In Japan you’ve been able to pay for goods with your cellphone for a while. But starting today you can do the same thing in the US… at least at Starbucks. Since the last time I checked, Starbucks covers roughly 57 percent* of the square footage of most metropolitan areas, that’s a pretty good start. … Read more
By itself, the Motorola Atrix was but one of the dozen or so large-screened Android smartphones that invaded CES 2011, but what really set it apart was its lapdock accessory. This clamshell combination of a full-sized keyboard, screen and battery allow the Atrix to function more like a Linux smartbook. Extending the processing and connectivity … Read more
Here’s a story that got short shrift during the CES madness. Assurance Wireless has expanded its coverage to Washington DC, which means low-income people throughout the DC metro area can now apply for a free cell phone and free voice plan with 250 minutes per month. No contracts. No surcharges. No early termination fees. If you … Read more
CES is over for another year, but the photos live on. There was the minion who visited the blogger lounge, the Panasonic sand sculpture, and the masses of entirely non-goofy-looking people wearing 3D glasses. I also snapped a pic of a dude named Mo, who was selling solar chargers in the middle of the night … Read more
Powermat has ruled the retail consumer market for more than a year now with its wireless charging solutions. However, as evidenced by multiple CES exhibits, other brands are jumping into the fray. That’s a really good thing because Powermat products have always felt just a tad on the pricey side, and a little competition should … Read more
Amongst all the dazzling new televisions and parade of tablet devices, there were two products and services that clearly stood out during my abbreviated CES journey. FiOS TV… As An App While we saw at least three methods of bypassing the cable box at CES, none excited me more than the Verizon FiOS TV approach. … Read more
To give you a sense of CES scale, I shot two minutes of video while trying to make my way through Samsung’s booth. Granted, their footprint is massive, surely one of the largest at the show. But this is just one booth of hundreds. Samsung’s presence, while mammoth, was tasteful and well spaced. Plus, the … Read more
Reflecting holistically on CES 2011, there seems to be more diversity from the large manufacturers than what I saw last year… where I felt accosted by 3DTV. Don’t get me wrong, they’re still pushing hard on that front. But there’s more emphasis this year on Internet connected television platforms. Which works out quite well for … Read more