Gadgets

Turns out Verizon's Galaxy S3 isn't global ready after all

When the Galaxy S3 came to Verizon last June, those who wanted to use it globally were promised that feature would come after launch. It did, in January, six months later. But customers remain frustrated that their supposedly global-ready phones can't do data outside the U.S.

The issue is that despite the upgrade in January allowing Verizon Galaxy S3s to accept SIM cards from non-U.S. carriers, there's no way to establish a data connection on those phones through non-U.S. carriers.

In technical talk, you can't create the needed APN (Access Point Name). As one … Read more

How the humble light projector supercharges your tech

With the flick of a switch and a flash of green light, a network of veins springs to the fore, mapped out just below the surface of the skin. This is no medical lab -- it's a darkened suite inside San Francisco's designer Clift Hotel -- but I already see how the recent sting of a donation nurse thumping the inside of both elbows in search of a vein could, and should, be a nervy, time-consuming thing of the past.

The VeinViewer Flex isn't new. In fact, the first generation of VeinViewer debuted in 2006. But its use of infrared light to illuminate a hidden network within the body is seldom appreciated outside of medical circles.

Light, it turns out, and the projectors that channel it, can do quite a bit.… Read more

Government competition brings best of British mobile innovation to MWC

Along with the latest smartphone releases from Nokia, LG and more, this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, will play host to 20 of Britain's most innovative mobile companies thanks to the Smart U.K. competition.

The competition -- organized in association with U.K. government body U.K. Trade and Investment (UKTI) -- saw over 60 British-based companies enter, which was narrowed down to 20 by an expert judging panel. All 20 will be given entry to Mobile World Congress by UKTI -- although they'll have to pay for their own flights and accommodation -- … Read more

Apple and the iWatch conundrum

Ever since the sixth-generation iPod Nano, lots of people have thought that Apple making its own branded watch is not merely a smart potential move but simply a matter of time. No matter what some have recently argued, I doubt, however, that today's Apple is hungry enough to create the fabled iWatch device.… Read more

Motorola Electrify M getting Jelly Bean jolt

If you own a Motorola Electrify M on U.S. Cellular, a sweet treat is coming your way soon. The svelte device will receive access to an Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update starting February 12.

A close cousin to the Motorola Droid Razr M on Verizon, the Electrify M features the same 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus processor, 8GB of internal storage, and a 4.3-inch AMOLED (960x540 pixels) screen.

Also like the Razr M, the Electrify M offers a speedy 4G LTE data connection plus an 8-megapixel camera that captures 1080p HD video. Weighing just under … Read more

Charge your phone with a cold beer

The Epiphany One Puck may well be the world's most awesome coaster. It may also be the most useful. The One Puck doesn't just protect your coffee table from drink sweat, it also charges up your smartphone.

You don't have to plug the Puck into an outlet. It uses a small Stirling engine to provide the power. The device has two sides, one red and one blue. Place a hot drink on the red side, or a cold drink on the blue side.

Stirling engines have been around since the 1800s. They work by turning heat disparities into energy. Epiphany Labs has built a working prototype of its One Puck, though the company is still vague on just how long it takes for the device to charge up a phone. There are a lot of variables at play, including how hot or cold the source is.… Read more

Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper Food Processor lends a hand

Cooking is an action sport. Oh sure, there are plenty of options for those who go the less dynamic route, but when it comes to prepping ingredients, activity is usually necessary. Certainly kitchen gadgets do their best to make life easier for those who choose to chop, slice, and dice, yet still there usually remains a need for direct involvement from the chef. Sometimes, however, it is the smallest of features on a gadget or appliance that lends the biggest hand.

The Hamilton Beach 70730 Bowl Scraper Food Processor ($49.99) is like having a third (blade-proof) hand in the … Read more

How we test: Cell phones

From the most basic handsets to ultra-advanced smartphones that are essentially pocket computers, mobile phones are complex devices. They reach out to the cloud, surf the Internet, play music, run countless apps, connect to social-networking services, are messaging masters, and, yes, they even make voice calls. … Read more

5 consequences of Dell's $24.4 billion deal to go private

Dell's $24.4 billion deal to go private is a sign of the times. The PC market is collapsing, Microsoft is trying to save it, and the IPO isn't what it used to be.

The company is about to get a major transformation. Once the deal is completed (with a $2 billion loan from Microsoft as part of the financing), it will be owned by Silver Lake Partners and Dell founder Michael Dell. But what exactly does going private mean for the company? What impact will it have on the markets?

Here are a few potential consequences of … Read more

The beverage pitcher that works for you

Not all kitchen gadgets are gleaming devices shimmering with moving parts. Sometimes, utility is provided by something just sitting there minding its own business. Take tea, for example: not much goes on while it steeps. Another example might be ice chilling down a beverage. Finally in a trifecta of passivity, infusions require little more than placing a bunch of sliced fruits, herbs, and whatnot into a liquid. Considering the simplicity involved, it only makes sense that there would be one kitchen helper designed to do all three of these tasks.

The Primula Flavor It Beverage System 3-in-1 Infuser Pitcher, which … Read more