Mobile phone habits

http://www.pewinternet.org/ reported recent statistics about mobile phone usage.

- 74% have used their mobiles phones for an emergency

- 41% use their phones in fill in empty time (traveling, waiting for someone)

- 44% saved their calls for times that do not count against their "anytime" minutes

- 28% felt they do not drive as safely when using their mobile phone

- 86% report being irritated occasionally by loud and annoying users who use their phones in public places

Former Homestore executive sentenced to 15 years

On October 13, former Homestore Inc. CEO Stuart Wolff was sentenced to 15 years in prison for directing a $67 million fraud.

Wolff was convicted of using false transactions that inflated sales and boosted the stock price of the company, now known as Move Inc., based in Westlake Village, California.

Smart phone sales increase

Recent statistics released by Gartner show that demand for smart phones and personal digital assistants is continuing to grow rapidly.

Smart phone sales increased 75.5 percent in the last year, and will grow by a further 66 percent during 2006. Sales of PDAs also continue to rise, up 5.7 percent in the last year. Growth of 6.3 percent is predicted for 2006.

PDAs continue to be eclipsed by more voice-centric smart phones.