CES Showcases New Electronics

Over 2,700 technology companies scrambled for attention at the the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which took place in Las Vegas, Nev. between Jan. 6 and 9. The trade show is produced by the Consumer Electronics Association, and vendors exhibited everything from cars to paper shredders in hopes of becoming the next big thing in consumer technology.

Apple launched its Mac App Store, which provides a single source for purchasing and downloading applications for Apple computers. Companies including Samsung and Sony presented television sets featuring direct connections to online content providers such as Hulu Plus and Netflix. Polaroid unveiled a product line that was designed in collaboration with pop superstar Lady Gaga. Polaroid’s new products include a ZINK (zero-ink) mobile printer, a digital remake of their classic wedge-shaped instant camera, and a large pair of glasses that have an integrated camera and LCD display.

Joanna Eberts

Congresswoman, Others Shot in Arizona

A gunman shocked the nation on Jan. 8 when he opened fire outside of a Safeway grocery store in Tucson, Ariz. during a “Congress on Your Corner” event. Thirteen were injured, and six were killed, including U.S. District Judge John M. Roll and a nine-year-old girl born on Sept. 11, 2001. Among the injured was U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head. Jared Lee Loughner has been charged with the shootings.

Early reports said Giffords had died, but at the time of writing, she is currently able to open her eyes and move on command. The congresswoman’s condition is said to be improving.

Public defender Judy Clarke was appointed to represent Loughner in his trial. Loughner is charged with a count of attempted assassination of a member of Congress, two counts of killing a federal employee, and two counts of attempting to kill a federal employee. Clarke is well-known among defense attorneys for keeping the Unabomber and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bomber from receiving the death penalty.

RIT Professor Considering Mayoral Run

William A. Johnson, Jr., a distinguished professor of public policy at RIT, revealed his plans of running for Rochester mayor once again. Johnson, who served three terms as Rochester mayor from 1993 to 2005, stated that his candidacy would depend on whether Thomas Richards, acting mayor, remains unopposed in next month’s special election.

Due to City Council’s decision to hold a special election, there will be no time for primaries and very little time to establish a credible challenge to replace the former mayor, Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy. Johnson says that holding a special election is an “affront to democracy” and would essentially be handing Richards the position.

Verizon Will Carry the iPhone

On Jan.11, Verizon Wireless announced that it will start carrying the Apple iPhone 4 on Feb. 10. The phones will only work on the Verizon network and will not have high-speed 4G LTE access. Due to the difference between the technology used in Verizon and AT&T phones, Verizon’s iPhone 4 antenna had to be redesigned. As a result, the volume and mute controls are located slightly lower. The Verizon iPhone will be able to act as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot for up to five devices; AT&T iPhones may eventually have this capability with a software update, if AT&T decides to allow it.