It’s been a whirlwind week for smartphones and tablets. In case you missed the news and reviews, we have a collection of the hottest news of the week. We also have our top picks for notebook news and reviews to give you some afternoon reading.

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.

No Notebooks Allowed. That’s what you’ll hear if you try to take your notebook into the Missouri Senate, classrooms across the country and even in some coffeeshops. The argument is that the presence of a notebook or laptop can immediately strike down the ability of otherwise reasonable individuals to listen, debate and carry on a conversation.

It’s understandable that some individuals have absolutely zero self control and will waste away class time, that they are paying for, surfing the web even though it is painfully obvious to the speaker what’s happening. Yes, there’s bound to be one senator who can’t keep his solitaire or, Ahem, other addiction in check long enough to complete a meritorious debate on state law, but there’s much more to be gained by allowing technology into our classrooms and legislative bodies.

For example, students who are able to research a topic that comes up in class are often much more willing to add to a discussion and can bring concrete examples of current events or data, something that would have been unthinkable before notebooks became standard equipment for students. Speaking of the past, remember when notebooks weren’t there to stifle discussions and distract students? They still had notes, daydreaming and games that were designed to run on the TI-83 calculators, which I might add students were required to carry with them.

In the state of Missouri, notebooks are not allowed in the senate, even thought they can be found across the capital in the House and senators can absorb themselves in their BlackBerry devices. Backing the current ban on notebooks Senator Brad Lager told StlToday.com that, “There is a compelling argument to be made that a senator sitting there listening to the debate is engaged at a different level.”

Interestingly enough it is OK, and common for senators to be seen typing away on their BlackBerry devices and the rules would potentially allow for an iPad since it is not a notebook; even though you can turn it into a notebook with some accessories and apps.

Wouldn’t we, as a nation, be better served by representatives who can use 21st century tools to take notes and research matters of great importance while the debate is taking place instead of after a bill has been passed? The absurdity of denying access to technology due to the possibility of adults being unable to control their urge to check a website is astonishing.

If we are that worried about the actions of a few bad apples, let performance sort them out. Students who don’t pay attention will learn sooner or later that there are consequences to ignoring the professor. Senators who surf the day away will either be called out by a rival on the floor or caught on CSPAN looking at something they shouldn’t there’s no reason to handicap the whole for the actions of a few.

It’s about time that we accept technology’s role in our success as a nation. After students graduate they will be expected to carry a notebook or tablet to work and into meetings for the rest of their live’s, well unless they join the senate, so why do we feel they can’t handle the responsibility of paying attention until they earn a degree?

Isn’t it about time we stop blaming technology and strive to provide our students and our leaders with the best tools to accomplish their work and goals?

Image via Thunderchild7

Stop Banning Notebooks in Senates & Classrooms Because of Bad Apples is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

A pricing sheet for OEM accessories for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet were leaked, revealing additional information for chargers, cases, sleeves, and other items that may interest owners of the slate from Research in Motion that’s slated to debut in the coming months. Many of the items were placed on display last month at the Consumer Electronics Show at the BlackBerry booth, but their prices were not known at the time.

The leather sleeves and cases start at $50 while the Neoprene and gel cases are cheaper at around $30-$40 and are available in an assortment of color. Interestingly, the BlackBerry Leather Sleeve (MSRP $49.99) is described with a “power saving case technology that extends the battery life” by RIM in the leaked slide deck.

Historically, RIM has used a magnet feature in holsters and cases for the company’s smartphones. When the BlackBerry smartphone is inserted into the case, the magnet inside the phone interacts with the magnetic mechanism inside the case to shut off the screen and lock the keys, avoiding accidental key presses and preventing the device from inadvertently waking up, extending the battery. The feature also activates the smartphone’s screen automatically and unlocks the device for use when a user removes the BlackBerry from its case. From the description, RIM may be employing a similar ‘smart’ technology to add value to the enterprise-driven PlayBook tablet.

The WiFi model of the PlayBook is expected to be priced at $500 when it launches in April according to an earlier leak.

Via: PhoneArena

BlackBerry PlayBook Accessories Pricing Sheet Leaked is a post by Chuong Nguyen from Notebooks.com.

I had written on GottaBeMobile that Research in Motion, makers of the BlackBerry, may allow Android third-party apps, such as games, to run on the company’s upcoming PlayBook Tablet. However, after BGR had broke the news and I had posted about it, it seems that RIM may be using a different strategy to make Android apps work on the PlayBook than had been anticipated before.

Before, it was thought that RIM would use the Dalvik engine, which is the same Java VM that is used on Google’s Android smartphones and tablets, to allow Android apps to work on the PlayBook. The PlayBook itself is designed using the QNX OS framework, which is mostly known to power car automotive systems such as those on BMWs and Mercedes Benz automobiles. RIM will use the QNX framework to power its BlackBerry Tablet OS on the PlayBook, allowing for powerful multitasking, smooth multimedia playback, and robust capabilities.

Now, since Google and Oracle, which had acquired Sun and inherited the company’s Java platform, are in a dispute over Java code, RIM may be tooling its own software solution to make Android apps playable on the PlayBook. The move will be a strategic one for RIM, if it happens, as it will allow RIM to steal some of Google’s consumer interest in Android while still being able to target RIM’s bread and butter–enterprise users and IT managers who are more concerned with security than novel apps and games.

It will also open up the PlayBook to more apps, and the company can join Google and Apple in the apps race by boasting the number of apps available in the company’s catalog. With Android apps running, RIM can now boast not only its own App World app store apps, but also the collection from Google’s Android Market app store.

Via: Bloomberg

RIM May Allow Android Apps on BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet Without Dalvik Engine is a post by Chuong Nguyen from Notebooks.com.

As the Super Bowl heats up this week, people will be gathered around huge HDTVs, video projectors, or just their good old 19″ Magnavox TV set to see who wins the NFL finale.

Unfortunately, some will be at work, on the road, traveling or other places making watching on a TV impossible — But if you have the right gear, there is hope that you can still watch the game. We’ll show you how to watch the Super Bowl on your phone, laptop or tablet.

SlingPlayer Mobile

Search Google and there are a ton of shady looking sites wanting you to download software that we guess is likely loaded with spyware, malware or just spammy junk at best or just big scams trying to separate you from your money at worst. However, SlingPlayer is an app and device that is legal and safe to use, if you have the right equipment.

SlingPlayer is available on almost any mobile platform you can think of, like iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, Palm and even Symbian. The app is $29.99. Unfortunately the app by itself is useless unless you also have a Slingbox. You can also connect to your Slingbox with a laptop.

With a Slingbox Solo or a Slingbox Pro HD, you can interface with it through the Internet on the mobile app. The Slingbox Solo starts at $179.99 and the Slingbox Pro HD starts at $299.99. For owners of any other older Slingbox, you are out of luck. You will have to upgrade.

The Slingbox Pro HD is a great product as it streams full HD or SD video. You will need a fast 5MB/sec Internet connection to get HD. And it also has a full HD tuner (ATSC). Also you will have to run an Ethernet cable to the box or have a Wi-Fi adapter to plug into the box. See the video below from TigerDirect.

If you are not sure how good it works on say the iPad, here is a video review to help you decide if this is the way to go. The reviewer says that the video is pretty good with a Slingbox Pro HD streaming to the iPad’s Wi-Fi signal.

If you don’t want to bother with a mobile phone or tablet, you can also watch through your computer. Through both the mobile app or the web site you can fully control the TV set-top box regardless of whether you are using a satellite receiver, cable TV box, or even other boxes like the Apple TV.

Portable TV

Another option, if you don’t want to bother with the Slingbox and a mobile or even a computer, is just a mobile HD TV. We did a search on Amazon and found dozens of them ranging in price from $42 up to over $100. Based on customer reviews, the Axion AXN-8701 is an option. It has a 7″ LCD screen and built-in tuner. However, it has to be stationary while using it, so it won’t work in a car even though it ships with a car adapter. If you don’t live close to the HD signal, get an external antenna to hook up to it.

Internet Streaming

It may  not be legal, but it is also possible to watch the game live online through services like Justin.tv or Ustream.tv.  Both usually have someone streaming to the service using their integrated HD TV tuner in a computer. So when the game starts go over and do a search and you will most likely find the game. And both have iPhone apps that you might also be able to use. (Justin.tv iPhone app and Ustream.tv iPhone app)

How to Watch The SuperBowl Online and On the Go (SuperBowl LXV) is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

With a winter storm bearing down on a good deal of the U.S. we wanted to take a minute to make sure you’re up to date on how to track the storm from your phone, iPad and laptop — even if the power goes out. While most of these methods will require power and an Internet connection if you keep your devices charged, including your cell phone, you should be able to stay up to date for some time.

How to track the snow storm on your phone, BlackBerry, iPhone and Android:

Regular Cell Phone: If you have a regular cell phone you won’t be able to pull up the radar, but you will be set for a longer time if the power goes out. To get the latest news on your local weather you can sign up for text alerts. Practically every local news station offers free text alerts for weather. If you visit their home page you can sign up to get updates on severe storm alerts for free. Keep in mind the alerts are free, but if you don’t have a text message plan you will need to pay for each text.

You can also sign up for text alerts from the Weather Channel at Weather.com. You can get updates every day, or you can text them for on demand weather. To get a weather update follow these directions:

Text your zip code or city and 2 letter State abbreviation to 42278 or 78676

Android BlackBerry and iPhone: If you have a smartphone you have a plethora of options including the text messaging we mentioned above and access to the mobile web and apps. While your battery will likely fail faster than a regular cell phone you should be able to stay online even if your home is without power or the Internet goes down.

Our top weather picks for Android are:

• Weather Channel
• WeatherBug
• AccuWeather

Our favorite weather apps for the BlackBerry are:

• Weather Channel
• WeatherBug

Our top weather picks for the iPhone are:

• Weather Channel for iPhone
• WeatherBug for iPhone

How to Track storms on your iPad: With a nice large screen we really like the Weather Channel app for the iPad which makes great use of the display for radar views and delivers notifications for local sever weather alerts. There are other options, but none that compare to the ease and features of this free app.

How to Track the Storm on your Laptop: While you all know how to go to weather.com, you may face longer load times if the storm gets bad and more users are trying to track the snow. We suggest bookmarking the mobile versions of the website to have faster access. You can also do this for your local news stations. The easiest way to find these is to visit from your mobile phone or look for a link on the homepage.

To view the Weather Channel’s mobile version visit: http://www.weather.com/mobile/

You can also access the NOAA Weather page here: http://mobile.weather.gov/

If you need to stay connected during the storm, check out our guide for staying connected during a winter storm.

How to Track Winter Storms on your Phone, iPad and Laptop is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

The names of our gadgets and technology companies can be a bit humorous, but these two comedians on the BBC take the naming humor to a whole new level with a pun filled skit shown below.

The skit covers the easy targets like BlackBerry, Apple, Orange and Windows and also is able to bring in the Xbox 360 for a final laugh. Say what you will about the tech naming schemes that revolve around fruits and the like, but they are a good deal better than the naming schemes used by some companies that make it impossible to know which laptop, netbook or processor is the newest!

Via Engadget

Funny Video About the Naming Schemes of Tech Companies from the BBC is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Today Ford has announced that AppLink for SYNC is launching with support for Android and BlackBerry smart phones and announced that iPhone support would be coming in 2011. The first users to get access to AppLink will be owners of the 2011 Ford Fiesta with more vehicles to come soon.

AppLink is a new program that allows the Ford SYNC system to control apps on the phone such as Pandora, Stitcher News and OpenBeak. Instead fo fumbling around with a smartphone, users can now push the SYNC button and speak a command to control while on the go.

To get the free AppLink download 2011 Ford Fiesta owners need to visit www.syncmyride.com to access the free AppLink download in the Update & Customize section.

Here’s a video of the SYNC AppLink in action:

Current SYNC-enabled apps:

Pandora

• Apple iPhone: Coming early 2011
• Android: Available now (V1.5.3 or higher)
• BlackBerry: Available now (Version 1.1.6 or higher)

Stitcher

• Apple iPhone: Coming early 2011
• Android: Coming early 2011
• BlackBerry: Late availability

OpenBeak

• BlackBerry: Available now from http://m.openbeak.com and soon in Blackberry App World (Version 1.4 or higher)

Once the devices are paired, SYNC users can control the apps with voice. For example in Pandora the driver could say, “Play station classic rock radio,” “Bookmark song,” “Thumbs up” or “Thumbs down.”

The Sitcher app uses similar controls such as “Play station news”, “Play station sports” or “Add to favorites”. The OpenBeak app will allow users to say, “Read timeline” to have their Twitter timeline read to them over the car’s audio system.

We tested out the Ford Sync system this summer and found it to be an really useful and intuitive way to control your in car navigation and entertainment. Ford will be demoing the AppLink system at CES in early 2011 where we will be on hand to check it out and give you a look at how it works in real life.

Ford SYNC AppLink Brings Voice Control to Apps on iPhone, Android and BlackBerry is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

If you recall when RIM launched the BlackBerry PlayBook in September no one was able to get hands on with the PlayBook which led to many first impressions and eyes on demos but no real actual user impressions. That’s all changed now that Boy Genius Report has been able to get some hands on time with the BlackBerry PlayBook.

The video is about 10 minutes long and gives a pretty good overview of the actual device and how it works. It appears that most of the activations of the keyboard and other items are done with a swipe from a special place on the PlayBook such as a swipe down from the top or swiping up from the bottom corner to launch a keyboard.

Unfortunately while you do get a good look at the Black Berry PlayBook, Jonathan S. Geller from Boy Genius Reports wasn’t able to actually use the device himself, but it is one of the best looks we have had at RIM’s upcoming tablet.

BlackBerry PlayBook 10 Minute Hands On Demo from BGR (Video) is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Going after the Blackberry crowd or iPhone users who wish they had a physical keyboard like a Blackberry, ThinkGeek.com released an interesting case that has a flip out keyboard.

The TK-421 iPhone Case with Flip Out Keyboard is for the iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4. It has a QWERTY thumb-board on the inside of the back cover that allows the iPhone to swivel out (see the video below). When the user is finished it can be hidden behind the phone case. The keyboard connects via Bluetooth, something now possible thanks to the update to iPhone 4.1 earlier this year. The keyboard has a built in rechargeable battery that gets power from the included USB cable.

When not in use the keyboard is held in place behind the phone by magnetic clasps.

At the end of the above video, the keyboard itself is finally demonstrated and it sounds very “clicky” and even looks like the user had to strain a little to press the keys. That could be video and sound effects. But it will be interesting to see if this keyboard can actually improve the user’s typing without destroying battery life — or thumbs.

The case can be purchased for $49.95 at ThinkGeek.com.

iPhone Case with Flip Out Keyboard: ThinkGeek Aiming at Blackberry is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.