Tech Rewind: 2007 In Review and a 2008 Preview

KXL Tech Expert Segment for 31 December 2007

Happy New Year!

Nearly a year ago we watched Apple’s CEO threw a hat into the ring for mobile phone market share... the controversial AT&T carrier-exclusivity did little to discourage early adopters from lining up for the iPhone days before the June release. Another major product that actually shipped in January was Microsoft’s Windows Vista. Claiming “the wow starts now” – many XP users are sticking to the former operating system while the Northwest-based software giant works out bugs. Corporate users even pressured Microsoft to extend support for Windows XP.

We talked a fair amount about social networking in 2007—with relative newcomer Facebook stealing the spotlight from one-time king Myspace. The decision to open Facebook for outside groups to build software on the network paid huge dividends and earned the site a sizeable investment from Microsoft.

Meanwhile, Microsoft’s Mountain View-based archrival, you know, the search, advertising (and added in 2007: Apps) giant Google watched its stock skyrocket above the 700 mark after announcement of an “Open Social” platform for social networking sites followed by plans to release an operating system for phones, resting months of speculation a so-called Google Phone was in the works.

Finally, in the world of video games – Two big winners, in this blogger's humble opinion: Halo 3 from Microsoft set records and Nintendo’s Wii console outsold rivals Xbox 360 from Microsoft and Sony’s Playstation 3. An exciting year, indeed.

As for my predictions for stories we'll be talking about in 2008...

I think (perhaps hope?) 2008 will be the year all these social networking sites finally grow up and become useful. A faster 3G version of the iPhone is due out while we see what Google has in store for their Open Handset Alliance. I’m personally excited about airline plans to offer inflight internet – a story we discussed a few weeks back on KXL – and the ever-changing face of digital content delivery ... are 24-hour movie rentals coming to iTunes in ’08?

As you may know, January 1, marks the start of the transition period to digital high-definition television… those old analog broadcast signals are going bye-bye... Finally, R&S, we’ll look to next week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas and MacWorld in San Francisco the week after to set the pace for technology in ’08.

Listen to this report, originally broadcast on KXL-AM Monday December 31: kxl_techexpert-2007rewind2008preview_20071231.mp3 (MP3)

I'll bring you these tech stories and more in the new year... as always, drop me a line and let me know what you want to hear. I look forward to hearing from you!

Happy New Year and thanks for listening (and reading)...

Power-hungry TVs, Mobile Gifting and a Wii Tip

KXL Tech Expert Segment for 21 December 2007

Today on Portland's Morning News on Newsradio 750 KXL we discussed how the TV you buy may affect your power bill, how to give a mobile phone as a gift, and gave listeners one last-minute tip to update the Holiday Wii Hunt.

For more information and tips on buying a TV for the energy efficient consumer, check out this post. You might also consider equipping your home with a "Green Switch" to completely cut off power to devices that drain juice even when in power save mode. The kits start at $1125 and more information is available here. If that sounds like an expensive accessory, consider you'll make it up in energy consumption from idle devices in just a few years!

Considering a mobile phone for that recipient on your gift list? I explain on today's show why giving a gift certificate or "IOU" may be the wiser choice. Many phone users prefer to pick their own phones. Some considerations:

• Will this phone be used for work? Some employers only support certain models when interfacing with corporate systems such as email.
• Is size, form-factor, style or the presence of a full keyboard important?
• Does the intended user require WiFi web browser or the ability to connect to their laptop as a makeshift wireless modem?
• Are they willing to switch carriers (are there contract implications?) to get a particular model such as Apple's iPhone?

As you can see, it might be best to talk this over with the recipient before making a purchase.

Finally, because dozens of you have written in asking where to buy a Wii -- I'm happy to share a special alert I received from Santa's Helpers. Seems St. Nick himself will be stopping by the Game Crazy in King City with 100 Wii consoles available for purchase. How they managed to schedule the last-minute delivery on Santa's busiest day of the year, I'll never know... but for those still on the Great Wii Hunt 2007 edition? Read this entry carefully!

Listen to this report, originally broadcast on KXL-AM Friday December 21: kxl_techexpert-plasmaenergy&lastminutegifts_20071221.mp3 (MP3)

Got a question? Need help deciding what gift to buy? Drop me an email techexpert (AT) brianwestbrook (DOT) com (remove CAPS before sending)... I'm here to help!

Update: Last Minute Wii-Finding Tips & Tricks

Previously on Newsradio 750 KXL I gave listeners tips on how to find the sold-out Wii video game console. I've received dozens of emails from listeners and thought I'd post an update for those still searching for the video game device to put under the tree this Christmas.

Here are some tips:

• Sign up for online Wii trackers: websites such as www.nowinstock.com/wii and www.wiitracker.com have convenient, centralized and constantly updated, listings of where to find a Wii. Sign up for alerts via. Twitter or email or refresh the site frequently. Wii consoles have been available at the online retailers in the past few days -- but check often as they are being snatched up within mere minutes.
• Get or give a raincheck: Some retailers are offering guarantees that you will be able to buy a Wii in January. And if the recipient can want (and really, they probably can, right?) -- why not offer to buy a Wii when stock shortages ease after the holidays?
• Go to Game Crazy on Christmas Eve: I'm being told by Tanya Khamis, Sr. Marketing Manager for Wilsonville-based Game Crazy, that 100 consoles will be available at their King City store. "Santa Claus and his elves will be hand delivering them." Free raffle tickets will be distributed giving winners the opportunity to purchase the sold-out console at retail price. Those who don't win a chance to purchase will be given a chance to win one of two free Wii's the game retailer is giving away!
  
  Event details: Game Crazy - 15660 SW Pacific Hwy, Ste 100, Tigard, OR 97224 on December 24th. Tickets will be given out beginning at 7am, raffle drawing starts at 10am. (As an added bonus, those with a raffle ticket will be offered 10% off non-hardware purchases at Game Crazy all day December 24th!)

Did you listen to Newsradio 750 KXL's Lars Larson's 12-hour "Lars-A-Thon" raising money for the Salvation Army? Thanks to Game Crazy, Lars auctioned off a Wii console with proceeds benefiting the Salvation Army! Click here to hear Game Crazy EVP Wes Sand kick-off bidding on today's Lars Larson Show.

Keep it right here for more tips on how to score the holiday's hottest game console!

A Wii Bit Disappointed? Try These Alternatives

KXL Tech Expert Segment for 14 December 2007

Nintendo's Wii is by far this season's "must-have" video game console -- but getting your hands on the system is game itself. Fortunately there are alternatives and we talked about them on Portland's Morning news today, December 14, 2007.

First, why is the Wii so popular?

In my opinion? It's just that good. The folks at Nintendo hit it out of the park in designing a game console that makes gaming an interactive activity for the entire family. And we're not talking about previous generations' consoles that rely on sitting in front of the television shooting up the bad guys... The Wii will have you dancing, jumping, and bouncing in the living room. And sure, many of the same interactive titles are available on Sony's PlayStation 3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360 -- there's a recipe for success that gives the Wii an advantage.

Now if you, like thousands of others are looking for a Wii - try these tips:

• Look often. Try different times of the day, and call area stores often. They are getting consoles, you just have to be patient.
• Look elsewhere. This one's going to require a low-tech approach: shopping online may leave you disappointed as Wii's are snatched up online in nanoseconds.
• Wait until after Christmas. If you can wait you may have better luck getting a Wii when the holidays are over.
• Look for sales. Often stores such as Target, Best Buy, etc. will save some consoles to have on-hand after ads hit Sunday morning. Arrive early, and again -- be patient.

Give up? Try an alternative!

Of course, you've read the gift-giving ideas on my annual Holiday Gadget Guide -- I've got one more gift idea for you: CLOCKY! This ingenious alarm clock leaps off the table and runs away from you forcing you to get out of bed to shut it off. No more hitting snooze and sleeping past that morning meeting! Buy the Clocky online here. Just think: You can get Clocky to wake you up early enough to beat the crowds and buy a Wii!


Listen to this report, originally broadcast on KXL-AM Friday December 14: kxl_techexpert-getawii&clocky_20071214.mp3 (MP3)
Happy Holidays!