Reviews

Apple's Leopard: The Reviews Are In

One could fault Apple (AAPL) for once again handing out advance copies of its new operating system upgrade only to journalists who depend on good relations with Steve Jobs to supplement their income, but let's skip all that and go straight to the reviews:

Walt Mossberg, Wall Street Journal (The D Conference)

The best-designed Bluetooth gear (Photos 1-8)

LOUD AND CLEAR. Thanks to top-sellers like Motorola (MOT), Research in Motion (RIMM) and Apple (AAPL), Bluetooth wireless technology has finally come into its own as a means of connecting gadgets. From a Microsoft (MSFT) mouse with a built-in laser pointer to a Plantronics (PLT) headset that juggles music and calls, take a look at what gear is likely to start turning heads ... and emptying wallets. || NEXT>>

Fujitsu laptops get small and efficient: Photos (1/9)

(1/9) Fujitsu is unveiling two innovative laptops for mobile professionals: The 1.5-pound convertible U810, which has a 5.6-inch screen and a full keyboard starting at $999, and the T2010, a 3.5-pound convertible with a 12.1-inch screen and jaw-dropping battery life at $1,599. One's tiny, the other's a marathon runner.

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First impressions: The new iMac, and iWork '08

After the Steve Jobs announcement at Apple (AAPL) headquarters on Tuesday, Apple let the crowd spend a little time with the new iMacs and iLife '08 software. Here are my early impressions:

The iPhone's secret sauce? Software.

It felt nice. An AT&T (T) spokesman let me babysit his iPhone overnight, and I couldn't get over how nice it felt in my hand. Much like the iPod nano it is tightly put together, with just enough weight to feel like a tool, not a toy. Since I only had it for a few hours, I decided to focus my analysis on what Apple's (AAPL) hype-driven gadget does best: MORE

Logitech's Wave ergonomic keyboard: a new kind of comfort

A few weeks ago, folks from Logitech (LOGI) stopped by my office to show off some upcoming products. They had innovative computer mice, laptop stands and the like, but the item that impressed me most was the Cordless Desktop Wave keyboard ($49 corded, $89 cordless, available in August).

Logitech's Air Mouse for TV that moves like the Wii

Cost: $150

Availability: August

Of course I had to add my two cents about Logitech's (LOGI) innovative new MX Air Mouse. Rather than drag this mouse along a flat surface, you wave it through the air to move a cursor and make selections; think of it as a Wii-mote for non-game console entertainment.

Backup power helps in gadget emergencies

I usually remember to charge my phone. Plugging it into the charging cord beside the bed is one of my essential daily gadget routines, along with recharging the laptop for the day's commute. But occasionally a late night or some other anomaly will derail my ritual, and I'll start the day with a weak charge on my Palm (PALM) Treo 700p.

Microsoft's maps gaining on Google's

I have become a fan of Google's (GOOG) online tools for the same reason I'm fond of Apple's devices; they're well designed and easy to use, even though they don't have all the features that some competitors offer. In the world of Web services, Google has learned that an extra second of load time can mean the difference between me using its tool or a competitor's, and one "Wow"-inducing feature MORE

New Google Voice Local Search offers free 411 service

Google (GOOG) has quietly launched a free local business 411 service using voice recognition, Google Voice Local Search. To try it, call 800-466-4411 (GOOG-411) from any phone. There's also a Google Labs page with information about the service.