Consumer Tech March

What’s if there was No Sony, No Apple, No Verizon, No Blackberry and No TiVo?

By Richard M. Sherwin

With Susan Davis, Jennifer Auspitz and Richard Macias

The rumors started to fly as soon as

Sony’s CEO, Sir Howard Stringer, resigned. They said that Sony might cease making TVs because the former industry leading television manufacturer was no longer making money on them. Some predict that, except for a few top models, they will shuffle off their TV lineup to a third party OEM maker like the TV sets you see under the Best Buy or Wal-Mart or Target brand.

So it got me to thinking. What would the tech universe be like without Sony, Apple, Verizon and Blackberry?

• It’s pretty easy to choose a replacement for Sony. Panasonic and Samsung and Vizio are making high end TVs that for years have eclipsed Sony for quality and features. Even Sharp and LG have surpassed Sony with remarkable super large yet thin screens and incredibly immersive 3D.
• Would the world end if there were no IPads, IPhones or IMac computers? I don’t think so. Yes 500,000 Chinese workers would need to find jobs and those reliable Apple retail sales people might have to work at Wal-Mart, Target or Best Buy.

The disappearance of Apple would only be a loss to the 15% of the world’s technology users who use overhyped overpriced Apple products. The alternatives like Samsung, Motorola, Vizio, Asus, Acer, NextBook, Archos, HTC, ZTE, LG and even Microsoft based phones might represent a better value in Tablets and Smart Phones.

• The loss of Verizon, whether it’s their wonderful FIOS service or their vast mobile phone network, would result in a replacement that could be awkward for some people. But in the end, it could be more economical as Cablevision, Comcast, Sprint and TMobile (all who have vastly improved customer service in the past 18 months say consumer groups) are now providing better service and prices for telephone, Internet and Cable. Maybe even Time Warner and AT@T, the two other service provider behemoths, could do everyone a favor and disappear, too.
• The loss of Blackberry, which might actually become a reality, may be one of the toughest blows to our tech selves . But remember when we couldn’t live without our Palm Pilots? We weathered that tech disaster pretty well (except that, it resulted in the emergence of Apple products).
• The loss of TiVo (also something that might be inevitable) would be the worst blow to consumer products and services as I still don’t see any other personal video recorders matching the ease of use and reliability…EVER!

Here are a few of my newest favorite products that, right now, I can’t live without:

Boxee Box: Not just another set top Internet Player

Boxee Box, a D-Link produced addition to the growing number of Internet TV devices, gives you features that Apple TV, Google TV, Roku and even TiVo can’t offer. It streams 100s of your favorite internet sites like Netflix, VuDu, YouTube, MLB and Sling Box at a higher resolution than its competitors. You can also play your own digital content like home videos, digital pictures and downloaded music much easier than with other devices. It also offers a Watch Later function that allows you to send web videos, including TV shows online, to your Boxee from any Internet browser.

But wait there’s more! Now, with the addition of a Boxee Live TV accessory, you might be able to lower your cable bill. Boxee Live enables you to get over-the-air free signals. It works with HDTV antennas (using ATSC) or an unencrypted cable connection (using ClearQAM). The package includes a portable ATSC digital terrestrial antenna, which can be used within 10 miles of an ATSC transmitter. For users without a strong over-the- air signal we recommend a roof-top antenna or a basic cable package. It is only compatible with the Boxee Box by D-Link.

Magic Jack Unveils More Telephone Magic

Magic Jack, which has become a thorn in the side of voice over Interphone services like Skype, Vonage and fast rising Oovoo, has introduced a new device that doesn’t need a computer to attach to. With Magic Jack Plus, you no longer need your computer turned on all the time either. Magic Jack Plus still enables you to make local and U.S. based calls for free (slight charge for Europe and Asia and South America). You can use any phone—corded, cordless, portable, DECT — and simply plug your phoe into your new MagicJack PLUS and then plug the MagicJack into the AC wall plug.

You do need a computer to register the device and you can keep it connected to the PC or Mac, but now you don’t need that sometimes annoying boot up of the PC or turning on the Magic Jack software after your first activation. The new device comes with a free 30 day trial.

www.magicjack.com

Keystone ECO Booster 2.0 Battery Pack for Micro USB Smart Phones

Amazon’s Updated Kindle Fire Does What It Promised….Well Sort Of!

When the Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet launch was delayed, it made it hard to qualify for products of the year (which we did in the fall) or even Tablet of the year for DFA. More troubling was that an engineer friend who was given a pre release model in a focus group said that the Fire was lacking so many features that were available in cheaper Android Tablets (The Fire is $199) that we were disappointed by the crass hype of the pre launch of the Fire. When we finally got one a while ago, we were also told to wait for the latest update of its operating system before really examining it.

Now, after extensive tests against other budget priced Tablets, and against all of the fine Kindles before it, we find the device a good buy for those who want to upgrade from their black and white and less featured Kindles and for budget minded consumers or new Tablet users looking for an easy to use but pretty functional device.

A Few Drawbacks: The proprietary App Marketplace limits your application choices to what Amazon thinks you may like. For instance, several sports, music and news and entertainment Apps are not available…though an Amazon spokesperson says this may change in the near future. The Fire also lacks ample storage. You can have books with a few gigs left over for pictures, tunes or videos. So, if you do buy a lot of movies, music and other data-intensive downloads, you will have to use your computer, as there is no USB flash drive capability.

The Positive: The Fire is fast for browsing and reading, and using the already downloaded Apps on its vibrant color screen was terrific. It comes with some highly rated Android Apps so those of you who only wanted a new electronic color reader will actually enjoy some of the pre loaded free Apps. Installing, registering and activating the WiFi only system was easier and faster than any Tablet we’ve used. And, if you are a frequent Amazon.com shopper for anything on the ubiquitous web site, you are in for a treat because you can do this from anywhere there’s WiFi. The Fire’s Netflix and Amazon streaming movie services is a big advantage over many other budget priced Tablets that don’t have the power and speed to do this efficiently. And, for just plain electronic reading, it is very easy on the eyes. All in all, if you don’t want to spend $650 on an IPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab, or need many sophisticated features, and you want the best and brightest (literally) in a multifunction reader, The Fire is a very nice product.

The Swann HD PenCam

007 has nothing on you if you’ve got a Swann HD PenCam. It’s a Video camera & DVR housed in a top flight pen which makes a handy tool for students, business people, lawyers, sales people, law enforcement and covert surveillance experts — just about anybody — looking for a tiny, unobtrusive camcorder. The device shoots HD color AVI videos at 1280 x 720 resolution or even high res JPEG images with time & date stamping that can also make a quick picture or video that you can upload to your favorite website including YouTube, Facebook & more.

Other features:

• Easy backup – just add a MicroSD card (up to 16GB and it also records at 100MB per minute). You can transfer to PC via card reader or USB port.
• The Pen Cam has a built-in battery that lasts 45 minutes & recharges via your PC’s USB port.

Swann also produces a couple of sports camcorders/Helmet cams (DVR-460 waterproof model and Freestyle HD that comes with a portable viewer) that record professional high definition action videos at 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30fps with 3x digital zoom & stereo audio.

These wearable mini cams offer hands-free action video while cycling, mountain biking, motorbike riding, car driving, skiing, snowboarding, surfing, swimming, running, walking, rafting, skydiving or standing still too.

• The cameras take still pictures with 8 mega pixel in rapid fire succession or use as a standard ‘point & click’ camera. The waterproof model has a waterproof casing to 65ft/20m below the surface.
• That model also lets you watch live video & playback footage on the detachable 1.5” LCD screen or on HD TV using the HDMI connection (cable not included).
• Record up to 10 hours* continuous footage to SD card (up to 32GB) or use the USB cable to transfer to PC or Mac for easy uploading to your favorite websites
• Easily mount accessories to your wrist, helmet, bike, ski pole, shirt, belt and more to catch the best angle

www.swann.com

Fisher-Price’s Kid Tough DVR for Kids

Parents of preschoolers who want to take their favorite content on the go will delight in the super-cool, kid and grown-up–friendly Kid-Tough® Portable DVR. This rugged portable DVR similar in strength to the other Tough Kid electronics from FP, connects directly to a TV and set top box to record children’s favorite TV shows.

Parents can maximize TV content they’re already paying for at home and preschoolers can take their favorite TV shows along for the ride – on road trips, flights, family vacations – or wherever their adventures take them. Available in May.

V-Tech’s Tablet for 4 to 9 year olds

The InnoTab Learning App Tablet by VTech has been around a lot longer than some adult tablets and combines interactive reading, learning games, creative activities, and a robust lineup of other applications. With this durable device, which features a 5″ color touch screen and tilt-sensor, kids can tap, flick, drag, and pat their way to learning fun. On-board applications include an MP3 Player, Video Player, Art Studio, Friends List, Calculator, and Clock.

Additional cartridges are sold separately and teach essential skills in reading, logic, and creativity. Additional content such as e-books and learning games can easily be uploaded to the InnoTab through VTech’s Learning Lodge Navigator where parents can also see their child’s progress on a variety of educational milestones and lessons. Additional content may require an SD memory card (not included).