Sony Xperia X10 Users Finally Get to Taste an Old Eclair, Android 2.1

Consumers spent Tuesday morning bashing Sony Ericsson and AT&T for announcing today that it has begun upgrading Xperia X10 phones to Android 2.1, or "Eclair"�the version of Android launched in January 2010.

"WOW!!! And you guys are actually excited to announce this. SE has just lost the plot," wrote one user at Sony Ericsson's blog.

On Tuesday, Sony Ericsson announced the manual update to Android 2.1 in a blog post: "We couldn't be more excited to bring you the news we have for you today. After much hard-work, we are happy to announce that the Android 2.1 upgrade will be available for AT&T XperiaTM X10 customers in the US starting Tuesday, May 31. We can't thank you enough for your patience."

The announcement was met with more sarcasm than the usual tech post, with responses like "Thats great news...everybody open up a bottle of campaign (sic) and lets celebrate this!!se you are a joke!!and a bad one!!" and "No wonder why sony always get hacked, good luck with this."

Xperia X10 users in the U.S. have reason to be annoyed. Android 2.1 is a minor platform update that Google launched in January 2010. The update gives Xperia X10 devices 720p HD video capture, multi-touch support, continuous autofocus on the camera, face detection during video capture, and expanded homescreen support. Click here to download instructions for manually upgrading your phone.

Sony Ericsson can't be blamed entirely for the holdup. In fact, it first announced the upgrade last November for users in Europe and Australia. AT&T had "no comment" on the U.S. delay.

According to Android Developers' May stats, only 24.5 percent of all smartphones still run Android 2.1, a vast improvement from last November when the figure was 77 percent. Since then 70.2 percent of all smartphones have been upgraded to Android 2.2 (Froyo) and above.

In the U.S., the Xperia X10 series launched in August through AT&T and with an outdated version of Android, 1.6.

PCmag

New Sony Vaio F, S series laptops go upscale

Sony laptops generally tend to be particularly good at being two things: big, high-end media experiences, and small, slim executive powerhouses. The new Vaio F and S series laptops, announced today, offer a bit of both for laptop shoppers willing to spend over $1,000.

The 13.3-inch Sony Vaio S series is only .95 inch thick, and also relatively light: just 3.6 pounds, despite having an optical drive. The closest equivalent we can think of is the Toshiba Portege R835. Unlike the Portege, the Vaio S has a higher-resolution display--1,600x900 pixels--and optional discrete graphics. The Vaio S comes with a second-gen Intel Core i7 CPU and optional AMD Radeon HD 6630 Hybrid graphics, and a wide variety of high-end features such as optional Blu-ray, a backlit keyboard, and a face-tracking low-light Exmor-sensor Web camera.

Meanwhile, the new Vaio F series laptop is a super-size beast that probably won't stray far from your desk. A 16.4-inch, 1080p, 1,920x1,080 display, 3D front-surround Dolby Home Theater speakers, a Blu-ray optical drive, Nvidia GeForce GT 540M or 520M graphics, and the same high-end Exmor-sensor Web camera are part of an attractive package that includes a quad-core second-gen Intel Core i7 CPU.

The look is similar to the new F series laptops we first saw at CES 2011, but at least this 3D-free version costs less than the 3D Vaio F.

The Vaio S series starts at $1,370, and is available in four colors including the newly added pink and blue. A sheet battery for extra charging costs $150.

The Vaio F series will start at $1,100. Both are currently available for preorder on Sony's Web site. Hopefully, we'll have both in for review soon.

Cnet

T-Mobile releases Samsung Exhibit 4G, Gravity Smart

Just a day after it announced release dates for the HTC Sensation 4G, T-Mobile is back for more Android fun with the new Exhibit 4G and Gravity Smart. Both smartphones carry a budget price tag and will be out in June.

The Exhibit 4G sports a slim candy bar design in violet or black. The touch screen takes up most of the real estate leaving space below for three touch controls and a physical OK button. You'll use a virtual keyboard with Swype for your typing needs and it all runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

Inside you'll find a 1GHz processor, a 3-megapixel camera with a flash, a front-facing VGA shooter for self-portraits and video chat, Wi-Fi calling, a full HTML browser with Flash, a memory card slot, USB tethering, and support for T-Mobile's HSPA+ network. When you're not being productive, you can watch live and on-demand programming from T-Mobile TV, download movies and TV programs from the Samsung Media Hub, and play preinstalled games like Bejeweled 2, Scrabble and Doodle Jump.

The Gravity Smart is the first Android handset in Samsung's Gravity series (previous models like the Gravity T ran Samsung's TouchWiz OS). It offers a slider design with a full QWERTY keyboard hidden behind the front face. The keyboard includes a decent selection of shortcut keys (colored in green) and a convenient space bar. The 3.2-inch touch screen also offers a virtual keybaord with Swype.

Features on the Froyo 2.2 device include a full HTML browser, a 3-megapixel camera with a LED flash, a personal organizer, messaging, e-mail, a music player, the usual Google features, and access to apps through the Android Market.

The Exhibit 4G will be $80 after a $50 mail-in rebate and two-year contract. The Gravity Smart will sell for $70 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a two-year contract.

Cnet

Motorola Atrix next in line for Gingerbread update?

appears AT&T's Motorola Atrix 4G might be next in line to receive Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Tech site BriefMobile has scored an alleged copy of the update, which claims it's full of new features, including application grouping, downloads management, and a retooled user experience.

According to BriefMobile's information, the revamped user interface feels less like Motoblur and more like the Motorola Droid X's Gingerbread update. Another noteworthy feature is the ability to download apps from outside of the Android Market. As you may know already, AT&T recently changed its stance on this topic, beginning with the Infuse 4G.

BriefMobile anticipates a June or July release for the Atrix update and expects it to have a build number along the lines of 4.5.XX. The AT&T smartphone recently saw an update that enabled support for the HSUPA+ network, but it didn't play nice with select banking apps. For those affected, Motorola has since made a minor update available.

Since we're on the subject of Motorola software updates, readers should be reminded that Verizon's Droid X is now seeing its Gingerbread update. Many of the features here look to similar to those found in the 2.3 that's apparently headed to the Atrix 4G.

Cnet

Sony launches new Walkman B160 series

Sony has launched its Walkman B160 Series MP3 players, which weigh 28g and are less than 10cm long. The Walkman B160 Series features a two-tone finish in a choice of vivid colours.

According to Sony, the Walkman B160 Series delivers big sounds and deep bass notes despite its compact size. If users push the bass button on the MP3 player, it is designed to release more deep notes and also starts a colour matching power illuminator, which pulses in time with the music.

The device is designed to provide 90 minutes of power with just a three minute charge, and when fully charged has approximately 18 hours of play time.

The device can be connected directly to a PC via the player's built-in USB connector and users can drag and drop files or transfer them to the device via Windows Media Player 11/12.

ZAPPIN song search technology is designed to allow users to browse through their music archives via the ZAPPIN button, which activates a short snatch of each track.

The MP3 player also now features a detachable belt clip to allow for easier portability. A new feature, the detachable clip, attaches Walkman to a belt, bag strap or outside the pocket of the shirt or jeans.

The new Walkman NWZ-B160 range of MP3 players is now available in the UAE at all Jumbo Electronics showrooms.

ITP

Unreleased BlackBerry Bold 9790 leaks out

Reality Mirror has leaked images of what it claims to be the RIM Blackberry Bold 9790. The posting indicated the 9790 would run BlackBerry OS 7.0 and come with 8GB internal memory, a QWERTY keyboard, a touchscreen, and offer NFC. No details were provided about the screen size, resolution, or what processor was being used.

The 9700 series was first released in 2009. In 2010 it received a facelift. Since then, RIM has announced the new Bold 9900 series, which should be available later this summer. Given that, it is unclear if the images are those of a future product or a prototype that was ultimately scrapped.

Electronista

Samsung 5-inch Galaxy Player gets $270 Best Buy price leak

Best Buy's mobile app inadvertently gave away possible pricing for the Galaxy Player 5. Also known as the Galaxy S Wi-Fi 5.0 elsewhere, the five-inch, 8GB Android player is shown costing $270. The price puts it well above a similar iPod touch, although it has a much larger display, a higher-resolution three-megapixel camera, real GPS, FM radio, and a microSDHC card slot.

Neither Best Buy nor Samsung has confirmed the pricing. The device's presence would still line up with official plans for a spring launch. Just the 8GB capacity will be available, but a four-inch Galaxy Player 4 is also on tap that should come closer to the $230 mark of the iPod.

Both are effectively versions of the Galaxy S without the phone and share the same version of Android 2.2 with Samsung's TouchWiz interface on top.

Electronista

Viewsonic intros 24-inch LCD with built-in 3D emitter

At the Computex trade show in Taipei, Taiwan, ViewSonic introduced a 24-inch, 3D LCD display, the ViewSonic V3D245wm-LED. ViewSonic claims it is the first 24-inch smart monitor with an integrated 3D emitter. The V3D245wm-LED has full 1080p HD playback at 120 MHz refresh rate. The monitor includes integrated SRS Premium surround sound speakers and one HDMI 1.4 input. ViewSonic claims it has a dynamic contrast ratio of 20,000,000:1 and a peak response time of 2ms.

One pair of active shutter 3D glasses is included.

The company mentioned the V3D245wm-LED in a press release prior to the 2011 CES show in January, but the unit was not displayed there. ViewSonic says the V3D245wm-LED will be available in the third quarter of 2011. Pricing for the North American market was not released.

Electronista

review: Munitio Nine Millimeter Earphones

Bass lovers, rejoice. Munitio has delivered its �Nine Millimeter Earphones� which unapologetically crank up the bass ratio, and do so within an audio scape which sounds fantastic. At $179, the Munitio had better sound fantastic, of course. But while the middle and low end of the earbud price range has a fair number of options which offer a higher than usual bass to treble ratio, this product represents an opportunity for bass lovers to move into the higher-end of the mainstream earbud pricing spectrum. And when it comes to accentuated-bass earbuds, Munitio has the clearest bass of any I�ve ever tested.

However, a couple of things about the Munitio may make you think twice. The product is clearly aimed at users of iPhones and other such devices, as evidenced by the built in microphone and play/pause/answer button. However, it lacks the accompanying volume buttons which are almost always standard these days with any mic-enabled earbuds above the $100 price point. Also, the design of the earbud itself places the rubber right up against the barrel, meaning that the barrel presses up against your ear � a non issue if you have medium to large ear canals, but may be less comfortable than you�re expecting if you have small ear canals.

If you can look past those issues, however, the Munitio represents a rare opportunity to get your hands on bass-accentuated earbuds whose overall sound quality is up in the high end of consumer-level quality. Comes in a choice of silver, gold, or black, and comes with a slim leather carrying pouch as well as a variety of rubber earbud tips.

Price: $179 � Munitio.com
Beatweek

review: Future Sonics Atrio m5 Professional Earphones

Future Sonics wants to make one thing clear about its Atrio m5 earbuds up front: unlike an increasing number of earbuds reaching market these days, the m5 is not intended to be one of those kitchen-sink type products with a built in microphone, play-pause buttons, or volume control. Those who want such functionality can look elsewhere, as the m5 is designed to do one thing and do it well: play back your music. And boy does it ever.

Billed as being a �professional� product, the Atrio m5 is nonetheless being marketed to the mainstream. The $199 price tag will naturally eliminate a large chunk of consumers right off the bat, as earbuds in this price range are aimed at those who are willing and able to invest fairly serious money into making sure their music sounds as great as possible. As such, the m5 possesses a level of clarity I�ve rarely found in other earbuds at any price point, a quality I�m assuming relates back to the fact that Future Sonics specializes in making custom �Ear Monitors� products for professional musicians.

So am I ready to trade in my current favorite earbuds in favor of the m5? In a word, no. Like plenty of other users, I�m in that category where I want all the bells and whistles and controls built into my earbuds for use with my iPhone. But for those who view such controls as mere distractions and instead want earbuds which simply deliver crystal clear music in the high and low ranges, the Atrio m5 delivers some serious audio firepower. It comes with a host of single and double flanged rubber earbud tips along with a variety of foam tips and a zippered case, and in a choice of beige, black, blue, brown, or red.

Price: $199 � FutureSonics.com

Beatweek

Acer DX241H review

We�ve seen Linux-based software used before to provide a quick way to boot into a basic, internet-enabled OS, but usually it�s been in a motherboard or laptop. Acer�s DX241H extends the idea to the world of monitors.

From the outside it looks like any standard 24in monitor, and it has the usual 1080p resolution. The difference is that at the rear, alongside the standard HDMI and D-SUB outputs, are four USB 2 ports and a Gigabit Ethernet port. Hook these up to your keyboard and mouse, an external hard disk or USB thumb drive and your network connection, and you have a standalone internet-cum-media playback terminal. No need for a PC at all, in fact.

Switch on the DX241H and in around ten seconds you�re thrown into Acer�s proprietary UI. This is dominated by six buttons: one launches a simplified version of Google Chrome (complete with Adobe Flash compatibility), while the rest provide links to popular social networks and search engines, with YouTube, Twitter and Facebook alongside Bing and Yahoo.

A group of buttons in the bottom-right of the screen hide the Acer�s true selling point, though: the CyberLink-developed clear.fi software. This picks up any DLNA-compliant client on your network, as well as files on drives connected to the USB sockets at the rear, for music, movie and photo playback.

In practice this is a good idea, but it�s ruined by poor performance and design. The chip used inside the DX241H clearly isn�t up to task: HD clips on YouTube and BBC iPlayer were unwatchable thanks to constant juddering; only SD clips played smoothly. Video file playback was better: we managed to get some of our test 720p clips to run smoothly, but we found file compatibility patchy, with many files failing to play and some causing the Acer DX241H to crash.

The UI doesn�t help. It�s slow and unresponsive, with options taking a couple of seconds to initialise once selected, and graphical glitches mar the slick-looking software. You can�t build playlists, the device navigation interface doesn�t support mouse scroll-wheels, and the lack of tool-tips makes already-unfamiliar icons even more difficult to understand.

Issues abound elsewhere. There�s no indication of network connectivity once you�ve left the setup wizard. Photo slideshows are plagued by sluggish image transitions and playback controls that are unresponsive in the extreme. The browser is better, gaining a SunSpider score of 4,119ms, but that's not much compensation.

Image quality, meanwhile, is a mixed bag, with colour accuracy not far behind the A-Listed ViewSonic VP2365wb, but a low contrast ratio of 238:1 gives a slightly washed out, tepid look. The built-in speakers are nothing special either.

The Acer�s main attraction is undoubtedly its software front-end but, when the software is this poor and the price this high, we can�t possibly recommend it, either as a standalone device or a PC monitor.

Author: Mike Jennings
PCPro

Creative ZiiO 10in review

Creative has not one but two tablet models available for purchase, and they're both dirt cheap. We reviewed the Creative ZiiO 7in a while back, and this larger model, with a 10in 1,024 x 600 screen, is almost as reasonable. It will set you back a mere �200 � a full �199 less than the cheapest iPad 2.

Despite the low price, the ZiiO doesn't look bad. It comes in a subtly sparkling matte-charcoal plastic case, with the ZiiO logo etched tastefully in the bottom right corner below the screen.

Inside, though, the ZiiO has clearly been built to a budget. The 1GHz Creative ZiiLabs ZMS-08 CPU is an old single-core design, and it's backed up by a mere 8GB of storage (though this can be supplemented thanks to a full-size SD card slot).

Such mediocre hardware yields predictably poor performance, with a generally laggy feel to menus and browsing operations. The ZiiO�s SunSpider score of 8,158ms isn't as quick as recent dual-core Honeycomb-based tablets, and its BBC desktop homepage load time of nine seconds is again slow. A score of 2,219 in the Android-specific Quadrant benchmark wasn�t bad, though, and the ZiiO proved perfectly capable of playing most current games smoothly.

The processor isn't the only place corners have been cut. There's no 3G option, and battery life is well below average, managing just 6hrs 53mins in our video loop test. The system software is behind the times too � a Creative-modified, but smartphone-oriented version of Android 2.2. There�s no access to the Android Market, and Creative's ZiiO Space service is no substitute.

The biggest disappointment, however, is the screen. Image quality leaves an awful lot to be desired, with viewing angles so poor you must take care to hold the tablet directly head-on � tip it even slightly away from the perpendicular and the image fades rapidly from view. It�s very drab too, reaching just 157cd/m2 at maximum brightness, while colours have a noticeably yellow cast to them.

Worse, the ZiiO's touch controls are implemented with cheap resistive technology. It responded poorly to our prods and pokes (the navigation and multimedia controls below the screen are particularly frustrating), and it doesn't support multitouch, so you can't pinch to zoom.

The ZiiIO�s one distinctive feature is support for Creative�s Bluetooth-based APT-X wireless audio codec, which connects to a variety of the firm's wireless headphones and speakers.

Overall, though, the ZiiO 10in is simply unpleasant to use, making it a poor choice despite the low price. If you�re looking for a bargain basement tablet, we�d recommend the Advent Vega instead, or Creative's own ZiiO 7in at a now very cheap �150.

Author: Jonathan Bray
PCPro

Gigabyte unveils S1080 tablet and M2432 Booktop

Gigabyte has unveiled two new devices at Computex 2011. The first is a new 10.1-inch tablet, the S1080 running Windows 7 on a platform packing a 1.66GHz dual-core Intel Atom N550 processor and 2GB of RAM. The second is the new M2432 Booktop with a bundled docking station that also packs a �desktop-class� GPU matched with 1GB of VRAM.

The Gigabyte S1080 Windows tablet is one of the most powerful Windows 7 tablets to arrive on the market. Its dual-core Atom and 2GB of RAM should give it decent performance for the current-generation of Windows 7 tablet devices. It is also equipped with a 320GB hard-drive, GMA 3150 graphics with a VGA output and WiFi b/g/n, along with Bluetooth 3.0. It also incorporates a front-facing 1.3-megapixel webcam. A high-speed USB 3.0 port, a USB 2.0 port, gigabit Ethernet and an audio socket, along with an SD card reader, provide connectivity. It weighs in at around 1.9 pounds.

The Gigabyte M2432 Booktop will ship with a Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost 2.0. Its 14-inch LED backlit display has a resolution of 1366 x 768. Onboard graphics is delivered by an integrated Intel HD 3000 GPU. Other hardware highlights include a USB 3.0 port as well as THX sound. The keyboard is a chiclet design and is matched with a multi-touch trackpad. It weighs in at around 4 pounds.

The Booktop will also ship with a bundled docking station, which integrates a separate NVIDIA GT 440 GPU with 1GB of DDR5 RAM. This allows the Booktop to be connected to up to two external monitors. The docking station includes six additional USB ports, an HDMI out, a D-Sub and DVI port.

Electronista

Viewsonic intros two new ViewPad tablets

Viewsonic has introduced two new tablets at Computex 2011. The Viewsonic ViewPad 10Pro will arrive with Windows 7 and Intel�s Oak Trail platform. The 10Pro will also have Android capability and is aimed at enterprise. The Viewsonic ViewPad 7x will be powered by a combination of Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) and NVIDIA�s Tegra 2 platform and is aimed at the consumer segment.

The Viewsonic ViewPad 10Pro will be powered by Intel�s Atom Z760 1.5GHz processor paired with 1GB of RAM. It will ship with Windows 7 Professional and is capable of launching Android 2.2, but in virtualization mode only. This may limit the potential for the device to run Android apps smoothly, but it will make it useful for quick launching a web browser for example.

The ViewPad 10Pro also incorporates both 3G and Wi-Fi 802.11n. Its 32GB of RAM is expandable by microSD, as well as through USB. Its 3500mAh battery is rated for 4.5 hours of use when playing 1080p video showing marked power consumption improvements over the previous generation of Atom chips. It will run for up to 6 hours for lighter duties.

The Viewsonic ViewPad 7x�s 1024x600 7-inch LED display supports up to 10-point multi-touch input. It also packs an HSPA+ radio for 3.5G speeds and supports DLNA media sharing and SRW TruMedia. It weighs 380g and incorporates front and back cameras and is capable of video conferencing. When it ships, it will arrive with Android 3.0.1 (Honeycomb).

Electronista

Apple iMac 27in (2011) review

The launch of the new Apple MacBook Pro range a few months ago may have spoiled the surprise for the rest of Apple�s updates, but there�s no doubt most of us at PC Pro were far more excited to see Sandy Bridge make its way into Apple�s beautiful 27in iMac than in its laptops.

Sure enough, it�s now a suitably powerful beast to complement its glorious screen. The shift to Sandy Bridge brings a choice of new processors: the 27in iMac comes with either a 2.7GHz Core i5-2500S or a 3.1GHz Core i5-2400, with the latter upgradeable to a 3.4GHz Core i7-2600 if you�re feeling really flush.

Apple sent us the cheapest model for this review and, aided by 4GB of 1,333MHz DDR3 RAM and a fast 7,200rpm hard disk, the low-power Core i5 coped admirably with our real-world benchmarks. An overall score of 0.83 can�t compete with the latest blisteringly quick desktop PCs, but it trounces the previous fastest all-in-one we�ve tested by a good 10%. It�s a quad-core CPU, so it also coasted through the Multitasking segment with a solid score of 0.76.

The AMD graphics chip has seen an upgrade to the latest generation, inching the iMac closer to being a genuine entertainment machine as well as a do-it-all professional solution. The Radeon HD 6770 powered through our Low and Medium Crysis tests with ease, and managed a creditable 26fps at 1,920 x 1,080 and High settings.

It�s not quite powerful enough for real high-resolution gaming, though: if you want to play at the screen�s native 2,560 x 1,440, you�ll have to lower those settings to Medium, at which point it averaged a playable 32fps. Crysis aside, less demanding games should run at 1080p with few problems, and you may even be able to bump more mainstream games up to native resolution at their highest settings.

There�s still no Blu-ray option � we can understand it not coming as standard but it seems petty to exclude it from the upgrade path completely � but the iMac handled all our HD video smoothly. The FaceTime HD webcam also supports chat with other capable devices, although you�ll be limited by the resolution of the camera at the other end � don�t expect an iPhone user to look as good on your screen as you do on theirs.

As for that non-surprise, the iMac now comes equipped with Thunderbolt ports � one on the 21in models, two on the larger versions � in time for the first compatible RAID arrays to hit the shelves in the coming month or two. You�ll also be able to use the iMac as a second display for your MacBook Pro. It�s a nod to the future for now, but Apple looks to be putting its weight behind Thunderbolt over USB 3, at least for now.

The 27in IPS panel is as glorious as ever, with its 2,560 x 1,440 resolution rendering high-resolution images pin-sharp and displaying 1080p video with a panache that makes us yearn for that Blu-ray drive. It�s very reflective and it has a tendency to crush dark greys into black in images and videos, but that�s how it produces its fabulous contrast and vibrancy.

The rest is pretty much unchanged, with the excellent 17W speakers producing easily enough oomph for movie watching. The familiar Wireless Keyboard now comes with a choice at purchase of either the Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad, and you get OS X Snow Leopard pre-installed. Boot Camp works pretty much flawlessly now too, for dual-booting into Windows.

We still have a few issues with the iMac, though. With such a large, obstructive screen in front of you, the positioning of the USB ports on the rear makes no sense other than to satisfy Apple�s insistence on clean lines. And the top of the chassis gets exceedingly hot: using an IR thermometer, we measured the metal at 59�C during intensive tasks, which is the price you pay for the near-silent running.

Then there�s the price, but you know how that works by now. It costs precisely the same as the bottom-end 27in model last year, which is to say a 2.7GHz Core i5 CPU, 4GB of RAM and a Radeon HD 6770 is �1,399 inc VAT. The faster model is �1,649, and for once we reckon �250 for the step up to 3.1GHz and an HD 6970 looks fairly close to the correct retail pricing.

It goes without saying that the latest round of upgrades only make the 27in Apple iMac even more attractive. We�d prefer at least the option of a Blu-ray drive to go with the marvellous screen and speakers, and some USB ports within reach would prevent the occasional frustrating bout of desk-rearranging. But if you can afford it, it�s still the finest piece of all-in-one engineering on the market.

Author: David Bayon
PCPro

Alienware M11x R3 review

Alienware�s M11x has always been something of a marvel. The first product to transform the concept of gaming laptop from a contradiction-in-terms into genuinely portable reality, the M11x was, and still is, the only 2kg gaming laptop truly worthy of the name.

Now in its third generation, Alienware�s gaming pipsqueak looks the same as ever. The all-black chassis is still gorgeous, the Alien FX lighting beaming out from beneath the keyboard and spilling out of the grilles on either edge. At 2kg, it�s remains a good deal more portly than your average ultraportable, but the pay-off is bombproof build quality. The thick base is fiendishly stiff, and the lid feels stout and largely flex-free.

Beneath that understated exterior, Intel�s second-generation Core processors now take pride of place. There�s a choice between Intel�s 1.4GHz Core i5-2537M and, for a �150 premium, the 1.5GHz Core i7-2617M. Our review unit came with the Core i5 CPU, 4GB of DDR3 RAM and a 256GB SSD. And, while that price at the top of the page looks obscene, fear not. Dump the �530 SSD and the price drops to a far more reasonable �969.

The Intel Core processors have made a big impact. A small amount of overclocking is possible in the BIOS � no more than 3% of the CPU�s base clock � but it�s no longer an essential part of the M11x�s personality: with Turbo Boost 2 kicking into action, the Core i5-2537M in our review unit boosted right up to 2.3GHz when required.

That�s power enough to earn the little M11x R3 a reasonable 0.49 in our application benchmarks. Admittedly, that�s some way behind the score of our reference PC, which sports a 3.4GHz Core i7-2600K, but still quite fast enough for most purposes.

Shift your attention from spreadsheets to first-person shooters, though, and the M11x relishes the challenge. With Nvidia�s GeForce GT 540M alongside the new Sandy Bridge processor, the Alienware scythed through our Low quality Crysis test at a blistering average speed of 80fps. More notable is the M11x�s ability to almost handle Crysis at High quality. At the screen�s native resolution of 1,366 x 768, this gaming monster is capable of racking up an average frame rate of 25fps. Pushing average frame rates, which are more than 20% quicker than the last generation, the M11x R3 is a genuinely capable gaming platform.

Such performance would normally see most gaming laptops falter away from a mains socket, but even here the M11x R3 impresses. Nvidia�s GeForce GT 540M chipset launches forth where 3D grunt is required, and Nvidia�s Optimus graphics-switching technology allows Intel�s HD Graphics 3000 chipset to take the reins for power-efficient desktop duties.

With a huge 63wh battery concealed behind the removable metal panel on the Alienware�s underside, the Intel graphics allowed the M11x R3 to cling on for 11hrs 5mins in our light-use battery test. Gaming sees that figure tumble: with screen brightness at maximum, Wi-Fi off and the CPU and GPU running flat out, we managed to play through 1hr 15mins of Crysis. If gaming on battery power is high on the agenda then you�ll just have to drop the display brightness and reduce the detail settings.

If there�s one area where the M11x stubbornly hasn�t improved, it�s in the quality of its display. We�re not overly concerned by the 1,366 x 768 pixel resolution � anything higher would result in uncomfortably small pixels on an 11.6in display � but the image quality is mediocre. Narrow vertical viewing angles left us tilting the display back and forth, and the tiny sweet spot leaves even small head movements resulting in noticeable contrast shifts. Our subjective experience was backed up by some woeful figures: with a maximum brightness of 219cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of only 212:1, the M11x R3�s panel is decidedly below par.

The keyboard is better, though. The keys are finished in a silky, semi-rubberised finish, and each one depresses with a pleasingly crisp action, whether it�s for split-second gaming or typing out an email, it�s well on song.

Connectivity also hits the mark. Two USB 3 ports are positioned next to the twin headphone outputs on the right-hand edge, while FireWire, an SD/MMC, Memory Stick card reader and Gigabit Ethernet line up on the left, flanked by DisplayPort and HDMI 1.4. That�s pretty much all we could ask for in any ultraportable.

Our review unit also crammed in Bluetooth 3 plus single-band 802.11n wireless, and it�s possible to upgrade to a dual-band 802.11n radio for a �20 premium. In fact, the only omission is 3G. Although there�s a handy SIM slot next to the card reader, there�s currently no option on Dell�s site to specify mobile broadband as standard.

We�ll make no bones about it: the M11x R3 is a devilishly tempting purchase. Few laptops are capable of treading that line between portability and gaming power with such panache, and while the display is a disappointment, it isn�t enough to destroy its appeal. Junk the overpriced SSD and the Alienware M11x R3 is just under �1,000 of unadulterated gaming-friendly fun. If we had the money, we�d buy one.

Author: Sasha Muller
PCPro

Asus PadFone Is Both a Tablet and a Phone: Neat Concept, but Still Vapor

At the end of the Asus press conference at Computex 2011, Chairman Jonney Shih waited until the very last minute to unveil the best product of the night: The Asus PadFone, a convergent device that docks a smartphone into the back of a slate so that they can be used together as a single device. Problem is, the entire demonstration was based on a few concept videos and a prototype that was clearly unfinished. Still, it's a usage model that we were really excited about when the Motorola Atrix made its debut and an incredibly neat approach to mobile computing�if and when Asus decides to make it available to the public.

The PadFone is essentially a symbiotic relationship between smartphone and slate, whereas the Atrix's screen and keyboard dock are intended to replace your netbook or laptop. It's a concept that owners of both Apple iPhone and iPad wish were possible: To dock the former into the latter and quit having to use two separate devices.

From the demonstration, the PadFone is inserted into the back of the dock like a cassette tape, hidden by a panel that fits flush with the back of the tablet. With the Atrix, the Smartphone sits several inches behind the screen, which simply isn't as clean-looking.

If the PadFone is anything like the Atrix, the tablet portion won't have a processor, memory, or local storage; it'll be a shell so that the two can share things like data, webcam, and 3G internet access. What makes the PadFone fundamentally different than the Atrix, however, is that it also shares the same operating system (The Atrix, when docked, runs on an alternative Linux OS). According to Asus, it's not doing any kind of upscaling or upconversion; it's using its own technology to adjust the smartphone screen layout. If you ask me, it almost sounds like it's using an internal HDMI connector.

Here's what we know for sure: The Smartphone will have the latest version of Android at the time of launch, which means so will the tablet dock. The screen size of the tablet is 10.1-inches, while the Smartphone has a 4.3-inch one. The tablet dock also has a built-in battery that will extend the life of the one in the Smartphone.

The usage scenarios are evident with such a solution: Say you're surfing the Web on the smartphone and find that the screen is too small for certain websites. You can stop what you're doing, dock the phone, and pick up where you left on the tablet. This also applies to composing email, video conferencing, and playing media. Right now, the details are so limited that it sounds like this game-changing device is still a while away. But if it does come to fruition, it could be the future of tablet computing.

PCmag

Fun video apps for iPhone

It doesn't seem that long ago when we would have to lug around a VHS camera to capture video of family events, vacations, and other memories we could relive later by inserting the VHS tape and hitting the play button on our VCRs. While it was a workable solution for capturing memories in motion, lugging around a video camera everywhere we went wasn't exactly practical.

Fortunately these days, there is no longer the need for fresh VHS tapes or making sure to pack the digital video camera because we have the ability to shoot reasonably good video right on our smartphones. With the iPhone 4's front- and rear-facing cameras, we have even more options for shooting videos, and with hundreds of cool video apps in the App Store, we have tons of interesting (and sometimes strange) options.

This week's collection of apps gives you some options for shooting good-looking videos. The first app lets you film the action from before you hit the record button, the second makes retro-looking videos using effects you control, and the last app gives you some professional options for shooting more-serious movies.

Mogo Video (99 cents) lets you shoot videos on your iPhone, but offers a unique twist. With Mogo Video, you can actually record action that happened before you hit record. As long as the app is on, Mogo is recording, but not saving what you see through your iPhone camera. So, maybe you think your child might take his first steps, for example. With Mogo Video turned on you can point your iPhone at your son, and when he does successfully walk on his own, you can hit the record button to capture what happened a designated number of seconds before you hit record.

Mogo seems like it might come in handy for many things beyond the above example and you get a few options to make it work better for the action at hand. Say you're watching a basketball game, as another example. You can set Mogo Video to record 10 seconds in the past so you can capture the play that leads up to a rip-roaring dunk. No longer will you need to be lucky to capture an amazing moment because the app doesn't limit the amount of time it will record in the past. But, obviously, the app won't be able to record what happened before launching the app. Along with the ability to edit the amount of time, you also can turn the flash on and off on the iPhone 4 and you can switch between the front- and rear-facing cameras.

Overall, Mogo video is an interesting concept that will come in handy in specific action-oriented situations. If you want to catch the big play, or witness a first moment with your kids without having to endlessly record the action, Mogo is a fun and effective way to capture life's exciting moments.

The 8mm Vintage Camera ($1.99) app lets you make old-timey videos with some cool feature variations and effects. Right when we launched this app we were reminded of popular camera app Hipstamatic, because 8mm Vintage Camera offers a vaguely similar feature set, but is instead used for making stylized videos.

Start your project by flicking the wheel in the bottom right of the screen to choose from five different video effects like the black-and-white 1920s setting or the grainy '70s setting. Then, you can swipe the viewfinder in the upper right to choose from film effects like a shaky border (like old films) or a burning effect that makes the outer edges of the film seem to melt as you shoot. Different lens and film combinations give you several options for how your video will turn out.

Unlike Hipstamatic, 8mm Vintage Camera lets you adjust all your settings on one main screen. In addition to the film and lens choices, you have the option to use the iPhone 4 flash for brighter scenes; there's a button that gives your film a frame jitter effect; and you can switch between the iPhone 4's front- or rear-facing cameras.

When you're finished, you can hit the My Reels button to browse through your shot videos, and touching a specific project gives you options for saving your video to your photo library, sending via e-mail, or uploading directly to YouTube.

Overall, 8mm Vintage Camera is one of the best apps I've found for making old-timey movies in the iTunes App Store, with just enough lens and film variations to give you plenty to experiment with. Anyone who likes old 8mm films should definitely check out this app.

Filmic Pro ($2.99) gives your iPhone camera a new front-end for shooting higher-quality video, with professional tools for controlling exposure, focal point, and more. As we know, the hardware and HD capabilities behind the iPhone's video camera are impressive on their own--but its built-in controls for shooting video are frustratingly primitive for more-experienced filmmakers, and the iPhone isn't always smart about handling factors like exposure and white balance.

Filmic Pro offers an interface that is clean and simple, and all of its controls run along the bottom of screen, making it perfect for keeping a steady thumb grip on your camera. On the left side of the screen, you have buttons for locking and unlocking focus, exposure, and white balance, and turning on your LED torch. On the top, in the main window, you have two reticles (or optionally one, for run-and-gun scenarios) which you can drag around to set focus, exposure, and white balance wherever you want in the shot. On the right side, you have a record button, clip library, info (a quick-start guide to the interface), and settings, which includes a ton of extras such as controls for resolution, variable frames per second, color bars, and a customizable slate with automatic advancing for each take.

Overall, Filmic Pro is a great value and worthwhile download whether you're a budding cinematographer or a filmmaking vet. This app can vastly increase the quality of your videos, letting you get much more out of your iPhone camera without adding any extra gear.

Cnet

Alcatel OneTouch T60 Android tablet shows at FCC

Alcatel will soon join the tablet market with an Android-powered device of its own, if a Thursday FCC test is to be trusted. What appears to be a seven-inch device, known as the OneTouch T60, will ship with Android 2.2. It will also connect to North American 850MHz and 1,900MHz networks.

Otherwise, the simple tablet will have Wi-Fi, GPS, a rear three-megapixel camera and a VGA front-facing camera. It gets access to Google Maps as well. A microSD memory card slot and 3.5mm headset jack round out the package.

Despite the listing, ship dates or prices for the device aren't known. The latter will likely place the device at the lower end of the Android tablet offerings, and perhaps at the very bottom.

Electronista

Lenovo IdeaPad K1 tablet shows on stores before unveiling

Lenovo's upcoming IdeaPad K1 tablet with Android 3.0 onboard is showing up on retailer sites, including Buy.com. The device hasn't yet officially been dated, and the sites lack a price and a shipping schedule. They also differ on basic specs from earlier reports.

A 1.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon is seemingly replaced by NVIDIA's 1GHz Tegra 2 dual core. Other new details that have no other ones to compare to include a 10.1-inch display with 1280x800 resolution, 1GB of RAM and 32GB of storage space. Android 3.0 should be onboard as are a two- and five-megapixel camera, front and rear, respectively. A microSD and a SIM card slot, along with a microHDMI port are accounted for, and a battery life rating of 10 hours.

The only model shown here is black, but China's LePad version is available in white as well. Earlier, pricing was expected to come in at about $520, but this could have been for a 16GB model. An optional keyboard dock is also likely coming at a later date.

Electronista

T-Mobile G2X copes with glitches, recall claims in dispute

The T-Mobile G2X is out of stock on the carrier's web store, with one TMoNews source claiming this is due to quality issues with the handset. T-Mobile, however, has denied the claim on Twitter and said the dual-core Android phone is facing "inventory constraints" due to "high demand." It claimed that it was working with the phone's maker, LG, to address the shortfall and hoped to have them return to normal in the coming weeks.

The handset's track record regardless of the actual cause of the shortage has been spotty. Technical problems reported by many users have included unplanned reboots, screen light leaks, and lesser control issues.

The phone supports T-Mobile's HSPA+ network and has a 1GHz Tegra 2 processor that gives it much of its speed. It ships with Android 2.2 and gets an eight-megapixel, rear-facing camera capable of recording 1080p videos, a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera, and a four-inch touchscreen.

Electronista

Lenovo ThinkPad X220 users face CPU throttling problem

Lenovo's recently released ThinkPad X220 notebook is suffering from a throttling down CPU, Lenovo admitted on its forums. This occurs even despite the max performance mode being enabled and the device plugged in. The CPU will go down to its lowest state, and the issue is likely to affect the T420/T520 notebooks as well.

There are ways to get around this, though they come at a cost. The more extreme method is to disable Intel's Speedstep or CPU Power Management in the BIOS. The former forces the processor to work at a high speed and voltage which leads to the battery draining very quickly. The latter method has a less significant effect on battery life, and uses between 2.5W and 3W more than when it's enabled.

A similar issue plagued older ThinkPads but the fixes developed for them in Windows do not fix the issue in the X220's case. A BIOS update may be the only true fix for the issue.

When the CPU drops to its lowest performance level, whether it's the base 2.1GHz Core i3, the range-topping 2.7GHz Core i7 or anything in between, random write speeds of the SSD and HDD are significantly reduced as well.

Electronista

BlackBerry 9850/9860 handset to be named the Volt?

RIM is allegedly preparing to name its upcoming touchscreen handset as the BlackBerry Volt, according to a rumor posted on N4BB. The branding would is said to be tied to the Monaco 9850 and Monza 9860 variants, which represent the same external design based on a 3.7-inch touchscreen, but differ in their respective ties to CDMA and GSM networks.

Previous leaks suggest the devices represent the successor to the Storm, lacking a hardware QWERTY keyboard of the Storm slider or touchscreen-equipped Bold Touch 9900. Like the 9900, however, the handsets are said to integrate 1.2GHz processors and 768MB of RAM.

A conflicting rumor has paired the models with the label BlackBerry Touch, while other reports claim RIM will stick with its Torch branding.

The 9850 and 9860 rumored to be on the way to the market sometime in the early summer.

Electronista

Verizon adds LG Revolution to May 26 launches

As we suspected, Verizon Wireless announced today that the LG Revolution will be available starting May 26 for $249.99 with a two-year contract.

The Revolution is the carrier's third 4G smartphone (following the HTC Thunderbolt and Samsung Droid Charge) and offers a 4.3-inch WVGA touch screen, a 5-megapixel camera and front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera, and mobile hot-spot capabilities. The handset will ship running Android 2.2 but note that it will use Bing search and maps.

Other features include a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, Bluetooth 3.0, Swype, HDMI output, and a preinstalled 16GB microSD card.

The LG Revolution will have some company tomorrow, as Verizon is also launching the Motorola Droid X2 and Sony Ericsson Xperia Play in stores on Thursday. Decisions, decisions.

Cnet

iHome iD9 - Review

The 3-pound iHome iD9 Portable Rechargeable Speaker System charges your iPhone, iPod, or iPad while you play music, and runs off batteries when you want to use it where a power outlet is not accessible.

The iHome iD9 Portable Rechargeable Speaker System for iPad/iPhone/iPod is a simple, easy to use speaker system and charging station for your iOS devices. (For the balance of this review, I will refer to the iPad or iOS devices to cover all of them.) It charges your iOS device while you play music, and runs off batteries when you want to use it where a power outlet is not accessible.

The Package

The box contains only three items: The iD9, an A/C adapter, a pair of small rubber bumpers, and a plastic bag with two short manuals � one in French and one in English. iHome warns that the initial charge of the battery can take up to six hours. The unit I received came partially charged, so I finished the initial charging in about 80 minutes.

The power supply for the iD9 is a �wall wart� with a round connector. I would have preferred an USB-based power system, but the power supply is rated at 25W (2.75A at 9V), which is about 10x more power than a single USB port can provide.

Set Up

The iD9 is easy to set up, and measures 12.9 x 2 x 4.06 inches. It doesn't seem that heavy, but it weighs 3 1/4 lbs. I think it is rather large for a portable speaker. On the front are two controls�the switches on the left raise and lower the volume, and the power switch is on the right with the battery charge indicator.

iHome provides a pair of small rubber bumpers, which are about 2" long and 1/8" wide and thick. They are designed to go into a pair of small depressions in the docking area of the iD9 and support your iPad when it is on the dock. If your iPad lives in a case, the case may be thick enough on the bottom so that the bumpers are not necessary.

iHome also sells an optional remote ($20) that allows you to control the operation of the iD9 from a distance. If you choose not to purchase the remote, iHome has put a switch on the back of the unit that lets you conserve power when on battery, by not powering the receiver for the remote. I did not receive the remote for this review.

The iD9 has a rubber base that keeps it from slipping around on smooth surfaces. This is a nice feature, since the last thing you want to happen when dock your iPad is to have the dock slide away from you. However, the instruction booklet that comes with the iD9 suggests that you: �Protect your furniture when placing your unit on a natural wood and lacquered finish. A cloth or other protective material should be placed between it and the furniture.� I tried that, and it defeated the purpose of having the rubber bottom on the unit; when I tried to insert the iPad one-handed, the iD9 slid off my desk.

I was unable to dock an iPad 2 into the iD9. The curved back of the iPad 2 prevents the dock connector from pivoting into the correct orientation. iHome has an adapter that allows you to use the iD9 with the iPad 2, but you have to 1) know that it exists, and 2) go to a particular page on iHome�s site to request the adapter, and 3) wait for them ship you the adapter. The adapter is not mentioned in the documentation or on the iD9 product page. iHome says that the iPad 2 insert will be included in all new production units.

Sound

The sound that the iD9 produces is quite nice; I had no complaints. It reproduced the fine structure of guitar and drum solos. While it didn't "rock the house" on a heavy bass track, it did better than I expected for a set of portable speakers. iHome has incorporated SRS TruBass and Reson8 technologies into the iD9 for improved sound, but says nothing on how the technologies work.

When I played the MacNN audio test MP3 files, I could hear the pure 12K Hz tone, and my daughter could hear the 13K Hz and 14K Hz tones as well. On the bottom end, it played the 20 Hz tone without much distortion.

Battery Power

The internal battery on the iD9 is designed to play your music, not to charge the iPad. I set up a fully charged iPod nano and iD9, and put it on shuffle and repeat, with the volume at about 25%, suitable for a quiet room. The iD9 has four indicator lights on the front to show the level of battery remaining. The first light went out at three hours, the second at about 6 hours 15 minutes, so I'm extrapolating that to estimate that you get between 12 and 13 hours of battery life - longer than your iPad will last.

There is also a line-in jack on the back for playing music from other sources. The manual mentions that you shouldn't plug something into the line-in jack while playing music from a docked iPad, otherwise you could get sound from both sources at the same time.

There is really very little complexity to the iD9. You attach in your iOS device and play - either while plugged into the power supply or on battery. If you have an iPad 2, I would not recommend these speakers, due to the problems with the dock connector. While I like this speaker system, iHome doesn�t make it clear that it isn�t compatible with the iPad2 out of the box and it is over a foot long.

The iD9 has a list price of $99.99 and is available direct from iHome as well as several online retailers. iHome also has two iOS applications that they claim work well in concert with the iD9. I tested the free alarm clock app iHome+Sleep, which worked well, even without the iD9 attached to my iPad. I did not test the iHome+Radio app ($1.99) that lets you listen to Internet radio.

Macnn

Review: iHome iD9

The 3-pound iHome iD9 Portable Rechargeable Speaker System charges your iPhone, iPod, or iPad while you play music, and runs off batteries when you want to use it where a power outlet is not accessible.

The iHome iD9 Portable Rechargeable Speaker System for iPad/iPhone/iPod is a simple, easy to use speaker system and charging station for your iOS devices. (For the balance of this review, I will refer to the iPad or iOS devices to cover all of them.) It charges your iOS device while you play music, and runs off batteries when you want to use it where a power outlet is not accessible.

The Package

The box contains only three items: The iD9, an A/C adapter, a pair of small rubber bumpers, and a plastic bag with two short manuals � one in French and one in English. iHome warns that the initial charge of the battery can take up to six hours. The unit I received came partially charged, so I finished the initial charging in about 80 minutes.

The power supply for the iD9 is a �wall wart� with a round connector. I would have preferred an USB-based power system, but the power supply is rated at 25W (2.75A at 9V), which is about 10x more power than a single USB port can provide.

Set Up

The iD9 is easy to set up, and measures 12.9 x 2 x 4.06 inches. It doesn't seem that heavy, but it weighs 3 1/4 lbs. I think it is rather large for a portable speaker. On the front are two controls�the switches on the left raise and lower the volume, and the power switch is on the right with the battery charge indicator.

iHome provides a pair of small rubber bumpers, which are about 2" long and 1/8" wide and thick. They are designed to go into a pair of small depressions in the docking area of the iD9 and support your iPad when it is on the dock. If your iPad lives in a case, the case may be thick enough on the bottom so that the bumpers are not necessary.

iHome also sells an optional remote ($20) that allows you to control the operation of the iD9 from a distance. If you choose not to purchase the remote, iHome has put a switch on the back of the unit that lets you conserve power when on battery, by not powering the receiver for the remote. I did not receive the remote for this review.

The iD9 has a rubber base that keeps it from slipping around on smooth surfaces. This is a nice feature, since the last thing you want to happen when dock your iPad is to have the dock slide away from you. However, the instruction booklet that comes with the iD9 suggests that you: �Protect your furniture when placing your unit on a natural wood and lacquered finish. A cloth or other protective material should be placed between it and the furniture.� I tried that, and it defeated the purpose of having the rubber bottom on the unit; when I tried to insert the iPad one-handed, the iD9 slid off my desk.

I was unable to dock an iPad 2 into the iD9. The curved back of the iPad 2 prevents the dock connector from pivoting into the correct orientation. iHome has an adapter that allows you to use the iD9 with the iPad 2, but you have to 1) know that it exists, and 2) go to a particular page on iHome�s site to request the adapter, and 3) wait for them ship you the adapter. The adapter is not mentioned in the documentation or on the iD9 product page. iHome says that the iPad 2 insert will be included in all new production units.

Sound

The sound that the iD9 produces is quite nice; I had no complaints. It reproduced the fine structure of guitar and drum solos. While it didn't "rock the house" on a heavy bass track, it did better than I expected for a set of portable speakers. iHome has incorporated SRS TruBass and Reson8 technologies into the iD9 for improved sound, but says nothing on how the technologies work.

When I played the MacNN audio test MP3 files, I could hear the pure 12K Hz tone, and my daughter could hear the 13K Hz and 14K Hz tones as well. On the bottom end, it played the 20 Hz tone without much distortion.

Battery Power

The internal battery on the iD9 is designed to play your music, not to charge the iPad. I set up a fully charged iPod nano and iD9, and put it on shuffle and repeat, with the volume at about 25%, suitable for a quiet room. The iD9 has four indicator lights on the front to show the level of battery remaining. The first light went out at three hours, the second at about 6 hours 15 minutes, so I'm extrapolating that to estimate that you get between 12 and 13 hours of battery life - longer than your iPad will last.

There is also a line-in jack on the back for playing music from other sources. The manual mentions that you shouldn't plug something into the line-in jack while playing music from a docked iPad, otherwise you could get sound from both sources at the same time.

There is really very little complexity to the iD9. You attach in your iOS device and play - either while plugged into the power supply or on battery. If you have an iPad 2, I would not recommend these speakers, due to the problems with the dock connector. While I like this speaker system, iHome doesn�t make it clear that it isn�t compatible with the iPad2 out of the box and it is over a foot long.

The iD9 has a list price of $99.99 and is available direct from iHome as well as several online retailers. iHome also has two iOS applications that they claim work well in concert with the iD9. I tested the free alarm clock app iHome+Sleep, which worked well, even without the iD9 attached to my iPad. I did not test the iHome+Radio app ($1.99) that lets you listen to Internet radio.

Macnn

Review: Sena Keyboard Folio for iPad

The Apple iPad is heavier than it first appears. It can easily slip through your hands with its streamlined design. I wanted a case that would add a touch of class as well as functionality to the tablet itself; but prevent a disaster when I inevitably dropped my iPad. I found it in the Sena Keyboard Folio.

While the Apple iPad doesn�t replace my laptop computer for heavy-duty business work, it makes meetings and short computing sessions a breeze. What was missing was the ability to use email and take notes with the same precision of a laptop. The Sena Keyboard Folio helps the Apple iPad bridge the gap. It lets me take notes and do email with an ergonomic keyboard and sturdy case that acts as a stand for the Apple iPad itself.

The Keyboard Folio ships in a black gift box, encased in a soft drawstring bag. It comes with a simple instruction card, and a mini USB to Standard Type A USB plug. I followed the simple directions to connect the Bluetooth keyboard to the Apple iPad, and was up and running quickly. The process is similar to my Bluetooth phone headset installation. You do need to charge the keyboard prior to the pairing, but the battery lasts about 3 days on average before it needs a three-hour charge. You can charge it via an outlet or from a computer with the USB 2.0 plug adapter. There is a 3-year lithium battery powering the keyboard. Other than the small power cable there are no loose pieces or parts.

The Case

The Keyboard Folio is made from rich high quality smooth-finish leather. I worked with the black and the red case, but it also comes in brown, and tan. Based on the fire engine red of the red case, I imagine that the other colors are true to their description and graphics online. One word of caution though, if you view or work with photographs on your iPad, I recommend you buy the black case, because the colors surrounding the screen affect how the color in your photos appear.

The cases are wonderfully finished with even stitching and an attention to detail and durability. The treated leather stays remarkably free of scratches and marring from pens, liquids, or dirty fingers. The inside of the case is a soft protective layer not unlike a suede cloth to protect the finish of the Apple iPad. The cutouts for the ports and switches are positioned well.

The case is a perfect fit, although the iPad has a tendency to shift a fraction of an inch, so I found myself adjusting it frequently. The Folio has a sturdy snap closure, not a magnet � which is a good thing, since the latter plays havoc with magnetic strips on credit and keycards. When closed, it looks like a simple leather portfolio. The single length built in stand is tethered to the top of the case.

The angle is fine for me, but I prefer a multi-stage angle to accommodate my frequent airplane trips and close quarters. The snap closure tab is a bit of a nuisance as there is no formal way to keep it from falling into the view of the screen. It can be tucked back, but the sturdy leather has a penchant to fall out of its tucked position and flip back over the top of the screen.

The Keyboard

Of course, the real reason to have this particular case is the keyboard. Sena�s done a great job in providing a noiseless, silicon covered sensitive keyboard with a low profile. It�s a good keyboard to use in a meeting, because it makes no noise. It feels great and is a quality addition to the Apple iPad. You can remove it from its envelope-style portion of the case and pair it with Bluetooth enabled smart phones too. It works just fine with the iPhone and an Android device. Some men have complained the keyboard is too small for their big hands, but it fit my hands perfectly. To preserve its estimated 40 plus hours of working time, you should shut it off when not in use.

Some may find a short period of adjustment to using the keyboard, because it does not have an Option or Command key on the right side of the space bar. Other keys are moved to that right side space, including the forward slash, quote and plus keys.

Sena also includes a recessed area with three slit storage slots for business or credit cards along the top of the keyboard portion.

Conclusion

The Sena Keyboard Folio is great addition to the Apple iPad case line-up, even though it adds about a pound to the already weighty device. It meets the needs of a casual user and those that have an image to protect. The quality and manufacturing justify the price and I suspect the case may outlast your iPad. I plan to get the iPad 2 Folio case to give to a lucky recent law-school graduate.

Macnn

Leica V-LUX 30 helps take compact superzooms upscale

Leica on Thursday morning upgraded its smallest camera line through the V-LUX 30. Its body is a more premium adaptation of the 14-megapixel Panasonic Lumix ZS10 that revolves around Leica's own 16X, 4.3-68.8mm f3.3-5.9 lens in a compact body. The V-LUX adaptation goes all black and ships with both Adobe's Photoshop Elements 9 and Premiere Elements 9.

Owners also have the option of either a brown, soft leather pouch for use in an existing bag or a tan leather hard case. Much like the ZS10, the camera has a three-inch touchscreen as its main interface and records video in AVCHD (H.264) at up to 1080i with stereo audio.

The premium camera is due to ship in June and will cost $750 in the US.

Electronista

Motorola Atrix 4G Review

Check out our Motorola Atrix 4G review inside. Is AT&T's new flagship the ultimate business smartphone?

Motorola Atrix 4G Report

There are few phones that can contend with the Motorola Atrix 4G. It is a breed of its own. First off, this dual-core warrior is exceedingly versatile, courtesy of various accessories like Laptop, Multimedia, or Vehicle docks. Want to work from home using your work computer? That's what the laptop dock is for. Need a GPS unit in your car? That's what the Vehicle dock is for. Streaming 720p HD videos to HDTVs? The Multimedia dock. But then let's take a look at what's under the hood. A gig of RAM, 16GB of NAND flash, 5-megapixel camera with 720p HD video recording, and a whopping 1930mAh battery pack that churned out the best battery life we've seen on a smartphone to date. Yes, the Motorola Atrix 4G (specs) is a worthy adversary of the iPhone 4 and HTC Inspire 4G.

Design

Given our penchant for motorcycles, certain materials like titanium, stainless steel, and carbon fiber really light our Bunsen burners. Well, it happens to sport a back panel with a faux carbon fiber pattern, and that sold us on the spot. Not only does the phone look slicker than snail snot, but it's almost identical in size to the iPhone 4. Although it is slightly wider, we really didn't notice it while it hid out in our pocket. Besides, the phone's larger 4-inch qHD touchscreen was worth the miniscule width boost compared to the iPhone 4's 3.5-incher. Want to talk graphics? The Atrix 4G's screen is right up there with Apple's Retina display.

You'll also notice that this smartphone mounts its HDMI and USB terminals within close proximity of each other, and that's because they serve as the terminals for dock connections. Also, we weren't fans of the Power/Lock button at first, due to its recessed and hard to reach design. However, we quickly realized the benefit to this architectural divergence, and did not inadvertently toggle the phone while it sat in our pocket. A few other highlights are the Atrix 4G's front-facing VGA camera, four haptic feedback buttons consisting of Menu, Home, Back, and Search, and its 16GB of built-in NAND flash with supplemental MicroSD card slot. Obviously, the phone's 1930mAh battery and 5-megapixel camera with dual LED flash stole the show when it came to performance.

Software and Interface

Like so many Android devices in this current state of time, the Atrix 4G runs Android 2.2, which specializes in the full Google spectrum with Flash 10.1 support for the browser. But when we look at the phone's interface, that's a different story. The big player seems to be HTC Sense these days, but the Atrix 4G, being a Motorola phone, runs MOTOBLUR. MOTOBLUR is more of an acquired taste, as it specializes in social networking and the conjoining of various accounts into one centralized mass. MOTOBLUR is not as refined as iOS 4 or HTC Sense, but it's universal enough to appeal to a broad spectrum of users. The phone is fast with its NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor (1GHz at each core) and 1GB of RAM.

With that said, the phone has 7 Home screens with the ability to add Motorola Widgets, Android Widgets, Shortcuts, Folders, or Wallpapers with a prolonged press and hold on any screen. We have the classic Android dropdown menu and a vertically-scrolling Applications menu that is easily accessed via the circular button wedged between the large Phone and Contact buttons. The neat thing about MOTOBLUR is that once you sign up, it will remotely save your settings. For instance, we were able to retain all of our signed in accounts just by signing in once to our MOTOBLUR account, so that was a plus.

Internet

The Motorola Atrix 4G is blessed with one of the better browsers out there. It's not as sleek as the HTC Sense browser, but it's quick and smooth. We get pinch-to-zoom and double-tap-to-zoom with text wrapping, and response time is great. Also, Flash 10.1 support allowed us to watch our YouTube reviews right from within the browser, lag-free. The phone comes with Vlingo, which is a speech-based phone search application that enabled us to search anything online or send emails via voice. We tested Vlingo, and it worked very well. Overall, the phone's HSPA+ speeds were well up to snuff, and Wi-Fi connectivity enhanced our browsing even further.

Multimedia and Productivity

With Quickoffice right out of the box, the Atrix 4G allowed us to work on Microsoft Office documents via the exceptionally welcoming keyboard. We were able to fly through sentences on Motorola's keyboard, and it heightened our level of productivity significantly. Thanks to our MOTOBLUR experience, the Atrix 4G offered a Universal Inbox, which combined all of our emails, messages, and other correspondence from various accounts like Gmail, Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. This had a tendency to be overbearing, but our Account synchronization was flexible. The Atrix 4G also proved itself as a solid multimedia phone, handling 3D games with ease, thanks to its accelerometer and tasty dual-core action. The phone offers DLNA for streaming content onto other wireless devices and Media Share, which aided In the transferring of files to other devices.

Call Quality/Battery Life

Battery life is one of the Atrix 4G's primary strengths, as its 1930mAh rechargeable lithium ion battery pack cranked out the best smartphone longevity performance we've ever seen. This could not just be attributed to the phone's larger battery pack, but also its power management. There are three flavors to choose from: Maximum Battery Saver, which stops syncing data after 15 minutes of inactivity and dims the display. Then Nighttime Saver functions the same, only it allows full syncing throughout the day. Performance Mode is obviously geared for the minute-to-minute syncer, and uses the most battery power. However, we used Maximum Battery Saver and our Motorola Atrix 4G review unit lasted for days on standby. Holy moly. Yes, this phone is a marvel of battery craftsmanship.

That being said, voice quality paled in comparison. It was decent enough, but with connectivity to a nearby AT&T tower, we have heard better. That's not to say the Atrix 4G did not perform well�calls were perfectly acceptable. However, it could not match the noise-canceling goodness of the HTC Droid Incredible 2.

Accessories

Now let's talk accessories. No other phone on the market is compatible with the level of device-specific accessories that are available for the Atrix 4G. We were sent the Laptop dock and Multimedia Dock. We'll start with the Laptop Dock, which operates by plugging it into the USB and HDMI prongs located behind the display. We could view and control all action on the phone via Mobile View, which was represented in an individual window, or we could pop over to Firefox or Facebook for full browser-like experiences.

There was also a File Manager for easier control of our phone files and we could make calls through the phone in a skype fashion usin an on-screen dialer. For media, we got Motorola's Entertainment Center, which combined all of our images, videos, and music into one snazzy interface with the support of HD. Add in the fact that we could use Citrix to work remotely from the office�ideal for "sick days"�and the Laptop Dock was probably the most useful accessory. Oh, and don't forget the Bluetooth keyboard and mouse that Motorola sent us either.

We were also shipped a Multimedia Dock, which came equipped with three USB terminals, an HDMI port, and other clutch forms of connectivity. With the Multimedia Dock, we found it was best to set it next to an HDTV and hook the Atrix 4G up for 720p action, though we did not feel that the Multimedia Dock was a necessity, or as functional as the Laptop Dock. Then there was the Vehicle Dock, which transformed the Atrix 4G into a car GPS. This was a bit more useful, and we're sure Garmin must be very angry.

Camera

The phone has a 5-megapixel camera with dual LED flash and 720p HD video recording. We tested the Atrix 4G against the T-Mobile G2x, and the G2x blew it away. That's not to say that the Atrix did not crank out a decent image performance. Bright light was good, and the phone had a modest amount of manual controls, Scene modes, and effects. Unfortunately, the Atrix 4G lacked touch focus and we could not toggle the video light on or off while recording. Also, low light sensitivity lacked significantly, especially when compared to the awesome power of the G2x's 8-megapixel sensor. The bottom line was that the Atrix 4G's camera was sufficient enough for most users, but those looking for a camera as the primary feature in a phone will want to check out the T-Mobile G2x or iPhone 4.

Motorola Atrix 4G � infoSync Diagnosis

This phone is an example of innovative thinking brought to the forefront of modern smartphone technology. We have a dual-core demon with 1GHz of RAM, fantastic battery life, and compatibility with accessories out the wazoo. The Atrix 4G will make working from home a breeze, thanks to the Laptop Dock, and can navigate your car wherever it needs to go, courtesy of the Vehicle Dock.

We are typically weary of phones that are compatible with a multitude of device-specific accessories, but the Atrix 4G proved itself as a worthy candidate. Though the phone could use a little boost in voice quality and camera quality, its overall package did not cease to impress us.

If you're looking for a great iPhone alternative, the Motorola Atrix 4G should be the first stop on your map, followed by the HTC Inspire 4G. Motorola really hit a home run with this phone, and we can't wait to see the follow-up to this model.

Infosync

Nokia exec backs multiple Windows Phone devices in 2011

Nokia's first Windows Phone devices could not only make the end of 2011 but include multiple devices, the company's Smart Devices VP Jo Harlow said in a new talk on Tuesday. She wasn't ready to say for certain that Nokia would make 2011 but told Forbes that the target was "absolutely still this year" and that it "looks good." Harlow also fueled rumors of multiple devices at once" with word that it would start with a "smart portfolio" of devices, not just one.

Earlier hints have suggested that the two first phones, the W7 and W8, would be direct conversions of the X7 and N8 with Windows Phone and new hardware. Since Qualcomm has another Snapdragon exclusive on the platform with the Windows Phone 7.1 update, Nokia will have to switch to the new processors. It's already due to start with the new OS.

Harlow went on to validate rumors and said Nokia was exploring NFC on Windows Phone along with its outgoing Symbian platform. The company was helping carriers make NFC readers along with creating phones to use them.

CDMA was also becoming important. Nokia has had phones in recent years like the Twist, but for the most part has kept it away from its smartphone mix. Harlow explained that Nokia was "working in that direction" to expand the company's reach.

The VP reiterated a cautious approach to tablets and was clear that the company would only get involved if it could have truly unique models.

Electronista