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 […]
Author Archives: Phil Baker
Consumer issues, Technology
Sure Introduces World’s First On-Demand Insurance Powered by Artificial Intelligence
13
May
May
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 […]
12
May
May
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 […]
04
May
May
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 […]
29
Apr
Apr
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 […]
29
Apr
Apr
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, […]
17
Apr
Apr
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 […]
12
Apr
Apr
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 […]
11
Apr
Apr
As I work with tech startup companies to create and manufacture their new hardware products, one of the frequent challenges is the difficulty in meeting their sales expectations. All of the excitement and anticipation during the development and manufacturing phases invariably collide with the harsh reality of the marketplace. “Build it and they will come” […]
07
Apr
Apr
I’ve been trying out the new Audeze Sine headphone, the newest and most affordable headphone from Audeze. Audeze has been producing headphones that have been described by most reviewers as the best headphones you can buy at any price. They sell for $1000 to about $2000 and utilize the company’s planar magnetic speaker design, using a proprietary […]
Health, Technology
Sometimes You Can Find Better Doctors and Clinics on the Internet Than in Your Own Community
05
Apr
Apr
Some diseases have a small occurrence, and the expertise to treat that disease may not be in your local community or nearby city. While your local doctors tend to recommend specialists that they know, they may not always offer the best solutions. That’s when you can use the Internet to reach beyond to help you […]
05
Apr
Apr
WaterField Designs is a small family owned manufacturer located in San Francisco. Today it celebrates its 18th year in business with enhancements to its signature bag—The Cargo. First designed in 1998 by former bicycle messenger and owner, Gary WaterField as a messenger-briefcase hybrid, the Cargo remains a best seller in WaterField’s lineup. The modernized new Cargo maintains the […]
31
Mar
Mar
This Kickstarter project attempts to solve a real problem, the theft of packages delivered to our front door. Well worthwhile supporting!
31
Mar
Mar
I’ve covered Toyota’s unintended acceleration for several years and have always believed that it is a real problem that has been swept under the rug by Toyota and our government’s NHTSA. In fact, insider communications uncovered by a whistleblower, Betsy Benjaminson, verified much of this. It clearly showed a coverup, and that the cause was neither […]
30
Mar
Mar
Flexibits today announced a massive update for Fantastical 2 for Mac. Version 2.2 adds many new powerful features to the Apple Design Award-winning OS X calendar app and is a free update for existing users. See my previous review of 2.0 on this site. Version 2.2 gives Exchange users the full Fantastical experience. Account syncing […]
30
Mar
Mar
With Apple’s announcements this past week, it’s been fascinating to read analysts’ and reporters’ comments about whether Apple is still an innovator. Critics cite the modest improvements made in the recent revisions of the iPhone line as demonstrating Apple’s failure to innovate. When I did a search for “Apple innovation”, up came dozens of headlines like this from the past […]
29
Mar
Mar
Last week I wrote about saving money on your cellphone plan. This week I look at saving money when buying a phone. The cellphone market is dominated by the iPhone and Android phones, primarily Samsung models. They range in price from $650 to $850, a huge amount of money. For the same amount you can […]
26
Mar
Mar
by Dom Fried-Booth Dom works at Plan, a product strategy consultancy in London. He’s gone from research in rural Pakistan to running PM teams in California, and a lot in-between. Apple’s most significant launch in years, and it’s nothing to do with the price Here’s a puzzler: what sort of company is Apple? Is it a […]
22
Mar
Mar
If your cellphone bill hasn’t gone down over the past few years, it’s time to reassess your plan and carrier. The plans have changed, carriers are willing to deal, and you might just save lots of money. When I changed plans on Verizon last year, my bill for a family plan with five phones dropped […]
10
Mar
Mar
One of the hottest areas in technology is the use of apps for accessing and sharing resources. There’s Airbnb for booking rooms and Uber for booking rides. And now there’s a service for booking rides for your kids. My first reaction after learning about this was, “What parent would put their child in a car […]