TechBytes: Blackberry Storm 2 Arrives

Oct. 28, 2009— -- The Blackberry is taking a second shot at a touchscreen phone. The Blackberry Storm 2 arrives today on Verizon Wireless. The phone doesn't have the clickable screen like the original Storm that was heavily criticized. The new version also adds Wi-Fi and more memory than its predecessor and makes tapping out messages much easier. The phone costs $179 with a two-year contract.

MP3s have become the most popular form of digital music, but one online music retailer is hoping to change that. Lala is preparing to launch an iPhone app that it claims paves the way for the end of MP3 downloads. With the new app, users buy the right to stream songs forever from a digital locker for just 10 cents each. Tracks play in seconds and favorites are automatically loaded in the phone's memory so users can listen even when they don't have cell coverage. One drawback is that the quality is not as good as MP3s. The app is set to debut next month.

Harvard Medical School has launched an iPhone app to educate people about the H1N1 Swine flu. It teaches the basics of Swine Flu, how to reduce the risk of getting it, and how to prepare for an outbreak. The app has a health map that lets you follow the flu in your area and there's also an interactive symptom checker and phone numbers to call in case of an emergency. The Swine Flu app is available now for a $1.99.

Facebook is hoping to give peace a chance. It's launching a new section at peace.facebook.com. It's part of the broader Peace Dot" initiative launched last night at Stanford University.The social networking site says it promotes "peace by building technology that helps people better understand each other."The highlight of the page right now is the "Friendships on Facebook" graph, which shows how many members of historically hostile groups are becoming friends on the site.