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More than one in four mobile phone users drive while texting

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Vlingo Corporation released results from the second annual Vlingo Consumer Mobile Messaging Habits Report. Despite Driving While Texting (DWT) bans in seven states and the District of Columbia as well as reports of accidents caused by DWT, 26% of mobile phone users continue to text behind the wheel. Drivers in Tennessee are the worst offenders, with the highest percentage of respondents (42%) who admit to DWT, while Arizona has the lowest percentage (18.8%). The Vlingo Report also reveals that text messaging has grown steadily over the past 12 months across all age groups, with nearly 60% of mobile phone users now texting, compared to 54% in 2008.

One in four of all mobile phone users admit to DWT and it occurs in all age groups. Almost 60% of those ages 16 to 19 admit to DWT and 49% of those 20 to 29 admit to DWT. The percentages get smaller for older respondents, but usage remains high with 13% of those in their 50s admitting to doing so.

Among survey respondents there is general consensus that DWT should be legally banned. Slightly more than 83% of respondents think DWT should be illegal, while only 7% think DWT should be legal, and 10% are undecided. However, with more safety precautions such as hands-free solutions that enable consumers to text without typing, 40% of respondents favor making DWT legal. Additionally, nearly 70% would use voice recognition technology while driving instead of typing if they could speak text or email messages and have incoming messages read to them.

Glu Mobile launches Cops & Robbers on Apple App Store

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Mobile games publisher Glu Mobile Inc. announced the launch of the game Cops & Robbers on the Apple App Store. The app is an original Glu title for iPhone and iPod touch that will give players a rush of adrenaline as they play a thief escaping pursuers or play as a cop chasing down a criminal on the run.

Cops & Robbers plays off of parkour-style acrobatics using unique accelerometer controls of the iPhone and iPod touch. Set in a 3-D urban landscape, the game is a visual feast full of shadows and rich glowing effects.

Loop’d Network secures additional funding to accelerate development

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Loop’d Network, the online network for action sports, has secured an additional $800,000 in funding from its existing private investors, along with new investor Tech Coast Angels.

The company intends to use this new financing to accelerate development of its eCommerce infrastructure and social merchandising strategy. Launched in November 2007, Loop’d has an innovative advertising and eCommerce model and became profitable in December 2008.

Filed Under: Web

Linux Foundation unveils new Linux.com

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The Linux Foundation (LF), the nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of Linux, announced the formal launch of Linux.com. The Foundation took over stewardship of the site in March, at which time it began soliciting input from the community to help define the new Linux.com via its Ideaforge web tool.

The new Linux.com will connect Linux users and developers, and by showcasing their skills through its guru listing, will connect individuals to jobs and collaboration opportunities. Instead of a static information site, the new Linux.com will empower the Linux community to share its knowledge, get questions answered, download the right software and find hardware to solve problems.

Visitors can register and begin contributing to the community and build their Linux guru standing. Other community functionality includes allowing users to have their own blog hosted by Linux.com, review products in the product directory, and submit “HowTo’s” and tutorials to help their fellow Linux users or developers.

Users can earn points toward becoming a “Linux Guru” by participating in different activities on the site. Each year, the top Linux.com user will be recognized as the “Ultimate Linux Guru” and be given a fully loaded “dream” Linux notebook personally signed by Linus Torvalds as recognition of his or her guru status. The top five contributors to Linux.com annually will receive invitations to the Linux Foundation Collaboration Summit and have a seat at the Linux.com planning meeting as community representatives. And, the top 50 annual Linux gurus on Linux.com will be included in a yearly report from the Linux Foundation: those high ranking users will be able to showcase their status and knowledge to potential employers or consulting opportunities. More information, including “Guru” point values, is available at the site.

Filed Under: Web

MySpace, Toyota launch “Rock the Space” for unsigned artists

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msr_marchMySpace, in partnership with MySpace Records and Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc., announced the official launch of Rock the Space, an exclusive competition encouraging unsigned bands or solo artists to submit an original song for the opportunity to score a recording contract with MySpace Records, the company’s full-service independent label. Beginning today through July 1, 2009, aspiring artists across the country can enter to win the chance of a lifetime by visiting Toyota’s MySpace Music profile for submission details and contest rules.

To enter the Rock the Space competition artists must submit an original mp3 demo. All entrants will have the opportunity to create a viral music widget with an easy embed code to help them spread their music across MySpace and the web. In July, MySpace Records will select five finalists who will be featured prominently on the Toyota Music profile and the MySpace community will vote to select the winner. The five finalists will receive a media allocation to promote themselves with My Ads targeted advertising throughout MySpace.

The Rock the Space winner will be announced in September and will receive a recording contract as well as a $10,000 musical instrument prize package provided by Fender. The winner’s song will also be available for download on the MySpace Music Home Page. The four runners-up win a MySpace Records Development Deal friends package.

Filed Under: Web