The Labor Day picnics are over and the kids are heading back to school, but as device manufactures who are releasing devices “this summer” love to point out, summer ain’t really over until September 21.

So with that in mind, I’ll be taking my “summer” vacation this week.  Posts will be light for the next few days while I take some time for a well deserved rest.

Happy Labor Day from Smartphone Fanatics!  Now get outside and enjoy the ceremonial close to the summer season with one last cookout!

A recent New York Times article suggests what I already know: We need to unplug from the “digital age” more often and for longer periods.

“Cellphones, which in the last few years have become full-fledged computers with high-speed Internet connections, let people relieve the tedium of exercising, the grocery store line, stoplights or lulls in the dinner conversation.

The technology makes the tiniest windows of time entertaining, and potentially productive. But scientists point to an unanticipated side effect: when people keep their brains busy with digital input, they are forfeiting downtime that could allow them to better learn and remember information, or come up with new ideas.”

 Basically, the modern workforce gets a double whammy in that we are completely addicted to our computers and mobile gadgets and we are becoming workaholics.  Ok, the “we” can very easily be replaced with “I” here.  (Hey, there is a reason why this blog is called Smartphone Fanatics!)

You can read the full article on the New York Times website.

Thanks to Geri for the tip!

By now, most of you have read that there has been a leadership change over at HP.  Mark Hurd, amid a sexual harassment suit, was essentially forced to resign because he submitted and was reimbursed for improper company expenses.

When the news broke, we all a hear “Hurd,” “resigned,” and “sexual harassment.” If you want to go beyond the headline grabbing blurbs, you need to read the New York Times article on the subject.

“Mark V. Hurd, who turned Hewlett-Packard into the world’s largest technology company on the back of fierce fiscal discipline, has been ousted from his post for the lowliest of corporate offenses — fudging his expenses.”

Ouch!  Not cool.  I find it totally amazing that someone so well respected, who has a lot of money in today’s economy would lose such an amazing job just because they wanted to cut some corners and save some personal cash.  If it’s business, OK fine, expense the dinner or whatever.  If it isn’t, and if there is a chance it can come back to bite you in the end, they just pay for it yourself.  Mr. Hurd reportedly filed expense reports that inaccurately contained reimbursements “from $1,000 to $20,000, according to a person close to Mr. Hurd who was briefed on the situation but was not authorized to speak publicly.”

The good news for Mr. Hurd, which should allow him to get another senior management job in the near future, according to the Times article is “that the sexual harassment charge was unsubstantiated.”

With Hurd’s departure, HP’s Board of Directors has appointed Cathie Lesjak (seen above in the inset) as the interim CEO.  Ms. Lesjak is a 24-year veteran of HP and will retain her responsibilities as CFO while acting as the interim CEO.

Mr. Hurd will be leaving HP with a $12,224,693 severance package.  Not too bad for only violating HPs Standards of Business Conduct policy.

You can read the full article on the New York Times website.  Friday’s press release can be read on the HP website.

During all of today’s parades, picnics, and all sorts of summer kick-off merriment, don’t forget to take a minute and remember all of the brave men and women of our armed forces who have given then their lives in the service of our Great Nation so that we can all live free.

Thank you!

I just saw an article on Bloomberg that says Palm is looking for a buyer. I’ll have more commentary on this development later this evening.

The meet is heading in to the awards portion of the show. I’ve been checking Facebook feeds, reading USA Today, and the NY Times with their iPad apps and checking some email in between each team. Wi-Fi has been on the entire time and my battery is now at 92%.