Technology meets people.

January 2009 Blog Posts (32)

Video Part 7: Cables to Go Wireless USB to VGA Adapter Kit

Not to be outdone in the simplicity category, Cables To Go, a division of Lastar Inc., introduced its Wireless USB to VGA Adapter Kit at CES. Once again, I was impressed by the simplicity of a solution that uses plug-and-play USB technology to send media wirelessly to your TV.

Cables To Go has been a provider of computer, datacomm and audio/video connectivity solutions since its founding in 1984, and… Continue

Added by Brian Mahony on January 30, 2009 at 4:00pm — No Comments

Why You Need to be on LinkedIn...NOW!

Please excuse the aggressive title, but if you are a professional there are many reasons why you at least need to have a presence on LinkedIn and should utilize the platform as your primary social networking tool.

First some background on myself. Like most of you, I received an invite from someone that I don't even remember now, but I signed up on a day in 2004 and really didn't do anything with the site except for accepting invites from people that I knew who invited me. That all… Continue

Added by Neal Schaffer on January 30, 2009 at 2:11pm — 6 Comments

Simple and Easy with IOGEAR: Video Round-Up Part 6

Sometimes simple and easy is the way to go. While we have discussed some fairly sophisticated and comprehensive Internet TV media streamers and adapters in our recent coverage, it is important to note that there are also some fairly simple plug-and-play options available too.

IOGEAR is one of them. Headquartered in Irvine, CA, IOGEAR offers a range of convergence solutions such as KVM (a way to connect… Continue

Added by Brian Mahony on January 29, 2009 at 4:30pm — No Comments

Do You Boxee? Video Round-Up Part 5

While covering some of the Internet TV device options out there such as ZvBox, AppleTV, and SlingCatcher, we only briefly touched on the need for an integrated interface to harness the vast multitude of video content available online. After connecting your PC/Internet to your home TVs, this becomes the second biggest… Continue

Added by Brian Mahony on January 29, 2009 at 3:00pm — No Comments

ZeeVee Expands Its Product Line: CES Video Round-Up Part 4

Most of you know I helped to launch the revolutionary new ZvBox last year, so in the interests of full disclosure you need to know that. But that won’t stop me from covering ZeeVee’s news since I left, because I truly believe devices like this will finally bridge the huge divide that has existed between Internet and PC content and the TVs in our homes.

ZeeVee’s story is interesting because the company threw… Continue

Added by Brian Mahony on January 28, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Sling Media Multi-Pronged Innovation: CES Video Round-Up Part 3

Sling Media’s Slingbox was one of the original Internet TV pioneers, but not in the way that we have come to know Internet TV today, with all its rich, diverse, content. Instead, Slingbox launched in 2005 with the promise of using the Internet as a transport mechanism for what has become known as “place-shifting”—that is, taking your content from one place, like your living room TV, and sending it to a… Continue

Added by Brian Mahony on January 27, 2009 at 2:00am — No Comments

Reminder: Trender Award Submissions Due Friday

Apply now for the first annual Trender Awards- Best of 2009! The Trender Awards were created to honor gadgets and services that are not only cool, novel, and improve people's lives in some way, but also have appeal to everyday folks.

The deadline is January 30th and the application process is simple. Simply complete the form below and send an email to me with this information (bmahony@trenderresearch.com). I have already… Continue

Added by Brian Mahony on January 26, 2009 at 10:34pm — No Comments

Video Distribution Round-Up Part 2: AppleTV

In previous posts we provided an overview of some of the major players and content options for Internet video, audio, and telephony and helped to define the problem statement. We also started to take a look at the future of home video distribution with our coverage of… Continue

Added by Brian Mahony on January 26, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Games, Games, and More Games

I want more E (everyone)Rated Games for my kids. I wish our Playstation could prohibit the use of M(mature) games, much like you can do on your television. I think some parents hold out on getting these gaming boxes because most of what is out there is too violent or sexual. It's frustrating.

Added by Ellen Bonner on January 25, 2009 at 6:00pm — No Comments

CES Communications Round-Up Part 4: Networks In Motion and Logic Wireless

While we are speaking about communications devices, I would be remiss not to mention two new mobile convergence technologies, one that is becoming mainstream and another that has a good chance to be.

Most folks don’t know the name Networks In Motion (no, not the BlackBerry maker RIM), but they are the leading provider for mobile GPS applications in North America, surpassing 3.5 million paid… Continue

Added by Brian Mahony on January 22, 2009 at 9:00am — No Comments

CES Communications Round-Up Part 3: Minoru

To close out our conversation on CES communications news we take a look at three more companies innovating in this space. While we are on the topic of video telephony and webcams we can’t forget to touch on one of the major trends coming out of the show—3-D.

What? Put on those silly glasses? Watch blotchy, nauseating, red and green video? Are we bringing back “Creature Double Feature?” Well… yes, no, and no.

3-D has come a long way… Continue

Added by Brian Mahony on January 21, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

CES Communications Round-Up Part 2: Viable

In Part 1 of our CES communications coverage we reviewed a new consumer-focused video phone service from VidTel. Now let’s talk about one of the purpose-built applications for this technology— hearing-impaired support services.

Viable Inc. (www.viable.net) is a three-year-old startup with employees who are very vested in the success of their company. You see, the majority of them are deaf or hearing… Continue

Added by Brian Mahony on January 20, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Bluetooth for Moms

Although my cell phone of 2+ years has always had Bluetooth capacity, I just experienced the wonders of it for the first time. I will confess that this revelation occurred in my husband's new Bluetooth equiped car. And, as long as I am being honest, I will say that he took the responsibility for getting my cell phone in sync with the car's system (but he did say that it was easily done). Off I went on my "mom errands" with the luxury of hands free phone usage. To those of you in the business… Continue

Added by Mary Pat on January 19, 2009 at 8:51pm — No Comments

Phones, Webcams, and Mobile CES Round-Up Part 1: VidTel

VidTel. Remember that name. You will be seeing more of it soon. Not just because it is a great brand (again, props from a marketing guy) but because I predict these video phone folks will find success in a market that has long languished despite the best efforts of some of the telecom industry giants. And they will win by keeping it simple. By not over thinking it. Let me tell you why I feel this way.

I've been in telecom and Internet… Continue

Added by Brian Mahony on January 19, 2009 at 11:00am — No Comments

To buy or not to buy, that is the question

I'm a big music lover and I like a broad range of music. When the first I-Pod came out, I couldn't wait to try it. I was happy with being able to listen to music I like but over time the performance started to go down. The battery needed charging more freqently and then the I-Pod would just stop working. Luckily I have younger siblings who informed me that I just needed to push and hold the middle button and it would reset. However, the battery still doesn't hold a charge and friends are… Continue

Added by Rani on January 18, 2009 at 11:32pm — No Comments

When the IPod Doesn’t Cut It: Sansa Players

For those of you like me who see past the jazzy infomercials, the bright colors, and the draw of following the herds, there is the question of what mp3 player to choose when the IPod isn’t your automatic default. I admit, I was once delighted to unwrap my own IPod mini for Christmas – it was small, shiny and matched my favorite gym outfit. Then, I went to upload music. As most of us know, ITunes charges a hefty $0.99 per song. For any avid music lover, or long distant runner who requires a… Continue

Added by Jessica Steele on January 18, 2009 at 7:35pm — 2 Comments

CES Home Security/Management Round-Up Part 3: Eaton and Archerfish

Now that we covered a few of the leaders in home security hardware, let's take a look at a couple of the players building software systems that link to the various monitoring devices in the home.

First up is Eaton Corporation (www.eaton.com). Eaton Corporation is a huge diversified power management company with approximately 80,000 employees, 2007 sales of $13 billion, and presence in more than 150 countries. They are a global technology leader… Continue

Added by Brian Mahony on January 18, 2009 at 6:00pm — No Comments

Facebook…What is it not?

One day I was surprised to receive a message, via Facebook Mobile, from my father, “I just wanted to see where you are spending so much of your time.” It suddenly dawned on me many people, like my father, a key player in a large telecommunications company, have developed technology skills yet are clueless when it comes to the modern phenomenon of Facebook. Driving strategic Web 2.0 trends in leading technologies and industries, Facebook has been an integral part of everyday culture whether… Continue

Added by Jessica Steele on January 18, 2009 at 5:09pm — 1 Comment

New Sony Under-Cabinet Radio

I represent your typical low tech everyday person. I am a busy mom with little down time to play with high tech toys. My newest technology is a Sony radio/CD player that is attached underneath my kitchen cabinet. We are all enjoying listening to the radio and CDs in the kitchen. A great feature is the docking station for an iPdod. While this radio seems so basic and simple by today's standards of technology, I am thrilled by this simple offering because it doesn't clutter my kitchen counter.… Continue

Added by Kirsten on January 18, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Great iPhone apps

I am a new owner of the fabulous iPhone 3G -- amazing is the best word for all this great device offers. I am trying to pace myself on all the cool apps I can download for free. My favorites are Vlingo - which lets you give voice commands for calling anyone (ex. Call Bob at home) or "Find Pizza in Westford" -- the voice recognition is great!

Then Pandora is a music streaming app that allows you to pick your own radio station commercial free.

Of course I had to add some… Continue

Added by Wendy Brown on January 17, 2009 at 9:27pm — No Comments