federal communications commission

Last month, the Federal Communications Commission ruled that a prototype Internet device Microsoft is developing could interfere with broadcast television signals. Microsoft, Google and others are trying to put together gadgets that use a band of the airwaves known as white space. In several cities, this portion of the spectrum goes unused, so the companies were hoping to capitalize on that empty air. Unfortunately for the Seattle-based empire, the FCC decided that Microsoft's device didn't reliably pick out that empty spectrum. Microsoft has challenged the ruling, arguing that a damaged component effected the result. Which is interesting and all, but why didn't they just ask the FCC this much simpler question: Who cares? Are there really people out there who still have to get up from the couch to adjust the rabbit ears? Apparently so. They must be the same folks who are wondering about this crazy Internet thing all the kids are talking about.—Gregory Mone

Blinding rain. Careening traffic. Distracted drivers. There are lots of reasons why car crashes are America's leading cause of accidental death. And one way that most accidents could be prevented: with cars that predict a coming collision-and take action to stop it.

Dreaded cables!

In February 2001, while driving on the state turnpike to her home in Miramar, Florida, 32-year-old Karla Gutierrez lost control of her BMW 328i and skidded into a canal. She dialed 911 on a cellphone and explained her predicament as the vehicle slowly sank. But since Gutierrez couldn't describe her precise location-"I'm not sure where I am," she told the operator-Miami-Dade County rescue units didn't know where to go to save her. By the time a passing patrolman noticed a busted fence by the accident site and found Gutierrez, she was dead.