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- 20 things we'd change about OpenOffice.org
- Review: Lenovo G560
- Tutorial: PC won't boot up? How to find out why
- Review: Dell Inspiron M5030
- Review: Acer Aspire 5336
- Review Roundup: This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar
- Review Roundup: This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar
- In pictures: Apple mania hits as iPad 2 goes on sale
- In pictures: Apple mania hits as iPad 2 goes on sale
- In pictures: Apple mania hits as iPad 2 goes on sale
- Hands on: Google Chrome OS netbook review
- Hands on: Google Chrome OS netbook review
- Hands on: Google Chrome OS netbook review
- Review: Panasonic TX-L42E30B
- Review: Panasonic TX-L42E30B
- Review: Panasonic TX-L42E30B
- Limewire owes us $75 trillion, says music industry
- Limewire owes us $75 trillion, says music industry
- Limewire owes us $75 trillion, says music industry
- Latest mobile phones 2011: hottest handsets reviewed
- Latest mobile phones 2011: hottest handsets reviewed
- Latest mobile phones 2011: hottest handsets reviewed
- Hands on: EchoStar SlingLoaded HDS-600RS review
- Hands on: EchoStar SlingLoaded HDS-600RS review
- Hands on: EchoStar SlingLoaded HDS-600RS review
| 20 things we'd change about OpenOffice.org Posted: 26 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PDT  OpenOffice.org is a huge lumbering beast. Don't get us wrong, we like it in principle and the practice is steadily getting better, but there's still room for improvement. Here are 20 things we'd change about it to make it better. 01. Improve the loading speed This is almost a standing joke, but OpenOffice.org does take a while to load. It isn't a big issue when you're spending a fair amount of time on one document, but the delay is annoying when you just want to open an email attachment or make a quick change. 02. Learn to celebrate its differences An alternative program doesn't have to look like its competitors. For instance, Firefox is used as an alternative to Internet Explorer even though, or perhaps because, it doesn't look and feel like Microsoft's browser. OpenOffice.org could follow this example and promote itself as a genuine competitor to Word – one that's better because it's proud to be different, instead of following Microsoft's lead so closely. 03. Implement grammar checking It's inconceivable for a word processor to be released without a spellchecker these days, so why is it that OpenOffice.org is still unable to check for even the most basic of grammatical errors in our text? It's not about getting the software to write for you – a check is really helpful when your brain outruns your fingers. 04. More modular loading Part of the problem with OpenOffice.org's loading speed is that it tries to load too much. If you load a document for word processing, you probably won't need all of the features provided and you certainly don't want them all immediately. What's more, it's highly unlikely you'll need other office components at the same time, so why waste time and resources loading so much up front? 05. The name It may be a little unfair to criticise this now, but the name is rather geeky. Yes, we know the developers would rather have called it Open Office, but that name was already trademarked in a few countries. We also accept that we're stuck with it for now, but a little more effort early on could have resulted in a better moniker (and we don't mean LibreOffice). 06. Give OOo better competition This may sound odd, but OpenOffice.org really needs some strong competition. Nothing focuses developers on improving their product like another one doing the job better. For instance, KOffice answers so many of the criticisms levelled at OpenOffice.org, but it's just not as good at the core tasks. If it were, it would be a real wake-up call for OpenOffice.org. 07. PDF importing OpenOffice.org boasts a PDF-importing extension, but all it does is import a PDF page as a single image into Draw. Note to developers: if you're going to claim your program has PDF importing capabilities, please do try to make them more useful. Even simple editing and re-exporting as a PDF would be a big step forward, especially when you need to complete PDF forms. 08. The overall image What is OpenOffice.org? Is it an office suite for people who are too cheap to buy a 'proper' one from Microsoft? Or is it a powerful set of programs in its own right? It should be seen as the latter, but too many people view it only as a second-rate alternative that's justified by the price alone. This needs to be improved, even though changing people's perceptions isn't easy. 09. Faster loading speeds Did we mention this already? It seems that one or two users are bothered by OpenOffice.org's lengthy startup times, so maybe someone could have a look? Incidentally, a built-from-source installation on Gentoo gets going noticeably faster than the pre-built binaries from OpenOffice.org, so eking out more speed is possible. 10. Integration Desktop integration is improving, but an OpenOffice.org window can still look like an interloper on your beautifully homogeneous desktop. We reckon OpenOffice.org is still generally better than the native alternatives on either of the main desktops – it just needs to look more like it belongs. 11. Building from source Yes, binaries are available, but this is an open source project, so we should be able to compile the source. Yet building OpenOffice.org from source can be a tricky process, one that can progress for a couple of hours and then fail because the wind is blowing in the wrong direction. Sure, it's much faster than it used to be, but the fragility of the build process makes us a little nervous about the end result. 12. Cross-application cut and paste Why can't we select some cells on Calc and then paste the contents into Writer as text? It's another curious omission from OOo's feature list. Crazy as it may sound, though, we don't always want an OLE object embedded in a letter; sometimes we just want a table of numbers that can be edited after pasting. 13. Keep it simple It seems that if there are two ways of doing something, OpenOffice.org always goes for the most complex. OK, so the most complex is often also the most flexible, but this is supposed to be productivity software. The fastest, easiest option is often the most productive. At least give the user a choice in these cases, eh? 14. More extensions One of the strengths of Firefox, another beacon of the open source community, is that there are thousands of extensions available for it. OpenOffice.org comes with just three and less than 150 are available for downloading from the project's website. That's a shame, because a greater set of useful extensions would give OpenOffice.org a real edge over the competition. 15. Improve macro recording
Computers are supposed to make life easier by automating repetitive tasks, which is what macros help you do. So why is recording and using macros such a fiddly and error-prone process? A Record and a Playback button on the toolbar should be all that's needed for simple macro use, complementing the more complex usage that's currently supported. 16. Fix some bugs OpenOffice.org's issue tracker (does calling them issues instead of bugs make them seem like less of a problem?) currently has around 14,500 open defect reports. Many of these are small problems, but that's still a lot of bugs – sorry, issues. What's more, there are also 9,500 feature and enhancement requests. 17. Pop-up help What OpenOffice.org really needs to succeed in the modern office environment is an irritating animated character that pops up from time to time with tangentially helpful advice or annoying questions. If there's one thing we have learned in the 21st century, it's that true productivity isn't possible without such a character. Why else would companies prefer to spend thousands on Microsoft Office instead of OpenOffice.org? 18. Better extension management Simply making extensions possible, or even available to the user, is not enough. OpenOffice.org needs a decent extension manager where we can browse, search and install extensions from the range available, not just a dialog that asks for an extension file. 19. Not everything Before you get the idea that this is a heartless tirade against OpenOffice.org, there's a lot we wouldn't change about the suite. Frustrations in bad software are easy to cope with – simply switch to a better program – but when the software is basically good, the annoyances are amplified. Recent versions have been much improved, but there's still a long way to go. 20. Faster loading We've probably mentioned this before, but it's so easy to lose your train of thought while waiting for the program to load. This change really is a must. 
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| Posted: 26 Mar 2011 03:30 AM PDT  Lenovo has hit the mark once again with its excellent G560. Boasting impressive usability and performance, this is one of the best laptops we've seen at this price point, and its few small quirks don't detract from an excellent overall user experience. This laptop is such a success because it gets the basics right. The keyboard is fantastic, providing a crisp and firm action that will suit those that need a computer for typing essays or reports, or inputting data. It's just a shame that the Control (Ctrl) key has been indented one space and replaced by the Function (Fn) key, although we found we eventually got used to this. A dedicated numeric keypad has been included, but it's a little cramped due to the large keys employed in the main keyboard. Similarly, the directional keys are very close together and those with large fingers might struggle at first. The 15.6-inch screen is beaten by the MSI CR620-643uk, but that's only due to the latter's excellence. This display is still impressive, providing a great deal of detail thanks to the 1366 x 768-pixel resolution, and both colour vibrancy and brightness are excellent. If you want your photos and movies to look their best, then the G560 does a more than competent job. Solid chassis The machine's chassis is built from black plastic and there's virtually no flexibility in the panels, so the laptop will survive a bit of rough treatment on road. A cross-hatch pattern – similar to that used on the Acer but finer – has been implemented, though it's still quite a dull laptop to look at. The machine is powered by a Core i3 350M processor, from one of Intel's latest generation of chips. Performance is almost identical to that of the MSI, but miles ahead of the Acer and Dell. This allows you to run even resource intensive applications such as photo editing software with little problem, as well as everyday programs.
The integrated Intel GMA HD graphics card is also suitably powerful, so you can stream HD movies via the internet and even carry out some basic video editing; perfect for all you wannabe James Cameron's out there. Benchmarks Battery life: 201 minutes Features include Lenovo's VeriFace software, which uses the webcam to recognise your face and let you access the laptop – great for the security conscious. The 250GB of storage is a little stingy, though, and the lack of an HDMI port for hooking up to an external HDTV or monitor is a shame. Similarly, the 201-minute battery life will be constricting for those who spend a lot of time on the road. Ultimately, though, these issues don't ruin what is a fantastic overall computing experience, and the usability and power on offer here make the Lenovo G560 a worthy Gold award winner. Related Links
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| Tutorial: PC won't boot up? How to find out why Posted: 26 Mar 2011 03:00 AM PDT  You press the power button and your PC won't boot up. What do you do next? Don't write it off just yet. The first thing to do when faced with a PC that won't start up is remain calm. They're modular devices, and it's likely that a single component among many is the culprit. Fixing or replacing that component should bring your machine back to life. The trick is finding out which one it is. We recommend a systematic approach to the problem, starting with observation, moving on to elimination and ending in diagnosis and treatment. Don't worry, you won't need a degree in engineering to fix a poorly PC. The process will probably be much easier than you expect. We'll take you through a troubleshooting procedure that should help you fix the majority of near-fatal hardware faults. In many cases, you won't need a great deal of technical know-how to get your PC working again. PC power problems There are many reasons why your computer might fail to start. Let's have a look at the possibilities, one probable scenario at a time. The first sounds like the worst, but could actually be one of the easiest to diagnose. You switch on your computer and nothing happens. No lights, no fans, no drives whirring into life and, crucially, no POST (Power On System Test) beep. Somewhere in the chain, power isn't getting through. Work your way through this checklist. Unplug all peripherals except the keyboard, mouse and monitor, and make sure these are connected correctly. Check the obvious possibilities: make sure that your power cable is fitted correctly, the mains is switched on at the plug and the power switch is on at your computer. If you're using an extension cord or multiblock, take those out of the chain and plug your PC's power cable directly into the mains socket. You should also try a spare kettle lead if you have one, in case a break in the cable is responsible.
THE BASICS: The PC itself may not be at fault. Check your fusebox first, along with fuses in multiblocks and plugs Go to your main fuse box and check that all the fuses are still working. Check and replace the fuse in your computer's plug. Some PCs have a fuse in place before the Power Supply Unit, accessible near the power socket - you should replace that too. Only if you've eliminated all these possible weak links in the chain and your computer still refuses to power on should you move to the next stage. The power supply Problems with internal cabling are a common cause of power-on failure. Expansion caused by heat, movement in transit or a good old bump can dislodge connectors and cut power to your machine. Open your PC case and make sure that power cables, especially those connected to the motherboard, are firmly seated and in place. Also pay close attention to the cable that connects the power button on the front of the case to the motherboard. If you're not sure which one that is, check your motherboard manual.
PRESS FIRMLY: Unseated cables and cards can cause a host of problems, from POST errors to a machine that won't power on at all When you've done that, make sure your cards and memory are firmly seated too. Any dislodged cards could break the circuit in your machine, stopping it dead. Next, check the heatsink and fan protecting your CPU. Are they aligned correctly and securely? Check that the feet securing the fan to the motherboard are fixed and solid. Your machine may not start at all without a properly positioned and fitted heatsink. The diagnosis If, after all this tweaking and testing, your machine is still failing to power up correctly, you're looking at four potential issues. If you're lucky it'll be the PSU (power supply unit) or the power button. Why is that lucky? Because these issues are both fairly easy and cheap to rectify. There are two ways to verify a failed PSU. The existing PSU can be swapped out and another one tried in its stead. It's best if you can try one from an old PC you no longer use, to avoid unnecessary expense.
PSU TESTER: Using a PSU tester will enable you to determine if a faulty power supply is the problem The other approach is to buy a dedicated PSU tester. Maplin sells one for as little as £20, but considering a new 750-watt PSU costs around £30, it's only worth buying a specialised tester if you expect to continue testing power supply units in future. If a replacement PSU doesn't work, you might still have a power button problem. Again, cannibalising an old PC may be the best way to test your theory. The alternative is to search for and buy an ATX power switch on eBay. This should cost £3-5. If you have an itch to confirm your diagnosis first, Maplin stocks a tool you can use to test the switch for £5. Visit the site and search for 'Domestic multi meter'. If the switch is working, you'll be able to pass a current through it. If you've eliminated all the possibilities above and your machine still refuses to power on, then we're afraid that - finally - you're entering dead computer territory. It's likely that you have a fried motherboard or CPU, and a replacement - or a whole new computer - may be required. Listen to the beep You might encounter slightly different behaviour when your machine turns on. It may power up, beep, then hang indefinitely and seem to do nothing more. Careful diagnostics should be able to help you track down the component.
MOBO TESTER: You can make diagnosing POST errors easier by investing in a motherboard testing card The first clue will come from that start-up beep. We referred to the beep earlier as the Power On Self Test or POST beep. When your motherboard is powered up, it runs a diagnostic of the motherboard itself and the attached hardware. If all is well, you should hear a single short beep and your hard drive will whirr into life, booting the operating system. If the POST encounters a problem, you'll hear a different sequence of beeps. New hardware If you hear an unexpected beep sequence, it might be caused by several different things. If you've recently added new hardware to your PC - memory or a new video card, for example - there's a high likelihood that could be the problem. With the computer powered down, open the case and reseat all cables and cards. Any of them could have been nudged slightly or dislodged while you were fitting that new component. If you've ruled that out, try removing the new hardware component. If it's a component that the PC needs to run, like a video card, replace it with the old, previously working component. Close the case and switch it on. Is it still not working? It's likely that a component in your system is damaged. Time to research those beeps. Make a note of your BIOS manufacturer's name and note down the beep sequence. You may hear more than one short beep, or you may hear a more complex sequence. For example, a failure in the video system with Award BIOS may generate one long and two short beeps. You can find a comprehensive list of POST beep codes at BIOS Central. It'll help you narrow down the source of the error and decide whether to fix your machine or fling it in a skip. Graphics card failure Video cards are common failure points in modern systems, and when one goes it can make your system appear to be dead when it's working perfectly well. With powerful GPUs on board and many relying on passive cooling, they're prone to overheating or blowing if you experience a power surge. Diagnosing the POST beep will help you reach a swift conclusion, but there are other clues that can tell you if the video card is what's on the fritz. In many cases, your machine will complete its boot sequence and load the operating system. It could be waiting politely for you to enter your username and password.
HAND-ME-DOWNS: Most people have an old computer collecting dust, so re-use the components you can either for testing or for a new rig The problem is, you won't know that if the video's not working. Signs to look for are a POST beep that indicates video failure, drives powering up as normal, drive lights and power lights on the front of the system. We've had circumstances where, even though the video wasn't working, we were able to connect an affected computer to a network to retrieve data. This is handy if you need to access files quickly. The cure for such a problem is simple. Install a new video card. It doesn't have to be a fancy one to get the machine going again, so feel free to pull one out of an old PC if you can find one with compatible components. Drive failures are among the most frustrating computer problems. They can come back to haunt you again and again if you don't take the right step first time. With most drive failures, the boot sequence will complete. You may even get a clear POST test, with a single beep. After that, the OS loading sequence will help you determine how damaged a drive may be. If it fails to boot at all, think corrupt boot sector. If the operating system starts to load, then hangs or loops (restarts infinitely), there may be corrupted drivers, corrupt DLLs, Registry problems or a device conflict. If you haven't installed any new hardware recently and all your internal cards and cables are seated firmly, suspect software error. The first thing to do is retrieve as much important data as possible from the drive. That said, it always pays to install a new hard drive if drive corruption has been the problem. If your hard drive crashed hard enough to corrupt data, chances are it crashed hard enough to damage the disk. Even if you're able to wipe the old drive and reinstall Windows successfully, a little scratch might continue to cause problems, leading to multiple failures in the future. 
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| Posted: 26 Mar 2011 03:00 AM PDT  While there's nothing specifically wrong with Dell's Inspiron M5030, when compared to the excellent laptops from Lenovo and MSI at this price point it is hard to recommend. Nevertheless, the impressive battery life may be enough to convince those for whom portability is a requirement. General portability is great and, although the 2.6kg chassis is fractionally heavier than the other laptops, the 303-minute battery life is significantly better than the competition – giving you over an hour more power than the nearest rival. This will suit those who spend a lot of time on the move. The M5030 is one of the more attractive laptops, featuring a circular pattern that glints when it catches the light. Build quality is decent enough, but you'll need a laptop bag to ensure the machine's safety on the road. It's also worth noting that this is quite a chunky laptop; the Acer Aspire 5336-T353G32Mnkk is the slimmest at only 35mm. If you plan to carry your new laptop around in a slim sleeve, then the Dell will not be the ideal option for you.
Although not as bad as the Acer's, the 15.6-inch screen is still quite disappointing, providing surprisingly washed out images. If you plan to use the laptop for work this is unlikely to be a major problem, but film and multimedia enthusiasts should consider either the MSI CR620-643uk or Lenovo G560 instead, if you want to enjoy the best picture. Rattly keyboard The keyboard is functional but unexceptional. It also rattles as you type, so if you intend to use the laptop when studying or with your family this might put you (or them) off. The lack of a dedicated numeric keypad is also sure to disappoint those who regularly input data. When it comes to performance, the M5030's Intel Celeron processor doesn't prove as capable as the one used in the Acer Aspire 5336-T353G32Mnkk. Office work and web browsing won't be a problem for this laptop, but anything more resource intensive, such as a music editing application, will cause the machine to show significant amounts of lag. However, graphical performance is better than the Acer and some basic photo editing will be easily possible – great if you fancy touching up your holiday snaps. Benchmarks Battery life: 303 minutes The 320GB hard drive also ensures that you have plenty of space to store your multimedia libraries, as well as any work. 802.11n Wi-Fi offers the fastest wireless networking technology available - great when connecting to a hotspot - while three USB ports allow you to connect plenty of peripherals, such as your MP3 player. The Inspiron M5030 isn't a bad laptop, it just can't compete with the MSI CR620-643uk and Lenovo G560. However, the strong battery life could be a deal clincher. Related Links
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| Posted: 26 Mar 2011 02:30 AM PDT  From tiny netbooks to high-performance multimedia centres, Acer manufacturers a broad range of impressive laptops to suit every budget. The Aspire 5336-T353G32Mnkk comes in at the more affordable end of the spectrum and its low price means it's also a distinctly average performer. The 15.6-inch screen is the first disappointment. It has a green tinge that is sure to irritate anyone who wants to watch films or view photos. Despite featuring a 1366 x 768- pixel resolution, detail is also surprisingly poor. The display is very good at suppressing reflections in bright light, however, so is great for anyone who has to work under harsh office lighting. The chassis is well put together and built from hard black plastics so will survive the rigours of life on the road. Unlike the MSI CR620-643uk, the design is a little uninspiring, but at this price point that's only to be expected. Malleable keyboard Acer's unique keyboard design is employed here, with the keys standing up off the chassis independently. Unfortunately, the plastics used are fairly malleable, and there's quite a bit of flex evident when typing.
However, only those with a firmer touch will notice this, and the spacious keys make typing quick and easy, which will be good news for regular typists. An Intel Celeron processor provides the power, combined with 3072MB of memory. Performance isn't very competitive, especially compared to the Core i3 powered laptops from Lenovo and MSI. However, if you're only interested in running everyday applications, such as your web browser and music jukebox, there's more than enough power on offer. Graphically this is also a weak laptop, while the Lenovo G560 and MSI CR620-643uk can handle regular photo editing, this laptop's integrated card will struggle with anything more demanding than streaming videos via the internet and watching DVDs. Nevertheless, for many this will be enough. Benchmarks Battery life: 227 minutes The 2.5kg chassis is manageable if you've got to carry the laptop around all day, but we had hoped for a battery life of more than 227 minutes from such a low-powered machine - so it is not great for those who need a laptop to travel with. 802.11n and Gigabit Ethernet provide the fastest networking technologies available, which is great for those who need to connect to the internet regularly, while the inclusion of an HDMI video out means you can easily view your content on a high-definition TV or monitor. Unfortunately the Acer Aspire 5336-T353G32Mnkk isn't all we'd hoped for. Usability, performance and portability are all disappointing and make this laptop hard to fully recommend. Related Links
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| Review Roundup: This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar Posted: 26 Mar 2011 01:00 AM PDT  This week's popular reviews on TechRadar include the iPad 2, which went on sale in the UK on Friday 25 March, and the Nintendo 3DS, which also went on sale on Friday. We also brought you an exclusive review of the Acer Iconia Tab W500 tablet which is running Windows 7, and in the graphics card world, we got our hands on the new Nvidia GeForce GTX 590. Read on to find out how we rated this week's hottest new tech products. Top five reviews on TechRadar The problem for Acer is its choice of operating system - Windows 7 wasn't designed for use on a tablet, and it really shows. It's slightly disappointing that with this Zotac GeForce GTX 590 it couldn't have pushed the performance past what we've already seen in the AMD Radeon HD 6990. The Nokia X2 is an entry-level handset with plenty of features and a penchant for music playback. It sits somewhere between the Nokia C1-01 and the Nokia X3 Touch and Type in both functionality and price. For all the negatives, for now we think the iPad 2 is still the best tablet around. It is much better for consuming media, has more compelling apps (especially for the larger tablet size), has a better app store ecosystem, and is light and useable.
While 3D gaming still splits opinion, this is a relatively cheap, accessible way to enjoy it and the quality is more than good enough to offer an impressive and immersive experience. Amplifiers Lehmann AudioRhinelander review A headphone amp that can serve its own preamp duties. The V-CAN is cheap for a good headphone amp. Too cheap? A serious headphone amplifier for the discerning audiophile with an individual tonal balance. Audio systems Primare CD32 CD player and I32 amp review With its new approach to Class D amplification and a new CD player, Primare's new duo is a force to be reckoned with. Tivoli's new Model 10+ is wasted on the general public; for here's a small radio for the audiophile. Audio Analogue Crescendo review Understated elegance, clever stuff on the user interface front, plus an incredible price for Italian-made Hi-Fi. Looks and features are old-school to perfection, but the sound is bang-up-to-date from this 2010 combo.
The legendary Essex rhythm kings are making a rare test performance and always remain on the beat. RotelRCD-1520 CD and RA-1520 review Rotel's only current CD player and integrated amplifier retain a classic look, but hide clever modern internals. AV accessories A flexible remote control with bespoke macro facility, but you'll need a big coffee table... Blu-ray players Steve May looks for substance behind the style of Sharp's first 3D spinner. Compact cameras With its hybrid viewfinder and retro styling, is the Fuji X100 the ultimate enthusiast compact?
Hi-fi Accessories Isol-8 Substation LC/HC review A noisy mains supply can ruin the sound of your hi-fi so we test the latest technology from Isol-8's SubStations. Laptops PackardBell EasyNote TS review Luxury level laptop features at a low, low price? Surprisingly, it's possible. Media streaming devices Martin Pipe likes Sony's first standalone networkable multimedia player. Mobile phones The Nokia C2-01 is a candybar mobile for those who don't want fancy features.
Printers Epson Stylus Photo PX660 review We put Epson's new Stylus Photo PX660 all-in-one printer to the test. Projectors JVC's affordable 3D lightbox ushers in a new era for D-ILA home projectors. This budget full HD projector has much to recommend it. An affordable LCD projector that loves living rooms. Software The Daily ushers in a new dawn for iPad newspapers with rich multimedia content. Find out why the ingenious Swype is the best time-saving app you'll install this year. The National TrustThe National Trust app review The National Trust app helps you find the UK's hidden gems on the move. Microsoft Office Web Apps review Microsoft Office Web Apps lacks many of its offline counterpart's most useful features. Acrobat.com gives you a fairly good word processor, but little else worth mentioning. InstaCollLive Documents review With its Flash gloss, Live Documents looks more impressive than it actually is. It's the best Firefox yet. Is it better than its rivals, too?. Speakers We get to grips with a giant US-made 7.1 speaker system. We worship at the church of THX and the surround sound spec that's become the gold standard for serious speakers.
This 5.1 speaker system uses high-quality Scandinavian engineering and boasts tweaks a-plenty. Tablets Can this Android tablet right the wrongs of its predecessor?. 
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| Review Roundup: This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar Posted: 26 Mar 2011 01:00 AM PDT This week's popular reviews on TechRadar include the iPad 2, which went on sale in the UK on Friday 25 March, and the Nintendo 3DS, which also went on sale on Friday. We also brought you an exclusive review of the Acer Iconia Tab W500 tablet which is running Windows 7, and in the graphics card world, we got our hands on the new Nvidia GeForce GTX 590. Read on to find out how we rated this week's hottest new tech products. Top five reviews on TechRadar The problem for Acer is its choice of operating system - Windows 7 wasn't designed for use on a tablet, and it really shows. It's slightly disappointing that with this Zotac GeForce GTX 590 it couldn't have pushed the performance past what we've already seen in the AMD Radeon HD 6990. The Nokia X2 is an entry-level handset with plenty of features and a penchant for music playback. It sits somewhere between the Nokia C1-01 and the Nokia X3 Touch and Type in both functionality and price. For all the negatives, for now we think the iPad 2 is still the best tablet around. It is much better for consuming media, has more compelling apps (especially for the larger tablet size), has a better app store ecosystem, and is light and useable.
While 3D gaming still splits opinion, this is a relatively cheap, accessible way to enjoy it and the quality is more than good enough to offer an impressive and immersive experience. Amplifiers Lehmann AudioRhinelander review A headphone amp that can serve its own preamp duties. The V-CAN is cheap for a good headphone amp. Too cheap? A serious headphone amplifier for the discerning audiophile with an individual tonal balance. Audio systems Primare CD32 CD player and I32 amp review With its new approach to Class D amplification and a new CD player, Primare's new duo is a force to be reckoned with. Tivoli's new Model 10+ is wasted on the general public; for here's a small radio for the audiophile. Audio Analogue Crescendo review Understated elegance, clever stuff on the user interface front, plus an incredible price for Italian-made Hi-Fi. Looks and features are old-school to perfection, but the sound is bang-up-to-date from this 2010 combo.
The legendary Essex rhythm kings are making a rare test performance and always remain on the beat. RotelRCD-1520 CD and RA-1520 review Rotel's only current CD player and integrated amplifier retain a classic look, but hide clever modern internals. AV accessories A flexible remote control with bespoke macro facility, but you'll need a big coffee table... Blu-ray players Steve May looks for substance behind the style of Sharp's first 3D spinner. Compact cameras With its hybrid viewfinder and retro styling, is the Fuji X100 the ultimate enthusiast compact?
Hi-fi Accessories Isol-8 Substation LC/HC review A noisy mains supply can ruin the sound of your hi-fi so we test the latest technology from Isol-8's SubStations. Laptops PackardBell EasyNote TS review Luxury level laptop features at a low, low price? Surprisingly, it's possible. Media streaming devices Martin Pipe likes Sony's first standalone networkable multimedia player. Mobile phones The Nokia C2-01 is a candybar mobile for those who don't want fancy features.
Printers Epson Stylus Photo PX660 review We put Epson's new Stylus Photo PX660 all-in-one printer to the test. Projectors JVC's affordable 3D lightbox ushers in a new era for D-ILA home projectors. This budget full HD projector has much to recommend it. An affordable LCD projector that loves living rooms. Software The Daily ushers in a new dawn for iPad newspapers with rich multimedia content. Find out why the ingenious Swype is the best time-saving app you'll install this year. The National TrustThe National Trust app review The National Trust app helps you find the UK's hidden gems on the move. Microsoft Office Web Apps review Microsoft Office Web Apps lacks many of its offline counterpart's most useful features. Acrobat.com gives you a fairly good word processor, but little else worth mentioning. InstaCollLive Documents review With its Flash gloss, Live Documents looks more impressive than it actually is. It's the best Firefox yet. Is it better than its rivals, too?. Speakers We get to grips with a giant US-made 7.1 speaker system. We worship at the church of THX and the surround sound spec that's become the gold standard for serious speakers.
This 5.1 speaker system uses high-quality Scandinavian engineering and boasts tweaks a-plenty. Tablets Can this Android tablet right the wrongs of its predecessor?.
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| In pictures: Apple mania hits as iPad 2 goes on sale Posted: 25 Mar 2011 10:54 AM PDT  The iPad 2 has officially gone on sale in the UK. Over at the Regents Street Apple store, they simply could not wait until the stated 5pm with the first customers getting their hands on the tablet as early as 4.53pm. With rumours of stock shortages flying, the once relatively short, worm-like queue had blossomed and grown into a python-like behemoth snaking around the West End. It went on…
And on…
And on…
And even doubled back on itself.
The blue-clad Apple genii had their traditional whooping and clapping at nothing session just before the doors opened.
First in line Jewels was in good spirits as he was ushered into the store after waiting a around 34 hours outside for the privilege. He went in…
And he came out. He was more pleased with his new iPad 2 than he looks, we promise.
And thus the iPad 2 went on sale in the UK. Whether the people at the end of the queue will get their coveted slates or not is a story for another day. 
| ||||||
| In pictures: Apple mania hits as iPad 2 goes on sale Posted: 25 Mar 2011 10:54 AM PDT The iPad 2 has officially gone on sale in the UK. Over at the Regents Street Apple store, they simply could not wait until the stated 5pm with the first customers getting their hands on the tablet as early as 4.53pm. With rumours of stock shortages flying, the once relatively short, worm-like queue had blossomed and grown into a python-like behemoth snaking around the West End. It went on…
And on…
And on…
And even doubled back on itself.
The blue-clad Apple genii had their traditional whooping and clapping at nothing session just before the doors opened.
First in line Jewels was in good spirits as he was ushered into the store after waiting a around 34 hours outside for the privilege. He went in…
And he came out. He was more pleased with his new iPad 2 than he looks, we promise.
And thus the iPad 2 went on sale in the UK. Whether the people at the end of the queue will get their coveted slates or not is a story for another day.
| ||||||
| In pictures: Apple mania hits as iPad 2 goes on sale Posted: 25 Mar 2011 10:54 AM PDT The iPad 2 has officially gone on sale in the UK. Over at the Regents Street Apple store, they simply could not wait until the stated 5pm with the first customers getting their hands on the tablet as early as 4.53pm. With rumours of stock shortages flying, the once relatively short, worm-like queue had blossomed and grown into a python-like behemoth snaking around the West End. It went on…
And on…
And on…
And even doubled back on itself.
The blue-clad Apple genii had their traditional whooping and clapping at nothing session just before the doors opened.
First in line Jewels was in good spirits as he was ushered into the store after waiting a around 34 hours outside for the privilege. He went in…
And he came out. He was more pleased with his new iPad 2 than he looks, we promise.
And thus the iPad 2 went on sale in the UK. Whether the people at the end of the queue will get their coveted slates or not is a story for another day.
| ||||||
| Hands on: Google Chrome OS netbook review Posted: 25 Mar 2011 10:12 AM PDT  We first glimpsed the CR-48 prototype Google Chrome OS netbook at CES in January and they've finally appeared in the UK courtesy of the Big G. Our Chrome OS netbook has arrived in the office today, so we've ignored the big hot sun to bring you more in-depth thoughts on Google's Windows basher than we were able to put together in a few minutes on a baking show floor at CES. First thing's first, this is still very early kit. Some of the creases we'll explain here will be ironed out by the time Chrome OS gets into your hands in hardware from many of the usual netbook vendors. Second thing's second, Google Chrome OS looks like Chrome the browser because, essentially, that's exactly what it is. Here's a few of the different bits. That's what it is. It's a browser. There is no desktop. And that in itself takes an awful lot of getting used to. We won't lie - we've been spoilt with fully-fledged operating systems. Chrome OS does attempt to make up for the limitations of this in many of the ways that phone OSes fail to - there is a (very basic) file browser so you can transfer files between somewhere like Dropbox and Google Docs. Or where you might save an image from the web to upload as your Facebook profile pic.
Chrome OS also comes with the Scratchpad note-taking tool. Of course, you don't need Chrome OS for this, but it's a handy tool and can sync with Google Docs.
You sign in using your Google Account, though you'll need to be connected to the internet (or the integral cellular) to sign in – so you can have multiple people signing in on your Chrome OS netbook. Guest access does exist, but you can disable this.
If you already sync your Chrome browser to the cloud like us, your Extensions and other details download automatically. You're offered to take a webcam pic for your account picture when you first sign in....
...while there are also options for logging onto Wi-Fi and cellular networks, even before the point of login should you not already be connected...
...and there's also the ability to set the time and date. Otherwise, pretty much everything is handled inside the standard Chrome interface including all the settings.
There are some usability flaws. Our main criticism is that, well, things are a bit slow. We know how fast the Chrome browser is (answer: fast) and strangely that speed just isn't replicated here. Admittedly, we have a fair amount of Extensions installed – could that be a factor? – but it doesn't seem a problem for the versions we've used on Windows or Mac OS X. Also fonts in the browser seem really rather patchy in terms of the way they render - as do some other elements. Despite us having the new Google bar on all our other machines, it isn't replicated on Chrome OS. As we said, it's early days. And then there's the issue of connectivity. The key issue of connectivity. Chrome OS is currently a bit rubbish without the internet. Google Docs will again support offline use in due course but until this happens and becomes reliable, there's at least a little to be desired.
We mentioned the cellular data support of the CR-48 - the SIM slots in inside the battery compartment. This is essential to the success of Chrome OS as a system.
Hardware-wise, the CR-48 prototype is surprisingly tidy in appearance and very usable. The keyboard is pleasant, the matt finish smart and the matt screen excellent for usability. There's a webcam, mic and a VGA connector. Here we're using the webcam through Google Talk, which pops up at the base of the browser.
So what else is there to shout about hardware-wise? Well it seems pretty well-prepared - the sole USB port accepted our Logitech cordless mouse without issue, for example.
There's also a VGA adapter. Like the decals? They were included in our Chrome OS box.
The function keys atop the keyboard for maximising and minimising Chrome OS, changing brightness, switching tabs and the like work well.
Indeed, the marriage between hardware and software isn't too shabby and many Windows netbooks could take a look at the simplicity on show here. Leave it on and it will sleep. Any key will wake it. Close the lid, it will sleep. Resume is instant.
The Caps Lock key has been replaced with a search key that brings up a new tab for us. If you really want Caps Lock back, you can get it though.
So although Chrome OS is quite usable for basic web use when you have connectivity, it's those moments offline that Google really needs to think about. Naturally, the real battle will be price. How cheap can Chrome OS netbooks be? They'll have to be sub-£300 to be a serious alternative to Windows netbooks for starters. 
| ||||||
| Hands on: Google Chrome OS netbook review Posted: 25 Mar 2011 10:12 AM PDT We first glimpsed the CR-48 prototype Google Chrome OS netbook at CES in January and they've finally appeared in the UK courtesy of the Big G. Our Chrome OS netbook has arrived in the office today, so we've ignored the big hot sun to bring you more in-depth thoughts on Google's Windows basher than we were able to put together in a few minutes on a baking show floor at CES. First thing's first, this is still very early kit. Some of the creases we'll explain here will be ironed out by the time Chrome OS gets into your hands in hardware from many of the usual netbook vendors. Second thing's second, Google Chrome OS looks like Chrome the browser because, essentially, that's exactly what it is. Here's a few of the different bits. That's what it is. It's a browser. There is no desktop. And that in itself takes an awful lot of getting used to. We won't lie - we've been spoilt with fully-fledged operating systems. Chrome OS does attempt to make up for the limitations of this in many of the ways that phone OSes fail to - there is a (very basic) file browser so you can transfer files between somewhere like Dropbox and Google Docs. Or where you might save an image from the web to upload as your Facebook profile pic.
Chrome OS also comes with the Scratchpad note-taking tool. Of course, you don't need Chrome OS for this, but it's a handy tool and can sync with Google Docs.
You sign in using your Google Account, though you'll need to be connected to the internet (or the integral cellular) to sign in – so you can have multiple people signing in on your Chrome OS netbook. Guest access does exist, but you can disable this.
If you already sync your Chrome browser to the cloud like us, your Extensions and other details download automatically. You're offered to take a webcam pic for your account picture when you first sign in....
...while there are also options for logging onto Wi-Fi and cellular networks, even before the point of login should you not already be connected...
...and there's also the ability to set the time and date. Otherwise, pretty much everything is handled inside the standard Chrome interface including all the settings.
There are some usability flaws. Our main criticism is that, well, things are a bit slow. We know how fast the Chrome browser is (answer: fast) and strangely that speed just isn't replicated here. Admittedly, we have a fair amount of Extensions installed – could that be a factor? – but it doesn't seem a problem for the versions we've used on Windows or Mac OS X. Also fonts in the browser seem really rather patchy in terms of the way they render - as do some other elements. Despite us having the new Google bar on all our other machines, it isn't replicated on Chrome OS. As we said, it's early days. And then there's the issue of connectivity. The key issue of connectivity. Chrome OS is currently a bit rubbish without the internet. Google Docs will again support offline use in due course but until this happens and becomes reliable, there's at least a little to be desired.
We mentioned the cellular data support of the CR-48 - the SIM slots in inside the battery compartment. This is essential to the success of Chrome OS as a system.
Hardware-wise, the CR-48 prototype is surprisingly tidy in appearance and very usable. The keyboard is pleasant, the matt finish smart and the matt screen excellent for usability. There's a webcam, mic and a VGA connector. Here we're using the webcam through Google Talk, which pops up at the base of the browser.
So what else is there to shout about hardware-wise? Well it seems pretty well-prepared - the sole USB port accepted our Logitech cordless mouse without issue, for example.
There's also a VGA adapter. Like the decals? They were included in our Chrome OS box.
The function keys atop the keyboard for maximising and minimising Chrome OS, changing brightness, switching tabs and the like work well.
Indeed, the marriage between hardware and software isn't too shabby and many Windows netbooks could take a look at the simplicity on show here. Leave it on and it will sleep. Any key will wake it. Close the lid, it will sleep. Resume is instant.
The Caps Lock key has been replaced with a search key that brings up a new tab for us. If you really want Caps Lock back, you can get it though.
So although Chrome OS is quite usable for basic web use when you have connectivity, it's those moments offline that Google really needs to think about. Naturally, the real battle will be price. How cheap can Chrome OS netbooks be? They'll have to be sub-£300 to be a serious alternative to Windows netbooks for starters.
| ||||||
| Hands on: Google Chrome OS netbook review Posted: 25 Mar 2011 10:12 AM PDT We first glimpsed the CR-48 prototype Google Chrome OS netbook at CES in January and they've finally appeared in the UK courtesy of the Big G. Our Chrome OS netbook has arrived in the office today, so we've ignored the big hot sun to bring you more in-depth thoughts on Google's Windows basher than we were able to put together in a few minutes on a baking show floor at CES. First thing's first, this is still very early kit. Some of the creases we'll explain here will be ironed out by the time Chrome OS gets into your hands in hardware from many of the usual netbook vendors. Second thing's second, Google Chrome OS looks like Chrome the browser because, essentially, that's exactly what it is. Here's a few of the different bits. That's what it is. It's a browser. There is no desktop. And that in itself takes an awful lot of getting used to. We won't lie - we've been spoilt with fully-fledged operating systems. Chrome OS does attempt to make up for the limitations of this in many of the ways that phone OSes fail to - there is a (very basic) file browser so you can transfer files between somewhere like Dropbox and Google Docs. Or where you might save an image from the web to upload as your Facebook profile pic.
Chrome OS also comes with the Scratchpad note-taking tool. Of course, you don't need Chrome OS for this, but it's a handy tool and can sync with Google Docs.
You sign in using your Google Account, though you'll need to be connected to the internet (or the integral cellular) to sign in – so you can have multiple people signing in on your Chrome OS netbook. Guest access does exist, but you can disable this.
If you already sync your Chrome browser to the cloud like us, your Extensions and other details download automatically. You're offered to take a webcam pic for your account picture when you first sign in....
...while there are also options for logging onto Wi-Fi and cellular networks, even before the point of login should you not already be connected...
...and there's also the ability to set the time and date. Otherwise, pretty much everything is handled inside the standard Chrome interface including all the settings.
There are some usability flaws. Our main criticism is that, well, things are a bit slow. We know how fast the Chrome browser is (answer: fast) and strangely that speed just isn't replicated here. Admittedly, we have a fair amount of Extensions installed – could that be a factor? – but it doesn't seem a problem for the versions we've used on Windows or Mac OS X. Also fonts in the browser seem really rather patchy in terms of the way they render - as do some other elements. Despite us having the new Google bar on all our other machines, it isn't replicated on Chrome OS. As we said, it's early days. And then there's the issue of connectivity. The key issue of connectivity. Chrome OS is currently a bit rubbish without the internet. Google Docs will again support offline use in due course but until this happens and becomes reliable, there's at least a little to be desired.
We mentioned the cellular data support of the CR-48 - the SIM slots in inside the battery compartment. This is essential to the success of Chrome OS as a system.
Hardware-wise, the CR-48 prototype is surprisingly tidy in appearance and very usable. The keyboard is pleasant, the matt finish smart and the matt screen excellent for usability. There's a webcam, mic and a VGA connector. Here we're using the webcam through Google Talk, which pops up at the base of the browser.
So what else is there to shout about hardware-wise? Well it seems pretty well-prepared - the sole USB port accepted our Logitech cordless mouse without issue, for example.
There's also a VGA adapter. Like the decals? They were included in our Chrome OS box.
The function keys atop the keyboard for maximising and minimising Chrome OS, changing brightness, switching tabs and the like work well.
Indeed, the marriage between hardware and software isn't too shabby and many Windows netbooks could take a look at the simplicity on show here. Leave it on and it will sleep. Any key will wake it. Close the lid, it will sleep. Resume is instant.
The Caps Lock key has been replaced with a search key that brings up a new tab for us. If you really want Caps Lock back, you can get it though.
So although Chrome OS is quite usable for basic web use when you have connectivity, it's those moments offline that Google really needs to think about. Naturally, the real battle will be price. How cheap can Chrome OS netbooks be? They'll have to be sub-£300 to be a serious alternative to Windows netbooks for starters.
| ||||||
| Posted: 25 Mar 2011 08:29 AM PDT  Panasonic might reign unchallenged as king of plasma, but the LED-powered TX-L42E30B proves that its commitment to LCD is no less fierce. The 42-inch set sits near the top of Panasonic's 2011 range and is only out-specified by the smaller, 3D-toting TX-L37DT30B and TX-L32DT30B. The E30 range also features a pair of smaller screens, the TX-L37E30B and the TX-L32E30B. It's a bit of a looker, too. While some recent Panasonic TVs appeared to have been designed by a collection of three-year olds armed with a bunch of black crayons, this one hits all the right notes.
Combining a sleek cabinet factor with a thin bezel around the screen and a neat, dark grey finish. It's not as eye-catching as Samsung's new D8000 series LEDs, but many will find its mature aesthetics a better match for their living room.
Aside from a lack of 3D support, the TX-L42E30B is a state-of-the-art screen. It continues Panasonic's theory that a modern TV should act as a home's entertainment hub, by providing playback of video, music and photo files from USB and SD card, and DLNA media streaming from a network-connected PC or Panasonic Diga recorder. Accessible files are displayed by tapping the green Viera Tools button on the remote and sectioned into Photo, Video, Recorded TV and Music (for USB/SD card) and Media Server for any DLNA-attached devices. Usability is good – we had no trouble viewing various music and video files located on a Western Digital NAS drive and a PC. The TX-L42E30B is net-savvy, too. Viera Connect is the 2011 iteration of Panasonic's online portal – previously known as Viera Cast - and comes with plenty of new features. Described as a 'cloud-based internet service', Viera Connect currently offers music and video on demand in the form of YouTube, Acetrax, Dailymotion, Ustream and SHOUTcast; Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Picasa, Skype and other apps; interactive games such as Blackjack and Catch Up TV from BBC's iPlayer. That may not sound very different to Viera Cast, but the platform is now open to third-party developers, so expect much more to be added in the near future. For instance, Panasonic has said that the capacity to expand hardware functions through linking health and fitness equipment or game controllers will be introduced later this year, so maybe it's time to dig out your tracksuit bottoms. The Viera Connect interface is a treat, and more finely tuned than that of the TV itself. A dedicated Viera Cast button on the remote control (Panasonic obviously hasn't got round to updating its handsets yet) brings up the bright, colourful, hi-res homepage, with icons for Skype, iPlayer, Acetrax etc. The iPlayer app is particularly worth investigating. It includes BBC HD playback, is easy to navigate and picture quality is on a par with material from the TV's own tuner. Prospective buyers should be aware, though, that Viera Connect doesn't allow unrestricted web browsing (a la Philips' Net TV). Another handy feature is recording to a USB storage device, which brings with it trickplay features like pausing and rewinding live TV. Recordings can't be played back on other devices, though, which makes one wonder why Panasonic doesn't just build a hard-disk drive into the TV when it's on the production line. The TX-L42E30B sports a healthy array of connections. The back panel houses three HDMI jacks, a component input, RGB Scart, PC input, stereo analogue audio in/out and an optical audio output. There's also an Ethernet port and pair of USB sockets. Further connections sit on the side of the bezel for easy access, including a third USB, HDMI input and an SD card slot - the latter perfect for owners of Panasonic's digital cameras. Features related more to the TX-L42E30B's AV performance include Panasonic's V-Real Live picture processing engine, Intelligent Frame Creation Pro motion smoothing, a Freeview HD tuner; an IPS Alpha LCD panel, edge LED lighting and, of course, a full HD 1,920 x 1,080 resolution.
Despite the TX-L42E30B's lack of in-depth picture adjustments, it delivers an assured picture performance with little to fault it, particularly with hi-def Blu-rays. Tweakers may bemoan the absence of serious colour management tools and will have to make do with an on/off Vivid colour mode, but Panasonic compensates for this by providing colour accuracy out of the box. With the TV in cinema mode and the Warm preset selected, we measured a spot-on 6,500K colour temp, so your DVD and Blu-ray platters should look close to how the director intended, colour-wise. A 16-step colour gradation test shows the TX-L42E30B excels in green, yellow and blue reproduction. It's only with the brightest red shades that subtle shifts are lost. With Toy Story 3 on Blu-ray this solid colour performance equates to a superbly cinematic experience; the exotic palette employed by Pixar is delivered with aplomb, without ever veering into gaudy territory. Some LED-lit screens can give film material an artificial feel, but not the TX-L42E30B. Working in tandem with that considered colour presentation is a healthy black level. Panasonic is too grown-up these days to bother itself with outrageous contrast level claims (it just quotes 'High') and what's on offer here is fine enough. Darker areas of the picture remain free from crushed blacks, so shadow detailing, frequently evident in Toy Story 3 when Woody and chums are abandoned in a toy box, is maintained. The solid black level is helped by an edge-LED lighting system that doesn't cause any unsightly light-pooling. Well, as long as you are sitting on-axis. We found that portions of the screen can brighten considerably if viewed from an angle. The TX-L42E30B is also commendably adept with motion. When fed a sequence of vertical, horizontal and diagonal camera pans, and scenes with fast-moving objects, the Panasonic didn't falter. Motion was smooth with detail levels kept up. Switching on the Intelligent Frame Creation Pro engine (it has two levels) makes things even silkier (almost comically so), but can introduce artefacts with multi-layered material. The TX-L42E30B's natural motion handling is sufficiently impressive to render IFC Pro all but redundant. As you'd expect from a full HD panel, detail levels are high. Close up footage of a dissected kiwi fruit (an odd, but effective reference scene) was so lifelike it made us hungry. Blu-ray movies that make the most of the format's high-pixel count look gorgeous. Back in the land of Woody and Buzz, the exquisite textures of everything from a wooden door frame to Mr Potato Head's moustache are jaw-dropping. With no 3D playback to get stuck into, the only other picture quality to report on is that of the TV's built-in Freeview HD tuner. Naturally, switching to this from Blu-ray brings a step-down in quality. Macro-blocking and mosquito noise take the shine off SD channels (although the latter can be countered by the TX-L42E30B's effective P-NR noise reduction) and even the HD channel lack the razor-sharp panache of Blu-rays. Not that the Panasonic's Freeview pictures are worse than the competition (they are more stable than many budget rivals), it's just that Freeview itself is beginning to look a bit shoddy.
Sound In the last few years Panasonic flatscreens have consistently delivered above average audio and the TX-L42E30B upholds this tradition with a pair of 10W speakers that pack a surprisingly bassy punch and can reach a decent volume. Perhaps by not slimming the TV down to within a millimetre of its life Panasonic has given its drivers room to breathe. As with the picture tweaks, though, there aren't many sonic options to play with. Of the two presets, Music and Speech, you're best off sticking with the former, as the latter robs the soundstage of low-frequency grunt. Other than that you're limited to the V-Audio and V-Audio Surround modes, which don't really add much in the way of separation or depth. Thankfully, the optical digital output, and the presence of an HDMI input with support for the Audio Return Channel (ARC), means hooking up the TX-L42E30B to a dedicated surround system or soundbar is simple; a screen of this size and quality really deserves an appropriately refined audio partner. Value In value for money terms the Panasonic perhaps falls a little short. With an approximate launch price of £900 it feels expensive, especially when you consider that it lacks 3D support; some future-gazers who would consider it almost obsolete in this respect. Quality never comes cheap, though and the performance and feature set of the TX-L42E30B almost justify its price. Find a retailer offering it at £800 and you can't have any complaints. Ease of use The TX-L42E30B puts many of its competitors to shame when it comes to usability, starting from the moment you unbox it. Although we're certain Panasonic would recommend that you got a buddy to help lift the TV from its cardboard coffin, you can easily do it yourself. Attaching it to the desktop stand is a doddle, too, involving no more than four screws and a minimal amount of faff. Moving onto everyday use and this air of simplicity remains. The remote control, while not in danger of winning any RIBA awards, is well laid out and responsive. This combines with Panasonic's lightning-fast GUI to make browsing its menus and sub-menus a Luddite-friendly process. It helps, of course, that the TX-L42E30B isn't overladen with user adjustments and tweaks, but what it does offer is easily findable.
The TX-L42E30B is proof that Panasonic's love of television doesn't begin and end with its top-end plasmas. Nor is it ignoring those who haven't yet succumbed to the lure of three-dimensional home entertainment. This is both a high-quality display and a nifty multimedia device that will look good in all but the gaudiest living rooms. We liked The Panasonic TX-L42E30B offers a quality, hi-def picture that retains the cinematic, naturalistic tone of the brand's plasma panels, plus an above-average audio performance, all wrapped up in a neatly designed and robust-feeling bezel. Usability is first-rate, too. The set's additional features, including the Viera Connect portal, broaden its appeal, and USB recording means you may decide you can throw away your clunky PVR once and for all. We disliked The lack of 3D support means it's hard to recommend this set to anyone who wants to stay future-proofed, and not integrating an open web browser into Viera Connect is an unnecessary shackle. And why Panasonic insists on persevering with the advertisement-laden Guide+ EPG is a mystery. Final verdict The 40/42-inch flatscreen market may be one of the most competitive, but Panasonic's TX-L42E30B offers enough to stand out. Good-looking, well connected and a top performer, it's definitely worth auditioning. Related Links
| ||||||
| Posted: 25 Mar 2011 08:29 AM PDT Panasonic might reign unchallenged as king of plasma, but the LED-powered TX-L42E30B proves that its commitment to LCD is no less fierce. The 42-inch set sits near the top of Panasonic's 2011 range and is only out-specified by the smaller, 3D-toting TX-L37DT30B and TX-L32DT30B. The E30 range also features a pair of smaller screens, the TX-L37E30B and the TX-L32E30B. It's a bit of a looker, too. While some recent Panasonic TVs appeared to have been designed by a collection of three-year olds armed with a bunch of black crayons, this one hits all the right notes.
Combining a sleek cabinet factor with a thin bezel around the screen and a neat, dark grey finish. It's not as eye-catching as Samsung's new D8000 series LEDs, but many will find its mature aesthetics a better match for their living room.
Aside from a lack of 3D support, the TX-L42E30B is a state-of-the-art screen. It continues Panasonic's theory that a modern TV should act as a home's entertainment hub, by providing playback of video, music and photo files from USB and SD card, and DLNA media streaming from a network-connected PC or Panasonic Diga recorder. Accessible files are displayed by tapping the green Viera Tools button on the remote and sectioned into Photo, Video, Recorded TV and Music (for USB/SD card) and Media Server for any DLNA-attached devices. Usability is good – we had no trouble viewing various music and video files located on a Western Digital NAS drive and a PC. The TX-L42E30B is net-savvy, too. Viera Connect is the 2011 iteration of Panasonic's online portal – previously known as Viera Cast - and comes with plenty of new features. Described as a 'cloud-based internet service', Viera Connect currently offers music and video on demand in the form of YouTube, Acetrax, Dailymotion, Ustream and SHOUTcast; Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Picasa, Skype and other apps; interactive games such as Blackjack and Catch Up TV from BBC's iPlayer. That may not sound very different to Viera Cast, but the platform is now open to third-party developers, so expect much more to be added in the near future. For instance, Panasonic has said that the capacity to expand hardware functions through linking health and fitness equipment or game controllers will be introduced later this year, so maybe it's time to dig out your tracksuit bottoms. The Viera Connect interface is a treat, and more finely tuned than that of the TV itself. A dedicated Viera Cast button on the remote control (Panasonic obviously hasn't got round to updating its handsets yet) brings up the bright, colourful, hi-res homepage, with icons for Skype, iPlayer, Acetrax etc. The iPlayer app is particularly worth investigating. It includes BBC HD playback, is easy to navigate and picture quality is on a par with material from the TV's own tuner. Prospective buyers should be aware, though, that Viera Connect doesn't allow unrestricted web browsing (a la Philips' Net TV). Another handy feature is recording to a USB storage device, which brings with it trickplay features like pausing and rewinding live TV. Recordings can't be played back on other devices, though, which makes one wonder why Panasonic doesn't just build a hard-disk drive into the TV when it's on the production line. The TX-L42E30B sports a healthy array of connections. The back panel houses three HDMI jacks, a component input, RGB Scart, PC input, stereo analogue audio in/out and an optical audio output. There's also an Ethernet port and pair of USB sockets. Further connections sit on the side of the bezel for easy access, including a third USB, HDMI input and an SD card slot - the latter perfect for owners of Panasonic's digital cameras. Features related more to the TX-L42E30B's AV performance include Panasonic's V-Real Live picture processing engine, Intelligent Frame Creation Pro motion smoothing, a Freeview HD tuner; an IPS Alpha LCD panel, edge LED lighting and, of course, a full HD 1,920 x 1,080 resolution.
Despite the TX-L42E30B's lack of in-depth picture adjustments, it delivers an assured picture performance with little to fault it, particularly with hi-def Blu-rays. Tweakers may bemoan the absence of serious colour management tools and will have to make do with an on/off Vivid colour mode, but Panasonic compensates for this by providing colour accuracy out of the box. With the TV in cinema mode and the Warm preset selected, we measured a spot-on 6,500K colour temp, so your DVD and Blu-ray platters should look close to how the director intended, colour-wise. A 16-step colour gradation test shows the TX-L42E30B excels in green, yellow and blue reproduction. It's only with the brightest red shades that subtle shifts are lost. With Toy Story 3 on Blu-ray this solid colour performance equates to a superbly cinematic experience; the exotic palette employed by Pixar is delivered with aplomb, without ever veering into gaudy territory. Some LED-lit screens can give film material an artificial feel, but not the TX-L42E30B. Working in tandem with that considered colour presentation is a healthy black level. Panasonic is too grown-up these days to bother itself with outrageous contrast level claims (it just quotes 'High') and what's on offer here is fine enough. Darker areas of the picture remain free from crushed blacks, so shadow detailing, frequently evident in Toy Story 3 when Woody and chums are abandoned in a toy box, is maintained. The solid black level is helped by an edge-LED lighting system that doesn't cause any unsightly light-pooling. Well, as long as you are sitting on-axis. We found that portions of the screen can brighten considerably if viewed from an angle. The TX-L42E30B is also commendably adept with motion. When fed a sequence of vertical, horizontal and diagonal camera pans, and scenes with fast-moving objects, the Panasonic didn't falter. Motion was smooth with detail levels kept up. Switching on the Intelligent Frame Creation Pro engine (it has two levels) makes things even silkier (almost comically so), but can introduce artefacts with multi-layered material. The TX-L42E30B's natural motion handling is sufficiently impressive to render IFC Pro all but redundant. As you'd expect from a full HD panel, detail levels are high. Close up footage of a dissected kiwi fruit (an odd, but effective reference scene) was so lifelike it made us hungry. Blu-ray movies that make the most of the format's high-pixel count look gorgeous. Back in the land of Woody and Buzz, the exquisite textures of everything from a wooden door frame to Mr Potato Head's moustache are jaw-dropping. With no 3D playback to get stuck into, the only other picture quality to report on is that of the TV's built-in Freeview HD tuner. Naturally, switching to this from Blu-ray brings a step-down in quality. Macro-blocking and mosquito noise take the shine off SD channels (although the latter can be countered by the TX-L42E30B's effective P-NR noise reduction) and even the HD channel lack the razor-sharp panache of Blu-rays. Not that the Panasonic's Freeview pictures are worse than the competition (they are more stable than many budget rivals), it's just that Freeview itself is beginning to look a bit shoddy.
Sound In the last few years Panasonic flatscreens have consistently delivered above average audio and the TX-L42E30B upholds this tradition with a pair of 10W speakers that pack a surprisingly bassy punch and can reach a decent volume. Perhaps by not slimming the TV down to within a millimetre of its life Panasonic has given its drivers room to breathe. As with the picture tweaks, though, there aren't many sonic options to play with. Of the two presets, Music and Speech, you're best off sticking with the former, as the latter robs the soundstage of low-frequency grunt. Other than that you're limited to the V-Audio and V-Audio Surround modes, which don't really add much in the way of separation or depth. Thankfully, the optical digital output, and the presence of an HDMI input with support for the Audio Return Channel (ARC), means hooking up the TX-L42E30B to a dedicated surround system or soundbar is simple; a screen of this size and quality really deserves an appropriately refined audio partner. Value In value for money terms the Panasonic perhaps falls a little short. With an approximate launch price of £900 it feels expensive, especially when you consider that it lacks 3D support; some future-gazers who would consider it almost obsolete in this respect. Quality never comes cheap, though and the performance and feature set of the TX-L42E30B almost justify its price. Find a retailer offering it at £800 and you can't have any complaints. Ease of use The TX-L42E30B puts many of its competitors to shame when it comes to usability, starting from the moment you unbox it. Although we're certain Panasonic would recommend that you got a buddy to help lift the TV from its cardboard coffin, you can easily do it yourself. Attaching it to the desktop stand is a doddle, too, involving no more than four screws and a minimal amount of faff. Moving onto everyday use and this air of simplicity remains. The remote control, while not in danger of winning any RIBA awards, is well laid out and responsive. This combines with Panasonic's lightning-fast GUI to make browsing its menus and sub-menus a Luddite-friendly process. It helps, of course, that the TX-L42E30B isn't overladen with user adjustments and tweaks, but what it does offer is easily findable.
The TX-L42E30B is proof that Panasonic's love of television doesn't begin and end with its top-end plasmas. Nor is it ignoring those who haven't yet succumbed to the lure of three-dimensional home entertainment. This is both a high-quality display and a nifty multimedia device that will look good in all but the gaudiest living rooms. We liked The Panasonic TX-L42E30B offers a quality, hi-def picture that retains the cinematic, naturalistic tone of the brand's plasma panels, plus an above-average audio performance, all wrapped up in a neatly designed and robust-feeling bezel. Usability is first-rate, too. The set's additional features, including the Viera Connect portal, broaden its appeal, and USB recording means you may decide you can throw away your clunky PVR once and for all. We disliked The lack of 3D support means it's hard to recommend this set to anyone who wants to stay future-proofed, and not integrating an open web browser into Viera Connect is an unnecessary shackle. And why Panasonic insists on persevering with the advertisement-laden Guide+ EPG is a mystery. Final verdict The 40/42-inch flatscreen market may be one of the most competitive, but Panasonic's TX-L42E30B offers enough to stand out. Good-looking, well connected and a top performer, it's definitely worth auditioning. Related Links
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| Posted: 25 Mar 2011 08:29 AM PDT Panasonic might reign unchallenged as king of plasma, but the LED-powered TX-L42E30B proves that its commitment to LCD is no less fierce. The 42-inch set sits near the top of Panasonic's 2011 range and is only out-specified by the smaller, 3D-toting TX-L37DT30B and TX-L32DT30B. The E30 range also features a pair of smaller screens, the TX-L37E30B and the TX-L32E30B. It's a bit of a looker, too. While some recent Panasonic TVs appeared to have been designed by a collection of three-year olds armed with a bunch of black crayons, this one hits all the right notes.
Combining a sleek cabinet factor with a thin bezel around the screen and a neat, dark grey finish. It's not as eye-catching as Samsung's new D8000 series LEDs, but many will find its mature aesthetics a better match for their living room.
Aside from a lack of 3D support, the TX-L42E30B is a state-of-the-art screen. It continues Panasonic's theory that a modern TV should act as a home's entertainment hub, by providing playback of video, music and photo files from USB and SD card, and DLNA media streaming from a network-connected PC or Panasonic Diga recorder. Accessible files are displayed by tapping the green Viera Tools button on the remote and sectioned into Photo, Video, Recorded TV and Music (for USB/SD card) and Media Server for any DLNA-attached devices. Usability is good – we had no trouble viewing various music and video files located on a Western Digital NAS drive and a PC. The TX-L42E30B is net-savvy, too. Viera Connect is the 2011 iteration of Panasonic's online portal – previously known as Viera Cast - and comes with plenty of new features. Described as a 'cloud-based internet service', Viera Connect currently offers music and video on demand in the form of YouTube, Acetrax, Dailymotion, Ustream and SHOUTcast; Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Picasa, Skype and other apps; interactive games such as Blackjack and Catch Up TV from BBC's iPlayer. That may not sound very different to Viera Cast, but the platform is now open to third-party developers, so expect much more to be added in the near future. For instance, Panasonic has said that the capacity to expand hardware functions through linking health and fitness equipment or game controllers will be introduced later this year, so maybe it's time to dig out your tracksuit bottoms. The Viera Connect interface is a treat, and more finely tuned than that of the TV itself. A dedicated Viera Cast button on the remote control (Panasonic obviously hasn't got round to updating its handsets yet) brings up the bright, colourful, hi-res homepage, with icons for Skype, iPlayer, Acetrax etc. The iPlayer app is particularly worth investigating. It includes BBC HD playback, is easy to navigate and picture quality is on a par with material from the TV's own tuner. Prospective buyers should be aware, though, that Viera Connect doesn't allow unrestricted web browsing (a la Philips' Net TV). Another handy feature is recording to a USB storage device, which brings with it trickplay features like pausing and rewinding live TV. Recordings can't be played back on other devices, though, which makes one wonder why Panasonic doesn't just build a hard-disk drive into the TV when it's on the production line. The TX-L42E30B sports a healthy array of connections. The back panel houses three HDMI jacks, a component input, RGB Scart, PC input, stereo analogue audio in/out and an optical audio output. There's also an Ethernet port and pair of USB sockets. Further connections sit on the side of the bezel for easy access, including a third USB, HDMI input and an SD card slot - the latter perfect for owners of Panasonic's digital cameras. Features related more to the TX-L42E30B's AV performance include Panasonic's V-Real Live picture processing engine, Intelligent Frame Creation Pro motion smoothing, a Freeview HD tuner; an IPS Alpha LCD panel, edge LED lighting and, of course, a full HD 1,920 x 1,080 resolution.
Despite the TX-L42E30B's lack of in-depth picture adjustments, it delivers an assured picture performance with little to fault it, particularly with hi-def Blu-rays. Tweakers may bemoan the absence of serious colour management tools and will have to make do with an on/off Vivid colour mode, but Panasonic compensates for this by providing colour accuracy out of the box. With the TV in cinema mode and the Warm preset selected, we measured a spot-on 6,500K colour temp, so your DVD and Blu-ray platters should look close to how the director intended, colour-wise. A 16-step colour gradation test shows the TX-L42E30B excels in green, yellow and blue reproduction. It's only with the brightest red shades that subtle shifts are lost. With Toy Story 3 on Blu-ray this solid colour performance equates to a superbly cinematic experience; the exotic palette employed by Pixar is delivered with aplomb, without ever veering into gaudy territory. Some LED-lit screens can give film material an artificial feel, but not the TX-L42E30B. Working in tandem with that considered colour presentation is a healthy black level. Panasonic is too grown-up these days to bother itself with outrageous contrast level claims (it just quotes 'High') and what's on offer here is fine enough. Darker areas of the picture remain free from crushed blacks, so shadow detailing, frequently evident in Toy Story 3 when Woody and chums are abandoned in a toy box, is maintained. The solid black level is helped by an edge-LED lighting system that doesn't cause any unsightly light-pooling. Well, as long as you are sitting on-axis. We found that portions of the screen can brighten considerably if viewed from an angle. The TX-L42E30B is also commendably adept with motion. When fed a sequence of vertical, horizontal and diagonal camera pans, and scenes with fast-moving objects, the Panasonic didn't falter. Motion was smooth with detail levels kept up. Switching on the Intelligent Frame Creation Pro engine (it has two levels) makes things even silkier (almost comically so), but can introduce artefacts with multi-layered material. The TX-L42E30B's natural motion handling is sufficiently impressive to render IFC Pro all but redundant. As you'd expect from a full HD panel, detail levels are high. Close up footage of a dissected kiwi fruit (an odd, but effective reference scene) was so lifelike it made us hungry. Blu-ray movies that make the most of the format's high-pixel count look gorgeous. Back in the land of Woody and Buzz, the exquisite textures of everything from a wooden door frame to Mr Potato Head's moustache are jaw-dropping. With no 3D playback to get stuck into, the only other picture quality to report on is that of the TV's built-in Freeview HD tuner. Naturally, switching to this from Blu-ray brings a step-down in quality. Macro-blocking and mosquito noise take the shine off SD channels (although the latter can be countered by the TX-L42E30B's effective P-NR noise reduction) and even the HD channel lack the razor-sharp panache of Blu-rays. Not that the Panasonic's Freeview pictures are worse than the competition (they are more stable than many budget rivals), it's just that Freeview itself is beginning to look a bit shoddy.
Sound In the last few years Panasonic flatscreens have consistently delivered above average audio and the TX-L42E30B upholds this tradition with a pair of 10W speakers that pack a surprisingly bassy punch and can reach a decent volume. Perhaps by not slimming the TV down to within a millimetre of its life Panasonic has given its drivers room to breathe. As with the picture tweaks, though, there aren't many sonic options to play with. Of the two presets, Music and Speech, you're best off sticking with the former, as the latter robs the soundstage of low-frequency grunt. Other than that you're limited to the V-Audio and V-Audio Surround modes, which don't really add much in the way of separation or depth. Thankfully, the optical digital output, and the presence of an HDMI input with support for the Audio Return Channel (ARC), means hooking up the TX-L42E30B to a dedicated surround system or soundbar is simple; a screen of this size and quality really deserves an appropriately refined audio partner. Value In value for money terms the Panasonic perhaps falls a little short. With an approximate launch price of £900 it feels expensive, especially when you consider that it lacks 3D support; some future-gazers who would consider it almost obsolete in this respect. Quality never comes cheap, though and the performance and feature set of the TX-L42E30B almost justify its price. Find a retailer offering it at £800 and you can't have any complaints. Ease of use The TX-L42E30B puts many of its competitors to shame when it comes to usability, starting from the moment you unbox it. Although we're certain Panasonic would recommend that you got a buddy to help lift the TV from its cardboard coffin, you can easily do it yourself. Attaching it to the desktop stand is a doddle, too, involving no more than four screws and a minimal amount of faff. Moving onto everyday use and this air of simplicity remains. The remote control, while not in danger of winning any RIBA awards, is well laid out and responsive. This combines with Panasonic's lightning-fast GUI to make browsing its menus and sub-menus a Luddite-friendly process. It helps, of course, that the TX-L42E30B isn't overladen with user adjustments and tweaks, but what it does offer is easily findable.
The TX-L42E30B is proof that Panasonic's love of television doesn't begin and end with its top-end plasmas. Nor is it ignoring those who haven't yet succumbed to the lure of three-dimensional home entertainment. This is both a high-quality display and a nifty multimedia device that will look good in all but the gaudiest living rooms. We liked The Panasonic TX-L42E30B offers a quality, hi-def picture that retains the cinematic, naturalistic tone of the brand's plasma panels, plus an above-average audio performance, all wrapped up in a neatly designed and robust-feeling bezel. Usability is first-rate, too. The set's additional features, including the Viera Connect portal, broaden its appeal, and USB recording means you may decide you can throw away your clunky PVR once and for all. We disliked The lack of 3D support means it's hard to recommend this set to anyone who wants to stay future-proofed, and not integrating an open web browser into Viera Connect is an unnecessary shackle. And why Panasonic insists on persevering with the advertisement-laden Guide+ EPG is a mystery. Final verdict The 40/42-inch flatscreen market may be one of the most competitive, but Panasonic's TX-L42E30B offers enough to stand out. Good-looking, well connected and a top performer, it's definitely worth auditioning. Related Links
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| Limewire owes us $75 trillion, says music industry Posted: 25 Mar 2011 08:28 AM PDT  The 13 record companies currently suing peer-to-peer filesharing service Limewire have estimated that the company owes them between $400 billion and $75 trillion. That top amount is comes in at £46,650,361,440,306.00 but hey, it's such an unfathomable amount of money that it barely warrants converting. We can't help but picture Dr Evil proudly demanding "One hundred billion dollars!" of in order not to blast the world with his "lay-ser" from his "death star" (air quotes). Absurd Dr Evil was laughed out of town and so, thankfully, were the record companies – Judge Kimba Wood, who is hearing the case, called the request "absurd". "As defendants note, plaintiffs are suggesting an award that is 'more money than the entire music recording industry has made since Edison's invention of the phonograph in 1877'," she wrote. The outlandish figure was reached because the record companies want compensation for each time a song was shared and re-shared by Limewire users; Judge Wood has now concluded that Limewire can only be fined a single statutory fee per work infringed. 
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| Limewire owes us $75 trillion, says music industry Posted: 25 Mar 2011 08:28 AM PDT The 13 record companies currently suing peer-to-peer filesharing service Limewire have estimated that the company owes them between $400 billion and $75 trillion. That top amount is comes in at £46,650,361,440,306.00 but hey, it's such an unfathomable amount of money that it barely warrants converting. We can't help but picture Dr Evil proudly demanding "One hundred billion dollars!" of in order not to blast the world with his "lay-ser" from his "death star" (air quotes). Absurd Dr Evil was laughed out of town and so, thankfully, were the record companies – Judge Kimba Wood, who is hearing the case, called the request "absurd". "As defendants note, plaintiffs are suggesting an award that is 'more money than the entire music recording industry has made since Edison's invention of the phonograph in 1877'," she wrote. The outlandish figure was reached because the record companies want compensation for each time a song was shared and re-shared by Limewire users; Judge Wood has now concluded that Limewire can only be fined a single statutory fee per work infringed.
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| Limewire owes us $75 trillion, says music industry Posted: 25 Mar 2011 08:28 AM PDT The 13 record companies currently suing peer-to-peer filesharing service Limewire have estimated that the company owes them between $400 billion and $75 trillion. That top amount is comes in at £46,650,361,440,306.00 but hey, it's such an unfathomable amount of money that it barely warrants converting. We can't help but picture Dr Evil proudly demanding "One hundred billion dollars!" of in order not to blast the world with his "lay-ser" from his "death star" (air quotes). Absurd Dr Evil was laughed out of town and so, thankfully, were the record companies – Judge Kimba Wood, who is hearing the case, called the request "absurd". "As defendants note, plaintiffs are suggesting an award that is 'more money than the entire music recording industry has made since Edison's invention of the phonograph in 1877'," she wrote. The outlandish figure was reached because the record companies want compensation for each time a song was shared and re-shared by Limewire users; Judge Wood has now concluded that Limewire can only be fined a single statutory fee per work infringed.
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| Latest mobile phones 2011: hottest handsets reviewed Posted: 25 Mar 2011 08:14 AM PDT %20Product%20image%20(1)-200-200.jpg) In the ever-changing mobile market, it can be hard to keep pace with the latest mobile phone trends. That's why we've put together this hub for our new mobile phone reviews: to give you the ideal jumping-on point for understanding the most current handsets around. We cover a plethora of brands, including Apple, HTC, Nokia, Palm and Blackberry, and operating systems, such as Android, iOS and Windows Phone 7, so you should find something that piques your interest here. In short, if you're seeking a new mobile phone, this is a great place to start. Nokia C2-01
With the ink now dry on the contract between Nokia and Microsoft, the C2-01 is among the last of a dying breed: a Symbian OS-toting Nokia mobile. Oh, and it's sans touchscreen, too. Yes, for a new mobile phone, it's decidedly old-school. That said, it's cheap, simple and devoid of anything more fancy than a 3G connection, which will suit minimalists. But can it really hold up in market dominated by smartphones? Read our full Nokia C2-01 review HTC Incredible S
Incredible by name and only slightly less so by nature, this phone is HTC's entry into the underpopulated 4-inch touchscreen arena. In fact, it's among the first UK handsets to fill that niche, but more are on the horizon. It's blessed with HTC's slick Sense UI and a high-quality screen, but is this latest mobile phone's foibles enough to warrant waiting for its incoming competitors, or the HTC Desire S? Read our full HTC Incredible S review Samsung Galaxy Ace
With a middle-of-the-range spec, 800Mhz processor and iPhone-aping looks, it may be hard to see why it's worth buying into the new Galaxy Ace. However, its Android 2.2 (Froyo) OS makes a considerable difference and is, in fact, this phone's ace in the hole. It won't cost you the Earth either, so look deeper and you may find just what you were looking for. Read our full Samsung Galaxy Ace review Motorola Atrix
Smartphones have long been encroaching on the computing market, but the Atrix is annexing new turf. How? By including a built-in desktop OS and the ability to turn your phone into a so-called webtop computer. What's more, the dual-core 1GHz processor and 1GB of RAM that come stuffed into the Atrix should mean a blisteringly fast smartphone experience too. Follow the link to find out more about the Atrix's brand of magic. Read our full Motorola Atrix review HTC Gratia
Beneath the Gratia's divisive outer shell lies a great core experience that belies its slow-on-paper 600MHz processor. That sweet and gooey centre is down to the magic combination of Android 2.2 and HTC Sense. Upon it lie layers of extra functionality, but a few of these are soured by poor implementation. Read our review to see if the resulting flavour of smartphone is something you can stomach. Read our full HTC Gratia review Nokia C5-03
A minor upgrade to last year's C5, the C5-03 could be a good place to start if you're new to this whole smartphone thing. It's easy to use and has great battery life, plus the interface will be familiar to many. That said, it's not the fastest or most powerful beast, so let our review help you weigh up if it's really what you need. Read our full Nokia C5-03 review HTC 7 Pro
The only QWERTY keyboard in our latest mobile phone list, this is one of the first Windows Phone 7 mobiles to break cover since the OS's October launch died down, the HTC 7 Pro's headline feature is the slide-out keyboard that so many touchscreen smartphones eschew these days in favour of onscreen replacements. While it didn't always push our buttons, the great screen, solid build and sound battery life mean it's still worth considering this able companion. Read our full HTC 7 Pro review LG Optimus 2X
A dual-core Tegra 2 processor, Android 2.2 and 1080p video recording from an eight-megapixel camera should all combine to make the LG Optimus 2X a potential powerhouse, especially for video. But how does this 4-inch WVGA-screened monolith really perform, and can it invalidate all that's come before? Our early review with the pre-release software might still have some questions unanswered, but early signs show this dual-core wonder might lack the grunt we were all hoping for. Read our early LG Optimus 2X review Samsung Wave 2
The second incarnation of the Wave has now washed up on UK shores, bringing with it an updated version of Samsung's own Bada OS in the Wave 2. The hardware it powers is undeniably great, with a 3.7-inch Super Clear LCD screen that lives up to its name and 1GHz of processing power. But can the OS ride that wave successfully, or is it a software wipe out? Read our full Samsung Wave 2 review Nokia C6-01
The C6-01 is sure to divide opinion. Some would call the UI comfortable and familiar; others would say it's old. It's hardly a slinky number either, and some cuts have been made to keep the price low. On the flip side, it won't mean the gaping hole in your wallet that high-end mobiles are sure to inflict, and it can deliver much of the same functionality. Wrap your head around its intricacies by following the link below. Read our full Nokia C6-01 review Related Links
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| Latest mobile phones 2011: hottest handsets reviewed Posted: 25 Mar 2011 08:14 AM PDT In the ever-changing mobile market, it can be hard to keep pace with the latest mobile phone trends. That's why we've put together this hub for our new mobile phone reviews: to give you the ideal jumping-on point for understanding the most current handsets around. We cover a plethora of brands, including Apple, HTC, Nokia, Palm and Blackberry, and operating systems, such as Android, iOS and Windows Phone 7, so you should find something that piques your interest here. In short, if you're seeking a new mobile phone, this is a great place to start. Nokia C2-01
With the ink now dry on the contract between Nokia and Microsoft, the C2-01 is among the last of a dying breed: a Symbian OS-toting Nokia mobile. Oh, and it's sans touchscreen, too. Yes, for a new mobile phone, it's decidedly old-school. That said, it's cheap, simple and devoid of anything more fancy than a 3G connection, which will suit minimalists. But can it really hold up in market dominated by smartphones? Read our full Nokia C2-01 review HTC Incredible S
Incredible by name and only slightly less so by nature, this phone is HTC's entry into the underpopulated 4-inch touchscreen arena. In fact, it's among the first UK handsets to fill that niche, but more are on the horizon. It's blessed with HTC's slick Sense UI and a high-quality screen, but is this latest mobile phone's foibles enough to warrant waiting for its incoming competitors, or the HTC Desire S? Read our full HTC Incredible S review Samsung Galaxy Ace
With a middle-of-the-range spec, 800Mhz processor and iPhone-aping looks, it may be hard to see why it's worth buying into the new Galaxy Ace. However, its Android 2.2 (Froyo) OS makes a considerable difference and is, in fact, this phone's ace in the hole. It won't cost you the Earth either, so look deeper and you may find just what you were looking for. Read our full Samsung Galaxy Ace review Motorola Atrix
Smartphones have long been encroaching on the computing market, but the Atrix is annexing new turf. How? By including a built-in desktop OS and the ability to turn your phone into a so-called webtop computer. What's more, the dual-core 1GHz processor and 1GB of RAM that come stuffed into the Atrix should mean a blisteringly fast smartphone experience too. Follow the link to find out more about the Atrix's brand of magic. Read our full Motorola Atrix review HTC Gratia
Beneath the Gratia's divisive outer shell lies a great core experience that belies its slow-on-paper 600MHz processor. That sweet and gooey centre is down to the magic combination of Android 2.2 and HTC Sense. Upon it lie layers of extra functionality, but a few of these are soured by poor implementation. Read our review to see if the resulting flavour of smartphone is something you can stomach. Read our full HTC Gratia review Nokia C5-03
A minor upgrade to last year's C5, the C5-03 could be a good place to start if you're new to this whole smartphone thing. It's easy to use and has great battery life, plus the interface will be familiar to many. That said, it's not the fastest or most powerful beast, so let our review help you weigh up if it's really what you need. Read our full Nokia C5-03 review HTC 7 Pro
The only QWERTY keyboard in our latest mobile phone list, this is one of the first Windows Phone 7 mobiles to break cover since the OS's October launch died down, the HTC 7 Pro's headline feature is the slide-out keyboard that so many touchscreen smartphones eschew these days in favour of onscreen replacements. While it didn't always push our buttons, the great screen, solid build and sound battery life mean it's still worth considering this able companion. Read our full HTC 7 Pro review LG Optimus 2X
A dual-core Tegra 2 processor, Android 2.2 and 1080p video recording from an eight-megapixel camera should all combine to make the LG Optimus 2X a potential powerhouse, especially for video. But how does this 4-inch WVGA-screened monolith really perform, and can it invalidate all that's come before? Our early review with the pre-release software might still have some questions unanswered, but early signs show this dual-core wonder might lack the grunt we were all hoping for. Read our early LG Optimus 2X review Samsung Wave 2
The second incarnation of the Wave has now washed up on UK shores, bringing with it an updated version of Samsung's own Bada OS in the Wave 2. The hardware it powers is undeniably great, with a 3.7-inch Super Clear LCD screen that lives up to its name and 1GHz of processing power. But can the OS ride that wave successfully, or is it a software wipe out? Read our full Samsung Wave 2 review Nokia C6-01
The C6-01 is sure to divide opinion. Some would call the UI comfortable and familiar; others would say it's old. It's hardly a slinky number either, and some cuts have been made to keep the price low. On the flip side, it won't mean the gaping hole in your wallet that high-end mobiles are sure to inflict, and it can deliver much of the same functionality. Wrap your head around its intricacies by following the link below. Read our full Nokia C6-01 review Related Links
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| Latest mobile phones 2011: hottest handsets reviewed Posted: 25 Mar 2011 08:14 AM PDT In the ever-changing mobile market, it can be hard to keep pace with the latest mobile phone trends. That's why we've put together this hub for our new mobile phone reviews: to give you the ideal jumping-on point for understanding the most current handsets around. We cover a plethora of brands, including Apple, HTC, Nokia, Palm and Blackberry, and operating systems, such as Android, iOS and Windows Phone 7, so you should find something that piques your interest here. In short, if you're seeking a new mobile phone, this is a great place to start. Nokia C2-01
With the ink now dry on the contract between Nokia and Microsoft, the C2-01 is among the last of a dying breed: a Symbian OS-toting Nokia mobile. Oh, and it's sans touchscreen, too. Yes, for a new mobile phone, it's decidedly old-school. That said, it's cheap, simple and devoid of anything more fancy than a 3G connection, which will suit minimalists. But can it really hold up in market dominated by smartphones? Read our full Nokia C2-01 review HTC Incredible S
Incredible by name and only slightly less so by nature, this phone is HTC's entry into the underpopulated 4-inch touchscreen arena. In fact, it's among the first UK handsets to fill that niche, but more are on the horizon. It's blessed with HTC's slick Sense UI and a high-quality screen, but is this latest mobile phone's foibles enough to warrant waiting for its incoming competitors, or the HTC Desire S? Read our full HTC Incredible S review Samsung Galaxy Ace
With a middle-of-the-range spec, 800Mhz processor and iPhone-aping looks, it may be hard to see why it's worth buying into the new Galaxy Ace. However, its Android 2.2 (Froyo) OS makes a considerable difference and is, in fact, this phone's ace in the hole. It won't cost you the Earth either, so look deeper and you may find just what you were looking for. Read our full Samsung Galaxy Ace review Motorola Atrix
Smartphones have long been encroaching on the computing market, but the Atrix is annexing new turf. How? By including a built-in desktop OS and the ability to turn your phone into a so-called webtop computer. What's more, the dual-core 1GHz processor and 1GB of RAM that come stuffed into the Atrix should mean a blisteringly fast smartphone experience too. Follow the link to find out more about the Atrix's brand of magic. Read our full Motorola Atrix review HTC Gratia
Beneath the Gratia's divisive outer shell lies a great core experience that belies its slow-on-paper 600MHz processor. That sweet and gooey centre is down to the magic combination of Android 2.2 and HTC Sense. Upon it lie layers of extra functionality, but a few of these are soured by poor implementation. Read our review to see if the resulting flavour of smartphone is something you can stomach. Read our full HTC Gratia review Nokia C5-03
A minor upgrade to last year's C5, the C5-03 could be a good place to start if you're new to this whole smartphone thing. It's easy to use and has great battery life, plus the interface will be familiar to many. That said, it's not the fastest or most powerful beast, so let our review help you weigh up if it's really what you need. Read our full Nokia C5-03 review HTC 7 Pro
The only QWERTY keyboard in our latest mobile phone list, this is one of the first Windows Phone 7 mobiles to break cover since the OS's October launch died down, the HTC 7 Pro's headline feature is the slide-out keyboard that so many touchscreen smartphones eschew these days in favour of onscreen replacements. While it didn't always push our buttons, the great screen, solid build and sound battery life mean it's still worth considering this able companion. Read our full HTC 7 Pro review LG Optimus 2X
A dual-core Tegra 2 processor, Android 2.2 and 1080p video recording from an eight-megapixel camera should all combine to make the LG Optimus 2X a potential powerhouse, especially for video. But how does this 4-inch WVGA-screened monolith really perform, and can it invalidate all that's come before? Our early review with the pre-release software might still have some questions unanswered, but early signs show this dual-core wonder might lack the grunt we were all hoping for. Read our early LG Optimus 2X review Samsung Wave 2
The second incarnation of the Wave has now washed up on UK shores, bringing with it an updated version of Samsung's own Bada OS in the Wave 2. The hardware it powers is undeniably great, with a 3.7-inch Super Clear LCD screen that lives up to its name and 1GHz of processing power. But can the OS ride that wave successfully, or is it a software wipe out? Read our full Samsung Wave 2 review Nokia C6-01
The C6-01 is sure to divide opinion. Some would call the UI comfortable and familiar; others would say it's old. It's hardly a slinky number either, and some cuts have been made to keep the price low. On the flip side, it won't mean the gaping hole in your wallet that high-end mobiles are sure to inflict, and it can deliver much of the same functionality. Wrap your head around its intricacies by following the link below. Read our full Nokia C6-01 review Related Links
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| Hands on: EchoStar SlingLoaded HDS-600RS review Posted: 25 Mar 2011 08:00 AM PDT  Freesat and EchoStar have teamed up on a set-top box that allows you to watch live TV and recorded programming on your mobile device as well as providing a traditional PVR service. The box itself has been designed to stand out rather than blend in – EchoStar says it's not one to hide away under the TV. The design won't be to everyone's taste though – it's quite masculine and the abundance of red glowing lights will clash with certain decors.
Most of those glowing red lights are in fact touch-buttons for channel navigation, recording functions and volume control – the usuals. On the left hand side of the front panel sits the LED display that lets you know what channel you're watching, and nestled next to that is the Sling light which lights up or not depending on how the box is being used; luckily you can switch this off.
A quick word, too, on the remote; you can't see it very well in this particular picture (below), but it has been split into three distinct sections for easy use; the top panel is for controlling the PVR function – record, rewind, play etc – the middle band is for navigating around the EPG and the bottom section has the number pad and traditional remote functions.
Another nifty inclusion is the +/- 30 seconds button, which allows you to skip exactly 30 seconds in either direction; great for those 'who's that guy? What's going on here? Why doesn't she turn around?' moments in which you miss the essential line that will prove important later on in the film because you're explaining simple plot points to inattentive fellow viewers. Anyway, enough remote-porn. Back to the box and on to the screen; when used as a traditional set top box, the FreeSling gives you access to Freesat's range of channels via satellite, including HD channels like BBC HD. Using the Freesat EPG you can skip through the programming guide and build your library of scheduled recording – the box comes with 500GB of memory so room for around 100 hours of HD content and 300 of standard-def.
It's not just about PVR functions though, the box comes with a couple of additional apps, including the iPlayer app so you can watch VOD content too. Here's where it gets interesting; we tested the FreeSling with an iPad. Now, it's not exactly free to use; once you've shelled out £350 for the set top box and had your satellite installed, you'll need to pay around £20 for the SlingPlayer Mobile app.
But it is pretty darn cool. Using the app, you can remotely turn the STB on or off, watch TV live, pause and rewind the scheduled programme, set things to record or watch recorded programmes on the iPad. Unfortunately, only standard definition playback is available on the mobile device, but the fact that you can watch whatever's on your box from wherever you happen to be in the world is good enough for now.
The iPad (or whatever device you're using, we tried it with an Apple slate) can be used simply as the TV remote when you're at home if all those pesky buttons are too much for you.
Commands have a slight delay between being actioned on the iPad and carried out on the TV; none more so than when you're entering a channel number on the iPad keypad. This, however, is intentional; the box uses adaptive rate technology (patent pending) which reduces the quality of the picture if the network you're using is slow. This means you might wait an extra second or two for the channel to change, but means you won't miss any of your programme due to judders and jolts in the network. One annoyance in the core functionality of the box is that if someone in the household is watching television on the traditional set and someone is elsewhere using the mobile app, they can only watch the same thing. Fine if you live alone, but could prove problematic for anyone sharing a TV. There's no Wi-Fi connection on the SlingBox so it needs to be wired up to Ethernet and therefore placed fairly close to your router.
Anyone who's used a SlingPlayer before will know how brilliantly convenient it can be when you're away from home, and the new Freesat-enabled EchoStar HDS-600RS is no exception despite the dual-use drawbacks. We'll publish our full EchoStar SlingLoaded HDS 600RS review in due course. 
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| Hands on: EchoStar SlingLoaded HDS-600RS review Posted: 25 Mar 2011 08:00 AM PDT Freesat and EchoStar have teamed up on a set-top box that allows you to watch live TV and recorded programming on your mobile device as well as providing a traditional PVR service. The box itself has been designed to stand out rather than blend in – EchoStar says it's not one to hide away under the TV. The design won't be to everyone's taste though – it's quite masculine and the abundance of red glowing lights will clash with certain decors.
Most of those glowing red lights are in fact touch-buttons for channel navigation, recording functions and volume control – the usuals. On the left hand side of the front panel sits the LED display that lets you know what channel you're watching, and nestled next to that is the Sling light which lights up or not depending on how the box is being used; luckily you can switch this off.
A quick word, too, on the remote; you can't see it very well in this particular picture (below), but it has been split into three distinct sections for easy use; the top panel is for controlling the PVR function – record, rewind, play etc – the middle band is for navigating around the EPG and the bottom section has the number pad and traditional remote functions.
Another nifty inclusion is the +/- 30 seconds button, which allows you to skip exactly 30 seconds in either direction; great for those 'who's that guy? What's going on here? Why doesn't she turn around?' moments in which you miss the essential line that will prove important later on in the film because you're explaining simple plot points to inattentive fellow viewers. Anyway, enough remote-porn. Back to the box and on to the screen; when used as a traditional set top box, the FreeSling gives you access to Freesat's range of channels via satellite, including HD channels like BBC HD. Using the Freesat EPG you can skip through the programming guide and build your library of scheduled recording – the box comes with 500GB of memory so room for around 100 hours of HD content and 300 of standard-def.
It's not just about PVR functions though, the box comes with a couple of additional apps, including the iPlayer app so you can watch VOD content too. Here's where it gets interesting; we tested the FreeSling with an iPad. Now, it's not exactly free to use; once you've shelled out £350 for the set top box and had your satellite installed, you'll need to pay around £20 for the SlingPlayer Mobile app.
But it is pretty darn cool. Using the app, you can remotely turn the STB on or off, watch TV live, pause and rewind the scheduled programme, set things to record or watch recorded programmes on the iPad. Unfortunately, only standard definition playback is available on the mobile device, but the fact that you can watch whatever's on your box from wherever you happen to be in the world is good enough for now.
The iPad (or whatever device you're using, we tried it with an Apple slate) can be used simply as the TV remote when you're at home if all those pesky buttons are too much for you.
Commands have a slight delay between being actioned on the iPad and carried out on the TV; none more so than when you're entering a channel number on the iPad keypad. This, however, is intentional; the box uses adaptive rate technology (patent pending) which reduces the quality of the picture if the network you're using is slow. This means you might wait an extra second or two for the channel to change, but means you won't miss any of your programme due to judders and jolts in the network. One annoyance in the core functionality of the box is that if someone in the household is watching television on the traditional set and someone is elsewhere using the mobile app, they can only watch the same thing. Fine if you live alone, but could prove problematic for anyone sharing a TV. There's no Wi-Fi connection on the SlingBox so it needs to be wired up to Ethernet and therefore placed fairly close to your router.
Anyone who's used a SlingPlayer before will know how brilliantly convenient it can be when you're away from home, and the new Freesat-enabled EchoStar HDS-600RS is no exception despite the dual-use drawbacks. We'll publish our full EchoStar SlingLoaded HDS 600RS review in due course.
| ||||||
| Hands on: EchoStar SlingLoaded HDS-600RS review Posted: 25 Mar 2011 08:00 AM PDT Freesat and EchoStar have teamed up on a set-top box that allows you to watch live TV and recorded programming on your mobile device as well as providing a traditional PVR service. The box itself has been designed to stand out rather than blend in – EchoStar says it's not one to hide away under the TV. The design won't be to everyone's taste though – it's quite masculine and the abundance of red glowing lights will clash with certain decors.
Most of those glowing red lights are in fact touch-buttons for channel navigation, recording functions and volume control – the usuals. On the left hand side of the front panel sits the LED display that lets you know what channel you're watching, and nestled next to that is the Sling light which lights up or not depending on how the box is being used; luckily you can switch this off.
A quick word, too, on the remote; you can't see it very well in this particular picture (below), but it has been split into three distinct sections for easy use; the top panel is for controlling the PVR function – record, rewind, play etc – the middle band is for navigating around the EPG and the bottom section has the number pad and traditional remote functions.
Another nifty inclusion is the +/- 30 seconds button, which allows you to skip exactly 30 seconds in either direction; great for those 'who's that guy? What's going on here? Why doesn't she turn around?' moments in which you miss the essential line that will prove important later on in the film because you're explaining simple plot points to inattentive fellow viewers. Anyway, enough remote-porn. Back to the box and on to the screen; when used as a traditional set top box, the FreeSling gives you access to Freesat's range of channels via satellite, including HD channels like BBC HD. Using the Freesat EPG you can skip through the programming guide and build your library of scheduled recording – the box comes with 500GB of memory so room for around 100 hours of HD content and 300 of standard-def.
It's not just about PVR functions though, the box comes with a couple of additional apps, including the iPlayer app so you can watch VOD content too. Here's where it gets interesting; we tested the FreeSling with an iPad. Now, it's not exactly free to use; once you've shelled out £350 for the set top box and had your satellite installed, you'll need to pay around £20 for the SlingPlayer Mobile app.
But it is pretty darn cool. Using the app, you can remotely turn the STB on or off, watch TV live, pause and rewind the scheduled programme, set things to record or watch recorded programmes on the iPad. Unfortunately, only standard definition playback is available on the mobile device, but the fact that you can watch whatever's on your box from wherever you happen to be in the world is good enough for now.
The iPad (or whatever device you're using, we tried it with an Apple slate) can be used simply as the TV remote when you're at home if all those pesky buttons are too much for you.
Commands have a slight delay between being actioned on the iPad and carried out on the TV; none more so than when you're entering a channel number on the iPad keypad. This, however, is intentional; the box uses adaptive rate technology (patent pending) which reduces the quality of the picture if the network you're using is slow. This means you might wait an extra second or two for the channel to change, but means you won't miss any of your programme due to judders and jolts in the network. One annoyance in the core functionality of the box is that if someone in the household is watching television on the traditional set and someone is elsewhere using the mobile app, they can only watch the same thing. Fine if you live alone, but could prove problematic for anyone sharing a TV. There's no Wi-Fi connection on the SlingBox so it needs to be wired up to Ethernet and therefore placed fairly close to your router.
Anyone who's used a SlingPlayer before will know how brilliantly convenient it can be when you're away from home, and the new Freesat-enabled EchoStar HDS-600RS is no exception despite the dual-use drawbacks. We'll publish our full EchoStar SlingLoaded HDS 600RS review in due course.
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