Technology

Can Apple bring its map app up to par? Does Facebook really have 1 billion users? We explore these questions and more with The Baltimore Sun's technology reporter Gus Sentementes.

It's the end of "Urbanite", a free glossy monthly magazine known for its in-depth reporting on city issues. We ask publisher Tracy Ward about her decision to close up shop.

Then, we talk with Jason Hardebeck of the Greater Baltimore Technology Council – now known as gb.tc -- about solving the city’s problems by getting government data in the hands of civic-minded techies.

And, theater critic J. Wynn Rousuck on “Stop Kiss,” playing now at the Fells Point Corner Theatre.

Plus, Caleb Stine drops by to sing some Woody Guthrie tunes with Tom Hall.

We live in an information age. Massive amounts of data are produced each day and stored in vast databases. In recent years, a movement has sprung up to put that data to good use. This weekend, a group of hackers and non-hackers alike will convene to figure out ways to use this data to solve problems in Baltimore. The conference is called "Groundwork".

In July, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake chose Chris Tonjes to be Baltimore’s new Chief Information Officer. He was CIO of Washington DC’s public library system before starting here six weeks ago. He takes the position after a tumultuous six months for the Mayor’s Office of Information Technology. 

Web Extra: Chris Tonjes on his ideas for bridging the digital divide.

Smartphone apps can track everything from sleep patterns to diet habits in an effort to help Americans change lifestyles and improve health. David Freedman, author of June’s Atlantic cover story, “The Perfected Self,” joins us to talk about the psychology at work in smartphone tracking. WYPR and NPR technology commentator Mario Armstrong fills us in on the latest self-help smartphone apps.
Original air date: 7/31/12
 

This conversation originally aired on November 21, 2011.

It's time for our monthly tech news roundup with Baltimore Sun technology reporter

For the second time in 8 years, a Marylander has been named the President of the American Library Association.  Carla Hayden, the director of the Enoch Pratt Library here in Baltimore served as president from 2003-2004.  And now, Maureen Sullivan from Annapolis, will head the 62,000 member organization.  Her term began in June.