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On a Sunday afternoon, Heida Earnest sank into her living room couch at her home in Mountain View, Calif., counting down the days when she would see her father again.

She remembered the last time she saw him, in April at Gulfside Regional Hospice in Florida, fixed to his hospital bed with his muscles eaten away. At 79 years old, he could barely speak, but he was still awake and alert.

It was late June now, and in two days, she would be back at his bedside. She and her husband, Ian, had already booked their plane tickets, and she had scheduled a few days off from work.

But Heida and her husband never boarded their Tuesday flight.

The shrill ring of the telephone pierced the afternoon silence. Heida picked up, and a nurse from her father’s hospice quickly identified herself.

“It’s your dad,” said the nurse. “He wants to talk to you.”

Heida was immediately concerned, wondering why this nurse was talking for her dad, especially after holding a seemingly normal conversation with him the day before.

“Hello, Dad?” she said.
No response.

“Dad, hang on,” Heida said. “Ian and I will be there on Tuesday.”

Again, nothing.

“Everything’s going to be O.K.,” she finished. “I love you.”

The rustling and crackling of the phone on the other side interrupted the conversation.

“Your father just passed,” the nurse said and hung up, leaving Heida to the monotonous dial tone.

She sat on her couch perplexed and, after waiting 10 minutes, called back.

“This is James Hall’s daughter,” Heida said calmly. “Did he just die?”

“Yes, he did, and he heard your voice,” the nurse responded. “Your voice was the last thing he heard.”

A year and a half later, sitting in the basement offices of Stanford Hospital’s Spiritual Care Services, Heida Earnest still finds that call hard to accept. She is a soft-spoken woman with large, bright eyes. As she speaks, her voice barely rises above a whisper, and she pauses occasionally to collect herself.

“It’s a funny kind of a thing, because in your mind you know it’s coming,” she said. “You know it’s coming, but when it happens, it’s always disbelief. It’s very strange.”

After she hung up the phone, it took a few hours for the pain to hit. Then it came in waves — an “unbelievably profound sadness.” Still, she is thankful she was able to talk to her father in his last moments and that he was not alone, but surrounded by nurses and doctors.

At Stanford Hospital, 600 to 700 people die every year. Of those, about five percent die alone — some 40 people left to face death in their hospital beds by themselves.

Sometimes, they are the sick and elderly who no longer have families. Other times, they are like Heida’s father — patients whose families are in some other part of the country and can’t make it to their loved ones in time. Whatever the reason, the patients are left in the care of the hospital, where the hustle and bustle of staff duties can prevent someone from being at their bedside at all times.

So, when Heida uncovered a binder with a new program in the Spiritual Care offices last February, she was immediately intrigued. “No One Dies Alone,” she read, flipping through the hodgepodge of papers on “the dying process” and “providing a caring presence.”

She asked the Reverend Susan Scott, the decedent care chaplain, what it was all about. No One Dies Alone would be a volunteer program launched by Spiritual Care Services in April, she was told, to provide company for patients who didn’t want to face the end of their lives alone. Heida joined immediately.

In the same binder that Heida found on Reverend Scott’s desk was “The Dying Person’s Bill of Rights.” Created by a Michigan nurse more than 30 years ago, it outlines 16 rights that an individual should be afforded while dying. Right #7, printed in bold, is the foundation of Stanford’s new volunteer program: “I have the right not to die alone.”

This idea sat in the back of Sandra Clarke’s mind for 16 years, after she left the side of a dying man as a nurse at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene, Ore. The man had asked her to sit with him in the Intensive Care Unit in his last moments, and she promised him that she would, just as soon as she finished checking on other patients. He died before she returned an hour and a half later.

Now retired, Sandra remembers the burden she carried after that night in 1986.

“He asked for dignity and respect . . . and the simple fact that a nurse on duty could not be there for him — I thought this was just wrong,” she said.“If he had needed machines or medication, that would have happened.”

She vowed to ensure that this same situation would never happen again, and in 2001, she launched the first No One Dies Alone program with Sacred Heart. From the start, Sandra never intended the program to provide medical attention to its patients. Instead, she focused on the basic human needs of individual patients, with care as simple as waiting at the bedside or providing a hand to hold.

After establishing the first No One Dies Alone organization, Sandra developed an extensive manual, teaching other hospital staffs how to start programs of their own. She did not copyright the material and name in order to allow for open dissemination, and she has shipped more than 1,500 copies around the world — from Alaska to France to Singapore.

Seven years later, a copy found its way into the hands of Susan Scott. After receiving approval and structuring a program around Clarke’s manual, Scott began Stanford Hospital’s No One Dies Alone program in April.

No One Dies Alone volunteers are strictly on call — they sign up for two-hour shifts in which they are available during the week and are only called if the program receives a patient. Heida signed up for any open 3 p.m. shift on weekdays, so that if she were called, she could make her way to the hospital quickly from her job at Stanford’s medical library. She didn’t expect that she would be phoned within weeks of signing up.

On a late April afternoon, she entered a first-floor hospital room to find a woman, eyes shut, propped up in a hospital bed. Light flowed in through an open window, basking her in a warm light as she lay peacefully. A woman singing and playing a Celtic harp accompanied the patient.

Heida placed down her things, including a program-provided bag filled with poetry books and a music player, and glanced at the patient with whom she would be spending the next two hours. Remembering her training, Heida introduced herself even though the patient kept her eyes closed — she never opened them in those two hours.

Penny Barrett, a long-time volunteer with Spiritual Care Services, had sat with the patient some eight hours before Heida on the inaugural shift of the program, and had given the woman a nickname.

“There was nothing scary about it, the patient had a great sense of peace and innocence and there was a childlike characteristic for a person in her 90s,” Barrett said. “Her hair was short and . . . I thought of Peter Pan.”

Gathering herself, Heida read through Peter Pan Lady’s files, reciting her name and diagnosis. There was nobody in the area to look after her because her family lived on the East Coast.

Heida sat in a bedside chair next to the woman and clasped the woman’s hand in her own. As doctors moved in an out of the room, and the Celtic harp player left for other duties, Heida remained the one constant.

Since Peter Pan Lady, Heida has sat with three other patients, each with a unique nickname and experience.  There was Mr. Verbal, a man transitioning to hospice care, who couldn’t stop talking — a rarity given that most of the patients in the program no longer have the capacity to speak.

An atheist, Mr. Verbal questioned Heida, a devout Catholic, about her religion. He wanted to know where she had traveled and what she did for a living. But their conversations were broken by bouts of sleep that overcame the patient.

“I don’t know why I keep falling asleep the way I do,” he said before nodding off.

Then there was Thirsty Woman, hospitalized in Stanford’s ICU. Heida spent two hours with her on a Saturday night holding a pink sponge that she used to soak in water and dab the mouth of the patient. Thirsty Woman could barely speak.

“For the whole time, I just gave her water,” Heida said. “She just drank and drank and drank.”

Her most recent patient was Big Man, an unresponsive man suffering from heart disease. She spent most of that time working with a new volunteer who had just joined the program.

It’s been a month since Heida sat with her last patient, and she doesn’t often think about any of the patients she’s been with. The volunteers are not expected to dwell on the subject of their previous patient’s conditions and are not usually notified if a patient they had been with has died on a later shift. Despite the intimate nature of the program, volunteers are expected to maintain a certain emotional distance from their patients, especially after leaving the room.

But by sitting with fellow human beings in their last moments of life, how could one not develop a personal connection to the dying? Isn’t there at least a sense of wanting to know? Heida only heard of Thirsty Woman’s death through Reverend Scott.

When asked if she knew whether Mr. Verbal or Big Man had died, she whispered, “I don’t know.”

— Part two will run in tomorrow’s issue of The Daily.

First launched in 1999, with the second generation model introduced in 2005 and further improvements brought in 2009, the Yaris is Toyota’s best selling model in Europe. The carmaker recently released details on the revised model line-up, now comprising four specification levels, namely Base, Luna, new Yaris 2010 and Sol.

The 2010 Yaris benefits from several exterior updates. It now features a tinted headlamp cluster design, newly developed matt silver door handles, a new modern w… (read more)

Good news for Jabra fans; they just announced two new Bluetooth devices at CES. For the traditional headset wearer we’ve got the Jabra Extreme, and for the speakerphone fan we’ve got the Cruiser Bluetooth speakerphone. Both devices use Jabra’s new Noise Blackout technology, to cut down on the background noise issues.

The Jabra Extreme Bluetooth headset reportedly blocks background noise up to 24 db using dual microphones and a special DSP system. Previous headsets from Jabra only filtered 12 db, making the new Extreme twice as good at blocking noise. The new headset should be available this month for an MSRP of $79.99.

The Jabra Cruiser speakerphone uses the same dual microphone “Noise Blackout” technology, only in a speakerphone system. The device also provides a caller ID announcement so you know who’s calling when you are behind the wheel. The Jabra Cruiser is also available this month, with an MSRP of $99.99.

From the press releases:

Jabra EXTREME Bluetooth Headset

The Jabra EXTREME is a new Bluetooth headset that features the best sound quality yet with the new Noise Blackout™ Extreme. Noise Blackout Extreme uses dual microphones combined with DSP and automatic volume control to dramatically enhance call quality, providing twice as much background noise reduction (24 decibels) as compared to previous Jabra headsets like the BT530 (only 12 decibels). In addition, unique new Ultimate-fit Eargels, two different sized rotatable ear hooks that are contoured to fit the ear perfectly, have been developed to guarantee superior comfort for all day use. (MSRP: $79.99; Available: January)

Jabra CRUISER Bluetooth Speakerphone

The Jabra CRUISER is the first Bluetooth wireless speakerphone to feature dual microphones, or Noise Blackout™ technology, which eliminate street and traffic sounds while optimizing voice quality. The CRUISER offers superior audio quality and a sleek design allowing drivers to keep both hands on the wheel in compliance with hands-free driving laws. The device features caller ID in the form of voice announcements, which intelligently accesses a paired phone’s address book to announce the name of an incoming caller. Featuring Multiuse™ connectivity, the Jabra CRUISER allows two Bluetooth-enabled devices to be paired simultaneously. MP3 tracks can even be remotely controlled from the CRUISER with simple play, pause and rewind buttons on the speakerphone. A built-in FM transmitter allows calls and MP3s stored on a mobile device to be heard through a car’s stereo system. (MSRP: $99.99; Available: January)

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It’s 4:23 p.m. on a dull Thursday afternoon and I’m staring at an untouched problem set due in less than 24 hours. Meandering into the common room, I contemplate turning on ESPN, the typical immediate remedy to my procrastination, but today I can’t afford to waste away on the couch.

There’s only one solution: it’s time to get my swell on.

The bike ride to the Tresidder Fitness Center elapses like the minutes before midnight on New Year’s Eve, and unachievable workout goals are made like ludicrous New Year’s Resolutions.

As I make my grand entrance into the workout facility, I swipe my card, give a little “what up” head nod to the cute girl at the front desk and put down my red bookstore bag in a Kindergarten-like cubby. Gathering my iPod and water bottle, I go through a quick, preliminary scouting of the gym.

The small cardio section is halfway full, occupied by two Kappas on the elliptical machines, a 60-something-year-old professor on a treadmill and two freshmen in “Stanford Beirut” shirts talking about the upcoming weekend’s ragers while biking next to each other.

“It’s gonna be fucking sick!” one says to the other.

He’s the man.

As I walk over to the stationary bicycles on the opposite side of the gym, I recall one of my aforementioned lofty goals: a solid cardio workout for 30 minutes.

Did I say 30? Let’s aim for 10.

After giving a half-assed effort on the bike while listening to Kid Cudi, I decide that it’s go time and head over to the free weight section.

Two fairly thin Asian pals are spotting each other on the bench, both attempting what appears to be an impossible rep of 150 pounds.

“Come on man, you got this,” the taller of the two says to his friend. As he helps his friend unrack the bar, I watch in disbelief as the lifter’s face turns a shade of red that belittles the “Asian glow.” He struggles with the bar on his chest and, with obvious assistance from his spotter, re-racks the weights with a tremendous exhale.

“Damn, I was so close!”

No. No, you weren’t.

I regain focus after unknowingly staring at these two for about five minutes and decide to get involved in a little dumbbell press action. I pick up 45-pound weights for a warm-up set, when, out of nowhere, one of the giant regulars comes and starts curling the 50s.

So, that’s how it’s going to be?

With a quick and awkward exchange of subtle snarls in the mirror, the game of dumbbell chicken is on. I do a quick set and go for the 55s. He immediately grabs the 60s.

Come on, bro; throw me a goddamn bone.

I can still lift the 55s, but I know that I am headed for trouble. Grabbing for the 65s, I see that he goes for the 70s. I struggle through a small set and pick up the 75s, praying for surrender. He glances at the weight in my hands, gives a bull-like huff and walks with a little swag over to the rowing machine.

Can I comfortably chest press 150 pounds? You bet your sweet ass I can’t. Did I win? Absolutely.

As I move onto a new exercise, I spot two more frequenters. As I discreetly turn down the volume of my music, I hear them discuss, what else? Lifting weights.

“I maxed 300 the other day,” one says. “I’m pumped.”

This means one of two things: He’s either really excited to have accomplished a significant workout milestone, or he’s geeked up after snorting a line of creatine. My money is on the second, as the veins in his right forearm are bigger than my biceps.

As I chuckle to myself about the douchiness of many of the gym rats, I get caught in a swarm of hypocrisy. After a set of triceps pushdowns, I catch myself flexing to the beat of Alice Deejay’s techno anthem, “Better Off Alone.”

Shit, I am such a tool.

After pumping a little more iron and undergoing several more moments of awkward mirror eye contact, I decide that my work here is done. I gather my things and give yet another head nod — if only my game with the ladies were as strong as my dumbbell chicken skills.

As I’m exiting the gym, I overhear a conversation between the Asian pair.

“I just wanna get big.”

Don’t we all?

Back when the satellite navigation solution for cars was launched the choice was simple: you could opt for the voice of a woman or the voice of a man. Things got complicated as the devices got more complex and more options became available, like the voice of Snoop Doggy Dog telling you where to turn left.

Gramin International, an important part of the global satellite navigation industry, just pushed things further by launching a PC application which allows the user to record its … (read more)

Feel free to check out the Viliv presser after the jump, but the only thing in there that wasn’t mentioned in the earlier leak is that that both models will be sold in brick and mortor stores. That’s a first for a Viliv product and will likely dramaticly increase awearness. But we still don’t have a price on these models yet. Stay tuned.

viliv Expands its Mobile Internet Device Product with the Go-Everywhere PC “N5” and Multi-touch Tablet PC “S10 Blade”

The viliv N5 features a 4.8” Touch Screen, Intel®Atom™ Processor and Windows® 7 OS, and QWERTY keyboard

The viliv S10 Blade features a 10.1” Multi-touch Screen with High Resolution(1366×768) and Swivel Display.

Las Vegas-Jan 6, 2010 – viliv (Yukyung Technologies Corporation), a leading Mobile Internet Device manufacturer, today announced two new Mobile Internet Devices, the N5 and the S10 Blade. The two products made their debut at PEPCOM’s Digital Experience in Las Vegas and will be on display during CES 2010 at the viliv booth, #30349 of the South Hall 3 Upper Level.

Aimed at the go-everywhere PC users, “N5” combines usability and productivity by delivering enhanced performance, light portability (weighing just 399g/0.88lbs), extended battery life and full QWERTY keyboard. With integrated GPS navigation and fueled by the Intel® Atom™ processor (1.33GHZ), N5 is a non-compromise, high-performance mobile computing device that offers full PC functionality and optional 3G HSPA or WiMAX connectivity for mobile professionals as well as for micro-bloggers.
viliv also unveiled the S10 Blade with Multi-Touch Convertible Tablet form factor and with multiple ways to provide input including a full QWERTY keyboard, Multi-Touch and stylus. The S10 Blade delivers up to 10 hours of battery life and weighs only 1.21Kg / 2.67 lb for the best mobile computing experience. The S10 Blade offers various connectivity options including integrated 4G mobile WiMAX, and 3G HSPA. Consumers can get a seamless Internet connectivity at true broadband speeds — at home, in the office or on-the-go.
“Since pioneering the MID (Mobile Internet Device) category with the introductions of S5, X70EX and S7 over a period of less than 6 months, viliv has been unwavering in its commitment to the long-term growth and development of this fast-growing mobile computing product market segment, said Dr. Seung-Jin Yoo, Vice President, Yukyung Technologies.” “We have made a strong showing in the global marketplace. With the introductions of N5 and S10 Blade, viliv further strengthens its leadership position in the Mobile Internet Device market segment. Viliv N5 and S10 Blade continue to deliver high performance and amazing mobility with the Intel® Atom™ processor.

“The Intel Atom processor represents a hallmark in technology innovation, enabling users to gain unhindered access to the rich, visually-compelling Internet in handheld devices,” said Pankaj Kedia, director of global ecosystem programs in Intel Corporation’s Ultra Mobility Group. “Yukyung has demonstrated the capabilities of the Atom processor with an exciting range of products – the viliv N5 and S10 Blade, the company’s latest additions, will bring the power of the Internet to the hands and pockets of delighted consumers around the world.”

N5 and S10 Blade can be purchased through a variety of resellers including Amazon, Newegg, Buy.com, B&H Photo, PC mall and more and will also be introduced through brick and mortar stores.

viliv MID feature Highlights

viliv S10 Blade : Convertible Multi-Touch Tablet

First 10″ Swivel, Multi-touch screen with Windows™ 7 OS applied mobility tablet PC
Extraordinarily long battery life and 2.67lbs weight for the best mobile computing experience
Enjoy the full capability of your favorite web apps anytime with integrated 3G HSPA

• Intel® Atom™ processor Z530 (1.6GHz) / Z550 (2.0GHz)

• Windows® 7 Home Premium

• 10.1″ HD LCD (1366 x 768, WXVGA) / Swivel / Multi-Touch

• SSD capacity: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB

1GB DDR2 SDRAM 533Mhz
• WiFi IEEE 802.11b/g

• Bluetooth 2.0+EDR

• HSPA/TD-SCDMA/EVDO/WiMAX Connectivity options

• Camera

• 2 USB Host, 1 USB Slave

• SDHC, Headphone-out, Mic, Stereo Speakers

• D-Sub, Multi I/O(Composite / Component / S-Video)

• Keyboard : 84keys total (Function 34keys)

• 10 hours max battery life (7 hour movie playback)

Dimensions: 260(W) x 185(L) x 17~26(H)mm / 10.23(W) x 7.28(L) x 0.67~1.02(H)inch
Weight: 1.21Kg / 2.67 pounds

viliv N5 : Productivity on-the-go – Revolutionized

N5 completes the productive blend of usability and portability.
It’s so small and light that you can conveniently hand-carry anywhere, Anytime!
Always connected Social Networking and Micro Blogging

Intel® Atom™ processor Z520 (1.33 GHz)
Windows® 7 Starter / Home Premium
4.8” WSVGA (1024×600) with Touch Screen
32GB SSD
1GB DDR2 SDRAM 533Mhz
WiFi IEEE 802.11b/g
Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
HSPA/TD-SCDMA/EVDO/WiMAX Connectivity options
GPS Sirf Star3
1.3M Pixel Camera
Optical Mouse
1 USB Host, 1 USB Slave
Micro-SD, Headphone-out, Mic, Stereo Speakers
QWERTY keyboard 63keys total (Function 34keys)
Up to 5 hours of battery life
Dimensions: 172(W) x 86(H) x 25(T)mm / 6.77(W) x 3.38(H) x 0.98(T) inch
Weight: 399g / 0.88 pounds

About Yukyung Technologies

Based in Korea, Yukyung Technologies is a worldwide leader in the Mobile device and communications market sector with strengths in technology development, product design, manufacturing quality, as well as solution design and implementation. Yukyung Technologies was founded in 1999 and has developed viliv brand of PMP, Navigator in 2005 and now it’s one of the best and leading Mobile Internet Device Manufacturer in the world.

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A little late to get moving here in Las Vegas, but Mr. Vegas has arrived and is looking forward to hearing about AT&T’s network plans at its developer confab Wednesday. Meanwhile a vision that greeted all Vegas airport guests waiting for their luggage: Sprint getting the word out on 4G.

More tomorrow!

Gamers who’ve always wanted to own a PSP in pink, here’s your chance: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan today announced [JP] exactly that, a limited edition of their handheld system in so-called blossom pink. Needless to say that technically, this pink PSP 3000 isn’t different from a standard model.

The new PSP will hit Japanese stores on March 4 as part of Sony’s spring product line-up (price: $180).

Sony also made an announcement regarding the PS3 today: Michael Jackson is huge in Japan, and he used to have strong ties with the company. The Michael Jackson documentary This Is It, for example, has been distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures Entertainment. And Japan’s Jacko fans can soon lay their hands on a special PS3 bundle [JP] that includes a Blu-ray of said documentary.

Priced at $350, the “Michael Jackson – This Is It Special Pack” will be available in Japan starting January 27.

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Continue reading Canon’s EOS-1D Mark IV gets unboxed, high ISO modes tested

Canon’s EOS-1D Mark IV gets unboxed, high ISO modes tested originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is it! And by “it” we, of course, mean corporate synergy, as Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Computer Entertainment Japan reach across the cultural divide to bring America’s late King of Pop to the island of Japan in the form of a bundled Blu-ray and “Special Pack” PlayStation 3 SKU. But this bundle isn’t as off the wall as you may imagine. It won’t heal the world or rock with you, but if MJ fans wanna be startin’ somethin’ with the PS3, you really can’t beat it. Your ¥33,500 nabs you a Blu-ray of last year’s behind-the-scenes cash-in and a 120GB PS3 Slim in a “limited offer” package beginning January 27 – sorry, no choice of black or white. Oof, that last one was bad.

Continue reading Michael Jackson ‘This is It’ PS3 bundle makes it a better place for you and me

Michael Jackson ‘This is It’ PS3 bundle makes it a better place for you and me originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Man, we’d usually say it’s been a hot minute since we heard from iLive, but when you’re pushing a full year, that’s just a woeful understatement. Nevertheless, the peripheral outfit is hitting back in a big way here at CES, tossing out no fewer than 33 new iPod and iPhone-compatible audio products. We won’t bother detailing the lower-end gear, but a few of the highlights include the iTDP610B bar speakers with built-in DVD player — which touts a motorized door that opens to reveal the iPhone dock and to load and unload a DVD– and the iHP310B micro audio system. The former can be had in two sizes (32- or 37-inch) for $199.99, while the latter is pegged at $99.99. Peep that source link if you’re hungry for more, and give the gallery a look for some visual eye candy to accompany it.

iLive storms back with 33 new iPod / iPhone-friendly audio products originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading OnStar and Chevy show off Android, BlackBerry, and iPhone control apps for Volt

OnStar and Chevy show off Android, BlackBerry, and iPhone control apps for Volt originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last year, SawHorse Media, a Twitter aggregator that pioneered the concept of lists, put together the Shorty Awards. This contest and ceremony was intended to “honor the best producers of short, real-time content.”

The first show was such a success that SawHorse is currently producing a second event. Like the Webbies, the Streamys and other award shows for online content, this event will recognize the geeky heroes we probably follow more than we do real-world celebrities – the ones who make us laugh, think and act. Voting is now open in 27 categories; read on to see who’s making the grade.

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Categories range in scope from serious topics such as government, health and politics and to lighter fare such as music, culture, celebrities and humor. There are also a few geek-centric topics, such as tech, science and apps. Additionally, SawHorse has allowed users to create crowd-sourced categories, such as sexiest Twitterer and social media.

The awards are given based on each content creator’s whole Twitter oeuvre, not just a single tweet. Any Twitter user with a valid, active account can nominate and vote; votes are sent out as tweets from that user’s account. Next month, the nominees will be narrowed to five per category and referred to the hilariously named Real-Time Academy of Short Form Arts & Sciences for final judging.

Although the Academy has a spoofy name, it includes such distinguished members as MIT Media Lab’s director, Frank Moss, and Creative Commons CEO Joi Ito, among other luminaries.

Last year’s special guests included MC Hammer and Gary Vaynerchuk. There’s no word yet on who will be speaking and presenting at this year’s show, but we do know the ceremony will be held in March in New York City, and winners will be giving 140-character acceptance speeches.

Check out the site and vote for or nominate your favorite tweeters, from ShitMyDadSays to David Archuleta. And we’d appreciate a vote for ReadWriteWeb in the tech category, if you’re so inclined!

Discuss

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After almost a full year of hardship, it would appear American manufacturer GM begins to get back on track, despite the fact that currently there is no government scheme in place to help it boost sales.

In all, GM sold 160,996 vehicles in the US in the last month of 2009, representing a whooping 50 percent increase over November. But this is only on the retail side of the market. Adding the fleet sales managed in December, as well as the sale of non-core brands, GM sold a total o… (read more)