Mobile Computing News, Reviews, & Tips

Notebook Accessory Review: Hewlett-Packard's Notebook Media Cable

Want to connect your HP notebook to a TV or entertainment center? HP's Xc2000 Notebook All-in-One Media Cable may be just the thing. The cable's got everything: gold-plated connectors for S-Video, composite video, analog audio and digital S/PDIF audio output; plus USB 2.0 and FireWire ports and an IR remote control. If you need as many connection options as possible, the cable may be worth looking into; otherwise, its bulk is probably overkill (the thing resembles a small octopus). And at $90, it's expensive.

Gadget Review: Video Cell Phones

To some gadget freaks, watching DVDs on a notebook is so 5 minutes ago. But how about watching TV on a cell phone?

LG Electronics' VX-8100 and Nokia's 6682 are among the latest cell phones that also do video. How's the quality? Not too surprisingly, it isn't great on either phone, according to PC World reviewers Grace Aquino and Edward Albro. Read "Handsets: Let These Entertain You" for their full report.

Notebook News: Toshiba's Latest Laptops

Toshiba has a new Qosmio multimedia notebook. At nearly 10 pounds, it's heavy--and so is its price, $2999. But the Qosmio line is known for its top-notch entertainment features, so maybe you won't mind. Also new from Toshiba is a 14-inch wide-screen Satellite M55 notebook, which weighs a more manageable 5.3 pounds and costs $1399. For more details, read "Toshiba Announces New Entertainment Laptops."

Notebook News: Hot Battery Alert

The batteries in some Fujitsu Siemens notebooks may overheat and pose a fire risk, the company announced. The lithium ion batteries in Amilio notebooks are being recalled and will be replaced for free.

Gadget Tip: Keeping Batteries Juiced

One of Steve Bass's May "Tips & Tweaks" newsletters was full of battery tips. (Steve also included a question about yentas and a great Google tip, too. You've got to love this guy.)

Here's one of his tips: Mixing older, nearly spent AAA and AA batteries with fresh ones can zap the new ones. So don't mix new batteries with old.

Wireless News: T-Mobile Expands Wi-Fi Hot Spots

T-Mobile is expanding its Wi-Fi hot spot service into France, the Philippines, Portugal, and Switzerland, the company has announced. The company has also inked a roaming agreement with IBahn, which provides broadband Internet access in hotels and other companies. The goal is to expand T-Mobile service to more hotels, airports, and other locations.

Suggestion Box

Is there a particularly cool mobile computing product or service I've missed? Got a spare story idea in your back pocket? Tell me about it. However, I regret that I'm unable to respond to tech-support questions, due to the volume of e-mail I receive.

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