Top-rated reviews of the week (photos)
Here are a few of CNET Reviews' favorite items from the past week, including the iPhone 4, Motorola Droid X, and the RIM BlackBerry Bold 9650.
Apple iPhone 4
Here's our weekly roundup of the new products CNET reviewers liked best.
Apple iPhone 4 (AT&T)
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: The iPhone 4 offers enhanced performance, a lovely new display, and an improved design. It also adds a ton of sorely needed features, both by itself and through the iOS 4 update.
The bad: Multitasking entails some trade-offs, and home screen folders are limited to 12 apps. AT&T reception continues to be spotty.
The bottom line: With iPhone 4, Apple again shows that it is a powerful player in the smartphone wars. It won't be for everyone, and AT&T remains a sticking point, but the handset's striking design, loaded feature set, and satisfying performance make it the best iPhone yet.
G-Tech G-Drive Mobile
G-Tech G-Drive Mobile (500GB)
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: Supports FireWire 400/800 and USB 2.0; generous three-year warranty; modern design; formatted for Mac OS (HFS+ with journaling); rapid transfer speeds.
The bad: Competition offers built-in backup software at no extra cost.
The bottom line: The G-Tech G-Drive Mobile's Mac-friendly formatting, triple interface design, and snappy throughput performance make it a worthwhile storage solution for Apple users.
Read CNET's full review
Price range: $149.99
Motorola Droid X (Verizon Wireless)
Motorola Droid X (Verizon Wireless)
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: The Motorola Droid X boasts a gorgeous 4.3-inch touch screen and great multimedia features like an 8-megapixel camera with HD video capture, HDMI output, and DLNA support. The smartphone can also be used as a mobile hot spot.
The bad: Camera is a bit sluggish. Motoblur software is a lot better but still not quite as refined as HTC Sense. Lacks a front-facing camera.
The bottom line: The Motorola Droid X makes another fine addition to Verizon's Android family, bringing with it a rich multimedia experience and more connectivity features.
Read CNET's full review
Price: $199.99 with a two-year contract and after a $100 mail-in rebate
Soundmatters FoxL v2
Soundmatters FoxL v2
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: Redesigned internal architecture improves Bluetooth audio quality compared with the first model; tough outer casing can take a beating; proprietary BassBattery delivers impressive low-end response; pairs easily with A2DP Bluetooth audio players.
The bad: Pricey.
The bottom line: The Soundmatters FoxL v2 Bluetooth portable speaker offers excellent sound in a compact candy-bar design and has the added benefit of phone conferencing using the built-in speakerphone. Despite its lofty price tag, the FoxL v2 is a simple, worthwhile device that lets you ditch wires and bring your music anywhere.
Read CNET's full review
Price: $200
Xbox 360 Slim
Xbox 360 Slim (250GB)
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: Sleeker design; 17 percent smaller; much quieter operation; better cooling; touch-sensitive power and disc tray; 250GB hard drive; built-in Wi-Fi; five USB ports; dedicated Kinect port; onboard optical digital audio.
The bad: The hard drive is still proprietary; controller on D-pad remains unchanged; cumbersome power block; renders existing faceplates useless; no HD gaming out of the box.
The bottom line: Though the new Xbox 360 certainly addresses most of the concerns we've had with the versions before it, we don't think it warrants a purchase if you already own an Xbox 360 in working order with an HDMI-out port and a hard drive.
Read CNET's full review
Price: $299.99
Aperion Signature SLIMstage30
Aperion Signature SLIMstage30
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: Sound bar home theater system; no AV receiver required; adequate bass output without subwoofer; solid sound quality even with two-channel music; can handle six total devices (three digital inputs, three analog).
The bad: No HDMI connectivity; relatively expensive; tons of adjustability can overwhelm home audio novices; no wireless subwoofer option.
The bottom line: The Aperion Signature SLIMstage30 costs more than most sound bar home theater systems and lacks HDMI connectivity, but it's one of the few sound bars that put out enough bass without a sub.
Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS
Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS (silver)
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: Very good low-light photo quality; nice lens; fast continuous shooting.
The bad: Most shooting modes buried in the menu system; fewer shooting options compared with similar competing models.
The bottom line: A bright, wide-angle lens and a high-sensitivity sensor add up to very good low-light photos and fast performance for the Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS.
LG Imprint MN240 (MetroPCS)
LG Imprint MN240 (MetroPCS)
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: The LG Imprint has an appealing, compact design; a spacious QWERTY keyboard; e-mail; and an onboard music player.
The bad: The 2.5mm headset jack isn't as convenient as a 3.5mm jack is, so those using the music player may need to purchase new headphones. Its photo quality is mediocre.
The bottom line: The LG Imprint's sturdy, attractive, and compact design, and roomy QWERTY keyboard make it a great introductory phone for texters.
Read CNET's full review
Price: $109
RIM BlackBerry Bold 9650 (Verizon Wireless)
RIM BlackBerry Bold 9650 (Verizon Wireless)
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: The RIM BlackBerry Bold 9650 adds Wi-Fi and double the onboard memory. The smartphone offers world-roaming capabilities and the SIM can be unlocked. Nice form factor.
The bad: BlackBerry browser is clunky to navigate and limited in functionality compared to others.
The bottom line: Verizon customers looking for a messaging smartphone with world roaming capabilities have a solid choice in the RIM BlackBerry Bold 9650.
Read CNET's full review
Price: $149.99
Samsung Rugby II SGH-A847 (AT&T)
Samsung Rugby II SGH-A847 (AT&T)
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: The Samsung Rugby II has a durable, comfortable design and a solid feature set. It builds on its predecessor by adding voice dialing and by performing better.
The bad: The Rugby II has a nonstandard headset jack and Samsung hides the memory card slot behind the phone's battery.
The bottom line: The Samsung Rugby II improves on its predecessor and delivers a functional, rugged phone with satisfying performance.