http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/jonathan_takiff RSS Feed for DN Col Jonathan Takiff en-us Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:15:32 GMT 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/20120213_Whitney_s_world.html WE MAY never know if Whitney Houston died by accident or intent - drowning in a bathtub Saturday afternoon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. While there's much speculation that she was under the influence of anti-depressants and alcohol, the coroner's official report won't be out for weeks. 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. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20120104_Jonathan_Takiff__Tools_to_help_your_resolution_live_past_January.html THE GIZMO: Want to stick with those New Year's resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking, climb Mount Everest or stop looking at Facebook all day? We've got some cool tech tools to goad, coach and make you the biggest winner. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/jonathan_takiff/20111221_Jonathan_Takiff__3d__Yay_for_Blu-ray.html GETTING the hardware and software synchronized for a high-tech product introduction isn't always easy. In the case of 3D TV, the complaint "there's nothing to watch" may have held some weight. But this holiday season, there are wonders galore to explore on 3D Blu-ray video discs. And some pay TV customers can have it really good if they've invested in a 3D-ready television and increasingly comfortable companion glasses. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/jonathan_takiff/6106951.html Jonathan Takiff covers all manner of high tech gadgets – and the entertaining stuff you play on them – for the Philadelphia Daily News, philly.com and the McClatchy Tribune News Service.