If you’re anything like most people these days, even 15 minutes without the Internet can seem like an eternity and occasionally trigger panic attacks.
Despite this, there are still 100 million Americans without broadband internet, something that the FCC is now calling "a foundation for economic growth." They even estimate that making sure every American has the freedom to surf the 'net will lead to billions in savings on healthcare costs.
So what is the FCC doing about it? They’re unveiling a National Broadband Plan to modernize the same program that subsidizes phone service in low-income and rural areas and make sure that those 100 million without broadband today have it by 2020. The really tough part will be convincing Congress to set aside $20 billion to put the plan into action…
Do you think providing access to high-speed internet should be considered a priority?
This past weekend, fans of Dr. Seuss recognized what would have been the 106th birthday of the children's literary icon. In honor of the great author who has influenced millions of people's lives at an early age, a series of iPhone apps were released that allow users to enjoy his work on-the-go.
Though the cost of the apps usually varies from $2.99 to $3.99, they're currently on sale for only $.99 each in honor of his birthday!
Not too long ago, Mattel asked you to vote for which career path our beloved Barbie should take on the dawn of her 51st birthday (March 9). While many of you were enthusiastic about a tree-hugging environmentalist Barbie, the most popular blonde in the world won't be slipping on her TOMS anytime soon. Instead, Barbie's two newest professions will be computer engineer and news anchor.
Over 500,000 votes were cast for Barbie's 125th and 126th jobs (talk about a career woman!), with the majority of votes for computer engineer, but with girls throwing their voting power behind the news anchor career.
We've even got a glimpse of Barbie's new get-ups. Computer Engineer Barbie will be wearing a binary code tee, pink specs, a Bluetooth headpiece and will be carrying a pink laptop. We don't know many computer engineers with pink laptops (despite having many at SocialVibe), but this is Barbie we're talking about. Her ensemble was created with the help of the Society of Women Engineers, who hope she will inspire women to pursue a career in the field.
"As a computer engineer, Barbie will show girls that women can design products that have an important and positive impact on people's everyday lives," said Nora Lin, president of the Society of Women Engineers.
News Anchor Barbie is a bit less of a stretch from her bubblegum image - a shimmery pink suit with a microphone and clipboard.
What do you think about Barbie's new gigs? What other career ventures would you like to see her take on?
Yesterday, Google announced they would be launching a new social networking element to their wildly popular e-mail service, Gmail. The new product is called Buzz, and it's kind of like Twitter, kind of like Facebook... but not exactly like either. The service allows you to share information, photos and links with your friends on Google, seamlessly connecting with services like Twitter, Flickr, Google Reader, YouTube and more. Sadly, there is no way to connect to Facebook.
If you are using Gmail, you will see a new category under your Inbox called 'Buzz.' This is where you can set it up and start experimenting. You can also use Buzz on your iPhone or other mobile device by visiting buzz.google.com on your phone and logging in.
Have you already started playing around with Buzz? Will you use it, or is it just another social networking tool that will be lost?
Here's a brief intro video that can explain more about what Buzz is and how to use it:
Because it's Friday, which we estimate to be the weekday with the highest percentage of people on Facebook instead of working or studying, we think it's only appropriate to share these "How To Suck At Facebook" cartoons from The Oatmeal cartoonist Matthew Inman.
He does a great job at capturing the most annoying and common ways people misuse Facebook that cause you to "Hide" them from your News Feed or even worse, delete altogether. Enjoy, and tell us in the comments how else people can suck at Facebook.
Warning: some of the language is rated PG-13, or even R. Click to enlarge.
Microsoft founder and one of the world's wealthiest men Bill Gates has announced that he will be donating $10 billion over the next decade to fund vaccines for people in poor nations. Yes, you read that right - BILLION. Gates and his wife Melinda announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland that they will be making the contribution through their foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
"We must make this the decade of vaccines," Bill Gates said in a statement. "Vaccines already save and improve millions of lives in developing countries. Innovation will make it possible to save more children than ever before."
The amount is nearly double what his foundation has contributed to vaccines in the past - around $4.5 billion. According to the foundation, this money could save up to 7.6 million children under the age of 5 by the time 2019 rolls around. It also estimates an additional 1.1 million kids would be saved if a malaria vaccine is introduced in the next four years. A tuberculosis vaccine would be another tool in preventing millions of deaths.
"Vaccines are a miracle," said Melinda Gates. "With just a few doses, they can prevent deadly diseases for a lifetime."
All we can say is - wow. And, thank you, Bill and Melinda! Ten billion dollars can go a very, very long way when properly distributed, and this extremely generous contribution will save millions of childrens' lives.
Apple fans and tech lovers around the world are staring intently at their computers getting the latest updates about the newest product to come out of the great and powerful Apple machine - the iPad. The iPad is the long-awaited touch-screen tablet device that is something in between an iPhone and a laptop.
CEO Steve Jobs and other Apple execs are currently on stage revealing information about the device as we speak. Among the features that have been revealed are a built in browser, mail, photos, calender, maps, and a music player that is something "between an iPhone and regular iTunes."
Apple is calling the iPad "so much more intimate than a laptop. So much more capable than a smartphone." What do you think - do you think it'll become the next big thing?
For the past couple of months, thousands upon thousands of charities have been competing in Chase's Community Giving contest on Facebook for the chance to win a $1 million donation. The final round has arrived, and wouldn't you know it, two of our most popular Causes are neck-and-neck for the grand prize.
The million dollar donation will help fund TWLOHA's IMAlive online crisis center for suicide prevention, or help fund the rescue of child soldiers in Uganda and end a 20 year war. Like we said, you get five votes, so you can vote for both, just make sure you vote (there's only one day left)!
i'm supposed to get a pink ball. and bracelets and they haven't come yet and it's been awhile... and i just ordered a shirt. but not really expecting...
