Two new studies have shown that pedestrians using mobile phones are significantly more likely to get smacked by a car than anybody else. A simulation indicated that older people are especially likely to be distracted, even more so if they’re unsteady on their feet to begin with (so maybe think about getting Grandma a nice large-print novel for Christmas instead of a Droid).

Interestingly, listening to music was found to have no effect on pedestrian safety, which I’d like to personally refute. I can say without a doubt that while listening to certain music (Spank Rock, I’m looking at you), I am noticeably more cocky and likely to get hit by a car while strutting across a busy street. But then, I’m not a scientist; thus, I trust the results of these studies and will continue to blare loud, filthy rap music while disregarding all pedestrian laws and guidelines. [LabSpaces]

The phone will be available next month, and at the moment there aren’t too many details on pre-paid options for the phone. Still, worth keeping in mind if you have older kids, I guess…

[Boost Mobile]

It looks like the Palm Profile has been having issues with corrupted backups, leaving users trying to restore from a backup without their data. It’s not everyone who’s had this problem, just more people than can be called a fluke.

Here’s Palm’s statement on the matter:

We are seeing a small number of customers who have experienced issues transferring their Palm Profile information to another Palm webOS device. Palm and Sprint are working closely together to support these customers to successfully transfer their information to the new device.

Good to know, clumsy Pre owners. [PreCentral]

When WebOS 1.3.1 skipped updating the camera app, the developers of Precorder decided not to wait any longer, and things are looking promising. The app supports MPEG-4, H.263 and H.264/AVC video recording, lets you control the flash, and videos can be played back in the Pre’s video player. Again, it’s alpha software, so try with caution. But you can check it out at: [Precorder via Pre Central]

Optus have the handset available on a $79 Blackberry Cap plan over 24 months, which includes up to $300 worth of calls and text, and “unlimited” Blackberry email and internet.

Telstra customers looking for the new BlackBerry can grab the handset for $999 upfront, or $0 on an $85 Mobile PLUS plan, or on a variety of enterprise or fleet plans.

Finally, potential Vodafone customers can grab the handset from next week, according to David Flynn at APC, on either a $79 cap plan (with $550 worth of calls and text, plus unlimited Blackberry email and web) or a $99 unlimited talk and text plan that has 1.5GB of data, including use as a tethered modem.

It’s a very nice phone – if I was an email hound, it would almost certainly be my handset of choice at the moment…

Aside from blaming the victims, I don’t entirely agree with Apple’s statement. It’s not the actual jailbreaking that exposed iPhones to these ridiculous worms, it’s simply the fact that a lot of people install and enable SSH without changing the default root password. If you don’t miss that important step, a jailbreak could almost be considered an improvement. After all, it allows you to use Google Voice (in the States), multitasking interfaces and a bunch of apps otherwise unavailable. So don’t let the big A scare you. Just practice safe jailbreaking, kids. That’s all.

PS: If you still don’t know how to protect yourself from this silliness, it’s easy: Go into Cydia, install the MobileTerminal app, and use the passwd command to change the default from “alpine”, to something that won’t leave you in need of a de-worming. [Loop Insight]

More from Popular Mechanics’ cold weather phone survival test here: [PopMech]

PANASONIC MAINTAINS GLOBAL #1 POSITION IN CORDLESS TELEPHONES

Data from Leading Research Firm Confirms Substantial Lead in Worldwide Sales of Consumer Telephones

Secaucus, NJ (November 23, 2009) – Panasonic System Networks Company of America today announced that it maintained its #1 global leadership position in the cordless telephone market for the full calendar year 2008. Market data from the prominent information technology research firm MZA Ltd. confirms Panasonic’s #1 position in worldwide shipments of DECT* cordless phones and other digital cordless phones.

Panasonic’s share of the global cordless telephone market in 2008 was 19%, according to the MZA report, “The Global Consumer Cordless Telephony Market.” The nearest competitor held an 11% share of the global market.

“Panasonic continues to be consumers’ favourite because we start with the consumers’ needs in mind,” said Bill Taylor, President, Panasonic System Networks Company of America. “From handset design to features such as Talking Caller ID, our focus is on what consumers need and how our phones can enhance their daily lives. Consumers have made Panasonic the #1 brand year after year and know they can count on Panasonic telephones to deliver exceptional reliability and affordability.”

MZA reported that DECT phones showed strong growth in North America relative to other digital cordless phones. In DECT technology Panasonic’s market position was even stronger, rising from 20% in 2007 to 23% in 2008, surpassing the next nearest competitor by 8 points of market share.

MZA concluded that a variety of factors continue to drive sales, including a large customer base that prefers to own a landline phone, attractively priced packages from telephone service providers and the availability of multi-handset bundles.

*DECT: Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications standard for minimal interference and extended range and battery life

This 2.2-inch clamshell aberration – technically the Apple Q300 Ultra – costs around $US70, which is $US70 too much. [Shanzai]