Latest news with #cellphone
New York Times
22-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- New York Times
What if a Screen in Your Arm Showed the Time?
Last year, I was walking down the street in a hurry one morning when someone stopped me, asking for the time. 'Sorry,' I said, 'I'm not wearing a watch' and continued on my way. 'Your phone?!' I heard the person yell back at me. 'My phone?!' I thought, bemused. To me, my phone is for communication: calls, messages and — annoyingly — emails. Telling the time is for a watch (even though, apparently, I don't seem to wear one). Georgia Benjamin, a watch enthusiast and collector in Manhattan, said the story reminded her of something similar — 'but completely the opposite' — that happened to her late last year when she was in England. Someone asked her for the time and she realized she didn't have her cellphone. 'Sorry, I don't have it on me,' she recalled saying and then becoming embarrassed when the person pointed to the watch on her wrist. In the 100 years since the wristwatch replaced the pocket watch — and the decades since the cellphone became a retail item — our relationship with watches has been evolving. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
CBS News
21-07-2025
- CBS News
Belle Vernon Area School District implementing new cell phone policy
The cell phone has integrated itself into our everyday lives. Nationally and locally, there is a growing movement to limit distractions and keep cell phones out of students' hands while they are in the classroom. In a unanimous vote last week by the Belle Vernon Board of Education, a new cell phone policy was established for Belle Vernon Area High School students for the upcoming school year. The policy states that, "Students in grades 9-12 will be permitted to use their cell phones in the morning prior to the bell for homeroom. Students will also be permitted to access their electronic devices during their scheduled lunch period. The expectation for the remainder of the day is for all devices to be away, in a bag, and powered off." "This proactive measure aims to minimize distractions that impact academic focus and behavior. By prioritizing a distraction-free learning environment, we are committed to fostering the best possible educational experience for all our students across our schools," said Belle Vernon School District Superintendent Dr. Timothy Glasspool in a statement. Dr. Glasspool also told KDKA-TV that for K-8 students, nothing has changed. Those children are required to keep their phones off and out of sight throughout the school day if they are not leaving them at home. The new policy for high schoolers, however, does lay out consequences for those who break the new rule. A first offense will result in the phone being taken away until the end of the day and a warning being issued. The second offense will see the phone being taken away, a second warning issued, and a phone call made to the parent or guardian. The third offense will result in the phone being confiscated, the student given a consequence, and the parent or guardian left to pick up the phone from the school. The school district warns that chronic offenders of this new policy may be required to turn their phones into the office before school and then pick them up at dismissal. The school board says that while phones are away from students during the day, any parent wishing to reach their child can call the main office line.
CNET
16-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
You Can Now Score a Mint Unlimited Phone Plan for Just $15 Per Month for 12 Months
If you're looking to save a few dollars each month, switching to a new cell phone plan can help. Nowadays, many major carriers are offering perks to people who switch that can help you cut your monthly expenses. However, you can save even more by opting to prepaid cell phone plans. Though these require an upfront payment, they can slash your cell phone bill by hundreds a year -- a boon to your budget, now that everything else seems to be going up in price these days. We've spotted this Mint Mobile deal that offers its unlimited plan for just $15 per month for 12 months. This deal is live until Sept. 13 until 11:59 p.m. PT. This deal provides 5G and 4G LTE coverage and saves you 50% over the regular price of $30 per month for this cell phone plan. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. To switch to this Mint Mobile plan, all you need to do is is choose Mint's Unlimited Plan, decide whether or not you want a regular SIM card or an eSIM. If you already have an eSIM on your phone, you can get coverage from Mint Mobile if your phone is compatible. Finally, you'll have to pay for the entire 12 months of service upfront, which amounts to $180. This plan's $15 per month price is only for the initial period and it will renew at the regular price of $30 per month. Taxes and other fees are extra, but even then you'll still save hundreds over other competing plans. Note, however, that those who use over 35GB of data per month might experience lower speeds, and video streams are 480p resolution. Why this deal matters Mint Mobile's prepaid phone plan costs $180 upfront, but it means you'll get unlimited cell phone service and data for just $15 per month for 12 months. You can start using the service right away if you have a compatible eSIM, or choose one from Mint Mobile. This deal is live until Sept. 13, but acting fast is a great way to start saving. If you're looking for a new cell phone provider but aren't sure if this deal is for you, check out our list of the best cheap phone plans so you can find something that works for you.
Forbes
15-07-2025
- Forbes
Trucking Attorneys—Your Cell Phone Forensics Report Is Missing Data
Trucking attorneys—your cell phone forensics report could be missing critical data. In a recent trucking accident case, the plaintiff's digital forensics expert produced a clean cell phone forensics report showing no phone usage at the time of the collision. The data seemed to exonerate the plaintiff completely. But when I insisted on examining the complete forensic file instead of just the summary report, the real story emerged. Hidden within the full dataset was evidence of extensive social media scrolling and continuous screen interaction right up until impact. The plaintiff had been actively using their phone during the accident, but this critical evidence was completely absent from the original "simplified" report. This case illustrates a dangerous trend in digital forensics: the growing reliance on selective summary reports that may omit crucial evidence. As a trucking attorney, you need to understand that your expert must have access to the complete forensic file, not just the user-friendly summary version. Why Your Expert Must Have the Complete Forensic File Digital forensics has become increasingly sophisticated, with tools like Cellebrite's Universal Forensic Extraction Device (UFED) capable of extracting comprehensive data from mobile devices. However, the industry has also developed "user-friendly" alternatives, summary reports that distill complex forensic data into digestible formats. While these reports have their place, trucking litigation is not one of them. The problem? These simplified reports often leave out significant evidence. Understanding this distinction is crucial for trucking attorneys because the choice between complete forensic files and summary reports can determine case outcomes. When forensic examiners connect to a mobile device, they extract all accessible data and save it in what's called a UFED file. This raw data then gets processed through analysis software like Cellebrite's Physical Analyzer, where it's decoded, organized, and made searchable. From this complete dataset, examiners can generate simplified reports called UFDR files, which can contain only selected portions of the original data. Cell Phone Forensics Reports: The Cherry-Picking Problem The fundamental issue isn't primarily technical, it's human. When creating summary reports, digital forensic examiners choose which data to include. This selection process creates several serious problems: Real-World Impact: The Cost of Incomplete Cell Phone Evidence In the trucking case mentioned earlier, the plaintiff's expert's selective report would have supported a multi-million-dollar judgment. The complete forensic file revealed evidence that completely changed the case outcome: This evidence was completely absent from the summary report, demonstrating how selective data presentation can obscure the truth. The difference between these two data sources wasn't just technical detail, it was the difference between a potential defense verdict and a multi-million-dollar plaintiff judgment. This case perfectly illustrates why your expert must work with the complete UFED file rather than accepting a UFDR summary. The plaintiff's expert had access to all the data but chose to present only selected portions in their UFDR report. A defense expert working only with that limited UFDR file would have been unable to uncover the crucial evidence that changed the case outcome. Beyond Cellebrite: A Universal Digital Forensics Problem While Cellebrite dominates the mobile forensics market, this issue extends across all major forensic platforms. Virtually all digital forensic tools have capabilities to generate selective reports that may omit crucial evidence. The fundamental principle remains the same: any time a forensic examiner creates a summary report, they're making choices about what to include. In high-stakes trucking litigation, you cannot afford to rely on someone else's judgment about what evidence is "relevant." This problem becomes particularly acute when opposing counsel provides forensic reports rather than complete files. What appears to be cooperation in discovery may actually be strategic limitation of evidence access. The examiner who created the report may have filtered out data that could be favorable to your case, either intentionally or through oversight. Cell Phone Forensic Data: What Trucking Attorneys Must Demand Always Insist Your Expert Gets the Complete UFED File: Never allow your expert to work only with a UFDR summary report. Whether it's a Cellebrite UFED file, a Magnet AXIOM case file, or another platform's native format, your expert needs access to all available data to provide comprehensive analysis. Negotiate Discovery Protocols: Specifically request complete original extraction files in discovery negotiations, not selective reports from any forensic platform. Make this standard language in your discovery requests and protective orders. Don't accept arguments that UFDR files are "easier to work with" or "contain all the relevant data." Work with Qualified Experts: Ensure your digital forensics expert understands the critical importance of working with complete data files and has the specialized software needed to analyze original extraction files effectively. Your expert should be the one educating you about why complete files matter and should refuse to work with incomplete UFDR summaries when complete UFED files are available. If your expert isn't insisting on complete files, you need a different expert. Digital Evidence: The Stakes Are Too High for Shortcuts in Trucking Litigation In an era where digital evidence can make or break trucking cases worth millions, the convenience of simplified forensic reports comes with hidden costs. The case that seems clear-cut based on a summary report may tell a completely different story when your expert examines the complete forensic file comprehensively. The difference between complete forensic files and selective reports isn't just technical, it's about ensuring your expert has access to all available evidence that could protect your clients. While summary reports offer convenience, they also introduce the risk of missing crucial evidence that could change case outcomes entirely. Remember: Your expert cannot find evidence they cannot access. If crucial data exists only in the complete UFED file but gets filtered out of the UFDR summary, your expert will never know it existed. This isn't just about thoroughness; it's about ensuring your expert can provide the most comprehensive analysis possible for your trucking case. Cell Phone Forensic Files: Best Practices for Trucking Attorneys As digital evidence becomes increasingly central to trucking litigation, trucking attorneys must adopt best practices that prioritize giving their experts complete data access over convenience: The question isn't whether you can afford to have your expert conduct comprehensive forensic analysis, it's whether you can afford to have your expert base their analysis on potentially incomplete information. In high-stakes trucking litigation, giving your expert the complete picture isn't just preferable; it's essential for effective representation. Don't let summary reports create blind spots in your case strategy. When millions are on the line, demand the complete story that only full forensic files can provide.
CTV News
13-07-2025
- CTV News
No injuries reported after cell phone store at a mall in north Etobicoke robbed: Toronto police
A cell phone store at Woodbine Shopping Centre was robbed on July 13. (Jacob Estrin/CTV News Toronto) No injuries were reported after a cell phone store at a mall in north Etobicoke was robbed on Sunday evening. The incident happened at the Woodbine Shopping Centre at 500 Rexdale Blvd., just west of Highway 27. Toronto police say they were called to the mall at 6:12 p.m. for reports of a robbery at a cell phone store. They say that an unknown number of suspects stole a quantity of merchandise. Four suspects fled in a vehicle, said investigators. The investigation is ongoing.
