Thursday, November 30, 2017

ZeTime Watches

By Bayle Emlein

Swiss watches are the proverbial standard in workmanship. MyKronoz continues that tradition, announcing ZeTime, the world’s first hybrid smartwatch with mechanical hands and a color touchscreen, at IFA in early September. The new line was on display at the September 11 Mobile Focus event preceding Mobile World Congress Americas in San Francisco.



What makes the ZeTime a hybrid smartwatch are its operational mechanical hands, over a TFT color touch screen. It can run up to 30 days on a single charge. Smart Movement proprietary technology from MyKronoz means that the ZeTime accomplishes the primary function of a watch: to tell time.

The ZeTime has a 3-axis accelerometer and optical heart-rate sensor. It can track activity and reports heart-rate, steps, distance, calories, active minutes and sleep. It is water resistant. ZeTime can alert a wearer to extended periods of inactivity to encourage more activity. The the ZeTime allows wearers to control iOS 8.0 and above and Android 4.3+ phone functions from the watch face, including but not limited to viewing incoming calls, reading social networking notifications, checking the weather, playing music, taking a photo.

Conscious of the lifestyle demands of the modern consumer, MyKronoz provides a variety of color and band options. Additionally, ZeTime comes in two sizes: “regular,” the standard 44mm diameter watch face size; and “petite,” measuring 39mm, for the consumer who wants something a bit understated. With six watch cases and literally dozens of strap choices, My Kronoz aims to appeal to a wide range of users. With their latest release of the ZeTime smartwatch/activity tracker for under $200, they have hit their target.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

BandwidthX

By Bayle Emlein

When connected via WiFi, I assume–demand–the same reliability and speed that I get from a wired connection. Most users do, despite ballooning data usage, and just take reliable connectivity for granted without ever thinking about how that is accomplished. This leaves mobile operators in a constant scramble to meet user expectations, especially during rush hour. If you commute in an urban area, you have probably noted that “rush hour” is at least half the day now. The same is true online.




BandwidthX has done the thinking and the heavy lifting. They noted two problems. Mobile Operators experience uneven data usage, with significant peaks and valleys in demand; Network Service Providers have built out large broadband networks that sit idle, with unused capacity, much of the time. Enter BandwidthX, resolving the main barriers to distributing mobile data capacity efficiently:
Setting a price,
Securely automating connections,
Keeping track of use,
Ensuring quality of service.


A single price does not work because, in most locations, the cellular data network has enough capacity to meet the demand much of the time. Consequently, the value of additional capacity varies by time of day and location. BxMarket, a cloud-based marketplace enables both Mobile Operators and Network Service Providers to define and change their prices in real time. Both the asking price for selling mobile data capacity and the offer price for buying mobile data capacity may be defined by location of the access point, time of day, type of connected device, and a number of other parameters. When the offer is higher than the asking price, BandwidthX establishes a clearing price, unique to that connection. It’s always lower than the offer and higher than the asking price. Their proprietary algorithm ensures everyone wins, including the end user.


No changes are needed in the network and connections are automatic. BxMarket provides a seamless, invisible service for end users, Mobile Operators, and Network Service Providers.

BandwidthX has been recognized by several industry groups including the Wireless Broadband Alliance, which awarded BandwidthX its Best New Venture Award in 2013 and the Best Wi-Fi Management Solution for a Service Provider Award in 2015.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Essentials

By Bayle Emlein

Andy Rubin co-founded the Android platform. Then he progressed to something more Essential. The Essential phone seeks to solve some of the problems that Android does not address, or even contributes to. Frustrated by the convoluted constraints put on customers and high end-user costs, he set out to create a new kind of company using 21st century methods to build products for the way people want to live in the 21st century.



The basic tenets of Essential are:
Devices are your personal property. We won’t force you to have anything on them you don’t want to have.
We will always play well with others. Closed ecosystems are divisive and outdated.
Premium materials and true craftsmanship shouldn’t be just for the few.
Devices shouldn’t become outdated every year. They should evolve with you.
Technology should assist you so that you can get on with enjoying your life.
Simple is always better.

The result is the Essential PH-1, released in one color: Black Moon. Currently shipping to the US, the price for the titanium and ceramic phone with an edge-to-edge display, is comparable to other similar Android phones The dimensions are height: 141.5mm, width: 71.1mm, thickness: 7.8mm, weight: 185 grams. The display, especially in low light, is noticeably sharper than comparable phones, including some running on a different operating system.

The Essential PH-1 has a 13MP Dual RGB + Mono camera with image fusion technology and f/1.85 lens. The 8MP front camera has a 16:9 aspect ratio and f/2.20 fixed hyperfocal lens. Both cameras handle vdeo at 4K 30fps, 1080p 60fps or 720p 120fp. Bluetooth 5.0 LE; 802.11a/b/g/n/ac with MIMO WiFi; NFC: and GPS and GLONASS keep the phone connected.

Using a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 CPU, this is–not surprisingly–an Android phone. A USB Type-C port; a 60GHz, 6 Gbps Wireless Accessory Connector, 2x accessory power pins, and NanoSIM tray with pin eject complete the Essential Black Moon, the currently available color and model.

Essential also offers a 360° camera that attaches magnetically to the Black Moon. The magnetic connector with wireless data transfer keeps your phone cord-free. The website promises that this interface will remain consistent for future phone models and implies that other accessories are being developed.

Monday, November 27, 2017

VIA Technologies Cameras

By Bayle Emlein

VIA Technologies was pleased to showcase its latest panoramic cameras at the Mobile Focus event preceding Mobile World Congress Americas. The VPai Clip plugs into the USB Type-C/Micro USB2.0 connector of an Android smartphone. This production-ready 360∘ camera integrates an array of real-time capture, stitching, and sharing features that simplify the recording, rendering, and streaming of images and videos. The VPai 360 app features:
Panorama, Asteriod, Crystal Ball, and VR Mode views;
Livestreaming on Facebook and Youtube;
Twelve color filters for enhancing images and videos and for adding awesome special effects;
VPai Space online sharing and community platform;
Time lapse;
Screen capture;
Real-time preview.



The VPai 360 camera platform has dual 210∘ fisheye lenses with transverse 360∘and longitudinal 360∘ capture. 2MP and 5 MP options are available. 2MP cameras have 2048x1024 video and image resolution. The 5MP cameras have 2048x1024 and 4095x2048 resolution. The spherical camera is 41mmwide x41mm deep x 41mm high.



The VPai Slide shares app features with the Clip. Both have a real-time H.264 compression engine. In addition to a Micro SD slot, the Slide has a Lightning Connector and an 800mAh lithium ion battery. It measures 46 mm wide x 128mm high x 22mm deep.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Bullguard Dojo

By Bayle Emlein

The little wireless pebble, Dojo, from Bullguard can help protect the 6.5 Billion, with a >B<, connected devices in the world including baby monitors, smart alarms, cameras, smart appliances, Amazon Echo, Nest, and Hue lights. The Internet of Things in famously easy to hack, and given the rapid rate of adoption, a significant percentage of the population is opening its living space, personal and banking data, and all other information to uninvited visitors.



Powered by artificial intelligence, Dojo is the only product on the market that offers the multi-layer security approach that will meet the cybersecurity challenges of the modern smart/connected home. You can access your home network via your smartphone from anywhere in the world.

Dojo makes it easy to choose who can have access to your network. The friendly Dojo app gives real-time instant risk notifications on attempted privacy breaches and blocks attacks. Lift the Dojo from its charging station and carry it around your home to evaluate areas of vulnerability.

Dojo's defense system utilizes pattern recognition to detect threats. It does this without having to look at the data or knowing what's attacking. It listens to patterns, not your data, to keep your home safe and your data private. Dojo constantly studies your home network to enhance and protect at all times. Dojo notices anomalous: It gets to know your devices and finds patterns in their total behavior. Using this intelligence, it then sets up a perimeter of protection around your home. Nothing unapproved gets in or out.

Friday, November 24, 2017

PhotoSpring

By BayleEmlein

PhotoSpring brings a new vista of ease of set-up and viewing possibilities to digital picture frames. The touch screen interface makes browsing and searching through your personal Photo screen library a cinch. This is not your grandmother’s grandmother’s daguerreotype. It will play still photos and video in the same slideshow. It automatically filters duplicates and poor quality shots and gives you the option of deleting them. And while said daguerreotype may contain several kilobytes of information, both the 15K and 32K versions of PhotoSpring use the data more dynamically.



The app (of course) allows the PhotoSpring owner to give permission to requesters to upload content. And because the Internet is involved, one can do this remotely. You could give a PhotoSpring frame to a distant friend or relative and then send that person updates on the kids or your own activities: many of the advantages of a visit with the grandkids with those annoying tantrums edited out.

PhotoSpring owners can lift the 10.1” screen off the charging stand and carry the viewer wherever they go, with 4 hours of battery life. It’s not quite as convenient as a wallet snapshot, but wallet photos are smaller and don’t include video or sound. PhotoSpring has stereo speakers.

Set-up instructions for the PhotSpring include a careful picture of how to plug the charging stand into the wall. This device is for those who want to look at the content without any hassle. PhotoSpring has companion apps available for iPhone & Android smartphones and Mac & Windows computers. Updates are delivered by Wi-Fi automatically.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Happy Thanksgiving


Happy Thanksgiving. Our office is closed today to celebrate with family and friends.

Xfinity Mobile

By Bayle Emlein

Xfinity Mobile showed off key features of its new wireless service, designed to deliver an even better wireless experience at a lower cost at the Mobile Focus event preceeding Mobile World Congress Americas in September. America’s largest 4G LTE now allows up to five lines of unlimited talk and text coupled with your Xfinity internet service. New features allow users to pay for data by the Gig or use an Unlimited account AND switch between the two. Xfinity Mobile customers have access to the latest devices.



With OOC you pay $12 per Gigabyte per month. You pay only for the data you actually use each month. The Unlimited plan is $45 per month per line for standalone consumers. It has no limits on data usage, though users may experience reduced speeds after 20 GB. Information about plan details, coverage, and devices are all at https://www.xfinity.com/mobile/.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Kenu Phone Mounts

By Bayle Emlein

Mounts for phones and tablets maintain the stylish decor in what is probably your second or third largest investment (after your home or education): your car. Models with both suction and vent clips secure even tablets and supersized phones.



In September, Kenu (sounds like “canoe,” a mode of self-propelled water transport) released four new models, the Airframe Pro, the Airframe Magnetic, the Airbase Pro, and the Airbase Magnetic. All four feature a 360° pivot joint so that the user can pivot and rotate the phone in any direction, giving a clear view of the screen in either portrait or landscape mode, or of the view outside to function as a dashcam. Hands-free now looks good and feels good as well as making driving safer and legal.

The new mounts feature purposeful curves and precision manufacturing. Kenu is so sure of the quality of their products that they are we’re introducing a Lifetime Warranty. (Disclaimer: a lifetime is defined as 30 years in Germany.) If there are any defects in the manufacture or workmanship over the lifetime of the product, Kenu will repair or replace it.

The new Airframes feature a Spring-Loaded Vent Clip that’s button activated and fits even more vents securely and safely. For both Airframe Pro and Airbase Pro we’ve engineered a larger expandable grip that now fits extra-large phone cases like the Otterbox Defender for the iPhone 7 Plus, while still fitting small phones like the iPhone SE. The Airbase line features a versatile adhesive suction cup base that attaches to any dashboard or windshield, and can even be used as a desktop mount in the home or office.

In addition to the Airframe and Airbase car mounts, the current product line includes additional phone and tablet mounting systems, mobile tripods, kids’ headphones, charging cables, a car charger, and a security leash, and protective cases. The coincidence between outdoor sporting and the company name continues with the first syllable of the company name and the first name of the founder. Outdoor enthusiast Ken Minn started the company four years ago with the security leash because he wanted to enjoy his sport without having to keep a continual eye on his phone. Other sports, other devices, but still the central theme of keeping a device at the ready but not interfering with the central activity.

Monday, November 20, 2017

Kaon Hi Velocity Marketing Platform

By Bayle Emlein

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a gesture geometrically increases the value of a picture. Kaon Interactive is a platform for creating virtual demonstrations. Anyone who has ever tried to explain a new concept, whether to tech insiders or to the general public, will appreciate the value of “showing” as a way of telling. It works in Kindergarten and it works in the B2B environment.



The Kaon Hi Velocity Marketing Platform® uses augmented and virtual reality to tell a product story. Business customers can deploy interactive sales and marketing applications to any device anywhere. Kaon works closely with each client to ensure that products and solutions are represented in an accurate and convincing manner.

Kaon solves the top 6 business challenges. Users are able to reduce product shipping costs to trade shows, sales meetings, and customer events. Complex solutions can be delineated clearly, even when the product is present. Businesses can increase accessibility to their products for the purposes of demonstrations. A company’s message can be delivered everywhere with clarity and consistency. Potential customers are more engaged with the product and they retain information better. There are no hidden costs associated with maintaining interactive applications.

Kaon Kaon AR® transforms customer from a passive listener to an active participant in the B2B buying process by fully immersing them in a 360-degree interactive digital environment. By using sing the Kaon VR Station™ (which includes an Oculus Rift virtual reality headset and a high performance VR computer), they can navigate the space as if it were real to see how your products and solutions create value for them. Kaon AR®, is now available on over 340 million Apple devices.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

AVG Antivirus

By Bayle Emlein

Avast and AVG are the two leading free security software programs. Just about a year ago, Avast bought AVG. However this is a modern marriage and each program maintains its identity and functions as an independent entity in the online world where they met. Which should you choose? Should you look at anti-malware solutions? Definitely. The one thing you should not do is nothing. Make choices based on your personal situation. Avast has over 200 million users world-wide. The free version offers a solid, unobtrusive solution for the home user. Mac and Android versions are available.

The problem with the connected home, or even connected devices, is that they are vulnerable to hacking. The more devices behind a router, the weaker the security for any one of them. As a wider range of the population starts enjoying the connected life, the importance of ongoing safe computing fades into the background. Who thinks about being sure their fridge isn’t opening a leak to their banking information?

The latest version of the AVG Antivirus mobile app comes with a reimagined user experience featuring a modernized design. New features include:

>Anti-Theft Features: Users can control the app online, activate a siren if the phone has been stolen, remotely adjust settings and set custom screen messages.
>Call Blocker: Gives users the options to block unknown callers or send them directly to voicemail. In the new version, this feature has been optimized for users to not only block numbers stored in the address book but also all unknown, and hidden numbers.
>App Permissions: Allows the user to understand which apps installed on their phone have which permissions and what information they can access.
>Wi-Fi Speed Test: Checks the download and upload speed of the Wi-Fi network users are connected to.
>Safe Clean: Cleans residual data and caches to improve smartphone speed and performance.

New features to Avast Mobile Security & Antivirus, include:
>Photo Vault: Encrypts photos from a user’s gallery and imports them into a PIN code-protected vault, accessible only to the user.
>App-locking: Adds fingerprint and pattern locking/unlocking support to the existing feature, which allows users to create a PIN to secure their smartphone apps.
>Power Save: Reduces battery consumption by turning off unused apps and activities, including adjusting settings for battery-draining activities such as Bluetooth and screen settings.

Additionally, for the security of home -based systems, they have partnered with Netis Systems, a leading router manufacturer, to secure its Stonet router with Chime, our router security platform based on AVG technology. Chime offers an extra layer of security by protecting the network from malware, viruses and other malicious behaviour that could compromise the it. Chime also provides parental controls such as app blocking and content filtering as well as on-the-go security alerts via a user-friendly mobile app. Once personal information is in the public domain it is there forever, leaving you vulnerable to embarrassment and much worse. Prevention is the best defense.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Helio P System Chips

By Bayle Emlein

You’ll find MediaTek chips in a variety of midrange consumer devices. They tend to be mobile, but they’re an asset any place where high performance, power efficiency, and compact size matter.



The newly announced e Helio P23 and Helio P30 system-on-a-chip (SoC) deliver features like dual-cameras, 4G LTE connectivity, premium photography experiences, with outstanding connectivity on dual SIM cards. TL Lee, General Manager of MediaTek’s Wireless Communication business unit, stated that, “In the rapidly growing arena of new premium mid-range devices, mobile technology innovators know they need to stand out in a crowded field – P23 and P30 enable them to do that.”

Now that you know, you know to ask if the device you’re considering uses a Helio P23 or a HelioP30.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Gazelle ecoATM

By Bayle Emlein

If you’re reading this, you’re probably part of the demographic that cares about a device–phone, tablet, etc.—that has the most up-to-date features. What to do with the old one? You have only so many kids and friends to whom to pass it on to and if they have the good taste to associate with you, they probably have the same good taste in electronics. You can stuff the old one in a drawer or on the back of a closet shelf, donate it, or just toss it (responsibly) into electronic waste.

Or you can find ecoATM from Gazelle. Here you have two ways to exchange your old object for the best of all possible devices: cash. 1)To locate the nearest kiosk, visit www.ecoATM.com/locator. 2)Too far or don’t care to experience traffic and a mall parking lot? Go online to https://www.gazelle.com/trade-in.



In either case, you check to see if your device can be repurposed, you turn it, either at the kiosk or via a prepaid package. You should have cleared all your personal information beforehand. Just to be sure, they double check and refurbish it at their processing facilities in Louisville, KY. Once a device is submitted and its condition is confirmed by the processing center, consumers are paid for its value in the manner selected.

By paying a fair price for used devices, ecoATM Gazelle helps divert millions of smartphones and tablets from landfills. The other side of the coin are the thousands of refurbished devices ecoATM has for resale. If there’s an obsolete model that you just love, no matter its age, you might find a working sample here. Got a kid who loses a phone a week? Going on a trip where you don’t want to take your $1K magnet for sticky fingers? Look here for something expendable.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Mopria Alliance

By Bayle Emlein

The mission of the Mopria Alliance is to provide high-quality, intuitive, and fast wireless printing from smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. The Alliance developed the Mopria logo so users can easily identify devices which are mobile print-ready. Up 97% of printers sold worldwide are Mopria certified.



The Mopria Print Service is available for download from the Google Play™ Store for any Android 4.4 device or higher. The Mopria Print Service is also pre-installed on select ZTE, Amazon Fire and Huawei devices. Additionally, Samsung Galaxy devices utilize Mopria technology in the Samsung Print Service and Android 8.0 Oreo™’s new Default Print Service features core technology from the Mopria Print Service. Supported print settings include color, number of copies, duplex, paper size, page range, media type and orientation, as well as workplace features like user authentication, accounting capabilities, and stapling.

The Mopria Alliance is a non-profit membership organization formed by leading global technology companies. Founded by Canon, HP, Samsung and Xerox in 2013, the nonprofit membership organization has added Adobe, Konica Minolta, Qualcomm, Lexmark, Kyocera, Toshiba, Brother, Epson, Fuji Xerox, NEC, Pantum, Ricoh, YSoft, Sharp, Dell and Primax.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

SD Association

By Bayle Emlein

To develop and promote standards for memory cards, Panasonic, SanDisk Corporation and Toshiba Corporation established the SD Association in January 2000. Maintaining the same focus while continuing to develop features, the association has grown to nearly 1000 members who participate in setting interoperable SD standards. The Association encourages the development of consumer electronic, wireless communication, digital imaging and networking products.



Cards using SD Association standards, with reliable interoperability and its easy-to-use format, cover more than 80 percent of the memory card market. Smart phones, tablets, Blu-ray players, HDTVs, audio players, automotive multimedia systems, handheld PCs, digital cameras and digital video cameras feature SD interoperability. For more information about SDA or to join, please visit the Association’s website, https://www.sdcard.org.

Membership in the SD Association is open to anyone, and provides up-to-date information on the complete portfolio of SD standards. Members develop products and solutions that are interoperable with other SD-compatible devices and are designed to the SD standards.

Members have the opportunity to participate in SD Association standards development activities, such as committees and working groups that advance the way consumers save and use photos, music, documents, games, maps, movies. They seek other innovative applications made easier by SD standards.

Monday, November 13, 2017

Bagel Labs

By Bayle Emlein

In 2016, Bagel Labs launched the world’s first smart tape measure. Incorporating customer requests and suggestions into their next product, they plan to start manufacturing Bagel Square in November. Bagel Square combines a tape measure and a laser distance meter. The 5-meter (=16 feet) metal tape pulls out just like traditional tape measures, but reports to a widescreen digital display that connects to your smartphone through the Bagel app so that you can save and combine measurements and easily share them. For spaces where you can reach both ends, flick a button on the Bagel Square and it’s in laser mode. Measure space up to 30 meters (90.4 feet). Bagel Square has a 9-axis motion sensor to analyze the direction of each measurement and record it as a vector.


Watch the product video at https://youtu.be/YfPAYrTy3wA and you’ll understand why you want a Bagel Square.

Friday, November 10, 2017

Hour Number One: An Accident


Las Vegas is the first city in America to have a self-driving shuttle operating in real-time traffic.
However, in its first hour of service in downtown Las Vegas, the shuttle was involved in a collision with a delivery truck. There has been no report of injuries at this time.

The driver of the truck was cited by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

The project has many people intrigued, wanting to see how the shuttle would work.

The shuttle is set to run in a continuous loop downtown.

Those checking out the shuttle system won't see anything else like it across the entire country.

The goal is to get at least a quarter-million people -- locals and visitors, alike -- onboard, trying out the driverless technology, first hand.

As of now, the rides are free.

The shuttle can be boarded at any of the three stops located on Fremont and Carson Streets between Las Vegas Boulevard and 8th Street.

The shuttle seats eight with seatbelts and has the ability to immediately brake automatically or manually in case anything crosses its path -- something that was clearly tested in today's incident.

AAA is sponsoring the shuttle and says more than 30,000 people died on roads throughout the U.S. last year with around 90-percent of those crashes caused by human error. The goal is to keep things safer with a driverless world.

"It's usually really more of a fear, I think, of leaving the known than it is about the future of the unknown," said NASCAR driver Danica Patrick. "So sometimes you just have to let things go and when it's in the best interest of safety, I think it's a smart thing."

In Vegas Strong fashion, AAA will donate $1 to the Las Vegas Victims Fund for every rider that gets on the shuttle, giving back to those directly impacted by '1 October.' They're starting with a guaranteed $100,000 check.

A representative on behalf of AAA has stated on Twitter that the crash was caused by the truck backing into the shuttle at the time and was a result of human error, with the driver of the truck cited.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

More Closings

The cost-cutting strategy continues at Sears with another 63 stores targeted for closure early next year.

Emblematic of the struggle facing U.S. department stores, Sears Holdings has already closed more than 350 Sears and Kmart stores this year. An additional 45 Kmart stores and 18 Sears stores will be closing in late January 2018, the company said Thursday.

“Sears Holdings continues its strategic assessment of the productivity of our Kmart and Sears store base and will continue to right size our store footprint in number and size," the company said in a statement. "In the process, as previously announced we will continue to close some unprofitable stores as we transform our business model so that our physical store footprint and our digital capabilities match the needs and preferences of our members."

The 63 stores will remain open during the holiday season and employees at the closing stores will get severance pay and an opportunity to apply for other jobs within the retail chains. "Liquidation sales will begin as early as November 9 at these closing stores," the company said.

The retail industry s reeling as a growing number of shoppers do their buying online and e-commerce giant Amazon becomes the go-to for many consumers. But the decline of Sears has been particularly stark.

The iconic store chain, whose goods once filled American households from the garage to the living room, has struggled to remain relevant as shoppers increasingly bypass it to head to big box giants like Walmart, or specialty retailers like Best Buy and Home Depot instead.

In March, Sears said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it had "substantial doubt" about its ability to stay in business unless it could borrow more and generate additional cash from its assets. However, the notification was required because of a rule change that mandated businesses be more transparent about potential risks they face within a year of their reported financial statements. Independent auditor Deloitte said at the time that it believed Sears Holdings was still viable.

The company has initiated a turnaround plan this year that aims to slash $1 billion in costs annually, and cut the company's debt by $1.5 billion. Shedding low-performing stores has been key to the restructuring, but Sears also sold Craftsman, one of its most valuable brands, to Stanley Black & Decker for roughly $900 million.

In another move that could boost the company's balance sheet, Sears announced in July an agreement to sell its Kenmore appliance brand on Amazon. And the company has been increasing the perks available to its most frequent shoppers.

Just this week, Sears and Kmart launched a nearly month-long sale for members  of its "Shop Your Way'' loyalty program to woo customers during the all-important holiday period. Sears shoppers will get discounts ranging from 10% to 50%, and Kmart shoppers will see sales of 10% to 40% on all items through Nov. 25.

Some of the changes, while not increasing profits, do appear to be stemming the financial bleeding. While the company reported a net loss of $251 million for its second quarter that ended July 29, that was down from a loss of $395 million during the same period last year, and also beat S&P analysts projection of $266 million.

Still, there are continuing signs that Sears is no longer the dominant player it once was. Last month, it announced that for the first time in more than 100 years, it would no longer sell Whirlpool appliances because the two companies could not reach an agreement on price.