IN THE NEWS: MARYLAND POLICE CALL OFF LIVE TWEET OF PROSTITUTION STING
PALMER PARK, Md. (AP) — A police department near Washington D.C. has called off plans to live tweet a prostitution sting. Officials with the Prince George’s County Police in Maryland say the tweeting plans were shelved because it might blow the cover of undercover officers. But the P.G. County police say the mere threat of tweeting the sting may have had an effect. The take-down took place yesterday — targeting men who solicit prostitutes. But police said over several hours, there wasn’t a single arrest. The county believes announcing the plans in advance served as a deterrent to would-be johns.
IN THE NEWS: MORE CHROMEBOOKS COMING
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google is making another charge at Microsoft — with a new batch of laptops running its Chrome operating system. The latest line of Chromebooks will be in stores this summer. And they will have additional firepower under the hood, running on a new generation of Intel microprocessors.
The Chromebooks will be made by companies such as Lenovo, Acer, Dell, ASUS and Toshiba — and will range in price from $300 to $400. Google has been trying to create an alternative to Windows-powered machines and Apple’s Mac computers. But so far it’s been tough sledding; Chromebooks make up just a small fraction of PC shipments.
ON THE WEB: HULA TO CHANGE ITS NAME
HONOLULU (AP) — The owner of an app providing sexual health information has seen the light. Ramin Bastani says he will be changing the name of the app, which had been called “Hula” — after complaints the name was insensitive to Native Hawaiians.
Bastani says after weeks of consulting with Hawaiian community leaders, the name will be changed. An online petition asking him to change the name argued that it exploits a sacred cultural dance.
At first, Bastani said he would keep the name, but now says making the change “is the right thing for us to do.”
The free app’s Web site says its functions include helping users find a STD test center, get results online, and share their verified STD status with people they choose.
IN STORES: KWIKSET KEVO SMART LOCK
LAKE FOREST, Calif. (AP) — It’s one of the cool things people expect from their smartphones — the ability to open and lock their doors without using a key. And it’s a promise made good with the Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock. It’s a lock that opens and closes using Bluetooth technology.
Once you install the deadbolt lock and download the app, you can leave your keys behind — because you control access using your phone. Simply tap on the lighted ring of the lock and the door opens itself. The installation is pretty simple — even for one who isn’t particularly handy; it’s no more difficult than installing a typical deadbolt. It even allows you to easily re-key the lock to work with your existing Kwikset keys, so you don’t have to ditch your old one.
Speaking of keys, the Kevo lets you send electronic “keys” to family, friends — or even service people. The app tells you when anyone has used the key to get in or out of the house. And if you have no smartphone — no worries. The Kevo comes with a fob that can provide the same easy in and out functions the app does. The app currently is available only for iPhone 4s, 5, 5c and 5s as well as the third generation iPad and fifth gen iPod touch — but an Android version is coming soon. The Kevo deadbolt retails for $219 at a number of retailers nationwide.