TechNewz4All

2024-11-30T03:47:00.002-08:00

Successful Online Shopping Can Be Learned Through Our Tips And Tricks

For many years, the Internet has been used for many reasons, such as for research and communication purposes. But, nowadays, one of the most common uses for the Internet is to shop. Whether you have already begun to shop online or you are interested in doing so, the following tips will be of help.

When you're shopping online you have to be sure that you know who you're buying from. If tshirt for womenLinks to an external site. buying on an online auction site, only buy from people that have positive feedback. On other sites look to see if they are a reputable company by looking for reviews on them online.

If you want to buy a used product online, learn more about the seller first. You should visit their profile and look for reviews written by other shoppers who bought products from this seller. Do not hesitate to contact the seller to ask a few questions about the product you are interested in.

If you are going to be doing some shopping online, make sure you understand the liability for each credit card you use online. Many credit cards have automatic fraud prevention built in while others offer it for a minimal fee. You do not want to get stuck with purchases made on your card if the number is stolen.

Be aware of the dangers of shopping online with your mobile device. Although it's convenient for a number of reasons, it does put your personal information at an elevated risk for eavesdropping. Public wi-fi and abbreviated URLs are much easier to get around than conventional computing from home, so save your shopping fix for the safest conditions.

Do not forget to comparison shop when you are looking for things online. People usually do this when shopping in physical stores, but they don't think about it on the Internet. If you go for the first sale you see, there is a chance you will miss out on a better deal somewhere else.

If you're going to buy a lot of items from a site, think about joining any premium programs they offer. You have to spend $79 every year in order to receive this membership. Although the price may sound steep, you can quickly save a lot of money with it. It includes 2-day shipping on all items fulfilled by Amazon and other shipping discounts. And there's an excellent streaming movie library too. You could end up saving a lot of money!

Always remember your budget and credit limits when shopping online. The virtual world of online shopping has gotten a lot of people in serious debt. You need to look at online shopping in the same way you look at offline shopping. Never buy items online that you don't have the cash to pay for.

Don't supply too much information. It should be no surprise that a shopping site will need your credit card information in order to bill you, and your address so that you can receive your items. However, use caution if more information is asked. No shopping site should ever need your social security number, and even your birth date may be too much information. Those pieces of information, combined with your credit card number can be used by an identity thief to wreak havoc.

Never make your final purchase without searching for coupon or promo codes. It takes just a few seconds to enter the store's name and the words "coupon code" into a search engine. More often than not, you should be able to find coupon codes for a percentage off of your order, free shipping, or a fixed amount off of a large purchase.

If you receive an email that looks like it is sent from a legitimate site offering you a great deal, make sure that you check the address bar before buying anything. There are many scammers out there that spoof legitimate sites in order to get unsuspecting people's personal information.

In conclusion, people have always used the Internet to look things up or to speak with friends. Shopping has become a more popular reason to go online. By using the tips above, you will get the most out of online shopping, whether it's something you have done many times before or something you are going to do for the first time.

News: Health Kaleidoscope of Peanut

2011-02-02T07:52:00.000-08:00

MobileTech Newz - Latest Mobile Technology News: Health Kaleidoscope of Peanut: "Peanut: The peanut, or groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), is a species in the legume or 'bean' family (Fabaceae). Health benefits of Peanut :-Pe..."

Kiwi Fruit

2011-02-02T07:50:00.000-08:00

MobileTech Newz - Latest Mobile Technology News: Kiwi Fruit: "Kiwi fruits are rich in many Vitamins, flavonoids and minerals. In particular, they contain a high amount of Vitamin C (more than oranges),..."

Futuristic VW To Hit the Streets, Gets 260 MPG

2011-01-31T21:34:00.000-08:00

It looks like something from a science fiction movie, but this Volkswagen Formula XL1 plug-in hybrid vehicle will actually be available for sale to real drivers like you and me.
Concept cars such as this are usually built one at a time, gracing trade shows and the pages of flashy auto publications. But according to German site Automobilwoche, this bulbous futuremobile is destined to be a regular production car, albeit part of a small batch of just 100 to start out. The first VW Formula XL1 will be available in Germany, and after that, they’ll roll out in the United States and China.
The XL1 could become more conventional before it hits the production line; we can’t be sure if it’ll look the same or have the same power plant as its futuristic showpiece ancestor. That car was introduced at the Qatar Motor Show, and it had an unusual combo under the hood, including a lithium-ion battery-powered electric motor that’ll propel the car for about 22 miles on a charge, after which a tiny 0.8-liter two-cylinder turbodiesel engine kicks in to assist. That sounds vaguely similar to the upcoming Chevy Volt.
Keeping the car hyper-efficient is its super-lightweight carbon fiber body panels. Sounds expensive, but Volkswagen says even though the car has the second-highest number of carbon fiber parts (the million-dollar Bugatti Veyron has the most carbon fiber on board), its body will cost a mere $6,800. No one’s talking price of the overall vehicle just yet, nor are they saying exactly when the first XL1 will be available.
Look in the gallery for a variety of views of this dolphin-shaped conveyance, and don’t miss its unusual seating arrangement, in which the passenger sits slightly behind the driver, said to increase fuel efficiency even more. Fuel-efficient or not, we are all filled with want. This looks like the cars they showed at the World’s Fair in the ’60s when they were talking about “The Future.”

What Consumer Electronics Companies Must Do to Make 3D Profitable

2011-01-31T21:26:00.000-08:00

3D is emerging as one of the hottest trends in consumer electronics this year, especially in the digital camera and camcorder realm. Major brands including Sony, JVC and Panasonic all tout the technology that has finally reached a level of quality where it can be taken seriously. While 3D represents one of the most exciting enhancements to our entertainment experience, unit sales are still very low. Yes, even the earliest of adopters aren’t buying 3D TVs — yet.

The Problems

Manufacturers should recognize that demand for 3D is directly related to the amount of 3D content available. So far, there is far too little to make the purchase of an expensive new TV worthwhile. In the case of HD, as providers delivered more high definition content, television manufacturers followed suit by making more HD compatible products, which were then advertised more to the consumer. The consumer has to feel that he’s missing out on something before he’ll buy.
Many manufacturers are focusing on the “first to market” message with their new devices and not on the components and partnerships that are necessary to support the technology. Consumers will not buy into a single 3D device from any maker that lacks an entire ecosystem of supported products.
The perceived lack of device compatibility adds to customer hesitancy. People are already confused about which brands work with what. Historically, electronics manufacturers have been proprietary with devices, leading to “format wars” that take time to hash out. This ingrained feeling needs to be addressed, as it represents a large hurdle in the minds of consumers about where to start and what to buy.

The Solution

Signaling their desire to become one of the early pioneers of 3D technology, companies such as Panasonic have recognized the dynamic nature of the market and what is necessary to succeed. Panasonic’s 3D HDTV business is supported by a wide range of products and services that are designed to create a complete 3D ecosystem for consumers. Panasonic’s 3D portfolio includes TVs, Blu-ray players, dedicated 3D channels and –- most interestingly –- consumer level 3D camcorders. By offering affordable home capture solutions, Panasonic is one of the first companies to give customers the ability to create their own 3D content, thus developing a more diverse 3D library beyond copies of Avatar.
In addition to creating a user friendly and affordable 3D platform, other initiatives need to be addressed by the market before we see widespread 3D adoption:

Invest in 3D now. Building a following takes time, and any gadget maker’s absence from the maturing 3D market will be very conspicuous. Manufacturers and retailers should view their 3D lines not as a profitable venture for 2011, but as a solid investment for the next five years.
Plant the 3D seed with product placement. A consumer’s first experience with 3D might be an interactive display at a retailer like Costco. The curious will likely play around with the technology and say, “Wow, that’s cool,” only to leave, grab some free food samples, and buy paper towels. While displaying 3D might not initially lead to more sales, at least the placement has made the technology more “real” for American families.
Find partners to solve programming issues. Since its emergence, the 3D realm can be best described as “starved for content.” Manufacturers should be on the lookout for opportunities to partner with content creators and providers like sports broadcasters and movie channels.
For example, Sony partnered with Imax and Discovery Communications to launch a 3D channel and was the technology partner for 3D broadcasts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Panasonic technology, meanwhile, was used to broadcast the 2010 French Open in 3D.
The more 3D broadcasts with mass appeal, the more incentive there will be for consumers to take the leap on a new television.
Update current products for compatibility. Toshiba has addressed this issue by introducing “glasses free” 3D technology on its range of laptops and TVs in the hopes of creating a user friendly mindset for wider acceptance. Third-party manufacturers are also capitalizing on mass appeal with universally compatible, fashionable and reusable 3D glasses such as the Oakley Gascan.

While 3D has vastly improved since the days of cardboard glasses and B movie monsters, it still has a long way to go before consumers will feel like they’re missing out if they don’t have the latest tech. Now is the manufacturers’ chance to invest in 3D to get a foothold in the market, with the knowledge that 3D will likely be profitable in the future.

The 5 Biggest in Tech & Social Media This Morning

2011-01-31T21:23:00.000-08:00

Welcome to this morning’s edition of “First To Know,” a series in which we keep you in the know on what’s happening in the digital world. We’re keeping our eyes on six particular stories of interest today.
Recap: 12 Stories of Egypt in Turmoil
We’ve been closely watching the rise of the protests in Egypt since they began, and in case you’ve missed our coverage, here’s a recap.
Study: Android Now the Most Popular Smartphone Platform
Google’s mobile platform Android has overtaken Symbian to become the top smartphone platform in Q4 2010, research firm Canalys reports.

Android Tablets Gain Ground on iPad in Q4 2010
Android tablets carved out a 22% share of the tablet market in the fourth quarter of 2010 — an almost tenfold increase compared to the 2.3% achieved in the previous quarter, according to a new report.
Zuckerberg Appears on SNL
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg made a “surprise” appearance on Saturday Night Live alongside the actor who played him in The Social Network, Jesse Eisenberg.
Julian Assange Defends WikiLeaks on 60 Minutes
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange made a rare media appearance on 60 Minutes Sunday in the face of mounting criticism and controversy.

Intel identifies chipset design error, implementing solution

2011-01-31T20:55:00.000-08:00

As part of ongoing quality assurance, Intel Corporation has discovered a design issue in a recently released support chip, the Intel 6 Series, code-named Cougar Point, and has implemented a silicon fix.

In some cases, the Serial-ATA (SATA) ports within the chipsets may degrade over time, potentially impacting the performance or functionality of SATA-linked devices such as hard disk drives and DVD-drives. The chipset is utilized in PCs with Intel’s latest Second Generation Intel Core processors, code-named Sandy Bridge.

The company has stopped shipment of the affected support chip from its factories. Intel has corrected the design issue, and has begun manufacturing a new version of the support chip which will resolve the issue. The Sandy Bridge microprocessor is unaffected and no other products are affected by this issue.

Intel expects to begin delivering the updated version of the chipset to customers in late February and expects full volume recovery in April.

For computer makers and other Intel customers that have bought potentially affected chipsets or systems, Intel will work with its OEM partners to accept the return of the affected chipsets, and plans to support modifications or replacements needed on motherboards or systems.

The systems with the affected support chips have been shipping since January 9th and the company believes that relatively few consumers are impacted by this issue. The only systems sold to an end customer potentially impacted are Second Generation Core i5 and Core i7 quad core based systems.

Intel believes that consumers can continue to use their systems with confidence, while working with their computer manufacturer for a permanent solution.

For the first quarter of 2011, Intel expects this issue to reduce revenue by approximately US$300 million as the company discontinues production of the current version of the chipset and begins manufacturing the new version. Full-year revenue is not expected to be affected by the issue. Total cost to repair and replace affected materials and systems in the market is estimated to be US$700 million.

Google Launches Voice-to-Twitter Service Helping Protesters in Egypt

2011-01-31T20:46:00.000-08:00

A group of engineers from Google, Twitter and SayNow (which Google acquired last week) were hard at work building a speak-to-tweet service for protesters in Egypt this weekend. The service, which is already live, enables users to send tweets using a voice connection. Tweets sent using the service will automatically include the hashtag #egypt.
People can also listen to the tweet messages by dialing the above numbers, and by clicking on the links posted to @speak2tweet.
“We hope that this will go some way to helping people in Egypt stay connected at this very difficult time. Our thoughts are with everyone there,” Ujjwal Singh, co-founder of SayNow, and Google product manager Abdel Karim Mardini wrote in a blog post.

Facebook Finally Adds HTTPS Support

2011-01-30T21:18:00.000-08:00

Facebook has finally added the ability to access the site via a HTTP Secure (HTTPS) connection, which

should drastically increase security for users.
HTTPS provides a combination of the HTTP and SSL protocols, enabling encrypted communication between your computer and a web server. Without it you’re exposed to sniffing attacks on the network; for example, if you’re using a public Wi-Fi to access
Facebook via plain HTTP, someone using the Firesheep add-on for Firefox can easily retrieve your data. HTTPS makes it a lot harder to do that.
The feature is available as an option on the Account Settings page. If you don’t see it yet, don’t worry; Facebook will be gradually rolling it out over the next couple of weeks.
Those who are concerned about online security probably know that it was possible to access Facebook via HTTPS for quite some time now, for example using the HTTPS Everywhere Firefox add-on, but some of Facebook’s features, for example chat and photo uploads, did not work properly over HTTPS.
Unfortunately, even Facebook’s implementation of the protocol will not be perfect. “Some Facebook features, including many third-party applications, are not currently supported in HTTPS,” writes Facebook’s Alex Rice in a blog post, promising that Facebook is working hard to resolve these issues. Furthermore, if you choose to enable HTTPS, you should know that it will slow down your Facebook experience, as encrypted pages take longer to load.

Skype 5.0 for Mac Exits Beta, Group Calling No Longer Free

2011-01-30T21:17:00.000-08:00

Skype for Mac is out of beta, and version 5.0 is now available as a free download. No longer the poor stepchild of the PC, it’s finally catching up, matching most of the features of the PC version 5.0.
Included in the new features are a call control bar, group video calling, the ability to search chat content, integration with the OS X Address Book, and a smaller floating contacts monitor. The only missing feature from the Windows version of Skype is its integration of the Facebook newsfeed.
The beta version of Skype for Mac OS X has been available since last November (and the PC beta version was available in September). In a blog post, Skype says it’s taken the suggestions of beta users and incorporated most of them in this new version.
The centerpiece of version 5.0 is group video calling (GVC), letting 10 users vid-chat with each other. But there’s a catch: You’ll have to pony up for it. Group video calling is free for a week, but after that, a day pass is $4.99, or a monthly subscription is $8.99, and customer support is included.
If you’re not interested in paying for group calling, you can get the rest of Skype 5.0 with a free download. That’ll give you the most-desired Skype features, such as voice chat with other Skype users, one-on-one video chat and instant messaging, as well as the ability to call and text plain old telephone numbers with the purchase of SkypeOut credits. And those credits are dirt cheap compared to conventional telephone rates, especially for international calling.
So what’s changed? As Skype 5.0 moves away from its beta status, its user interface has been cleaned up, with Skype responding to customer complaints about too much white space with a tighter interface. Yes, now you can hide Skype on the corner of your screen until someone calls you, a significant improvement over the beta version.
There’s another catch: Users in various forums and sites are not happy with the non-beta Skype 5.0, complaining about how it still takes up too much space for what it does. Many are just sticking with the old version 2.8. If you’re thinking of upgrading, you might want to keep a copy of version 2.8 handy so you can bail if necessary.
Skype says the minimum system requirement for this new version is a 1GHz Intel processor, and you must be running Mac OS X 10.5.8 with 100 MB of free disk space. The good news about that premium group video calling is that although all users on a call must be running Skype 5.0 for it to work, only one of the callers must be a paying subscriber.

Visualizing Egypt’s Internet Blackout

2011-01-30T21:15:00.000-08:00

A scientist at the network security company Arbor Networks has used data from 80 Internet service providers around the world to create an image of the Internet block in Egypt. The graphic, which was compiled using anonymous traffic engineering statistics, shows traffic to and from Egypt dropping sharply around 5:20 p.m. ET. As of about three hours ago, traffic has not picked back up.
Craig Labovitz, the creator of the graphic and chief scientist at Arbor Networks, says that he found no evidence of Internet disruption in Syria, debunking a report from Al Arabiya earlier Friday that
suggested all service in Syria had been cut off.

Logitech’s Mouse for Couch Potatoes

2011-01-30T21:14:00.000-08:00

Logitech claims its Couch Mouse M515 is optimized for soft surfaces such as sofas, beds or carpets. No stranger to the wonders and allure of a comfy couch, I was eager to see if it could do better than other pointing devices at navigating a PC from, shall we say, more relaxing surroundings. I got the Couch Mouse working just a few seconds after plugging in Logitech’s signature “unifying receiver,” a USB dongle scarcely the size of a thumbnail that communicates flawlessly with most of its new pointing devices. Flipping on its switch underneath, the Couch Mouse was ready for action.
Next it was time to try the mouse on a variety of surfaces, and it was able to navigate them all as if it were sliding around on a mousepad. Logitech calls the mouse “easy gliding,” and that’s a true statement.
Not only is its sealed bottom resistant to dust bunnies and various fibers, it’s sensitive enough to use almost anywhere. In addition to a leather couch, a cloth couch, various blankets and sheets and a variety of carpets, the mouse was able to track perfectly on granite, slate, all types of wood, and even though Logitech doesn’t recommend it, it did a respectable job of working on a overturned glass bowl I had on the coffee table.
A pleasant surprise was the Logitech “hyperfast” capability that I’ve grown accustomed to with its MX Revolution series. The Couch Mouse gives you a choice of that free-spinning hyperfast mode that works like a flywheel, letting you zip through long web pages in seconds, or press down on the mouse wheel and it goes into conventional click wheel mode. Aside from its unpleasant and unusually loud noise when you press down to click the mouse wheel, the procedure was a welcome convenience.
Besides its versatility, I like the way this mouse feels in my hand. It’s not too small and not too large, and it’s equally friendly to right-handed or left-handed users. The sound of each of its left and right mouse clicks is just right — not too noisy, but giving you appropriate tactile feedback.
It was disappointing to see that the Couch Mouse requires two AA batteries — I would’ve preferred a rechargeable mouse — but easing that gripe is the fact that the mouse is extraordinarily efficient. Its Hand Detection uses battery power only when you touch it.
Taken aback at first by its $50 price, after testing it for the better part of a week, I think the Logitech Couch Mouse M515 is well worth that steep tariff. But for $50, I think Logitech could’ve made the mouse rechargeable. Nevertheless, if you like to use a mouse in your home theater or on your couch, or if you’re looking for a pointing device that can handle just about any surface, this one’s highly recommended.

View As Slideshow »

Logitech Couch Mouse

You can also get the couch mouse in a battleship grey color, but I like this metallic blue the best.

Logitech Couch Mouse

Check out the little swoosh on the side, apparently added by Logitech just for fun.

Logitech Couch Mouse

Look out Nike, you might want to lawyer up -- they're using swooshes on both sides. But no, it's not close enough for a lawsuit.

Logitech Couch Mouse

There's a middle mouse button that opens a webpage in a tab if you're using Windows. The mouse also works on Macs.

Logitech Couch Mouse

This is a fairly small mouse, but not too small.

Logitech Couch Mouse

Here's a key picture: Look at the bottom, designed for easy gliding on irregular surfaces. It works. Slide that battery compartment cover off, and there's a little slot where you can store Logitech's tiny USB dongle. Thoughtful design, making it good for traveling. Think about it: Have you had trouble using conventional mice on hotel beds or coffee tables? I know I have.

Logitech Couch Mouse

Its symmetrical shape makes it work well for both southpaws and righties.

Logitech Couch Mouse

I wanted to show you the mouse in my hand, where it feels like just the right size. My hands are about medium-sized.

Logitech Couch Mouse

Here's the Couch Mouse in its native element, a leather couch, where it worked perfectly.

Logitech Couch Mouse

Still on a leather couch, it looks pretty cool.

Logitech Couch Mouse

The mouse wheel feels a lot like the one on Logitech's more- expensive MX Revolution.

Logitech Couch Mouse

Too bad that mouse wheel make such a god-awful loud noise when you press down on it. Otherwise, its clicks are quiet and pleasant.

Logitech Couch Mouse

I like its subtle metallic finish that's not shiny.

Here’s more about the Couch Mouse from Logitech.

Google to Hold Android Honeycomb Event Next Wednesday

2011-01-29T21:09:00.000-08:00

Google will be holding a press event next Wednesday, February 2, at its Mountain View headquarters to show off Android Honeycomb, the company’s tablet-optimized OS.
The invitation, which just landed in our inboxes, asks us to join the search giant “for an in-depth look at Honeycomb, Android ecosystem news and hands-on demos.” The stage presentations will begin at 10:00 a.m. PT. Google is calling it the event “A Taste of What’s New from Android.”

Google is also sharing the Android love with the rest of world; the event will be live streamed at YouTube.com/Android.
Honeycomb, Android 3.0, is the first Google OS built specifically for the tablet form factor. It features a revamped interface, faster plane switching, deeper multimedia integration and a slew of redesigned Android applications. We’ve had the chance to play with Android Honeycomb during our Motorola Xoom demo, even sneaking in some time to play with some of its yet-to-be-announced features.
We’ll be at Google’s event next Wednesday to bring you all the Android news live. In the meantime, check out the demo video, and in the comments, let us know what you think this Android press event might reveal.

Facebook for Android Gets Updated With Deals

2011-01-29T21:07:00.000-08:00

Facebook for Android has been upgraded to version 1.5.1, bringing access to Facebook Deals and fixing a number of bugs.
Deals, which are only available in the U.S. at this time, show up when you check into a place, with the surrounding places displaying a yellow icon if they offer deals.
Unfortunately, Android’s fragmentation rears its ugly head here, as many of the comments on the official Facebook post complain about bugs not being fixed, new bugs appearing or some features going missing – depending on what version of Android the commenters use.

The new version of the app is available free in the Android market.

The Best Videos Ever of The Week

2011-01-29T21:04:00.000-08:00

Want to catch up on the week's most popular web videos? From the greatest miniature gold shot of all time to an adorable Wisconsin man who adopts a cat who lives in a tree, our top picks inside.

Worst Idea: Filming a Speeding Train Running Over You
An insane person sets up a camera to film a full-speed train passing over him, as he lies flat on the tracks. Now that we're all caught up: Please don't try this at home. Please don't try this at home.

The Greatest Miniature Golf Shot of All Time
Take one pink golf ball, one water fountain for it to float atop, one putter to strike it with, and one person to do said striking, and what do you have? You have the greatest putt-putt shot of all time.

This Isn't How You're Supposed To Lift A Guy On A Stretcher
I don't know who this player is or how he hurt himself, but I do know this video is about five Leslie Nielsen movies rolled into one.

Pakistani Cop Suspended For Doing "Awesome Stunts"
This now-suspended cop in Karachi, Pakistan happened upon a TV crew covering a protest and talked them into filming his spectacular "stunt" show. His reason? He wanted to show his wife how tough the job of a policeman is. Brilliant.

Come Adopt a Cat at "Kitty Midnight Madness"
While it may not actually be a real event, this commercial for an all-night kitten sale makes me wish it were. Buy one kitten, get 5 free-you can't pass up a deal like that!

Riders Trapped While Poor Girl Throws Up Uncontrollably on Roller Coaster
What's worse? Throwing up on a roller coaster while someone videotapes you or sitting next to someone throwing up on a roller coaster while someone videotapes you?

Dazed and Confused in 120 Seconds
Everyone loves cult high school film Dazed and Confused. Luckily, some Fresh Prince of Bel Air-sounding guy has written a speedy rap summarizing the movie. Listen, and relive your memories.

What It Looks Like When A Semi Almost Crashes Into You
What happens when a truck carrying 40 tons of sand loses control and crashes through an interstate barrier? As frightening as you might think, based on a dashcam from a nearby car. Surprisingly, no one was injured.

Fan Upstages Mascot During Wizards Halftime Routine
To impress his date, this guy practically puts the Wizards' mascot G-man out of a job with his awesome halftime dunk. I think we can all agree it worked.

Autistic Boy Branded A Cheater By Xbox Live
Julias Jackson is an 11-year-old boy living with autism, whose only real social interaction comes from playing online multiplayer games on Xbox Live, an activity that became more difficult when the Xbox Live team labeled him a cheater.

Here is Michael Scott Meeting David Brent For the First Time
A longtime dream of many Office fans was realized this evening as two titans of industry finally happened upon each other in a hallway. The Gervais/Carell team up was exactly as glorious as you'd expect.

ASU Student Dunks Ball, Self
Nick Corrales is on the Suns' little trampoliney-dunkey team, but overshot his mark Wednesday night. I think that's touching it above the cylinder, so it doesn't count.

Why Knot?: A Kinetic Sculpture That Continuously Ties and Unties a Necktie
If you ever found it complicated to tie your own neck tie, then this kinetic sculpture by Seth Goldstein is for you. It took about five years to design and build, and soon it will be in a Philadelphia museum.

Rare Footage of The Original King's Speech
In a rare clip of King George VI, played by Collin Firth in this year's The King's Speech, it's clear that his speech impediment was pretty severe. Now you can judge for yourself just how accurately he was portrayed in the film.

Katie Couric: "Can You Explain What Internet Is?"
Here's a recently re-discovered oldie-and goodie!-to show how far technology has come in the last two decades. Watch this Today Show clip from 1994, featuring Katie Couric and Bryant Gumbel's complete confusion about what, exactly, the Internet is.

Strong Winds Force Rugby Kick Back Through Goal Post Like a Boomerang
A rugby player sets up to kick what looks to be a pretty easy three point attempt, but the wind clearly has other plans in mind. Will the points still count?

Car Leaves Fire Tracks in Awesome Parking Lot Peel Out
A group of drivers gathered to show off their most badass peel outs. Watch as one car sets the competition ablaze.

Tracy Morgan Shares Naughty Thoughts About Sarah Palin With The TNT Crew
Tracy Morgan made an appearance on TNT's pregame show at the Garden last night (as a handful of tipsters were kind enough to share). Of course, TNT later apologized.

Watch a Shaolin Monk Throw a Needle Through Glass at 1000 Frames Per Second
We've all heard the expression a needle in a haystack, but what about a needle through a piece of glass? Sounds impossible? Watch this.

Amy Poehler Explains Her Stock Photo Modeling Past
Last week, during a stock photo search using the word "volunteer," someone happened upon two pretty silly-looking photos from Amy Poehler's past. Last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Amy explained how the photos came to be.

Cat Seeks Refuge From Playful Companion in Plastic Fortress
Here's a cat video to trump all other cat videos (until the next great cat video, at least). Watch as the kitten, Caro, attempts to extract the bigger cat, Miho, from a plastic fortress. Caro just wants to play!

Hail Storm Destroys the Car of Amateur Storm Chasers
Driving into a severe hailstorm is all fun and games until someone loses an eye, so make sure you "shield your eyes!" if you attempt this on your own.

The Most Unlikely Basket You'll See All Day, Unless Hasheem Thabeet Gets Garbage Time Minutes
Is this planned? Probably not planned. But if I'm the kid making this inbounds pass, I'm telling everyone this went off exactly the way it was drawn up.

If Trains Had Porn, This Would Be It
How cool could a train video possibly be? Well, judging from this mesmerizingly beautiful video, VERY cool. Watch as a long-as-hell Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train makes its way through the foothills of the Rockies-like a boss.

Adorable Kids Reenact Five of the Best Picture Nominated Films
Haven't gotten around to watching the Oscar nominated films yet? No problem. Simply watch these little tykes reenact five of the nominees and you won't miss a thing.

Adorable Wisconsin Man Adopts Treebound Cat
When Ron Venden noticed that a kitten had been abandoned in a tree on his property, rather than call animal control, he named her Almond and began feeding her salami and meatloaf. She has yet to leave the tree.

This 1 Minute Video Will Make You Hate Winter Forever
If you're not already completely bummed out by the snow and cold weather, watch this.

I Guarantee You've Never Seen A Ball Ride The Rim This Long
Little Earl Boykins circles the drain for the rare 1440° mid-range jumper. I think the broadcast misses the entire second quarter while showing the super slo-mo replay.

The Origins Of Pokémon (In Two Minutes)
The story of Pokémon is a long and ridiculous one. Cutting its origins down to a two-minute web animation saves us all a lot of trouble, heartache and having to actually watch an episode of the awful Pokémon cartoon series.

Slow Motion Dachshund Puppy Plays in Snow
Last week we met the adorable Iso for a slow motion game of fetch. This week Iso returns to frolic in the snow in slow motion. Or, snow motion.

Talented Beatboxer Goes Through the History of Hip Hop
Watch French beatboxer EKLIPS cycle through decades of hip-hop in this electrifying performance. Can you name all the songs he samples?

Ashley Madison Ad Yanked From Super Bowl
After reports that Ashley Madison, the cheaters website, was angling to run a spot during the Super Bowl, we've finally heard: FOX rejected it. (Slightly NSFW)

What if Pixar's Up Was Made in the 1960s?
See old of footage Spencer Tracy, Kirk Douglas, and even a low-tech Kevin the bird spliced together by Ivan Guerrero to create this impressive live-action "premake" of Up.

Playing XBox Kinect Could Lead to Accidental Child Abuse
Here you have all the ingredients for a disaster - a very physical video game, an intensely focused dad, and a little kid whose face just happens to be within accidental smacking range.

What if Seinfeld Was a Dramatic Movie About World Takeover?
There will probably never be a Seinfeld movie, but this is a good consolation! Here's a fake-and incredibly impressive-trailer for Jerry the Great, about Seinfeld's desire to take over the world.

Watch a Very Thirsty Plant Return to Life Before Your Eyes
This time-lapse video shows a dehydrated plant completely revived in thirty minutes after being watered.

Don't Interrupt This Kid When He's Making a Sandwich
This kid takes the art of sandwich making seriously and wants to show the world his love for turkey and cheese on toast. It turns out he also knows how to make a knuckle sandwich.

Mischievous Kangaroo Kicks Unsuspecting Bystander Into Lake
Moral of the story: never turn your back on a kangaroo.

How to Do Almost Anything Faster
Are you busy? Would some extra time each day help you? If so, then watch the following-massive!-compilation of tips/tricks for getting things done faster, from tying shoelaces, to wrapping tangle-free cords, to peeling potatoes, and so much more!

Is This School Bus Driver Fearless or Just an Idiot?
Don't try this at home! Actually, don't try it anywhere-ever. Anyway, here's a four-minute video of a Nicaraguan school bus driver literally fording a raging river. Twice!

Ronaldinho Does A Goal From Behind The Goal
This is more like it! None of your sexist pundit stuff here - just MAD SKILLZ!

The Smallest and Most Precise Missile In the US Arsenal
At only 2.75 inches in diameter, the Direct Attack Guided Rocket-DAGR, pronounced dagger-is designed to be the bread-and-butter air-to-surface weapon in the US arsenal.

Here's Video Of A Lady Draining An 85-Foot Three Pointer
University of the Cumberlands guard Stephanie Quattrociocchi's highlight-reel shot gave her team a 34-27 halftime lead over Campbellsville U.

Dr. Laura Pranked, Berated And Hacked By Howard Stern Fans
Dr. Laura's still criticizing Howard Stern - and now his fans have struck back by calling her show with various pranks, insults, and obscenities. They even hacked her Wikipedia page. Oh, it's on.

Hearing This Voicemail-and Knowing That It Went to the Wrong Person-Will Make You Cry
Stop whatever you're doing right now and go tell your dear ones that you love them. You'll be glad you did once you listen to this voicemail recording.

Cat Piano iPad App Approximates Katy Perry's Voice With Surprising Fidelity
This oddly enjoyable cover of Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" is made entirely with iPad apps, including an app called Cat Piano playing the vocal melody. As YouTube commenter miesvanderrobot notes, it's "actually surprisingly apt."

Rats Now Riding the Subway Like Regular Passengers
Millions of rats living on the NYC subway tracks don't faze New Yorkers in the least. But recently, the rats have started venturing onto slumbering passengers. And now: alarming video evidence shows that rats consider themselves normal subway riders.

Watch the Heartbreaking Audition From American Idol
On tonight's American Idol, a 26-year-old Illinois man named Chris Medina auditioned before the judges. Accompanying Medina was his severely brain-damaged fiancée, Julia Ramos, who-post-audition-also met the judges.

A Breakdown of the Visual Effects Used in Black Swan
Trailer Addict gives us a step-by-step breakdown of the special effects used in Black Swan. What, you didn't think that Natalie Portman actually grew quills on her skin, did you?

Cinematic Proof People Only Say "It's Showtime" in the Movies
When's the last time you've heard someone yell, "It's showtime!" to a crowd? Chances are you were watching a movie because does anyone every actually yell that out in real life? Here is probably where you heard it.

Last Week's Best Videos Ever of The Week
Want to catch up on the week's most popular web videos? From Ricky Gervais' uncomfortable Golden Globes monologue to how not to rescue someone from a frozen lake, our top picks inside.

Send an email to the author of this post at richard@gawker.tv.

Top 10 Tips and Tricks to Train, Exercise, and Better Our Brain

2011-01-29T21:03:00.000-08:00

While we're always using our brains, we're not necessarily doing much to keep them in good shape. Here are the top ten sites and tools to train your brain and exercise your mental muscles.

10. Sudoku

By now you're probably familiar with Sudoku, but just in case it's a number puzzle game with the objective of filling up a grid of numbers. Check out these instructions to learn how to play. Most people find Sudoku a fun and addictive game, plus it can help improve your problem-solving skills (just not your overall brain health). You can play online, on your iOS device, on Facebook, Android, and pretty much any other platform you can think of.

9. Wikipedia:Random

Wikipedia:Random is simply a means of randomly stumbling on a Wikipedia article. Why is this good for your brain? You can use it to find a new topic to learn about every day. Qwiki, a visually rich, mini Wikipedia that reads to you, is another good starting point. Learning something new every day can keep your brain healthy, so grab a random article and make it a new way to start your morning.

Wikpedia:Random

8. Practice Simple Math Every Day

Perhaps you remember the Mad Math Minute from grade school, where you'd need to solve as many math problems as possible in 60 seconds. While it may have seemed annoying then, it was excellent practice that you can still make use of now. While it's easy enough to create your own Mad Math Minute worksheets, since you're basically just writing out a bunch of simple math problems on a piece of paper, I found a Mad Math Minute generator for Mrs. Boguski's 5th grade class. It probably wasn't intended for mass consumption on the web, so here are some alternative printable worksheets. The bottom line is this: a minute of simple math can help get your brain in shape and make you far less reliant on a calculator.

7. Write Instead of Type (More Often)

We love our keyboards. They're much more efficient at getting words on the page than your hand, a pencil, and a notebook. Nonetheless, you can learn more effectively by writing longhand and so you may want to ditch the laptop when you're acquiring new knowledge. This happens because your brain's filtering system (the reticular activating system, or RAS) processes what you're actively focusing on at the moment. Writing triggers the RAS and lets your brain know it's time to pay attention.

6. Act Like You're Teaching

You can utilize the skills you already have more effectively by acting like you're teaching. Rather than just recalling the steps needing to complete the task at hand, pretend as though you're teaching yourself how to do it. This will help you recall the necessary information better and avoid making stupid mistakes.
Photo by Renato Ganoza

5. Tell Yourself Stories

Storytelling cane be a good way to exercise your brain. First of all, it makes things easier to remember because it puts what you want to remember in a more compelling framework. It gives you a chance to focus on important details and associate emotion with what you're trying to remember. Even if you're not telling yourself a story to help retain the information, you'll still improve your memory just by telling stories in general. Storytelling has been used as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. If storytelling can help an Alzeheimer's patient improve their memory, chances are it can help you.
Photo by Stacy Z

4. Lumosity

Lumosity is a webapp that provides specialized brain-training activities. You can use it for free, but premium accounts (which you can try free for five days) have a wider range of training options. All the exercises are pretty simple to understand and are fun to play. All of my initial exercises had to do with memory, likely because I selected better memory as one of my goals when I signed up. That's to say that Lumosity's exercises may vary for you based on the information you provide. When you're done, you get a rating and your goal is simply to improve with each day you practice.

Lumosity

3. Meditate

Nothing kills your ability to use your brain effectively, as well as your brain's overall health, like too much stress. What's a great way to reduce your stress levels? Meditation—and you don't need to do it with incense and yoga pants. Check out our guide on meditation for the rest of us for some simple ways to get started.
Photo by Cornelia Kopp

2. Learn About Your Brain's Faults and Account for Them

In a previous top ten we've taken a look at ways your brain is sabotaging you and how to beat it. We've also looked at how to avoid burnout from addictive technology, how you can become a lot smarter by realizing you're not that great, how to use your natural inclination towards quitting to your advantage, how imagining eating more can lead to eating less, why it's okay that you and everyone else is an asshole, and many more. Basically, your brain does a lot of things very, very well but sucks at plenty of others. You may not be able to fix the things your brain is bad at in all cases, but at least being aware of your inherent faults can make sure you're taking advantage of your brain's full potential.

1. Exercise and Eat Well

While probably a little obvious (and something we've previously noted), I'd bet that the number of people who believe this is common knowledge is very close to the number of people who don't follow that common knowledge. If you're not exercising and eating right simply because you don't know how, well, check out this 15-minute daily workout from 1904 and structure your daily diet like a pyramid. If you're worried about spending too much money to eat healthy, there are plenty of great reader suggestions for eating health on the cheap. Anything you do to keep your brain sharp can be easily thwarted if you don't keep your body healthy. A little physical activity and a smart diet will make it much easier for you to your brain in top shape.

Difference Between the Human Eye and a Camera

2011-01-29T20:58:00.000-08:00

Pixiq has a great write up on the similarities and differences between the our eye and a camera. Apparently, we're the same in image focusing and light adjustment but different in lens focus and sensitivity to light. What else?

Pixiq's breakdown gets even more interesting when they explain how cameras work like our eyes. The cornea acts like a lens, the iris and pupil act like the aperture of a camera and the retina is like the imaging sensor of a digital camera.
There's much more interesting tidbits in their piece and I suggest you skim it all, you might even find out what the ISO of a human eye is. [Pixiq]

Saudi Arabia - Flooded City - Jeddah

2011-01-29T03:57:00.000-08:00

Floods in Jeddah Pictures

2011-01-29T03:49:00.001-08:00

The Best 3DTVs

2011-01-28T23:26:00.000-08:00

Some 3D HDTVs actually kinda suck. The 3D effect can break down during fast movement and the active shutter glasses sometimes create a constant flickering effect. If you want decent 3D, check out these great sets recommended by Televisioninfo.com.

Samsung UN55C7000

Product Name: Samsung UN55C7000, Screen Size: 55 inches, Resolution: 1920 x 1080, Refresh Rate: 120 Hz, Price: $1,999.99

The Samsung UN55C7000 is a gorgeous TV with decent 3D emulation. Its 3D effect holds up pretty well under most conditions, the one exception being high contrast areas. The glasses seem to sync up with the TV better than most other sets, since there's barely any flicker while the active shutters are doing their thing.

Sony XBR-52HX909

Product Name: Sony XBR-52HX909, Screen Size: 52 inches, Resolution: 1920 x 1080, Refresh Rate: 240 Hz, Price: $3,699.99

The Sony XBR-52HX909's 3D effect is a bit inconsistent, but when it's working it's amazing. The 3D effect for background and mid-range objects is great, and the TV really only has a problem with things in the immediate foreground and the cliché "popping out of the screen" effect. The best part: even without 3D, this is a great TV. The XBR-52HX909 has great picture quality and Sony's incredible line-up of online content.

Panasonic TC-P50VT20

Product Name: Panasonic TC-P50VT20, Screen Size: 50 inches, Resolution: 1920 x 1080, Refresh Rate: 96 Hz, Price: $2,500.00

If we had to choose one manufacturer for a 3D HDTV, it'd be Panasonic. The TC-P50VT20 might be a first generation 3D HDTV, but it's still one of the best we've seen so far. The effect holds up well even in areas of high contrast or fast motion, and the active shutter glasses don't create an obnoxious flicker effect.

The Best Notebooks of 2010 And Winner is

2011-01-28T23:24:00.000-08:00

To find out the best laptops of 2010, we checked in with Mark Spoonauer who, as editor-in-chief of Laptop Magazine and Laptopmag.com, oversaw 140+ notebook and netbook reviews this year. If you're buying, buy one of these.

Breakthrough Device

Apple MacBook Air (11- and 13-Inch)

Lowest Price: $900
Talk about instant gratification. Flip the lid on the ridiculously light 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Airs and they spring to life instantly. Thanks to the way Apple integrated flash memory in these ultraportables, they also boot in just 15 seconds. The new Airs measure 0.11 to 0.68 inches thick yet feature sturdy aluminum unibody designs and zippy Nvidia graphics. The 2.3-pound 11-inch model lasts more than 5 hours on a charge, while the 2.9-pound 13-inch Air can work unplugged for nearly 7 hours. Add in a FaceTime camera for easy video calling between Macs and an iPhone or iPod touch—and an upcoming Mac App Store—and you can see why Apple continues to out-innovate the Windows competition. [Review]

Netbooks

Budget: Samsung N150 Plus

Lowest Price: $310
One of the most attractive netbooks yet, the N150 has a deep red and black design with a subtle dot pattern. Inside is a matte deck, an excellent chiclet-style keyboard, and a 10-inch, 1024x600 display. The N150's speakers put out some of the best audio we've heard on a machine this size. Its battery lasted a good 7 hours and 12 minutes, and Samsung's Fast Boot utility made the system resume instantly from hibernation mode. [Review]

Splurge: ASUS Eee PC 1215N

Lowest price: $484
It's the netbook that looks and feels more like a notebook. With a 12-inch display, a dual-core Atom D525 CPU, and discrete (but power-sipping) Nvidia ION graphics, this 3.4-pound machine lets you game and lasts close to 6 hours on a charge. Plus, we like ASUS' redesign, which makes the touchpad a lot roomier and the chassis less prone to fingerprints. [Review]

Ultraportables

Budget: Toshiba Satellite T235-S1350

Lowest Price: $600
One of the most stylish and inexpensive ultraportables yet, this 3.9-pound, 13-inch laptop is great for students and anyone else on the go. Its shiny lid (available in charcoal, red, or white) has a subtle wave pattern on top, while Toshiba's Fusion Chrome finish adds class to the inside, where you'll find one of the best keyboards around. The notebook packs a 1.2-GHz Intel Pentium U5400 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 320GB, 5,400-rpm hard drive, and its battery lasted just over 6 hours. You won't find a better deal than this. [Review]

Splurge: Sony VAIO Z

Lowest Price: $1,856
A no-compromise ultraportable, this 13-inch beauty weighs a mere 3 pounds—barely heavier than most netbooks—but features a Core i5 processor, dual 64GB solid state drives, switchable Nvidia graphics, a high-resolution 1600 x 900-pixel display. This notebook is available in black or silver, the chassis is made of aluminum and magnesium, making it light and durable. The VAIO Z blew away all other ultraportables in our tests and lasted 5 hours on a charge (an extended battery costs extra). You can also configure the Z with WiMax or 3G connectivity for the executive on the go. [Review]

Thin-and-Light Notebooks

Budget: HP Pavilion dm3t

Lowest Price: $550
It doesn't just look cool, it is cool. HP's 4-pound stunner features CoolSense technology, which kept the temperatures on this machine pretty low when we put it through its paces. Somehow, HP crammed a Core i3 processor and a 320GB, 7,200-rpm hard drive into a chassis less than an inch thick. We absolutely love the unique soft-touch black cover and backlit keyboard, as well as this notebook's 5.5 hours of battery life. [Review]

Splurge: MacBook Pro 13

Lowest Price: $1,200
The 13-inch MacBook Pro lives up to its promise of long battery life, all the while delivering strong performance, thanks to Nvidia's powerful GeForce 320M graphics. For $200 more than Apple's plastic MacBook, this laptop offers a gorgeous aluminum design, twice the RAM, a backlit keyboard, and an SD card slot. [Review]

All-Purpose Portables

Budget: HP G62t

Price: $600
It's cheap. And it's great. The HP G62t has basically everything you could want for the money. This notebook features a 2.13-GHz Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a fast, spacious 500GB 7,200 rpm. (Other machines at this price spin at 5,400-rpm.) Throw in a stylish matte finish—no fingerprint smudges!—and loud Altec Lansing speakers, and you have a winner. [Review]

Splurge: Dell XPS 15

Price: $864
The new XPS line pairs a sleek hinge-forward design with a brushed aluminum palm rest and speaker grills, and backs it all up with plenty of power. The XPS 15 comes ready to entertain with Nvidia Optimus-enabled graphics, JBL speakers with Waves MaxxAudio, and available 1080p display and Blu-ray player. Other amenities include USB 3.0 and an high-def webcam that's certified to work with Skype HD. [Review]

Entertainment Machines

Budget: Toshiba Satellite M645

Lowest Price: $989
It looks good, and it sounds even better. The 14-inch, 5-pound Toshiba Satellite M645 sports a snazzy textured design, plus harmon/kardon speakers powered by Dolby Advanced Audio Technology. On our tests, we were floored by the fidelity of this thin-and-light laptop. A 2.4-GHz Intel Core i5-450M processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 500GB hard drive round out the specs. A chiclet-style keyboard and a spacious 3.2 x 2.2-inch touchpad ensure that users compute in comfort. Bonus: The Fusion X2 finish picks up no fingerprints. [Review]

Splurge: HP Envy 17

Lowest Price: $1,500
Starting from the paisley-esque pattern and HP's glowing logo on the lid, you know this is one premium system. Inside, a superior island-style backlit keyboard and a huge 4.2 x 2.5-inch touchpad rest on the deck. Above them is a 17-inch Ultra BrightView Infinity display, which has 1920 x 1080-pixel resolution, wide viewing angles, and a 72 percent color gamut. Speakers are powered by Beats audio technology, which pumped out some of the best sound we've heard from a notebook. What else does this beast have? How about an HD webcam, USB 3.0, 1.6-GHz Intel Core i7-720QM processor, 6GB of RAM, a 500GB, 7,200-rpm hard drive, and ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 graphics? It's a multimedia dream machine. [Review]

Gaming Rigs

Budget: Alienware m11x

Lowest Price: $1,300
Small but powerful, this 11-inch beast packs a 1.2-GHz Intel Core i7-640UM processor and Nvidia GeForce GT 335M graphics into a miniaturized version of Alienware's Camaro-esque gaming rigs. You get customizable backlighting and effects for showing off, plus Nvidia's graphics-switching Optimus technology, which means this 4.6-pound champ can last around 6 hours on a charge. [Review]

Splurge: Toshiba Qosmio X505

Lowest Price: $1,695
The best 18.4-inch in our book has everything a gamer or media junkie could want, including a quad-core Core i7 processor, 6GB of RAM, both a 500GB 7,200-rpm drive and 64GB SSD, and 1GB of video memory. Add in harman/kardon speakers and Blu-ray, and you have a force to be reckoned with. [Review]

Business Systems

Budget: Dell Vostro V3300

Lowest Price: $911
A small business laptop that looks like it belongs in the executive suite, this 13-inch notebook is clad in brushed aluminum, and has an understated black interior. A 2.27-GHz Intel Core i5-430M CPU and 3GB of RAM provides all the performance you need for work and play, and a 320GB, 7,200-rpm hard drive gives business users plenty of storage. This 4.8-pound notebook endured for a good 5 hours and 34 minutes. [Review]

Splurge: Lenovo ThinkPad X201s

Price: $1,659
With a Core i7 processor and more than 8 hours of battery life, the ThinkPad X201s continues its predecessor's tradition of excellence. As always, it has the similar design and ThinkPad keyboard have endeared the line to traveling executives the world over. It eschews a touchpad for the TrackPoint, which is highly accurate. The 12-inch screen has a high resolution of 1440 x 900-pixels, meaning you can fit more of a web page on the screen at once or compare two documents side-by-side. A 2.13-GHz Intel Core i7-640LM processor delivers serious speed, while a 9-cell battery supplies plenty of runtime. All this in a 3.4-pound package. [Review]
Laptopmag.com brings you in-depth reviews of the hottest mobile products, the latest tech news, helpful how-to advice, and expert analysis of the latest tech trends.

The Best Budget Camera Lenses

2011-01-28T23:18:00.001-08:00

If you're shopping for a new lens of some sort, you've come to just the right place. Here's ThePhoblographer's list of the best lenses you can get your hands on without breaking the bank.

Canon

• Canon 50mm F1.8/F1.4: When I first moved to Canon, I started out with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II. Though it has some slight quirks to it (autofocus is a bit hard to do at time and can be slow) it is still a wonderful general purpose lens and an excellent lens for when videos need to be shot at something like a concert. Stopped down to F4, it is wonderfully sharp.

If you can afford it, the Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM is much better and is one of Canon's best buys.
• Canon 100mm Macro 2.8: Known as one of Canon's sharpest lenses, users will appreciate the versatility available with using a lens like this. One can go from shooting portraits, to macro products, to the fine details at a wedding, and to even sports shooting when put in a cropped sensor body like a 7D or a 50D (available at a rebate at the time of writing this article.) One really can't go wrong with the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM.
• Canon 85mm F1.8: This is my second favorite lens in my camera bag. The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM allows for super sharp portraits, headshots, and even candid moments when shooting events or a wedding. What's great is that you have a telephoto reach without having a really large lens that tends to attract attention: therefore making the photographer more discrete and also allowing them not to disturb their subjects.
• Canon 35mm F2.0: The Canon EF 35mm f2.0 is a great lens for events or photojournalism type shooting. This lens is great for capturing environmental portraits, and also for giving a real feel for what the vibe is like at an event. Combined with a flash, it can be great on the dance floor of a party and delivers sharp results with wonderful color.

Nikon

• Nikon 50mm F1.8/F1.4: The Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF is sharper than Canon's but doesn't deliver as pleasing out-of-focus areas. In fact, it's quite a bit sharper and comes with a slightly higher price as well. The Nikon 50mm f/1.4D AF is used widely at concerts and weddings in addition to photographers who capture portraits with cameras like a D300s. Many wedding photographers actually do this and deliver some fantastic and lovely results. I've seen some prints from photographers in Brooklyn shooting by the Brooklyn Bridge, and combined with their SB-900 flashes, it does some great work on quite the budget.
• Nikon AF-S 35mm F1.8: I've tried this lens on the Nikon D3x before. For the price, Nikon photographers get a lens that will stick with them in their bags forever. A lens like this is sharp, focuses surprisingly fast, and can be used for photo shoots, shooting couples, portraits, weddings, etc. Many portrait photographers I know actually use the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX.
• Nikkor 28mm F2.8D: Nikon's wide angle primes are becoming legendary, and the Nikon 28mm f2.8D AF is quite worth its weight in dollars. A lens like this is great for getting up close and personal with your subjects, like children, dogs, etc. Otherwise, it is great for shooting landscapes and some street photography.
• Nikkor 85mm F1.8D: Although it's not the absolutely gorgeous F1.4, the Nikon 85mm f1.8D AF is a lens that is seen on many Nikon photographers' cameras. This lens is the essential lens for portrait photographers and those looking to do in studio work. Stopped down to around F2.8 it becomes super sharp. The feel and construction of this lens will also not disappoint.

Panasonic and Olympus Four Thirds/Micro Four Thirds

• Panasonic 20mm F1.7: As perhaps the most favorite lens amongst Micro Four Thirds photographers, the Panasonic LUMIX G 20mm f1.7 delivers wonderful results in all types of lighting and also does this in a small pancake type body. Zach Honig over at Tech, Travel Tuna and PCMagazine uses this on his GF-1, which he really loves. Some of the results I've seen deliver things I never thought possible on Micro Four Thirds.
• Olympus M. Zukio 17mm F2.8: An alternative to the 20mm for those that want a wider field of view, the Olympus 17mm f2.8 Lens is still a great lens for the Micro Four Thirds system due to sharp image quality and wide aperture.
• Olympus 25mm F2.8: The Olympus 25mm f2.8 for Four Thirds is one of the most beloved lenses in the system. Vincent Pastore uses one (he wrote for this blog previously.) Additionally, most Olympus photographers carry it around when shooting for fun.
• Sigma 24mm F1.8: This is a lens that anyone seriously committed to the Four Thirds standard needs to get if they are also on a budget. Though it isn't the Panasonic 25mm F1.4 that one would sell their soul for, the Sigma will still deliver very pleasing results to users.
• Olympus 50mm F2 Macro: A 100mm on Four Thirds, this lens is great for events, macro work, products and portraits. The sharpness offered by this lens is really something to consider when you need a compact telephoto.
ThePhoblographer is a site that reports on the latest trends and happenings in the photography world. The site also reviews gear in the field review format which tests gear in the way that photographers and enthusiasts would actually use them in real-life situations.

The Best Gadgets - 2010

2011-01-28T23:17:00.000-08:00

"What gadget should I get?" is a timeless question. To answer it, here's our current leaderboard of favorite gadgets, including smartphones, laptops and cameras—updated with the latest and greatest of the whole year.

We know you don't want to blow that paycheck on merely the shiniest, or the the simply newest. So we've considered a balance of price, features, reliability—and above all, quality—to make sure you're choosing a gadget that isn't just great, but one that's sensible. We've updated our roster of Giz-approved gadgets, and below, you'll find these picks—the best tech tools 2010 has to offer.

The Best Smartphones

We can geek out all we want, but the best way to choose is a phone is not just by the hardware or the OS, but the phone and the carrier. Here's the smartphone to pick on each...for now.
• Best AT&T Phone: Apple iPhone 4 (June 7th, 2010) And for those of you who want to venture into Windows Phone 7 turf, we now recommend the Samsung Focus. (Oct 20, 2010)
• Best Sprint Phone: HTC Evo (June 3, 2010)
• Best T-Mobile Phone: The Nexus S (unless you still want a keyboard, then it's still the T-Mobile G2). (Dec 10, 2010)
• Best Verizon Phone: HTC Incredible (April 19, 2010)

The Best Computers

• Best Laptop: 15-inch i7 MacBook Pro, (April 13, 2010) high rez matte screen, or if you go PC, the Toshiba Portégé R700 ...a 3lb Core i5 (June 21, 2010)
• Best Netbook: This market is commoditized, just buy something on this list or an iPad. (April 7, 2010)
• Best Ultraportable: MacBook Air 11-inch (Nov. 1, 2010) We've also added the Sony VAIO Z to our list, if you're seeking a super slim Windows machine. (Nov 24, 2010)
• Best 3D Laptop: Asus' G51Jx 3DE beat out the competition, and has a built-in IR emitter. (Oct 7, 2010)
• Best Processors: Decide your budget, THEN pick a processor from this list. (April 9, 2010)

• Best Desktop Graphics Cards: We've knocked off the ATI HD 5970 chipset in favor of the Fermi-packing Nvidia GeForce GTX 580 (Nov 9, 2010). Otherwise, decide your budget, THEN pick the card from this list.
• Best Mobile Graphics: Anything with Nvidia's GeForce 400M series will have serious gaming muscle (Sep 3, 2010).
• Best Motherboard: The Asus Rampage III Extreme barely edged out the competition in our new motherboard roundup.
• Best Router: The Netgear RangeMax V1 emerged victorious from the Ultimate Router Battle. (Oct 28, 2010)
• Best SSD: Kingston's SNV425-S2 64GB drive stood out by delivering blazing performance on the (relative) cheap. (Sep 1, 2010)

The Best Tablets

• Best Tablet: Apple iPad (April 7, 2010)
• Best eReader: Goodbye, Kindle DX. Hello, Amazon Kindle 3 (July 28, 2010)
• Best Android Tablet: Barnes & Noble Nook Color (Nov 16, 2010)

The Best Cameras

• Best Budget dSLR: Canon T2i (May 19, 2010)
• Best Midrange dSLR: Canon 7D (Nov 10, 2009)
• Best 'Spensive dSLR: Nikon D3s (1D Mark IV if you're shooting more video) (Feb 26, 2010)
• Best Point and Shoot: Canon S95
• Best Pocket Camcorder: Flip Ultra HD, but only if you don't already have an iPhone 4. Otherwise, your smartphone's capturing better video than Flip's dedicated device—give your pockets some extra space. (Nov 17, 2009)
• Best Phone Camera: iPhone 4 (June 7, 2010)
• Best Waterproof Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 (Jan 26, 2010)
• Best Helmet/Sports Camera: GoPro Hero HD and ContourHD Surfboard Mount (Nov 4, 2009)
• Best Camera Lenses: We're adding our roundup of well-priced, excellently-performing lenses to the list, for those of you looking for an upgrade. (Dec 6, 2010)

The Best Home Theater and AV Gear

• Best 3DTV: Panasonic's TC-P50VT20 topped the pile in our three-way shootout. (Mar 25, 2010)
• Best Budget TV: We've added Vizio's XVT3SV series to our list of very favorite things. (Dec 9, 2010)
• Best Blu-ray Player: LG BD570 or PS3 (May 13, 2010)
• Best Receiver: Pioneer VSX-1020-K (Mar 4, 2010)
• Best Game Console: Xbox 360 (Jun 14, 2010)
• Best Media Extender: Now taking claiming the title as champion video streamer is Sony's diminutive, underrated almost to the point of nonexistence NetBox. Give it a shot. (Aug 25, 2010)

• Best MP3 Player: Apple's newest iPod Touch is on top of the top.
• Best Speakers: High quality sound doesn't need to cost a fortune—turns out there's a lot of great audio gear out there for less than $2,000. Audioengine's A5 speakers are $350 a pair, but pack serious sonic punch—and they're self-powered. Check out the rest of the roundup if you're looking to splurge a little more. (Sep 16, 2010)
• Best Headphones: We're finally recommending an official pick for cans, Bowers & Wilkins P5s—and they're a doozy. As our Joe Brown says, they are, in a word, "DOPE." (March 22, 2010)
• Best Home Audio Streaming: We've added the dreamy Sonos system to our end of year list—read Brian's lifechanger-status writeup and you'll understand why

The Best Speakers Under $2,000

2011-01-28T23:14:00.000-08:00

You know who knows speakers? Audiogon, the high-end audio community knows speakers. So we asked them if it was possible to get kick-ass sound for under two G's. Their answer: a turned-up-to-eleven, room-shaking YES.

$500 and Under

The Audioengine product line starts at $199 with the A2, a competent powered speaker that's sold as a computer companion. The A5, at $349 is a big step up in sound quality. But the $449 version with bamboo cabinets is the one to go for. Not only are the laminated bamboo cabinets beautiful, they have sonic benefits over the standard fiberboard model, and are green to boot. The A5 has built-in power amps, so you plug them into the wall, then connect to your source—and voila! Music!

Just a notch up the scale at $495 a pair, the PSB Image B6 are solid-performing bookshelf (stand-mount) speakers from a well-respected Canadian brand. These are regular ol' hi-fi rigs, which means they will need a separate amp or receiver. PSB has a history of well-designed, well-built products; a Stereophile reviewer called this model "the Honda Accord of bookshelf speakers". How can that be bad?

Still South of a Grand

Focal—pronounced fo-CAHL—is a French company best-known for its state of the art speakers such as their $180,000 Grande Utopia, but all their kit is excellent. The $599 XS 2.1 system is intended as a desk-top system, but has enough cojones to fill a small room. It consists of two striking aluminum and black satellites and a small subwoofer. The system is powered, and the set-up includes an iPod dock and a USB input, complete with a built-in DAC so you can bypass your PC's maybe-less-than-terrific soundcard. There's even a remote control.

If you're looking for big speakers at the same $599 price-point, the Magneplanar MMG is the way to go. Magnepan pioneered boxless planar magnetic speakers—big thin, flat speakers— nearly 40 years ago, and remains the leader. The MMG is sold direct with a 60-day money-back guarantee, and can be traded in toward the bigger Maggies sold through dealers. They're even sold in an on-wall version, with a matching center speaker at $299. If you've got room for these guys to breathe, and a strong amp, you can't go wrong. Many fans swear by the "boxless," route and will never go back to more-conventional audio.

Approaching $2,000...

A jump to the $1200 price-point brings us two strong contenders. The Definitive Technology Mythos 5 is a slender, striking column of polished aluminum, intended to package well with a big flat-screen TV. PSB offers the more conservative-appearing Image T6, a superb-sounding floor-stander. Which one is better? Listen for yourself.
If you jump to just under the $2000 threshold, there are three wonderful choices, startlingly different from one another. Which one you choose will depend on your room, your taste, and how you approach your music.

Anthony Gallo Acoustics is known in the audiophile community as the maker of unconventional, well-built high=value speakers. The $1998 Reference Strada is a surprisingly small but heavy black and steel dumbbell, with a huge and detailed sound. Wall or table-mounts are provided; tall floor-stands are optional, as are powered subwoofers for more whoomph. Highly-regarded recording engineer Pierre Sprey has said of the Stradas, "I know of no speaker under $20,000 that is more truthful or revealing."

Magnepan's $1995 model 1.7 brings their quasi-ribbon technology to a lower price level. Like the smaller, lower-priced MMG, these are tall, thin speakers; the 1.7 takes the MMG's performance and multiplies it by 10 or so. More delicate, detailed sound, yet more robust and room-filling. Magneplanars radiate sound from both their front and back surfaces, so they do require space behind them to perform well, and they do like a lot of power.

Zu Audio is an iconoclastic builder of speakers and cables located in Utah. Their focus is highly efficient, extremely dynamic speakers that only need a few watts to rock the house. The new $1800 Soul combines a 10" paper cone full-range driver with a tweeter for the extreme highs; the Soul's 101 dB sensitivity means that even low-powered tube amps can drive it.
Speakers have more personality than other audio components, and it's wise to take time in making your choice: hours, not minutes. Think of it as a romance, not speed-dating. Enjoy the trip!

Can I Port My Number to Google Voice?

2011-01-28T23:05:00.001-08:00

The one last barrier for you using Google Voice full time—number porting—just got knocked down. But should you use Google Voice? Almost certainly yes.

To quickly summarize, Google Voice is like a layer inbetween your regular cellphone/landline and the outside world. It can block calls, route calls on a schedule, record calls, transcribe voicemails, ring all (or none of your phones) simultaneously, send text messages over 3G data (or from your computer), and make and receive free VoIP calls on your computer using your normal phone number. It's really quite good, and I've been using Google Voice for almost two years now with no regrets.

But should you switch?

The logistics

Just because you can port your number to Google Voice right now, doesn't mean you should do so immediately. Take a look at your cellphone plan. Do you still have a majority of your 2-year contract left? If so, you'll have to pay early termination fees, because you're taking your number and giving it to another provider—even if that provider isn't strictly a cellphone provider.
Also, when you do port your number, you're going to need a new number for your cellphone. (Cellphones need numbers, and you just gave yours to Google Voice. No, they can't share the same number.) This can be your chance to switch providers as well, so look around and see if there's something you want. Verizon iPhone 4 is an option, but I recommend waiting for the next iPhone in June.

Do you really need to port your number?

I understand if you're some kind of professional that has been giving out your number to people for years, or a real estate agent or birthday clown performer that has advertisements up with your number printed on them, but most of you are not. Unless you have a really cool number that you really must hang on to, ask yourself a simple question. "Can you really not just write an email to everyone on your contact list and tell them you're getting a new number?" If you use Google Voice without porting, you can still hang on to your old number and tell any stragglers about your new fancy GV one.

It's easy to get calls...

Let's say you have ported your number to Google Voice, and your number is 212-OLD-NMBR. You still need a new number for your cellphone, so let's say that's 212-NEW-NMBR. You can then assign a bunch of different phones to ring with someone calls 212-OLD-NMBR, like your 212-NEW-NMBR, and your landline, and your work phone. You can even set these individual phones on a schedule to only ring during work hours and home hours, or add one temporarily, like your parents' phone if you're visiting for the holidays.
So, having those neat screening options and being able to pick up any phone you want to answer a call (even your computer, using Gmail.com), is cool.

...but making calls is weird

If you're on an iPhone and make a call like normal, even if your phone is assigned a Google Voice number, it will still appear to come from the number that belongs to your iPhone. In this case, that's 212-NEW-NMBR, the number you just got and don't want to use! But, you can use the Google Voice app, which will make outgoing calls and texts using your 212-OLD-NMBR. Or, you can save what's called a "routing number" or a "direct access number". Whenever someone texts you at your Google Voice number, Google will assign a distinct new number for them. If you want to text or call this person directly from the native phone or SMS app, use this number instead and delete their old number. It's confusing, but it works.
But, if you have an Android phone, things are much simpler. Because Google lets Android apps have deeper access to the phone, Android's Google Voice app can take care of all this routing and number stuff and make every call seem like it's originating from your 212-OLD-NMBR without you doing any extra work. That's one extra incentive for choosing an Android, if you're a heavy Google Voice user.
Of course this is all very complex and nearly impossible to remember if you're on a landline without the ability to pull up a call log, so you can just use the Google Voice web interface and make calls that way. That's how I'm able to use a batphone without any way to dial out.

What can't you do (or do as well) with Google Voice?

As a whole, Google Voice is great, but there are some things you can't do with it. And there are some drawbacks to using the service full time.
• No MMS using your GV number. If people want to MMS you, they'll have to use the number that belongs to your actual cellphone. It's kind of annoying for people to have to have two numbers for you and remember which one to use for what.
• No Facetime using your GV number. You'll have to give out your bare cellphone number again.
• No more visual voicemail if you have an iPhone. You can technically still use it, but you'll have to rig up your settings so that it's your iPhone eventually taking the voicemail. Otherwise, Google's is fine, and can transcribe your voicemails
• Call latency is worse than you're used to. If you're using Google Voice from a landline, you won't notice, but if you're on a cellphone, you'll feel that your words are getting to the other person slower than usual, causing some awkward pauses/simultaneous talking occasionally
• Another point of failure. Although Google Voice doesn't go down much, it does go down sometimes, leaving you unable to make calls for a few hours. You also occasionally have slowdowns, where your texts are delayed not because of the carrier you're on, but because Google's having some issues.

So should I?

If you're the person who really needs to keep your phone number and are nearing the end of your cellphone contract anyway, yes. Take this chance to start fresh with a new service and a fancy new phone.
If not, you don't need to dive straight into Google Voice just yet. Make a GV account, pick a new number (they even let you type in words to pick one that spells something cool), and start playing around with it. If after a while, you're enjoying it and wish you could only use it with your normal number, you have your answer.