The BlackBerry Z10 doesn't shift the smartphone paradigm, but it does offer unique functionality and innovation for a small piece of the smartphone market.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating whether texting contributed to a helicopter crash. Here is the story.

Facebook got more than their fair share of press over the past few days leading up to their Facebook Home announcement. So now we've seen it. Whether it is a home run with users is anybody's guess, but Facebook's latest experiment has some big hurdles.

Facebook Home is not compatible with iOS and is limited to about a half dozen Android phones. With those few Android devices that can run Facebook Home, there is a huge question as too how many of those users will actually download it. If they do install it, will they like it?

The Raven MPV-710 hybrid lawn mower is more Chevrolet Volt than Toyota Prius being driven by an electric motor that is supplied electricity by a single-cylinder 420cc gasoline engine. It has a top speed of 17 mph, but mowing must be done at 5 mph or slower. Though pricey at around $3,000 the Raven can also be used as a generator.

Here you have it - the trailer for Funny or Die's iSteve. The movie based on the life of Steve Jobs stars Justin Long of "I'm a Mac" fame and will be released April 15. I think I'm going to have to see more clips to be convinced that its worth of more than an hour of my time.

Apparently this one can. Here is at least a scientific reason to watch a cat video. The poster linked to this page of optical illusions if you are curious.

New York Times social media editor Daniel Victor argues that the oft used Twitter hashtag is mostly visual noise. Using #superbowl as an example, Victor points out your #superbowl hashtag was one of 3 million used in a five hour period. So it didn't likely get noticed. The more popular the hashtag, the less effective it becomes.

But what's the harm you may ask. Victor's response is pretty funny.

"Using a hashtag does no harm in the same way wood paneling does no harm to your station wagon, or a misspelled tattoo does no harm to your bicep."

Victor calls hashtags "aesthetically damaging" believing they are less likely to be retweeted.

But there are good uses for hashtags as Victor admits. They work well for smaller groups and subtext.

Regarding best practices for professionals, Victor makes some good points. As for the rest of Twitter users, I suspect most use hashtags more often than not to feel they are part of something larger.

A 22-year-old inventor in Durham wants to read your mind. The young CEO of NeuroSpire, Jake Stauch aims to revolutionize marketing by making neuromarketing tools more accessible.

Neuromarketing isn't consumer mind control though ads. By measuring brain activity, neuromarketers think they can get closer to what consumers really want and avoid costly marketing decisions.

Still a subject of debate, neuromarketing is used by some heavyweights including Disney and Google who can afford the high expense of the process.

Neuromarketing studies can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, but NeuroSpire has a brain-scanning headset system for about $5,000 that can be used with your computer.

Does it work? Durham-based ad agency McKinney has tried it.

PopSci spotlights Stauch and his Durham startup in a easy-to-read explainer on neuromarketing and how the inventor thinks he can revolutionize it.

Polaris is known for its ATVs and snowmobiles, but its electric bicycles might interest those who spend more time on the streets. With what Polaris calls BioSync, the company's ebikes are pretty smart. They can detect when you need assistance and give you a boost of electric pedal assist.

Polaris' line of eBikes have in-frame batteries that can power riders up to 30 miles with top speeds near 20 mph. They can be fully recharged in 4-6 hours. Priced at $3,000, the cost of these bicycles approach that of a scooter.

A bill to ban "using a wearable computer with head mounted display" has been proposed in the West Virginia legislature. The state already has bans on texting while driving and using a phone without a hands-free device.

The sponsor of the bill, Republican Gary G Howell, told CNet he actually likes the Google Glass concept, but thinks the glasses introduce a dangerous distraction for drivers.

He may be right. Though, I've nearly been hit by a driver eating an ice cream cone, and a couple of more who were having distracting conversations with a passenger. Do we ban open food in the car? Or talking? I bet you know someone who has had an incident or a close call while meddling with their music or their navigational device. A navigational prompt in Glass rather than in the center of the dash seems safer.

Google Glass could be developed to improve driver safety by working with car manufacturers.  Could Glass one day improve visibility impaired fog or rain? Integration with the car's climate controls or even speedometer could possibly improve safety.