The holidays are upon us, and if you’re like me, you have a good portion of you shopping completed.  Yet, there are always those few people on your list that are extremely difficult to buy for. The problem here is that I like tech, so when faced with a “what the heck do I get them” situation, it tends to lean towards what I like, and this could be dangerous. More often than not you end...
If you’re not a fan of Twitter, and thought the medium would phase out pretty quickly, think again. This week, Twitter announced they would be receiving a $200 million infusion of funds from venture capitalists Kleiner Perkins. Yes, the same Kleiner Perkins who invested in this little company called Google some time back. I would say that this is a pretty big endorsement that Twitter...
In June, Apple introduced an API into their iOS 4.0 software as part of their mobile device management (MDM) initiative. The new addition would allow third-party MDM applications like Airwatch or Afaria to check for unauthorized modifications to the system files. Apple’s jailbreak detection API granted MDM applications direct access to the iOS information, which, needless to say, did...
Last night I walked into my den and saw my eight-year-old daughter on her computer writing what seemed to be an email. I figured she was replying to an email from Grandma or an Aunt and Uncle, so I sat down to write some stories as I usually do. After a few moments she asked, “Daddy, what is Santa’s email address?”. I paused a moment, and politely said I didn’t know, then proceeded to...
Last week we reported that Best Buy would be offering the iPhone 3GS for free to upgrade-eligible AT&T customers, new customers and those wishing to add a line. Â Of course all of this was based on willingness to sign a two-year contract. This, in and of itself was a shock considering the iPhone 3GS has never been discounted to free before. The one day sale occurred on Friday, Dec....
The season is here, and the time is right to start thinking about stuffing your favorite gadgets geeks stocking. It seems all the gift giving guides focus on those high priced items, yet neglect the more affordable gifts that are ideal for stocking stuffers or gifts for the company holiday party. These gifts won’t break the bank, but will put a huge smile on the receivers face. Let’s...
With the proliferation of high tech devices in our homes, and powerful smart phones in our pockets, some may say that we have less time with family and friends considering how connected we are. I, on the other hand, look at technology as a huge time and money saver in my life, although my wife may disagree with the money saving aspect, as I like the latest and greatest. With the...
With the recent release of iOS 4.2 for Apple’s mobile devices, there have been many new features discussed amongst the tech world. AirPrint and AirPlay have garnered the biggest props as now mobile devices are integrated more seamlessly into users total office package. Enhanced enterprise support, along with distinct SMS/MMS tones have been another welcome feature, just as iPad...
If you remember back in 2005, Apple implemented their EasyPay retail payment system throughout their worldwide chain of stores using Windows CE Devices. The larger devices were not taken to kindly by Apple employees, yet they thought the payment system that untethered them form registers had merit. In 2009, Apple moved their retail staff to more reliable, easier to use and frankly,...
It wasn’t long ago that telemarketers could unscrupulously bombard you with calls to buy this, that or the other thing. It became quite annoying, so much so, that if you recall, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) created the “National Do Not Call Registry”, where once consumers registered their phone number, companies that did not have an existing business relationship with you were...
Recently I wrote about my week with a Motorola Droid running Froyo, thus foregoing my iPhone 4 during that time period. I cited the former as a worthy competitor, and that I could see myself moving to an Android device if Apple or AT&T were not an option due to one or both falling from my good graces. That article received very interesting comments, some of which were very...
With the “Baby Boomer” generation beginning to reach their golden years, the demographics and family dynamics in the United States are going to change dramatically over the next few decades. Those of us that have passed the magical decade of our thirties not only have retirement and college tuition costs to think about, but how we will care for our elderly parents in the coming years....
There have been numerous reports about how Steve Jobs will not allow Flash on Apple iOS devices, and, as we know, outrage has ensued. The basic reason that has been set forth by Apple for not implementing Flash on their iOS devices in the lack of support for compatibility between it and OSX. Lets face it, Adobe is more concerned about how their products, especially Flash operates on the...
If you are anything like me, you’re not all that crazy about grocery shopping, or any shopping for that matter. Most guys simply want to get in, get their stuff and get out. The biggest problem in this scenario is the “get their stuff” part. Most stores are so large these days that you practically get lost the moment you step in the front door, especially large box stores like Home...
Commerce has been one of those catch words for retailers, politicians and economists over the last five years or so, and with online shopping at an all time high, the cool catchphrase today is e-commerce. Although people have been spending more money online than in brick and mortar stores over the last decade, people still want to see, touch and feel their purchases even if they plan on...
The new year is almost upon us and I can hardly believe 2010 is in the books. Looking back over the last 12 months many things have changed in all walks of life: smartphones now rule the mobile world, the Saints won the Super Bowl (yes, those Saints) and the San Francisco Giants won the World Series for the first time since they left New York. What hasn’t changed all that much is the...
If you have been looking for a deal on an iPhone this holiday season, no doubt you have been disappointed as they have been few and far between. Other than the slightly discounted refurbished units, and other inventory that tout “cosmetic damage” on the AT&T website, the pickins’ are pretty slim. It seems as if retail pricing will be the only way to go to surprise your loved one...
Unless you have been living under a rock the last few weeks, you know that the TSA has been in the news for their new screening techniques at U.S. airports. Stories about the new, practically pornographic x-ray screening machines, to those of passengers being groped when refusing the x-ray have been all over the news. All this is because bad guys try to bring things on airplanes that...
With the popularity and affordability of consumer grade HD camcorders more people are venturing out and immersing themselves in the art of video. I have used iMovie for the last three years and have been pretty happy with the results. In many discussions with friends that implement Linux they have verbalized the frustration with finding a quality video editor for their operating system...
There is a problem that faces a number of women in cities across the country but usually goes unreported. Frankly, until I had conducted the research on this application I had never heard of the prevalent problem of “street harassment”. Street Harassment is when an individual, usually a female, is harassed on the streets of any city or town; it may be an unwanted comment, flashing,...