Tech Reviews

Now that I've had a weekend to think about everything that happened at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show, I wanted to share three things that have me the most hyped with CES announcements. Readers that have been following G4's coverage of the event know that tons went down, with a slew of awesome devices coming out soon. While this isn't a Best of the Best of CES list by any means, the following products are what I'm personally jazzed about. Here's my "top three" of CES 2009 list (and don't forget to list your best of CES for a chance to win a classic Sony Walkman!):

3) Samsung Luxia LED TVs -- I'm a big fan of Samsung displays. I'm currently rocking one right now and I was planning to buy a new one this year. Samsung's Luxia televisions look amazing. Early reports are that the company is really starting to perfect the use of LEDs in LCD televisions, resulting in amazing blacks, high contrast ratios, and a superb overall picture. While I definitely want to see a calibrated set and some in-depth reviews before I make a purchase, the Luxia's other features have me intrugued. Each set in the line is just a tad over an inch thick, which is just cool and space saving. They also have ethernet jacks for Netflix streaming and Flickr access. The top-of-the-line model even has a 240Hz refresh rate! Lastly, Samsung claims that Luxia TVs are mercury free and use up to 40 percent less power than similarly sized LCDs -- both features are better for the environment, while the latter is also better for my wallet (Gcycle!).

Read More »

Update 6:59PM: As several readers have noticed, the Windows 7 beta has been delayed  due to heavy demand. Microsoft has not announced a new date for the beta. And also, Steve Ballmer's pants are now on fire.

Microsoft is making the beta version of Windows 7 available today to 2.5-million users. There are several things to keep in mind if you want to download and use the beta version of this upcoming operating system. Wired has put together some notes and reminders for potential users.

I know a few of you are already using the Windows 7 beta. If you're already a user or if you've installed the program today, I'd love to hear your impressions. TheFeed's excellent Brian Leahy has already posted his first impressions (which, despite what some ill-informed people think, is not the same as a review). Now let's get to those notes, courtesy of Wired!

Read More »

Palm unveiled the Palm Pre handheld during its press conference at CES 2009. Featuring the company's new Web OS, the Pre is a sexy slider that will be available exclusively through Sprint in the first half of 2009. A UMTS version will follow after Sprint's exclusivity expires.

On the hardware side, the Pre features a 3.1-inch touchscreen, a slide-out keyboard, a three-megapixel camera, an LED flash, a GPS, Bluetooth 2.1 support (including EDR and A2DP), 8GB of internal storage, WiFi support, and a MicroSD slot. The device will run on Sprint's zippy EVDO Revision A network. It features smooth lines and a reflective back (perfect for making sure my beauty marks are properly accentuated). This is, by far, the best-looking handheld Palm has released in a very long time.

The software side is arguably even more interesting. Web OS has a feature called Synergy, which synchronizes contacts and calendars from multiple sources. Contacts can be synced from services and software like Facebook , Gmail, AIM, and Outlook, while calendars can be matched up from Google Calendar, Outlook, and others. Early reports indicate that Web OS is pretty slick and intuitive. I definitely want to see more of the browser and some real-world interaction before getting too excited about it.

Read More »

If you have even a passing interest in the latest gadgets, gimcracks and cutting-edge tech, you already know that the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas is the place to be this week. But if you’re not able to make it to Vegas, don’t worry: G4 has you covered. We’ll be bringing you two nights of totally live, insider coverage from the show-of-shows, as well as exclusive Web content  all week.

 “G4 Presents CES 2009” premieres on Thursday, January 8 from 6-9 pm ET/PT. The extensive live coverage continues on Friday, January 9, from 6-9 pm ET/PT, with even more from the show -- so set your TiVo, son.

Here’s what’s on tap: Attack of the Show hosts Kevin Pereira and Olivia Munn will lead a crack team of correspondents to cover every corner of the show floor where the world’s top technology companies will unveil their latest innovations. I’m talking cutting-edge electronics, ground-breaking products and amazing announcements about next-generation consumer-technology.

Kev and Liv will be joined by correspondent Kristin Adams, gadget experts Chris Hardwick and Dave Mathews, as well as a grip of guest experts. We’ll be front row all the major press conferences and keynotes, roaming the show floor, and bringing you reviews and previews of the most exciting advancement in technological awesomeosity.

Read More »

Palm will try to get back into the smartphone race with a new mobile operating system, currently code-named "Nova", which they plan to reveal at CES 2009.

Palm hopes to grow and overtake the BlackBerry as the #2 platform behind the iPhone.

There's little chance that they can defeat Apple's iPhone at this point, but a decent showing and the right device could put them in a position to compete with RIM's BlackBerry.

The BlackBerry Storm, the first touch-screen BlackBerry, was met with sub-par reviews, but other BlackBerry devices have performed just fine.

It remains to be seen what direction Palm will take with the OS, but we'll be there at CES 2009 to find out.

Source

There are currently two eBook readers fighting for domination of the high-tech literary scene: the Amazon Kindle and Sony's line of readers.

There's about to be a third:

The iRex Digital Reader 1000S boasts the largest screen of the bunch at 10 inches and even uses a Wacom touch surface as its primary input method. It doesn't have a 3G card like the Kindle, but it's definitely got a lot of tech inside. It does, however, retail for a suggested $750..

The Kindle runs around $360 while the Sony's run from $300 to $400 depending on the model. While many people avoid reading nowadays, an eBook reader is a great high-tech way to get your literature on.

The iRex does not have access to an eBook store, but will display many formats. Amazon and Sony both have eBook stores that work for their respective devices.

Read More »

A gent named Stuart Skorman believes there is still a place in this modern Netflix world for the helpful words of your friendly neighborhood video store clerk. Except he’s not actually selling videos anymore. And the neighborhood is cyberspace.

But nevertheless, Skorman hired more than 20 former video store clerks and pooled their collective knowledge into a new Internet search engine called ClerkDogs.

Of course, Skorman is a former video store owner, and feels that the impersonal Netflix recommendation engine is far inferior the human touch his service provides.

"The reasons people choose certain movies are such a complex thing," Skorman said. "Netflix has done a wonderful job with its system, but it has gone as far as it can go."

Read More »

Welcome to the Tech News Countdown, hosted by Alison Haislip. Every Friday, Alison brings you the top 5 tech stories of the week so be sure to watch the show. Otherwise, she'll be sad and you don't want that, do you?

This week Alison brings you the latest on NASA's new water recycling program, researchers shooting for the creation of a cybernetic brain, a woman who wants a webcam in her empty eye socket, Obama's plans for his high-tech Presidential limo, and a doctor who believes that we'll see a spike in births in 9 months due to Obama's victory. Sexy.

Here now, is the Tech News Countdown.

Give it a watch and tell us what you think in the comments section. You can also cast your opinion in the Tech News Countdown forum.

Subscribe to G4's Tech News Countdown Podcast by clicking your preferred service:

A 19-year old man has needlessly committed suicide while broadcasting himself on the Internet.

Abraham K. Biggs allegedly was goaded and mocked by commentators on Justin.tv, a streaming video site, as he overdosed on pills while on camera. He was on air, breathing for hours, until viewers notified police.

The video continued until police and EMT entered and blocked the camera.

Mr. Bigg's death has been confirmed with the Broward County medical examiner in Florida.

Read More »