iPad: interesting concept. BAD name.

As I'm checking out the latest gadgetry from Apple (the iPad,) I'm struck by the bad name. iPad? Really? They couldn't think of something else?

OH -- the creative community is just going to eat this one up, I'm sure. We're so fond of poor, feminine hygenie humor (iPad? ha! what about iTampon? iFemHy? baw-ha-ha-hah!!) And while all this is going on, I'm going to be asking -- did they talk to any girls about this product (notice the lack of them in their introductory video)? I hate to feel like the PC police, but after umpteen years in this biz, I'm weary of tawdry, cringe-inducing humor especially at the expense of my female counterparts.

In the meantime, I'm going to keep an eye on this gadget because this girl has been waiting for a color version of Amazon's Kindle -- which I've heard is YEARS from being a reality. bad name, or not -- iPad is a cool product.

posted by: Karen Raidel

[Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net]

Google, you're so easy to love.

I didn't know that it was possible for me to love Google any more than I already do. I'm completely sold on Gmail, Picasa, Blogger, and Google Trends. And I'd be completely lost without my iGoogle page.

But this holiday season, Google found another way to impress me by gifting free wi-fi to 54 airports in the U.S.

I had the good fortune of flying through three of the 54 airports to which Google provided wi-fi during the holidays. Amid all of the winter weather delays and the holiday stress, I really appreciated Google's fitting gift. The free wi-fi had a strange pacifying effect on me (but multiple hours of LOLcats and Facebook could pacify almost anyone).

I have to wonder if airline and airport satisfaction scores would be higher if the entities did something more to accommodate passengers on a regular basis. I'm already overpaying on everything else in the airport ($7 for a fruit cup and $20 for one checked bag? Really?). Sure, free wi-fi might not be the key to passenger happiness, but it's not a bad place to start.

- posted by hillary hempstead

Peculiar Pairings

One of my favorite pastimes is wandering around in search of quaint shops and cafes. I love the thrill of finding a place to buy great coffee or pretty stationary. During recent explorations of my new West Coast home, I've noticed an interesting trend: the proliferation of shops that pair seemingly disparate goods as their core retail offerings.

I noticed this first while walking around Palo Alto, where I stumbled upon a runner's supply store called Zombie Runner. Instead of limiting the store to running supplies completely, the owners have also installed a top-notch coffee bar (complete with barista!) in the back portion of the shop. The owners are avidly devoted to both the cults of long distance running and high-quality coffee. It's absolutely an odd combination, but it seems to be working well for them.

The second example of this trend I found in San Mateo. I happened upon a store called Clear Optometry, which offers typical optometry services and frames, but it also sells frozen yogurt and, local favorite, Bluebottle Coffee. One of the most interesting facets of this combination is that patients receive free frozen yogurt while they wait for frames. That would definitely get me in the door, but I'm just a complete pushover when it comes to sweets.

Both of these stores opened up in the midst of the recession and are unique concepts. While the items the shops sell are worlds apart, so far they seem to be drawing customers in at a respectable pace. It will be interesting to watch how these businesses evolve as the economic climate continues to improve.

- posted by hillary hempstead