RUNBO
A company called Runbo has introduced a pair of ugly but rugged Android smartphones that also double as walkie-talkie radios. Check out the demo at Engadget.
TING
MVNO wireless provider Ting (they use Sprint's network) is offering to reimburse new customers the cost of early termination fees when they switch from their old provider. Just make sure their coverage area fits your needs. One of the things I keep hearing about MVNOs who lease another carrier's network is that while you'll have access to the bigger carrier's own towers (in this case, Sprint's), you may or may not be able to access towers that the bigger carrier uses via roaming agreements with other companies. So again, make sure you're in the MVNO's coverage map before you switch.
GOOGLE READER
If you have a Google account and routinely visit news websites for updated content, there's an easier way than sifting through each website's home page for new articles. Set up a Google Reader account, then enter the URLs of the news websites you visit via the Add Subscription button. Reader will automatically search your list of websites for new content, where you can read all of the articles from one central location. It's also compatible with some great 3rd party smartphone apps.
CNET SCANDAL
Cnet reporter Greg Sandoval resigned recently due to a controversy involving parent company CBS. Following the recent 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Cnet staffers voted to give Dish Network's Hopper the 'Best Of Show' award. Apparently, CBS didn't like the idea of the award going to a company with which they're involved in a legal battle but forgot to mention this to Cnet management until after the awards had already been decided.
I have in the past relied on Cnet's reviews when shopping for tech gear. I suppose now I'll have to do some additional homework to determine whether Cnet editors' product ratings have been affected by litigation between the manufacturer and CBS.
