An array of gadgets is vying to help homeowners cut energy spending. The devices provide real-time information about how much electricity is used across a home in terms that are easy to comprehend: cost per hour.
More electronic products are being designed with their rechargeable batteries sealed inside. Walt Mossberg tests two new Apple laptops with higher-capacity, sealed-in batteries.
Apple’s new iPhone 3G S and OS 3.0 offer plenty of new features. But the software may be enough of a boost to keep many users from buying the new model, Walt Mossberg writes.
Palm’s Pre is smart, sophisticated and will appeal to those who want a keyboard. It could give the iPhone and Blackberry strong competition — if it fixes its app store and can attract third-party developers.
The companies behind Linux netbooks have made great strides in improving user interfaces, but until they can achieve similar breakthroughs in how the machines work with other devices, Windows netbooks are still a better deal.
Verizon’s H-P Mini netbook is an adequate light-duty computer for a low price, but the charge for Internet service is high if used as a main online connection.
This year, with Microsoft and Apple set to upgrade operating systems, Walt Mossberg’s spring computer buyer’s guide focuses on buying a machine for the new OS you may soon want.
Apple’s latest version of MobileMe, a service that synchronizes email, contacts and calendars among Mac and Windows computers, is faster and more reliable.
Edited by Walt and written by Katie Boehret, this is a guide to gadgets, web services and other consumer technologies.
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