Technology Slice Blog

Ed Rendell Wife Separate - Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and his long-time wife, Judge Midge Rendell, are separating after 40 years of marriage. Philly.com first reported that the Rendells told friends via e-mail they are living apart after Rendell left office in Harrisburg. There was no word of the couple had filed legal documents to indicate they were legally separated or divorcing. Marjorie "Midge" Rendell is a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Ed Rendell has new jobs lined up working for NBC and at his old law firm. He is a former two-term mayor of Philadelphia and district attorne Ed Rendell Wife Separate

Bristol Palin Memoir - For a 20-year-old, Bristol Palin has packed a lot into her short life. She had a baby at 18, she has been engaged twice - to the same man - and her mother is mooted by some as the next president of the U.S. So it's no surprise she feels she has accrued more than enough material to write her first autobiography at an unusually tender age. An as-yet-untitled memoir by the Dancing with the Stars finalist has been listed on Amazon, already reduced to $17.15 from its original price of $25.99. The 304-page book, published by William Morrow & Co, an imprint of Harper Collins, is set for release on June 21. Readers can expect to find out more about her tumultuous relationship with Levi Johnson, father to her two-year-old son, Tripp, as well as her success on the U.S. dance show. Bristol Palin Memoir

Kyocera Echo Smartphone - Sprint Nextel Corp., the third- largest U.S. mobile-phone carrier, unveiled a Kyocera Corp. dual-screen smartphone that it says will help capture more customers using its third-generation wireless technology. The Echo, as the smartphone is known, will operate on Google Inc.’s Android software and be sold for $199.99 with a two-year contract starting next quarter, Fared Adib, Sprint’s vice president of product development, said in an interview. Sprint, the first U.S. carrier to offer fourth-generation wireless service, is introducing the 3G device even as it is planning a $5 billion investment to upgrade its network to accommodate a greater range of 4G technology, including with partner Clearwire Corp. The carrier last month began selling its third 4G handset, from HTC Corp. “We believe this is a pretty big deal,” Adib said. “We didn’t want to hold up the innovation on the device to wait for 4G capability.” He said he expects brisk sales, and declined to...

Amanda Knox Felt Ill Lifetime Movie - Amanda Knox, the American student convicted of killing her roommate in Italy, is speaking out about a made-for-TV movie about her case. Knox's stepfather said she saw part of the film on TV and was shocked. She told him she was hyperventilating, and she felt she was going to throw up. "Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy," is due to air Feb. 21. Knox's family has tried to block the film, saying it creates an "evil opinion" of their daughter while lawyers appeal her conviction. The movie's star Hayden Panettiere defended the production. "It's a very controversial topic, and I don't think people are going to have a problem with it," she said. "It's pretty fact driven, and it ends right when she gets convicted." Amanda Knox Felt Ill Lifetime Movie

Titans New Coach Mike Munchak - The Tennessee Titans have hired their offensive line coach Mike Munchak as head coach to replace Jeff Fisher, the NFL club announced Monday. Fisher parted ways with the Oilers last month after 17 seasons in charge on the field. It is the first head coaching job for Munchak, who served as the Oilers' offensive line coach for 14 years after an outstanding 12-year playing career as a guard for the team. Munchak earned nine Pro Bowl invitations in his career and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2001. Titans New Coach Mike Munchak

Michelle Obama Regis and Kelly - Michelle Obama is paying her first visit to "Live! With Regis and Kelly." The show announced Monday that the first lady will be a guest of Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa on Feb. 9. Mrs. Obama will be in New York to mark the first anniversary of the Let's Move! campaign to fight childhood obesity. She is expected to discuss the campaign during her "Live!" appearance. Michelle Obama Regis and Kelly

Christie Brinkely on Broadway - The Tony Award-winning hit musical "Chicago" is getting a supermodel makeover — Christie Brinkley is joining the Broadway cast. Brinkley will appear as the jailed killer Roxie Hart for an 11-week engagement from April 4 to June 19 at the Ambassador Theatre on 49th Street. The 57-year-old model made her acting debut in 1983 opposite Chevy Chase in "National Lampoon's Vacation" and its 1997 sequel, "Vegas Vacation." She also appeared on NBC's "Mad About You" and hosted Lifetime Television's InStyle Celebrity Weddings. Brinkley is the latest to play Roxie in the hit musical, now in its 15th year on Broadway. Others include Brooke Shields, Sandy Duncan, Marilu Henner, Bebe Neuwirth, Ashlee Simpson, Michelle Williams and Melanie Griffith. Christie Brinkely on Broadway