Twenty-Fourteen isn’t Year of the Chromebook

There are reasons why I am so obnoxiously loud about bad news reporting tactics. NPD innocently kicked off a writ-storm about 2014 being year of the Chromebook. A Dec. 23, 2013, press release observes strong Chromebook commercial channel sales of preconfigured desktop and notebook PCs.

Looks like NPD pulled the PR—I can’t find it—over this whole “year of #chromebook” meme; it’s a blog and press echo chamber that continues to boom. Goddamn, my ears hurt. Even The Register, of which I expect much better, misquotes the NPD press release, too. That 21 percent market share figure refers to commercial U.S. channels only, not the entire market.

Aspiration by Joe WilcoxJan 10, 201410:49 am

Timing is Everything

Strange the difference three minutes makes. Coachella general admission tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. PST. I made an early attempt at 9:57, expecting to be denied access but got through to the standby page […]

Google by Joe WilcoxJan 10, 20148:12 am

Resistance is Futile

Okay, I can agree: We should be worrying about Google’s assimilation and consolidation, and here’s why. Without question Google is the new Microsoft. The search giant seeks a unified suite of indispensable integrated products—indispensable not […]

News Media by Joe WilcoxJan 7, 20148:56 pm

Sometimes I Really Miss Working for CNET

Now this is news reporting, and in a few words: How I got T-Mobile’s CEO kicked out of AT&T’s CES party. My apologies for the late highlight. The story as told in a couple tweets is Twitter […]

Journalism by Joe WilcoxJan 7, 20148:17 am

Finally, a Sensible Story sets the Chromebook Record Straight

Gregg Keizer corrects the record regarding Chromebook sales. Somebody had to. Gregg is consistently a thorough reporter who actually reports rather than hypes or falls into The Echo Chamber.

NPD’s press release clearly states U.S. “commercial channels” not all retail sales, as has been widely misreported. That 21 percent number isn’t the whole pie but a much smaller portion of it. This misreading, misunderstanding, or misreporting (take your pick) fostered an echo chamber of stories predicting 2014 as the year of the Chromebook. In your dreams.

Critters by Joe WilcoxJan 6, 201411:41 pm

Neko and Kuma Together and Never

Our kitty Neko relaxes before a photo prepared by a neighbor of our lost love. Kuma disappeared Jan. 15, 2012. Fifteen days later city workers found his collar in a canyon; presumably a coyote snatched […]

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 5, 20149:33 pm

Buzz Cut Wireless

I can’t help but wonder why a Barber Shop offers free WiFi. For what? Snapchat selfies while getting a buzz cut? I took the photo using the Fujifilm X-E1 and 18-55mm kit lens. I enhanced […]

People by Joe WilcoxJan 3, 20147:21 pm

'Comic-Con Heroes' Play

My ebook Comic-Con Heroes: The Fans Who Make the Greatest Show on Earth is finally up on Google Play, after long delay (in part because of Kindle Store’s exclusive). Google Play cut the price to […]

Mobility by Joe WilcoxJan 2, 201410:27 am

Chromebook Matters

My fourth ebook, Chromebook Matters, published over the holiday, and this one is available from Kindle Store, Google Play, and Smashwords. I’m done with Amazon exclusives.

Chromebook Matters is not a how-to book. It’s all “why” and “what”—why Chromebook matters and what it can do for you. I write an introduction for anyone—businesses, consumers, government agencies, or schools—considering buying Chromebook. I also address anti-Chromebook propaganda. Some claims are valid. Most are not.

Photo by Joe WilcoxDec 21, 20136:50 pm

Caturday Christmas

Neko sends his best holiday wishes.

Critters by Joe WilcoxDec 1, 201310:14 pm

Meet Penelope

I rabbit sat last week.

Journalism by Joe WilcoxNov 29, 20138:46 pm

Black Friday Stinks

What a fantastic headline: (in story context): For Retailers Today Really is the Shittiest Day of the Year. Some journalists squawk at Gawker sites for cheesy, sleazy headlines and content. I see Gawker as a […]