I’m not just writing about this gadget because it happens to share my name and along with it a fine heritage of great naming for great stuff, honest. First, Toby jugs in England, quirky mugs with character in look and feel. Then, the Tobi Steamer, a remarkable alternative to the tedious task of ironing clothes. Now finally, the Tobii S32, a device for recording speech and playing it back by pressing buttons with appropriate labels. I’ll admit, I’m a little baffled by it. I see several obvious uses as either toys or educational devices for kids, or accessibility aids for deaf or mute people, but the…

Yesterday, among the challenges and inspiring messages in President Obama’s commencement address at Hampton University, was something a bit unexpected: a dig at modern technology. It was surprising because most things we’ve heard so far from this administration has been pretty pro-technology. But this is what Obama said: [Y]ou’re coming of age in a 24/7 media environment that bombards us with all kinds of content and exposes us to all kinds of arguments, some of which don’t always rank that high on the truth meter. And with iPods and iPads; and Xboxes and PlayStations — none of which I know how…