Short Circuits: 'Into the Cold,' Klingg cord hold, Gmail e-mail changes

Sebastian Copeland, an award-winning photographer, Arctic explorer and environmental activist, retraces and commemorates the centennial of Robert E. Peary's successful April 1909 expedition to the North Pole with guide Keith Heger in "Into the Cold" (not rated, 87 minutes, Shelter Island). Copeland documented his rigorous pre-trek training regimen and didn't flinch from the mistakes made (food shortage, a fall through ice) during the 400-mile hike to the North Pole. Some of the impressive footage includes the Arctic "treadmill" of drift and the groaning and crunching of ice as shelves are formed. Facing harsh temperatures to minus-50 degrees, the film is a bone-chilling story of bravery, determination and Copeland's desire to raise awareness about global warming. As Copeland points out, the same trip may be impossible in the next 10 to 20 years as the Arctic landscape changes and disappears.

Washington Post

Also out Tuesday:

Movies: "Hyde Park on the Hudson," "We Are Egypt," "Erroll Garner: No One Can Hear You Read," "The Last Flight of Petr Ginz," "Vietnam: The 10,000 Day War," "Crush," "The Cary Grant Film Collection," "Love Free or Die," "Paranormal Movie," "Gate of Hell," "The Sorcerer and the White Snake," "Woochi the Demon Slayer," "The Four," "Down the Shore," "Greatest Western Heroes," "Lincoln Chronicles," "Best of Walden!" "Best of Latino Laugh Festival."

TV: "Boss" (Season 2), "Merlin" (Series 5), "Family Ties" (Season 6), "Goodnight for Justice: Queen of Hearts," "Rainforest Rescue," "Thomas & Friends: Railway Mischief."

Blu-ray: "Naked Lunch."

The Klingg cord hold ($19.95, www.klingg.com) will work with any wired headphone to keep your cable out of the way and tangle-free. There isn't a lot to it — just a two-piece magnetic system you can attach to clothing or just about any surface. If you attach it to your shirt, the rear part goes inside and the cable-holding end of the magnetic system stays on the outside, which has a slot to run the headphone (not included) cable in.

After announcing a controversial decision to shut down its Reader Web feed aggregator, Google is once again drawing heat — this time for changing the way users write e-mails on Gmail. Users now have to compose e-mail in a new window that pops up on top of the in-box. Previously, users were switched to a new page to write their e-mail.

Google has been experimenting with the pop-up feature since October and says it is faster and simpler than the previous method. "We're now ready to introduce the new compose experience as the default for everyone," Google said in a blog post announcing the change. "We're looking forward to hearing what you think!"

However, many users don't think highly of the new feature. Many have taken to Twitter to complain about how much they dislike the change and are even considering trying out different e-mail services.

Users can switch back to the old way of writing e-mails with just a few clicks. Simply press the "Compose" button on the left side of the screen. When the new compose box pops up, click on the down-arrow icon at the bottom right of the window. Select "Temporarily switch back to old compose." Google probably will make the switch permanent at some point, but for now, you can enjoy switching back while it lasts.

Salvador Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times