November 25th, 2009

Amazon Kindle 2.3 version update available now

Posted by Rachel King @ 8:15 am

Categories: Amazon Kindle, E-book Readers

Tags: Adobe PDF, Amazon.com Inc., Amazon Kindle, Rachel King

Amazon has just released a software update for 2nd generation and DX Kindles. First-gen owners are out of luck.

The 2.3 version update goodies for U.S. and international wireless eReaders include an 85% increase in battery life (that’s about up to two weeks from just one), manual screen rotation from portrait to landscape, the availability to convert PDF files to the Kindle format, and a built-in PDF reader.

For DX models, specifically, will also get the option to convert PDF files to Kindle files and an extended wait time before the screensaver kicks in (from 5 up to 20 minutes now).

If you are a proud owner, you can download and install the update via USB. For the upgrade files and more detailed instructions, visit Amazon’s specific FAQ page on version 2.3.

November 25th, 2009

Samsung partners with NYT for Go netbook and digital subscription deal

Posted by Rachel King @ 7:26 am

Categories: Netbooks, Samsung

Tags: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Netbook, Subscription, Reader Subscription, Netbooks, Nettops & MIDs, Hardware, Rachel King

Samsung and The New York Times are partnering for a new deal on the Samsung Go netbook, just in time before the real holiday shopping begins.  Read the rest of this entry »

November 24th, 2009

HP debuts iPAQ Glisten, 3G Windows Mobile 6.5 world phone on AT&T

Posted by Andrew Nusca @ 9:51 am

Categories: AT&T, HP, Mobile, Cell Phones and Smartphones

Tags: Phone, Hewlett-Packard Co., Microsoft Windows Mobile, Mobile, Compaq iPAQ, AT&T Corp., Microsoft Windows, 3G, Handhelds, E-mail

The iPAQ is back. (To some, it never left.)

HP and AT&T on Tuesday announced the new iPAQ Glisten, a 3G world phone with an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) screen powered by Windows Mobile 6.5.

Read the rest of this entry »

November 24th, 2009

Best Buy adds $197 HP laptop to Black Friday lineup

Posted by Andrew Nusca @ 6:28 am

Categories: Best Buy, Black Friday, Computers, Consumerism, Holiday Gift Guide, Laptops, Toybox Highlights

Tags: Best Buy Co. Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., Laptop Computer, Netbook, Netbooks, Nettops & MIDs, Notebooks, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets, Andrew Nusca

Best Buy on Tuesday announced that it will bolster its Black Friday deals with a $197 HP laptop.

Available in-store beginning Friday, Nov. 27, the HP laptop features an Intel Celeron 900 processor, 2GB memory and a 160GB hard drive.

It will be featured in Best Buy Black Friday preview ads today.

Best Buy’s Black Friday deals already featured a $249.99 Acer laptop, as well as extremely competitive Windows 7 netbook deals, including a $179.99 Compaq Netbook offering an Intel Atom Processor, 1GB memory and 160GB storage.

See all current Black Friday deals at ZDNet’s Ultimate Black Friday Guide 2009 (newly updated!).

Image: HP G60t. HP did not announce the model number of the $197 laptop.

November 24th, 2009

Elecom's travel 'Spoon' mouse is tiny and pricey

Posted by Rachel King @ 6:05 am

Categories: Keyboards and mice

Tags: Mouse, Elecom, Mice, Wi-Fi, Wireless And Mobility, Hardware, Peripherals, Rachel King

Elecom has released a tiny, sleek new set of computer mice named “Like A Spoon.” I wonder if that’s supposed to be its name or it’s just a literal translation…

Available in white, red and black, the 2.4Ghz wireless device weighs 4.1 ounces and measures in at 2.6 x 3.5 x 1.6 inches. It’s built with stainless-steel edges and a smooth coating up top, so it should fit nicely in the palm of your hand.

And if you’re going to use this is a travel gadget (which seems like a good use for it considering its size and its powered by a single AAA battery you could replace anywhere), make sure to pack it in your carry-on. At approximately ￥8,000/$90, you wouldn’t want to lose it. Then again, you’ll also have to go to Japan to get it, since its not available in the US or Europe yet.

November 24th, 2009

Ostendo CRVD monitor now available - but it's not cheap

Posted by Rachel King @ 5:34 am

Categories: Monitors and displays

Tags: Monitor, Gamer, Target Audience, Monitors & Displays, Games, Hardware, Components, Personal Technology, Rachel King

The super-curved, super-wide Ostendo CRVD monitor is now available for sale. Previously unveiled at CES last year, the 43-inch monitor features a 2880 x 900 resolution and 32:10 aspect ratio.

The target audience is anyone using it for defense training and simulation, and possibly serious gamers. They better be seriously rich gamers as well, as this screen comes along with a $6,499 price tag. Ouch.

Based on some review videos on YouTube (most of which have three of these screens linked together), it certainly looks like an experience. But it is it really worth it?

November 24th, 2009

Numbers of new Core i7 iMacs are turning up DOA

Posted by Rachel King @ 2:52 am

Categories: Apple, CPU and Processors, Computers, Desktops, Intel

Tags: Apple Macintosh, Apple iMac, Apple Inc., Reports, Desktops, Media Center PCs, Productivity, Hardware, Personal Technology, Home Entertainment

Reports are flowing in that some of the recently-shipped iMacs with Core i7 Intel processors are shipping dead-on-arrival. Whoops. Read the rest of this entry »

November 24th, 2009

Black Friday '09: $59 TomTom GPS, $78 Blu-ray player, $10 Blu-ray discs

Posted by Andrew Nusca @ 2:03 am

Categories: Black Friday, Holiday Gift Guide, Toybox Highlights

Tags: Best Buy Co. Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Blu-ray Disc, TomTom, GPS, Blu-Ray, Handhelds, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, DVD

Our mammoth Black Friday guide has been updated yet again, this time with deals from many of the big dogs: Best Buy, Walmart, GameStop, Office Depot, HP, Dell, Amazon, BJ’s, J&R and OfficeMax are all included in this round.

Deals to look out for include:

• $694 LG 37” LCD HDTV (list price is $1399; Amazon)
• $78 Magnavox NB500 Blu-ray Disc Player - $78.00 (Walmart)
• An assortment of Blu-ray movies for less than $10 (various)
• $59 TomTom One 125-SE GPS (pictured at top; Walmart)
• $179.99 Compaq Netbook w/Intel Atom Processor, 1GB Memory, 160GB hard drive (Best Buy)

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Check out ZDNet’s Ultimate Black Friday 2009 Guide before the big day!

November 23rd, 2009

Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Best Bluetooth headsets

Posted by Andrew Nusca @ 5:25 pm

Categories: Bluetooth headsets, Mobile, Cell Phones and Smartphones

Tags: Plantronics, Headset, Holiday Gift Guide, Bluetooth Headset, Andrew Nusca

Attached to service contracts, mobile phones are an awfully hard gift to give. But if you’ve got a friend or family member who is always chatting away on their cell phone, a Bluetooth headset might be an easy, inexpensive (for a gadget) gift that keeps their hands warm when the weather goes south for the winter.

Aliph Jawbone Prime

The third incarnation of the Jawbone sets the standard for noise-cancellation and sound quality on a Bluetooth headset. It also cuts a sharp and colorful profile on the jawline, with seven colors (black, brown, silver, green, red, yellow, purple) to choose from.

[read the review] [compare to similar models] [check prices]

Go to the next page »

November 23rd, 2009

Android 1.6 officially receives Google Maps Navigation

Posted by Andrew Nusca @ 3:30 pm

Categories: G1, HTC, Mobile, Cell Phones and Smartphones, Motorola

Tags: Google Inc., T-Mobile G1, Google Android, Google Maps, Mobile Operating Systems, Smart Phones, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Andrew Nusca

Own a Google Android phone and feel a little miffed that the Motorola Droid got all the good stuff?

Google announced on Monday that its Google Maps Navigation software, which offers turn-by-turn GPS navigation for your car and your palm, will be available for Android 1.6 Donut, the operating system found on an up-to-date T-Mobile G1, myTouch 3G, HTC Hero, HTC Droid Eris and most other Android phones out in the wild.

(Motorola CLIQ, HTC Hero and Droid Eris users, keep in mind that you’re using Android 1.5.)

While I can’t say for sure how well the program will run on the G1, which has the smallest amount of memory in the Android roost, I can certainly say that it’s a huge deal for those with the Hero and myTouch 3G.

Google Maps Navigation can be downloaded from the Android Market now.