News Update for January 2, 2007
Today starts Season 2 of TigerDirect News Podcasts with the new year, 2007. TigerDirect news podcasts are now also available via Stickam.com. Here’s your Tech Update for January 2, 2007.
- ISP for Automotive Connectivity
- Samsung Hybrid Wifi/GSM phones making Splash
- Microsoft Bribing Bloggers with Fancy Vista Notebooks
- LCD TVs now hottest holiday gadget; and
- CES Coverage starts next week on TigerDirect News
Subscribe to TigerDirect News Podcasts and keep up to date on the latest tech news!
ISP for Automotive Connectivity
While NYC cabs prepare to measure cellular connectivity, Autonet Mobile claims to be the first in-car ISP. Autonet provides a remote terminal, powered by Verizon EVDO networks, for use in your car. While many already subscribe to the EVDO service, Autonet provides a simple terminal offering a WiFi connection for the users to ‘jacking in’ to the net on the go.
The service claims they will provide coverage on up to 95 percent of US roads for $50 a month when it’s launched this spring. Partnering with AVIS, a new upsell will be appearing on the rent-a-car market: In-Car WiFi.
Samsung Hybrid Wifi/GSM phones making Splash
Samsung launches the first “Googlephone,” the Ultra Edition 13.8 (formerly known as the Z720) is destined for the European-crowd and will be numero uno in what’s likely to be quite a lengthy list of Googled mobiles. The Ultra Edition will provide similar services to the T-Mobile @home beta users in the Northwest who have been testing the phones as the T720 since last year.
These phones allow users to roam between cellular and WiFi networks for making telephone calls and receive unlimited calling via WiFi for $20 a month.
Microsoft Bribing Bloggers with Fancy Vista Notebooks
While Microsoft first gave OEM clients beautiful leather embossed Asus notebooks touting Vista, they have now sent fancy-schmancy Acer Ferrari laptops preloaded with Windows Vista to about 90 bloggers.
This move is being seen as the software giant sending bribes to bloggers. Even as they try to defend themselves, Microsoft’s PR Gurus aren’t exactly sure what they did wrong.
LCD TVs now hottest holiday gadget
While digital cameras led U.S. holiday spending for the last three years, LCD TVs took first place this year with $925 million in sales.
Coming Next Week
Next week, TigerDirect will take you to Las Vegas and the Consumer Electronics Show. Live streaming video will carry the coverage by TigerDirect News and “Into Tomorrow with Dave Graveline” radio show. Listen for further updates this week as we prepare for our first live CES Coverage, brought to you by STICKAM.com.
Leave a Reply