It is the season for Christmas parties once again. And rarely a party would be dubbed a success without the usual beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages to make everything feel smoother and cooler.

While overindulging on food would be bad enough for people who are watching their calorie intake, the problem is much gravely magnified when alcohol consumption reaches unhealthy levels. Long-term consequences are bad enough, but the immediate impact of alcohol-impaired decision-making could be more dreadful.

Things can potentially become deadly, especially when they come courtesy of bad decisions, such as driving while under the influence of alcohol, or what we usually refer to as drunk driving.

So, enjoy the parties. Partake of the food and drinks, and most of all of the camaraderie and warmth that only the season of joy and hope can bring. But watch your alcohol intake, and do not do anything stupid like driving while drunk.

Too Big To Chew

Andy Rubin, head honcho of Google’s Android mobile operating system business, admitted his company aimed too high when it released the Nexus One smart phone.

Rubin, speaking at the D: Dive Into Mobile technology conference, said that Google misread consumer sentiment and readiness to purchase mobile phones via the Internet. Sold unlocked, the Nexus One was positioned with much marketing noise as a rival to Apple’s iPhone. Made by HTC Corp., the smart phone can be used on any of the mobile operators in the United States.

Trouble began when consumers did not exactly mob the Nexus One. This left Google with no choice but to close its online store, and rely instead on the usual retail outlets. For the Nexus S, the follow-up smart phone from Google, the company will still sell unlocked phones. This time though, they will be sold via Best Buy Co. stores in the United States.

Nexus S

Made by Samsung, the Nexus S runs Gingerbread, the latest version of Google’s Android mobile operating system. Rubin said the phone will be available in the U.S. on December 16 from Best Buy stores.

It will be available unlocked or with a contract plan from U.S. mobile operator T-Mobile.

Featuring a 1GHz Hummingbird processor, the touchscreen-equipped Nexus S comes with front- and rear-facing cameras, and 16GB of built-in memory. Its integrated near field communication (NFC) hardware makes the smartphone a virtual wallet, which allows consumers to do electronic purchases and payment.

That’s all for the meantime, folks. Join me again next time as we keep on watching IT.