Reporters Notebook

May 15, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (6)

I’ve been reading “Vinyl Makes A Comeback” stories for some years now. Trouble was, vinyl hadn’t made a comeback. The statistics didn’t support the anecdotal evidence, which was “shovel-ready” at best.

At least until now.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) issued statistics that support the headlines. Last year’s retail sales of vinyl LPs and EPs (long-play and extended-play records for those born in the digital era) were up for the second consecutive year, rising 124 percent in units to 2.9 million and 148 percent in dollars to $56.7 million. In 2007, sales were up 36.6 percent in units and 46.2 percent in dollars.

April 23, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

In only a generation, the cellphone has turned from a symbol of business and social status to a common appliance and a basic human right.

Today, through its Universal Service Fund, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) subsidizes cellphone service for low-income consumers who use a cellphone as their home’s primary phone. Some prepaid providers offer service for as little as $15 to $20/month for 200 minutes of voice calling. And carrier Leap Wireless is touting this month’s network-wide rollout of its Cricket PAYGo prepaid service. With PAYGo, instead of pre-paying for a month of service in advance, use...Read More

April 2, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Here are a few more news items from a busy CTIA Show being held in Las Vegas this week:

Cellphone Penetration At 88.5%

The number of cellular subscriptions in the U.S. grew by 14.9 million in 2008 to 270.3 million, the CTIA’s semi-annual subscriber survey shows. That’s represents a penetration rate of 88.5 percent of the U.S. population, based on the Census Bureau’s population estimate of 305.5 million as of Jan. 1.

The subscription number includes people who have more than one subscription, such as two phones or one phone and one wireless-data modem. As a result, the number of people using wireless devices is ...Read More

March 6, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

I know why American productivity is down. We’re all chasing down rumors, which used to be called news stories, appearing on the Web.

Such was the case when I followed up a “news” report that said “select RadioShack locations across the country” would begin March 5 to offer Verizon Wireless handsets. At the end, the story added, “UPDATE: Added another inventory shot to the jump and clarified that VZW gear will be carried by select stores, not all stores — at least initially.”

Sounds like the initial report mentioned all RadioShack stores would carry Verizon again. That...Read More

February 6, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

When it comes to the DTV transition, James Richter of Atlanta has his priorities straight.

He can’t find a regular job, and he’s given up cable TV service, Internet service, and movie rentals, according to a CNN report. Then the government ran out of converter-box coupons, but he’s not stressing out over whether he’ll be able to eventually get one.

When it comes to being notified about emergencies or severe weather, he said, "I do have a radio, and I also have a cellphone. If something's really, really bad, someone can call me," he said. "And I figure if there's a nuclear war, it wi...Read More