of past sermons. It makes perfect sense: churchgoers on average use the internet and media as much as the next …

Being without a smartphone charge can cause even the coolest of cool a minor anxiety attack. Not to worry, technology-loving readers, thanks to engineers at UC Irvine’s Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, you might never have to rely on an outlet for your smartphone again. Researchers developed LCD (liquid crystal display) screens with photovoltaic polarizers, which convert direct sunlight, ambient light, and even the screen’s own backlight into electricity. This is surely a comforting thought to owners of smartphones which drain charges in a few hours. It’s been an …

It’s possible the competition of Google+ will eventually force Facebook to be condemned to the social mogul graveyard along with LiveJournal, MySpace and AOL. Considering it’s already had 20 million visitors within three weeks of its launch, the site is now rated as the fastest growing social network ever, according to a comScore study. Another study submitted by the tracking firm revealed some demographic differences between those searching Google+, the newest social service, and those looking for Facebook. As of July, the percentage of those searching Facebook were largely over the age of …

As with many innovations, there are always a few people to ruin the party. A 23-year-old British man died of a caffeine overdose last year. Bath salts are used for a deadly high. Online piracy changes the integrity of entertainment. The newest substance abuse? Social media, according to some UK officials. In the aftermath of the two-day riot in London streets, UK Prime Minister David Cameron called for limiting use of networks such as Twitter, Facebook and BlackBerry, inferring that the sites allowed for instant mobilization, worsening the riots’ destruction. Soon London protest participants …

If you feel like you’ve been swimming in three-dimensional (3D) movie options, you’re right on the money—and so is Hollywood. According to a report by Digdia, an entertainment marketing group, the number of 3D screens has grown from around 5,000 in mid-2009 to more than 22,000. That’s an increase of nearly 450 percent in a year and a half. With the success of Chicken Little, movie theatres and production companies alike noticed that more 3D flicks meant increased ticket sales—up 8 percent in 2009 and totaling nearly $30 billion in global sales, an all-time high even in the recession. There …

Is anybody out there buying Bing? The only time I think of the so-branded “decision engine” is when a commercial dares me to choose the best time to visit Hawaii. After seeing the hilarious “Cure For Search Overload Syndrome” commercials, many undoubtedly Bing’d a time or two, but it’s looking like Americans have yet to fully take the bait as well. Just two years after its release, Bing and other Microsoft-owned engines, still hold just over 14 percent of the market, up only about 4 percent since its initial debut in 2009. Perhaps I’m immune to Microsoft, Bing’s owner, and its wily sales ways…

Ever had a job that revolved around a screen? As technology encompasses more and more of life, many adults are exposed for at least 8 hours a day—and that’s only for work.Many health organizations including the Mayo Clinic recommend a limit of 2 hours daily screen time for children. Health magazine Modern Medicine found that more than 2 hours ups a child’s risk of psychological problems. A study by the Seattle Children's Research Institute and the University of Washington revealed that many preschoolers in fact receive almost double screen time, a disturbing fact considering the exposure is …

My flip phone is not ideal. I don’t exactly want to keep it. It’s small, has a lousy camera, and it makes loud clicking noises when I text. It is by no means “cool.” When I see my smartphone toting peers, I have a slight tinge of envy. My phone will never be admired again, its glory days short-lived. In fact, I fight the sheepish feeling that arises when I whip my phone out in public. But the real tragedy is the fight against our new culture. The smartphone wave, like the addition of regular cellphones, has brought new social attitudes with it. Now, I’m just speculating here, but I’m pretty …

I swear by LG phones. They hardly break and not once have I had to go in for a repair or replacement. In fact, my previous one lasted me nearly four years, even with dropping it daily on hardwood floors. So naturally, I went the LG route again in 2009 (it’s still here, of course). But pretty soon after my flip-phone upgrade arrived, so did Smartphones.  I didn't think it would be widespread so soon. Heck, everyone was making iPad jokes on Twitter last spring, but by the end of the year nearly 15 million were sold.  Last year Smartphones outsold PCs, according to an International Data …

Thousands of families across the Northern Virginia area experienced a temporary error message from Comcast a few weeks ago, prompting an upgrade to all-digital cable. Those with older model televisions were left with two options: buy a new TV or visit the Comcast service center for a digital box. The message came a few channels at a time. Some, like myself, had perhaps ignored the initial messages, paring down to the entertainment of just a few remaining channels before visiting the Comcast service center. There, customers receive free digital equipment for up to three TVs (one interactive …