Cell Phone Interactivity on the Rise

Using your cell phone for more than just talking? You’re not the only one! A study shows that nearly half of Americans use their cells for more than just talking. Interactive games, stock tickers, and videos are among the hottest new ways to stay connected. Log on for more at www.sms0256.wordpress.com

Wallpapers, ring tones, screen savers… they used to be THE necessities when cell phones first came out. What began as small personalizations on cell phones, has become an obsession in the Asian and American culture–and a growing one at that.

According to web research, more complex mobile applications are making their way throughout the country. Consumers are happily paying the extra costs of interactive java games, stock tickers, mapping systems–even video on demand!

A survey released by Harris Interactive reveals that nearly half of U.S. adults with cell phones pay extra for these “non-voice applications.” The applications account for about 10 % of the total bill, but they have a large impact on the average revenue per user.

Consultant Andrew Roscoe says the non-voice services are still in the early, high growth stage, and those figures have held steady since 2004.

40 Years Remembering Dr. MLK

 

He’s most famous for his “I have a dream…” speech, but April 4th marks an important date in the biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Exactly 40 years ago Friday, an assassin shot Dr. King on his motel balcony in Memphis, Tennessee. He was 39 years old.

The civil rights leader received the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 35—making him the youngest man in history to win the award. Dr. King put all his prize money, totaling almost $55,000, towards advancing the civil rights movement.

Terry Furgerson of UNT’s history department talked about King’s impact on society. He said it’s hard to remember what happened—he was, after all only 8 years old. He didn’t understand at the time what this would mean for the world.

“It gains more historical importance as you go—when it happened, to me I think it felt like this kind of stuff happens all the time,” said Furgerson.

An assassination on anyone is never ordinary, and King’s was no exception. According to reports, the government appears to have possibly played some role in his death. Although he confessed to murdering Dr. King, news sites report that James Earl Ray later retracted that confession.

But, the BBC states that, “the US Justice Department said it had uncovered no reliable evidence of a conspiracy.”

Dr. King had survived multiple attempts on his life. His pursuit for equality brought along racial discomfort; and that was precisely his plan.

“There was a strategy and a plan behind everything he did,” public relations senior Sarah Graham said. “By engaging the people who really hated blacks, he showed the indifferent just how ugly racism is.”

Civil rights leaders and museums across the country will host events honoring Dr. King on the 40 year anniversary of his death this Friday.

 

Books Go Back To Inmates

The federal Bureau of Prisons returned religious books and materials to prison libraries after removing them because they were not on an approved list.
A 2004 report by the Department of Justice mentioned that some religious books could incite violence, so the government created a list of the acceptable ones and removed them in June of 2007. That list only included about 150 books for 20 different religions.

The bureau altered its planned course of action saying they would return all materials that were removed, “…with the exception of any publications that have been found to be inappropriate, such as material that couple be radicalizing or incite violence.”

Director of prison policy Bob Moore said, “This is a positive step: it means they are not throwing the baby out with the bath water.”

Related links:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/burpris.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/21/us/21prison.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

To give books to prisoners in need click here