summer

Top 5 vacation gadgets

Ah, vacation. For someone as consumed with technology as I am, the concept of "getting away from it all" almost certainly includes getting away from my gadgets.

That said, I've also had enough vacations to know that there are times when having the right technology can really iron out the wrinkles of the less-than-thrilling parts of your trip, and make the best parts all the more memorable.

So here's my take on five must-have technologies to bring with you on vacation, along with a healthy dose of moderation.

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The 404 1,132: Where we're waiting in line for the iPhone Whatever (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Apple lines are party time...for a night or two.

- Everpurse fashionably charges smartphones.

- Google Maps shows how we spent our summer vacations.

- Missouri University correlates social-media success to self-esteem.

Bathroom break video: Remote-control rat pranks New Yorkers.… Read more

Low Latency No. 31: Tweets straight from the judge's table

It seems die-hard Olympics fans hate the Internet now that results are posted instantaneously. The drama that prime-time coverage can usually deliver is somewhat dampened by the fact that a list of winners is readily available quicker than the time it takes to turn on a TV.

Even if you casually browse a site like Twitter, you're bound to accidentally uncover some breaking news from the Summer Games. Come to think of it, it's probably harder to shield yourself from the news than it is to find it out. … Read more

Apple Glasses and the OUYA/OnLive deal

Does Apple have some glasses of its own? We're about to find out:

Is Apple finally readying a game controller? The company released the patent information for one it filed back in March that shows what looks exactly like a PlayStation 3 DualShock controller communicating with an iPhone. The controller will work with iPads and Apple TV as well using NFC communication. Now don't go throwing out your PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 just yet. There's no way to know if this will actually ever see the light of day because there have been plenty of Apple … Read more

The 404 1,095: Where we hang onto the bar (podcast)

Last week's show with the Sleep Doctor Michael Breus answered a lot of questions about how to stop snoring and sleep better, and Dr. Breus generously donated a Renew Sleep Clock to give away. The contest starts today, so head over to our 404 SubReddit and tell us about your craziest dream for a chance to win!… Read more

Cheap portable drives (summer 2012)

Subscribe: RSS (SD) RSS (HD) iTunes (SD) iTunes (HD) While everyone has become distracted with storing their data in "the cloud," portable drives have been quietly evolving. Today's crop of bus-powered portable drives offer unbelievably compact designs, terrabytes of capacity, and blazing fast USB 3.0 speeds that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

The best news is that there are several great portable drive options out there under $100. CNET Senior Editor Dong Ngo has an ongoing roundup of them over on CNET's Crave blog. I asked him to rank his current … Read more

Steam summer sale starts now

In the PC-gaming world, one sale each year electrifies the community to spend, spend, and spend some more: the Steam summer sale.

Aside from thousands of discounted games, some interesting bundles and featured offers appear right up a spendthrift's alley. The summer sale offers daily deals, multiple random flash sales, and a unique community choice vote where voters choose on the next heavily discounted game (which revolves every eight hours). … Read more

Exclusively for CNET Members: Get ready for your summer road trip with great savings from Accessory Genie

Hitting the road this summer? Before you go, make sure to stop by today's CNET Exclusives page and stock up on tech gadgets to make your trip more entertaining! Accessory Genie is offering five products at 50 percent off. Buy them all, or pick and chose from our excellent selection.

I recently borrowed my dad's car for a 4-hour road trip up to Cape Cod -- yeah, right where that guy in a kayak got chased by a great white shark last week -- and about 5 minutes in I realized he didn't have a jack for … Read more

Top 5 Android smartphones (summer 2012)

Subscribe: RSS (SD) RSS (HD) iTunes (SD) iTunes (HD) There's never been a better time to buy an Android smartphone. Device manufacturers such as Samsung, HTC, LG, and Motorola are at the top of their game, pushing the limits of screen quality, battery life, and design.

CNET always keeps an up-to-date list of the best Android smartphones, and it's a list that sees a lot of turnover. But as smartphone manufacturers gear up for their iPhone 5 retaliation this fall, I figured it would be a good time to take a snapshot of the best Android smartphones for … Read more

Free summer travel apps for iOS

Summer is here in the northern hemisphere and many probably already have their vacation plans set for a short getaway to enjoy the weather. But if you haven't made any plans yet, I've gathered up some highly rated apps to help you get out of town.

This week's collection of apps will help you plan the perfect trip. The first is a popular app that checks for the best flights to your chosen destination and looks for the best deals. The second will help you find the best food in your location once you get there. The third is a mapping and guide app that lets you download the information so you'll never get lost -- even when you have no connection on your iPhone.… Read more