On the surface, the Hybrid resembles the vanilla Thinkpad X1. However, on the inside, you have up to an Intel Core i7 processor powering Windows 7. Additionally, the instant-on Instant Media Mode, which can be used for media, is powered by an Android-based OS to be a bit more conservative on the OS if you don’t need specialized Windows programs, and utilizes a more power-efficient ARM-based Qualcomm dual-core 1.2 GHz Snapdragon processor. On the Instant Media Mode side, there is also 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage.

The 13.3-inch notebook weighs 3.73 pounds. The system has a rapid charge feature that allows you to quickly charge to 80% in just 30 minutes.

You can follow the ThinkPad X1 Hybrid more on this previous post.

CES: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Hybrid Hands-On (Video) is a post by Chuong Nguyen from Notebooks.com.

21 Awesome Tech Gift Ideas for Dad

If you order within the next week most of these gifts will arrive in time for Father’s Day 2011 which is on Sunday June 19th.

Verbatim Tuff N Tiny USB Flash Drive – $10 and up

The Verbatim Tuff N Tiny USB Flash Drive has become our go to drive for two reasons. It is tough and as you can guess, it is tiny. We have it attached to the our key ring and so it is always there. Because of its size we barely notice it. Because of how tough it is we don’t worry about breaking it. We tested this drive and really beat it up. Our data was safe despite dunking it in water, stomping on it, and plunging into dirt. The drives start at $22 for a 2GB model and range on up to $158 for the 32GB model. But you can find them cheaper on Amazon.

Mimobots – $22 and up

If you are looking for a thumbdrive that shows off dad’s love for comics or science fiction, then you need to check out the licensed Mimibot thumb drives. These incredibly detailed drives don’t just carry your documents, they show off your geeky side with licences from Star Wars, Marvel and more.

We’ve been using several of these drives over the past few weeks and everyone we show them to loves the fun look of the Mimobots. The drives look as good in person as they do on the Mimibot website and with a large collection of characters you have a good chance at finding dad’s favorite comic book hero. The backside of the drive is flat enough we could use it with the MacBook Air, which sits close to a table, but if you are trying to plug into the recessed ports on some desktops you may have trouble.

iPhone, Android & iPad Protection – $30 and up

Some of our favorite cases for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices come from Speck and OtterBox. These two companies offer a range of solutions for multiple Android devices and the every popular iPhone. Speck offers a collection of colorful and fun cases mainly focused on Apple products, offering all types of looks and protection.

OtterBox on the other hand is known for their incredible protection for devices including drop protection. For fathers who work in construction, like to go outdoors or are just rough with their phones, an OtterBox case is the perfect gift.

ScotteVest Travel Vests and Jackets – $25 and up

It wouldn’t be a Father’s Day gift guide without ScotteVest travel vests, jackets and shirts. We’ve been big fans of the ScotteVest gear for a while now because it allows dad to carry all of his gear from cameras to the iPad without looking like a dork. Seriously, the pockets in these devices will accommodate all types of gear for around town or heading off on an adventure.

ScotteVest is having a Father’s Day sale right now, that allows you to get jackets, hoodies and shirts at 30% off. The standard ScotteVest Travel vest isn’t on sale, but is well worth the $100 price tag.

LightScoop – $30

If Dad is a shutterbug, the Lightscoop is a great choice. This handy little DSLR accessory will snap on to his camera and bounce the flash off the ceiling or the wall for better photos. Rather than washing out the image or delivering a deer in the headlights look, the Lightscoop bounces the photos off your surroundings for better lighting.

The Lightscoop is probably a better fit for budding photographer dads, rather than a pro photographer who likely has a full lightbox and studio setup on hand.

Eye Fi – $49.99 and up

Another good Father’s Day gift is the Eye-Fi X2 SD card which connects to wireless networks and iPhone or Android devices to upload your photos to your computer and to the web without any wires.

We really like the ability to upload our photos automatically to our computer and to the Eye Fi Center which allows us to share them with family members on the iPad rather than the small screen of our camera. Dad can choose to selectively upload photos to Facebook and many other websites to automatically share. We like the control, which keeps unwanted photos from going public. Check out our Eye Fi Review.

WetCiruits 4 Outlet Water Resistant Rugged Power Strip – $70

This is not an ordinary power outlet. Sure it is a little expensive but how many power strips from WalMart will withstand pouring water into them or having Junior stick a pair of metal tweezers in one of the outlets and survive without even a shock? With the WetCircuits power strip pouring water on it while it is plugged in and in use has no effect. The water is kept out of the actual circuit. Putting a set of tweezers down into the outlet will not shock anyone. We know because we tested it. Check out the video below.

This thing is great for plugging in a number of things like a laptop, a video projector, and your cell phone while you are working at a table with people drinking coffee or while outdoors at a beach or park.

Razer Orochi Bluetooth Laser Mouse – $79.99

There might be a better mobile mouse out there, but after testing a bunch of Bluetooth mobile mice, we don’t think there is a better Bluetooth mobile mouse available. Designed primarily for gamers in mind, this mouse is also great as an everyday mouse. In fact, we use it that way with the notebooks we use most o the time. You can view our full review and video and decide for yourself. Dad will love this mouse whether he’s a gamer or not.

Cadence 4-bit Binary Watch – $90

This is less a tech gift and more a gift for a techie. If your dad is a geek he will love this binary watch. From a distance it looks like any casual analog watch. Up close you realize that instead of Latin or Roman numerals each hour is represented by a four digit binary number.

Fitbit – $99

If dad is a data geek, tracking and analyzing anything he can put into a number, he may like the fitbit. This small device clips onto his pocket or belt and tracks steps, miles walked, activity, calories burned and can even track his sleep habits. The fitbit is $99 and includes access to the fitbit website for tracking fitbit stats and can log eating habits(he’ll have to do this manually though). If he wants to go deeper into the data and gain comparisons to other people in his age group he can upgrade to the premium account for $49 a year.

We’ve been using a fitbit for the past few weeks and we really like that the fitbit can handle being worn day to day at the office, in the yard or out on a long walk without any worries of it falling off or breaking. The fitbit battery lasts a whole week and uploads data to the fitbit website whenever you get within 15 feet of the base station which is attached to your computer. The fitbit isn’t waterproof, but it can handle being washed off and reportedly can survive a drop into the toilet. Below you’ll see just a snippet of the data fitbit records.

One of our favorite uses has been to monitor our sleep habits. With the included armband dad can wear the fitbit while you sleep and it will monitor how often he wakes up and moves during the night.

Booq Bag Computer Backpack – Starting at $129.95

We think Booq makes some nice computer bags and backpacks. They have almost any style you prefer, but we like the backpack style the best. The Boa Squeeze is their least expensive backpack bag. They sell sizes that fit anything from a 13″ up to a 17″ computer. They offer great protection and will look cool doing it. Dad will be very happy with this bag or any of the other styles. Maybe he likes a something more like a messenger bag with a flap, a simple sleeve, or a briefcase style bag. They have them all. We also like the Cobra Courier which is a messenger style bag with a sleeve to protect your notebook. It comes it at $195.

Plantronics Voyager Pro UC 2 Bluetooth Headset – $199

Bluetooth headsets are for the most part poor performers when you actually start to use them, but not the Plantronics Voyager Por UC 2. This headset is the smartest Bluetooth headset we have ever used and the only one we have stuck with for more than a few weeks. It’s so good, we gave it an Editor’s Choice award at GottaBeMobile.com.

The reason we love this bluetooth headset so much is that it is smart enough to know when you want to use it and when you don’t. With a normal Bluetooth headset, audio will be sent to the headset even if it is in your bag or out in the car. The Plantronics Voyager Pro UC 2 knows when you have it on your ear and when you don’t, allowing it to route the audio to the right place. The headset will even auto answer calls when you put it on your ear. This model includes a Bluetooth adapter so that you can use it with your PC or Mac as well.

Android Phone – Various Prices

As popular as the iPhone is, we think an Android phone might be a nice way to reward dad this year. They are easy to use and have a lot of powerful features. Recommending just one is hard since not all phones are available with all carriers. So here are our recommendations for the carrier that old dad is using. These come from our sister site’s list of the top 5 phones for May 2011.

LG G2x – T-Mobile – $200

It has a fantastic 4-inch LCD display, HSPA+ 4G speeds and it has the ability to capture 1080p which is something most top of the line smartphones aren’t able to do.

HTC Droid Incredible 2 – Verizon – $80

We recently previewed the HTC Droid Incredible 2, the successor of the wildly popular Droid Incredible, and came away very impressed. The increase in display size from 3.7 to 4-inches works well and doesn’t add any additional bulk.

Its single-core 1GHz processor is quick and it comes with almost an identical form factor to the original Droid Incredible.  Add in all the other bells and whistles and you have yourself a fantastic 3G phone.

Motorola Atrix 4G – AT&T – $99

The Motorola Atrix is the flagship Android device on AT&T and like the G2x, it can be considered a superphone because of the fantastic specifications it has on board. It packs a high-resolution display, dual-core processor and a massive battery to boot.

HTC Thunderbolt – Verizon – $249

The ThunderBolt is essentially an HTC EVO with 4G LTE speeds, which as you’ll see in a second, isn’t a bad thing whatsoever. The hardware is solid, the software as well and with an upgrade to Gingerbread coming in the not-so-distant future, the ThunderBolt is worthy of this list.

Amazon Kindle eBook Reader – $114, $139, or $189

There are a number of good eBook readers available, but the best one for the simple task of reading books is still the Kindle. The iPad is the premium do-it-all device. The Nook Color wants to be. But if all you want is an eBook reader cheap, the ad-supported Kindle is the best option. It is only $114 and the ads are not that intrusive. It requires a Wi-Fi signal to shop, download books, and sync things like bookmarks, highlights or notes, but can be read anywhere.

HP dm1z Notebook Computer – $449

Not quite a netbook, the diminutive HP dm1z series of notebooks is a great choice for an ultra-portable budget notebook for the mobile dad who needs a business notebook that can handle almost any basic task you throw at it. More powerful than a little netbook, he will be more happy too. It is an 11.6″ system with a dual-core AMD Fusion processor. The AMD Radeon 6310 graphics makes this little system a lot more powerful than you would think. The 1366×768 display makes it 720p HD capable, great for watching HD videos downloaded from one of the various video buying or rental sites. For an extra $129 you can get dad an external Blu-ray drive too. HP promises 9.5 hours from the battery. If you only get the typical two-thirds of the promised battery life that it still around 6 hours. It has VGA and HDMI output for presentations or hooking up to a TV.

Apple iPad 2 – $499 – $829

This is likely one of the number one requested tech gifts this Father’s Day. It is still the standard for tablet devices despite all that people are trying to do to unseat it with Android-based devices. The huge app ecosystem and accessories market make it the number one device. It is dead simple to use and one of the most versatile computing devices ever made.

Our sister site did a very comprehensive iPad 2 review if you want to read up before taking this big a plunge. Just know that if you can afford it, dad will be extremely happy with you. We suggest a sweet spot of 32GB with 3G if you can afford it. That model is $729. Take one step back and go with the 32GB wi-fi only model for $599 if possible.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 – $1399

Not officially ready till May 24, this business class notebook is one of the nicest we’ve seen this year. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 was give the editor’s choice award by our editor, Josh Smith. He said:

The ThinkPad X1 shows a now look for Lenovo and includes a collection of features and design changes which exciting and new. Lenovo has been able to add to the ThinkPad features we love, like durability and an amazing keyboard, without compromising on why businesses choose to equip their employees with ThinkPads. The ThinkPad X1 shows that the company can adapt and bring consumer features like high-end audio and backlit keys to the traditional ThinkPad line. Lenovo may still need a bit more time to perfect the mousepad, but the ThinkPad X1 is without a doubt the best ThinkPad we have had a chance to use.

The ThinkPad X1 we looked at had a 2.5GHz 2nd generation Intel Core i5-520M processor. It also included 4GB RAM and a 320GB hard drive. The display is powered by Intel 3000 HD integrated graphics. The glossy 13.3″ screen is made with a gorilla glass wich makes it durable and particularly scratch resistant. The computer is 3.73 pounds and between .65″ and .84″ in thickness. The 6 cell battery gives you over four hours and the optional slice adds another four hours. Please read our comprehensive review for more detailed information.

Additional Reporting by Josh Smith

Father’s Day 2011: 21 Awesome Tech Gift Ideas for Dad is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

New Notebooks for the Week of June 3rd

• ASUS Shows Off Republic of Gamers G53SX Naked Eye 3D Notebook
  ASUS is showing of some new 3D gaming notebooks at Computex, including their new Republic of Gamers G53SX Naked Eye 3D. They call it the “world’s first naked-eye 3D laptop meaning you can have 3D gaming or video without the need for those annoying 3D glasses.
• MSI F Series Gains FX620DX and FX420 with Quad Core Options, GPUs from AMD and NVIDIA
  MSI showed off a wide array of new notebooks at Computex this week including updates to the premium F series line of notebooks. The new MSI F620DX notebook and the FX420 are what MSI calls the “supercar of laptops,” due to a collection of performance, looks and multimedia options.
• ASUS Announces ROG G74Sx 3D Gaming Notebook
  ASUS announced a new 3D gaming notebook for the hard-core gamer called the ASUS G74Sx. It is part of the Republic of Gamers (ROG) line which is designed for serious gamers who want the power to run any game they choose anywhere they please.
• MSI CX640, CX670 and CX480 C Series Notebooks Arrive w/ Latest Intel and AMD Processors
  MSI announced a trio of new notebooks in the C Series lineup at Computex 2011 this week. The new C Series notebooks include the MSI CX640 as well as the MSI CX670 and CX480 which have 15.6″ displays.
• MSI X460 Arrives with Slim Design, Sandy Bridge & GeForce GT540M
  MSI announced a collection of new notebooks at Computex 2011 including the MSI X460, the latest addition to the MSI X Series of notebooks. This new X series notebook packs a decent amount of power into a size that looks like a perfect fit for students.
• Lenovo Unveils IdeaPad U300s UltraBook at Computex
  Intel is doing all it can to push the new UltraBook platform and it appears that they have convinced Lenovo to get on board with the IdeaPad U300s/U3s Ultrabook at Computex 2011.
• Dell Latitude E6420 XFR and ATG Bring Rugged Power to Police and Professionals
  Dell has just announced the Dell Latitude E6420 XFR fully rugged notebook and the Dell Latitude E6420 ATG semi-rugged notebook with the latest Intel Sandy Bridge processors and discrete graphics. These rugged and semi-rugged notebooks aren’t just designed to be standalone tools, but rather full solutions for users that need to meet specific needs.
• MSI GT683 Gaming Notebook Arrives with NVIDIA GTX 560M GPU and $1,599 Price
  MSI has unveiled the MSI GT683, first notebook to ship with the NVIDIA GTX 560M GPU, both of which were announced at Computex 2011 this week.
• ASUS UX21 UltraPortable Tries to Out-Air the MacBook Air (Video)
  ASUS introduced a the new UX Series notebooks at Computex 2011 today, showing off the ASUS UX Series ultraportable notebook which measures 17mm at the thickest point and 3mm at the thinnest and weighs 2.4 pounds. One look at the ASUS UX and it will be clear to you which notebook the company is going after.

Notebook News for the Week of June 3rd

• Apple Handling Early Malware Threats More Aggressively Than Microsoft
  Apple released an update yesterday that deals with the MacDefender problem and also will help you avoid future infections. It adds a new tool to the security features of OS X that daily updates a list of known malware.
• Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Cleans Viruses and Malware
  Microsoft has released the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper, a new tool that works alongside Microsoft Security Essentials, as an advanced system cleaner. If you have a difficult to remove malware or virus problem, this new tool from Microsoft may be able to detect and remove the problem.
• Apple Offers MacBook Bottom Case Replacement Program
  Due to an issue affecting the white plastic MacBook model where the bottom plastic cover would separate from the rubber, Apple is offering a case replacement program.
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M Notebooks Arrive Today with Optimus at Gaming SweetSpot
  NVIDIA just announced the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M mobile notebook GPU which is the latest gaming GPU to roll off the lines at NVIDIA with support for Direct X11, NVIDIA PhysX, NVIDIA 3D Vision, 3DTV Play and for the first time NVIDIA Optimus.
• Steve Jobs To Unveil OS X Lion, iOS 5 & iCloud at WWDC
  Steve Jobs will be on hand at WWDC to unveil OS X Lion, iOS 5 and iCloud next week on June 6, 2011 at 10:00 am PDT. OS X Lion and iOS 5 are the next versions of Apple’s operating systems for the computer and mobile devices.
• Intel Attempts to Define Computing Future with Thin “Ultraboooks” Starting under $1,000
  At Computex 2011 Intel announced a new plan to help usher in a new class of thin ultraportable notebooks that cost less than $1,000. Intel is calling these new notebooks “Ultrabooks” and wants to move at least 40% of the consumer notebooks to this thin form factor by the end of 2012.

Smartphone and Tablet News for the week of June 3rd

• Ahead of WWDC, iPhone 6 Rumors Abound
  Ahead of Apple’s annual congregation of developers at WWDC 2011 in San Francisco, California, a destination where the company is expected to showcase the latest features of iOS 5 and Mac OS X Lion, rumors of the next-generation iPhone hardware are picking up momentum.
• Crux Loaded Case Turns iPad 2 Into Asus Transformer, But Is It Worth the Price?
  For iPad 2 owners looking on at the Asus Eee Pad Transformer‘s clever laptop dock in envy, Crux is bringing its Crux Loaded case to the second-generation iOS tablet to enable the same functionality.
• 5 Features iOS 5 Needs to Make Me Switch from Android [WWDC]
  What iOS 5 neeeds to stay in competition with Android and convert one of our editors.
• Asus PadFone Details, First Impression & Hands On Video Roundup
  Asus has unveiled a new tablet concept at Computex 2011 called the Asus PadFone, which has an opening in the back that allows you to dock your smartphone to power the tablet, similar to how the Motorola Atrix 4G powers a laptop dock.
• Windows 8 Touch Interface Impresses But Is It Enough?
  Well, Microsoft took the wraps off their touch tablet strategy yesterday and if I had to describe the effort in one word, it would be “impressive”.
• Ever Wanted An HTC Smartphone Running WebOS? Well, You Might Just Get It
  HP’s CEO Leo Apotheker is open to licensing his company’s mobile software, webOS, to companies like HTC.
• Verizon Announces 4G LTE Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Pre-Orders Start June 8th
  Verizon has made the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 official which means that Big Red is finally going to have a 4G LTE capable tablet within its stable of devices.
• High on Apple’s iCloud: Top 5 Reasons to Care Even If You’re Not a Music Lover
  We’ve been talking about iTunes streaming, cloud storage, music streaming, and a digital locker for some time now at GottaBeMobile, and here are the top five things that may shape iCloud, though some of these items may take time to happen.

Weekly Wrapup: Notebook, Tablet and Smartphone News & Reviews (June 3rd) is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

If you missed out on our reader meetup for June 3rd in San Francisco, don’t delay. We just received a new allotment of tickets and more prizes. Stop down, enjoy some cocktails and chat with your favorite tech writers from GottaBeMobile, SlashGear, Android Community, IntoMobile, BetaNews and Netshelter. In all we are giving away 10 Samsung Galaxy Tab Wi-Fi’s, 5 Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1′s and five different smartphones!

Smartphone and Tablet News for the week of May 27th

• Android Tablets Aren’t Made To Be Held The Right Way
  Tim Bray, Google’s Developer Advocate for Android, has taken a stand on tablet orientation, and he says portrait mode is the way to go. I wouldn’t go that far, but he makes some good points. Unfortunately, the problem isn’t with how people are holding their Android tablets, but how manufacturers are designing them.
• 10 Ways to Fight Desk Job Death & Stay Active at Work
  A new study of how Americans work shows that as we have made the move to desk jobs we have become less active, leading to obesity and other health issues. Here are 10 ways to stay active.
• Top 50 Android Apps, Widgets and Shortcuts – What’s On My Android Homescreen
  Here’s a look at my Android home screen which includes my most used apps, widgets and shortcuts for Android.
• Is There a Lack of Smartphone Diversity on Verizon’s 4G LTE Network?
  Granted, 4G LTE and its consumer-facing devices are still in an infancy period having only been recently made available for purchase within the last few months, but the three Android smartphones–two of which are available today and one coming later this week–all exhibit similar traits.
• Sprint Poaching Motorola Droid X2 from Verizon, Launching as Photon 4G?
  Sprint may be adopting another handset from Verizon Wireless–the Now Network had previously announced that it will be launching the Verizon Motorola Droid Pro as the Motorola XPRT on its network–and this time it’s the Droid X2, which would launch as the Photon 4G.
• HTC ThunderBolt Reboot Fix Coming Soon, Verizon Offering Trade-In to Those Affected?
  HTC and Verizon are well aware of the random reboot issues that have been plaguing the HTC ThunderBolt since it was updated earlier this month. In fact, it appears that Verizon is on the verge of releasing a fix for the issues as its apparently ready and will head to Verizon employees with ThunderBolt’s first and then to the general public if all goes smoothly.

Smartphone Reviews for May 27th

• Motorola Droid X2 Review (Video)
  You know the saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?” Well, Motorola and Verizon apparently had that phrase posted all over their offices when mulling over ideas for the successor to the original Motorola Droid X because the Motorola Droid X2 is a splitting image of its older brother. Thankfully it adds a qHD display and dual core processor.
• Square: Small Business Owners Love This Mobile Payment System (video review)
  From what I can tell, small business owners absolutely love Square and the service is going viral. Spin City Cafe is an example of one business I frequent that uses Square.
• How To Tether To Your Android Phone with WiFi Tether
  WiFi Tether is an app for rooted Android phones that lets you use your phone as a wireless hotspot. This allows users to bypass carriers’ built-in Wi-Fi hotspot software, which is especially helpful on phones that come with unreliable hotspot apps, such as the HTC Thunderbolt.

New Notebooks for the Week of May 27th

• Dell XPS 15z: Thinnest 15″ PC on the Planet, Takes on MacBook Pro
  The Dell XPS 15z may look like a MacBook Pro, but it has a few extras you won’t find on Apple’s high end notebook.
• Sony VAIO S Packs High Res Display an Optical Drive into Tiny Package
  Sony delivers a crazy high 1600×900 resolution on the 13.3″ VAIO S.
• Quad Core AMD Llano Processor Inbound to HP Pavilion dv6
  AMD FUsion A Quad Core processors are likely to hit HP notebooks next month
• Eee PC Netbook with MacBook Air Styling Coming at Computex
  Asus is teasing a MacBook Air looking netbook to be unveiled at Computex. Check out what it might look like.
• Notebook Designed for Seniors and Aging Population
  We hope a manufacturer brings these notebooks designed to meet the needs of the elderly into production.
• Sony Vaio F Notebooks Arrive Packing a Multimedia Punch
  Sony unleashes a second upgrade, this time to the VAIO F notebooks with a full 1080P HD display and multimedia touches.
• Panasonic Toughbook 31 Continues to Set Benchmark for Rugged Notebooks
  Panasonic adds Sandy Bridge processors to the new Toughbook 31 notebook. This refresh also allows the screen to go form super bright all the way down to 2 nit for use in nighttime applications.

Notebook News for the Week of May 27th

• Amazon Mac App Store Launches With Apps You Can’t Get in Apple’s Store
  Amazon’s new Mac App Store has apps you can’t get direct from Apple’s App store like Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac.
• New MacDefender Called MacGuard Installs Without Your Password
  Malware authors continue to pester Mac users with fake antivirus software. Now you don’t even need to enter your password to install the software.
• Kanex mLinq USB to HDMI Adapter Gives Macs a 2nd or 3rd Display
  Use the Kanex mLinq to turn your Mac’s USB port into a HDMI port capable of connecting to a monitor or HDTV.
• 11 Last Minute High School Graduation Gifts That Don’t Suck – Tech, Gadgets and Games
  Need a fast graduation gift for a high school senior? Check out our list of Graduation gifts that will actually get used.
• 10 Tips To Getting Things Done While Working at a Coffee Shop
  After spending 3 to 5 days a week working from a coffee shop for the last 5 months, we share our secrets to getting things done while working from a mobile office.

Notebook and Accessory Reviews for May 27th

• Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 Offers Basics [Review]
  The Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse 5000 is a capable Bluetooth mouse, but doesn’t stand out, even with a low price.
• Verbatim Touch Mouse Brings Apple Magic Mouse Feel to Windows [Review]
  Verbatim brings touch to the mobile mouse, a la the Apple Magic Mouse, but doesn’t deliver on the experience.

Weekly Wrapup: Notebook, Tablet and Smartphone News & Reviews (May 27th) is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Smartphone and Tablet News for the week of May 6th

• The Best Android Smartphones – Coming Summer 2011
  A look at the hottest Android smartphones coming this summer.
• The 5 Best Android Smartphones [May, 2011]
  The hottest Android smartphones available right now.
• How My iPad Made Me Hate Paper and Helped Me Save Over $15,000
  Kevin saves a load of money by using his iPad ad ditching paper.
• Kevin Saves the Dough by Going Paperless, I’m Not So Lucky
  Warner still has trouble going paperless, note for lack of trying though.
• RIM Demos Android Apps on BlackBerry PlayBook, Again (Video)
  RIM has posted another video of the tablet showing off its ability to run applications of the Android variety with more details.
• Verizon to Target Female Demographics with HTC Bliss Android Smartphone, Droidette?
  Verizon is rumored to be coming out with an Android phone geared towards women. With a glowing charm accessory.
• HTC EVO 3D Details, Review & Hands-On Video Roundup
  Everything you need to know about the HTC EVO 3D before it launches this summer.
• Fujitsu Stylistic Q550 Tablet PC Slate Launching Today
  Sumocat delivers his thoughts on the Fujitsu Stylistic Q550 slate Tablet PC.
• LG Revolution Details, Review & Hands-On Video Roundup
  What we know so far about the LG Revolution, likely the 3rd 4G LTE device to come to Verizon.
• RIM Announces BlackBerry 7, Says Current BlackBerry Phones Won’t Get It
  RIM also introduced its latest and greatest operating system, BlackBerry 7, which will launch on the new BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 aka BlackBerry Bold Touch at some point this year.
• RIM Announces BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 (BlackBerry Bold Touch)
  RIM introduced the BlackBerry Bold Touch at its BlackBerry World conference. The device, which had been expected for quite some time, will officially be known as the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and the BlackBerry Bold 9930
• Finger Nose Stylus for Stall Surfers Might Be Carrying Things a Bit Far
  A strap on nose stylus lets you stall surf and tub surf with ease.
• Prepaid Smartphone Showdown: Virgin Mobile, Metro PCS, Verizon, T-Mobile & More
  A look at the prepaid smartphone options from national carriers like Virgin Mobile, Verizon and T-Mobile as well as smaller carriers like US Cellular, Metro PCS and Boost Mobile

Smartphone and Accessory Reviews for May 2011

• Review: Sprint MiFi 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot (Video)
  Check out our thoughts on the Sprint MiFi 3G/4G hotspot.
• SugarSync Review: Back Up and Sync With Multiple Computers – Better Than Dropbox
  SugarSync stole Kevin away from Dropbox. Find out why he switched.
• Verizon Droid Charge Review (Video)
  The Droid Charge is the newest 4G LTE phone to land on Verizon, check out our review before the Charge arrives in store.
• BooqPad iPad 2 Folio Review: The iPad Case for Note Takers
  The BooqPad + Evernote makes for a great inking experience.
• Casio G’zOne Commando Rugged Android Smartphone Hands On and First Impressions (Video)
  The Casio G’zOne Commando is a rugged Android smartphone that looks intimidating, but loves a good soak.
• Droid Incredible 2 Hands On and First Impressions (Video)
  The Droid Incredible 2 is a slim but powerful 3G smartphone. Check out our first impressions.

Notebook News for the Week of May 6th

MacBook Air Running Windows 7

• Mac Owners Targeted with Fake Antivirus App
  Malware programmers are after Mac Owners with a new fake Antivirus app that tries to get your money and your credit card information.
• USB Modems Preferred 3 to 1 over Personal Hotspots. Why?
  Users prefer USB modems over mobile hotspots. We don’t know why either.
• Is the MacBook Air a Good Windows 7 Notebook?
  A look at how Windows 7 runs as a full time OS on teh MacBook Air. Also, how to set this up for yourself.
• Is Apple dumping Intel for ARM?
  Rumors point to Apple ditching Intel for ARM powered notebooks and desktops. Find out our take.
• Standing Desk Guide: Measurements, Examples and Benefits
  Everything you need to know to get started with a standup desk.
• Two Reasons the Mac OS X Lion Update Will Come On a Disc
  Two reasons why OS X Lion will come on a disk or drive when it arrives this summer.

Notebook Reviews for May 2011

• Samsung RV511 Review: Great Features on a $500 Notebook
  The feature packed RV511 earns high marks for value thanks to looks and a collection of features typical of higher priced notebooks.
• Acer Aspire 7552G-6436 Review [Video]
  Check out this Quad Core Desktop replacement. It’s not perfect, but it might be right for you.
• Ergotron WorkFit S Review: Standing Desk With Hinged Dual LCD Mount (Video)
  Review of our favorite Sit stand desk from Ergotron with a cool new hinged monitor mount.
• ASUS Eee PC 1215B with AMD Fusion Hands On (Video)
  Hands on video of the AMD Fusion powered ASUS Eee PC 1215B

How To Guides for May

• How To Make Windows 7 Look and Act Like Windows XP
  Make Windows 7 look and act like Windows XP if you can’t bear to change. Even if it is for the better.
• 9 Tips for Troubleshooting Internet Explorer 9
  How to handle common Internet Explorer 9 issues.

Weekly Wrapup: Notebook, Tablet and Smartphone News (May 6th) is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

They say the netbook is not as popular thanks to tablets. Yesterday we learned that both IDC and Gartner predicted that netbook and budget notebook king Acer was struggling mightily with a big decline in total PCs shipped in Q1 2011. DisplaySearch predicts that netbooks are driving the whole industry slightly lower with only 27% growth rate predicted this year, compared with 30% last year.

The other segment that is slowing the growth is the “emerging markets” where countries that are just catching up with the industrialized world are buying fewer computers.

One segment that is picking up steam is tablets. The iPad and the Android tablets are taking the place of the netbook. People who have simple needs like reading email, surfing the web, reading books and watching some streaming video don’t need a computer. The tablet is better for those tasks. You can also occasionally produce simple content like a short email message or make a few edits to a Word document. Tablets are the perfect companion while on the go because they are smaller, lighter, and often have longer battery life. The only problem is connectivity. That is a problem for netbooks as well. Most tablets have that option built in if you need it.

DisplaySearch says the netbooks is not dead. Those emerging markets need computers but can’t afford more traditional notebooks. They also say that educators will provide their constituency with netbooks too. Their tiny hands means they don’t notice that the keyboards are too small.

But are schools relying on netbooks for education? One school district in Main is providing iPads to all of their kindergarten kids because they saw a jump in learning thanks to education apps. That is an isolated case, but not many schools are buying their kindergarteners netbooks either.

PC Growth Not as Fast in 2011 Says DisplaySearch is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

Verizon Android Smart Phone Lineup:

• HTC Thunderbolt Details, Review & Hands-On Video Roundup
• Motorola Droid Bionic: Details, Review & Hands-On Video Roundup
• Samsung Droid Charge: Details, Review & Video Roundup
• HTC Droid Incredible 2: Details, Review & Hands-On Video Roundup
• More to Come!

In case you missed it, we are giving away SIX Segate GoFlex Slim portable hard drives. You can enter on both Notebooks and GottaBeMobile for a chance to win!

Notebook News For the Week of April 7th:

The big news this week in notebooks was our massive MacBook Pro 15″ Review of the new MacBook Pro (early 2011) 15″ notebook. Kevin has given us a really in depth review that looks at all the things you can do with the MacBook Pro and even opens it up to show you what’s waiting inside if you want to upgrade it yourself.

New Notebooks for April 2011:

• Dell Inspiron M102z Brings AMD Fusion To Dell
• Alienware M14x Gaming Notebook Revealed with Sandy Bridge
• Acer Timeline X with Sandy Bridge Spotted in Taiwan
• MSI FX420 and FX620DX Notebooks Launched w/ Premium Sound
• ASUS Adds Eee PC 1015B and 1215B AMD Fusion Notebooks to U.S. Lineup
• ASUS Launches New Lamborghini VX7 Notebook w/ Sandy Bridge Core i7
• EuroCom Panther 4.0 Adds Server Level Dual Xenon CPU to the Mix

Notebook News:

• Acer Notebook Prices Set to Rise Soon, Buy Now for Best Prices
• Chrome will Block Malicious Windows Installers – Your Dad’s New Browser
• PeeWee Academy Teaches Children Computers & Gives Them One
• AMD Fusion A Series Quad Core APUs Bringing More Powerful Netbooks and Notebooks
• Windows 8: Details, Features and Screenshots

Tablet and SmartPhone News for the Week of April 7th:

Tablet and Smart Phone News:

• Review: 10 Reasons Why the HTC Thunderbolt is Better than the iPhone 4
• Windows 8 and Tablets: Will It Be a Step Forward or Just Another Feckless Attempt?
• Predator Object Tracking Algorithm the Future of Computer Interface?
• Multi or Single Platform Computing?
• MyVoice App: Technology Providing a Voice For Those Without
• 10 Essential Free Apps For Your New Android [HTC Thunderbolt]
• Verizon To Stop Offering One-Year Contracts Starting April 17th
• Nook Color Apps Requested by Barnes & Noble
• Andy Rubin: Android Still Open Sans Restrictions
• WebOS ScreenShots Start Appearing
• Feds Investigating Mobile App Makers for Privacy Concerns

Notebook and Accessory Reviews:

Gateway NV51B05u Display

• Documents To Go Premium is Better than iWork [iPad Apps]
• Toshiba NB505-N508 Review (Video)
• Samsung RV511 Hand on and First Impressions
• Gateway NV51B05u Review: Sub $500 Notebook That Impresses w/ AMD Fusion
• Eye Fi X2 SD Card Review: Wirelessly Upload To the Web & Your Computer

Popular How To Articles for the Week of April 1st:

• How to Backup Your Computer in 5 Minutes, Without Any Tech Background
• How to Map Amazon Cloud Drive to Windows as a Network Drive
• Cloud Storage Roundup: How to Get 117GB of Free Cloud Storage
• How to Stream Your Own Music Using DropTunes and Dropbox
• How To Show Folder Sizes in Finder on Mac OS X
• How To Watch the Masters Golf Tournament While Mobile

Weekly Wrap Up: Notebook, Tablet and Smart Phone News for April 7th is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Essentially, BlueStacks allows users to virtualize Android and run Android titles in a Windows system. There is no dual-booting so you can run Windows and Android side by side. The neat thing, according to SlashGear, is that in the virtualized mode, Android 2.2 and the apps would use Windows drivers to handle things like printing or audio calls via Skype on Android.

The downside, though, may be how well Android works without a touchscreen for those who are hoping to run this on a non-touchscreen desktop or laptop Windows machine. When I was using the Motorola Atrix with the Laptop Dock, I find that some actions were awkward without a touchscreen in laptop mode, such as unlocking the smartphone, which forced me to hold down the mouse and drag the slider bar across. Other actions on Android that require the same gesture include accessing the top notification bars, and select games, such as Fruit Ninja, which requires lots of swiping.

BlueStacks Aims to Bring Android Titles to Windows Machines is a post by Chuong Nguyen from Notebooks.com.

The lower price point will help Asus compete with, yet not be cannibalized by the rising popularity of tablets in the portable computing segment. Most tablets begin at around $300 in pricing; a sub-$300 netbook may offer consumers an incentive to choose that form factor.

According to DigiTimes, “The sources believe that Asustek’s new netbook should either adopt Google’s Android 3.0 or Chrome OS in order to achieve such a price level, and the new model is expected to attract consumers who only need to perform office work and Internet browsing.”

That model is expteted to arrive in June. An Intel-based single-core netbook from Asus is already on the market with a price tag of under $300.

With Google, Asus May Finally Launch a $200 Netbook is a post by Chuong Nguyen from Notebooks.com.

LG Optimus V Quick Specs:

The Optimus V has a 3.2″ screen, 600Mhz processor, runs Android 2.2 and has a 3.2MP camera. The Optimus V comes with a collection of pre installed software including the Swype keyboard which allows you to swipe to type, or if you prefer you can tap as you would on a normal on screen keyboard. In short this $150 Android smartphone does pretty much everything the average user will want to do.

LG Optimus V Hands On Video:

LG Optimus V Performance:

The LG Optimus V has a very capable processor, which most users won’t need to be concerned with. During our testing of the device we found that as much as we like to look for the largest numbers on the side of the box, devices like the Optimus V are very capable. We used the Optimus V to take photos, surf the web, take phone calls and use apps just like we would on any other Android phone and we didn’t experience lag or any other issues that would prevent us from recommending this phone as the best value for an entry level Android phone.

LG Optimus V Build Quality:

The build quality or look and feel of a device can make or break the long term appeal. While we can’t carry around the Optimus V in our pocket for 18 months and get back to you we have subjected it to normal usage over the past month and haven’t had any issues with scratches on the screen or body despite not using a case or screen protector. The phone feels quite solid and despite our attempts to get the device to flex it stayed firm. In short, this is a phone I could suggest for my sister who has personally destroyed more phones than many of you have owned, without a second thought. I would probably steer users who need a rugged phone towards Motorola Defy.

LG Optimus V Display:

The display on the Optimus V is quite clear and is large enough to handle the work and entertainment needs of many users. The viewing angles aren’t real wide, but that’s not a big issue when you are using the phone by yourself. The display is glossy, and in fact a little more glossy than some phones we have used, which means it will pick up reflections of lights and present a problem at times when you are outdoors. If you turn the brightness up, you can counter the outdoor viewing issues, but weren’t able to make the phone automatically adjust the brightness like some phones can.

One thing worth noting is that the small screen can feel like a burden if you are responding to email after email thanks to the small size and the need to use an on screen keyboard. If you answer a few emails, with short replies, you probably won’t mind, but if you send dozens of emails every day on your device it could get old.

LG Optimus V Call Quality:

Call quality will depend in part on the network you are calling from. In this case, Virgin Mobile uses Sprint’s network for voice and data. If you want to get a feel for how the phone will perform, check out the coverage map an ask friends or family who use Sprint in your city.

For calling we found the that the Optimus V performed very well with great clarity on both ends of the conversation. We were able to pair the Optimus V to the Plantronics Voyager Pro UC v2 Bluetooth headset and also experienced good call quality. The phone has a built in speakerphone which performed admirably, but can distort when you crank the volume up to the highest settings.

LG Optimus V Sound:

The sound quality of the music is lacking over the built in speakers with an overall mediocre performance. That said, if you connect earbuds or external speakers you do get a better sound, though it is still a bit heavy in the middle range. In short, the audio is good enough in most settings, but you might want to hang on to your MP3 player.

LG Optimus V Gaming:

The LG Optimus V did a good job at handling various Android games we tested out including Angry Birds. We didn’t experience any lag or interruption to the gameplay. This is important since the ability to play Angry Birds is high up on many shoppers lists.

LG Optimus V with Kindle:

We also wanted to see how the Optimus V handled as an ebook reader using the Kindle App for Android. As you can see in the video above, it offers a good reading experience in both day and night modes and despite only having a 3.2″ display we were able to do a decent amount of reading on the device.

LG Optimus V Camera and Camcorder Quality:

Sample Image Taken with the LG Optimus V:

The quality of photos and videos taken with the Optimus V is OK. The still camera has no flash, but it has autofocus and does a pretty good job even in mildly lit environments. This won’t replace your point and shoot for special events, but it will take decent pictures for sharing on Facebook or getting the occasional 4×6 print.

Sample Video Taken With the LG Optimus V:

The camcorder is likewise OK. It won’t replace your FlipHD, but it is quick to start recording and does a good job at picking up your voice. Watch out for the wind though, as our demo video shows it can get quite noisy on a windy day.

LG Optimus V Battery Life:

Battery life is a big concern for many Android owners who are coming from devices that can last days, to their first smartphone which often lasts just a day. During our use, we were able to get through a full day of normal use without needing to charge up. Battery life can be affected greatly by how much you talk or how many applications and services you have running. If you are syncing the phone with Gmail, a work email, Twitter every 5 minutes and Facebook then the battery will drain faster than just syncing to one or two of those services and doing so at a larger window of time.

One app that users often turn to in order to extend their battery life is Juice Defender which you can see demonstrated in the video below.

LG Optimus V Pricing:

The LG Optimus V can be found online and in many retail stores with a normal price of $149.99. Occasionally the phone will go on sale at outlets like Target for $129.99. Unlike the prices for similar phones at Verizon or AT&T, there is no contract required so the phone is still much cheaper than a free Android phone from either of these competitors.

LG Optimus V Data Plans and Phone Plans:

The LG Optimus V works on the Virgin Mobile network, powered by Sprint and is a part of the Beyond Talk plans that start at $25 a month. These plans include unlimited data and texting, but if you use too much Virgin Mobile will slow down your speeds. We don’t like the practice, but we think that most Optimus V owners won’t be impacted greatly by this restriction. Plans go all the way up to $60 for unlimited text, data, email and calling.

LG Optimus V Settings and Hotspot:

The Optimus V doesn’t come with the ability to use as a mobile hotspot, but if you install the Quick Settings Android App you can enable Hotspot Wireless Tethering.

LG Optimus V Review Conclusion:

The LG Optimus V from Virgin Mobile is a capable smartphone that will meet the needs of many users. While it may not have the best camera or the largest screen it is an Android smart phone that delivers a very good user experience and value. The LG Optimus V on Virgin Mobile is perhaps the best Android phone for first time smartphone owners thanks to its overall performance and the value of Virgin Mobile’s no contract Beyond Talk plans.

Pros:

• No Contract
• Good Price
• Can Handle The Apps and Needs of Most Users
• Good Call Quality

Cons:

• Sound Quality is not the best for Music
• Camera has no Flash

LG Optimus V Gallery:

LG Optimus V Review: Budget Android SmartPhone on Virgin Mobile Delivers is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.