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Chinese Toys Found to Have Possibly Lethal Consequences
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Editorial, Toys,
More toys made in China have been recalled today. Scientists have discovered that a chemical in them is the equivalent of the date rape drug GHB (gamma hydroxy butyrate,) which can cause seizures, drowsiness, unconsciousness, coma, or death.Two kids in the U.S. and three in Australia were hospitalized after swallowing beads in Bindeez and Aqua Dots. Used for arts and craft projects and sold in retail stores and over the Internet, the beads fuse together when sprayed with water. The toys, which were distributed in 40 countries, were made at the same factories, and most retailers, such as Toys ‘R Us, have taken them off their shelves.
Also recalled today were more than 400,000 toys because of high lead levels in paint. These include the Robot 2000, a Winnie-the-Pooh Spinning Top, and pull-back action cars imported by Dollar General Merchandising. The Chinese government has already issued an import ban on more than 700 toy factories in the southern Guangdong region because of poor products.
We are amazed at all the recalls that are still occurring and were flabbergasted when we read this:
“The news jolted the toy industry because Aqua Dots has been one of the few bright stars of the toy selling season, which, along with overall retailing, has gotten off to a sluggish start. The item, which had been heavily advertised, had appeared on many toy experts’ list of must-have holiday toys, and toy sellers are now in the midst of canceling advertising and scrambling to figure out how to replace it.”
Over 4.2 million units of Aquadots were made. Shouldn’t we be more concerned about what goes into our children than what makes them cool?
Read More 
| MSNBC
Gallery: Chinese Toys Found to Have Possibly Lethal Consequences
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QRIO Sparks Interest in Toddlers
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Editorial, Misc. Tech, Science,
Researchers claim that adults can only hold an interest in a robot for about 10 hours but a new study proves this is not the case with children. The 2 foot tall QRIO (pronounced “curio”) was developed at the University of California with a crude sense of touch. When unleashed on a roomfull of toddlers between the ages of 18 to 24 months, he would turn his head, giggle, and even dance if they interacted with him. They became so used to his presence that he hung around about five months. The researchers noticed that the kids would touch his face first, then other parts of his body, just as they would with another child.
During another phase of testing, QRIO only danced when the tots touched him. Needless to say they quickly lost interest. When he again responded, the toddlers began to interact once more, but when his batteries went out, some of them cried. We wonder what long-lasting effect QRIO will have on these same children now that they have lost their new playmate.
Read More | Live Science
Gallery: QRIO Sparks Interest in Toddlers
U.N. Teams With Google for MDG
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Editorial, Google, Internet, Science,
The U.N. has gotten together with Google and Cisco Systems to launch a site this week that they say will let us know of the planet’s poverty fighting efforts. The Millenium Development Goals site gives statistics on health, education, malnutrition and women’s equality. Google Earth maps will show by satellite where the areas are established.
The U.N. is hoping that by 2015 the MGD Monitor will aid in accomplishing such goals as beginning to reverse HIV/AIDS, cutting child mortality by 2/3, and reducing people without safe drinking water by half. While we applaud the plan, we hope any money spent creating the MDG is justified by not spending it on the project itself.
Read More | Googland
Gallery: U.N. Teams With Google for MDG
Why I Love LG’s VX9400 Cellphone (aka the “TV Phone”): A Review
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Smartphones, Editorial, Features, Product Reviews,
In August, my contract with T-Mobile ended, and I was ready to upgrade my cell phone. Like most everyone else, I desperately wanted an iPhone, but the $500 price tag was too rich for my blood. I also considered the Sidekick, which would have allowed me to stay with T-Mobile (whose service I love). Then one day I wandered into a Verizon store to check out their “TV Phone”: LG’s VX9400. You’ve probably seen the commercials of people watching “The Daily Show” or “Spongebob” on their cellphone and wondered “Just how good is that thing?” Well, I was hooked instantly and purchased it the next day. Despite the phone’s drawbacks – and they are major—I’ve been in love with it ever since. Here’s why…
Click to continue reading Why I Love LG’s VX9400 Cellphone (aka the “TV Phone”): A Review
Gallery: Why I Love LG’s VX9400 Cellphone (aka the “TV Phone”): A Review
Does This Mark the Demise of the PC?
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Editorial, Handhelds, PC / Laptop, Video Games,
It would appear that the PC’s popularity is lessening in Japan, as overall shipment has declined for the last five quarters. Taking its place are flat panel TVs and cell phones, according to analyst Masahiro Katayama. He added that kids there spend more time using their phones, advanced game consoles, and smart phones to access the Internet than computers. PC makers have taken to marketing low end products in countries for have those who will become first time users. While we suspect that this trend will continue, there is no way that we could ever completely give up our comfortable QWERTY keyboard and widescreen monitors for tiny finger pads and minuscule displays.
Read More | USA Today
Gallery: Does This Mark the Demise of the PC?
Drew Carey to Narrate Online Documentaries
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Editorial, Internet, Videos,
Another celeb opts for online recognition. Drew Carey is teaming up with reason tv, a site where you can upload, share, and suggest videos that will be made into future documentaries. Subjects will include commuting in traffic, drug laws, immigration and “stupid big government in general,” said Carey. His first endeavor, “Gridlock: Hell on Wheels” debuted yesterday. The Reason Foundation and its monthly mag, Reason, is concerned with public policy research and undoubtedly has reasoned that having an online spokesperson can result in more attention and additional funding.
(Thanks, Chris)
Read More | reason tv
Gallery: Drew Carey to Narrate Online Documentaries
Nestle Caters to Video Gamers
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Editorial, Smart Home, Video Games,
What do you do to attract attention by kids that are immersed in video games and no longer watch as much TV? If you are Nestle, you produce mini-bottles of water called Aquapod just for them. Then you set up a site that they can play on, run a contest designing empty bottles, and finally, don’t forget the tie-in to Wiis with Konami’s environmentally friendly Dewy’s Adventure. At least their promotional contest, which runs through November 1, has some nice prizes such as a 6-night trip to Costa Rica or a Wii with the game included. We remember when Nestle’s Quick simply made the very best….chocolate.
Read More | Nestle's Aquapod
Gallery: Nestle Caters to Video Gamers
Recently the Burmese government shut down the country’s Internet connection in an effort to keep prying eyes from seeing what is going on there. No wonder the country of Myanmar is upset over more than just its name change. Earlier this year, researchers at Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, and the University of Toronto issued The OpenNet Iniative to study other countries who had have done the same. China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, South Korea, and Pakistan are among those that have at least partial blocks. We may complain about our state of our Union, but we never forget that we are grateful to be in a country that allows us to have our FI (Freedom of Internet.)
Read More | Technology Review
Gallery: Myanmar Bans Internet
Keep Those RC Toys at Home
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Editorial, Misc. Tech, Science, Toys,
Next time you take a plane trip, don’t bring your RC gadgets along with you. The Transportation Security Administration said this week, “It appears that terrorists may have an interest to use these remote-control toys as a means to initiate devices used in a terrorist attack.”
A Congressional Research Service claims that the toys have been improvised by both U.S. and Iraqi troops so that they can be run into unsuspecting areas and explode insurgent bombs, while the remotes can be set to trigger explosive devices. The only problem we see with this is that every time we are told that we cannot bring something on an airplane, those that make the announcements tell everyone, including the potential bad guys. Perhaps we should also caution Radio Shack not to open an outlet in the Middle East.
Read More | Reuters
Gallery: Keep Those RC Toys at Home
Wii Shortage Imminent - Coincidence? We Think Not
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Editorial, Video Games, Wireless / WiFi,
Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime says that demand of the Nintendo Wii will again be greater than the supply this year. Since its launch, the Wii has topped the game system charts. During August, it sold over 400,000 pieces to the Xbox’s 276,000 and PS3’s 130,000. Fils-Aime says that they are doing all they can to meet the demand and that “the issue is not a lack of production.”
Sorry, but we beg to differ. We know that half of the fun of electronics life is waiting in line for an iPhone, bargaining on eBay, and in general picking up that special item early, because you know that there will never be enough of the those things that we covet the most. It’s time that those who are in control and earnestly chart sales realized we are not as naive as they would like to believe.
Read More | Daily Tech
Gallery: Wii Shortage Imminent - Coincidence? We Think Not
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