Let me say at the outset that I’m posing this question not because I truly believe that Microsoft would actually give money to Consumer Reports, or that the publication would even accept such a donation, but I have to wonder about a few things in the December 2012 issue. This is the annual product wrap-up edition, where […]

When Apple introduced the Siri voice assistant with the iPhone 4s in 2011, you may have felt it was a revolution. Up till then, voice recognition systems had been hit or miss, and often required intense training to become accustomed to your voice and speech patterns. You even had to use a special mic to […]

Supposedly Microsoft is in favor of focus group testing, the better to evaluate new products and get public reaction. Yet you have to wonder how they continue to come up with curious, ill-thought solutions that seemingly defy logic. Take the ribbon toolbar. Microsoft wanted you to believe that toolbars containing icons that were context sensitive […]

Some interesting news tidbits have appeared this week, and, despite the sharp drop in Apple’s stock price, there are clear indications that situation won’t last for long. Now I’m not about to try to get involved in Wall Street matters; I’d do better predicting the odds at making money with the slot machines in Las […]