APM's Future Tense

No link between Internet, social isolation

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:52 -0600

A new study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project finds that the Internet and mobile phones do not lead to social isolation, as some previous research suggested. In fact, there's plenty of evidence that people who spend a lot of time online have fuller social lives.

Open-sourcing the vote

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:54:31 -0600

Activists working to develop an alternative American voting system have turned loose their first batch of software code for public review. The Open Source Digital Voting Foundation is spearheading a project to build new voting machines to replace proprietary systems currently in place. The group is in the second year of a an eight-year plan to produce a publicly-owned, open source election system.

Cyber war: Scary, or scare-mongery?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:55:07 -0600

The Obama administration, like the Bush team before it, have talked a great deal about the need to strengthen our ability to fend off attacks that target U.S. computers. How much should we worry, really? Yesterday we heard from James Lewis at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He's just written a new report that concludes there is no chance another country or terrorist group will launch a major cyber attack against the U.S. anytime in the near future. Still, Lewis believes U.S. defenses against an Internet-based attack on its military and government computers, power grids and financial system are weak and need to be shored up to guard against future threats.

Report: Zero threat of major cyber attack against U.S.

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:19:11 -0600

There is no chance other countries or terrorist groups will launch an Internet-based attack against U.S. information systems in the near future, according to a new report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Other countries have no political interesting in attacking the U.S. while terrorists don't likely possess the capability for a destructive cyber-war campaign, according to the Center's James Lewis.

Microsoft markets crud-free computers

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:14:05 -0600

Microsoft has begun selling new PCs with no crapware, from the likes of Sony, HP and Dell. Of course, the machines will still come with plenty of Microsoft software that not everyone will want. You can find these Microsoft Signature PCs at its new store in Scottsdale, Arizona and online. Guest: Todd Bishop, TechFlash

Will Droid succeed against iPhone?

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:30:49 -0600

Verizon Wireless and Motorola are expected to unveil details of their new Android phone today. Guest: Kent German, CNET

Apple, Microsoft trade jabs in new TV ads

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0600

Today, Dwight Silverman analyzes new commercials from Apple and Microsoft.

Microsoft moves to commercialize SenseCam; memory augmentation is first market

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0600

The SenseCam is a specialized digital camera that's been percolating in the labs of Microsoft Research U.K for about five years now. It's designed to be worn around the neck on a lanyard. The device takes still images throughout the day, when motion is sensed or when people come into view, as often as every 30 seconds. The camera can be used for everything from a scrapbooking tool to a medical device for patients with impaired memories. Microsoft has been able to produced only about 500 SenseCams, so it's decided to license its technology to ramp up production. U.K. company Vicon will begin selling the cameras, under the name Vicon Revue, to researchers this year and to the general public in 2010.

Netbooks: A plague?

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:46:47 -0600

Consumers seem to like netbooks. Not Joe Wilcox. Netbooks are plague, Wilcox says.

Warning: Security warnings often fake

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:45:09 -0600

- Download MP3 - iTunes Rogue security software is a huge and growing problem, according to a new report from Symantec....

The age of e-book readers? "More hype than reality"

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:46:59 -0600

Barnes & Noble is now selling its own electronic book reader to compete with the Amazon Kindle and the Sony device. Other companies will enter the market soon. So, this is a golden age for digital reading devices, right? No way, says publishing industry analyst Thad McIlroy.

Wi-Fi Direct seeks to increase flow of conversation between devices

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:54:19 -0600

Our disparate gadgets will be able to chat with greater ease when Wi-Fi Direct arrives next year. Guest: Glenn Fleishman, freelance tech reporter

Five best things about Windows 7

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:27:53 -0600

Windows 7 arrives this week. We asked Lance Ulanoff of PCMag.com to come up with a list of the five best things about the new Microsoft operating system.

What do we give up with technology that's just good enough?

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:19:27 -0600

- Download MP3 - iTunes Part two of our interview with Wired's Robert Capps...

Technology that's good enough

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:23:46 -0600

We love MP3s even though they sound inferior to CDs. We can't get by without our mobile phones even though they've tended to sound worse than land lines. We're watching more TV shows and movies on our little computer screens, even as our big TVs sit idle in the next room. It's the Good Enough Revolution.