NPR People: Laura Sydell

Dial-up is the only way many residents of Trinity County, Calif., can get online, putting elementary school students at a disadvantage. The solution could be in the county's own backyard, but there's a catch.

Many kids dream of being rock stars, but very few make it. Still, that isn't discouraging new songwriters. Two of the nation's largest performing rights organizations, ASCAP and BMI, say their membership has skyrocketed in the last decade.

Spotify is an ad-funded music streaming service that has won over audiences in Europe. In anticipation of its introduction to U.S. customers, Laura Sydell examines its chances of success here.

An epic journey through nine circles of fiery hell filled with monstrous beasts and condemned souls — Italian poet Dante Alighieri didn't know it at the time, but in the 14th century, he mapped out a pretty sweet video game. Some Dante scholars are a little miffed.

Apple computer has unveiled its new iPad tablet. CEO Steve Jobs said the device is better for reading books, playing games and watching video than either a laptop or a smart phone. The first iPads won't hit the market for two more months. However, Apple has released a software development kit so that other companies can create new applications.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled Wednesday the iPad, a much-anticipated tablet-style computer that looks like a larger version of a iPhone. The device allows users to surf the Web, watch videos and read e-books.

Holiday sales led Apple to its most profitable quarter ever. The new earnings statement was issued in advance of Apple's big announcement expected on Wednesday, and is rumored to be a tablet computer. While tablet computers are a small fraction of computer sales, many companies are selling or plan to sell tablets in the near future.

Apple is launching a new product, widely thought to be a tablet computer, this week. But it would be entering a crowded market. While tablet computers are a small fraction of computer sales, many companies are selling or plan to sell tablets in the near future.

There has been an outpouring of charity for the victims of Haiti's earthquake. Donors in the U.S. are responding more quickly than they ever have before — via their cell phones. This is the first time large numbers of Americans are giving donations by text message. In other countries, it's been more common to donate this way. According to the Red Cross, more than $4.7 million has come in through text-message donations to date — and they are expecting that number to keep growing.

After attacks originating in China targeted Gmail accounts belonging to Chinese human rights activists, Google has announced that it will stop censoring results on the Chinese version of its search engine and may pull out of the country entirely.

The annual Consumer Electronics Show is underway in Las Vegas — think of it as a gadget fest. Technology companies are showing off their latest TVs, computers, cell phones and related gizmos.

ESPN announced it is going to begin broadcasting some games in 3-D. The move is months away and it seems there are still details to work out. Discovery Communications, Sony Corp. and IMAX Corp. also announced a joint venture established to develop the first 24/7 3-D television network in the U.S.

Google is set to launch its much-anticipated phone at the Consumer Electronics Show on Tuesday. The phone, believed to be called Nexus One, has generated buzz ahead of the show in Las Vegas.

"Get what you want, when you want it." That phrase has increasingly defined consumers' relationship to the entertainment industry as the past decade has unfolded. But are choice and convenience costing us a sense of common culture? Put another way: Would Seinfeld's "puffy shirt" make it into the Smithsonian today?

It wasn't the first player to offer music on the go; remember the Walkman? And it wasn't the first portable MP3 player. But its impact is undeniable. Launched in 2001, the iPod represents one of the signal musical events of the decade that's coming to a close.