 |
July 15, 2003 |
|
|
|
| |
If a picture's worth a thousand words, a camera phone can do a lot of talking for you. Now, Verizon users have their very own camera phone with the LG VX6000, and we have a First Take. Plus, we look at why DSL is so hot. Two words: cheaper, better. |
|
 |
|
|
|
LG VX6000
If you haven't heard about the camera phone phenomenon, I'd like to know what rock you've been hiding under for the last few months. Those clever snapshot-ready camera/phone hybrids are huge, and they're even coming down in price. Plus, more wireless carriers are supporting camera phone models. Now, Verizon fans can rejoice, because the carrier just announced the LG VX6000, the first camera phone for this massive network. What does the VX6000 have to offer? Joni Blecher, our Cell Phone Diva, writes, "The VX6000, with its stylish design and affordable price tag, is one of the more attractive camera phones available;" but, she warns, "the phone's must-have status will depend largely on its ease of use and the pricing plan for Verizon's accompanying service." This new mobile is now available and will run you an affordable $150 after a $50 rebate with a two-year customer agreement. Initially, the picture-messaging service will cost up to $2.99 per month for unlimited usage until January 2004. The Diva is currently testing it (preliminary word is that it's pretty good), so look for a full review soon. |
|
 |
|
|
|
DSL
There was a time when DSL lagged behind cable high-speed Internet access because its price was so much higher. No longer: DSL providers are getting competitive, and they're offering deep discounts to woo customers over to their phone-line way of thinking. Plus, the DSL guys are actually improving their services, with easy self-installation kits and better customer service. No wonder so many of you readers are doing some DSL research. If you've been waiting for an excuse to go high speed (or have been making excuses not to), you have a reason to take the plunge now. First, find out if DSL is available in your area and, if so, choose from the available providers and see their prices. You can also compare DSL providers on our BroadbandWatch chart, which shows all of the ISPs and their connection speeds side by side. |
|
 |
|
|
|
DVD burners
The DVD burner is the next must-have for technophiles--and not just any DVD burner: a multiformat drive. What does that mean? Well, if you've been in the market for DVD burners lately, you've likely been wading through the various formats: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW. But no one really wants to have to do that much homework in order to decide which format is best for their individual needs. Enter the multiformat drive, a DVD burner that takes all the guesswork out of this purchase by handling all of the formats. Pretty handy, I'd say. For a while there, Sony had the only multiformat drive around, the DRU-500AX. Now, TDK's 440N Indi DVD has joined the fray, and Sony has a newer, faster DRU-510A. |
|
 |
|
|
|
Headphones
For weeks now, we've been posting reviews of the latest noise-canceling headphones, which keep great-sounding audio in and external noise that would spoil your tunes out. But maybe you've been looking for a roundup to bring them all together and make it easier to see these headsets' good and bad points side by side. Your wishes have been granted, audiophiles. We've pulled together six headphone reviews in our roundup, "The sound of silence," in which we also explain just why these cool devices work. If you're serious about picking a pair for your summer listening pleasure, don't miss our two Editors' Choice picks: Sennheiser's PXC 250 and Sony's MDR-NC11. |
|
 |
|
|
|
Lindows
You open-source fans definitely make yourselves known; anytime there's a new Linux desktop OS on the horizon, you all actively search for it. Such is the case with Lindows OS 4.0, the next version of the popular alternative operating system, which promises new features that block spam and pop-up ads and also boasts improved support for PC hardware. For those of you not on top of the movement, Lindows has grown to prominence through a lawsuit from Microsoft over its name and because it's the OS used in the $200 Linux PCs sold on Walmart.com. Our trusty reviewers are already testing out version 4.0, and we'll have our full take ready next week. |
|
|
|
