Archive for September, 2009
Dell brings wireless recharging to laptops
by Talk about Deal on Sep.30, 2009, under Review
The Latitude Z on wireless charging station, and wireless dock adapter on the right.
(Credit: Erica Ogg/CNET)
That Dell is releasing a new laptop for business customers is the opposite of surprising. But the fact that it contains notable features not seen in any other laptops certainly is.
Most everything about the new Latitude Z is expected: It’s yet another very thin notebook (a metric which PC manufacturers keep using to try to one-up each other), with a different kind of exterior finish (soft-touch, in this case), and comes in a black cherry. It measures 16 inches across, and is 14 millimeters thin at its most narrow point.
But you probably wouldn’t guess that the Latitude Z charges wirelessly. And as far as we can tell, it’s the first laptop to do so. Surprised that this is coming from Dell? You’re not alone.
The wireless charging is handled elegantly enough. An inductive pad that’s built into a laptop stand can accomplish a full recharge in “about the same amount of time” as a standard-issue cabled charger, according to Dell. While smartphone maker Palm has a similar (albeit smaller) wireless charging system for the Pre, and companies like Visteon and Wild Charge have debuted wireless charging accessories for phones, no PC maker has incorporated the idea until now.
…
Originally posted at Circuit Breaker
Report: Apple brings back Newton developer
by Talk about Deal on Sep.30, 2009, under Review
Those expecting Apple to introduce a new tablet computer soon may have another clue to the device’s imminent arrival.
Apple has rehired Michael Tchao, one of the original developers of Apple’s Newton personal digital assistant, according to a report Monday in
…
Originally posted at News – Apple
Wireless recharging comes to laptops
by Talk about Deal on Sep.30, 2009, under Review
The Latitude Z on wireless charging station, and wireless dock adapter on the right.
(Credit: Erica Ogg/CNET)
That Dell is releasing a new laptop for business customers is the opposite of surprising. But the fact that it contains notable features not seen in any other laptops certainly is.
Most everything about the new Latitude Z is expected: It’s yet another very thin notebook (a metric which PC manufacturers keep using to try to one-up each other), with a different kind of exterior finish (soft-touch, in this case), and comes in a black cherry. It measures 16 inches across, and is 14 millimeters thin at its most narrow point.
But you probably wouldn’t guess that the Latitude Z charges wirelessly. And as far as we can tell, it’s the first laptop to do so. Surprised that this is coming from Dell? You’re not alone.
The wireless charging is handled elegantly enough. An inductive pad that’s built into a laptop stand can accomplish a full recharge in “about the same amount of time” as a standard-issue cabled charger, according to Dell. While smartphone maker Palm has a similar (albeit smaller) wireless charging system for the Pre, and companies like Visteon and Wild Charge have debuted wireless charging accessories for phones, no PC maker has incorporated the idea until now.
…
Originally posted at Circuit Breaker
Toshiba’s new slim T100 series
by Talk about Deal on Sep.30, 2009, under Review
Just in time for the Windows 7 invasion, Toshiba has announced a new line of slim laptops, dubbed the T100 series. With Intel ultra-low-voltage processors (or ULV), the 13.3-inch T135 and 11.6-inch T115 are both less than one inch thick, have LED displays, and multi-touch touchpads.
Like other …
Inside CNET Labs 62: The secret to scoring: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left…
by Talk about Deal on Sep.30, 2009, under Review
A young Jeff, nerding it out on at least three fronts.
(Credit: Jeff Sparkman)
A very special guest this week, Mr. Jeff Sparkman. Jeff gained gained notoriety previously by being named CNET’s nerdiest employee. Soon after, it was a fast life of drugs, women, comic books. We discuss at …
Originally posted at Inside CNET Labs Podcast
595B Fig Rig Camera Stabilizer Review
by Talk about Deal on Sep.30, 2009, under Review
Bogen – Manfrotto 595B Fig Rig Hand Held DV Camera Support
The Fig Rig Stabilizer from Bogen/Manfrotto is non-traditional in design yet simple and effective. It’s a modular system that smoothly supports the DV camera and acts as a frame to mount all the accessories. A circular frame with a crossbar to mount most mini DV cameras allows the Fig Rig to be…
Get ready to be laughed at!
Pros: None
Cons: Lacks Functionality, Poor Performance, Poor Design, Large size
Best Uses: None
Reviewer Comments: I used this product on 3 shoots before getting rid of it and buying my glidecam. It really doesn’t provide any more stable a shot than handheld use. If you use it anywhere in public, get ready to hear “look, a steering wheel” and other similar remarks ALOT! Very bad at weddings when blending in and not standing out are important. Both times I used this at weddings during dance shooting, the DJs would say over the loud mic – “look, a camera on a steering wheel”…
Besides, it just doesn’t stabilize your shot and is very large! If you simply know how to handle your camera, you can get just as stable of shots if not better. If you want a stable running shot, buy a real stabilizer, don’t waste your money on this! Worst piece of equipment I’ve ever spent money on.
Originally posted at B&H Photo Video (legalese)
Transforming robot kicks butt, carries creator
by Talk about Deal on Sep.30, 2009, under Review
OmniZero carries Takeshi Maeda at Robo-One.
(Credit: Video screenshot by Tim Hornyak/CNET)
Japanese robot builder Takeshi Maeda is blowing minds with an exciting demo of the latest version of his OmniZero robot.
The ninth generation of OmniZero can transform from bipedal fighting machine into a rolling vehicle as well …
The 411: BlackBerry choices
by Talk about Deal on Sep.30, 2009, under Review
Welcome to the 411, my Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if …
Originally posted at Dialed In Podcast
Why the Xbox could be good for your heart
by Talk about Deal on Sep.30, 2009, under Review
Simon Scarle has just made modeling a range of processes such as electrical excitations in the heart as accessible as Halo 3.
(Credit: University of Warwick)
Simon Scarle’s giddy enthusiasm (see photo, at right) could be the result of getting to play with Xboxes on the job. More likely …
Originally posted at News – Health Tech
Palm WebOS 1.2 released for the Pre
by Talk about Deal on Sep.30, 2009, under Review
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)On Monday, Palm set free its lastest WebOS update for the Palm Pre, bringing quite a number of new features to the smartphone and addresses several security issues.
If you haven’t received it already, Palm WebOS 1.2 will arrive as an over-the-air update to …
Originally posted at Dialed In Podcast
Deflating the hype: CNET reviews HP’s Web-connected TouchSmart printer
by Talk about Deal on Sep.30, 2009, under Review
(Credit: HP)We’ve been hearing a lot of hype surrounding HP’s new touch screen printer, the Photosmart Premium TouchSmart Web, and finally got a unit into the CNET Labs for a full set of tests. It’s HP’s flagship printer and the first of its kind to …
TomTom’s Live connected service trickles down to XL GPS series
by Talk about Deal on Sep.30, 2009, under Review
I think its safe to assume that the new XL 340S Live will look something like the standard 340S.
(Credit: CNET)
Don’t you just love trickle-down? TomTom’s Live connected service–which helped the GO 740 Live to win our coveted Editors’ Choice award–is making its way down the product …
Originally posted at The Car Tech blog
Sound bars look great, sound good
by Talk about Deal on Sep.30, 2009, under Review
Reviews say that sound bars are the easiest way to get better sound without going whole hog and buying a five-piece (or more) home-theater speaker system. It’s true that you can’t really get the full surround-sound effect with a sound bar, but a one-piece sound bar is a lot easier to install, and most look sleek next to a flat panel TV.
In our research, we did find that some sound bars do a much better job than others in delivering a satisfying home theater experience. For the lowdown on the very best choices, check out our newly-updated sound bar report.
For a few dollars more: Ultracompact cameras
by Talk about Deal on Sep.30, 2009, under Review
For a little more than $150, the Pentax Optio P80 offers some extras the competition doesn’t have at its price.
There are a lot of ultracompact cameras available and for many people the decision comes down to price. But picking a camera simply because you settled on spending $…
Top two-seaters for twins or siblings
by Talk about Deal on Sep.29, 2009, under Review
Along with standard double strollers like the Graco Quattro Tour Duo or Maclaren Twin Techno, parents can also choose from some alternatives. The highly-rated phil&teds Sport Buggy (shown at left) converts from a single stroller to a double stroller with an optional second seat that fits below the main one. That’s not the only interesting design available to parents, either. For instance, the Joovy Caboose Ultralight features a toddler-sized rear ‘running board’, while the standard main seat can accommodate a younger child. For more on these and other double strollers, be sure to check out our new report update.
Rumor alert: New MacBooks only weeks away
by Talk about Deal on Sep.29, 2009, under Review
(Credit: CNET)While we’ve been hearing about a possible fall update to the iMac line, including Blu-ray options, for a couple of weeks now, the online rumor mill has now consigned itself to expecting new MacBook laptops as well. And not just any laptops, but the mythical, long-awaited, low-cost …
Counter Intelligence: Toss these two Zicam cold products today!
by Talk about Deal on Sep.29, 2009, under Review
‘Tis the season for sniffles and sneezes. That’s right, cold season is here — complete with its annual barrage of over-the-counter drug commercials. But this year, two popular products, Zicam’s Cold Remedy Nasal Gel and Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, won’t be in on the ad party. Both products, once the cold-fighting darlings of the natural health community, have recently been deemed dangerous by the Food and Drug Administration.
Auto insurance: Beyond Flo and geckos
by Talk about Deal on Sep.29, 2009, under Review
It seems that every 30 minutes there’s another ad for Progressive or Geico on TV, yet neither are better rated than the companies identified in our new report on the best auto insurance. Both fall solidly into the average group. For example, customers responding to a major survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates say Geico has good auto insurance prices, but it does only an average job with claims and service.
And Geico has a terrible record with the Better Business Bureau. The company scores an “F” rating, with more than 700 complaints filed in the past three years. The BBB says the company earned this rating based on the number of complaints and the “Failure to respond to complaints against business.”
Clipboard management with Linux
by Talk about Deal on Sep.28, 2009, under Blog
You may find that your Clipboard is not persistent, this depends on what desktop environment you use, the lightweight desktop environments have such problems.
Clipboard manager is not used only to remember the text you copy or cut. They simply make your life a bit more easier.
So, Here are some clipboard management applications for Linux desktop. Now thats serious! Screenshots
The best Clipboard Manager for Linux is Glipper for GNOME, which works as a Gnome Panel Applet. Unfortunately you can not make it run anywhere else than Gnome Panel.
Glipper is very flexible and configurable and got some extra ordinary features (via Plugins)…like
Klipper is the default clipboard manager for KDE, but You can use it on any other desktop environment if you have a system tray.
Though Klipper may not offer all the functionality like Glipper but it can be used outside of KDE. Klipper have all the flexible configuration you need.
If GNOME and KDE have it, than why not XFCE. unfortunately its nothing but a Clipboard Manager, the only thing it offers is saving your clipboard content, but hey! that is the main purpose of clipboard manager..and a good news for minimalistic people.
Parcellite manges your clipboard, and offers Actions and Shortcut features, but the one thing that makes its special is, It can be used on all desktop managers (with system tray). So if you are *box/WM user then say yes to Parcellite.
Desktop Data Manager, is not just a Clipboard management tool but also a Screenshot and Download manager tool. Lets just talk about the Clipboard manager, DDM provides the more integration with your system than any other in above list. but it also conflicts the many gnome utilities too. That is why I didn’t installed it. DDM provides you some unique feature that other Clipboard manger won’t provide.
Microsoft gets cleverer with multitouch screen keyboard
by Talk about Deal on Sep.28, 2009, under Review
Oh, those smart rascals at Microsoft are on a roll. I love their Courier tablet concept, and now they may have found the way to make on-screen multitouch keyboards actually work great–even for touch typists like me.
The problem with screen keyboards is that you actually have to look at …
