News This is interesting: A map of cell phone calls and text messages, county-to-county, compiled by researchers at M.I.T. and I.B.M. using data from AT&T.The maps offer some clue about migration patterns and social networks, as well as yet another way to kill 10 minutes on the internet today.It turns out that Brooklynites make a lot of calls to Multnomah County—more than Austinites, but not so many ...   More

News The Atlantic has an interesting story online today about what latitude cops should have to search your cell phone if you're arrested.The story centers on a case currently being considered by the Oregon Supreme Court. In State vs. Nix, Albany cops in 2007 mined James Nix's cell phone for data without a warrant after arresting him on suspicion of dealing meth.Public defender Bronson James is arguing ...   More

News Two months ago we wrote about a bill in the Oregon Legislature that would require warning labels on all new cell phones sold in the state. For those worried their smart phone’s shining newness might one day be sullied by an ugly warning label, fear not. That measure, Senate Bill 679, is dead. The bill, which would have required labels on cell phones and their packaging warning consumers of the ...   More

News Prepaid mobile phones could threaten your safety. No, not because prepaid phones are often the communications tool   More

News Thought warning labels were just for cigarettes? Think again. A bill introduced by state Sen. Chip Shields (D-Portland) would require warning labels for all new cell phones and cell phone packaging sold in Oregon. Shields filed the bill on behalf of a constituent, David Morrison, over concerns about possible links connecting mobile phone radiation to brain cancer and other health problems. Morrison, ...   More

News At first glance, it would be easy for a hardcore smartphone junkie to dismiss Wal-Mart's announcement Monday of its Family Mobile service. While the basic communication price is attractive enough, ($45 a month, no contract, for unlimited talk and text versus $90 at ATT and Verizon), Wal-Mart's data rates are a whopping $40 for 1 gigabyte. Verizon offers an unlimited data plan for $30, while AT&T ...   More

News Starting this Friday, Jan. 1, Oregon is joining the hands-free movement that makes it a traffic violation to hold your cell phone while driving. That means no more text messaging, updating your Facebook status from your iPhone, or dialing your BFF from behind the wheel. (Exceptions to Oregon's hands-free law include drivers who are summoning medical or emergency help, who are “farming ...   More