Full FeedWine the geek way: mini-survey+QR code+iPhone app=wine for you
If you are like me, you can’t remember what wines you love and what you just end up pouring down the sink. 94 Wines looks to solve that problem by offering 94 different, purportedly high quality wines and an ultra-geeky way to find out which you might like.
94 Wines uses a quick 6-question survey that pits flavors and textures against one another. Questions like sorbet or ice cream? Tapas or full meal? Butter or olive oil? The questions end result is three wines that would suit your tastes. But the fun doesn’t end there.
A QR code (fancy bar code) is on each bottle. With their mobile phones, users can snap an image of the code with their phone and decode it with available apps, even for the iPhone. Each bottle can be labeled with a custom QR code for your order. Users can leave messages for one another, private messages sent to your user profile, images, you name it. Making wine more social is the name of the game.
The bottles are simple, attractive and if there is good wine in them, the more the better. Each bottle costs about $12 which certainly isn’t expensive.
The concept is great. Unfortunately, 94 wines is currently only available in the Netherlands. You’ve been thinking about moving anyway right?
Company site: [94Wines]
Related
Who’s on Crack in Tech: 11.20.09
This has got to stop. Holidays have got to stop creeping further and further toward summer. The nutjobs that scheme, “well, if we get our sale out first we’ll be the richest in the tri-state area” are morons. Seriously, the ABC Family channel is doing a countdown to the 25 days of Christmas. A frickin’ countdown to a countdown? Could it get more ridiculous? Here are 4 entries that attempt it:
Ah crap, the rumors been delayed.
Prepare for Black Friday
FLO TV for straight to TV movies and straight to sale bin hardware
Palm eats its young
An unannounced product gets an set back from an unannounced launch window.
This is just getting crazy. I blame everyone in media for this: from the big hitters like CNN Money to countless magazines who are reporting on Apple’s coming tablet. Apple hasn’t announced anything yet we are chomping at the bit to talk about. Even if launched yesterday, there is no way this tablet could ever live up to the hype. Not that we as consumer are even sure we want such a thing. I propose a month moratorium on not mentioning Apple’s iTablet. Who is with me?
Yeah, I didn’t think it would work.
Black Friday sales in the toilet
Anyone want to bet on something with me? The economic data that will come from Black Friday will be dark and gloomy. They’ll report consumer spending will skip this Christmas much like Kris Kringle wanted to do in the old TV movie. It is an all but sure bet. Why?
The monkeys are messing with the date. These Pre-Black Friday sales are very tempting and are going to lower how much we spend on that one day we use as an indicator. By stretching the buying season out, we’ll be so frickin fed up with the holidays we’ll throw in the towel before the season even starts. My inbox won’t stop the deluge of sale announcements, each one, killing a little bit of Santa.
FLO TV for the masses
Qualcomm’s little TV player sure is cute. The device plays TV, costs $250 and has a $9 monthly fee with 3-year commitment. That’s a total cost of $574 to watch, you know, free TV. The device is roughly the size of a cell phone, a cell phone that you can probably play some TV on for a fee. The cell phone in your pocket is free (at this point) and you know, in your pocket. So watch TV on that.
Even our ever positive editor, Robert Nelson can’t hold back, ” but thinking positive, 9 bucks a month could be worth it for the simple reason that this little device could serve as a nice entertainment device for the child in your back seat. As long as you do not mind handing them a $250 gadget to play with.” Nice try Robert.
This brings me right back the awesome gadget that just delivers RSS feeds. I love gadgets as much as the next idiot but come on, quit repeating stuff that is already out there in a better form factor. Now get to work on flying cars.
Palm eats its young
How are customers supposed to respect a phone that tumbles in price more than $70 its first 5 days on the market??? The 2nd entry in the webOS world from Palm, the Pixi, is so cute and cuddly, we thought it a smash at $79. But then anarchy reigned and Wal-Mart upset the apple cart at $29.99, then Amazon one-upped even Wal-Mart with $24.99.
Why devalue the phone so quickly? Too much Pre inventory seems to be the root cause. The Pre’s price has fallen down like a drunk senior citizen in the early morning. The Pre began at a reasonable $149 but now lives at the $79 price on Amazon. The welcome the sibling Pixi got is move over in the sale bin. Odd reception, even for a sibling.
At the very least, Palm commercials for the Pixi didn’t give anyone the willies as did the Pre versions. Bonus points to Palm.
Related
Multitouch comes to Dell laptop in time for the holidays?
In the still of the night, Dell quietly gave the nod to the Studio 17 laptop addition to the touchscreen lineup. The laptop features multi-touch gestures for manipulating the screen as well as its own set of touch-enabled applications. The laptop is expected to ship next month for $899.
The base Studio 17 received high marks for design and user experience. The touch version adds only the touchscreen and apps. Unlike other touchscreen laptops of late, the Dell Studio does not turn into a tablet (by swiveling the screen).
All this is great right? Ready to head over and buy it? Hold up, the product page is gone from Dell’s site. We are unsure why Dell has removed the page from their site. The link to the non-existent Dell page is here. Perhaps an early test?
Either way this looks like an interesting laptop that might usher in an era where all screens will be touch-enabled. Are consumers willing to pay for this?
Read: [Electronista]
Related
Haptic touchpad messaging phone from Pantech launches on AT&T
Pantech’s new Impact is now officially part of the AT&T line up today according to Pantech. The quick messaging device features a haptic touchpad that side flips to reveal a long qwerty keyboard. The phone will sell for $99 after rebates and contracts.
Remember haptic feedback? When users press on a touchscreen the phones buzzes to give the sensation of pushing a button is how it is often described. Pantech uses haptic feedback to give new users the confidence in using a touchpad . Almost all phone and messaging functions can be performed on the haptic touchpad or users can flip open the screen to bang on the keys.
Instead of a full screen on the front of the phone, the screen is extremely small and the rest is a large touchpad. The effect looks like a large touchscreen, common on many of today’s phones. It is a risky move, looking like something you are not.
The Pantech Impact runs on the AT&Ts 3G network for fast data speeds and comes preloaded with AT&T’s new browser The Impact’s large inner color screen is surrounded by speakers. The device also takes stills and video.
At the moment, I don’t see AT&T’s page for the Impact. It should be up sometime today.
Press release: [VPO] and [PantechUSA]
Related
TiVo slashes price on HD and HD XL - get Netflix, Amazon, Blockbuster and YouTube all for less
TiVo has reduced prices on their HD and HD XL units by up to $100 for the holidays. TiVo revolutionized DVR functionality and continues to drive services forward with integration with companies like Netflix, Amazon and BLOCKBUSTER allowing users to stream movies, even in HD, to their home TVs. It is unknown if the sale is a move to clear stock for a new intro or a reaction to recessionary consumer spending or lack thereof.
The HD and HD XL offer TiVo’s world class navigation and time-shifting recording. As a TiVo user, I am continually impressed with how easy the unit makes it for my family to watch videos and movies from an increasing number of sources. Even my 7 year old can navigate to Netflix and begin watching a movie.
While HD menu’s still continue to be absent from TiVo’s line up and access to your content providers On Demand content is still not possible (in most cases) TiVo is the gold standard of DVRs. Add to it streaming from popular services and it keeps getting better.
TiVo’s sale takes $50 off the HD to $299 and $100 off the HD XL to $499. It might be interesting to note shoppers can pick up the a refurbished HD for just $200.
Source: [TiVo Blog]
RelatedHD HiFI music server blows away CDs, like Blu-ray for music
Today, Olive introduces some high-end audio gear that is said to have 250 times the resolution of a CD. The Olive 4HD Music Server not only holds up to 20,000 songs at HD quality, but will record at 24 bit. The unit is backed up by a host of accessible options that allow you to control your server from your HDTV or iPhone.
Removing the need to keep a music collection on a computer, the 4HD Server will store your music, convert CDs and even burn CDs. To get users started, the company offers to import up to 100 of your CDs for free, so the new system is delivered to them complete with your music already digitized. After the first 100, there is a nominal fee per CD.
“With a proprietary DAC featuring TI’s best-of-breed BurrBrown 1792A 192Khz/24-bit DAC, optimized circuit design, HD quality digital sound, ultra-quiet hard drives and passive cooling to eliminate fan noise, the Olive 4HD Hi-Fi Music Server delivers the best possible HD hi-fi audio experience. You’ll never hear anything like this on your computer, iPod or any other MP3 music player.”
To find music, users can interact with the 4.3 touchscreen on the server, use the HDMI interface that allows selections to be made on your HDTV or even use the company’s iPhone app. Each choice offers beautiful (in my opinion) graphics, clean and clear navigation, an impressive collection of ways to interact with music. Each offers full color album cover images.
Other features include the ability receive internet radio stations, more information about your music, infrared remotes to work through closed doors and has WiFi (802.11n) as well as a wired connection.
The 4HD Music Server costs $1,999 and is backed with a 60-day money back guarentee. The company says you will hear a difference in your music from the first note.
Company site: [Olive]
RelatedSpeedy Android smartphone announced with Snapdragon processor
Sony Ericsson announced their first Google Android based phone yesterday, the XPERIA X10. The phone sticks with the Xperia slide out qwerty form factor but offers up a new user experience laid on top of Android. Sony Ericsson showed off a non-retail prototype with an expected release date in Q1 of 2010.
Sony Ericsson needs a hit. They’ve only two supporting carriers in the US, AT&T and T-Mobile, while they’ve done much better in Europe. Despite a strong following there, Sony Ericsson continues to lose market share. Sales were off by 45 percent at the last quarter check-in, year-over-year. Is this new phone just what the doctor ordered?
Maybe. The prototypes were running Android 1.6, the penultimate version of Android. It lacks all the flash and excitement around the newly launched 2.0, but perhaps an update is coming. The new UI or UX as Sony Ericsson likes to refer to as users experience looks impressive. Dubbed Nexus, the UI does what all new UIs are attempting to do today: combine social integration into everyday simplicity. Contacts from Facebook, Twitter, email, and other social interactions are combined and presented in unobtrusive ways to keep you connected to people that matter most. That is the idea, anyhow.
The phone features Qualcomm’s 1GHz Snapdragon processor and should scream, yet there seemed to be some lag in the prototypes. Many press and analysts found the UI to be impressive, but less so than competing Android overlays from companies such as HTC (Sense UI) and Motorola (Blur). The phone didn’t scream unique. While way too early to judge, using the press and analysts at their announcement yesterday as a sounding board may not have been the best route. We’ll reserve judgment until we see the full retail product.
At the moment, we’ve no launch date or carrier information to speak of. The off-contract price is expected to be astronomical, $879, according to the Wall Street Journal, a subsidized price from a carrier should be much less.
Read: [BoyGeniusReports] and [ title="AndroidandMe">AndroidandMe]
RelatedGravity, water, cold - Casio’s toughest camera ever laughs at them
Drop it from seven feet up, keep it under water for 60 minutes, let water freeze next to it; the new 12.1mp Casio Exilim G EX-G1 laughs it off. Dusting off the Exilim rectangle look, this new design is one of many that will fill in the adventure series says Casio. Available this December for $299, I expect to see this camera on a bunch of wish lists.
This new Casio is just .78” thick, keeping it in the slender category. I am already appreciating the groove in the front to help with one hand operation while the large and well-spaced buttons on the back look perfect for gloved operation, nice when you are on the slopes. There is even an underwater bestshot setting, sweet.
One of my favorite features of the Exilim cameras is the super-easy instant video capture button. You can always find it, as they mark it red and you can see it on the G1 meaning videos are a snap. The camera even has a interval mode that will take stills or movies at predetermined intervals which would be handy when you are bombing down a ski run or on the trail.
Product site: [Exilim]
RelatedIs a free Gphone really coming this time?
TechCrunch is stacking up a bunch of rumors and is purporting that Google really does have a phone of its own brewing that they will bring to market on their own. This pinnacle of Android phone will be all Google power, optimized for every Google service (surely including Google Voice, now with VOIP???) and will be a thing of beauty and amazement for all to drool over. Forgive my sarcasm and hesitation on this one, I’ve been down this road before.
Way back, in 2007, Google said cell phone should be free, supported by advertising. That got me to thinking, they could actually pull that off. After all, Google is an advertising company. Could they finally be prepping a way to make that happen?
Free phones is nothing new but free service, well that would get some attention. After all, those of us with smartphones know the high price we pay to walk around with the internet in our pockets. Could Google be moving to provide free service in exchange for access to our eyeballs?
How could they monetize it? Ads tacked onto emails sent from the phone, ala hotmail? Ads texted to you periodically? I’d put up with that to save the $70+ I spend monthly for service. With pre-screening surveys, Google could make it extremely targeted and a high value ad buy and we’d all agree to it. OK, not all.
Telecoms would have to push the privacy issue to compete. They’d need to raise the fear in handing over all your data and preferences to Google. Their bread and butter are service charges. Google would provide a major disruption here.
What do you think? Is the Google Phone real this time?
Read: [TechCrunch]
RelatedMost reliable laptops: Asus and Toshiba
SquareTrade set off an ambitious study to compare netbooks and laptops failure rates of their customers. SquareTrade provides warranties on electronics as an aftermarket sale, so when something fails, they should know, right? Their study shows Asus and Toshiba tops the list in reliability but just how reliable are these devices?
The study performed by SquareTrade included laptops with sales over 1,000 units in an attempt to provide statistical significance. Unfortunately, we don’t know if there were 1,001 Asus machines vs 11,000 HP (who scored worst in the study). So there is some wriggle room. Overall, the 3-year malfunction rate for Asus is 15.6% while HP was 25.6%.
The study also shed light on some other interesting questions. What is more reliable: netbooks or laptops? The study’s answer is in the 3-year range, netbooks have a 25.1% malfunction rate while laptops score 20.6% and premium laptops rate 18.1%. In short, the more you spend, the more reliable you gear is.
Overall, 1 in 5 laptops fail in the first three years. The brand info is interesting but take it with a grain of salt.
Study page: [SquareTrade]
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Black Friday 2009
Black Friday is almost here! Gadgetell's got you covered with all the latest news on who's offering the best deals. Dangerous crowds? You're on your own.
Palm Pre Information & Updates
Palm just introduced their next-gen smartphone, the Palm Pre, and next-gen operating system, Palm webOS. Gadgetell's got the latest Pre and webOS information and news for you right here.
