Wrapping our iPad app in vibrant color

Late last year I shared some details about The Bakersfield Californian's multimedia campaign for its iPad app. 

And here's a quick update: We've recently added a few new components in the form of advertising wraps on four Golden Empire Transit buses and two Bakersfield Californian delivery vans.

The bus wraps each have a different theme that reinforces the message that The Californian e-edition iPad app is the perfect escape, whether Who wouldn't do a double take at seeing this van? you're at the beach, in the mountains, at Morro Bay or at Dodger Stadium. 

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My appearance on 'Californian Radio'

I did an emergency stint on "Californian Radio" on Monday, talking with Scott Neal, general manager of SMG, the group that handles events and Rabobank Arena and Convention Center. 

We talked about a busy weekend at the arena, the Grammys, and the likelihood of Adele coming to Bakersfield.

My annual CES roundup

Welcome to my annual debrief from a two-day banzai trip to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. 

As expected there were tons of fantastic devices and trends on display, and a ridiculous number of accessories for those devices. It was as if technology took a break and the only Colorful accessories for phones and tablets from Uniqopening was to design cases and bags to accompany that technology. I think that says a lot about this economy, where buying decisions are tampered by the reality of thin wallets. Where we once may have splurged on something big and bad, we're either passing, waiting for Version 2 or dressing up what we already own.

And, as was the case last year, I didn't see any breakthroughs in battery technology. We're producing technology that outpaces the infrastructure. n that vacuum, many companies are producing portable "juicers," battery packs that can plug not your devices and recharge them much more quickly than standard cables. And there were many charging pads. I even saw luggage touted to charge devices while stowed away. One manufacturer that may be close to a real breakthrough in battery tech is myRata, which showed off its wireless, solar and heat-charging technology.  

CES is an adventure, covering six or seven massive halls. What follows is simply a sampling of what caught my attention, good or bad:

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