http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jonathan_takiff RSS Feed for Jonathan Takiff en-us Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:25:48 GMT http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20091118_Jonathan_Takiff__A_shopper_s_guide_to_those_holiday_door-buster_bargains.html HAVE YOU noticed? The holiday bargain hunting has already begun for electronics gizmos. Major retailers like Wal-Mart, Sears and Best Buy are already into the "Black Friday" (day after Thanksgiving) sales frame of mind, in recent weeks offering crazy come-ons like name-brand Windows 7 portable computers for as low as $249, 10 megapixel digital still cameras under $100 and GPS trail blazers as low as $69. http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20091021_Jonathan_Takiff__Go__hands-free__with_Bluetooth_cell_phone_devices.html THE GIZMO: Bluetooth headsets. LOOK OUT! Do we really need an expensive study to tell us that driving while talking on a mobile phone is dangerous to life and limb? http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20091014_Jonathan_Takiff__Makers_collaborate_on_3-D__touch-screen_products.html THE GIZMOS: Touch-screen PCs and 3-D TVs. COOL COPY CATS: While competition is king in the consumer electronics industry, cooperation is also part of the game. Rivals often work jointly to establish standards for new technology. And, quite often , a significant slew of companies "spontaneously" jump on a bandwagon in sync. http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20091007_Jonathan_Takiff__Little_zing_in_Zune__Microsoft_HD_player_has_glitches__quirks.html DEAR STEVE (BALLMER) AND BILL (GATES): Enclosed please find the Zune HD player and accessories you kindly sent for review. While there are some things I like a lot about this nifty little portable multimedia player, features that really set it apart from the competition, I'm not ready to write you a check to hold onto it. http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20090930_Jonathan_Takiff___Oz__at_70__Kinda_Blu.html THE GIZMO: 70th Anniversary "The Wizard of Oz" Ultimate Edition. Hollywood studios are reissuing hits by the hundreds on high-definition Blu-ray Disc, but few are likely to score as well as "The Wizard of Oz," out this week in a 70th anniversary "Ultimate Collector's Edition" on drop-dead-gorgeous Blu-ray ($84.99) and conventional DVD ($69.92), or a two-disc special DVD edition ($24.98). http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20090923_Jonathan_Takiff__Digital_TVs_go_mobile__Here_s_a_look_at_two_new-generation_portables.html THE GIZMO: Portable digital TVs from Haier and Eviant. With the last of analog TV now behind them, viewers might be on the prowl for a new-generation, battery- (or AC-) powered portable TV that can tune in digital channels. Something you could use on the porch. Stand up on a kitchen counter. Keep around for weather emergencies and power outages. Or maybe bring to a ballgame or campground. http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20090916_Jonathan_Takiff__A_new_vision_for_the_TV_room.html GIZMO: The home theater, reimagined. In an era of no-money-down, devoting one of the many rooms in your McMansion to a home theater seemed like a cool idea. But these days, people are downsizing their residences and expectations. http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20090909_Jonathan_Takiff_.html IT'S 09/09/09 - one of those momentous dates when all the numerical elements line up in a row. What better day for a lunar-style landing that may be recalled, even centuries from now, for its magic-spreading aura and historic import! http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20090902_Jonathan_Takiff__Sony_Reader_goes_the_Extra_mile.html THE (EXTRA! EXTRA!) GIZMO: SONY'S READER DAILY EDITION. The cost to acquire an electronic book (aka e-book) reading device is $200 to $400. But might you bite if you could download lots of free stuff to its tablet-sized screen, even best-sellers, as well as paid content? http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20090826_Jonathan_Takiff__A_vision_becoming_reality__Panasonic_s_Full_HD_3-D.html WHEN THE LEADING electronics company Panasonic churns up enthusiasm for a new technology, the tidal waves can sweep the world.