Erica Ogg on November 25th, 2008

Dell Mini 3G

Dell Mini 9–now with 3G in the U.S.

(Credit: Dell)

The Inspiron Mini 9 can now be ordered with built-in mobile broadband, Dell announced Tuesday.

Just last week, CEO Michael Dell confirmed the company was signing up more wireless providers as partners on its new line of Netbooks, but …

Continue reading about Dell Netbook now 3G-enabled in the U.S.

Erica Ogg on November 24th, 2008

An SMS message can be a powerful thing when it comes to laptop security.

There are a considerable number of security measures available to companies to protect their valuable data on employee hard drives. Self-encrypting hard drives and security software are touted as the latest solutions, but the PC has …

Continue reading about Foil laptop thieves with a text message

Erica Ogg on November 15th, 2008

BlackBerry Storm Verizon

The BlackBerry Storm makes landfall on November 21.

(Credit: RIM)

Yeah, we know: You’ve got grown-up concerns like checking your 401(k) value, and getting advanced tickets to see Quantum of Solace this weekend.

So we understand you probably didn’t keep up with Crave as religiously as usual …

Continue reading about What we Craved this week

Erica Ogg on November 12th, 2008

This is good for those who have grave concerns over others knowing what kind of videos they’re watching.

On Wednesday, Veoh announced that its new Web video player (which is still in beta) is now available in a portable version, but only on SanDisk’s Cruzer USB flash drive. …

Continue reading about SanDisk teams with Veoh on portable Web video player

Erica Ogg on November 12th, 2008

Sling Media no longer wants to be put into a box–the theoretical kind, anyway.

Previously just a maker of hardware like the Slingbox, and related software, the company is now thinking bigger. With the official launch of Sling.com fast approaching, the small Silicon Valley company–bought last year by EchoStar–is making a bid to be taken seriously as an entertainment company.

Currently in private beta until November 24, Sling.com is a shiny new video portal that pulls in TV episodes, clips, full-length movies, and professionally produced Web videos to a single destination. The free content is provided by the NBC-Fox partnership Hulu, along with CBS (parent company of CBS Interactive, CNET’s publisher), PBS, BBC America, and Web video sites like College Humor and Break.com, to name just a few. There are short ads before and during the videos.

Up until now, Sling had been mainly in the business of creating hardware and software that allow consumers to get their TV channels from remote devices.

The Slingbox, which allows owners to watch their own subscription TV channels remotely from a computer, marked the first introduction to Sling Media for many consumers. Then the company began releasing the SlingPlayer as downloadable software for Symbian, Palm OS, and Windows Mobile that lets Slingbox owners also get their TV channels on mobile phones. BlackBerry and iPhone versions are on the way.

Sling.com Sling Media

The player and page for Arrested Development on Sling.com.

(Credit: CNET)

Sling then turned from just moving TV to the Web, and began pushing the idea of moving Web video to the TV with its SlingCatcher product, which started shipping last month.

Now, by creating a new Web destination, the company is turning the Internet into yet another destination for its customers to watch the channels they subscribe to along with a host of free, ad-supported content.

Continue reading about Sling.com almost ready for its close-up

Erica Ogg on November 11th, 2008

Starting on Monday, One Laptop Per Child’s XO laptop will be available through the Give One, Get One program again, this time facilitated by Amazon.com.

For $400, the nonprofit low-cost laptop program will send one XO to the purchaser and one to a school-age child in a developing …

Continue reading about OLPC’s Give One, Get One program to be rekindled Nov. 17

Erica Ogg on November 11th, 2008

One of the hottest products in consumer electronics is finally cooling off.

A report released Tuesday confirms that flat-panel television shipments to retailers are beginning to tail off. Specifically, LCD and plasma TV shipment grew just 21 percent, and 20 percent, respectively year over year during the third quarter of …

Continue reading about Flat-panel TV shipments begin their decline

Erica Ogg on November 10th, 2008

Dell’s purported music player will apparently not be here in time for the holidays.

A report in Monday’s Wall Street Journal cited anonymous sources saying that a music player with software designed by Zing, a company Dell bought last year, will not be released as planned before the …

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Erica Ogg on November 10th, 2008

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CNET News Poll

Circuit City’s decline
Now that Circuit City has filed for bankruptcy, will you shop there this holiday season?

Can’t talk about it, the wounds are too fresh.
I’ll be first in line!
Give me Best Buy.
As if. I do all my shopping online.

View results

Just a week after saying it was closing some stores to get its finances in order, Circuit City on Monday filed for bankruptcy protection. It will help keep creditors like Sony, Microsoft, Toshiba, and many others who have yet to receive payment for their products, at bay while Circuit City tries to get back on track. The company has also secured a special debtors’ line of credit to keep stores open and pay its employees during this time.

The timing, for a retailer, couldn’t be worse. It’s not exactly assuring that right as we’re about to start holiday shopping one of the main places for consumer electronics gifts seems unstable. So what does this mean for consumers? Here are some important questions and answers about what Circuit City’s current situation means for you.

Q: Does this mean less choice for places to shop for the holidays?


A: Actually, no. Circuit City will be open for business as usual. The company did announce last week that it would be closing 155 stores, which will go on as planned, but 566 of its stores will remain open. Whether they will be fully stocked is another question, but Circuit City says that its new line of credit will help keep its shelves full.

Q: Will there be any staff around to answer my questions?

A: Circuit City says it’s reduced its support staff in district and regional roles, in addition to the positions eliminated at its stores currently being liquidated. Overall, there will be 20 percent fewer employees company-wide, but the retailer insists its stores will be well-staffed during the holidays.

Continue reading about FAQ: What Circuit City’s bankruptcy means for consumers

Erica Ogg on November 7th, 2008

Next time you’re faced with the prospect of making a long drive late at night, you’ll probably wish you had this new technology from Fujitsu Labs.

Car crash

Fujitsu's new tech hopes to prevent this.

(Credit: TotalCarCrash.com)

The company is working on a steering wheel sensor system …

Continue reading about Fujitsu car tech senses driver drowsiness