http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/jonathan_takiff RSS Feed for DN Col Jonathan Takiff en-us Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:32:43 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20120406_What_would_Michael_have_done_with_Cirque_.html Fifty sold-out London arena shows were already in the bank. So what would Michael Jackson have done next with his big career comeback show, "This Is It," had a drug overdose not ended his life? http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20120403_New_gear_and_software_provide_latest_solutions_to_the_drawbacks_of_digital_sound.html FOR A WHILE there, it seemed like serious "hi-fi" sound was going down for the count. Digital music players, stressing cutes and convenience, have made bulkier - but better-sounding - CD players and discs seem old-school. Low-fi, DIY basement recordists suggest it's cool to cut corners on miking and studio acoustics, minor details that add so much warmth, realism and connection between music maker and listener. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20120321_Thomas_Dolby_will_bring__The_Time_Capsule_Tour__to_World_Cafe_Live_and_Sellersville_Theater.html http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20120222_Jonathan_Takiff__The_new_Sony_PS_Vita_Game_system_is_for_serious_gamers.html Sony PS Vita game system brings high-definition gaming to a (large) pocketable portable. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20120215_Jonathan_Takiff__THESE_APPS_ARE_JUST_FOR_KIDS.html THE GIZMO: Apptivities and App-cessories seize the day at the 109th Annual American International Toy Fair. Kids (and toy makers) have often turned household items into favorite playthings. Say, connecting tin cans and string to make a primitive phone. Or poking plastic body parts into a vegetable or piece of fruit - how the enduring Mr. Potato Head was born 60 years ago. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20120208_Jonathan_Takiff__Favorite_Kindle_Fire_apps__most_free_or_costing_less_than__5.html LOOKING for something fun to do with your new Kindle Fire, other than read books and play casual games? Have we some entertaining apps for you! http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20120201_Jonathan_Takiff__Stream_TV_Networks_says_its__auto-stereoscopic__TV_sets_solve_some_3-D_flaws.html THE GIZMO: Of late, the "holy grail" for many TV seekers has been an affordable 3-D TV that doesn't require special glasses. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20120125_Jonathan_Takiff___WHITE_GOODS__GO_HIGH-TECH.html THE GIZMO: Kitchen and laundry appliances are called "white goods" by retailers. Firstly, because the items always come (and once upon a time were available only) in white. Second, because these refrigerators and stoves, washers and dryers traditionally were as boring and indistinguishable as containers of milk. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20120118_Jonathan_Takiff__TRACKING_TRENDS_AT_CES_MEGASHOW.html IF YOU'RE expecting a "Best of CES" awards column from the Gizmo Guy, think again. Yes, I was in Las Vegas at the consumer electronics megashow from start to finish, and I figure I was exposed to maybe 400 new products at CES. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20120110_Jonathan_Takiff__BEST_IN_SHOW.html OPENING TODAY in Las Vegas, the 2012 edition of the International CES is awash in Internet-connected and higher-definition video screens, razor-thin Ultrabook laptops and iPad wannabees - some at dirt-cheap prices. The enormous consumer electronics (and beyond) trade show also is flaunting dramatic growth in categories ranging from health and fitness to voice- and motion- controlled . . . everything.