android posts

Up Close With New 'Nook' E-Reader From Barnes & Noble

by Tom Samiljan (RSS feed) — Oct 21st 2009 at 3:56PM

Suddenly, here in the second half of 2009, it seems as though e-readers -- those portable digital devices that can hold thousands of books and use easy-on-the-eyes E-ink -- are finally going mainstream. Yesterday, Barnes & Noble threw its own hat into the ring by unveiling the Nook. This 6-inch digital reader boasts: a built-in, full-color, navigational touchscreen at the bottom; 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless, straight-to-device book downloading; and innovative ability to share entire books with other cell-phone-, computer-, or e-reader-wielding friends. The Nook joins the iRex DR 800SG and the Plastic Logic Que -- two other Barnes & Noble-compatible e-readers that will launch before the end of the year. (For a list of other new e-readers that have either recently or are soon to hit the market, check out this roundup.)

So what's different about the Nook? Well, mainly, it's that little LCD touchscreen at the bottom. As you can see from the pictures below, it lets you scroll through book covers and menu commands. In addition, it transforms into a touchscreen keyboard, perfect for book and author searches. The little color screen certainly looks cool and makes for a different kind of navigation, but we're wondering just what the power-sucking LCD technology is going to do to the Nook's battery life. In its product spec sheet, Barnes & Noble says the battery will last for "up to" 10 days with the wireless off. For our part, we're guessing that's a big "up to," seeing as our up-to-14-days-with-wireless-off Amazon Kindle only lasts about half that long. Also, though it looks cool from a distance, the recessed LCD seems to be clamped onto the bottom, afterthought-style, giving it a cheesy, gratuitous look, in our opinion. The proof will be in the pudding, however. In other words, just how smoothly and quickly will this touchscreen work? Will it offer as seamless an experience as the iPhone's?

Tags: android, barnesnoble, ereaders, newproducts, nook, top, upcoming

Cell Phones, Google

Verizon Getting Android Phones With Google Partnership

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Oct 6th 2009 at 5:57PM

Google and Verizon Partner to Bring Android to Big Red

Verizon and Google announced a new partnership that will bring Android powered devices to the cellular carrier in the coming weeks. While we knew that Android handsets were coming to Big Red, the press release suggests this partnership goes beyond Verizon slapping its branding on an HTC Hero. According to the announcement, the two companies, "plan to co-develop several Android-based devices that will be pre-loaded with innovative applications from both parties as well as third-party developers."

Google will likely be working closely with Verizon to ensure Android-based devices coming down the pipe aren't crippled. Verizon has been known in the past to disable access to features of GPS and Bluetooth. It also means there may be some exciting Verizon-specific apps coming in the future -- we're hoping for an Android app that will let you remotely control your FIOS DVR.

Tags: android, htc hero, HtcHero, motorola, sholes, top, verizon wireless, VerizonWireless

Cell Phones, BlackBerry, iPhone, Web, BlackBerry 101

More Folks Listening to Net Radio on Their Phones

by Lee Bains (RSS feed) — Sep 13th 2009 at 1:45PM

At this point, free Internet radio stations abound, but one of our perennial favorites has been Pandora.com. (Go on and sign up; you'll see.) Based on an admirably well researched database called The Music Genome Project, Pandora automatically generates a customizable playlist based on whatever song or artist you choose, explaining exactly why each song has been selected in remarkably musical terms. Many a late night at work has been made infinitely more bearable thanks to its intuitive and automatic operation.

Now, according to the New York Times's Bits Blog, the radio station is taking an almost unwitting leap from laptops to smartphones. (Pandora now offers apps for Android, iPhone, BlackBerry and Palm Pre.) While each day sees 65,000 music lovers sign up for Pandora's free service, a full 45,000 of them are registering not on their computers, but on their phones.

Tags: android, apps, blackberry, internet radio, InternetRadio, iphone, palm pre, PalmPre, pandora, radio, smartphone, top

Cell Phones, Editor's Picks, Google, Reviews, Mobile Phones

Is the T-Mobile myTouch 3G the Google Phone to Beat?

by Thomas Houston (RSS feed) — Aug 12th 2009 at 1:18PM

What it is:

The myTouch 3G, the second Android smartphone (aka "Googlephone") to be introduced by T-Mobile, after the G1, is essentially a re-branded HTC Magic.

What's different about it?

Unlike the G1 (the first "Googlephone"), the myTouch opts for a touchscreen-based interface, dropping the physical keyboard. The Android 1.5 ("Cupcake") operating system and marketplace have come a long way (improved speed, more apps, better onscreen keyboard) since the G1 launched last year on T-Mobile.

What we like:

On the hardware front, HTC has built a sexier and sturdier phone, a marked improvement over the lackluster design and plastic feel of the G1 (perhaps a side-effect of removing the keyboard). The phone's molded shell doesn't pick up dirt like many next-gen smartphones, which is nice.

Tags: android, features, googlephone, hypecheck, mytouch, mytouch3g, smartphone, smartphones, tmobile, top

Google, Web

Google CEO Eric Schmidt Leaves Apple Board

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Aug 3rd 2009 at 10:10AM

With the announcement that Google would be moving into the OS realm, it became a lot tougher for Google CEO Eric Schmidt to perform his other duties on Apple's board of directors. Today, Schmidt, who joined the board in August 2006, stepped down from his position, citing conflicts of interest and saying the decision was mutual, according to CNN.

In a statement, Apple CEO Steve Jobs lauded Schmidt's efforts while on the board. However, Jobs said that Google's recent ventures into new markets would make Schmidt's job tougher: "Unfortunately, as Google enters more of Apple's core businesses, with Android and now Chrome OS, Eric's effectiveness as an Apple board member will be significantly diminished."

Tags: android, apple, board of directors, BoardOfDirectors, breaking news, BreakingNews, business, ceo, chrome, google, money, top

Cell Phones, Google, iPhone

Apple Patches iPhone SMS Security Flaw

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Jul 31st 2009 at 3:33PM

A month after first announcing that the iPhone had a serious security flaw in how it handled text messages (and even longer still since it was first brought to Apple's attention), Charlie Miller at last publicly demonstrated the attack at yesterday's Black Hat Security Conference, and released a paper detailing how it is executed.

The flaw, which allows a hacker to hijack a phone by flooding it with invisible SMS control messages, isn't iPhone-specific. Windows Mobile and Android are also vulnerable, though Google patched the hole with its Cupcake update. The flaw is particularly worrisome since the only sign a user would see is a single text message with a lone box-like character. The rest of the control messages would not appear on the handset, but could shut down the phone entirely or even automatically forward the commands to other iPhones creating a vast mobile botnet.

Tags: android, apple, botnet, charlie miller, CharlieMiller, hack, security, sms, text messaging, TextMessaging, top, windows mobile, WindowsMobile, winmo

iPhone

Apple Ignores Real Threat to iPhone Security, Makes Up Fake One

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Jul 30th 2009 at 8:32AM

Charlie Miller (the man who hacked the MacBook Air in two minutes) and his partner-in-crime, Collin Mulliner, plan to unveil an exploit at this Thursday's Black Hat cybersecurity conference in Las Vegas. Apparently, it would let a hacker take complete control of the iPhone with nothing more than a simple text message. By taking advantage of a flaw in how the handset handles text messages, Miller and Mulliner are able to dial the phone, visit Web sites, turn on the phone's camera and microphone, and, most importantly, send text messages that can hijack other phones. Miller told Forbes, "The only thing you can do to prevent it is turn off your phone."

This isn't the only iPhone flaw the pair plan to disclose at the conference. Another hole in the SMS system (which also effects Android handsets) can knock the phone off a cellular network for about 10 seconds.

Miller and Mulliner told the respective companies about the exploits over a month ago, and while Google was quick to patch the hole, Apple has yet to fortify the vulnerability. "I've given them more time to patch this than I've ever given a company to patch a bug," Miller explained to Forbes.

Tags: android, apple, hack, iphone, iphone hack, IphoneHack, jailbreak, security, text messaging, TextMessaging

Cell Phones

T-Mobile Announces the myTouch 3G

by Thomas Houston (RSS feed) — Jun 22nd 2009 at 12:01AM

Today, T-Mobile is announcing the Android-powered myTouch 3G smartphone, the followup to the G1, released less than a year ago.

Aside from a sleeker case design, the biggest change we're seeing is that the new HTC-designed phone foregoes a physical keyboard for a virtual one, like the iPhone or BlackBerry Storm. The 3.2" touch-screen phone packs a 3.2-megapixel camera, 4 gigabytes of microSD memory, and video recording (and uploading) capabilities.

Like the G1, the myTouch 3G lets you access data via Wi-Fi and T-Mobile's 3G networks. On the e-mail front, the phone supports Exchange (essential for business users), and you can also use standard e-mail services like Gmail and POP3/IMAP. T-Mobile also discussed Sherpa, a personalization engine that appears to automatically customize the phone's interface to your habits as well as provide recommendations for local businesses, restaurants, and more. No word yet on how this works or what it looks like.

Tags: android, breaking news, BreakingNews, mytouch, t-mobile, top

Web

How and When Will Humans Become Obsolete?

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — May 7th 2009 at 1:12PM

How and When Will People Become Obsolete?

It's going to happen. Eventually, me, you, and all the rest of the people on this planet are going to become relics of a bygone era. We'll be obsolete in a world overrun with technology that would have spun the head of someone trying to comprehend it a century prior. So how do we deal with a world in which we are no longer the dominant life form? By making fun of it and using filthy language, of course!

Cracked has collected five of the most likely ways the human race is bound to be rendered obsolete, and, of course, all of them involve our reliance on technology. Will we be destroyed by a renegade army of self-aware robots? Or will we simply become so reliant upon technology that our human personalities will be eclipsed by our digital ones? We might even be in the midst of our own extinction right now.

Some experts have predicted that we may be reaching the end of an era of technological advancement, which may result in famine, job shortages, and an economic downturn of epic proportions (umm...). They predict that the end result will be civilization's collapse and humanity's extinction. Fun, right?

Check out the rest of the list at Cracked to have a good laugh at the eventual demise of the human race. [From: Cracked]

Tags: android, cracked, cyborg, funny, future tech, FutureTech, humor, robot, robots, top

Cell Phones, BlackBerry, Google, iPhone, Mobile Phones

Want a New Smartphone? Wait Two Months.

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Apr 14th 2009 at 9:07AM

The Silicon Alley Insider is doling out a bit of advice that we heartily endorse: "Don't buy a smartphone until June."

It's not like there aren't any quality offerings on the market right now. In fact, if you really want a Windows Mobile phone (though we're not sure why you would), there's no need to wait. Go get one now. But be warned that, come June, there will be a whole host of new handsets on the market.

You can expect that the Apple iPhone will see a hardware refresh, along with a 3.0 software update, at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Rumored additions to the device have included everything from a physical keyboard to an iMovie iPhone app for editing videos on the handset.

Tags: android, apple, htc magic, HtcMagic, iphone 3.0, iphone os 3.0, Iphone3.0, IphoneOs3.0, palm, palm pre, PalmPre, retail, shopping, smart phone, SmartPhone, smartphones, storm

Cell Phones, Google, Mobile Phones

Second Google Phone, the HTC Magic, Debuts

by Paul Miller (RSS feed) — Feb 17th 2009 at 10:12AM

Vodafone just scooped planet Earth with the first touchscreen-only Android phone: HTC's Magic. All the specs look to line up with what was rumored, with a 3.2-inch QVGA screen front and center (that resolution might be a typo, HVGA seems more likely), HDSPA, GPS, 3.2 megapixel camera (no flash), and a G1-style trackball. Details on pricing and availability will be unveiled for local Vodafone markets as they see fit, but pricing in Spain will be from 99 to 199 Euro, depending on contract.

Initial markets to nab the phone will be UK (due in April), Spain, Germany, France and Italy, with more countries to follow, and the phone will be a timed exclusive with Vodafone. Crazily enough, the phone has a proprietary headphone jack, proving once and for all that HTC doesn't like you, but at least this one will ship with a touchscreen keyboard out of the gate.

Update: We have confirmation that the device is indeed HVGA like the G1 before it, that's a typo on the original press release. More detailed specifications after the break.

Tags: android, breaking news, BreakingNews, htc, htc magic, HtcMagic, magic, mobileworldcongress2009, mwc, mwc09, vodafone

Audio/Video, Cell Phones

Geek Builds "Camera Hat" to Help Mom With Tech Support

by Joseph L. Flatley (RSS feed) — Jan 16th 2009 at 4:10PM

We've seen Android, Google's mobile OS, on a Mini-Note, and we've seen it on an Eee PC, but we never thought in a million years that we'd ever see Android on mom's hat. Looking for a way to simplify his mother's regular tech support calls (the universal remote often throws her for a loop) Dan O'Sullivan dreamt up his Camera Hat for Complicated Televisions.

The whole megillah consists of an Android handset strapped to the forehead -- miner's lamp-style -- with a custom app streaming camera footage to the Web, where he can keep an eye on things while he talks her through turning on 'The Price Is Right' for, like, the zillionth time (if she's anything like our moms, that is). Hit the read link for some more info on the project and the full source code. [Via Make]

Tags: android, funny, mom, moms, tech support, TechSupport, top, weird

Audio/Video, Cell Phones, Computers, Video Games, CES 2009

CES Day 2 Highlights, Part One

by Tim Stevens (RSS feed) — Jan 9th 2009 at 1:45PM

It was a long and exciting first day at CES, with the Palm Pre proving to be the biggest announcement made at the show. It certainly made us do a double (and triple) take, but there's plenty more to report and lots of surprises still to come.

Grippity Keyboard Reinvents Typing - There's a very strong chance you're sitting in front of a keyboard right now as you read this, and while the things are nearly ubiquitous when it comes to home consuming, many (including us) would be very happy to see a typing interface that's a little more fresh. One possible solution is called the Grippity, a handheld device that looks something like an overgrown PS3 controller with a normal QWERTY graphic layout on the front but with the keys themselves on the back. While we find the idea to be totally intriguing, it sadly feels a bit clumsy to use.

Gateway's Mid-Range MD and UC Laptops - There's something of a growing divide in the laptop realm between high-end, powerhouse laptops and low-end, budget netbooks. Gateway is filling the void with its MD and UC series laptops, both with stylish designs and practical specs at reasonable costs that should fit into most people's budgets. They're not exactly groundbreaking in any respect, but they're solid choices for sure.

Samsung Shows Off Flexible OLED - LCD screens have definitely reached something of a saturation point, but the way things are going, it looks like they'll soon be superseded by OLED. These new screens don't require backlighting like an LCD, so they can be ridiculously thin. They can also be extremely flexible, as is Samsung's trick screen shown in the above link. Right now, OLEDs tend to be small and expensive and, generally, not available, but we expect to see many, many more of them this year.

Skype Hits Android, Java-Compatible Handsets - Millions have used Skype to make free online calls, and now it's getting much easier to make those calls on the go as the folks at Skype have announced the program's compatibility with numerous handsets. First up is a version of the app capable of running on Google's free mobile operating system Android, meaning anyone using a G1 can make calls without using minutes. Skype has also released a streamlined Java version of the client that's compatible with many handsets. If you're pushing the limits of your calling plan's allocation, you may want to make the leap.

Coby Shows Off Sub-$200 Netbooks - Netbooks are great, truly bringing low-cost portable computing to the masses, but they still need to get a bit cheaper before they're ubiquitous. While Gateway is filling the middle of the cost spectrum, Coby is heading to the bottom with its lineup of under-$200 offerings. The machines have the standard tiny netbook styling and hardware specs, with Intel Atom processors, but their bright coloring and low cost should make them a hit -- if and when the company actually puts them into production.

Mattel's Mind Flex Will Challenge Your Kid's Minds - There are plenty of games out there that will make your kids think, but not many tax the ol' noodle quite like this. The Mind Flex uses a headset to detect your brain activity which, in turn, levitates and guides a ball through an obstacle course: relax to lower and focus to raise. It's actually a lot of fun and we're eager to hear what others have to say when it's released this Fall for $80. [From: Engadget]

Tags: android, ces, ces 2009, ces-2009-highlights, ces-2009-top, Ces2009, coby, gateway, gateway md, gateway uc, GatewayMd, GatewayUc, grippity, laptop, mattel, mattel mind flex, MattelMindFlex, md, mind flex, MindFlex, netbook, oled, samsung, skype, uc

Computers, Google, TV, CES 2009

CES Day One Roundup

by Tim Stevens (RSS feed) — Jan 8th 2009 at 7:12PM

CES is underway, and we've had a chance to check out a number of hot new products that could very well change the way you play your tunes, call your friends, or make videos of your kids. There's plenty more to see as the show picks up speed, but here's the best of what we've seen thus far.

Motorola's SURF A3100 Touchphone - There's absolutely no shortage of smartphones here, but Motorola's SURF A3100 caught our eye early. The thing feels incredibly solid to the touch, and while Windows Mobile isn't exactly the most finger-friendly operating system in the world -- it was initially designed for use with a stylus -- Moto has managed to make this one quite usable and a solid competitor to the current WinMo handsets by HTC.

Samsung's Tiny MBP200 Projector - Tiny, or "pico," projectors are definitely a hot topic this year, and Samsung is one of the few companies previewing a product that looks ready for retail. Its MBP200 projector is slightly bigger than a deck of cards and not only can project a decent sized image onto a sheet of paper or a wall, but also has an integrated LCD screen and, impressively, can read many file format types, like Word and PowerPoint documents, without needing an external laptop. It should be released sometime this year and we can't wait.

GiiNii's Movit Mini Mobile Internet Device - Accessing the Internet from anywhere is getting easier and easier and GiiNii's upcoming Movit Mini promises to make it even more engaging. Why? For starters, it's powered by Google's Android, which looks very interesting itself. It also has WiFi connectivity and integrated Web browsing, media playing, and an interface that's just as user friendly as the iPhone's. Pricing and availability haven't been announced yet, but we were told that it should be cheaper than an iPod touch, which is quite appealing indeed.

Sony's 1080p GPS-Supporting, High-Definition Cameras - The highest level level of HD content you can find in most consumer-level sets is 1080p, and Sony's latest camcorders all support it. The HDR-XR520V is the highest quality, with 240GB of integrated storage, and the HDR-XR500V and HDR-XR200V, with 120GB, are the more mid-level models. All three support GPS (letting you know where you took your pics and vids), have 3.2-inch touchscreens and will be priced between $1,500 and $750. It's definitely not the cheapest way to make your home movies, but it may be one of the nicest.

Biggest and Best HDTVs Roundup - CES is always the time of year when manufacturers bring out their biggest and bestest sets. This year's event is no exception, with luscious sets sitting on the floor, mounted on the walls, and hanging from the ceiling. We snuck around before the show opened to take pictures of what was out there to see, the largest so far being a massive 82-inch set from Samsung. We'll have more updates on these sets soon.

Tags: android, ces, ces 2009, ces-2009-highlights, Ces2009, giinii, giinii movit mini, GiiniiMovitMini, hdtv, motorola Surf A2100, MotorolaSurfA2100, Samsung, samsung mbp200, SamsungMbp200, sony, surf A3100, SurfA3100

Cell Phones, Computers

Girl Gets Tattoo of Google's Android Logo

by Paul Miller (RSS feed) — Jan 5th 2009 at 8:54AM

Natalie "Kommodore" Thompson just joined the rarified ranks of Zune Guy and the BlackBerry Storm Cankle Man with her very own Android tattoo. While obviously a fan of the brand new mobile OS, she says she did it mostly to show her support of open source in general, and ol' Tux lost out to the more-adorable little green bot (known affectionately around the Engadget HQ as "Marvin"). Add in that shutter shades t-shirt -- for a 100x multiplier -- and we're likely dealing with our very first fit-for-society tattoo nerd. Too bad she only dates robots.

Tags: android, android tattoo, android tattoo girl, AndroidTattoo, AndroidTattooGirl, girl, linux, tattoo girl, TattooGirl

Most Emailed Stories

Editors' Picks

Deals of the Day

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=758444&pid=758443&uts=1256672453

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

'Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

Getty Images

Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.

Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.

Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.

Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.

HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.

HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.

HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.

GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.

Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.

Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.

Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.

Latest Reviews from CNET.com

CNET provides the latest tech news, unbiased reviews, videos, podcasts, software, and downloads, making tech products easy to find, understand and use.

Top Product Reviews

Home Audio Reviews
9.0 out of 10
Definitive Technology BPX
Works great with Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Digital. Full Review
9.0 out of 10
Denon AVR-4306 (black)
Incredibly well-featured 7.1-channel receiver; excellent sound quality; three HDMI inputs; converts analog video to HDMI output; upconverts analog video to 720p/1080i HD resolution; iPod and USB MP3 player connectivity; Internet radio and MP3/WMA streaming audio via built-in Ethernet port; XM Satellite Radio compatible; touch-screen remote; multizone, multisource operation; browser-based control via home network; accurate autocalibration routine. Full Review
8.8 out of 10
KEF KHT3005 (black)
The KEF KHT-3005 is one compact, beautifully designed speaker package with solid aluminum satellites that feature unique driver technology to produce incredible clarity. Meanwhile, the equally astounding dual 10-inch, 250-watt powered subwoofer delivers ultradeep bass. Full Review
Cell Phone Reviews

8.7 out of 10
SignalBoost Mobile Professional Amplifier Kit
The Mobile Professional Amplifier delivers a powerful signal boost to your cell phone. Also, it offers a compact design and easy setup. Full Review
8.6 out of 10
Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL cell phone signal extender
The Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL significantly boosts your cell phone reception and is easy to operate. Also, it uses a wireless connection to your phone. Full Review
8.3 out of 10
LG VX6000 (Verizon Wireless)
Compact and stylish; impressive battery life; solid audio quality; sharp color screen; built-in camera; USB ready; affordable. Full Review
Digital Camera Reviews

9.3 out of 10
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Extremely fast, 10-megapixel continuous shooting; very low noise; highly customizable; well-designed body with weather sealing; 3-inch LCD; abundant optional accessories. Full Review
9.3 out of 10
Nikon D3 (body only)
Full-frame sensor; well designed, pro-level weather-sealed body; very low noise, even at extremely high ISOs; fast. Full Review
9.0 out of 10
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
Very low noise, high quality images; 21.1 megapixels; live view shooting; pro-level build-quality and performance. Full Review
Desktop Reviews

8.9 out of 10
Velocity Micro Edge Z30 (Intel Core i7)
Best value among midrange gaming PCs; Velocity Micro's consistently high build quality; compact case makes few sacrifices; second graphics card slot previously uncommon at this price. Full Review
8.5 out of 10
Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.8GHz)
A minor specification update results in some significant performance gains; graphics upgrade an option on this 24-inch model; sleek, polished design didn't receive an update, but we won't start clamoring for a new design until the current one is at least 12 months old. Full Review
8.4 out of 10
Velocity Raptor Signature Edition Gaming PC
One of the fastest PCs we've tested; a PCI Express RAID card helps media encoding performance; typically immaculate Velocity Micro assembly; strong, three-year warranty. Full Review