911

A Device for When You’re Hurt, Lost or Feeling Scared

Katherine Boehret in The Digital Solution on October 18, 2011 at 3:48 pm PT

The 5Star Responder from GreatCall Inc. is a 1.8-ounce gadget with a speaker, microphone and a large button that calls an always on-duty agent.

Last Night’s Amazing 9/11 Memorial Photo Is a Year Old

Peter Kafka in Media on September 12, 2011 at 8:23 am PT

But more important: Photographer John de Guzman isn’t particularly happy that the image went viral.

magicJack: Cheap, Way Overhyped, But Really Works

Walt Mossberg in Personal Technology on February 17, 2010 at 6:06 pm PT

Walt reviews magicJack, an Internet-based device for making phone calls from a computer.

Two Years and 30,000 Complaints Later, FTC Finally Busts Car Warranty Robocallers [UPDATED]

John Paczkowski in News on May 18, 2009 at 8:46 am PT

After more than one billion unsolicited calls and some 30,000 complaints–one from Senator Charles E. Schumer–the Federal Trade Commission is finally going after companies responsible for those supremely annoying car warranty robocalls. You know the ones I’m talking about, I’m sure. They’ve been occurring since 2007 and go something like this: “This is the second notice that the factory warranty on your vehicle is about to expire.” Hang up and the machine calls you again later. Transfer to a “warranty specialist” and ask to be taken off the call list and you’re either hung up on or, in my case, given an 800 number to call that turns out to be a phone sex line.

Steve Forbes: We’re Not Making More Cuts

Peter Kafka in Media on May 15, 2009 at 12:49 pm PT

Just because Roger McNamee of Elevation Partners is stepping down from the Forbes Media board, to be replaced by a cost-cutting expert, doesn’t mean more cuts are coming, says CEO Steve Forbes: “Various media outlets today noted that Roger McNamee of Elevation Partners has stepped off the Forbes Media board and that this portends an imminent round of additional cuts. It does not.” Here’s the complete internal memo.

IPod to Reach Out and Touch Someone

Katherine Boehret in The Mossberg Solution on April 28, 2009 at 6:02 pm PT

New phone applications have been added to Apple’s iPod Touch, but the features come with a few drawbacks.

T-Mobile Service Ties Cellphones to Home, With Some Sacrifices

Walt Mossberg in Personal Technology on February 28, 2008 at 12:01 am PT

T-Mobile is rolling out a new system that allows you to use a cellphone account with any corded or cordless home phone. The system works well and is extremely simple to set up and use, but there are some drawbacks.

Phoning Home Without a Phone

Katherine Boehret in The Mossberg Solution on January 30, 2008 at 12:01 am PT

The SPOT Satellite Messenger gives outdoor thrill seekers a little extra insurance: It lets the folks back home track their progress, and learn when they’re OK or when they’re in trouble. However, the device isn’t perfect.