Intel, Nokia plan joint mobile operating system

In this article, Intel and Nokia plan a new operating system called MeeGo.  Intel will use Moblin, a mobile computer operating system with Nokia cell phones.  It is going to be unveiled at the Mobil World Congress Conference in Barcelona. 

New classes of smart phones and mobile computers are gaining popularity with customers and Nokia needs a new marketing product.  Nokia leads its industry in cell phone production. 

Meego is based on Linux computer operating systems and is hosted by the Linux Foundation.  Intel and Nokia are hoping for their product to be used by manufactures in products.  Meego products will be available for sale before the end of 2010.  

Toyota Problems Continue

In this article in the New York Times, it discusses the flaws in Toyota manufacturing and how they are not yet fixed and are still causing serious losses to the company. In the beginning of the recall of their vehicles, customer loyalty stayed fairly high and the company seemed to be backed on a notion of greatness and sustainable, affordable cars. However, with the still increasing rise of cars and trucks experiencing serious, and somewhat fatal problems, people seem to be taking back their loving ideas of Toyota.

Recalls are a common problem in the vehicle production industry, but for Toyota, the extent of the issues they are facing are nothing close to ordinary. This is creating not only a problem for many people who own the cars and are now afraid to drive them or buy a new one, but is also disrupting the flow of the common market because other companies see this as an opportunity to obtain new customers.

Toyota is frantically trying to mend the hardships it is putting on its buyers, however, the severity is not allowing this to be a fast process. Not only are they losing funds all the time from lessened sales, the future of the company may very well be jeopardized until they can once again prove themselves. It will be interesting to see what path the car industry follows, how long redemption for Toyota will take, and who will take their spot in the meantime.

Oprah and TV

As the battle rages on between TV network companies, America's own Oprah Winfrey finds herself the subject of similar dispute. In this article in the New York Times, the public eye is finally getting the chance to understand a new station that will come into being; OWN, which stands for the Oprah Winfrey Network, is to play in January 2011. This broadcasting has not been smooth sailing however. Winfrey's prior contract for her talk show has made it difficult for her to make appearances even on her own station.

While the intention of the station was not to be all about this talk show legend, they are trying to find very sneaky ways to incorporate Winfrey while not bending an legal rules or binds. The station itself, which is taking over the Discovery Health Channel will combine new "reality" shows surrounding the broad ideas of certain parts of American society like kidnappings, religion, inmates, and lost family members. On top of these series, there will be a show about the past of Oprah and how the show survived so many years. This they believe stays within the confines of her contract.

Right now the channel still remains to have many unknowns, but it will relieve many people to know that Oprah will still remain a major contributing factor to cable TV. As far as the station war, it is unknown what the end result will eventually be.

Solar Powered Airplane

So I found this video at the CNN website and decided to take a look at it.

Currently the solar airplane isn't much of a passenger plane. In fact, while having similar wingspan to an AirBus, it pales in comparison to passenger capacity. The Swiss made plane could have huge benefits for the economy though.

This breakthrough could easily revolutionize the way we travel. This could bring back focus to solar energy, the most abundant energy on the planet, and perhaps make some more technological breakthroughs to allow solar panels to be used with passenger planes as well.

With this coming out into the light we could see more solar panels make their way onto aircrafts to cut down fuel costs and energy consumption. We could perhaps see solar panels make it onto more technology as well.

Low-tech radios connect some Haitians

This is an article from CNN describing the usage of low-tech radios in Haiti after the earthquake. This technology is widely available, but is much less popular than the high-tech communication devices that we have today.

The article describes one man's story after the quake and how he was able to notify his family in the U.S. almost directly after the disaster. The use of the low-tech radio was his only way of communicating with the outside world and was most likely extremely comforting.

Should people buy low-tech radios for their own homes? In the event of a disaster it is quite possible that the internet, phones, TV, and even being able to go from house to house could be quite impossible to use or do.

Decreasing Mortgage Rates

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate average fell back below 5% this week, reports this article from the LA Times. Rates had risen as a result of the struggling economy, but are now falling again, which is good news for borrowers. In addition to the 30-year fixed rates, 15-year fixed rates and adjustable mortgage rates also decreased.

While this is good news, the survey assumed that borrowers have good credit and paid a 20% down payment. It did not say what rates were for borrowers with average credit, or for those who payed a smaller down payment.

The article also states that rates may be lower because of the Federal Reserve's program to buy mortgage bonds, which ends at the end of this year's first quarter. It is possible that rates may increase again with the end of the program.

Congress approves tax deduction for Haiti contributions

This article is about the governments contributions to Haiti. Thursday the senate passed legislation to offer a tax reduction on their tax returns for donating to Haiti relief. Even in the tough economic times people are still generous to helping out people in more need of funding. Hoping the legislation will encourage further donations and generosity, President Obama is quickly to sign it into a law.

The Red Cross has collected $127 million and it has only been a week since the disaster struck Haiti. Many hurt in the disaster and countless people were left homeless after the earthquake. It is great to see the government helping out in this time of need.