ShelfX's Vending Fridge nixes the cashier, uses QR codes, RFID to 'know what you took'

QR codes and RFID tags aren't uncommon when it comes to automated payment applications, and now Colorado-based ShelfX has purposed them for its new wireless-equipped Vending Fridges. Eliminating the need for a cashier -- or cash, for that matter -- each unit allows you to purchase any items packed inside by scanning a QR code with your phone (using the company's app) or an RFID badge. Upon presenting either method to the machine, it's able to tell who you are and unlocks its door. From there, you can grab whatever you'd like, while ShelfX automatically pulls funds your account for what's been removed. The system is also smart enough to know when goods are put back, so you won't have to worry about being charged while making up your mind. All of the money goes through ShelfX, allowing it to take "a small percentage" for itself before sending a monthly payment to owners. The Vending Fridge is currently on sale for $600, and a retrofitting kit for your own fridge is also available for half that amount -- no word on whether it has kid-blocking or crab-proofing options, though. You'll find more information in the press release just after the break.

Continue reading ShelfX's Vending Fridge nixes the cashier, uses QR codes, RFID to 'know what you took'

ShelfX's Vending Fridge nixes the cashier, uses QR codes, RFID to 'know what you took' originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 02:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SpaceX redefines 'fashionably late' as Dragon trip to the ISS is delayed again

Just a week after NASA signed off on its launch, SpaceX has had to postpone the flight of the Dragon. It's yet another delay to NASA's efforts to supply the International Space Station using private spacecraft and reduce the US's dependence on Soyuz rockets. Taking to Twitter, founder Elon Musk said that the company needed to do more testing on the docking code for the capsule, while spokesperson Kirstin Brost Grantham told Space.com that the company needed more time to test and review the hardware. Pending NASA's approval, it'll begin its journey heavenward on the head of a Falcon 9 between May 3rd and May 7th. Given that the original mission was scheduled for November last year, they'll probably need to check the use-by dates on those space rations.

SpaceX redefines 'fashionably late' as Dragon trip to the ISS is delayed again originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cincinnati Bell pushing Ice Cream Sandwich to HTC Sensation users

Cincinnati Bell has announced the Ice Cream Sandwich update for the HTC Sensation starts rolling out today. Sensation owners will get updated to Android 4.0.3, but there's no word on what version of HTC Sense to expect. We're fairly certain it will be 3.6, just like the other Sensations received. The OTA starting today is expected to be completed by April 30. Cinci Bell also stresses that users will not have to visit a store, nor will they lose any data during the update. Interestingly, they also state that customers don't have to update their phones, which is in contrast to most carriers who require the latest official version for any technical support. Holler out if you see this one!

Source: Facebook; More: Sensation forums;
thanks, Anon!

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Where to Save Your Retirement Contributions - The Retirement ...

Welcome to the 3rd week of my ?Understanding Retirement Planning & Investing? series! If you?ve missed the first two posts be sure to check them out!

With the understanding that a 401(k), 403(b), 457, Roth IRA, and Traditional IRA are simply investment vehicles ? tax-sheltered accounts (an umbrella) that allow your money to grow tax-deferred ? the next step in the retirement planning process is to learn which account(s) will be the best places to save your retirement contributions.

This may seem basic to some people but I get asked all of the time, ?where is the best place to invest money for retirement??

Should you put money in the 401(k) before you contribute to the Roth IRA?

Why not contribute to the Roth IRA before the 401(k)? You know about all of the great benefits that I talked about in my first post of this series, so it might seem logical to start with the Roth.

Where to Save Your Retirement Contributions

As a financial advisor, I personally follow this route and recommend it to all of my clients.

• 1. Look for FREE MONEY

  Free Money?? Who would say no to free money?

  Well, people do it every day! It?s right under their nose and they just walk right past it without understanding they?re passing up FREE BENJAMINS! .

  All you have to do is go win the lottery or get an inheritance. BOOM! Free Money! You can thank me later.

  In all seriousness, what I?m talking about here is taking advantage of the company match provided by your employer!

  While some employers have suspended their matching (post 2008) many continue to do it in some fashion. If you have a 401(k), 403(b), or 457 and your employer is offering a match, that is the first place you should invest your retirement money!

  Don?t take my word for it. Let?s think about this logically?

  If your employer is matching 100% or 50% of your contributions then that is FREE MONEY! That is a 100% or 50% return on investment, respectively, BEFORE YOUR MONEY EVER REACHES THE MARKET!

  You simply can?t beat a 50%, 75% or 100% return on your investment.

• 2. Tax-Free Money

  After you?ve contributed to your employer sponsored plan up to the company match, if you still have additional money to contribute to retirement savings, then the next thing I look for is Tax-Free accounts.

  While there are a few different Tax-Free retirement vehicles and investments, the place I?d suggest to consider first is the Roth IRA.

  To jog your memory there are a few special benefits of the Roth IRA:

  • The account is funded with after-tax dollars but you NEVER pay taxes again (even when you withdrawal money after age 59 1/2).
  • The interest you earn NEVER gets taxed (assuming you withdrawal it after 59 1/2)

  In my mind there is ZERO doubt that taxes will go up in this country ? ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH INCOME EARNERS.

  What?you think you?re not a high income earner? If you start saving for retirement early, invest prudently, and build a LARGE nest egg, do you think it?s likely you?ll be in a higher income tax bracket in retirement than you are today? I certainly do!

  On top of that, the reality is that there are only a few ways our country will ever get back on sound financial setting and part of the solution will have to involve increasing taxes, for everyone! Period.

  I?d rather know my tax liability today and take the hit now, instead of relying on our government to manage our country well over the next 30-40 years and HOPE that taxes will be the same as they are today (or lower) by the time I retire.

• 3. Tax-Deferred Money

  After you?ve taken full advantage of your employer?s contributions AND once you?ve maxed out your Roth IRA contributions, then I?d invest any further retirement savings into a tax-deferred account (if you?re confused by those definitions then please see the 2nd post of the series that I mentioned at the start of this post).

  This means to go back to the 401(k), 403(b), or 457 and contribute as much as you can up to the maximum amount allowable (50% of your income or $17,000/year as of 2012 ? whichever is lower).

This may be clear by the suggestions above but my belief is:

• Free $$$ > Tax-Free Money
• Tax-Free Money > Tax-Deferred

Retirement Investing Order of Priority (made simple)

For those of you that want an easy breakdown and prefer for somebody to tell you what to do without understanding the reasoning, then here.

1. 401(k) ? UP TO THE MATCH

2. Roth IRA ? up to the limit ($5,000/year or $6k/year if over 50)

3. 401(k) ? up to the limit

If you don?t have a 401(k) then contribute to whatever employer sponsored plan that is available to you (403(b), 457, etc.).

I realize many people believe throwing money in their 401(k) is easier than contributing to a Roth because they never actually get to see the money. However, that lack of discipline forces those people to skip step 2 and miss out on future TAX-FREE money.

At the end of the day, which order you choose comes down to whether or not you believe taxes will go up over time. I know I do! PLEASE give me all of the future tax-free money that I can get!

THANK YOU MAY I HAVE ANOTHER!

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RedSn0w updated for Mac and Windows: adds Corona A5 jailbreak, other tools

What better way to finish off your night than by updating your favorite jailbreaking tool? Now, you'll be able to do just that after the whiz-kids from the iPhone Dev-Team have pushed out a new copy of their famed RedSn0w application. In what's perhaps the biggest inclusion, version 0.9.10b7 now adds implementation of that untethered Corona jailbreak for A5 devices, making it easier for the iOS 5.0.1 crowd to do bits like reinstalling the tweaked software. In addition, the app's now capable of grabbing SHSH blobs (you know, those tiny files that grant your phone freedom) straight from Cydia, while also giving users the ability to see if their slab carries a vulnerable bootloader or if it's exploitable. RedSn0w 0.9.10b7 is out now for both Windows and Mac, and you can grab it at the source link below.

RedSn0w updated for Mac and Windows: adds Corona A5 jailbreak, other tools originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 06:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NYT Pub Ed: Is Obama Manchurian Candidate? (talking-points-memo)

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Marley: The Definitive Biography of the Man Who Invented 4/20 [Video]

Well, not really, that's just an urban legend. But even 30 years after his death, Bob Marley remains a cultural, musical, and spiritual icon worldwide. Marley, simultaneously released today in theaters and online aims to be the man's definitive biography. More »

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Emmert: Coaches being held more accountable

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Bachmann stirs race debate (Star Tribune)

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Bust Heads, Not Your iPhone [Security]

Apple sells some pricey hardware, everybody knows it. That's why iOS devices are at the top of muggers and robbers lists. So what better way to protect your phone than to integrate it into a vicious melee weapon. More »

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From the Android Forums: Using a UK HTC Sensation in New York

SteveDisco asks in the Android Central Forums,

I would like to know if it is possible to access 3G on my UK HTC Sensation when I go to New York next month on a U.S. SIM card? My limited understanding is that the frequencies used for U.S. phones are different to those in the UK but am unclear if the Sensation will still be able to access. If it is not possible could I just use a US SIM for voice calls and rely on WiFi access?

Thanks

Great question, with several good answers. Basically, yes, you can use your UK model HTC Sensation for 3G data in New York. The European Sensation uses a quad-band GSM radio that supports the frequencies used by AT&T here in the states. You'll need to make sure your Sensation is fully SIM unlocked (talk to your current carrier if you're unsure), and then you'll be ready to do a little research and make a decision.

In the U.S., there are only two GSM operators -- T-Mobile and AT&T. But there are many MVNO networks (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) who rent and resell network space from either one, or even both. You'll not be interested in T-Mobile or any MVNOs using the T-Mobile frequencies, as your Sensation doesn't support them. But that's OK, as your choices are still pretty broad.

Here's a small list of a few different operators that will sell you a no-contract SIM card to use while you're visiting:

• AT&T Unlimited
• H2O unlimited
• Jolt Unlimited
• Red Pocket Unlimited
• Airvoice
• PureTalk USA

Don't be fooled by the words unlimited, as this refers to voice calls. Data rates will cost anywhere between $5 USD for 5MB to $20 USD for 2GB. Of course, this is just a few of the many out there, and you'll have to scour the web to see all the options. In the end, they all use the same network, so the deciding factor is price and how easy it is to get your SIM card and activation. 

Have fun in New York!

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