A deadly train crash in California prompts the state's railroad regulators to ban cell phone use by engine operators. Meanwhile, Congress is trying to limit the taxes that can be applied to consumers' cell phone bills. Already state taxes on cell phone plans average 15.19 percent, according to one study, which is twice as much as the average sales tax.
Plus, Cisco buys Jabber, eBay may have put StumbleUpon on the auction block, and a new Apple iPhone-related patent turns up. All this and more on Friday's podcast.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
Today's stories:
New taxes on your monthly cell phone bill?
California bans texting by train operators
eBay looking to unload StumbleUpon?
Holiday sales: How low with HDTV prices go?
Apple patent could improve iPhone alerts
Photos: Academy of Sciences rebirth
Facebook wants to show good amid scandals: The social network updates its tools for blood donations, nonprofits and mentorships.
Everything Apple announced: What we know about Apple's TV content and service, credit card, game subscription service and more.
Discuss: CNET News Daily Podcast: Banning train operators from texting
Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion.