Gadget News For The Week

Study: we're keeping our mobiles longer, despite sinking prices

Had your current cellphone for the better part of the this century? Turns out you aren't the only one -- according to new research gathered by J.D. Power and Associates, Americans are holding onto their mobiles for longer than ever these days. In fact, the study found that the length of time customers keep their traditional wireless cell phone has increased by 17 percent from 2009, with the average customer holding onto their phone for around 20.5 months. That's the longest period since this study began tracking the data in 1999, when the average was 17.3 months. Kirk Parsons, senior director of wireless services at the company, feels that the recent economic downturn has a lot to do with folks keeping their existing phones longer, while we're guessing that it has to do with existing phones simply being "good enough."

Furthermore, anyone who is even remotely tuned into the mobile world knows that widespread 4G is just around the bend, giving folks reason to hold off on renewing their contract until WiMAX / LTE comes to their carrier of choice. Curiously, phone prices are lower than ever before, which should mean that it's even less expensive to upgrade now than in the past. Of course, none of that matters if your existing phone contract isn't up (or you aren't due for a discounted renewal), and the savings on the hardware is likely being devoured by the extra fees we're paying for messaging and data. So, are you in the "run it till it dies" camp, or are you wondering who on Earth this survey (shown in full after the break) is referring to?

Continue reading Study: we're keeping our mobiles longer, despite sinking prices

Study: we're keeping our mobiles longer, despite sinking prices originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 PC World        

Ding Dong, you have mail

David from uC Hobby had a wireless doorbell but the remote was lost, instead of tossing it in the garbage he re-purposed it. By adding a few components to allow a small signal to activate the chime coil this can now be used by almost anything electronic as a cool indication. I would have used it to ding dong when I had a new email but David decided to hook it up to a Linux box to ring whenever someone mentioned uC Hobby on IRC. Goes to show that almost anything can be made even cooler than the original purpose. There is code posted so you too can make your own internet door bell.

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Kawkaba 3000 electric car concept

Concepts of electric cars are dime a dozen, and we have the Kawkaba 3000 electric car this time round to keep the industry on their toes. Designed by Hussein, this will turn heads if it ever makes it to the road simply because it has a cute form factor, although you won't see it win any drag races. The body of the Kawkaba 3000 is made out of fiberglass as well as silicon, helping it deliver unprecedented toughness and flexibility on four wheels. Since it is extremely light (as compared to traditional vehicles), energy outflow is decreased so that battery life can be lengthened until the next recharge. Nice, but will we be able to see it hit the market anytime soon? Highly unlikely as most of the other vehicle manufacturers have their own plans up their sleeves.

: Kawkaba 3000 electric car concept from Ubergizmo Hot: iPhone 4 Review, Droid X Review,
BlackBerry Torch Review

The New Yorker for iPad: Finally, A Magazine Goes Digital and Stays True to Itself

Hey Condé Nast! Did someone hear our plaintive cries about your app ventures? Because we're happy to report that The New Yorker iPad app, released today, resoundingly does not suck.

Well, it's got some issues (of which the editors seem to be aware), but we'll save those for last. We were worried when we heard that The New Yorker was coming to iPad, because it's a medium that is simply asking to be exploited in the wrong way. TNY has always been a text-based mag that's sparse on the pics (with the exception of occasional photo essays), and we feared that the iPad begs developers to go crazy with interactive features, videos, game-engines and other dreck that many readers simply don't want when they're trying to read a story as a story. The New Yorker app shows restraint, and we're glad for it.

Continue reading The New Yorker for iPad: Finally, A Magazine Goes Digital and Stays True to Itself

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