All posts in: Now or Later

Should you buy a 4G phone?


4G was the buzzword in the reviews we consulted for our recent update of the cell phone plans report. In theory, 4G will bring blazing fast speeds and new capabilities to your smartphone and other wireless devices. In reality, it's not quite there yet. While the four major U.S. carriers have some sort of 4G plan in place, coverage is spotty and there are less than 10 4G smartphones available. Verizon, the best reviewed carrier overall offers just one 4G smartphone (the HTC Thunderbolt), though its 4G network shows the most promise. The top regional carrier in our cell phone plans report, U.S. Cellular, does not yet have a 4G network at all.

Another season, another new iPod


Just in time for the holidays, new Apple iPods were unveiled yesterday. The most significant changes affect the iPod nano, which now comes with a video camera. Also new is an FM radio; other MP3 players have had this feature for years. Lastly, a pedometer feature keeps track of your steps. Design-wise, the nano looks pretty much the same; the screen is a little taller and the colors are a bit shinier. If you already own an iPod, is the new nano worth the upgrade?

Is 3D the new HDTV?


Is 3D the "next big thing" in home theater, and will it make all those shiny LCD and plasma sets on retailers shelves obsolete?

That's what some pundits, such as DVICE's Stewart Wolpin are speculating, though I'm not so sure.

Without a doubt, several manufacturers, most notably Panasonic, are taking 3D seriously The company recently announced a promotional partnership with movie maker James Cameron (of "Titanic" fame) for "AVATAR," a sci-fi film shot completely in 3D (using Panasonic equipment in part) and set to debut this December. In Panasonic's announcement, Cameron said "I believe 3D is how we will experience movies, gaming, and computing in the near future."

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