Mobile Computing News, Reviews, & Tips

Notebook Review: Dell's Lightweight X1

Weighing only 2.5 pounds, Dell's Latitude X1 is an ultralight notebook for business travelers who don't mind the lack of an integrated optical drive or the high price ($2051 for our test unit), says PC World reviewer Carla Thornton. Its battery life is a bit weak, so spring for the extra-cost, longer-life battery.

Notebook Review: Chem USA's Playful Portable

Chem USA's ChemBook 2070 ($1769 for our test unit) is an easygoing entertainment system with well-designed media buttons that make playing DVDs and CDs effortless--even when the notebook is turned off. The portable has a 15.4-inch wide-aspect screen and weighs 6.7 pounds, excluding the power adapter.

Gadget News: IPod Alarm Clock

The software in Apple's IPod music players includes an alarm-clock function. But unless the IPod is connected to speakers--or you sleep with earphones on--how are you going to wake up to your tunes?

The new IHome IH5 promises to answer this vexing quandary. The IHome is an alarm clock FM/AM radio with a built-in IPod cradle and external speakers. Plug in your Pod, and the alarm clock will awaken you to the sounds of your music. The IHome also recharges your IPod. And if you've left your music player in your workout bag, don't lose sleep over it--the clock will still awaken you with a buzzer or AM/FM radio. The IHome lists for $130, but I've seen it for $95 at Best Buy.

Gadget News: Car Makers Include Ways to Park Your IPod

Coming next year: More cars with stereos that include IPod hookups, according to Apple. Among the auto makers soon to offer or currently offering the IPod-friendly stereos are Alfa Romeo, BMW, Daihatsu, Mazda, Mini, Nissan, and Smart.

Wireless Gadget News: Motorola's Razr-Inspired Smart Phone

Motorola recently announced the Q, a sleek-looking, skinny Windows Mobile 5.0-based smart phone with a QWERTY keyboard. The Q's look is inspired by Motorola's popular and slim Razr clamshell phone. The device, expected early next year, will include Bluetooth, a one-handed navigation thumbwheel, and a 1.3-megapixel camera with flash.

Travel News: Sky-High Wi-Fi Entertainment

Boeing's Connexion high-speed Internet service now offers streaming television for in-flight viewing on wireless notebooks. The service will debut on Singapore Airlines, allowing passengers to view BBC, CNBC, Eurosportnews, and MSNBC while in the United States, or EuroNews when abroad.

Cathy Lu tested the service, noting that the streaming TV was "definitely jumpy," but audio was stable. E-mail and instant messaging worked well.

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