© dougbelshaw

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been advocating a ban on the use of mobile phones by commercial vehicle operators, and this ban would include even hands-free versions of the devices. This dramatic recommendation is the latest escalation in what has become a war by the federal government against road accidents due to distracted driving.

According to the NTSB, distracted driving in the US is a growing problem which puts all drivers at increased risk. The targeting of commercial truck drivers has to do with the increased danger of collisions with their massive vehicles, which can weigh up to 40 tons and travel at standard highway speeds. The board cited a recent example of a fatality due to distracted driving in Kentucky, where a truck driver talking on his mobile phone caused a fatal crash in which 11 people died.

Lately, I've been thinking about how the portability of tablets is great for so many applications. While my boyfriend was, of course, all taken by this cool video on the Samsung Galaxy Tab, for example, I'm taken with one particular possibility of tablet use that has come to mind. I realize they can be the perfect option for people like my parents! They haven't really felt like they could use a computer, or a cell phone that has more than standard calling features. So I think the tablet could be just the ticket for them! It's a good size, not too big and bulky like a computer; it's even smaller and lighter than a laptop. At the same time, it's bigger than a smartphone, and therefore easier to see and use. So it's the perfect blend of minimizing bulk while expanding ease of use. I think my parents just might go for this!

I'll show my dad this video on how this particular tablet, for example, is even used in one of his favorite sports! I think that's a good introduction for him. For my mum, I'll bring her to the store and have her hold it in her hands…see just how manageable it is. This could really help us stay in touch on a more frequent basis. My dad could also start to take photos again…he gradually stopped even trying because he just couldn't see well enough, but with the nice big screen of a tablet, I'm sure he'll be encouraged. It would also be easy for them to grab and move it around the house or bring it out in the garden with them. It can really transform how they live, in terms of being connected with the family. So that's a cutting edge that helps bridge the tech gap with the grandkids!

© Raymond June

According to new research, the type of mobile phone that a consumer has purchased plays a more important role in their satisfaction then the network that they are on.

Mobile phone carriers often vie among each other for customer retention, but one thing working in their favor is that despite number portability, it is no fun to change carriers whether it's a personal account or an enterprise with multiple employees. There is often upfront expense for new equipment, and then the hassle of porting all of your data such as address books, calenders and apps. If you want to keep the same device, it's rare that you can just swap SIM cards and jump to another network with the same phone. Satisfaction among iPhone users is basically the same across networks, even though Verizon has the best track record for dropped calls.