Monthly Archives: September 2009

Survey: Consumers smitten with smartphones

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The CFI Group just released the results of their 2009 Smartphone Satisfaction Survey. The following is a link to the CNet story…

http://bit.ly/cnet_smartphone_survey

Here are some of the highlights:

  • Smartphone users are no longer just reading e-mail or scheduling appointments but also surfing the Web, streaming video and music, downloading games, and snapping pictures. Smartphones are now seen more by consumers as minicomputers than as cell phones.
  • Apple’s iPhone is credited with igniting the growth of smartphones, and it’s the clear leader of the pack. The survey found that the iPhone has the most loyalty and praise among its users, with 92 percent of iPhone owners saying they have the ideal phone. Around 90 percent have recommended the device, while 35 percent said they bought the iPhone based on word-of-mouth advice.
  • The iPhone also is tops in customer satisfaction, ranking 83 on a 100-point scale.
  • The Palm Pre and Android-based phones each scored 77 on the scale, followed by Research In Motion’s Blackberry at 73 and the Palm Treo at 70. The rest of the pack, including phones running Windows Mobile and Symbian, trailed the list with an overall grade of 66.

A revolution in leaf-blowers and other garden equipment

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I just met a gentleman named Captain Bernardo J. Herzer, CEO of a LHER. Bernardo that has created a set of new “green” internal combustion engine technologies, all designed to run using propane. I love new technologies that work to improve the environment and this guy really seems to be on to something.

You might be wondering, as I was, “What can propane do for me?”

Here are some facts from the LHER website:

Why propane?

Propane is:

  • Eco Friendly
  • More Economical
  • Lower fuel cost
  • Lower maintenance cost
  • 2 hours run time on one canister
  • Easier to use/ safer to purchase and store
  • No messy mixing of gas and oil
  • No unwanted trips to the gas station
  • No gas cans to transport or store
  • Canisters are readily available
  • Zero evaporative emissions
  • Zero ozone depleting hydrocarbons
  • Non toxic to ground water and soil
  • 97% fewer particulates
  • 96% fewer carcinogens
  • Over 85% of propane used in this country is produced domestically
  • Exceeds 2011 EPA emission standards

What will they think of next: Honda’s U3-X unicycle

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You have got to see this one to believe it.

CNet News.com [http://news.cnet.com/8301-17912_3-10360718-72.html]

The folks at Honda have created a what they call the U3-X. Essentially, this is a stool with a unique directional wheel system that allows it to travel diagonally, as well as right, left, forward, and backward. I was one of those people that got caught up in the original Segway hype. (Remember how “it” was going to change the world.)

Maybe I’m a sucker for the next cool gadget, but this looks like a fairly miraculous feat of engineering. I look forward to giving this a test drive. If anyone knows how I might arrange for such a test, please let me know.