by Christopher Lawton, Consumer Technology Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
Environmentally friendly products from appliances to dry cleaning are all the rage these days. But one issue has remained less clear, at least in the tech business: Are consumers willing to pay more for energy-efficient consumer electronics?
by Christopher Lawton, Consumer Technology Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
Just how much power TVs should use has become a matter of growing debate between the California Energy Commission and the consumer electronics industry.
Next week, the Consumer Electronics Association is coming out with a new study in a salvo against the CEC over proposed rules for specific energy standards for TVs sold in California. Under the CEC’s proposed rules, 42-inch TVs sold in California must consume 183 watts or less by 2011, dropping to 115.5 watts by 2013. The CEC says it’s trying to make TVs more efficient to save the state and consumers money.
by Christopher Lawton, Consumer Technology Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
Ever wonder what happens to your Facebook account after you die? Someone does.
That someone is Legacy Locker, a new online service announced Tuesday that allows people to securely store usernames, passwords and other access information for all their digital assets–from Facebook and MySpace accounts to Gmail and PayPal–and pass that information along to beneficiaries in the event of their death.
by Christopher Lawton, Consumer Technology Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
High-definition flat panel televisions get cheaper every day, but for most people they still aren’t considered a cheap purchase. Tack on the cost of Blu-ray players, movies and HD cable, and you can find yourself saddled with bills as you transition from standard definition to high definition.
by Christopher Lawton, Consumer Technology Reporter, Digits, The Wall Street Journal
Do you like your documents shredded with a cross cut or micro cut? Here’s a hint: Shredders using the micro cut make the smallest cut, which slashes documents into such small pieces that it provides “maximum” security, while the cross cut shreds documents to provide just “enhanced” security.
by Christopher Lawton, Consumer Technology Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
Yes, this may be the worst recession America has seen since World War II. But the people who are bringing us the Consumer Electronics Show would like to point out that sales of tech products are actually faring pretty well when compared to what happened during previous recessions.
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