I N T H I S I S S U E
Welcome to PCMag.com's newest newsletter, Your Weekend Update with Dan & Vicki!
Here are our thoughts on the hottest stories that hit
PCMag.com this week. Let us know what you think . . . and
enjoy.
ADVERTISEMENT
|
The Ultimate Home Network
Networks, like computers, slow over time, but we have the technology to get your connections between PCs--and to the Internet--zipping along. Here are ten tips foroptimizing the performance of your home net.
Dan: It amazes me that just a few years ago, the only people with home networks were IT geeks and PC Magazine staffers. Now you would be hard pressed to find a home without one. If you have broadband and multiple computers, you are almost forced to set up a home network. This story is filled with tips for taking your network to the next level, from boosting throughput to extending the range of your wireless network. For tiny-apartment-dwelling creatures like us, though, the biggest networking challenge is often dealing with interference from the neighbors. How many wireless networks can you see at your place? And how many are open?
Vicki: Um, are you asking if I "borrow" wireless? Well, yes I do... sometimes. My apartment building has wireless connectivity, but I can also see a bevy of available networks when I'm logging in. But you know me, Dan. I'm such a nervous Nellie (and with good reason) that I'll opt for the most secure setup. Now that I think about it, I guess if I really wanted to be secure, I'd stop borrowing and spend the money for my own setup. Right?
What are we talking about? Read all about it here!
Free Nintendo Wii "Jackets" Fight Sweaty Palms
This past week, Wii owners were greeted with a pulsing blue light to alert them to the "Wii remote jacket," a cushioned glove that fits around the Wiimote to keep it soft if it happens to hit something--or someone.
Vicki: This news story cracks me up for a variety of reasons. First, I can't help but chuckle when I think about all of those Wii injuries that have occurred since the popular game console debuted (No, Dan, I'm not laughing at people; I'm laughing at the situations.) Who would have thought gaming could get so physical that it resulted in injury? Now, I've never had a Wiimote fly out of my hands, but I do understand the sweaty-palm thing. So, in a way, I'm laughing at myself, too. Consequently, a "jacket" appeals to me. I just wish I could personalize it.
Dan: You know I have no problem laughing at people. However, if a vicious backhand sends a Wii remote crashing through a NEC Multeos M46-AVT, that isn't funny. That is a crime against consumer electronics. I kinda wish they had these padded jackets or plastic sleeves for the PS3 remote. I have spiked those more than once. Although, I guess I could just pad the floor. And the walls. Hmm . . . .
What are we talking about? Read all about it here!
LED-Backlit Laptops
A new screen-lighting technology promises vivid color, sharper images, and improved battery life.
Vicki: So Dan, how much do you care about your laptop's screen? I'm wondering where it is on your list of "must-have" features. Now don't get me wrong: A good, decent-size screen is important to me, but it's not at the top of my list. That spot is saved for weight (under 5 pounds), followed by battery life (preferably 4-plus hours), memory (2GB), and hard drive size (200GB). Then comes screen size and screen quality. I guess it's further down on my list because I'm not one to watch video on my laptop. Do you? Oh, and by the way, guess which laptop happened to make it into this story?
Dan: You are SO shopping for a laptop. ;) As you well know, I am a big proponent of using multiple displays in the office, so screen size isn't that important to me. In fact, pulling out a 17-inch monster in a café or airport is kind of a drag. Still, I wouldn't want anything less than 13 inches. Anyhow, pretty soon all laptops will have LED backlighting technology, so you won't even have to make a conscious decision to get it. Just keep in mind, the Dell XPS M1330 has only a 160GB hard drive. Think you can make do?
What are we talking about? Read all about it here!
Apple Bricking the iPhone
Apple has released an "update" patch for its iPhone that has disabled many--if not most--of the phones that users "modified" for increased capability. Apparently, if you try to return or exchange your bricked phone as defective, Apple will be able to tell that the phone has been hacked and refuse to accept it.
Vicki: How peeved do you think folks are about this? And how peeved do you think they have a right to be? It does creep me out a bit that Apple is sort of taking on a "Big Brother is watching" role. On the other hand, if you're gonna "mess" with a product that you've paid a pretty penny for and turn it into something it wasn't when you paid for it, then do you really have a right to be angry when Big Brother cuts you off? Where do you stand on this one, Dan?
Dan: I am generally in favor of playing with your technology. It is a question of evolution, a biological imperative, even. By nature we are tool-making animals, not retail shoppers. We want to make stuff. That said, AT&T paid Apple for an exclusive deal; they have a right to enforce it. They are the ones who were going to lose money by having hacked iPhones running on T-Mobile. Sure it is anticompetitive and consumer-unfriendly, but that is why I don't have an iPhone.
What are we talking about? Read all about it here!
Hands-On With Verizon's New Handsets
New BlackBerry, LG, and Samsung phones were announced today, and the two from LG feature radical touch-screen interfaces.
Dan: Verizon is even more controlling than AT&T when it comes to locking down handsets and maintaining control of the user experience, but they just announced a bunch of cool new phones. You should check out the new Voyager. Sascha (our phone expert) didn't spend enough time with it to do a full review, but he liked what he saw. It has a 400-by-240 touch screen, 2MP camera, and unlike the iPhone, it has a real QWERTY keyboard. If I were a Verizon subscriber, I would take a long hard look at the Voyager.
Vicki: Hmmm. I checked out the slide show, but I'm not convinced the Voyager is for me. It's a little big, a little chunky for my taste--and my hands. I am excited that there are some new Verizon phones to choose from, though. As you may have noticed, I'm a little sick of mine. I mean, I have had it for over a year now. It's time to upgrade! Frankly, I'm a bit more interested in the BlackBerry Pearl. Of course, I'll wait to hear what Sascha has to say.
What are we talking about? Read all about it here!
 |
SUBSCRIBE TO PC MAGAZINE AND SAVE 87%
Subscribe today and save 87% off the newsstand price. Plus, you will receive
FREE software from PC Magazine with your subscription. Enjoy the convenience
of home delivery and pay only $.80 per issue. Don’t miss this limited time offer.
PC Magazine is America’s #1 technology magazine, delivering
authoritative, lab-based comparative reviews of technology products and
services to more than 6.6 million professionals every issue.
|
To find out more about what's going on in the world of technology, check out www.pcmag.com throughout the day!
 The PCMag.com Bookstore
PC Magazine's Windows Vista Solutions
We've got all the answers you need to get the most out of Microsoft's new OS. In our Windows Vista Solutions book, we'll help you pick the right version of Vista, optimize it for maximum security and/or flexibility, and configure it to suit your work habits. Also, learn about new features and applications like Windows Photo Gallery, Media Player 11, and Internet Explorer 7.
PC Magazine's Office 2007 Solutions
Want to get the most out of your new Office suite? Struggling to make sense of the Ribbon? Let PC Magazine show you how with our Office 2007 Solutions book, with tips and shortcuts for the apps you use the most during your workday: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Learn how to safely install the suite and keep it up to date, integrate it with Windows Vista, and use even the most advanced features.
More Books
eNewsletter Information
You are subscribed to Inside PCMag.com with the email address tayllorcriss@gmail.com.
Click here
to *** from this newsletter.
To subscribe to other e-mail newsletters
from Ziff Davis, change your delivery format from HTML to text, or change
your email address, click here.
Copyright © 2007 Ziff Davis Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Ziff Davis Media Inc., 28 East 28th Street, New York, NY 10016
|
|
FEATURED VIDEO
|
Darren Gladstone of Games For Windows Magazine returns to the DL.TV set to talk about Heavenly Sword, Stranglehold, and indie game Knytt Stories.
More Videos>> |
PCMAGAZINE UTILITY DOWNLOADS
|
Back to newsletter list
