Mari Silbey

Mari’s tech career started when she became the default “IT guy” in her first job out of college. Since leaving help-desk duties to the experts, she’s focused on trends in technology as a consultant, writer, reporter, analyst and at-home gadget tinkerer. Her current paid gig is with the non-profit organization US Ignite where she focuses on how networks and digital technologies impact smart cities. All posts on ZNF represent her own opinions and not those of US Ignite. Mari is a sucker for anything in the digital media space and covers interesting happenings in cable, telecom, and whatever else she feels like. Find her on Twitter at @msilbey.

More Video for your Election Season

In case you haven’t tired of political advertising rhetoric, now you can catch up on campaign commercials of yesteryear. The Living Room Candidate offers an archive of presidential political TV ads from 1952 to the present. Want a refresher on Perot’s platform in 1992? Curious about the evolution of negative campaigning? Still waiting to see … Read more

Personalizing the Flip

Pure Digital has a new trick up its sleeve for the popular Flip video cameras. CrunchGear reports that they’ve teamed up with Cafe Press to offer personalized designs on all Flip Minos. According to the press release, you can choose an existing custom design, create and upload your own, or use the Flip Video Pattern … Read more

Off Topic: Skywalker Ranch & Lightsabers

A highlight of my San Francisco vacation was the stop at Skywalker Ranch earlier this week. Of course, they don’t let just anybody in, but my peeps got connections.  ;) While a lot of the production work for Lucas Films happens at the Presidio, the ranch is home to a major sound studio for the … Read more

Shopping with CoolIris

Ars Technica turned me on to CoolIris several weeks ago, and since then I’ve stayed on top of the company’s news. CoolIris uses a 3D-like interface for browsing pictures and video on a range of websites including biggies like Google, YouTube and Flickr. There’s also a Discover feature for catching up on specific topics like … Read more

Google’s Role in WiMAX

Google jumped into the WiMAX game when it put up cash to back the Sprint/Clearwire venture. Today, in a standing-room-only session with Clearwire CEO Ben Wolff at WiMAX World, came the first articulation I’ve heard of how Google is partnering with the WiMAX network providers moving forward. Devices – With Google’s Android moves, the search … Read more

On Site at WiMAX World

I’m on site at WiMAX World, and while the official festivities didn’t start until today, I spent some time last night at a pre-show event at the nearby Museum of Science and Industry. (Courtesy of my employer, Motorola.) The gathering was held at the museum’s Smart Home, a high-tech, green model home sporting a live … Read more

The Slacker G2 Review

When Slacker’s G2 Internet “radio” launched I found myself impressed with the hardware redesign, but figured I wasn’t in need of an upgrade. My Slacker unit functions basically identically to the G2, and I’ve never minded the size. Why spend the money for a shiny new toy I don’t need? Then my G2 review unit … Read more

AT&T HomeManager Launches

AT&T, the company that brings you everything IP, has just launched HomeManager, a home communication system (er, phone) with a touchscreen display that combines news and weather feeds with telephony features.