Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Malls halt cellphone-tracking experiment after complaint from Senator Schumer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/29/malls-halt-cellphone-tracking-experiment-after-complaint-from-se/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/29/malls-halt-cellphone-tracking-experiment-after-complaint-from-se/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/29/malls-halt-cellphone-tracking-experiment-after-complaint-from-se/#commentsAs you may have heard last week, two US malls (the Promenade Temecula in Southern California and Short Pump Town Center in Richmond, Virginia) decided to conduct a little experiment this holiday shopping season, in which they employed some cellphone-tracking technology in an effort to learn more about individuals' shopping patterns. That technology came from a company called Path Intelligence, which has previously outfitted UK malls with the system, and assures folks that it only detects cellphone signals, not phone numbers or other personal data.

Those assurances apparently weren't enough for US Senator Chuck Schumer, however, who sent letters to both the FTC and the CEO of Path Intelligence, complaining that the tracking was "simply unreasonable," and that a "shopper should not have to choose between the ability to be in touch with friends and family in case of emergency and safeguarding her privacy." While it's unclear if it's in direct response to the Senator's letter, the company that owns both malls has reportedly shut down the tracking systems after only a day of use, although it isn't commenting publicly on the matter just yet. You can find Senator Schumer's full statement at the source link below.

Malls halt cellphone-tracking experiment after complaint from Senator Schumer originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphone trackingcellphone-trackingCellphoneTrackingcharles schumerCharlesSchumerchuck schumerChuckSchumerfootpathmallmallsmobilepostcrosspathpath intelligencePathIntelligenceprivacyschumertrackingTue, 29 Nov 2011 16:03:00 EST<![CDATA[KDDI's Swing navigation system helps you find your way around a store, avoid human interaction]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/kddis-swing-navigation-system-helps-you-find-your-way-around-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/kddis-swing-navigation-system-helps-you-find-your-way-around-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/kddis-swing-navigation-system-helps-you-find-your-way-around-a/#comments
GPS can help you get to your favorite bookstore, but once you're there, it probably won't find that Thomas Pynchon book you're looking for. That's where KDDI's Swing navigation system comes in. Taking its cue from Nokia's Kamppi and NAVTEQ's Destination Maps services, the prototype is designed to help smartphone users find their way around malls, restaurants or any other indoor space, using only a red arrow as their compass. Just choose the section of the store you're looking for, wave your phone in a circle and KDDI's app will use a system of pre-installed sensors to find your location, before pointing you in the right direction. Seems intuitive enough, but Swing's success will ultimately depend upon how many people and retail outlets decide to adopt it. Swing past the break for a demo video.

Continue reading KDDI's Swing navigation system helps you find your way around a store, avoid human interaction

KDDI's Swing navigation system helps you find your way around a store, avoid human interaction originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 May 2011 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appcellphoneDemodirectionsGPSindoorindoor navigationIndoorNavigationkddiKDDI SwingKDDI Swing ConceptKddiSwingKddiSwingConceptmallnavigationphonerestaurantssensorsmartphonestoreSwing ConceptSwingConceptvideoWed, 25 May 2011 09:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony offers sneak peek of new LA store - no fooling (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/31/sony-offers-sneak-peek-of-new-la-store-no-fooling-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/31/sony-offers-sneak-peek-of-new-la-store-no-fooling-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/31/sony-offers-sneak-peek-of-new-la-store-no-fooling-video/#comments
You might see a bunch of fake news on the internet tomorrow, but considering what we've seen of Sony's new LA storefront, we're fairly certain this isn't a prank. That's right, Sony's launching a newly branded retail store in the City of Angels Friday, and from the look of things, it spared no expense. The 4,200-square foot space is the first to ditch the Sony Style moniker for the simpler Sony Store, and while the aesthetics are decidedly minimal, the experience is anything but. As you might expect, the shop offers demos of a slew of devices; it's packed full of everything from VAIOs to ray modelers to 3D Handycams, and it's also rocking a fully loaded home theater setup called "The Cube." Considering the outfit's been looking to up its retail cred, we'd say the new spot has the stuff to do the job, even if that bright white modular look does seem strangely familiar. If you're in the LA area, you can check out the new digs starting tomorrow -- if not, hit up the guided video tour above.

Continue reading Sony offers sneak peek of new LA store - no fooling (video)

Sony offers sneak peek of new LA store - no fooling (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 21:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april 1stapril fools dayApril1stAprilFoolsDayCACaliforniacentury citycentury city sony storeCenturyCityCenturyCitySonyStoreelectronicsLAlaunchlaunchinglos angelesLosAngelesmallnew storeNewStoreopeningretailshopshoppingSonySony StoreSony Store LaSony Store Los AngelesSony StyleSonyStoreSonyStoreLaSonyStoreLosAngelesSonyStylestorestorefrontstoresvideoThu, 31 Mar 2011 21:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Bing's detailed mall directory maps improve Paul Blart's livelihood, should be on mobile]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/07/bings-detailed-mall-directory-maps-improve-paul-blarts-livelih/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/07/bings-detailed-mall-directory-maps-improve-paul-blarts-livelih/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/07/bings-detailed-mall-directory-maps-improve-paul-blarts-livelih/#comments Mall maps integrated into an online mapping system? It's not exactly a minty fresh concept, but Microsoft has managed to seriously up the game with its Bingified mall directory maps. These zoomable, highly detailed maps help you see the layout and store count at a glance, with each click inside of a store yielding an exact address, phone number and links to 'Directions' / 'Send to Mobile.' Heck, you can even use 'em to discover the best place to park. Only problem? They aren't exactly mobile friendly just yet, which all but defeats the purpose. Except, of course, if you've got the photographic memory that every stressed-out college student in existence longs for. Hit the source link to see if your nearby shopping complex is one of the 22 listed -- if not, you can only pray that it's added prior to December 24th.

Bing's detailed mall directory maps improve Paul Blart's livelihood, should be on mobile originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bingbing mapsBingMapsmallmall directorymall mapsMallDirectoryMallMapsmapsmicrosoftnavnavinavigationroutingsearchTue, 07 Dec 2010 16:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Robovie R3 all set to assist, freak out elderly and handicapped shoppers this November (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/05/robovie-r3-all-set-to-assist-freak-out-elderly-and-handicapped/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/05/robovie-r3-all-set-to-assist-freak-out-elderly-and-handicapped/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/05/robovie-r3-all-set-to-assist-freak-out-elderly-and-handicapped/#comments The Robovie R3 is the latest in a distinguished line of humanoid bots developed for the purposes of research, discovery, and (a tiny bit of) geeky fun. Following its predecessor's footsteps -- the R2 secured employment as a guide to lost shoppers -- the R3 will be making its mall debut in November of this year, where it'll assist people by carrying their shopping, providing information about nearby products, and holding their hand as it guides them through the crowds. Intended as a way to get elderly and handicapped people back out into the community, this is part of a viability study for the robot's usefulness, and if it finds success maybe its anime eyes and dalek form factor will find their way outside Japan as well. Video of the R3 after the break.

Continue reading Robovie R3 all set to assist, freak out elderly and handicapped shoppers this November (video)

Robovie R3 all set to assist, freak out elderly and handicapped shoppers this November (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 May 2010 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assistantassistant robotAssistantRobotatrbotdroneelderlyhandicappedhumanoidmallpersonal assistantPersonalAssistantr3researchresearch and developmentResearchAndDevelopmentrobotrobovierobovie r3RobovieR3shoppingshopping guideshopping mallShoppingGuideShoppingMallviabilityvideovstoneWed, 05 May 2010 09:24:00 EST<![CDATA[First pic of Microsoft retail store's construction -- both Abercrombie & Fitch visibly nervous]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/07/first-pic-of-microsoft-retail-stores-construction-both-aberc/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/07/first-pic-of-microsoft-retail-stores-construction-both-aberc/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/07/first-pic-of-microsoft-retail-stores-construction-both-aberc/#comments
Here you have it, folks. We knew this was coming, but the first photographic evidence of a Microsoft retail store under construction has just come to us -- via the company's Twitter account -- and we have to say, it brought a few tears of joy to our eyes. The first two stores are set to be opened in Scottsdale, Arizona and Mission Viejo, California this fall. Wonder if the inside will look anything like those plans we saw?

Filed under: , ,

First pic of Microsoft retail store's construction -- both Abercrombie & Fitch visibly nervous originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturemallmallsmicrosoftmicrosoft storeMicrosoftStoreretailretail storeRetailStoreFri, 07 Aug 2009 17:44:00 EST<![CDATA[It's a done deal: Dell puts an end to all 140 US mall kiosks]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/30/its-a-done-deal-dell-puts-an-end-to-all-140-us-mall-kiosks/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/30/its-a-done-deal-dell-puts-an-end-to-all-140-us-mall-kiosks/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/30/its-a-done-deal-dell-puts-an-end-to-all-140-us-mall-kiosks/#comments
Just as we feared, Dell will indeed be axing 100-percent of its US mall kiosks -- 140 in total. Unsurprisingly, the official word attributes the move to Dell's shift into big box retail stores, but we're sure that's not the least bit consoling to the fine folks who were pushing Round Rock's machines to mall-goers just yesterday. According to Tony Weiss, vice president for Dell's Global Consumer business, the move "fits in with how its broad global retail strategy is evolving," and for whatever it's worth, kiosks outside of US borders are still safe for now. You may still be getting a Dell, but dude, it won't be from the mall.

[Image courtesy of NotebookReview]

Filed under: ,

It's a done deal: Dell puts an end to all 140 US mall kiosks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsbusinessclosedclosingdellindustrykioskkiosksmallretailWed, 30 Jan 2008 12:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney's Magical Blu-ray Tour starts in August]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/disneys-magical-blu-ray-tour-starts-in-august/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/disneys-magical-blu-ray-tour-starts-in-august/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/disneys-magical-blu-ray-tour-starts-in-august/#commentsJust in case you thought Disney's support of the Blu-ray format might be slipping, the company is taking its show on the road with an 18-city mall tour to promote the format. Disney's Magical Blu-ray tour, sponsored by fellow Blu-ray backers and experienced mall-tourers Panasonic, starts August 17th and aims to educate customers about the format with interactive demos of Blu-ray movies and hourly presentations on Blu-ray tech. While consumer confusion over high definition in general and the format war specifically is definitely a problem, we have a feeling that "education" will go a lot more smoothly once hardware prices drop a bit more. Check the link for dates the tour is coming near you, no word on if the HD DVD tour plans to crash any stops.

Filed under: ,

Disney's Magical Blu-ray Tour starts in August originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu rayblu-raybluraydisneydisney's magical blu-ray tourDisney'sMagicalBlu-rayTourformat warFormatWarhdmallpanasonictourTue, 17 Jul 2007 16:17:00 EST