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New media

A strip of closed offices and empty sidewalk with a single woman waiting for offices to open.

Zimbabwe’s internet crackdown shows the ‘economic sabotage’ of shutdowns

The government of Zimbabwe shut down the internet last month to quell dissent. But the move cost the nation $5.7 million per day and set Zimbabwe’s growing “technopreneur” business back during the blackout.

crosswalk in honolulu

Honolulu first major US city to fine ‘phone zombies’

Culture
Iraqi family

Islamic militants fighting in Iraq help boost the fortunes of FireChat, a new mobile app

Environment

Mapping Our Digital DNA

Musicologist collects Saharan music with cellphones

Arts, Culture & Media

Pakistanis question government’s use of bans on cell phones, other tech

Pakistan’s government likes to ban things. On New Year’s eve, it instituted bans on particular ways of using motorbikes. But that’s perhaps one of the milder bans. On several occasions this year, the government has banned the use of cell phones, social media and even motorbikes entirely.

Cell phones teach South African students

A new teaching program in South Africa encourages reading and math skills using students’ cell phones.

Mobile banking flourishes in Haiti

In Haiti, where bank accounts are hard to come by, people have begun to store money using their cell phones.

Environmental sensors in mobile phones

Business, Economics and Jobs

Imagine if in addition to making calls and snapping photos, cell phones could measure air pollution or pollen levels.

Ban on Cell Phone Use in Pakistan

Conflict & Justice

New Year’s eve is more low key this year for many in Pakistan. In a place where millions use small motorbikes for transportation, the country has banned carrying passengers, riding without a muffler, and popping wheelies. But those are just the prohibitions for tonight. The Pakistani government has gone ‘ban-crazy’ recently, in the name of […]