Is a hardware product really ever done?

We all know how software is never really “done.” There are always new updates to refine, fix and add another feature. But what about hardware? Are there some products that you can say are mature and need no more changes? That they are done, finished? That’s not something we frequently encounter when it comes to […]

AT&T San Diego has created a guide for all things Pokémon GO

Pokémon GO has taken the world by storm. From people playing it, to hearing about it from friends and the media, the game has seemingly captured everyone’s attention around the globe. Pokémon GO is a location-based mobile game that was launched at the beginning of the month and has exploded since. The game allows users to […]

Three products for the road

Here are three products great for use when traveling this summer. A great little portable espresso machine The MInispresso is a clever little gadget that makes espresso one cup at a time. It requires no electricity and is completely portable, perfect for hotel rooms and on vacation. The device used to sell for close to […]

How Digital Dumbed Down Music

First published on PJ Media With the digital revolution, we’ve seen huge improvements to the quality of our TV and our photos, each exhibiting more lifelike images in higher and higher resolution. But when it comes to music, the quality has gone the other way. I’m not talking about the artists and their performances, I’m […]

A great little portable espresso machine

The MInispresso is a clever little gadget that makes espresso one cup at a time. It requires no electricity and is completely portable, perfect for hotel rooms and on vacation. The device used to sell for close to $150, but is now retailing for $60. It’s well-constructed, beautifully finished and works with little effort. It […]

Libratone announces a cleverly designed portable speaker

A Danish company, Libratone, has introduced the ONE Click portable Bluetooth speaker. The Bluetooth speaker category was pioneered by Jawbone, opting for a premium-priced quality sounding compact speaker, ideal for use while on the move.  That’s spawned many other companies to follow suit, creating speakers of all sizes and shapes, such that the category is much a […]

Solartab takes solar out of the lab and offers a fine product

I’ve tried many solar powered products and solar power sources, but they typically looked like home made contraptions that rarely delivered what was promised. You’d need to work hard to get them to recharge by carefully positioning them outdoors and then wait for hours for them to accumulate much of a charge. When Solartab offered to […]

Apple has A Reputation for Discarding Legacy Features before the Competition

Apple has a reputation for discarding legacy features on their products well before their competition and sometimes before their time. Each time it does so, it creates a firestorm of reaction. You might think Apple does it just for publicity’s sake. But looking back, their decisions have generally proved to be insightful, if not always […]

Apple and the Expectation of Perfection

Last week, I turned on my computer and was greeted by an email message from Apple saying my account was locked and I needed to reset my password. While resetting was simple, I was greeted with requests to enter my password no less than two dozen times on my iPhone, iPad and MacBook over the […]

Huawei MateBook 2-in-1 Convertible Tablet: A Microsoft Surface at a bargain price?

Huawei Device USA announced that its Huawei MateBook, a lower cost version of Microsoft’s Surface, will be available for purchase July 11 in the United States and Canada. Pre-order of Huawei’s first 2-in-1 PC begins today through Microsoft Stores and microsoftstore.com. Additionally, MateBook will be available from Amazon.com and Newegg.com starting mid-July. The Huawei MateBook is designed to meet the […]

AT&T brings Gigabyte speed Internet to San Diego

 AT&T launched it’s ultra-fast internet service here in San Diego, as well as in the neighboring towns of San Marcos and Carlsbad. Users will be able to get internet speeds up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) in their homes, apartments and small businesses. How fast is 1 GBPS?  You’ll be able to download 25 songs in 1 second, a […]

Now You Can Buy Insurance on Demand—From an App

We’ve seen apps to hail a ride or book dinner reservation. Now there’s an app for buying insurance. A company called Sure, founded a little more than a year ago, is out to change how we purchase insurance. The company has developed an app for consumers to purchase on-demand individual accident, life, property, casualty, and warranty insurance […]

Finding the best contractor for your remodel

One of the most frustrating things that homeowners go through is finding a contractor to remodel the kitchen, replace the roof, or add a new room. We’ll ask our friends for recommendations, check Yelp or Angie’s list, but it’s still hit or miss. Contractors generally specialize in particular areas of expertise and size of the […]

Sure Introduces World’s First On-Demand Insurance Powered by Artificial Intelligence

When Wayne Slavin, a friend of many years, told me about his idea to sell insurance over your phone on a buy-when-needed basis, it sounded like a great idea. But taking an idea to reality took several years of work dealing with all sorts of challenges and regulations. One of the most obvious applications is […]

Traditional bushman SAN-dals from Namibia

Vivobarefoot—a UK-based leading global barefoot shoe company—launched a Kickstarter campaign yesterday to raise $100K for the production of traditional bushman SAN-dals in Namibia. These types of sandals have been used by generations of San people for persistent hunting. The campaign aims to revive the ancient craft, support the Namibian village and bring sandals to U.S. and international […]

How to Buy the Best Carry-On Luggage

As a frequent traveler, I go to great lengths to take my luggage with me and avoid checking it. Not only does it avoid the crazy baggage fees, but it eliminates lost luggage and the waiting when you arrive, and makes it easy to change flights at the last minute, with the bag by your […]

Tips for Selecting the Right Computer for You

If you’re in the market for a new portable computing device, there are more options than ever. It used to be easier, just choosing between a Windows computer or a Macintosh. But now there are Windows machines with and without touch displays, tablets, and Chromebooks from Google. What to buy begins first with what you […]

The Challenges of Retail for Startup Hardware Companies

In a recent column, I covered some of the challenges entrepreneurs have in getting their products into retail. This column explores the issue in more detail. It’s based on an interview I had with James Berberian, an experienced sales executive who has sold consumer electronics products for his entire career, including nineteen years with Targus, […]

A case for large notebook computers

I’ve been trying out the Everki Atlas business backpack for a few weeks and have found it to be a good solution for those that need to carry a large notebook, a change of clothing, and lots of other stuff. It can hold a computer with up to a 17-inch screen, well cushioned and protected by […]

Fellowes MobilePro Series Deluxe Folio

The new MobilePro Series Deluxe Folio from Fellowes allows you to carry an iPad along with a pad of paper, pen and a few business cards in one handy portfolio.  The iPad snaps into a plastic tray and can be tilted up in both landscape and portrait modes. The folio is constructed of vinyl and […]