hub

Samsung deserved the attention it received last week at CTIA for introducing its Galaxy S. The Android smartphone is pretty and powerful, but we still don't know a lot about Social Hub, one of its central features.

Social Hub is Samsung's answer to Motorola's  MotoBlur and Sony Ericsson's Timescape (see our Xperia X10 review for more on Timescape). Social Hub promises to integrate your e-mail, text messages, calendars, and social networking feeds into a steady stream of communication. You'll also get combined work and personal calendars and a unified e-mail in-box.

Social Hub sounds … Read more

At long last, the Zune Phone is here. Microsoft isn't calling it that--apparently it thought the name Windows Phone 7 Series rolled off the tongue a bit more easily--but the next generation of Microsoft's smartphone software not only features the entire Zune HD software and services experience (just like the iPod became a component of the iPhone), but the entire user interface itself bears a close resemblance to the Zune HD.

To be clear, Microsoft isn't building the hardware like it did with Zune--rather, partners like HTC, LG, and Samsung will do that work. But a lot of what the company learned from several iterations of Zune design has been rolled into its mobile platform.

Microsoft introduced Windows Phone 7 Series Monday morning at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, and there's a lot to wrap your head around. I'll leave the full rundown to others at CNET, but one of the most interesting aspects is the way Microsoft seems to be trying to get rid of the notion of "apps," which have become the iPhone's calling card and are widely imitated by every other smart phone OS out there.

I don't mean that Windows Phone 7 Series phones won't support third-party applications--of course they will. But you won't interact with those applications by selecting a specific icon, opening an app, doing whatever you want to do, then closing it and moving on to something else. … Read more

eBay beat Wall Street's expectations, reporting a net income of $585 million, or 44 cents per share, for the fourth quarter, a 9 percent jump over the same quarter a year ago. Revenue for the quarter was $2.4 billion, up 16 percent increase from a year ago. Analysts had expected earnings of 40 cents per share on sales of $2.29 billion. (Statement - PDF)

For the full year, eBay reported net income of $2.1 billion, or $1.58 per share, on sales of $8.7 billion. Analysts had been expecting an eps of $1.54 on … Read more

If your laptop pulls double duty as a desktop, do yourself a favor and invest in a full-size mouse and keyboard. While you're at it, a good laptop stand is mighty nice to have, too.

Logitech's Cordless Desktop S520/Alto Connect bundle normally sells for $99.99, but you can get it for $39.99 shipped (with coupon code logi_s520b_11510). Smokin'!

The Cordless Desktop S520 consists of a wireless keyboard and a laser mouse. It's a basic, no-frills set that's nicely suited for desktop use. CNET gave it 3.5 stars out of five it its … Read more

Sure, we really like the PS3 Slim's brand new-sleek design, but unfortunately some pre-existing PS3 accessories don't play nicely with the console's updated form factor. To fix this, Nyko has revamped most of the company's PS3 accessory lineup for the Slim and improved on the Media Hub in the process.

The Media Hub Slim doubles the system's amount of USB ports to four and adds an SD card reader slot as well. The unit fits snugly under the front left lip of the console and plugs into both of the Slim's existing USB ports. … Read more

When USB 3.0 was demonstrated by Intel last year, I was really excited. Now the wait is really over.

The VIA group unveiled Monday the world's first USB 3.0 Hub Controller, the VIA VL810 SuperSpeed. This is the industry's first integrated single-chip solution that supports the higher transfer rates of the new USB 3.0 specification.

And here's the reason why I've been so excited: USB 3.0 (aka SuperSpeed USB, as opposed to the HighSpeed USB or USB 2.0) allows for a maximum data transfer rate of up to 5Gbps, which is … Read more

It must have been quite the unwanted holiday gift: CNET has learned that there's a new lawsuit on the table against Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, the identical twins who alleged that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg stole their code and business plan--and who will be prominent supporting characters in the forthcoming film "The Social Network."

Now, a former partner of the twins claims in the suit that he was shut out of ConnectU's own business and is owed a part of the settlement it recovered from the Facebook suit.

The court complaint obtained by CNET, filed December … Read more

Earlier this year, Verizon stepped into the Voice over IP business with the Verizon Hub, which had far loftier ambitions than simply replacing your landline.

With weather and time widgets, a calendar system, traffic information, a family bulletin board, and even support for streaming video clips from V Cast, the Verizon Hub promised to be a one-stop-shop communications center for your home. We admit we were intrigued when we heard about it, and we even thought it had quite a bit of promise in our review of the device.

Unfortunately, the Verizon Hub just wasn't successful. The hardware was … Read more

HP on Monday introduced the HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web, believed to be the world's first Web-connected printer with a touch screen. I had a chance to get an exclusive look at the new device, and I'm really impressed with HP's effort to reinvigorate the printer as the central hub in the digital home.

The Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web is poised to become HP's flagship printer when it's released in September. It's got all the common features we now expect to find in an HP Photosmart All-in-One, including printer/fax/copier/scanner, USB 2.0, 802.11b/g/n wireless, Ethernet, Bluetooth connectivity, HP's paper feed technology that automatically senses the size of media needed to a complete a job, five individual ink cartridges, and the ability to print screenshots directly from a PlayStation 3.

The real crowning feature, however, is the TouchSmart Web control panel that lets users connect to the Web and use custom apps from services like Fandango, Google, and Coupons Inc.

The massive 4.33-inch LCD touch screen is by far the largest display I've ever seen on a printer, and it's not just for looks--it actually has a purpose.… Read more