Even though I’ve been working and living on the west coast for over 20 years, I still say I am from the east coast. I’ve lived outside of Boston, NYC, and Washington, DC. I’m a die-hard Yankees and Giants fan and understand the way of life back there, but I’ve been lucky enough to visit just about every major city in America. Each one has its own personality and distinctive culture. But when it comes to Portland, Oregon (“Ore-gone” if you’re a non-native), this city is in a world of its own.

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Well, I’m finally digging out from attending the Consumer Electronics Show last week. Believe me, it wasn’t easy. I had to cover approximately 3,100 exhibitors spread out over 1.8 million square feet all while dodging 153,000 attendees. Did I mention it was in Las Vegas? On a positive note, this year will surpass 2006 records which is a good sign that we’re bouncing back.

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In less than two weeks, the marvel of CES will begin. People from all over the world come to Las Vegas to see what the electronics industry will showcase for 2012. If it plugs in, runs on batteries, or uses solar power, then more than likely you’ll find it at CES, and the question is always “Which product will steal the show this year?” I already know that mobility is going to be hot once again. Any hand-held device like phones and tablets will dominate the floor space. Here is what I expect to see.

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Ok, we’re less than 2 weeks away from Christmas and the funds are about to run dry. As always, the last person on your list is the hardest to buy for. Not that this person has everything, they just don’t know what they really want. I feel your pain, so I have listed 5 cool gadget gifts for under $100.00 that might ease the headache of trying to find the perfect present. Here you go...

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There are a lot of options out there on your smartphone to lead you from point A to point B. But what if you are in a mall trying to find a certain store, or even in an airport looking for something to eat? GPS has made it easy to navigate the outdoors, but once you go inside, you can’t always depend on it. Or can you?

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I just read an article yesterday that 3 out of 4 consumers will be looking at buying a tablet instead of a notebook or laptop this holiday season. Talk about a dramatic shift in a short period of time! For all you first-time tablet buyers, a word of warning: when you open the box, all you’re going to see is the tablet and a plug. No instructions, usually no manual, and if you’re super lucky, maybe a coupon for you next purchase! Thanks a lot. 

You and I aren’t dummies, but come on, is it too much to ask to get a little help here with our tablets? Simply telling me how to turn it on and where to plug it in just doesn’t cut it. It bothers me a lot that manufacturers leave us to stumble through the learning process on our own. This is where Internet forums come into play.

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Next week, two giants go head-to-head with their new tablets: the Nook Tablet on November 17th and the Kindle Fire on November 15th. Both Amazon and Barnes & Noble will put their next-generation tablets on the market, setting up a new battle for the hearts and wallets of holiday shoppers who are looking for gadgets that are good for reading books, watching videos, and browsing the Internet. 

The good news is, no matter which one you choose, you won’t be breaking the bank. The Nook Tablet at $249 and the Kindle Fire at $199 is far below what you would pay for an iPad. But is there a spoiler out there that you haven’t heard of?

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My wife and I were driving back from Seattle last weekend, (thanks to Waze again for making it fun!) and we were talking about our Holiday budget. Currently, we’re three weeks away from the notorious “Black Friday” You know—the day where you don’t sleep for 24 hours and run on caffeine and fast food?

It’s a hugely stressful time. What to buy? Where to buy it? How to get the best price? But there IS good news—this year, your smartphone works better than ever to help alleviate some of that stress. It turns out that you have the best shopping tool right in your hand! Having the right smartphone apps will make your shopping easier, and you’ll be able to be confident that you’ll be getting the best price out there. Here’s a quick list of some of the best shopping apps out there.

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Do you know of anybody today who doesn’t own an iPhone, Android, or a Blackberry device? Ok, maybe your grandparents aren't on the smartphone bandwagon yet, but have you heard of a new social navigation application that gets smarter with each driver added? We’ve all seen traffic maps with shades for green, yellow and red alerting us to traffic speed, but what if you had an app that could give you even more information? Say hello to Waze 3.0.

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