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San Francisco finally kills cell phone radiation law

As expected, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a settlement with the wireless industry over a controversial law that would have required city retailers to inform customers about the possible dangers of cell phone radiation.

By a 10-to-1 vote, the Board agreed to a permanent injunction against the "Right to Know" ordinance and promised that it will refrain from further litigation. In return, the CTIA, the wireless industry's trade association, will waive any claims to attorney's fees. Supervisor John Avalos was the lone dissenting vote.

Ellie Marks, the director of the California Brain Tumor … Read more

Why cell phone locks and required data plans are unfair

Aside from monopolistic cable providers that force their customers to buy expensive bundles of TV channels they might never watch, wireless operators may be the only other businesses I know of that often force their customers to buy expensive services they don't really want.

In this edition of Ask Maggie, I answer two questions from readers who highlight this point. In the first question, a reader asks if he can avoid hefty international roaming fees by getting his brand-new Samsung Galaxy S4 phone unlocked so that he can use a foreign carrier's wireless service while he is abroad … Read more

SF takes first step to approve watered-down cellphone radiation settlement

A San Francisco Board of Supervisors committee on Thursday voted unanimously to approve a watered-down settlement with the wireless industry over legislation that required cell phone retailers to distribute radiation warning materials.

As currently written, the settlement calls for San Francisco to agree to a permanent injunction against the "Right to Know" ordinance and promise that it will refrain from further litigation. In return, the CTIA, the wireless industry's trade association, will waive any claims to attorney's fees.

The proposed settlement now advances to the full board for consideration at its May 7 meeting. If approved … Read more

Cops allegedly get violent at sight of Samsung Galaxy

Cell phones have that certain power to record events that are occurring in the public sphere.

Sometimes, though, those who wield power aren't so keen to be filmed when they are exercising their might.

Here, for example, is one police officer who seems to believe that the Samsung Galaxy is a weapon.

I hadn't been aware that a slight increase in gadget-size could send it into the same category as, say, a machete.

However, in this footage a member of the San Diego Police Department seems to take great objection to being filmed on a Galaxy while writing … Read more

Huawei and the Jonas Brothers: A match made in paradise?

This might seem like Fred Astaire and Carrot Top.

It might resemble that little-known double-act Putin and Tutu.

For some, it might even conjure Jerry Falwell and Jenna Jameson.

Here, you see, is news that the squeakiest of squeaky clean musical acts, the Jonas Brothers, are getting together with slightly more controversial gadget maker Huawei.

A breathless announcement is currently dancing before my eyes. It reveals that Huawei is to sponsor the Jonas Brothers' new tour, which, as you know, begins July 10 in Chicago. … Read more

Pilot's texting at issue in fatal crash of medical helicopter

It seems no one is immune from the lure of the cell phone. Not even pilots. Not even in midflight.

National Transportation Safety Board records show that the pilot of a medical helicopter sent and received texts before the helicopter crashed in Missouri, killing four people.

As Bloomberg reports, the helicopter was operated by Air Methods Corporation, an air medical transport contractor whose policy forbids its pilots from using their cell phones in flight. The company didn't respond to Bloomberg's requests for comment, according to the news agency. We've contacted Air Methods and will update this report … Read more

Man allegedly double-texts, knee-steers -- with kid in back

I am bracing myself for a knee-jerk reaction here.

For this is the story of a man who is said to have taken multi-tasking to an entirely exalted level.

The scene, as painted by the Mobile County Sheriff's Office in Alabama, is that 19-year-old Dandre Moore drove a car while texting.

Actually, the police say he steered the car while texting with both hands.

So how did he steer the car? Well, police say that he used his knees and told them he'd been doing so since he was 15.

As the Alabama Press Register directs the story from earlier this week, … Read more

The 404 1,241: Where we rip from the rich and seed to the poor (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- The first call from a cell phone was made 40 years ago today.

- The Verge interviews Marty Cooper, father of the cell phone.

- Recalling 1993: Step back 20 years in NYC's past.

- Catching up with the TV show release group responsible for recording, distributing torrents.… Read more

Dropped cell phone on tracks and a train is coming? So what?

Have you thought about it?

Some morning when your cell phone slips from your hand, as you're waiting for the 7:37 train? What if that Galaxy of yours fell onto the tracks? What would you do? Would you leap down and get it? Would the swooshing sound of an oncoming train put you off? Or is your cell phone just far too important, far too much a part of you?

I ask all of these questions because of this footage from Brazil.

Thank you, Geekologie, for bringing it to my eyes and making me wonder about the true … Read more