Here are links to some stories worth reading. Enjoy!

• Voting for the Worst on ‘American Idol’ (NYT) 
• Some Viruses come pre-installed (AP)
• Woman to record industry: Stoy spying (AP)
• A One-Eyed Invader in the Bedroom (NYT)
• Critics Praise Hulu, demand more content (DVICE)
• Top 10 Cell Phone Myths Explained (Switched)
• Google says Microsoft’s Yahoo buy might hurt Internet (Reuters)Came upon a good article? Share it in the comments.  

Popularity: 23% [?]

In the Web 2.0 era, ad firms will say and do anything to go viral, and Virgin Mobile Canada certainly didn’t waste any time. I still find it hard to believe, but an ad of former Governor Eliot Spitzer with a thought bubble that says “I’m tired of being treated like a number” has been circulating the Internets–the number reference is in regards to his”Client Number 9″ status with you know who.

Under the picture:

“At Virgin Mobile, you’re more than just a number. When you call us we’ll treat you like a person, not a client. Whether you’re #9 or #900, you’ll get hooked up with somebody who’ll finally treat you just how you want to be treated.”

CNet reports that Nathan Rosenberg, CMO at Virgin Mobile, said the ad will run in the papers for two weeks as part of some “You call the shots” campaign.  Hilary and Barack will also be featured in said campaign.
 

Popularity: 21% [?]

 What you see here is truly a one-of-a-kind backpack known as the Reppo II backpack. It was an idea envisioned by industrial design student Joonas Saaranen who brought it to life by throwing in a couple of full-range speakers and an amplifier, letting you share your favorite songs with everyone else on the bus or in the tube. It is pretty much a portable subwoofer, and this concept has gone so far as to be a fully functional prototype although Joonas has not mentioned whether he will have them sent to a factory for mass production. I’m sure these’ll fly off the shelves should they be made commercial.Source: Technabob

Popularity: 39% [?]

 >Asus takes the green route with its new concept computers that are made out of bamboo. According to Asus’ press release, “ASUS has created an image of the future for computing – showcasing environmentally friendly designs for notebooks, LCDs and Mini PCs with bamboo as an alternative material in the manufacturing process.” While the usage of bamboo isn’t exactly going to save our earth from eventual pollution, at the very least it will look good on just about any desktop. Hopefully insects won’t have a penchant for bamboo lest you find your entire notebook or PC eaten up after being left in the attic for a few months.

Source: PC Launches

Popularity: 52% [?]

Wish you could rock out just like all those rock stars you see on MTV? Enter the Silverlit VBeat Air Guitar that could help you realize your dreams.

This motion-sensing electronic guitar simulator is perfect for wannabe guitar heroes who’ve graduated beyond air-guitar and tennis rackets, but haven’t quite got to grips with the real thing yet! Pre-programmed rhythms and an instructive guided learning feature will ensure great sounds in no time at all. So, raise your fist in the air and rock out with the V Beat Guitar for super shredding solos and raucous rhythms!

The Silverlit VBeat Air Guitar retails for £29.99 a pop, and comes with free style mode as well for you to annoy/impress your fellow housemates.

Popularity: 37% [?]

Seriously, what’s up with zombie texters? I honestly can’t believe how bad the ‘texting and driving’ situation is,  and now ‘walking and texting’ is becoming a problem in London? An ITN reports says that after a recent study, one charity is launching a program to pad lampposts. Apparently, London’s Brick Lane is so full of walking texters that the street has the highest number of texting injuries, so they’re idiot-proofing the street’s lampposts. If the pilot program proves to be successful, the charity will pad other lampposts around Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool. Honestly, this is the most retarded thing I’ve ever heard of, so I hope the idea dies in Brick Lane.  I just don’t think this padding would help any beautification project the city has going on, and it’s a complete waste of good materials. People who text and walk should be allowed to run into lampposts if they want. No need for textersitting.  It would actually be a lot cooler if this charity  installed video cameras somewhere on the lamppost, and then set up a live feed so we can watch the lamppost offenders. Now that I want to see on YouTube.

Popularity: 30% [?]

Everyone knows that a laptop emits a whole lot of heat, and most of the time it is recommended to be used with a laptop cooler. The DORmino mouse takes a different approach and embraces heat instead, as it uses the wasted heat to power the wireless mouse thanks to silicon nanowires that have been embedded within the pad that sits right under your laptop. The thermoelectric converter, coupled with an induction coil located right inside the mouse is used to transfer power up from the pad. The mouse itself comes with a touchscreen scroller and Bluetooth connectivity, while the pad can be rolled up for easy portability.

Source: OhGizmo!

Popularity: 42% [?]

Nokia has teamed up with the University of Cambridge to parade their new stretchable and flexible device known as Morph. This futuristic concept handset comes in a lovely shade of green and is pretty flexible, being able to stretch and bend into all sorts of shapes, hence its name. Features of using nanotechnology in developing such a handset thanks to the use of flexible materials, transparent electronics and self-cleaning surfaces results in a whole new user experience - no longer do you have to worry about breaking your phone or having it getting nicked once it drops onto the floor. Word has it that Nokia hopes to bring some elements of the Morph into its high end devices within the next seven years. I would love to see a self-cleaning display - say goodbye to pesky fingerprints forever!

Source: Crave

Popularity: 39% [?]

Kids love playing, and so do adults but the latter tend to find less and less time due to a whole host of other commitments. The SmarteBear range of children’s playthings are capable of reading stories, playing games and keeping your little one entertained by even singing songs - all these can be accessed at the press of a paw. I guess this is one toy that you ought to bring during those long road trips in order to avoid the traditional kid question, “Are we there yet?”. The SmarteBear range is also multi-lingual, so it would be great to pick up some Francais as well for both parent and child. This nifty little toy retails for $80 and above, depending on the type of add-ons you choose (sounds like some fast food joint to me).

 Product Page via Red Ferret

Popularity: 31% [?]

For a flashy yet useful GPS system you need to look at the Dash Express.  Utilizing neat plug-ins like MyDash, allows you to customize your experience with the GPS system so that you get what you need at your fingertips.

With two-way connectivity, Dash taps into Yahoo! Local search, among other choices, and allows you to find the location of almost anything.  Most GPS systems come pre-loaded with static locations marked up but you can customize what you are looking for with this setup.

Dash Express also will work to get all the information off the Dash Driver Network and match it up with other sources of data to give you the most up-to-date and accurate feel for what’s coming up ahead as you drive.  Traffic conditions can rapidly change and the Dash will let you know quickly so you can re-route.

This also has a neat feature called Send2Car that allows you or someone you contact to send an address straight to your Dash from any computer.  Two-way connectivity certainly makes this product stand out from the rest.

Technorati Tags: gps,gadget review,dash express

Popularity: 39% [?]