MDC Tech

The Federal Trade Commission’s “Do Not Call Registry,” introduced in 2003, allows Americans to register their number to avoid unsolicited telemarketing. Telemarketers are fined for each instance of breaking this rule. In early December 2010, the FTC supported a “do not track” mechanism which would allow users, whether on wireless internet, wired internet, or a mobile device, to visit web sites without being monitored. Online advertisers say this could be difficult to implement and could also inhibit online commerce. Stuart Ingis, a counsel to the Digital Advertising Alliance (which includes Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo), stated that “if a broad percentage of people signed on to this, it would really undercut the Internet model.”That model may be changing faster than Ingis and others think, as DAA member Microsoft has included a new feature in its Internet Explorer 9 that will accomplish much the same thing as the FTC “do not track” option. This feature, called Tracking Protection, will allow users to block certain third-party companies from tracking their movements online. IE9 users would create a list of sites they do not want to share information. (more…)

When speaking of ‘personal computers’, you need to understand that these are considered to be a computer that is mainly used by an individual for his/her personal use only. The use of computers in this manner began during the mid 1970′s and has traveled one heck of a long way since then.

Today, you can actually consider many of the cell phones on the market as ‘mini personal computers’ and they do an excellent job, especially considering how very small they are! Personal computers infiltrate the very fabric of our society today. Almost anywhere you can find electricity you (more…)

Cell phones have long since departed from simply being a mobile way to make a phone call. Thanks to the advent of smartphones, cell phones can now access the internet, run a variety of useful and fun programs, and send e-mail and text messages quickly and easily.

There are several reasons for the rise in smartphone popularity:

1. The types of smartphones available has greatly increased due to the plethora of smartphone makers on the market and the variety of smartphone operating (more…)

Should you hear of upcoming technology conventions in your neck of the woods that sound interesting, then take pen to paper. Wait, isn’t that for dinosaurs? Well how about dictating the date into your handheld device.There it will then be transcribed by voice recognition into a text/email or voice message. The end destination and type of file conversion has been preplanned by the user.

It’s quite nifty when suddenly your calendar has the info, email reminder and text message reminders will be auto sent to yourself. Even email addresses of contacts that share common interests recognized by (more…)

The dangers of texting while driving are well-documented by nowthe DOT says handling a device in any way while driving increases the chances of a crash by four times. One solution to the ban on texting in many states is to simply wait until you’re out of the car. Massachusetts developer AdelaVoice is working on another option, thoughone which is actually very interesting for consumer technology. (more…)

Sometimes life fails to entertain us, what with its lack of clear goals, score keeping, and antagonists that you can easily avoid. Luckily, augmented reality (AR) games provide all that and more. Ignore the looks on the faces of those around you and get in on the fun with our list of five favorites.5. ARSoccer Updating the classic game of “kick the can,” this game lets you knock around a soccer ball of your choice. We don’t recommend crossing the street while playing (since you have to stare down at your phone), but it’s good for a bit of mindless fun.4. Parallel Kingdom This free game combines massively multiplayer role-playing games with location-based social networking. You control your character around an adventure-filled environment layered over the real world, fighting enemies, leveling up, and buying new items. (more…)

A123 is a lithium-ion battery manufacturer, and one of the Guardian’s 2009 “Global Cleantech 100.” The company could be cementing that reputation in the near future with the announcement of a new spinoff company, 24M, working on some mysterious new energy storage technology.Nothing firm has been announced, but spokespeople have mentioned flow batteries in conjunction with the project. In a standard flow battery, electrolyte travels or “flows” through a cell, which converts the inherent chemical energy into clean, usable electricity. They can be recharged more easily (and more quickly) than regular batteries by switching out the electrolyte solution. (more…)

Even though comic book characters are rising in public attention with big-name films like The Dark Knight and Iron Man 2, that interest has not always translated into bigger sales for comic shops. One reason may be the price point of a standard comic–2.99-3.99 for one 32-page issue (featuring 22 pages of story and 10 pages of ads). Big-name comics publishers DC and Marvel are betting that some of those holdouts will be brought in by digital comics, which sacrifices hard copies for a lower price and ease of use.Both companies are offering free apps for the iPad which allows users to download individual issues of current series. For the most part, these comics are available after the print versions, although some smaller comics companies like Image have announced plans for same-day print-and-digital publishing. Still, for those interested only in reading and not in collecting, the digital option makes a lot of sense. 1.99 gets you a full issue, and you can sign up to keep downloading the newest issues. (more…)

Sirius XM Adapter: The new XM Snap! device, launching in October, will give Sirius subscribers the ability to turn any car radio into a satellite radio receiver. The price? 59.99 for a gadget that plugs into your cigarette adapter. It’ll even display the artist and song, just like a real satellite radio.Space Hotel: Energia, the lead contractor on the International Space Station, wants to make a private space station that will house up to seven billionairesI mean, people. The hotel isn’t expected before 2016, but the company has already released some ideas. Think: four rooms. Celebrity chefs. Most importantly, actual showers, as opposed to the tourists who’ve already gone up and used no-rinse soap at the ISS. (more…)