If you’re like most tech-lovers, you no doubt have a broken iPod, laptop, game console, camcorder, PDA, cell phone, or digital camera lying around your house somewhere. Experience has shown that while we hate to admit it, these consumer electronics just aren’t built for the long term. In fact, it’s pretty tough to find someone whose first-generation iPod is still kicking. Fortunately, companies have emerged that will buy those used and/or broken electronics and refurbish them: So you get cash, and help keep them out of the landfills. To learn about one such company that was been getting some good press lately, visit www.buymytronics.com.

Remember that 1988 flick “Cocktail” with Tom Cruise starring as the drink-tossing bartender? Well, turns out bartenders aren’t the only drink makers with some incredible pride in their skills. Baristas [that’s the fancy term for the friendly people who pull espresso and froth milk to create those oh-so-tasty lattes] throughout the region will strut their stuff at the annual Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition. Created by the Specialty Coffee Association and sponsored by Alterra Coffee, WEBbeams, and a host of other great local companies, the Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition will take place in Milwaukee this March. We’re excited about the event, which will showcase the espresso-making talents of the Great Lakes' top baristas. For more information, check out greatlakesbaristacompetition.com. We hope to see you March 13-16.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, McDonald’s hopes to take advantage of consumers’ growing love for espresso drinks. The company, long known as an inexpensive place to grab a less-than-stellar cup o’ joe, has announced it will add coffee bars complete with baristas to its 14,000 U.S. locations. By selling cappuccinos, lattes, mochas, and frappes as well as bottled drinks, the company expects to earn an additional $1 billion next year, taking advantage of Americans’ increasing decision to drink iced tea or coffee with meals instead of carbonated soft drinks.

As we flip the calendar to 2008, it’s a great time to look back at what worked – and what didn’t work so well – throughout the past year. Several interesting articles, including ABC News’ “The 15 Biggest Tech Disappointments of 2007,” provide some interesting observations, including the failure of video on demand and [yes, as we predicted] municipal Wi-Fi. If you’re interested in what 2008 may have in store, check out “The Future of Enterprise Mobility: Seven Predictions” by Al Sacco or share your own thoughts on Wired.com: “Vote on The Tech Trends that Will Change Your Business in 2008.”

If you’d like to learn more about the many products and services available to coffee shops, as well as some valuable tips about running your own café, check out Coffee Fest. The trade show visits Washington DC this February 15-17 and will feature more than a dozen training courses as well as an extensive array of exhibitors. If you attend, stop by and visit WEBbeams at tabletop #8. If you’d like free tickets to the show, please contact Ericka at erickarodriquez@webbeams.com or 1-888-WEBbeams, ext. 6000 by January 25.