Yefim G. Kriger was rewarded patent No. 6,649,848 for a vehicle system that will regularly weigh drivers and scold them for being overweight.

Great article at Fast Company about Apple Computer, where it has been and where it is going. Interesting that the new store in Burlingame has Tuscan stone floors instead of the usual hardwood. The next step for Apple now that the G5 is out and doing well is to introduce a 64-bit OS. It needs to happen soon before Microsoft sounds off another “wait until Longhorn” trumpet. The G5 and Panther are tempting me to switch to a Mac. If I switch I would be giving up free software from Microsoft (I have free copies of Windows, Office, etc.) and dedicating myself to Java instead of C#. MacWorld’s announcements in a few weeks may sway me. “No one knows the cost to Apple to manufacture and market the iPod, and estimates of its operating margin range widely: 2.5% to 18%. But even at iPod’s lowest list price of $299–and using a conservative margin estimate of 8%–it’s clear that the iPod contributed substantially all of Apple’s 2003 estimated operating income of $24.8 million, excluding onetime charges. Without the iPod, Apple is in trouble.”

Jakob Nielsen wrote an article about the cost of unwanted interruptions. “One of the best ways of increasing the productivity of programmers is to give them individual offices.” Contract and overseas programmers do not have line of business interruptions of a phone ringing or a co-worker walking into a cubicle demanding immediate attention. Can U.S. companies whose primary business is not software handle a queue?

There have been many stories about how the 2004 presidential race in the U.S. is the first to embrace technology and therefore redefine democracy. When I look at the technology used by the Dean and Clark campaigns, I start to think about how similar technology can be used in the world of sports: specifically soccer. Imagine fans of the L.A. Galaxy both in southern California and around the world. They need to be connected and grassroots, similar to political campaign. The key players can only make so many appearances, but a conference call on a Meetup date could involve fans while not stretching player resources. Each player could have a weblog, authored personally or by the team marketing department.

If the Oakland A’s, L.A. Galaxy, or San Jose Sharks were to go online with more fan involved software, what would you like to see? I may just start writing the code, and/or bind together existing components, to make it all work.

Something new to add to your wireless device network at home. USB network controlled vibrators!

As most of the Christian world prepares for the mass of Christ, modernly known as Christmas, there are always economists to examine the utility exchange of gift giving. I buy presents for my immediate family only. In my case that is six people. My siblings receive small gifts and my parents larger presents. I usually aim for a rarity or something I know the recipient would not buy on their own. I stay away from anything I could partially benefit from just in case my intentions are called into question. And of course anything with a cord comes with my lifetime tech support.

Pop up ads for Viagra appeared on some Philadelphia Police’s mobile data terminals. Yes, pop up ads are a terrorist threat to national security!

NY Times covers eBay trading assistants, businesses designed to place your gear on eBay for a 15-35% commission.