X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Welcome to a Windows 8 world

Windows 8 goes on sale, the first iPad Mini shipments are delayed, and it's time to prep your tech for Hurricane Sandy.

Bridget Carey Principal Video Producer
Bridget Carey is an award-winning reporter who helps you level-up your life -- while having a good time geeking out. Her exclusive CNET videos get you behind the scenes as she covers new trends, experiences and quirky gadgets. Her weekly video show, "One More Thing," explores what's new in the world of Apple and what's to come. She started as a reporter at The Miami Herald with syndicated newspaper columns for product reviews and social media advice. Now she's a mom who also stays on top of toy industry trends and robots. (Kids love robots.)
Expertise Consumer technology, Apple, Google, Samsung, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, social media, mobile, robots, future tech, immersive technology, toys, culture Credentials
  • Bridget has spent over 18 years as a consumer tech reporter, hosting daily tech news shows and writing syndicated newspaper columns. She's often a guest on national radio and television stations, including ABC, CBS, CNBC and NBC.
See full bio
Bridget Carey
2 min read

Friday's CNET Update is charging the backup batteries:

Watch this: Welcome to a Windows 8 world

Today's tech news roundup has a storm of new tech, and the tech you need in a storm.

The initial preorder supply of white Wi-Fi iPad Minis were claimed in less than a half hour of it going on sale Friday morning. As of Friday afternoon, the black Wi-Fi models were still promising a delivery date of Nov. 2. White models ordered now won't be shipped for two weeks. Some of the first people to buy a 4G iPad Mini are seeing a delivery date of Nov. 23.

Windows 8 has arrived, and Microsoft stores are seeing long lines of customers interested in the Surface tablet. Will you be upgrading or buying a new computer? Did you already make the leap? Send a video using the Tout app, or send an e-mail to share your thoughts about the new system and your upgrade experiences. Your comments may be featured on the show.

With Windows 8 also comes SmartGlass, an app that ties an Xbox with a PC or tablet running Windows RT or Windows 8.

Photos of the Nexus 10 tablet -- as well as photos taken with the tablet -- have been posted online. Google is expected to unveil this tablet at a Monday event, along with an Android update and a Nexus smartphone.

Join CNET's live coverage of Google's Android event: Monday, 7 a.m. PT

And if you're in the path of the "Frankenstorm" Hurricane Sandy, now's the time to prep your tech. Don't get caught unprepared if there's a power outage in your neighborhood. You can find phone cases with a built-in backup battery or a solar panel for re-charging. You can also buy an external backup battery that can be used for multiple gadgets. One such portable battery is made by Monoprice. A car charger is also handy if the power is out for several days.

If you're having trouble getting a call to connect in an emergency, send a text message instead. Text messages will have better luck getting through a busy network. In the end, you can't count on your cellphone to be reliable. A transistor radio and pack of batteries can be your best friend during an extended outage. It's also smart to backup important documents to a cloud storage service, since a computer could be damaged by water from a leak or flood.

Watch CNET Update in the video above, or subscribe to the podcast via the links below.

Subscribe:

iTunes (HD) | iTunes (SD) | iTunes (HQ)

RSS (HD) | RSS (SD) | RSS (HQ)