Search

Evaluates the format of computer magazines `Family PC, Home PC and `Computer Life' which targets nontechnical people using home computers in the United States. Visual attractiveness; Scope of articles relevant for home users; Product reviews; Timidity in tackling consumer issues; Advertisements.

The article discusses competition among U.S. wireless-service providers to introduce networks that are both fast and capable of accommodating the growing volumes of data being downloaded by consumers via smartphones and other mobile devices. Commentary is presented on the efforts of several wireless providers including T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint.

The author offers opinions on cellular telephone and cellular telephone service corporations. These firms are allowed to dictate to consumers which services they can and cannot use. Short-sighted government policy is seen as having abandoned the Internet industry model in favor of monopolistic practices which have stifled innovation. Consumers in almost all other countries enjoy a wider and cheaper range of cellular telephone services than do U.S. consumers.

This article reports on technological innovations in bathroom fixtures. Toto Ltd., the giant plumbing-fixtures maker from Japan, has been the company leading the charge for high-tech toilets in the U.S. The author asserts that an obsession with personal hygiene in Japanese culture has made high-tech toilets increasingly common in Japan.

The article presents questions and answers related to the iPhone including the possibility of buying the smartphone in the U.S. without a contract and bring it in Italy, whether an unlocked iPhone can be purchased overseas and utilize it in the U.S. on T-Mobile instead of AT&T, and the availability of the iPhone on the Verizon network.

The article presents questions and answers related to computers including a query on whether purchasing a faster processor will improve the speed of the digital subscriber line (DSL) connection, if Quicken finances work on a Mac computer and how to transfer 2007 Quicken data to Mac from a Dell computer.

The article presents the author's opinion on the 1998 Digital Millenium Copyright Act of the U.S. and on Congress' responsibilities concerning copyright laws that are designed to protect consumers. A discussion of a $1 billion lawsuit which has been leveled by Viacom Inc. against Google Inc. over payments for programs which are seen on Google's YouTube website is presented.

This article reports on the new version of the iLife suite of multimedia programs developed by Apple Computer in the U.S. in 2006.

The article offers a look at the FLY Pentop Computer educational toy introduced by LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. in the U.S. in December 2005.

Describes the podcasting trend in the U.S.

Presents information on several U.S. cellular telephone networks that sell downloadable ringtones as of January 5, 2005.

Presents a review of the new crop of digital cameras. Olympus Stylus Verve, the Konica-Minolta Dimage X50, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-L1, and Casio's EX-S100; Weak optical zoom and washed out pictures from the Olympus Stylus Verve; Dimage X50, which is recommended due to its speed, optical viewfinder and photo quality.

Reviews a new cellphone headset that reduces background noise dramatically. Adaptive headset, which is called Jawbone, and is made by a start-up company called Aliph; Special chips and software that enhance voice frequency; Sharp decrease in background noise and increase in voice clarity; Recommended for people who find cellphone calls disrupted by noisy environments.

Reports that Microsoft Corp. is rolling out its MSN Music store. Direct challenge to its nemesis, Apple Computer, whose iTunes so far has ruled that business; Preview release of the MSN Music service, which is a music jukebox program housed in the Windows Media Player 10 software; A few nice touches and a few rookie mistakes in the service; Immediate advantage over iTunes of being able to play the songs on a variety of players, while iTunes only can be played on Apple's iPod player.

Examines two laptop computer and reviews their design features. Dell Inspiron 700m, which weighs 4.2 pounds and has a 12.1 inch, widescreen-style display; Panasonic W2, which weighs 2.8 pounds and has a standard 12.1 inch screen; Long battery life of the Panasonic W2, which also includes a DVD drive that can play and record CD's; Drawbacks of the W2, including a keyboard that is too small and a washed out display; Dell Inspiron, which has a better display and keyboard, but poor battery life.

Reports that a new service allows students to study for the SAT using their cellphones. SAT-prep company the Princeton Review and a wireless-application publishers called Vocel, which have partnered to develop the service; Several carriers, who will start offering the service at the beginning of this academic year; Another company, Mobile-Mind Inc. which makes a similar product that has been on the market for a year; Evidence that the wireless phone is evolving into a handheld computer.

Evaluates a new product from Cambridge (Mass.)-based Onfolio Inc., also called Onfolio, that allows Web users to quickly store Web pages, pictures, snippets of text from the Web and other material, in a way that makes it easy to access later. Cost of Onfolio, which requires Windows XP or 2000 and Internet Explorer 5.5 or later; How Onfolio works; Description of the product as it works on a computer; Downsides of Onfolio.

Focuses on the Bow-Lingual digital device by Takara, a Japanese toy company. Design of the device to interpret barking and other sounds made by dogs; Description of the product, which consists of a cordless microphone which attaches to a dog's collar, and a wireless receiver which displays the translations and other data on a screen; Dog-owning tips which are also offered by Bow-Lingual; Claims of Takara that the device was developed based on analysis by the Japan Acoustic Laboratory, a private research lab, of thousands of barks from over 80 breeds of dog; Grouping of barks into one of six moods according to the dog's digital voiceprint, including happy, sad, frustrated, needy, on-guard, and assertive.

Evaluates binoculars with built-in digital cameras, which allows birders, sports fans, concert-goers, and others to capture images at long distances. Testing of three binocular/cameras, including models from Bushnell, Pentax, and Meade Instruments; Way that the units were tested by taking long-distance photos of buildings and people, which were loaded onto a Windows personal computer; Opinion that none of the gadgets takes photos that are as good as those from a mid-range digital camera; Opinion that the Pentax DigiBino DB 100 ranked the best out of the three devices tested.

Focuses on specially-equipped DVD players which are being produced by Gateway and Go-Video to connect to home-computer networks. Hopes of the consumer-electronics industries to extend the trend of home computer networking to home-entertainment devices such as TVs, DVD players, audio systems, and computers; Way that the DVD players of Gateway and Go-Video can grab music, videos, and photographs from the hard disk of a personal computer and play them through a TV set; Use of standard wireless Wi-Fi networks or wired Ethernet networks by the devices.

Evaluates the all-in-one printer/scanner/copier made by Lexmark which has been introduced by Dell Computer. Marketing strategies for the device; Profits gained by Dell in the sales of ink cartridges for the printer; Competition between Dell and Hewlett-Packard (H-P) in the printer industry, in which Dell undercuts H-P's prices; Comparison of the H-P 2110 model printer and the Dell A940 printer.

Focuses on RealNetworks, a company based in Seattle, Washington and known for its software for playing multimedia online. How it has built an Internet broadband content service with streaming video; Pros and cons of the company's RealOne SuperPass broadband service; Competition from Yahoo Platinum service.

Evaluates the Pentium M Windows processor, which claims to extend laptop battery life. Marketing of the processor which promotes wireless networking; Ability of the Pentium M to turn off parts of its internal circuitry when they are not being used to conserve energy; Design of the processor to be more efficient; Way that Intel will market its Centrino microchips, a bundle which includes the Pentium M as well as an Intel-designed chip for wireless networking; Observation that the Pentium M has no special capability for wireless networking, and that the Intel radio used in Centrino machines does not support G or A Wi-Fi networks.

Offers an evaluation of the Sony Ericsson P800 cellular phone produced in Europe. Appearance and features; Functioning of the phones with PDA and e-mail; Comparison of the Sony Ericsson P800 to the Palm Tungsten W by Palm, designed in the U.S.

Evaluates the online music service Rhapsody, which holds licenses from record labels and will offer its customers the opportunity to burn songs onto a CD. Idea that the legal online music business is moving toward a model in which songs are sold individually and without technical restrictions for low prices; Idea that such songs could be turned into MP3 files which are unrestricted.

Evaluates the iQuest Test Prep handheld device from the company Leapfrog for educational test reviewing in the U.S.

Answers questions related to computer and telecommunication technology in the U.S.

Presents an update on several type of the combined personal digital assistant and mobile telephone devices in the U.S. market as of April 2002.

Discusses terminology relating to emerging wireless telecommunications technology. Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), the standard transmission and reception technology for wireless telephones outside the United States; Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), a system used by Verizon and Sprint; Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) a wireless technology used in the U.S.; Other technologies and protocols.

Offers observations on the efforts of entertainment industries and others to limit the rights of consumers to use legally purchased copyrighted materials for noncommercial purposes. Reasons for this, including the impact of digital music and video piracy on these industries; Possible negative consequences of these limitations; How the sound recording and other industries would utilize copy-protection technology; Discussion of various United States copyright laws.

Evaluates computer software products designed to aid Americans in filing their tax returns. TurboTax, a program from Intuit, and TaxCut from H&R Block; Advantages and disadvantages of each program.

Reports on the role of the Internet in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Use of electronic mail by the terrorist hijackers; How the Internet, unaffected by the destruction of the World Trade Center, was used to reunite loved ones shortly after the attack; Efforts of U.S. investigators to gain increased authority to monitor electronic mail; Implications of surveillance abilities.

Comments on Microsoft Corp., which has been certified as a monopoly by United States courts, and its Windows operating systems. Rivalry with America Online; View that Microsoft does not provide enough consumer choice because of bundling in its Windows XP operating system.

Discusses efforts of automobile makers in Detroit, Michigan to add digital technology to their products. Collaboration of car makers, auto-parts suppliers, and computer and electronics companies; Products which include hands-free digital cell-phones, satellite-linked navigation systems, and General Motors' Onstar customer-service communications systems; Efforts to bring these products to moderately-priced cars as well as luxury models.

Discusses the benefits and drawbacks of buying prescription medication online. Examples of drugstore chains in the United States that offer poor customer service; The best-known online drugstores, PlanetRx and Drugstore.com; Evaluation of pricing and shipping; Insurance coverage with online drugstores.

Comments on America Online's (AOL) acquisition of Netscape Communications in November, 1998. Views on why the merger could be a good thing; The merger seeming likely to speed the move toward information appliances; The technology and sales deal with Sun Microsystems which is included in the merger; Percentage of Internet traffic from United States homes which comes through AOL.

Presents questions on issues related to the technology industry of the United States and their corresponding answers. Assessment on the relative merits and demerits of cable modems versus the digital subscriber line high-speed phone technology; Loading of a word processor; Definition of a Web browser.

Presents responses to queries on technology in the United States. How to accomplish the Links toolbar in the Internet Explorer; Factors affecting the time it took after the installation of Road Runner, a cable-modem service of Media One; Layman's explanation about cookies and what they generally do and what they can do.

Discusses how the Internet can assist users in following the United States presidential elections. Details on Internet sites which contain information on the campaign; Information on web site, PoliticsNow; Information on other web sites which contain political information.

Criticizes the noncommercial Internet computer system World Wide Web. Negative ratings of the Web; Features of Web; Relation of Web with America Online; Information about other online services.

Features the guide to the emerging electronic version of four leading newspapers in the wake of decline in the readership due to more viewing of on-line information services. Information about the electronic versions of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post.

Evaluates Packard Bell and Compaq Computer's 1999 Pentium models . Differences; How Compaq has designed an entirely new machine; Packard Bell's price tag on a model based on 1996 design.

Reports on some of the marketing problems faced by CD-ROM publishers in 1996. The difficulty facing consumers on determining whether a CD-ROM title would work on their computer; The author's choice of four CD-ROM titles that he considers worthwhile for adults and teenagers; FDR; Leonardo da Vinci; Chronicle of the 20th Century; 24 Hours in Cyberspace; Brief details on each.

Surveys the computing landscape to assess how the computer industry is doing at making its products easier, simpler and more reliable for average users. The introduction of Microsoft Windows 95 as a plus; The author's view of augmenting the general-purpose personal computer (PC) with information appliances; Conclusion that software companies are loading many capabilities on the PC; The fragile nature of the general-purpose personal computer.

Suggests ten CD-ROM software packages for children that they would need during holidays. Detailed information about the software programs suggested.

Presents an overview of software programs designed to help people do their taxes in the United States. Details of Intuit Inc.'s TurboTax and Block Financial Corp's Kiplinger's TaxCut; Disadvantages of the software programs; Availability of tax filling assistance online; Prices.

Looks at the key issue in the antitrust battle between Microsoft Corp. and the US Justice Department. The issue as to whether Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser is an integrated feature of its Windows 95 operating system, as the company claims, or is a separate product that Microsoft is forcing on computer makers as a condition of selling them Windows 95; Why author feels that Internet Explorer is not an integrated feature of Windows 95.

Considers the question of whether the computer industry is keeping its many promises to make computing easier, simpler and more reliable. How the machines remain complex, costly and undependable; Number of American homes that have a personal computer and numbers of those that are connected to the Internet or on-line services; Evaluation of hardware and software.

Reports on the so-called electronic concierge, a computer service that provides cultural and social information to users based on their inquiries. Sites on the Internet with information on dining, arts and entertainment in various localities; Companies providing these services including CitySearch and Microsoft Corp., with its Sidewalk program; Competition for services between software companies and newspapers; How CitySearch and Sidewalk perform.