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E-Mail Story Print Story Text Size:   A   A   A K 104.7 Tech News powered by CNET.com NOW: Web Extra: The Best of the Consumer Electronics Show 2009

CNET News Apple MacBook Air: Cooler graphics Is there a downside to squeezing a real graphics processor into in a 3-pound, ultra-thin laptop? Ramen robots invade japan restaurant A noodle shop in Japan has employed robots to make your soup. Next, they'll assume your identity and steal your car. Photos: Spiral Jetty, Robert Smithson's wondrous earthwork On the north side of the Great Salt Lake, far from civilization, is one of the grandest pieces of large-scale art in the world. Made up of volcanic basalt, Spiral Jetty is a Road Trip 2009 highlight. Wife exposes chief spy's personal life on Facebook The wife of the new head of MI6 reveals details of their vacations, their children, their celebrity friends, and even how he looks in swimming attire. Report: Problems stymie U.S. cyberspy protection Technical and privacy issues are plaguing the U.S. government's work on the overarching system to protect federal computer networks from cyberspies, according to The Wall Street Journal. CNET Editors' Choice Apple MacBook Pro Summer 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.53GHz, 4GB RAM, 250GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M, 13-inch) Previously known as the MacBook, Apple's basic 13-inch aluminum unibody laptop has been promoted to the "Pro" series, all while adding features and cutting the base price. Apple MacBook Pro Summer 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M, 13-inch) Previously known as the MacBook, Apple's basic 13-inch aluminum unibody laptop has been promoted to the "Pro" series, all while adding features and cutting the base price. Belkin N+ Wireless Router The Belkin N+ Wireless Router is a great performer with excellent range and throughput speed. If its bulky design and lack of 5GHz frequency support don't put you off, the router is worth every penny of its $100 or so price tag. Adobe Flash CS4 Professional Flash becomes friendlier and more fun to explore as CS4 introduces a faster approach to animation, making this a worthwhile upgrade for both beginners and seasoned programmers. 2009 Cadillac CTS-V As a high-performance, luxury sedan, the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V sets a benchmark. It's blisteringly fast and handles extraordinarily well, and offers an excellent set of cabin gadgets. Dell Studio Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200, 750GB HDD, 6GB) This off-the-shelf version of the Dell Studio Desktop reminds us of a classic Dell computer. This system is faster and better equipped than its competition, and at a better price. You can certainly get away with a cheaper everyday PC, but this one is a bargain among lower midrange desktops. 2010 Honda Insight EX While the 2010 Honda Insight EX with navigation may not be as mileage-friendly as the Prius, it represents a much better value and is more fun to drive. Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 X2 (PCI-e 2.0, 2GB, GDDR3) Even if it's a relative power hog, the Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 X2 brings so much speed and utility to the table it's hard for us to recommend another midrange 3D card. Only the particularly power conscious or those who play games with known multichip scaling issues should look elsewhere. HP Pavilion dv3510nr Best Buy listened to its customers and then teamed up with HP to create the Pavilion dv3510nr, one of the big box store's first Blue Label laptops. This sleek-yet-loaded 13-inch laptop deserves a blue ribbon, too, for its all-around excellence and value. Maingear Ephex (Intel Core i7 965) Maingear's Ephex is the fastest PC we've reviewed, and also the most expensive. You can find better service policies from other boutique PC vendors, but the Ephex's overall speed and build quality are enough for us to recommend it to those in the market for the best desktop they can find. HP Firebird 803 with VoodooDNA HP's Firebird 803 brings the influence of its Voodoo PC acquisition to the mainstream with a compelling design, admirable power efficiency, and strong bang-for-the-buck. What it lacks is any sort of graphics upgrade path. For some, the limited upgradeability kills the deal. For those still interested, this PC offers a complete gaming PC with conversation-piece design. LG enV Touch (Verizon Wireless) The LG enV Touch's combination of great design and top-notch features makes it one of the top Verizon Wireless Wireless phones we've ever seen. Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Pro Although you don't get a price break by buying the package instead of the individual devices, we still consider this one of the best mouse and keyboard packages on the market. It combines an even better version of our favorite mouse and an equally adept keyboard at a very reasonable price. Panasonic TC-P50V10 The high-end Panasonic TC-PV10 series of plasmas delivers the overall best picture quality of any flat-panel HDTV we've tested so far this year. Intel Core i7-965 Extreme Edition Thanks to an expensive new motherboard requirement, Intel's new Core i7 desktop processors will remain enthusiast and professional-level parts until more affordable complementary hardware comes out later next year. Speed never comes cheap, however, and if you're willing to spend for it now, you'll find yourself in possession of the fastest CPU on the market. Canon EOS 5D Mark II (with 24-105mm lens) A great follow-up to the 5D and top-flight full-frame camera, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II delivers the fluid shooting experience and fine photos you expect from a professional model. Iomega eGo Portable Mac Edition (250GB, USB 2.0, FireWire, white) Mac and PC users alike will appreciate the Iomega eGo Portable's triple interface connectivity that lets you choose from USB 2.0, FireWire 400, and FireWire 800. Combined with a rugged enclosure, free data protection software, and a robust three-year warranty, this drive is a great example of well-rounded hardware. We thoroughly recommend it both for average consumer as well as data-hounds on a budget. TurboTax Deluxe 2008 (Federal + State) TurboTax 2008 is the most expensive tax app on the market, but it's also fast, complete, and straightforward. If finishing quickly is your goal, the extra cost is worth it. If you anticipate wanting live help support, look into TaxCut. Motorola Motorokr T501 The Motorokr sports a superb set of features beyond that of a simple speakerphone, also integrating Bluetooth music devices with car stereos. Falcon Northwest Mach V (Intel Core i7-965 Extreme Edition) Falcon Northwest's latest Mach V provides a model for the coming trends in high-end computing. From the latest Intel CPU, to solid-state storage, to copious amounts of memory, there's lot to admire about his PC. You will also have to pay for it, which unfortunately will thwart all but the most well-off gamers and enthusiasts. Klipsch Image S4 earphones The Klipsch Image S4 earphones offer up sound quality on par with and better than sets that cost many times as much; they are a spectacular choice for anyone looking for new earbuds. AVADirect Custom Gaming PC The AVADirect shopping experience can be daunting, but for the tech savvy buyer willing to navigate the many options available for this system, you'll find that AVADirect's Custom Gaming PC is competently built, with options for blazing fast overclocking, all at an attractive price. Audeo PFE 122 Perfect Fit Earphones with Microphone (white) The Phonak Audeo Perfect Fit Earphones are an excellent choice for anyone looking for clear and balanced audio, a secure and comfortable fit, and a useful array of extras. All in all, they're a great value for the money. Asus W90Vp-X1 The massive Asus W90Vp-X1 won't win any design awards, but its mobile gaming performance is tough to beat. Asus Eee PC 1005HA (black) Asus hits nearly all the marks in the 1005HA, the latest version of its iconic Eee PC, highlighted by a 6-plus hour battery. CNET Video Reports Google Ion (HTC Magic) The Google Ion, aka the HTC Magic, is a solid second go at an Android device. A few complaints remain, but its sleeker design and improved features make us excited for Android's full potential. Altec Lansing Backbeat 903 The Altec Lansing Backbeat 903 headset offers stereo Bluetooth audio, great call quality, and rugged construction. 2009 Mercedes S550 The top Benz sedan shows that a big guy can still have the moves. Samsung MyShot II SCH-R460 (Cricket) The Samsung MyShot II doesn't have the best camera, but it's not a bad phone otherwise. RIM BlackBerry Tour 9630 Verizon Wireless finally gets a refresh to its BlackBerry lineup. Find out what the RIM BlackBerry Tour 9630 has to offer in our First Look video. Sony Vaio FW480J/T As an above-average Blu-ray-playing laptop with impressive looks and good under-the-hood power, Sony's Vaio FW480J/T is a solid portable multimedia machine. Motorola Rival (Verizon Wireless) Though we like the Motorola Rival's features, its poor design keeps us from recommending it. LG LX370 (Sprint) The LG LX370 is a great, well-rounded, midtier phone for Sprint customers. HP Pavilion P6110y HP's Pavilion p6110y isn't necessarily an offensive system, and its case might even entice you to give it a second look. We just wish HP had taken a more substantive approach to help this desktop stand out. Its FireWire port might sway you, but otherwise you can find more interesting features from other PCs on the shelf. Samsung Axle SCH-r311 (U.S. Cellular) Though its voice quality isn't amazing, the Samsung Axle is a functional phone for basic communication. Content from our trusted partner CNET Get your own CNET Networks Widget.>GET IT NOW CNET Recent Reviews T-Mobile Dash 3G Long overdue, the T-Mobile Dash 3G is a worthy upgrade to its predecessor with the addition of such features as 3G support, GPS, and an updated design. Fight Night Round 4 (PlayStation 3) Fight Night Round 4 (Xbox 360) RIM BlackBerry Tour 9630 without camera (Verizon Wireless) With a winning design and fast performance, the RIM BlackBerry Tour 9630 is one of Verizon Wireless' top smartphones for both business users and messaging fanatics. 2009 Lexus GS 450h The 2009 Lexus GS 450h offers power and luxury, without costing a bundle at the pump. But merely average cabin tech suggests waiting for a model update. Asus Essentio CM5570-AP002 The Asus Essentio CM5570-AP002 isn't an overly remarkable desktop, but it has a few extra features that help it stand out. Its Wi-Fi and HDMI video out port give it some unique capabilities, and the best part is that Asus still manages to keep the price down. It's hard not to like this system, even though we wish Asus had more comprehensive support. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (PC) Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (Xbox 360) ASUS VH236H - LCD display - TFT - 23" The Asus VH236H is a great-performing 23-incher with a welcoming low price. Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (PlayStation 3) HTC Touch Pro2 With a feature set to match its large size, the HTC Touch Pro2 will be a great device for power and business users once it finally hits North America and adds U.S. 3G support. Phiaton PS 320 Primal Series headphones If you loathe sticking earbuds in your ears and demand crisp, bright audio response, the Phiaton PS 320 Headphones are a good choice. Beyond E-Tech Duet D8 (unlocked) The Duet D8 offers support for two SIM cards, but its touch screen and keyboard result in a frustrating user experience. HP Pavilion dv7-2185DX HP makes excellent, slick multimedia machines, such as the Pavilion dv7-2185DX, but we'd still trade its quad-core CPU for a full HD 1080p display and Blu-ray. Asus G71GX-RX05 Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V Though the geotagging capability is more of a novelty than killer a app in this product, and the interface could use a complete overhaul, the Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V and HDR-X520V's top-notch video quality, performance, and consumer-friendly feature set distinguish them--though consumers might justifiably want a lower price. Since 14 hours is plenty of recording time, especially if supplemented with flash media, the XR500V is the better deal of the two. Altec Lansing BackBeat Pro UHP606 headphones While Altec's BackBeat Pro UHP606 headphones don't quite deliver on their promise of reference-quality sound, they're a step up from the BackBeat 326s and offer decent bang for the buck. BlueAnt S1 For the price, the BlueAnt S1 is an excellent Bluetooth speakerphone with great features and performance. Motorola Rokr S9 HD - black The Motorola Rokr S9 HD is a simple and lightweight stereo Bluetooth headset, but take caution when using it for an active lifestyle. Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (PC) Samsung Axle SCH-r311 (U.S. Cellular) Though its voice quality isn't amazing, the Samsung Axle is a functional phone for basic communication. Yamaha HTR-6250BL The Yamaha HTR-6250BL works well as part of the Yamaha YHT-791 home theater system, but it doesn't fare as well when compared to other standalone AV receivers. Seagate BlackArmor PS 110 - 500 GB Hi-Speed USB hard drive A sexy slim design and backup software set make a compelling argument for the Maxtor BlackArmor PS 110 external hard drive. We like the unique "Try and Decide" feature preloaded on the drive, and the throughput speed scores stomp the competition. Shoppers on a strict budget should look into the Fujitsu Handydrive for the best cost per gigabyte, but the BlackArmor PS 110 offers many extra features for just a few more dollars more. Digital Storm 950Si (Intel Core i7) Digital Storm's 950Si has all the makings of a quality performance gaming system, but its value proposition comes up just a bit short. The stable-yet-aggressively overclocked CPU tells us that Digital Storm knows what it's doing, and with a more competitive price it would earn a more enthusiastic recommendation. HP Pavilion P6110y HP's Pavilion p6110y isn't necessarily an offensive system, and its case might even entice you to give it a second look. We just wish HP had taken a more substantive approach to help this desktop stand out. Its FireWire port might sway you, but otherwise you can find more interesting features from other PCs on the shelf. Daily CNET Podcasts The News.com team bring you this snappy podcast every weekday, covering everything from privacy to processors, iPods to Intel. Charlie Cooper, Leslie Katz, Erica Ogg, and Jennifer Guevin cover the top technology news of the day. CNET News Daily Podcast: Our love-hate relationship with the Pre After a week using the Palm Pre, CNET mobile phone reviewer Bonnie Cha tells us what she loves--and doesn't love--about the new smartphone and why it might be the first true rival to the iPhone (no, really, we mean it this time).Also in today's... CNET News Daily Podcast: Europeans get browser-less Windows 7 CNET News has learned that to appease regulators, Microsoft plans to ship Windows 7 in Europe without Internet Explorer, though computer makers can add it in. CNET News intern Mats Lewan chats with reporter Ina Fried about what a browser-less... CNET News Daily Podcast: Iranian protests hit social networks Following the controversial results of Iran's presidential elections, citizens turned to Twitter, Facebook, and other social-networking means to circumvent a government media clampdown and get supporters out to rallies. CNET News reporter Daniel... Music Sessions from Studio C Music Sessions from Studio C: Amos Lee On the way to his Fillmore gig, Amos Lee stopped by to share his soulful signing and songwriting. And he tells us why he doesn't mind being the male Norah Jones. Music Sessions from Studio C: Raphael Saadiq Our guests in Studio C just keep getting stronger--and this week we outdid ourselves, hosting former Tony! Toni! Toné!/Lucy Pearl frontman Raphael Saadiq, who was in town promoting his latest album, The Way I See It. In our exclusive session Saadiq talked about working and hangin’ out with Stevie Wonder, and how the late great J Dilla influenced him musically. Music Sessions from Studio C: Kardinal Offishall Hailing from Toronto, a.k.a. the Tee-Dot, we somehow suckered Konvict Music emcee Kardinal Offishall into hookin' up an interview inside Studio C, while he had a few hours to spare from his tour with Wyclef. Kardi's new single "Dangerous" (feat. Akon) is all over radio and video, and his album Not 4 Sale is set to drop Sept. 9. Music Sessions from Studio C: Far*East Movement Los Angeles hip-hop collective Far*East Movement stopped by Studio C recently to fill us in on their upcoming release, Animal. They also broke down the origin of their name, the different perceptions of being an Asian hip-hop act, and how their parents have reacted to their career paths. Music Sessions from Studio C: Radar Bros. Radar Bros. make pretty country-folk ditties that show their attachment to lo-fi folk without bogging them down by the genre's self-seriousness. Listen to our exclusive live performance and interview with frontman Jim Putnam and the gang. Music Sessions from Studio C: Raashan Ahmad Crown City Rockers emcee Raashan Ahmad is this week's Studio C guest. Besides busting a fresh a capella freestyle for us, Raashan talks about the state of hip-hop today and what he wanted to achieve with his debut solo album The Push on OM Records. Music Sessions from Studio C: Akron/Family As "well-mannered" as Akron/Family is in person, their music remains impossible to compartmentalize. But that's not to say their mix of gentle folk harmonies and free-form grooviness isn't knockout beautiful. See what we mean as they chat about their latest album, Love Is Simple, and play low-key acoustic versions of three songs live during our latest Studio C podcast. Music Sessions from Studio C: Jim Lauderdale Looks like 2008 is another banner year for Jim Lauderdale. Repeating his '06 agenda he's again released not one but two new CDs, Honey Songs and The Bluegrass Diaries. To honor his achievements, we dug into the Studio C archives and unearthed this exclusive podcast, where Jim chatted about songwriting and played four acoustic songs live in our studio. Music Sessions from Studio C: Orgone Members of L.A.-based funk collective Orgone are this week's Studio C guests. They've got a new release, The Killion Floor, in stores now, and it should please fans of Breakestra, Connie Price, and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings because most of the members are affiliated with those bands as well. During the podcast they explain the zany origin of their name and pick cover songs to perform; we also listen to album cuts including It's What You Do and Who Knows Who. Music Sessions from Studio C: Mark Kozelek With a new Sun Kil Moon LP, as well as Retribution Gospel Choir's debut album (which he produced), a book, and a movie score all coming out this year, it's safe to say Mark Kozelek is a "prolific artist." He sat down with us for a rare interview (he doesn't do them often) to discuss all his projects and play some new songs.