Apple Byte : What to expect in iOS 8

Top 12 Smartphones - CNET Reviews

The best smartphones make the best gifts

From Top smartphones for the holidays



CNET - Looking for a deal on a red-hot smartphone? You've come to the right season. Carriers and big-box stores like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart slash prices to entice you to fill your shopping cart.

For high-end devices hat are typically backed by a lot of dollar signs, a seasonal buy-one, get-one deal or other deep discount could be enough to put a smile on your face, and a new smartphone in that lucky someone's pocket. That lucky someone might even be you.

View the Phones!

CNET Top 5 : Worst Holiday Tech Gifts

Best Tech Under $100

Roku 3

The Roku 3 is our current top pick in the Internet media box category. It's the best overall choice for online streaming, with Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, Amazon Instant, Vudu, and literally hundreds of others -- pretty much everything except iTunes and YouTube. Perfect for students who can't yet afford a pricey cable bill.

4.0 stars

CNET Editors' Rating

 

3.0 stars

Average User Review

Starting at: $94.67

The good: The Roku 3's excellent new interface and faster processor makes it feel quicker and more responsive than any other streaming box. More than 750 channels are supported, including Netflix, Amazon Instant, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Pandora, MLB.TV, Amazon Cloud Player, and Vudu. It also has cross-platform search that scours several major TV and movie services to find content. And Roku's nifty new remote has a built-in headphone jack that lets you listen without disturbing others.

The bad: There's still no official YouTube channel. Some services have an outdated interface on Roku compared to other streamers. The Apple TV still works better within the Apple ecosystem. And the Roku 3 isn't a great option if you're mostly looking to stream your personal digital media collection.

The bottom line: The Roku 3 is the best streaming-video box yet, with tons of content sources, lightning-fast performance, and an innovative remote with built-in headphone jack.

Read CNET's Full Review

Apple TV

If the student in question is a full-on Apple person -- iPhone, iPad, iTunes, Mac -- the Apple TV may be a better choice than the Roku. And with the recent additions of Watch ESPN, HBO Go, and Sky News, it's a better deal than ever.

4.0 stars

CNET Editors' Rating

 

3.5 stars

Average User Review

Starting at: $94.98

The good: The Apple TV lets you stream all of the movies and TV shows available in the iTunes Store to your HDTV on a rental or purchase basis, with purchases stored in the cloud. Netflix, Hulu Plus, MLB.TV, and a handful of other online media services are available, plus music, videos, and photos can be streamed from iOS devices using AirPlay. AirPlay Mirroring lets you stream any Web video to the Apple TV, including free Hulu, if you have a newer Mac running Mountain Lion. And Apple TV's user interface is one of the best there is.

The bad: The competing Roku 3 offers many more content sources (including Amazon Instant), cross-platform search, and a remote with a headphone jack. The Apple TV is also a much less useful box if you don't own other Apple devices.

The bottom line: The Apple TV is an indispensable living room companion for invested in iTunes content and Apple hardware, but for everyone else it's a step behind the Roku 3.

Read CNET's Full Review

See the Rest!

Best Laptops - CNET Guide

You can dive into the various subcategories here for detailed suggestions for every need and budget, but on this page, we present the current laptops that are our personal favorites, because of style, power, value, or just because we like them. 

 

Best high-end laptop

Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display

The newly redesigned MacBook Pro with Retina Display combines an amazing screen with just enough of the MacBook Air design to feel like a new animal, and to take its place as the best of the current MacBook breed.

Price: $2,079.98 - $2,199.00 (check prices)

4 stars Excellent Read full review

 

Best ultra-thin 13-inch

Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, Summer 2012)

This year's MacBook Air opts for gradual improvements rather than anything revolutionary, but lowered prices continue to make it the go-to mainstream recommendation for any MacBook owner-to-be.

Price: $1,099.99 - $1,199.00 (check prices)

4 stars Excellent Read full review

 

Best convertible laptop

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13

The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 is a convertible touch-screen laptop/tablet that most importantly doesn't compromise the traditional laptop experience.

Price: $989.99 - $1,199.99 (check prices)

4 stars Excellent Read full review

 

Best laptop under $800

Toshiba Satellite U845t

While it's not going to dazzle anyone, the Toshiba Satellite U845T is a great example of exactly how much laptop $799 should buy in 2013.

Price: $779.99 - $799.99 (check prices)

4 stars Excellent Read full review

 

Best gaming laptop

Lenovo IdeaPad Y500

For those looking for something more than a feature-light ultrabook, the gamer-friendly Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 is close to brilliant, and several configurations are currently available at a deep discount -- but I can't believe it doesn't have a touch screen.

Price: $999.00 - $1,611.00 (check prices)

4 stars Excellent Read full review

 

Best Windows 8 tablet

Microsoft Surface with Windows 8 Pro (64GB)

The Surface Pro's gutsy design successfully reinvents the Windows 8 laptop by cramming an ultrabook experience into the body of a 10-inch tablet. Those wanting to go all-in on the tablet experience won't regret buying the Surface Pro, but we're holding out for a future, more polished generation of the device.

Price: $959.00 (check prices)

4 stars Very good Read full review

 

More Laptop Reviews

Android Key Lime Pie: Most Wanted Features - What CNET Would Like to See in the Next Version of Android

 

CNET takes you through the new tricks and software tweaks we want to see in the next major version of Android.

Right now, deep beneath the Earth's crust, Google engineers are working in secret to develop the next major version of Android.

Rumored to be called Key Lime Pie (though some reports suggest the next version may stick with the Jelly Bean moniker), little is known about what new software treats this update has in store. That said, we at CNET certainly have an idea of what we want to see -- hit play on the video above to hear the apps and tweaks we're desperate for Google to bake into the heart of its next big refresh.

More

CNET's 18 favorite tech gifts - Holiday Gift Guide

Samsung Galaxy S3 (AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, U.S. Cellular, Verizon)

Samsung's Galaxy S3 has a huge, vibrant HD screen, a large battery, an awesome camera, and a boatload of software extras -- the best lets you tap two like phones together to share photos and video. A fast dual-core Qualcomm processor and 4G LTE make it a compelling Android 4.0 package. You'll have your choice of 16GB or 32GB versions, which also store up to 64GB of your movies and e-books on a microSD card.

4.0 stars - CNET Editors' Rating

Starting at: $99.99

The good: The Samsung Galaxy S3 comes fully loaded with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, 4G LTE/HSPA+ 42 capability, a zippy dual-core processor, and a strong 8-megapixel camera. S Beam is an excellent software enhancement, and the handset's price is right.

The bad: The Galaxy S3's screen is too dim, and Samsung's Siri competitor, S Voice, disappointed.

The bottom line: Pumped with high-performing hardware and creative software features, the Samsung Galaxy S3 is an excellent, top-end phone that's neck and neck with the HTC One X.

Read CNET's Full Review

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V
 

Those who need a camera to satisfy a couple different users will like the HX200V. Its 30x, f2.8-5.6, 27-810mm lens is good for a variety of subjects -- from close-ups to field shots from the bleachers. It has a wide selection of shooting modes, too, so whether you like to fiddle with settings or leave it in auto, the HX200V has you covered. 

4.0 stars - CNET Editors' Rating

Starting at: $385.00

The good: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V is a fast-shooting megazoom with excellent photo and video quality for its class, and plenty of shooting options to make casual and advanced shooters happy.

The bad: The HX200V lacks advanced bridge camera features like raw image capture, a hot shoe, or mic input. Some of its shooting modes and general operation can get confusing if you want to do more than leave it in auto.

The bottom line: A lot of camera, both in lens and features, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V is a solid choice for point-and-shoot users looking to do a little more than that.

Read CNET's Full Review

Samsung SyncMaster S27B970

The Samsung SyncMaster S27B970 impresses with both its sleek aesthetics and stellar performance. It's a bit on the pricey side with a hard to disconnect DisplayPort, but both design and performance of the monitor outweigh its cons.

 

4.0 stars - CNET Editors' Rating

 

Starting at: $999.99

The good: The Samsung SyncMaster S27B970 has stellar performance, a sleek, sexy design, and useful OSD options.

The bad: At $1,200, the monitor will set you back a few car payments. Also, attempting to remove the DisplayPort cable can have disastrous consequences.

The bottom line: The Samsung SyncMaster S27B970's excellent performance and beautiful aesthetic outweigh some thoughtless design choices.

Read CNET's Full Review>>

See the Rest!

14 Must-Have Gadgets

CNET has a top products list for each of the categories we cover -- they're listed on the left -- but this list brings the cream of the crop together in one place. New to the list for fall 2012 is the iPhone 5, the Kindle Paperwhite, and the first streaming projector. Rather than trying to compare gadgets across multiple categories, we present them in alphabetical order, because when you get right down to it, we think they're all must-haves.

3M Streaming Projector

Best streaming projector
The 3M Streaming Projector packs the full power of a Roku box in a pico projector, making for an undeniably cool gadget, even with its limited battery life.

As shown: $299.00
See manufacturer site for availability

4 stars

Very good

Read full review

 

 

 

 

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

Best e-ink reader
With an excellent built-in light and Amazon's best-in-class e-book selection, the Kindle Paperwhite rises to the top of the e-reader pack.
Price: $139.00 (check prices)
4 stars

Excellent

Read full review

 

 

  

Apple iPad (2012)

Best tablet overall
With a host of improvements--faster graphics, 4G wireless options, a better camera, and a gorgeous high-res screen--the latest iPad cements its position at the head of the tablet pack.
Price: $474.99 - $515.00 (check prices)
4 stars

Excellent

Read full review

 

 View the Rest!

 

iPhone 5 full review: Finally, the iPhone we've always wanted

CNET Editors' Rating

4.0 stars - Excellent

The good: The iPhone 5 adds everything we wanted in the iPhone 4S: 4G LTE, a longer, larger screen, and a faster A6 processor. Plus, its top-to-bottom redesign is sharp, slim, and feather-light.

The bad: Sprint and Verizon models can't use voice and data simultaneously. The smaller connector renders current accessories unusable without an adapter. There's no NFC, and the screen size pales in comparison to jumbo Android models.

The bottom line: The iPhone 5 completely rebuilds the iPhone on a framework of new features and design, addressing its major previous shortcomings. It's absolutely the best iPhone to date, and it easily secures its place in the top tier of the smartphone universe.

 Read the Full Review

Compact Megazoom Reviews

The Sony HX9V stands as our top choice for a 

full-featured compact megazoom. (Credit: Sony)

CNET - The number of cameras released or announced this year is ridiculous. According to camera site 1001 Noisy Cameras, the count stands at more than 150 models with 42 of them being compact megazooms.

That’s a lot of cameras for us to weed through and is kind of cruel to average consumers just looking for a long-lens point-and-shoot to stick in their pockets. What’s worse is that manufacturers are producing several models with seemingly similar feature sets.

For example, if you walked into a store and saw Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-ZS8 and its Lumix DMC-ZS10 next to each other, you might not immediately see the differences, let alone $100 worth of them. Even after picking them up, you might notice only that the ZS10 has a GPS receiver and a touch screen. But there are more differences than just those and they might make or break a buying decision.

To clear up the confusion, we’ve assembled a list of our six favorite compact megazooms of 2011. There should be something for everyone–from fully automatic to full manual. Lenses range from a 10x 25-250mm on the Sony HX7V to the Nikon S9100′s 18x 25-450mm. What you won’t find on these cameras are viewfinders, though. The idea here is to keep the body as small as possible, so you’ll need to step up to a full-size megazoom if you want a viewfinder.

As I said up top, though, there are a lot of cameras in this category so this certainly isn’t all of what’s available. Look for future reviews of models from Fujifilm, Casio, Olympus, and others.

See CNET’s favorite compact megazooms of 2011.

CNET's Favorite Android Phone

‘Massive Infringement’ Case Against CNET Dropped

Wired - Plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit accusing CNET of facilitating “massive copyright infringement” by distributing peer-to-peer software dropped their case Monday.

The May lawsuit was lodged in Los Angeles by a handful of musicians and filmmaker Alkiviades David. They accused CBS Interactive — CNET’s publisher — of illicitly profiting from piracy by distributing 220 million copies of LimeWire over CNET’s Download.com site since 2008 — accounting for 95 percent off all LimeWire downloads.

The case appeared to be nearing its demise last month when the plaintiffs submitted just six copyrights as being infringed. On the July 4 holiday, David quietly dropped the suit.     More