Laptop computers have been implicated in the bizarre case of Northwest Flight 188, which last week overshot its destination by 150 miles before turning back to the airport at which it was supposed to land. It turns out that the laptop was used in the cockpit and is against the rules and Northwest says that they will soon be terminated for their transgressions pending the outcome of the investigation.

Details of the issue are still elusive and many are asking the question “is being distracted by a laptop in the cockpit worse than falling asleep at the controls?” which incidentally is the allegation leveled against pilots when the news first came to light. Although pilots and drivers of commercial vehicles - especially passenger carriers, should dedicate all their attention to the job at hand; although mishaps due to lack of concentration and technology have happened in the recent past as well. Related incidents include the train engineer whose irresponsible actions resulted in the deaths of 25 people. Perhaps this calls for action that bans electronics in the hands of professionals who operate heavy machinery or operate commercial passenger transportation vehicles.
There is some speculation that the pilots were using the laptops to discuss the airline crew flight scheduling procedure. However, it is not certain what exactly they were doing and whether they had internet access of any kind at the time. Details continue to emerge as the FAA and airlines gird themselves for a backlash and tougher rules likely to come down the pike. For their trouble, the travelers on the plane are receiving $500 travel vouchers “to compensate them for their inconvenience.

Researchers at Gartner are predicting that Google’s android mobile OS could overtake the iPhone’s in just over 2 years. Android is poised to leapfrog the iPhone’s OS in to the number two spot by 2012. This means that the iPhone will be at number 3, where it right now, behind Blackberry and Nokia’s Symbian. Gartner researchers believe that by the year 2012 RIM’s software would have lost 7 percent of their market share placing them at fifth place, even behind Windows Mobile. Android, meanwhile, will get a 12.9 percent boost to become the number 2 smartphone platform in the world, with Symbian still safe in the number 1 spot, even though its market share is a dwindling 39 percent of the global market.

Google’s open source Android platform, which boasts one of the finest touchscreen interfaces available, iPhone included, came out slow in fall 2008 with the solid, if uninspiring T-Mobile G1. Although nothing else happened with regard to Android, they finally launched a follow up with the HTC myTouch3G. The Android platform soon became popular and many US service providers including T-mobile, Verizon and Sprint started launching handsets featuring the platform. Altogether, there have been five Android based devices launched in the past few months and two or maybe even more handsets coming out before the end of 2009. However, as the current stats stand, iPhone has 10.8 percent of the market and Android a mere 1.6 percent. But, since Apple is the only one making the iPhone and Android being available to anyone who wants to use it, which means that over the next few years Android has a big chance of overtaking the iPhone.

Sony is poised to reenter the console wars with a new battle strategy. The company unveiled its sleeker, more streamlined version of the PS3. It looks strikingly modern, but the best part is the price. It is a more budget friendly $299. The PS3 slim will be 36 percent smaller, and is said to use 34 percent less energy. This will greatly help the fledgling PlayStation label compete with its much more successful competition: Microsoft’s Xbox 360, and the Nintendo Wii.

Sony has been struggling to keep up ever since it released it’s original version of the PS3 in November 2006. On paper, the console seemed like it was set to take over the market. It was originally offered with either a 20 or 60 GB hard drive, and featured a Blu-ray player. Gamers were itching to purchase Sony’s latest creation, until they saw how much they would be expected to pay. The console’s retail price at launch was $499 for the 20 GB model, and the 60 GB was a staggering $599. What made this all the more unbelievable was the fact that Sony was losing an estimated $250 on each console sold.

The jury is still out on whether the price cut, and the new look, will have what it takes to save the Sony PlayStation from falling into obscurity. Gamers are fickle. Betray them once, and they’ll turn to Microsoft and Nintendo for life. Watch for the Slim 120 GB PS3 to hit stores on September 1, 2009.

Miele, manufacturer of Miele vacuums and appliances, recently won 10 “Red Dot” design awards, including a “Best of the Best” recognition from the Design Zentrum Nordin design center in Germany. The “Red Dot” contest honors quality and innovation in design. Many Miele products were honored, including one of the most versatile Miele vacuum cleaners available, the S7 Upright Vacuum Cleaner.

According to the press release, the “S7 breaks the boundaries between upright and canister—combining the very best of both worlds into one ultra-maneuverable design. Its patented new SwivelNeck™ technology allows the user to effortlessly move the vacuum in any direction—even laying flat to the floor—with an extremely low profile that glides under beds, tables, and more. An integrated telescopic wand and specialized cleaning tools—such as one would find on a Miele canister vacuum—allow the user to easily shift from floors to crevices, stairs, furnishings and drapes. An energy-saving automatic setting, on select models, intelligently selects the correct suction level for optimal cleaning results and power usage.”

Of the “Red Dot” award for Miele vacuum parts design, Senior Marketing Manager Paul McCormack said, “To be recognized by the international jury panel with ten internally coveted awards is an amazing honor; one received by our German-based design team with great pride. The ‘Red Dot’ design award is a distinction bestowed on excellence. It is a testament of the dedication the Miele engineers have to forever improve upon our high-caliber appliances.”