custom

Will the Kindle Fire be worth rooting?

The average consumer probably isn't thinking right now about installing custom firmware on Amazon's Kindle Fire, but I know the first thing a bunch of you wondered was, "Wow, a $199 Android tablet with a dual-core processor; is this thing rootable?"

Well, at least according to one Amazon rep I spoke to at the launch event, it is--and apparently Amazon isn't putting up any measures to stop people from doing it.

Call it confidence (or arrogance), but Amazon seems to feel that it's giving consumers--and even more hard-core Android enthusiasts--enough attractive features to keep … Read more

The ultimate utility bike? Maybe it's an e-bike

PORTLAND, Ore.--For years, the cycling industry has wrestled with creating a bike convenient enough for the masses.

A new effort from the Palo Alto, Calif., design consultancy Ideo and Santa Cruz, Calif., bike builder Rock Lobster Custom Cycles may have pushed the industry a step closer to achieving the goal. The team created a bike for the Oregon Manifest 2011 Constructor's Design Challenge, a bike building competition pitting three teams of designers and handcrafted bike builders. Their goal: create the best utility bike for urban living.

This summer, CNET visited with the three teams--including the pairing of Portland … Read more

Starbucks accused of evicting laptop lounger

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has had enough of gridlock.

If you thought he was merely talking about Congress, you might be in for an awakening far more unpleasant than a drip coffee from your local 7-Thirteen.

You see, a man named Jonathan ("JJ for short") contacted me to tell me about his recent experience at the Starbucks at 168th and Broadway in New York.

JJ, who says he is a financial analyst and Web designer, conveniently wrote down the fun from his point of view on his blog. What fun am I referring to? Oh, JJ claims that a Starbucks district manager threw him out of that Starbucks for being a laptop lounger.

You might, especially if you live in New York, be aware that certain Starbucks have been covering up their power outlets to deter the hard-working (or deeply lazy) members of America society from lingering too long in its fragrant bosom.

However, personal eviction by a Starbucks district manager appears to take the issue to a more elevated and entertaining level.

In JJ's version, the manager in question didn't have a business card, but allowed JJ to note his name, e-mail address, and phone number. His name was allegedly Damian Waugh. This does, according to LinkedIn, correspond with the existence of a Damian Waugh who is a New York district manager for Starbucks.

Waugh clearly has a feel for customer relations, as his previous job was district manager for Radio Shack.

JJ freely admits that he goes to Starbucks to work. He likes to be around people, as he normally works from his small apartment. Yesterday, he says: "I stood in line, ordered my toasted bagel with cream cheese along with a grande, bold coffee in a venti cup."

He freely admits he had been sitting in Starbucks--near a power outlet--for around two and a half hours. He then claims the following took place: "A man in a button down approached me and politely asked, 'What brings you into Starbucks today?'"

JJ could have answered: "Truth, justice, and the American way." Or perhaps: "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

He says he did not. He says he admitted he was there to work. Waugh allegedly responded: "Okay, well we like to reserve our seating for those who are enjoying our beverages."… Read more

Apple customer experience second to none, study finds

Apple has won a second award for customer satisfaction in as many days.

Beyond Philosophy, which assists companies in improving customer experience, announced today that Apple delivers the "most admired customer experience" in the marketplace, besting Amazon.com, Zappos, Starbucks, and Disney, respectively, in the top 5.

"Apple has married all the elements of its experience and connected with its customers in a deeply emotional, irrational way," Steven Walden, senior head of research and consulting at Beyond Philosophy, said in a statement. "Amazon put a stake in the ground when it announced it would become … Read more

Apple tops in customer satisfaction for 8th year

For the eighth year in a row, Apple's Macs have satisfied more customers than any other vendor's PCs.

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), which analyzes consumer feelings toward consumer electronics and appliances, among many other products, said today that Apple's Macs received a score of 87 on the index's 100-point scale measuring customer satisfaction regarding computers. The company's satisfaction score is up 1 percentage point compared to last year's tally, and up 18 percentage points from its low in 1998. What's more, Apple's 87 is the highest mark the company has … Read more

Apple, Samsung top J.D. Power satisfaction survey

Phones from Apple and Samsung topped a J.D. Power satisfaction survey, which cited size, screen quality, battery life, and processing speeds as crucial. The survey also said satisfaction was high for 4G-capable phones.

Apple ranked highest in customer satisfaction among smartphone manufacturers while Samsung was No.1 among traditional mobile phone manufacturers, according to the results of two J.D. Power studies released Thursday.

Satisfaction is tied closely to the weight, size, quality of displays, processing speeds, battery life, and touch screen capabilities, according to the studies.

For example, satisfaction ratings are highest (8.1 on a 10-point scale) … Read more

Assign apps to a desktop in OS X Lion

We have already gone over how to use Mission Control and the new Launch Pad feature in OS X Lion, but users are still having issues adjusting to the lack of some features. One frustration stems from Snow Leopard's Spaces feature, which allowed users to assign apps to windows, or desktops.

Read on to find out how to accomplish the same thing in OS X Lion; it's surprisingly easy.

Apple launches sub-$1,000 iMac

Apple has quietly launched a cheaper iMac more than a week before earlier reports expected.

Apple's new offering costs $999, and comes with a 3.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i3 processor and a 250GB hard drive. The computer is running the AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics card.

The cheaper iMac is designed for education institutions only, which means individuals cannot purchase the computer at the discounted rate.

Citing a source named, "Mr. X," 9to5Mac reported yesterday that Apple would launch a new iMac as early as next Tuesday for less than $1,000. According to the Apple-focused … Read more

Pimp your Leica compact

If you've always wanted a multicolored Lomo-style camera but want the convenience of high-quality digital images, the wait might just be over. Color customization company ColorWare lets you customize a Leica D-Lux 5 compact camera according to your preference, including the snapper's front, back, sides, top panel, port door, hot shoe insert, and lens cap. … Read more

Create a custom iPhone case for $34.95

Which would you rather have protecting your iPhone: a boring black shell, or a beautiful color photo of your kids, dog, significant other, etc.?

Uncommon turns any uploaded photo into an attractive, durable case for your iPhone or iPod Touch. (Custom cases for iPads are coming soon.)

The service offers four case options for the iPhone 4 and one each for the iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch (third- and fourth-gen). Most are priced at $34.95, though the Capsule model for iPhone 4 and 3GS runs $39.95.

I ordered the $34.95 Deflector for iPhone 4, an ultraslim wraparound … Read more