How Did I Do?

It is always dangerous to make predictions. It is even more dangerous and potentially embarrassing to make those predictions in writing. Nevertheless, last year at this time I made some predictions and suggestions in this column regarding electronic products and services during 2008. How did I do? Well, let’s see

In that column I mentioned that you could look for some great deals on digital televisions after the 2008 Super Bowl®. Once that day passed, sales would slow down and you would be able to get some great deals. For sure that did happen and with the slowing of the economy and the added DTV manufacturing capacity now on line, there continues to be great deals on new digital TV sets of all sizes. Since they have been so deeply discounted, I don’t think you will see any significant price cutting as we move toward the February 17th analog cut off.

Also in that column and in several others during the year I warned that if you didn’t decide to subscribe to cable or satellite you needed to either purchase a new digital TV or get a set top adapter. Well, after a less than orderly start, the adapters did find their way into stores in early 2008. However, even today, some retailers have had supply issues. Also, the federal government began to issue coupons. Each household is eligible to get 2 coupons each worth $40 toward the purchase of a DTV adapter. That program from our good friends in DC has been less than smooth. Since they decided that the coupons would have a 90 day expiration period, many people found themselves with worthless coupons. If you have not ordered coupons, you can still do so. For more information you can call 888 DTV-2009 (800-388-2009) or go to www.dtv2009.gov.

I opined that the cell phone providers would begin to expand capabilities beyond one-to-one communication. Many will find it surprising that the United States and Canada are among the most backward countries in the world with our cell phone networks and hand set capabilities. In many countries today you can now do your banking via cell phone, pay for gas, buy a subway fare and watch sporting events. Well, I was a bit optimistic about this prediction. The flagging economy has slowed the introduction of several enhancements. I don’t see much change in 2009.

I predicted that more devices, especially in automobiles would be controlled by voice commands. This technology has been available on higher end products. Again I was wrong as the big car companies had other issues to address and slowed down implementation of this technology.

I predicted that the process of “data mining” would increase with the promotion of store affinity cards that identify you as you check out with your purchases. More and more stores have such cards and are using them to target the distribution of advertisements and coupons via direct mail using this information.

Finally, I predicted that the green energy efficiency movement will get into full swing with added emphasis on doing little things in your home that will add up to substantial community savings. For sure that happened, spurred on by the price of oil and electricity.

Next week I will have some predictions for 2009.

How Did I Do?

It is always dangerous to make predictions. It is even more dangerous and potentially embarrassing to make those predictions in writing. Nevertheless, last year at this time I made some predictions and suggestions in this column regarding electronic products and services during 2008. How did I do? Well, let’s see

In that column I mentioned that you could look for some great deals on digital televisions after the 2008 Super Bowl®. Once that day passed, sales would slow down and you would be able to get some great deals. For sure that did happen and with the slowing of the economy and the added DTV manufacturing capacity now on line, there continues to be great deals on new digital TV sets of all sizes. Since they have been so deeply discounted, I don’t think you will see any significant price cutting as we move toward the February 17th analog cut off.

Also in that column and in several others during the year I warned that if you didn’t decide to subscribe to cable or satellite you needed to either purchase a new digital TV or get a set top adapter. Well, after a less than orderly start, the adapters did find their way into stores in early 2008. However, even today, some retailers have had supply issues. Also, the federal government began to issue coupons. Each household is eligible to get 2 coupons each worth $40 toward the purchase of a DTV adapter. That program from our good friends in DC has been less than smooth. Since they decided that the coupons would have a 90 day expiration period, many people found themselves with worthless coupons. If you have not ordered coupons, you can still do so. For more information you can call 888 DTV-2009 (800-388-2009) or go to www.dtv2009.gov.

I opined that the cell phone providers would begin to expand capabilities beyond one-to-one communication. Many will find it surprising that the United States and Canada are among the most backward countries in the world with our cell phone networks and hand set capabilities. In many countries today you can now do your banking via cell phone, pay for gas, buy a subway fare and watch sporting events. Well, I was a bit optimistic about this prediction. The flagging economy has slowed the introduction of several enhancements. I don’t see much change in 2009.

I predicted that more devices, especially in automobiles would be controlled by voice commands. This technology has been available on higher end products. Again I was wrong as the big car companies had other issues to address and slowed down implementation of this technology.

I predicted that the process of “data mining” would increase with the promotion of store affinity cards that identify you as you check out with your purchases. More and more stores have such cards and are using them to target the distribution of advertisements and coupons via direct mail using this information.

Finally, I predicted that the green energy efficiency movement will get into full swing with added emphasis on doing little things in your home that will add up to substantial community savings. For sure that happened, spurred on by the price of oil and electricity.

Next week I will have some predictions for 2009.

A Visit from the Geeks

… with sincere apologies to Clement Clarke Moore

’Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the land
Not a computer was working as there was no broadband.
The software was loaded and wires connected with care,
In hopes that Cincinnati Bell or Time Warner soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of an Nintendo Wii danced in their heads;
Unable to Google or log on to Amazon.com
We found neither the Wii or even a new Tom Tom.

When out on the driveway two trucks pulled in,
We sprang to our windows to investigate the din.

The LED lights reflecting on the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of high-tech to everything below.
When, what should appear to my wondering eye,
But one rep from Bell and the other, a cable guy,

More punctual that most times with tool belts they came,
Both knocked on the door and asked for our name:
“No Smith, Jones or Johnson do we have on our lists
Are you sure that dispatch might not have missed?”

A quick call to the office confirmed our plight
and they both said they could set things right.

They spoke no more, but went straight to their work,
One checked the phone line the other gave a smirk,
“That’s old tech” he explained,
“Cable is better for the internet to be sustained.”

Back and forth they argued well into the night
While my wife and I saw that finding a Wii was getting out of sight.
And then, in a twinkling, we heard up above
The clanking of a ladder and someone shout “Shove!”

As we drew in our heads, and were turning around,
Down the chimney the DirectTV man came with a bound.

He was dressed all in blue, from head to toe,
And his face indicated that he was someone in the know
A bundle of tools he had flung on his back,
A drill and saw and of course a spare battery pack.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And installed a new dish, receiver and one added perk
A new satellite modem was part of the deal
For only $150 a month, what a steal.

This will bring your internet back he inferred;
It not too late to order on line he assured.
So we logged on to Shopzilla and a Wii we did find
Compete with free shipping from UPS, oh how kind.

With our broadband back we were both in awe
And bought most everything on line that we saw.
There were Blackberries, iPods and an new HDTV,
A Laptop, cell phone and of course a DVD.

As the three went to their trucks and were driving away
“Don’t forget the extra batteries” we heard them all say.

A Visit from the Geeks

… with sincere apologies to Clement Clarke Moore

’Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the land
Not a computer was working as there was no broadband.
The software was loaded and wires connected with care,
In hopes that Cincinnati Bell or Time Warner soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of an Nintendo Wii danced in their heads;
Unable to Google or log on to Amazon.com
We found neither the Wii or even a new Tom Tom.

When out on the driveway two trucks pulled in,
We sprang to our windows to investigate the din.

The LED lights reflecting on the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of high-tech to everything below.
When, what should appear to my wondering eye,
But one rep from Bell and the other, a cable guy,

More punctual that most times with tool belts they came,
Both knocked on the door and asked for our name:
“No Smith, Jones or Johnson do we have on our lists
Are you sure that dispatch might not have missed?”

A quick call to the office confirmed our plight
and they both said they could set things right.

They spoke no more, but went straight to their work,
One checked the phone line the other gave a smirk,
“That’s old tech” he explained,
“Cable is better for the internet to be sustained.”

Back and forth they argued well into the night
While my wife and I saw that finding a Wii was getting out of sight.
And then, in a twinkling, we heard up above
The clanking of a ladder and someone shout “Shove!”

As we drew in our heads, and were turning around,
Down the chimney the DirectTV man came with a bound.

He was dressed all in blue, from head to toe,
And his face indicated that he was someone in the know
A bundle of tools he had flung on his back,
A drill and saw and of course a spare battery pack.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And installed a new dish, receiver and one added perk
A new satellite modem was part of the deal
For only $150 a month, what a steal.

This will bring your internet back he inferred;
It not too late to order on line he assured.
So we logged on to Shopzilla and a Wii we did find
Compete with free shipping from UPS, oh how kind.

With our broadband back we were both in awe
And bought most everything on line that we saw.
There were Blackberries, iPods and an new HDTV,
A Laptop, cell phone and of course a DVD.

As the three went to their trucks and were driving away
“Don’t forget the extra batteries” we heard them all say.

Holiday Gift Suggestions - A feast for the eyes and ears!

Last week and again this week I am suggesting some electronic items that you might consider giving to that special person this holiday who likes all things digital. Last week we looked at items for the camera buff. This week let’s look at some audio and video devices that you might consider.

Bluetooth™ devices are all the rage nowadays. For those who don’t recognize the term Bluetooth™, it refers to the technology that allows devices to connect without wires over very short distances. For example, Bluetooth™ technology is used by various earpieces that wirelessly connect to a cell phone. So you don’t get tangled up in a web of wires while driving down I-75.

There are many Bluetooth™ cell phone earpieces starting at about $40. Remember the earpiece also serves as the cell phone microphone. The big differences in the various models comes in the area of battery life and physical size. Smaller is better.

Another inexpensive suggestion for those on your list who use an iPod® or any other digital music device is an upgrade to the ear buds. Ear buds are those small headphones that fit in the right and left ear and serve as speakers. While all ear buds may look to be the same on the outside, their ability to reproduce various audio frequencies, especially the low end bass notes, are vastly different. In most cases, the more expensive the better. It may seem like a lot of money to pay more than $60 for two small plastic buds with thin wires, but for the music aficionado it is not. If you want one of the very best, go for the Bose™ model priced at about $90.

With more and more people wanting to play their iPod® music in the car, there are several adapters that allow a simple connection , either hard wired or via the existing FM radio receiver. Peripheral's PXAMGA Media Gateway lets you add iPod control and HD Radio to your compatible satellite-ready factory stereo. Go to http://www.crutchfield.com/ and see if your car radio is compatible. Prices start at about $160. A less expensive alternative is the Radioplay 300 for $60 or the Incarplay from Monster, Inc at $35. Both will wirelessly connect your iPod® to your FM car radio. Both are available at Best Buy and other electronics retailers

With Digital and HDTV all the rage, there are several inexpensive ways to turn a computer (desktop or laptop) into a digital TV receiver and recorder. Some are very small devices about the size of a memory stick and plug into the USB port of the computer. Since most often the screen on a computer is already able to display superior pictures than are found on regular TV, using one of these devices makes a lot of sense. My pick for use in a desktop computer is the Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1600. It even comes with a handheld remote control. For use on a laptop consider the WinTV-HVR-950. It plugs into the laptop like any USB device and it also has a neat remote control. Both of these adapters can be purchased for about $100 at most computer retailers or online. They both allow the recording and playback of digital TV programs.

Finally, a neat stocking stuffer from Organize.com. It is perfect for those who use their laptop computer in darkened areas. For $20 you can purchase a small gooseneck light that plugs into the USB port and shines a low intensity light on the keyboard. For those who give lots of computer-based presentations in darkened conference rooms and auditoriums this is a great inexpensive and very useful gift.

I hope these provide some helpful ideas. Happy Holidays.

Holiday Gift Suggestions - A feast for the eyes and ears!

Last week and again this week I am suggesting some electronic items that you might consider giving to that special person this holiday who likes all things digital. Last week we looked at items for the camera buff. This week let’s look at some audio and video devices that you might consider.

Bluetooth™ devices are all the rage nowadays. For those who don’t recognize the term Bluetooth™, it refers to the technology that allows devices to connect without wires over very short distances. For example, Bluetooth™ technology is used by various earpieces that wirelessly connect to a cell phone. So you don’t get tangled up in a web of wires while driving down I-75.

There are many Bluetooth™ cell phone earpieces starting at about $40. Remember the earpiece also serves as the cell phone microphone. The big differences in the various models comes in the area of battery life and physical size. Smaller is better.

Another inexpensive suggestion for those on your list who use an iPod® or any other digital music device is an upgrade to the ear buds. Ear buds are those small headphones that fit in the right and left ear and serve as speakers. While all ear buds may look to be the same on the outside, their ability to reproduce various audio frequencies, especially the low end bass notes, are vastly different. In most cases, the more expensive the better. It may seem like a lot of money to pay more than $60 for two small plastic buds with thin wires, but for the music aficionado it is not. If you want one of the very best, go for the Bose™ model priced at about $90.

With more and more people wanting to play their iPod® music in the car, there are several adapters that allow a simple connection , either hard wired or via the existing FM radio receiver. Peripheral's PXAMGA Media Gateway lets you add iPod control and HD Radio to your compatible satellite-ready factory stereo. Go to http://www.crutchfield.com/ and see if your car radio is compatible. Prices start at about $160. A less expensive alternative is the Radioplay 300 for $60 or the Incarplay from Monster, Inc at $35. Both will wirelessly connect your iPod® to your FM car radio. Both are available at Best Buy and other electronics retailers

With Digital and HDTV all the rage, there are several inexpensive ways to turn a computer (desktop or laptop) into a digital TV receiver and recorder. Some are very small devices about the size of a memory stick and plug into the USB port of the computer. Since most often the screen on a computer is already able to display superior pictures than are found on regular TV, using one of these devices makes a lot of sense. My pick for use in a desktop computer is the Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1600. It even comes with a handheld remote control. For use on a laptop consider the WinTV-HVR-950. It plugs into the laptop like any USB device and it also has a neat remote control. Both of these adapters can be purchased for about $100 at most computer retailers or online. They both allow the recording and playback of digital TV programs.

Finally, a neat stocking stuffer from Organize.com. It is perfect for those who use their laptop computer in darkened areas. For $20 you can purchase a small gooseneck light that plugs into the USB port and shines a low intensity light on the keyboard. For those who give lots of computer-based presentations in darkened conference rooms and auditoriums this is a great inexpensive and very useful gift.

I hope these provide some helpful ideas. Happy Holidays.

Holiday Gift Suggestions - Batteries Not Included

With the holiday gift giving season upon us I thought I would use the next few columns to suggest some neat electronic items for that special digitally mesmerized person on your list. With the economy in a slump, you should find very attractive prices for electronics at stores large and small. Do be careful though. For example, Circuit City is on very thin ice and has already closed many stores. I would be very cautious buying any large item that may need to be returned or repaired from that retailer.

This week let’s start with ideas for the camera buff. Cameras, both still and video, are getting smaller and smaller. One of the negative byproducts of the compact size and weight is that the cameras are hard to keep steady. How about giving a mini-tripod? There are several models that can fit in a pocket or purse that will connect to most any camera giving a secure base. Some have telescoping legs. Others have flexible legs like large pipe cleaners that can shape around uneven surfaces. You can find these at many camera stores. I saw two models at Best Buy for about 10 bucks.

Once that perfect picture is taken you want to show it off. You might consider an electronic picture frame. They come is sizes from 3”x 5” to as large as 11”x 17”. Some will play back short videos. Be sure that they have several ways to load pictures. Most have slots for SD cards and Memory Sticks. You want the frame to accept whatever card the camera uses to store the pictures. On sale you will find small frames for as little as $40. Large ones can go for several hundred dollars. You should find them in many discount stores.

Much smaller, but way cool, is the Photo Key Chain. It has a small postage stamp size LCD screen attached to key chain. It can hold a few electronic pictures and display them clearly, albeit in miniature. A real stocking stuffer for about $20 at many discount stores.

If you really want big pictures, many new large screen digital TVs now have a slot to insert camera media so you can display your favorite photos on the TV. So this year instead of watching the Super-Bowl half time show you can regale your guests with pictures of the family’s vacation trip to the Warther Carvings Museum and Button Collection in Dover, Ohio.

Staying with the photographic theme I continue to be a big fan of the “Flip Camera.” This small video camera about the size of a pack of cigarettes continues to be one of the best sellers in the video camera category. The camera weighs only a few ounces and will easily fit in your pocket or purse. From this small package comes many features. It has a small LCD screen that serves as the viewfinder and playback window. It has a fixed lens with digital zoom and runs for about four hours on two AA batteries. The internal flash memory holds an hour of video.

What impresses me most are the controls, or lack thereof. The camera has an on/off button and only a few other controls. There is a large red button. Push it once and you are recording. Push it again and it stops and saves the video. The only other controls are a volume control, an erase control and a playback control. All the video settings are automatic. The color and picture sharpness are as good as or better than cameras selling at five times the price. Audio settings are automatic. It is a great way to capture the holiday celebrations. The ”Flip” sells for $150 wherever video cameras are sold.

More ideas next week.

Holiday Gift Suggestions - Batteries Not Included

With the holiday gift giving season upon us I thought I would use the next few columns to suggest some neat electronic items for that special digitally mesmerized person on your list. With the economy in a slump, you should find very attractive prices for electronics at stores large and small. Do be careful though. For example, Circuit City is on very thin ice and has already closed many stores. I would be very cautious buying any large item that may need to be returned or repaired from that retailer.

This week let’s start with ideas for the camera buff. Cameras, both still and video, are getting smaller and smaller. One of the negative byproducts of the compact size and weight is that the cameras are hard to keep steady. How about giving a mini-tripod? There are several models that can fit in a pocket or purse that will connect to most any camera giving a secure base. Some have telescoping legs. Others have flexible legs like large pipe cleaners that can shape around uneven surfaces. You can find these at many camera stores. I saw two models at Best Buy for about 10 bucks.

Once that perfect picture is taken you want to show it off. You might consider an electronic picture frame. They come is sizes from 3”x 5” to as large as 11”x 17”. Some will play back short videos. Be sure that they have several ways to load pictures. Most have slots for SD cards and Memory Sticks. You want the frame to accept whatever card the camera uses to store the pictures. On sale you will find small frames for as little as $40. Large ones can go for several hundred dollars. You should find them in many discount stores.

Much smaller, but way cool, is the Photo Key Chain. It has a small postage stamp size LCD screen attached to key chain. It can hold a few electronic pictures and display them clearly, albeit in miniature. A real stocking stuffer for about $20 at many discount stores.

If you really want big pictures, many new large screen digital TVs now have a slot to insert camera media so you can display your favorite photos on the TV. So this year instead of watching the Super-Bowl half time show you can regale your guests with pictures of the family’s vacation trip to the Warther Carvings Museum and Button Collection in Dover, Ohio.

Staying with the photographic theme I continue to be a big fan of the “Flip Camera.” This small video camera about the size of a pack of cigarettes continues to be one of the best sellers in the video camera category. The camera weighs only a few ounces and will easily fit in your pocket or purse. From this small package comes many features. It has a small LCD screen that serves as the viewfinder and playback window. It has a fixed lens with digital zoom and runs for about four hours on two AA batteries. The internal flash memory holds an hour of video.

What impresses me most are the controls, or lack thereof. The camera has an on/off button and only a few other controls. There is a large red button. Push it once and you are recording. Push it again and it stops and saves the video. The only other controls are a volume control, an erase control and a playback control. All the video settings are automatic. The color and picture sharpness are as good as or better than cameras selling at five times the price. Audio settings are automatic. It is a great way to capture the holiday celebrations. The ”Flip” sells for $150 wherever video cameras are sold.

More ideas next week.

There is Something "Phishey" Going On

The stories seem to be all the same. The email begins with a sad tale of someone’s father or uncle or second cousin twice removed being persecuted in some third world country. The emailer is desperate to find a kind soul in the US who will help this poor family find a way to transfer their money out of the country. To add credibility to the missive the email is filled with grammatical errors and a copious amount of deferential uses of “sir, madam, kind person, concerned American, etc.” Of course, if you will help them out of their dire straights they will split the booty with you. All you need do is send them your bank account information and they will take care of all the rest of the details.

Even with a very good spam filter on my email accounts I get one or two of these a week. The fact that they are still circulating tells me that some people may still be falling for this scam. A scan of recent newspaper articles indicates that there is no dearth of rascals happy to relive you of your money on line.

I would hope that most of us would see right though the scam described above but there are many other more “creative” miscreants developing a new one each week.

Most recently there have been many “phishing” expeditions. Phishing is a type of on line scam that is designed to steal your valuable personal data, such as credit card numbers, banking passwords, account data, or other information. It usually takes the form of an email that looks like an official communication from your bank or other financial institution or even the IRS. Often it is replete with an official logo and other corporate identification graphics. The message usually relates that, “as part of our commitment to your security we are verifying your account information in order to prevent any unauthorized person from getting your information.” The email contains several questions such as your name, address, favorite color, city of birth, Social Security number and bank passwords.

Replying to this email can wipe out your bank account and strip you of your identity in a New York minute. It can’t be repeated enough that no business, bank or department of the Federal government will ever send you an email or call you on the phone asking for this information. If you receive one of these messages, the only thing you should do is delete the message and, if you wish, contact the bank or other institution from which it was allegedly sent. Don’t EVER hit reply!

If you reply to this email and, even more importantly, open an attachment you may be at an even bigger risk. Replying to the email tells the sender that they have reached a “live person.” They now have a good email address and will use it in the future to try new ways of relieving you of your cash. They are very persistent. Opening an attachment is even more dangerous as it can release a small program into your computer innards that can harvest this personal information and transmit it back to the perpetrators. Often they make opening the attachment very attractive by indicating that you have a “free gift” and details are in the attachment. For sure it is a “gift” but most likely not “free

There is Something "Phishey" Going On

The stories seem to be all the same. The email begins with a sad tale of someone’s father or uncle or second cousin twice removed being persecuted in some third world country. The emailer is desperate to find a kind soul in the US who will help this poor family find a way to transfer their money out of the country. To add credibility to the missive the email is filled with grammatical errors and a copious amount of deferential uses of “sir, madam, kind person, concerned American, etc.” Of course, if you will help them out of their dire straights they will split the booty with you. All you need do is send them your bank account information and they will take care of all the rest of the details.

Even with a very good spam filter on my email accounts I get one or two of these a week. The fact that they are still circulating tells me that some people may still be falling for this scam. A scan of recent newspaper articles indicates that there is no dearth of rascals happy to relive you of your money on line.

I would hope that most of us would see right though the scam described above but there are many other more “creative” miscreants developing a new one each week.

Most recently there have been many “phishing” expeditions. Phishing is a type of on line scam that is designed to steal your valuable personal data, such as credit card numbers, banking passwords, account data, or other information. It usually takes the form of an email that looks like an official communication from your bank or other financial institution or even the IRS. Often it is replete with an official logo and other corporate identification graphics. The message usually relates that, “as part of our commitment to your security we are verifying your account information in order to prevent any unauthorized person from getting your information.” The email contains several questions such as your name, address, favorite color, city of birth, Social Security number and bank passwords.

Replying to this email can wipe out your bank account and strip you of your identity in a New York minute. It can’t be repeated enough that no business, bank or department of the Federal government will ever send you an email or call you on the phone asking for this information. If you receive one of these messages, the only thing you should do is delete the message and, if you wish, contact the bank or other institution from which it was allegedly sent. Don’t EVER hit reply!

If you reply to this email and, even more importantly, open an attachment you may be at an even bigger risk. Replying to the email tells the sender that they have reached a “live person.” They now have a good email address and will use it in the future to try new ways of relieving you of your cash. They are very persistent. Opening an attachment is even more dangerous as it can release a small program into your computer innards that can harvest this personal information and transmit it back to the perpetrators. Often they make opening the attachment very attractive by indicating that you have a “free gift” and details are in the attachment. For sure it is a “gift” but most likely not “free