sonic

Viewsonic introduces series of Windows 8 touch displays

LAS VEGAS--ViewSonic announced its new series of Windows 8-certified touch displays. The TD40 series consists of the 23-inch TD2340, the 27-inch TD2740, and the 32-inch TD3240 monitors. The IPS panel displays have a 1,920x1,080 HD resolution and were announced at CES 2013, along with ViewSonic's 24-inch VSD240 smart display.

The TD40 series monitors are designed to maximize and enhance the use of Windows 8 on the touch displays. In addition to the professional grade IPS panels and full HD resolution, the monitors use 10-point projected capacitive touch technology that is designed to make the touch-screen interaction … Read more

ViewSonic introduces 24-inch Smart Display tablet

LAS VEGAS--ViewSonic introduced a new member of its budding Smart Display product family at CES 2013. The VSD240, which will be available in April for $499, has a 24-inch 1,920x1,080-pixel-resolution HD LED screen, ships with Android 4.1, and runs on a 1.7GHz Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor.

The 24-inch Smart Display joins the 22-inch VSD220 in ViewSonic's Smart Display family. These boundary-blurring products have the standard functionality of Android tablets, but with a larger display. The VSD240 includes HDMI and USB ports, SD card storage, and a 1.3-megapixel camera.

The VSD240's features make … Read more

Copyright scare spreads on Facebook

Tuesday's CNET Update has a cyber-shopping hangover:

Today's tech news roundup looks at the Cyber Monday shopping surge and how Amazon's Kindle Fire was a hot seller.

Also, don't be fooled by the status updates spreading on Facebook about copyright. It's a hoax. Nothing that you put in your status message will change the policies you agree to when you sign up for an online service.

In Apple news, iPhone owners can use Siri in some Chevy cars next year, with Chevy MyLink. And the new iMac all-in-one desktops will be on sale Friday.

And … Read more

Sonic screwdriver toothbrush gives you a timeless smile

Jelly babies have a way of getting stuck in your teeth, no matter what planet you're from. Scrub them out of there with an officially licensed Doctor Who sonic screwdriver toothbrush.

The $20 electric toothbrush looks like something you'd find next to the sink in the Doctor's bathroom, though we never actually see the bathrooms in the Tardis. It runs on one AA battery and comes with a spare head.… Read more

Sonic screwdriver remote lets you Time Lord over your TV

The Doctor's impressive arsenal of technology is known to be finicky. The TARDIS, in particular, seems to have a mind of its own. Now imagine his sonic screwdriver is on the fritz and can only do one thing: operate a TV. You can have that sonic screwdriver.

The Sonic Screwdriver Programmable TV Remote at ThinkGeek is a note-perfect replica of the tool used by the latest Doctor, played by Matt Smith on the BBC.

The sci-fi magic happens when you use the remote's gesture-based command system. Rotate the sonic screwdriver for volume. Change channels with the flick of a wrist. It can also store up to 39 remote control codes to handle all the devices in your entertainment system.… Read more

Tag team with Tails in Sonic 4 Episode II

Sonic 4 Episode II for Android looks and plays just like the old platform Sonic the Hedgehog games we're used to, minus the tangible game controllers, of course. Still, with a virtual directional pad and jump button flanking the sides of your touch screen, running around and snatching up rings is just as fun as before. The game settings also let you turn on haptic feedback or switch to tilt control if you prefer.

In this follow-up to Sonic 4 Episode I, Sonic teams up with his old buddy Tails, bringing an array of new partnered attacks into the … Read more

Freeware Friday: Retro remixed

There once existed a land where DLC (downloadable content) didn't exist and games came on cartridges. The Freeware Crew frequently reminisces about those golden days and we've dug up three titles to bring them back to life on your PC. Check out these 16-bit tributes and kiss your weekend goodbye. … Read more

Nokia's Plan B: Patent litigation

Just a few short months ago, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop and HTC CEO Peter Chou sat next to each on a panel to discuss their mutual respect for each other and shared optimism over the Windows Phone platform.

Now, the two are poised to duke it out in the courtroom.

Nokia said today that it had filed lawsuits against HTC, Research in Motion, and ViewSonic, claiming that each has illegally used 45 of its patents relating to all manner of wireless technology.

The quick about-face by Nokia underscores the company's willingness to look for new sources of revenue beyond … Read more

Relive video game history with epic 'Go right'

YouTube user RockeyPlanetesimal's "Go right" video might send you dashing down memory lane with its array of clips of beloved game characters running for their lives.

The beautiful montage of video game history, infused with dramatic music, shows off many popular games from past and present. As an enhancement to the experience, the footage appears self-shot, giving it a much livelier feel. … Read more

Car audio at the New York auto show

I went to the New York International Auto Show with just one thing on my mind: car audio. Like many New Yorkers, I don't own a car, so this was my chance to sample a wide range of premium car audio systems in everything from Smart cars to Rolls-Royces. For the most part, generic car audio or famous name-brand systems like Bose and Mark Levinson sounded thick and muddy. Not one was up to the standards of a decent home hi-fi system. They played loud and had lots of bass, but even the most expensive car systems at the … Read more