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Mario Armstrong Mario Armstrong is a technology commentator for NPR's Morning Edition, explaining the world of gadgets, gizmos and gigabites through regular conservations with show hosts Steve Inskeep and Renee Montagne.
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Mario Armstrong

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The 'Blacks In Tech' Series Wraps, But Let's Keep Talking

Omar Wasow founded BlackPlanet, one of the earliest social networks, but isn't as widely recognized as the founders of Facebook or Myspace. Willi Wong hide caption

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Willi Wong

All Tech Considered

The 'Blacks In Tech' Series Wraps, But Let's Keep Talking

In the years since BlackPlanet launched, Tom Anderson sold Myspace to News Corp. for hundreds of millions of dollars. Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook has become a household name. But nobody seems to remember tech success Omar Wasow. How can that be?

Review: Even With Its Flaws, The iPad Is Still Impressive

Apple customers look at the new iPad at an Apple store April 3, 2010 in San Francisco, California. Hundreds of people lined up hours before the Apple store opened to purchase the new iPad, which debuted today. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

All Tech Considered

Review: Even With Its Flaws, The iPad Is Still Impressive

The iPad has its issues, but Mario Armstrong finds that its slickness and some workarounds make the issues easy to overlook.

Business

Privacy Complaints Abound Over Google's Buzz

Google recently released the social networking program Buzz to compete with Facebook but there have been concerns about privacy. Google automatically signs up Gmail users for Buzz, rather than waiting for them to "opt in."

Privacy Complaints Abound Over Google's Buzz

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Technology

Mobile Device-Use Constrained By Bandwidth

More people these days are using mobile devices. That means they are downloading more videos, more software and other big chunks of data that are clogging up the wireless pipes. One thing that may help is tiered data plans. People who use more bandwidth would pay more than someone who just checks emails.

Mobile Device-Use Constrained By Bandwidth

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Technology

Technology: Apps Are Where It's At In 2010

In the world of technology gadgets, 2009 could be described as the year of e-readers, smart phones and downsized laptops known as netbooks. What does 2010 have in store for fans of technology? Morning Edition tech guru Mario Armstrong says when it comes to applications for smart phones, he expects location-based services to be big.

Technology: Apps Are Where It's At In 2010

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Business

Web Sites Encourage Don't Buy, Rent

Renting a tuxedo or bowling shoes isn't unusual. There are now consumer Web sites that offer Netflix-style services in which people can rent everything from movies to toys to clothing.

Web Sites Encourage Don't Buy, Rent

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Business

Google To Sell 'Nexus One' New Mobile Phone

The blogosphere has been buzzing with speculation about Google's plans to sell a mobile phone. Google is still mum despite a number of media reports. It reportedly is called "Nexus One" and employees are said to be testing it.

Google To Sell 'Nexus One' New Mobile Phone

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Business

Verizon's Droid Phone To Compete With iPhone

The battle for consumers is heating up in the smart phone world. An ad campaign has been launched for the Droid, a new phone by Verizon, Google and Motorola. While Apple's iPhone dominates the market, the Droid hopes to compete.

Verizon's Droid Phone To Compete With iPhone

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Business

Can Free Web Applications Lead To Revenue?

Google's been offering free software applications that are similar to Microsoft Word and Excel. In turn, Microsoft has announced it too will offer free Web versions of its popular word processing, spread sheet and other programs. Is there a chance for the companies to eventually make money off these free Web applications?

Can Free Web Applications Lead To Revenue?

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Technology

South Korean Conference Defines Wireless Future

An international conference on wireless communication in South Korea is drawing tech professionals from across the globe. South Korea is one of the most connected societies in the world, a place where innovations often emerge.

South Korean Conference Defines Wireless Future

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Technology

Tokyo Stars as Home to Cutting-Edge Electronics

Many electronic gadgets can only be found in Japan. From the latest cameras to the smallest computers, Tokyo is the epicenter for the smallest and most intriguing devices. And it sometimes takes a while for the products to arrive in the U.S.

Tokyo Stars as Home to Cutting-Edge Electronics

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Technology

Technology to Beat the Heat

Tech contributor Mario Armstrong talks with Farai Chideya about how to beat the heat this summer with the latest tech toys. Armstrong covers technology for Baltimore-area NPR member stations WYPR and WEAA.

Technology to Beat the Heat

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Home Ownership and Wealth

Internet Tools for Real Estate Purchases

Technology contributor Mario Armstrong talks with Farai Chideya about how the Internet can help with real estate transactions. Mario also covers technology for Baltimore-area NPR member stations WYPR and WEAA.

Internet Tools for Real Estate Purchases

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