emergency

The 404 1,103: Where our crime is that of Curiosity (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Sol Republic introduces headphones for cats.

- Digipacking: what to put on your emergency flash drive.

- Literally the worst word on the planet.

- How to use psychological tactics to avoid strangers on the bus.

- eBay testing same-day delivery service for iOS called eBay now.

- One percenter turns home theater into Nolan's Batcave.… Read more

Shipping container is your new disaster-zone home

Forget the zombie apocalypse for a moment. What if a real disaster struck your neighborhood? Where would you, or relief workers, take shelter?

As thousands of Japanese are still coping with the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku quake and tsunami, Osaka-based Daiwa Lease recently showed off this shipping container, a home for disaster zones. … Read more

First Android 4.1 update halted due to emergency call snafu

The world's first update to Android 4.1, also known as Jelly Bean, was pushed back by Vodafone Australia because the new iteration of the operating system wasn't up to the country's standards for emergency phone calls.

The update was supposed to give Nexus S users with the carrier the latest version of Android. The Next Web first reported on the issue.

"We've just been advised that the roll-out the of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update to Vodafone Australia customers has been delayed," the carrier said in a blog post. "At this … Read more

Learn first aid from the Red Cross on your smartphone

Can't live without your smartphone? It just might help save your life or someone else's, one day. The American Red Cross first aid app, available on Android and iOS, has advice on administering first aid and preparing for emergencies.

When you first launch the app, you'll see a large notice asking you to tap on the Emergency tab, if you're facing an emergency situation. Once you tap on the Emergency tab, you'll see a list of emergencies like allergies, choking, and poisoning. Some of the emergency situations will provide a quick list of advice and … Read more

Obama signs order outlining emergency Internet control

President Barack Obama signed an executive order last week that could give the U.S. government control over the Internet.

With the wordy title "Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications Functions," this order was designed to empower certain governmental agencies with control over telecommunications and the Web during natural disasters and security emergencies.

Here's the rationale behind the order:

The Federal Government must have the ability to communicate at all times and under all circumstances to carry out its most critical and time sensitive missions. Survivable, resilient, enduring, and effective communications, both domestic and international, … Read more

Apple's iOS 6 works with national alerts program

Here's an iOS 6 feature Apple didn't talk about at WWDC: the ability to receive government alerts during an emergency or disaster.

Devices running on the company's next mobile operating system, everything from the next iPhone to the iPhone 3GS and iPad 2, will be able to get wireless emergency alerts, also known as the commercial alerting system, according to the publication Emergency Management.

The system allows for the government to broadcasat emergency messages, as it's already done on television and radio. The push for alerts to appear on phones has gone on for a while, … Read more

HTC: Low-end smartphones would spoil our brand

In the pot of struggling smartphone makers, it seems like a logical move to push towards the emerging market.

The rapidly-expanding population centers make Brazil, Russia, India and China -- BRIC countries -- an attractive point of interest for smartphone makers when they fall on hard times. Research in Motion made a push with low-end smartphones, and Nokia always has. There's a trend emerging.

As the third musketeer in the dwindling smartphone sales race, HTC is taking a different move by signalling a full-throttle-ahead approach in its existing high-end smartphone markets.

The Taiwan-based smartphone maker said it wants to … Read more

iPhone apps that can help in an emergency

Emergencies come in all shapes and sizes. It might be a tornado that's bearing down on your location, a finger that gets burned on a hot stove, or even just a fender bender in a parking lot.

To paraphrase the Boy Scout motto: be prepared -- with apps!

The iTunes App Store is home to countless apps that can help you in an emergency. I've rounded up six to get you started.… Read more

How to charge your phone in an emergency

You see that battery meter dwindling down to zero. There's a knot in your stomach. You'd pay anything just to squeeze another 10 minutes from your phone.

Your panic is justified. Not only does a dead phone battery cut you off from communication with the outside world, but it strips you of your contact book as well. There was a time when I could remember close to a dozen phone numbers off the top of my head. But today, I can barely remember my wife's number without the aid of my phone.

Fortunately, there are a number … Read more