If you thought AT&T’s shenanigans regarding the ridiculous restrictions on the BackFlip were bad, I have some even more depressing news folks — the recently announced and actually slick looking Dell Aero will be as locked down as the BackFlip. Apparently, AT&T wants Android to fail, and epicly at that. There is no reason why Android should be locked down like AT&T is doing. Same as the BackFlip before it, the Aero will not allow apps installed from sources other than the Android Market and will come featuring Yahoo as the default search/crap app bundle provider.
Naturally, Android is all about being open and complete customization by the user. AT&T’s stance is exactly the opposite of everything Android stands for. Hence, the reason why I now avoid the death star carrier at all costs. I’m sure AT&T Android hopefuls are feeling even more depressed with the now second, completely ruined Android debut on Big Blue.
I for one am ashamed that Dell let AT&T walk all over them. Google looks to be that way too as “Google Experience” won’t be found anywhere on the Aero. It’s for a good reason though. Android devices on AT&T are garbage plain and simple — not even worth plastic toilet paper. Sadly, with the second AT&T Android device now ruled as crap, it looks like it will be a blanket policy on all AT&T Android devices — locked down, no 3rd party apps outside of Android market, and utter bullshit-esque strings attached. Awesome job AT&T.
Looks like the only real solution is to either bring in unlocked Android devices (not cheap) or pick up and leave dodge. Android/AT&T users: What are you going to do?
AndroidCommunity > PhoneArena
It used to be when you committed a crime — any crime — you were thrown in the slammer. Those on the inside who had even one meal a day on a consistent basis were considered lucky, gods almost. These days however criminals bitch when they only get 10 TV channels instead of 100, have the same meal twice in one week, or have to suffer with a less than accommodating atmosphere. Prison it seems, is less intimidating and harsh as it used to be. Case in point: in the year 2010, mafia godfather’s can now run their empire from the comfy confines of their jail cells via Facebook.
This particular instance of various officials and prison guards allowing one Mr. Colin Gunn to slip through the cracks of security is brought to us by Nottingham jail in the UK. Once a fearsome and violent mafia godfather on the outside has become…a violent and intimidating force to reckon with on the inside as well. Modern tools such as the internet and Facebook have given Colin Gunn an easy outlet to reach out to his 565 “friends” and to issue warnings to those who have disappointed him as one day, he will be free.
Such freedoms can as one would guess only last so long. Once officials of the prison were tipped off to Mr. Gunn’s activities, his Facebook page (which up until now, has been updated almost daily) was shut down, silencing his voice to the outside. It’s worth pointing out that Mr. Gunn is hardly the first person to be caught “conducting business” in the slammer as various other stories involving the same problem can be found after a quick jaunt through Google’s searching features.
For now anyway, Gunn will have to find a new way to communicate to the outside. Ancient “snail mail” is pretty much all he’s got. The standard visitation via crime members in hiding is also another popular choice. Gunn has roughly 35 years to perfect his voice however so I wouldn’t count him out of the game just yet.
After all is said and done, it’s both scary and humorous that someone viewed as violent and dangerous as Colin Gunn was able to (for a short time anyway) keep his crime empire going from within the walls of prison. Ah, the joys of the 21st century…
Drudge Report > Times Online
[Jail Cell Image Source]
Talking on the phone and the measures people have gone to to limit it’s use are a necessity in today’s digital age. Texting has of late replaced many individual’s need to talk. If you’re the type that prefers text based comunication to actual talking, you know how much time texting can consume. While many states and even the federal government is pushing legislation that bans texting while driving and imposes minor fines, committing said act in Utah could land you in the slammer for quite some time.
A law making it’s way through Utah government would treat texting while driving the same as drunk driving. That is, if you crash or cause phsysical/bodily/property damage or harm while texting, you could be facing up to 15 years in the iron jungle. By far the most severe punishment so far. I can’t say I don’t agree as texting while trying to navigate a 4000+ lb. vehicle at any speed is like russian roulette.
Of course, some minor issues that are standing in the way include how to actually “prove” a victim was texting. While law enforcement could certainly try to seize phone records while those victims can simultaneous claim they weren’t texting means a whole can of worms is emerging. Even further still, people could claim they were simplydialing a number to call someone. (So far, no law or government has differentiated between the two activities). And the cherry on top of this moutain of red tape is that current privacy laws can hinder the seizer of the needed phone records needed to truly prove of texting at a certain time. Certainly some of these issues need to be worked out. But how quickly can the various governments involved work together to find a common solution?
Are you glad change is coming?
**Extra:In order to fully grasp the consequences of texting while driving, the NYT has posted a rather insightful mini-game that may just open your eyes to the dangers of said activity.
Source: NYT, ImageSource
