Hybrid Honda
Check out what Honda is pimping at the Tokyo Motor Show 2009. The Honda CR-Z concept aka the 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Sports Coupe. This is going to be the first hybrid sports car to make it to production. If Honda prices it at 25k, it will sell like crack!
I recall seeing the "original" concept a couple years ago and now, I read that it is going to production. Honda is all over the hybrid technologies. My next car is definitely a Honda or Toyota, period! The front end and LED lights remind me of the Audi R8, nice!
Chicken in a Bowl
So, Gabe and I were talking over dinner tonight and I was struck by the fact that we haven't been to Chicken in a Bowl in a long time! I am calling for a Chicken in a Bowl run this Friday for lunch... anyone else interested?
Get In Line!
I lost track of time and just noticed that Windows 7 will be available on Thursday, October 22nd. Yup. Less than 48 hours from now, consumers can purchase the long awaited update to the Windows OS.
How the heck did I forget? It is not a big deal for most, but geeks in the know are lining up to get their hands on Windows 7 OS. I think I am going to hold off upgrading until the dust clears or the first service pack is released, whichever comes first. Maybe!
More Competition
We are on a competition roll, so here is another story. This one is regarding competition at the good ole Apple App Store. Can you guess where this is going? Do you need a hint? Okay, one word - "Saturated!"
Yup! You guessed it. The Apple App Store is saturated with applications, so what does this mean to application prices? Do you really need another clue? Cannot quite guess this one? Damn, back to economics for you.
AT&T Price Increase
AT&T is preparing to raise landline prices over 20%. If you have basic landline phone service and have other landline options available in your area, kick AT&T to the curb. If you prefer AT&T and have other AT&T services, check out their service bundles for possible "deals".
"There's nothing in the economy or the cost of providing phone service that would justify a 22 percent increase," said Harvey Rosenfield, founder of Consumer Watchdog.
Unlike AT&T, SureWest, which is the traditional local phone provider in the area, has no plan to raise rates on its local phone service, said company spokesman Ron Rogers. SureWest hasn't raised rates since 1997, he said.
"We haven't found the need to raise any rates," Rogers noted. "There are no outside costs causing us to pass along any increase in rates to customers."
Another option is to turn off the landline and move to a wireless only option. If you have an unlimited calling plan now, it is a no brainer. Dump AT&T and save a couple hundred dollars per year or more.
Why Bother?
I am in the process of signing another project, but think I am going to have to respectfully decline. The request was for someone experienced with the latest and greatest Microsoft technologies. What the heck, I will give it a shot.
Well, I was given access to the source code and quickly learned that the application uses a hybrid architecture comprised of new technologies and 10 year old scripting crap. Ahh, NO THANKS! I am not prepared to go back in time and work with archaic technologies.
Amazon Thing
Ha! Yesterday, I published a post regarding Wal-mart and how competition is good. Today, I read that Wal-mart and Amazon are in a heated book price war. The competition is driving select book prices down. Check out the quote from Wal-mart CEO, Raul Vazquez:
"If there is going to be a 'Wal-Mart of the Web,' it is going to be Walmart.com," says Walmart.com CEO Raul Vazquez. This "Amazon" thing is royally mucking that up, and Walmart's not gonna take it anymore.
Is Wal-mart going to biatch slap the online giant? The slap that was heard around the world, kapow! Consumers are going to make out, but I can already hear the publishing companies and other retailers voicing their dissatisfaction. Sigh.
Wal-mart Wireless
"Let me holla at cha!" Wal-mart wants a piece of the multi-billion dollar wireless service pie and has launched Straight Talk (via the TracFone network). In 3 short days, consumers can get unlimited minutes, messages, and data for $45 USD.
I know what you are thinking, MetroPCS offers the same so whats the big deal? The big deal is that existing wireless service providers have another competitor in the mix. Not just any competitor, but the undisputed retail champion.
Only time will tell if Wal-mart can pimp the service plans in the cut-throat wireless market, but I am just glad to see another competitor in the space. Will the TracFone network and cheesy phones affect their entry into the market? I hope not, consumers need options!
T-Mobile Fail!
If you didn't hear the news, T-Mobile (Danger) lost personal data due to a recent hardware failure. Yup! The terrible T-Baggers server failure dropped a bomb on Sidekick users. I have not heard if any data was restored, but do know that Sidekick sales are on "hold".
T-Mobile said that the loss is a result of a server failure at Microsoft, which acquired startup company Danger in February 2008. Danger operates the cloud computing service that stores the information for T-Mobile Sidekick customers.
Hmm, I should mention that there are no apparent backups of the user's data. What do you mean "no backups"? Hold up, let me chain some external terabyte drives for you. Needless to say, affected Sidekick owners are pissed! Haha, "Danger" is appropriately named.
VirusScan Uninstall Tip
I am still dealing with virus-related issues and want to pass on a tip. If you are using McAfee VirusScan and plan to uninstall or replace with another product, disable Access Protection BEFORE you uninstall VirusScan else some components will remain installed.
If you are not using the Access Protection features, no problem. However, if are using and plan to uninstall just double check. I forgot to disable the Access Protection and I was left with a partial uninstall. Post uninstall, the Framework Service was intact and running.
Well, you have two immediate options 1) re-install VirusScan, disable the Access Protection, and uninstall or 2) manually remove the service, registry entries, folder, etc. If you are like me you will choose option 2. Masochists head to the McAfee KB.