This Consumer Does Not Respond to Customer Service Surveys; Here’s Why
By Livia Bergovoy
This customer spends hours dealing with these super nice customer service reps. The Customer Service Reps (“CSR”) are just another cog in a very broken, very intricate clock. So when after hours on the phone to resolve an issue, the AUTOMATED voice called to request a few (MORE) minutes of my time, I have begged off these last few times. Why? Because the survey questions don't offer the opportunity whereby one can express the crux of the issue: If the clock were not broken, we would not need to spend these hours with customer service (nice as they are and sometimes even as competent as they are). Read MoreHyundai no longer mistaken for illegal stepchild of HondaNew 2011 Line Winning Kudos from Everyone
Another in the Digital Family Advisor Series: What’s In a Brand Name?
By Richard M. Sherwin
“Hyundai” (pronounced Hun-day, like Sunday) means “modern” in Korean, to convey Hyundai’s continuing new technologies and designs. The company is part of a Korean “chaebol”, or conglomerate.About 25 years ago a much younger and nervy Bob Plunkett, anchorman extraordinaire and Richard Sherwin, columnist were doing a story about the worst car makers in the world. We barely got on a highway with a junker known as the Yugo. Read More
Consumer Tech for February
The more brands change the more consumers have to do their homework when buying electronics and appliances.
By Richard M. Sherwin
Lately, during product introductions, Apple polishers, Sony aficionados, Samsung “Sammies”and “gotta” get “big brands” consumers all got what they wanted. New TVs, Internet related devices, home appliances and plain old radios and other accessories flew off the shelves during the holidays. But did you know that nearly 65% of the consumer electronics, home computers and related products are sold by not- so - famous brands and companies who were considered lower tier just a few years ago? Read MoreWhat’s In a Name? Polaroid Defies the Odds in its Rebirth…Again
By Richard M. Sherwin
It seems that Polaroid, once it was closed down and sold for a few cans of film and an old tri-pod, is one of the brands that will never die. The latest incarnation and maybe the best one in 75 years, may have finally solved the future is now but the future needs watching that the old company did not. About ten years ago when the venerable instant camera company lost its way by not getting ready for the digital camera age, it was sold to a huckster named Tom Petters, who then proceeded to do a Minnesota version of Madoff, which then led to Polaroid’s second chapter 11 in 5 years….and Petters 50 year trip to the slammer. Read More2011 Consumer Electronics Show Spotlights
Are you smarter than your TV, mobile phone, oven?
By Katharine Czechowski & Richard Sherwin
Las Vegas, NV
Ready or not the big appliance makers, TV makers and computer makers are trying to make their products smarter. In an emergency, tweet or text message your appliances and
AIPTEK 3D HD CAMERA/CAMCORDER
By Livia Bergovoy… The Aiptek 3D HD Camera/Video Camera Combo is cute. And for those (of us) must-be-the-first-to-have-that-tech-toy it’s a, well, a must-have. The Aiptek is really easy to use and has a nice crisp 2.25″ (6 cm) diagonal color screen, which displays the photos and videos in 3D. When the camera is turned on, […]
Read MoreConsumer Tech for January Consumer Electronics Show Special Edition
By Richard M. Sherwin
Thinking about Kindles, Nooks, Tablets, Roku, Dots Gloves, Backpacks, 3D TVs, Windows 7 Mobile Phones, and Watching TV on my netbook with my IVI TV subscription. Read More
Rebekah’s Review: The New Kindle Gets Thumbs Up!
Rebekah’s Kindle Review. Click to watch Rebekah’s Kindle Review!
Read MoreHoliday Consumer Tech Part 1: Our Favorite Holiday Choices In Every Category
Defying the consumer ratings services and the unreliable bloggers, our experts pick what they purchased, used, enjoyed and would recommend to our readers and viewers:
From the Digital Family Advisor staff: Livia Bergovoy, Barry Melemed, Katharine Czechowksi, Richard Macias, Mark Parrella, Matt Larose, Jan Jaben-Ailon, Yoab Ailon and Richard Michael Sherwin
50 inch and above TVs with Multifunction Features: No hands down winner here because Vizio, once a bargain brand, has now eclipsed Panasonic, Samsung , LG and even Sony in many of the high end function categories. While all of them make a Read More
Holiday Consumer Tech Part 2: Our Favorite Holiday Choices In Every Category
- Best Anti Virus
- Best Consumer friendly multimedia software
- Best GPS Navigation
- Best Educational Software
- Best Video Game Software and Hardware Accessory
- Best Video Game Software
- Best Blackberry, Android, IPhone Application