NTIA National Broadband Map reveals Internet deserts, oases in US

As the US continues to increase Americans' access to broadband Internet, it has revealed an in-depth look at the state of our Internet access today.

The National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA) released the National Broadband Map today. This $200 million project offers public access to a thorough analysis of national broadband availability, and hopes to increase access, especially to “communities at risk of being left behind.”

The NTIA collaborated with the FCC to extract the data, which revealed that 5 to 10 percent of Americans cannot access Internet speeds that would allow incredibly basic Web functions, including downloading images or video chat capability. Only 36 percent of Americans have access to wireless Internet, most using “3G” speeds. The 2010 US Census revealed a shocking amount of disparity when it comes to Internet accessibility, and it’s become a government focus to amend the situation. Just last year, the NTIA determined that 40 percent of Americans went without home broadband connections.

While some of us have been left in the lurch, the map did prove that more Americans have access to the Internet in general than last year – nearly 5 percent more. And you can research all the improvements for yourself with the interactive map. Users aren’t limited to vague stats about broadband accessibility: It allows you to customize your search. You can browse details like broadband options and specific street addresses. According to the Commerce Department, the map will be updated twice a year to include connectivity improvements.

So how did the NTIA pay for this? A good deal came from the 2009 Recovery Act, which specified funds for a national broadband inventory. After deciding to enact a plan to provide broadband service nationwide, the FCC realized it needed to assess where it was unavailable. Now, the data has been laid at our fingertips and the government is working on improving our Internet connection.

The National Enquirer gives Steve Jobs 6 weeks to live

Apple's ailing CEO Steve Jobs has been give a dire diagnosis — six weeks to live — based on photographs taken by the National Enquirer.

The tech world runs on rumors. But this is one we’d rather not have to report: Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs, who is on indefinite medical leave from his company due to undisclosed health complications, has a mere six weeks to live, according to the National Enquirer.

That’s right, the National Enquirer — not exactly the most reputable publication in the world. So, needless to say, this particular “revelation” should be taken with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Here’s what we know for sure: Photographs of Jobs looking particularly thin while walking into the Stanford Cancer Center in Palo Alto, California, appear in the notorious grocery store tabloid’s most recent issue. The authenticity of the photos has been further supported by celebrity news site RadarOnline, which says it has received confirmation that Jobs is receiving treatment for cancer at Stanford. The pictures of Jobs were reportedly taken on Tuesday, February 8, at the Stanford Cancer Center, a day after the chief executive had put in a full day’s work at Apple.

The photos represent the first concrete evidence that Jobs is in fact suffering from cancer, the details of which Jobs has refused to release.

The morbid “six weeks to live” estimate was delivered to the Enquirer by Dr. Gabe Mirkin and Dr. Samuel Jacobson — neither of whom have seen Jobs in person. They make their claims based entirely on what they saw in the photos.

“Judging from the photos, he is close to terminal,” says Dr. Jacobson, a critical care physician. “I would say he has six weeks. He is emaciated and looks to have lost a lot of muscle mass, which spells a poor prognosis.”

Jobs, who turns 56 on February 24, handed over day-to-day responsibilities to Apple’s chief operating officer, Tim Cook, last month. Upon announcement of his leave, Jobs wrote:

“At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.

“I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.”

Later reports show that Jobs, who also underwent a liver transplant in 2009, has maintained a high level of oversight at Apple, and continues to take part in the tech giant’s “major strategic decisions,” according to an Apple spokeswoman.

The only possible reason to believe this story is because the National Enquirer was right at least one time, when it reported that former presidential candidate John Edwards was having an affair. He indeed was.

This story, on the other hand, lacks any real authority. That doesn’t mean it’s not true, of course. But it does mean we can still hope, for the sake of Steve Jobs and his family — and potentially the future of Apple Inc. — that they’ve got it wrong once again. Fingers crossed.