Top-rated reviews of the week (photos)
Here are a few of CNET Reviews' favorite items from the past week, including the BlackBerry Bold 9900, V-Moda for True Blood Revamp in-ear headphones, and the Microsoft Touch Mouse.
BlackBerry Bold 9900
Here's our weekly roundup of the new products CNET reviewers liked best.
BlackBerry Bold 9900 (T-Mobile)
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: The RIM BlackBerry Bold 9900 has a very polished design, with a svelte form factor, a sharp touch-screen display, and a wonderful QWERTY keyboard. Notable features include a 1.2GHz processor, the new BlackBerry OS 7, 720p HD video recording, and NFC support. Photo quality is excellent.
The bad: The BlackBerry Bold 9900's call quality is slightly flawed. It's also very expensive when compared with similar handsets.
The bottom line: BlackBerry enthusiasts will love the BlackBerry Bold 9900, but its high price tag will be a deterrent to many.
Jawbone Icon HD + The Nerd
Jawbone Icon HD + The Nerd (Denim)
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: The Jawbone Icon HD + The Nerd bundle lets you use the headset with any PC or Mac without a tedious Bluetooth pairing process. The Icon HD has a new high-definition wideband speaker, simultaneous A2DP multipoint capabilities, the ability to play and pause music, voice announcements, and other features.
The bad: The Jawbone Icon HD is currently available only as part of the Nerd bundle, which is rather pricey.
The bottom line: The Jawbone Icon HD is perfect for those who want an easy-to-pair headset that will work on any Bluetooth-enabled PC or phone.
Microsoft Touch Mouse
Microsoft Touch Mouse
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: The Microsoft Touch Mouse offers intuitive touch-based navigation that complements standard mousing in Windows 7.
The bad: At $80, this mouse is only for those who are the most curious about touch-based desktop or laptop computing.
The bottom line: We like the Microsoft Touch Mouse for its thoughtful, complementary gestures that simplify the experience of moving in and around Windows 7 applications.
V-Moda for True Blood Revamp in-ear headphones
V-Moda for True Blood Revamp in-ear headphones
Editors' rating: 4 out of 5
The good: The V-Moda for True Blood Revamp headphones feature subtle, classy "True Blood"-themed aesthetics and sport a tough metal earbud housing, Kevlar-reinforced cable, and a generous two-year manufacturer's warranty.
The bad: The single-button remote lacks volume controls for smartphone users and the headphones emit audible frequency interference when the cord rubs against clothing.
The bottom line: The True Blood Revamp headphones feature V-Moda's signature low-end boost suitable for "modern music audiophiles" and the durable metal components ensure long-term structural integrity.
Canon Pixma MG5320
Canon Pixma MG5320
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: Canon's new imaging suite with HD Movie Print, automatic photo filters, Pixma Cloud Link printing, and an integrated disc labeler all make the Canon Pixma MG5320 more useful for amateur photographers.
The bad: The printer lacks an Ethernet port for wired networking, and with no high-yield cartridges available, consumables can get pricey.
The bottom line: We recommend the Canon Pixma MG5320 and its photo-friendly features for amateur photographers shopping for a do-most-of-it imaging device, but the step-up Pixma MG6120 is a better fit for multiuser offices.
i.Sound Portable Power (16,000 mAh)
i.Sound Portable Power (16,000 mAh)
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: The i.Sound Portable Power Max battery can charge up to five USB items at once and has an onboard LED battery meter and LED flashlight. It's tiny enough to travel almost anywhere, and the included USB-to-Micro-/Mini-USB cable comes in very handy.
The bad: It's possible the device will lose its ability to hold a charge over time, but we didn't experience that in our testing. The USB ports are very close together, so items with a larger USB dongle frame may cover up other ports.
The bottom line: Lightweight, quick, and easy to use, the i.Sound Portable Power Max battery is a great way to keep your USB gadgets going when a wall charger isn't accessible.
Read CNET's full review
Starting at: $69.02
i.Sound also released an 8,000 mAh version, which you can find here.
Lenovo IdeaPad S205
Lenovo IdeaPad S205
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: The Lenovo IdeaPad S205 has a typically excellent Lenovo keyboard and a sharp design that belies its budget origins.
The bad: The touch pad is on the small side, and the same components can be found for a little less if you shop around. The system also includes a surprising amount of adware.
The bottom line: Combining AMD's excellent ultraportable Fusion platform with Lenovo's consumer-friendly IdeaPad designs, the S205 is a solid, if unexciting, 11-inch laptop ideal for on-the-go Web surfing.
LG 50PZ950 plasma TV
LG 50PZ950
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: The LG PZ950 series evinced excellent color in bright and dark areas, along with the even screen uniformity of plasma. The Smart TV Internet portal is well-designed with a solid selection of streaming services, and LG includes a Wi-Fi dongle. The secondary motion-sensitive remote provides a cool, easy-to-use control option. We appreciated the one-sheet-of-glass styling.
The bad: This plasma reproduces light black levels and its screen handles bright rooms worse than other TVs. It showed mediocre 3D performance. Smart TV lacks Pandora, and its search is next to useless.
The bottom line: Although blessed with solid features, design, and performance, the LG PZ950 series can't match the excellent picture quality of other plasmas in its price range.
LG Revere
LG Revere (Verizon Wireless)
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: The LG Revere is a compact and lightweight flip phone with features like a 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, mobile e-mail, and the ability to upload pictures to Facebook. Call quality is very good, and the Revere is very affordable.
The bad: The LG Revere doesn't have the best photo quality, and social networking features are rudimentary at best.
The bottom line: The LG Revere is a no-frills entry-level handset for Verizon Wireless customers who just want to make calls and not much else.
Zvox Z-Base 555
Zvox Z-Base 555
Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5
The good: The Zvox Z-Base 555's pedestal design is our favorite sound bar form factor, looking more like furniture than home audio equipment. Zvox has also added several oft-requested features, including a front-panel display, digital audio inputs and true input switching. The Z-Base 555 also excels at dialogue clarity, with several adjustment options to dial in the sound to your liking.
The bad: The Z-Base 555's overall sound quality won't impress audiophiles, especially on music and dynamic action movies. And at $400, you're paying a premium over other budget sound bars, although their design isn't nearly as nice.
The bottom line: The Zvox Z-Base 555 has a nearly perfect sound-bar design and a solid feature set, but it won't please critical listeners.