Filed under: Computers

Walmart, America’s largest retailer and the world’s largest corporation, will be placing radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags on the jeans and underwear sold in its 3,750-plus U.S. stores beginning next month. The removable tags will be used to monitor inventory losses and shelf stock, but some people are less than happy about the prospect of carrying around a tracking device in their skivvies.

Walmart, like many other retailers, has been using RFID tags to track pallets of inventory as they come into each store. The company hopes that, by applying the tags to individual items, it will more tightly control its stock in stores. But customers will take the tags home with their purchases. And even though the RFIDs can be removed, they will remain active. Since RFIDs can be tracked from a distance, it’s possible that, say, an unscrupulous marketer could drive past your home with a scan gun in tow, and mark you down as a person who might want to receive junk mail about Hanes pouch-fly Classic Briefs in XXL.

Continue reading Walmart Will Track You and Your Undies With RFIDs

Walmart Will Track You and Your Undies With RFIDs originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Video Games

To begin with, yes, Kmart stores still exist in some places [Ed. Note: Actually, part of the same building as the Switched office's in New York, to be exact], even though we can’t remember the last time we shopped at one. So, in an effort to maintain relevant, the retail store is petitioning gamers for help. According to the MyKmart blog, Kmart will tape your video game reviews to display cases in the stores, because nothing says “in the know” like ‘Call of Duty’ fanboy-ism. Supposedly, this little experiment will help Kmart foster an online community of like-minded gamers and also aid clueless shoppers.

Now, there are some rules for aspiring critics. First, Kmart only wants “helpful and constructive” reviews. Secondly, said reviews should be “unique and well-written” (good luck with that). And finally, these reviews should be written with “non-gamers” in mind and should focus on newly released or “evergreen” titles. Of course, Kmart reserves the right to alter “spelling, grammar, slang or punctuation so it’s more store-friendly.”

Continue reading Kmart Wants Your Game Reviews, Stumbles on that Viral Marketing Thing

Kmart Wants Your Game Reviews, Stumbles on that Viral Marketing Thing originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 18 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Cameras, Advice, Editor’s Picks, Reviews, Digital Camera

Question: I need a new digital camera. But since money is tight these days, I can’t spend much over $100. Is there a camera around that price that’s worth any money at all?

Our Advice: Yes. These days, most camera makers sell surprisingly capable point-and-shoots for just over $100. At that price, you won’t get the latest and greatest photo technology. But you will get an inexpensive camera that takes good pictures and offers a useful array of automatic features. Our current favorite is Fujifilm’s 10-megapixel Finepix J20, which you can pick up for about $120.

The J20 has a more compact, sturdy, and stylish design than many of its budget-priced competitors. And its 2.7-inch LCD provides a clear view in a wide range of lighting situations, from bright sunlight to dim interiors. It also produces impressively sharp and colorful images at ISO (light sensitivity) settings as high as 1600. That allows you to shoot without the flash in low light and still capture photos with minimal graininess. All those qualities lend the J20 versatility and easy portability, making it a good all-purpose snapshot camera.

Continue reading What’s the Best Digital Camera for Around $100?

What’s the Best Digital Camera for Around $100? originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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