Items tagged with RadioShack
Give RadioShack credit, the iconic electronics chain lasted nearly a century and survived part of the Internet era before ultimately filing for bankruptcy. However, the chain's impressive 94-year run doesn't give it a free pass to treat customer data like an asset, or so that's the stance the Federal Trade Commission is taking. The FTC sent a letter (PDF) to the court appointed consumer privacy ombudsman in RadioShack's case. In the letter, FTC direct Jessica L. Rich notes that RadioShack is in possession of personal information for over 117 million customers, information that includes names, addresses (billing and shipping), telephone numbers, email addresses, credit or debit card numbers, and...
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The RadioShack bankruptcy took a harder turn into ugly territory yesterday with Apple's filing of a complaint in a Delaware court. The move is intended to keep the once-prevalent hardware giant from selling their customer data, joining the states of Texas and Tennessee in their efforts to prevent the company from opening their customer information coffers to the highest bidder. The Apple complaint states that as a condition of the arrangement by which RadioShack was allowed to sell iPhones and iPads in its stores, the retailer would protect the personal data of customers choosing to buy Apple products. Specifically, Apple's complaint states, “The Reseller Agreement between Apple and RadioShack...
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As a kid growing up in the early 80s and 90s, I can remember making numerous trips to RadioShack (whether it be in a standalone location or at the mall). Most of the time, it was to purchase batteries or parts to fix whatever electronic gadget I was attached to at the time (R/C cars, R/C airplanes, my portable battery-operated black and white TV), but I often just liked stepping foot inside the store to find the next gadget that would go on my wish list. But as my gadgets became more miniaturized without an easy way to fix them and as stores like Best Buy came along, my fondness with RadioShack faded away. I’ve probably stepped into a RadioShack three or four times in the past decade, and that...
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It's long been rumored that Amazon has been itching to move into the traditional retail store market, but doing so is not a small endeavor. One of the biggest hurdles is simply finding available retail space, especially when it comes to wanting to get close to competitors, or appear in a one of the busier parts of some cities. What can make all of that a lot easier is to takeover retail space from an outgoing company. Say, for example, one with over 4,000 pre-existing stores. Yes, we're talking about the ill-fated RadioShack, which hasn't instilled us with the utmost confidence in recent years. While it'd be sad to see such an iconic store go the way of the...
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RadioShack is fast approaching a major hurdle in its long-running turnaround effort: it’s woefully short on cash. The company has been fighting declining sales with strategies that have left critics scratching their heads and was warned by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in July that its stock price was putting the company in danger of being delisted. In a public release today, RadioShack sounded the alarm: while it believes sales are trending up, it needs more cash for its long-term plans. RadioShack is working to turn itself around but needs cash. At least one analyst has predicted that bankruptcy is possibly in RadioShack’s near future. Pressured by the same...
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RadioShack is one of those companies that you have to wonder about. Does it have what it takes to compete in the modern-day landscape of online shopping and major electronic store domination? Do people still need it in the same way they used to? In a strange retail move, RadioShack announced this week the end of its relationship with Target, where it helps operate Target Mobile in 1,500 Target stores. The partnership will officially dissolve on April 8th. The RadioShack and Target partnership provided RadioShack access to manage Target's post-paid mobility business, but RadioShack did not manage the prepaid mobility business or the wider range of accessories offered in Target stores. Since October...
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Today's Presidential election figures to be an extremely tight race between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, and whoever wins -- Mitt Romney, according to AVAST Software's mega-poll -- will likely claim victory by a small margin. But will it be an honest election? We're not making a facetious statement about politics. What has us worried is an article in Popular Science that reveals just how incredibly easy and inexpensive it is to rig a voting machine. Let's backtrack a moment. Roger Johnston, head of the Vulnerability Assessment Team at Argonne National Laboratory, recently led a team of security researchers on a demonstration that involved hacking electronic voting machines. He wanted to show...
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The last time we were in a RadioShack, we were looking for a Piezo element and were told that our local store no longer carries them, which begged the question of what RadioShack is still around for if it doesn’t even carry hobby electronics anymore. The answer is that it appears as though Radioshack fancies itself a wireless carrier. Becoming an MVNO seems like the fashionable thing to do if you’re an electronics retailer facing the harsh realities of the evolving electronics and computer marketplace. According to an anonymous tip sent to Engadget, RadioShack is going to use Cricket Wireless’ network to launch RadioShack Mobile, which will feature the HTC One V (featuring Android...
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Radioshack announced yesterday that it will be dumping T-Mobile for Verizon, causing another blow to the nation's #4 wireless carrier. With Verizon being the nation's No. 1 carrier (at least until AT&T's proposed acquisition of T-Mobile is complete), the move makes sense. Verizon's customer base is 3x that of T-Mobile's. In addition, one would assume that with the move, RadioShack would have access to Verizon's iDevices, as well. The change will take place in September, with T-Mobile's last day being September 14, and Verizon moving in the very next day. With the announcement, shares of RadioShack rose 19 percent. The news came on the same day that RadioShack announced its Q2 2011 earnings,...
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RadioShack has lost ground to Best Buy, and even Wal-mart and Target, and based on their technical expertise as demonstrated by this ad, it's no wonder why. The ad, which came via an email, says buyers should "Make It an Android." However, the fact is that the Nokia Astound is a Symbian 3 device. At least the HTC Evo 4G and HTC Evo Shift 4G are Android devices. The Evo 4G even recently received an upgrade to Gingerbread....
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T-Mobile and Samsung introduced the Samsung Vibrant smartphone. This new Samsung Galaxy S device will be available from T-Mobile beginning July 21. The Vibrant features a 4-inch Super AMOLED touch screen display as well as a Samsung 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird Application processor. This Android-powered device also offers exclusive entertainment features including “James Cameron’s Avatar” on a 2GB memory card, Amazon Kindle for Android, MobiTV, Slacker Radio, Gogo Inflight Internet service, and the upcoming Samsung Media Hub. Samsung Vibrant From T-Mobile USA to Bring Robust Entertainment Experience on a Brilliant Screen T-Mobile’s Latest Android™-Powered Device Offers...
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HD Radio has been around in the United States for a few years now, but it is still struggling to gain mass adoption. Part of that has to do with the general decline of radio listening in general, as more and more individuals turn to their portable media players, iTunes accounts and subscription services. That said, one of HD Radio's biggest hurdles has been breaking into the handheld market; it's one thing to get HD Radio equipment installed in homes and cars, but getting it into hands that walk down streets is another.Today, HD Radio is landing on two of the most popular handheld media devices of all time: the iPod touch and iPhone. There are certainly other options for getting HD Radio on-the-go,...
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The Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal is reporting that Target plans to outsource its mobile phone operation to RadioShack subsidiary Kiosk Operations. Earlier this month, the subsidiary opened kiosks in about 100 Target stores in California, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Texas, and Washington. The partners plans to roll out the kiosks to all 1,700 Target stores sometime next year. You'll be able to distinguish the Kiosk Operations employees from Target sales associates by their black shirts, instead of the red shirts that are typically worn by Target's staff. The kiosks themselves are branded Bullseye Mobile Solutions. Target's current prepaid and post-paid wireless offerings...
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Nearly a month ago, we told you about RadioShack’s plan to offer T-Mobile phones and services in its retail stores. Now, we’re seeing that plan put into practice: The new T-Mobile myTouch 3G with Google as well as other T-Mobile products and services are currently available in more than 4,000 RadioShack stores across the United States and in Puerto Rico. “With an exciting product like T-Mobile’s myTouch 3G, The Shack continues to build its authority in innovative, mobile technology,” said Peter Whitsett, Executive Vice President of Merchandising for RadioShack. “The Android platform, with its broad array of unique applications, offers our customers another exciting option for their mobile lifestyle.”...
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Given that "radios" lost their glitz decades ago, we'd say a RadioShack re-branding is long overdue. Announced today after a flurry of rumors, RadioShack Corporation has decided to completely overhaul its brand, its mission and in some ways, its purpose. Moving forward, you'll see less of the aged RadioShack branding and more of "THE SHACK," a hip new label that will hopefully encourage more consumer electronics shoppers to stop by and check out items that fit their lifestyle. Previously, RadioShack was best known for odd-and-end adapters and batteries; now, THE SHACK is looking to be your go-to store when it comes to electronics accessories.It's a tough battle, for sure. The accessory market...
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Later this summer, T-Mobile customers will be able to head to their local RadioShack in order to purchase handsets, accessories, and services. The new retail agreement between RadioShack and T-Mobile expands RadioShack’s postpaid wireless offerings and brings some of T-Mobile’s highly anticipated handsets, such as the T-Mobile myTouch 3G with Google, to the retailer. For T-Mobile, the agreement nearly doubles the number of retail partners nationwide that offer the company’s postpaid products and services. RadioShack is now T-Mobile’s largest retail partner. “RadioShack is focused on growing our mobility category and is committed to providing our customers with a broad selection of the best wireless...
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You can now pick up the Acer Aspire One netbook for just $99.99 from RadioShack. If you’re thinking this sounds too good to be true, you’re right: There’s a catch. Namely, you’ll have to sign up for a lengthy and expensive service contract with AT&T. But hey, if you were going to buy that contract anyway, you might as well enjoy a subsidy on the netbook. Even though the total package deal is pretty pricy for the average consumer, there are plenty of businesses that see the value in paying for an employee to have high-speed, cellular Internet access at all times. With a subsidized offering such as this from RadioShack, the deal may get a little sweeter in that employees will have an easier...
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