Free iPads Issued As Part of Local College Curriculum. Sign up for college, get an iPad. It’s part of the new curriculum at Moore College of Art & Design, the all-women school that has an enrollment of approximately 500 in Philadelphia. Students will receive the devices, customized by Apple and pre-loaded with visual arts- and design-related apps. Officials at Moore say their relationship with Apple Inc. is the first of its kind.

From Newsworks:

“On Monday you’re in the drawing studio, and on Wednesday you’re in the computer lab. That is one way to incorporate digital media tools,” said Dona Lantz, Moore’s dean of academic affairs. “But we saw the iPad as the mobile device that bridges the physical facility, both in ideas and being able to work with fluidity without having to go to a certain classroom in a certain building.”

-LD

[Newsworks, h/t @geekadelphia]

Photo: Getty Images

Cash-Only Cab Rides In Philly’s Future? If you’re traveling by taxi in Philadelphia, you may need to start carrying more cash. As reported by Newsworks,

“Philadelphia taxi drivers and owners are divided over a proposal only to accept credit cards for fares $10 or more.  The Philadelphia Parking Authority is considering imposing the $10 minimum for putting that fare on plastic.”

The reason? The transaction fees associated with credit card purchases (on top of rising gas costs and rental fees on the taxi itself) are creating “immoral” working conditions, according to Ronald Blont, who represents taxi drivers as part of the Taxi Workers Alliance of Pennsylvania. 

On the other side of the argument is Jeff Hornstein, Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Taxi Association. He says:

“I believe that it will dissuade younger riders from getting in cabs, for example the hundreds of thousands of students that don’t carry cash around in this city,” Hornstein said.

The20’s @dhm, obviously pointing to another issue many deal with regarding taxis around town, says the following:

@dhm: “Cabbies want cash for rides under $10. Better than current “machine is always broken” policy!”

The Philadelphia Parking Authority, which regulates cabbies, says the idea is under “legal review.” What do you think?

-LD

[Newsworks, @dhm]

Photo: Getty Images

Feeling Sick, Philly? Nutter Doesn’t Feel Your Pain. Late last night, Mayor Michael Nutter vetoed the paid sick leave legislation, saying in short, “it would raise the cost of labor for local businesses.” This morning, Philadelphians reacted to the bill that City Council will have the summer to think over.

The20’s @PKerkstra went on Twitter and said:

Nutter vetoes sick leave bill. It’s a tough bill to kill for obvious reasons. But letting it stand might have been his final break with biz.

And The20’s @PhillySmurfette tied the veto back to the schools, saying:

You know, I think it would be greedy of me to expect Ackerman to be gone in the same week that Nutter vetoed Paid Sick Days. I’ll wait a week.

Are you with Nutter’s position here or against it? Vote on our NBC Philadelphia Facebook page.

-LD

[NBC Philadelphia, NewsWorks, @PKerkstra, @PhillySmurfette]

Photo: Getty Images