The digital age has been upon us for a while, but there are certain things that people simply prefer to do the old fashioned way. For many, holding an actual book in their hands is the key to their reading enjoyment. Have we reached a tipping point where e-readers are becoming more popular? Perhaps it’s not a tipping point yet, but it has achieved double-digits. 10% of American adults use some variation of electronic readers with another 12% saying they are likely to buy one in next 6 months. What does all of this say about our reading habits? GOOD tackles the question in this infographic. Click to enlarge….

One might think that AT&T was expecting Sprint to file suit against their plan to buy T-Mobile based upon the speed of the response. With a very aggressive style and stance, AT&T had choice words for their competitors and the attempt to block the formation of a super-cell-provider: This simply demonstrates what we’ve said all along – Sprint is more interested in protecting itself than it is in promoting competition that benefits consumers. We of course will vigorously contest this matter in court as AT&T’s merger with T-Mobile USA will: help solve our nation’s spectrum…

Everyone knows that technology is advancing. What we use today is so different from what we used a year ago, let alone a decade ago. Another thing that is changing, particularly for students, is what gets put into the carry-all of high school and college: the backpack. This infographic by our friends at Rasmussen takes a look at the last couple of decades of backpacks and what is getting put inside them. What’s that beeping? It’s a pager, of course. Try asking today’s students about pages – they may not even know what they are. Click to enlarge. …

For many in western society, being connected has become a constant state of being. We carry our smartphones everywhere. We have our tablets or laptops available at all times. We spend much of our free time connected to the internet in one way or another. Gadgets have become an integral part of our daily lives. It’s difficult for many to disconnect. That seems to be the premise behind the “Zen and the Art of Detox” package at the Marriott’s Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel. The package comes with a Deluxe King Riverview Room and the amenities of a fancy hotel in beautiful Pennsylvania, but there’s a catch….

There is little doubt that technology has changed things completely for western society in the last two decades. Computers are smaller and much faster. Games are graphically enhanced to resemble reality. Just about anything we would want to know that used to require a trip to the library can be found on Google or Wikipedia. The internet might be the most profound technological advancement in the last 20 years, but cell phones in general and smart phones in particular have made the transition to a digitally-driven world much more pronounced. Do you remember what it was like when you got your first…

Those who frequent Starbucks have had a quad shot drink before. This is not one of those. Instead, it’s a remote control aircraft that combines the functionality of a helicopter and an airplane. The small company has raised over $37,000 so far, well above its goal of $25,000, and will be funded on September 17th. What makes it special beyond the functionality is the way it was designed. Using open-source hardware and software, they created a unique airframe design that combines the best of both types of flight. By creating a “brain” called Lisa/M that is the size of 3 quarters, they were able to equip…

Having the latest shiny new gadget is something that many people strive for. They are the ones who are willing to wait in line, get test samples or beta invites for new technology, and generally consider last year’s model an abomination. They are the early adopters and there are distinct advantages to being one. There are, however, costs as well. This graphic by our friends at SocialCast explores those costs and shows how people who are getting the latest and greatest may be getting a little ripped off in the process. Being an early adopter is often a status symbol, and as with most status symbols,…

The visually impaired don’t get a lot of help when it comes to next-gen tech to help them better live autonomous lives. For generations, the most cutting-edge apparatus has been an extendable stick. Whee. But designer Xun Ye is turning all that negligence on its ear with the Origin GPS, the first truly next-gen device for the blind. Okay, so it’s still just an extendable stick, but it is to extendable sticks what Snoop Dogg’s favourite low rider is to a rickshaw. Fitted with a GPS unit that tracks the cane-bearer’s whereabouts, the Origin’s built-in handle mic has only a destination to be spoken into…

Touchscreen technology has changed the way we do many things in our lives. The electric connection created by our fingers and other items makes mobile devices and large touchscreens easier to use in many cases, particularly for web browsing. It makes it possible for insects to surf as well. This video of a fly surfing Reddit shows two things: the screen is sensitive enough to detect the current as it travels through the fly’s small legs and the fly itself has good taste. …

Mobile devices have become an integral part of every day life for millions of people. Small businesses are following this trend and adopting the use of smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices in ways that help manage, monitor, and promote themselves. As the digital world gets larger by making the devices smaller, it’s not wonder that the reliance on these devices increases. This graphic by our friends at Intuit puts it all into perspective, noting that an astounding 96% of small businesses use wireless devices and technology in their operations. Click to enlarge. …