Since it was popularized by America Online in the 1990s, instant messaging has changed the way people communicate. In the office, IM lets colleagues chat with faster responses and fewer formalities than phone conversations or email. Casual users can keep tabs on one another’s lives. Friends who haven’t spoken in years easily strike up IM [...]
Once you get addicted to Sudoku, you’ll want to work on these number puzzles whenever you have a few spare minutes. So, rather than scribbling in a newspaper or carrying around a Sudoku book, some people use electronic versions on gadgets they carry around every day.
As a steadfast fan of the pen-and-paper method, I resisted [...]
BlackBerry users are a stubborn bunch, almost as fond of their device’s familiar features — scroll wheel, full minikeyboard and big screen — as they are of constantly checking email. So when I directed all of my work and personal email from my current BlackBerry to the newest BlackBerry 8800 for this column’s testing, I [...]
Just when you think technology has turned you into the laziest person possible, another invention comes along to cater to your every whim. This week, I tested just such an invention and a dream come true for the ultimate TV fanatic: television on your cellphone.
MobiTV, from MobiTV Inc., www.mobitv.com, gives people a way to watch [...]
Every so often, a technology company sticks its neck out and creates a product beyond its repertoire. Dell Inc., known for its computers, began offering television sets four years ago. In 1998, printing titan Hewlett-Packard Co. started applying its imaging expertise to digital cameras. And when Apple Inc. introduced the iPod in 2001, the computer [...]
Apple TV, a slender, wireless set-top box that connects TVs to computers, provides a simple way for people to show all the stuff trapped on their computers — video, music, photos — on their big TVs.
The family-calendaring program Cozi Central is a digital replacement for Post-It notes. The simple, free software allows busy households to coordinate events and to-do lists, which multiple users can edit.
Getting rid of an old PC is a predicament that people face when their systems slow down or break down. Here’s how to recycle your old computer while making sure that your private data isn’t exposed.
Wikipedia.com, the encyclopedia Web site created and operated with contributions from online users around the world, is a resourceful tool. Though accuracy isn’t guaranteed, it reflects a collection of knowledge contributed and edited by many users.
A “wiki” is a Web site or similar online resource that allows anyone to add and edit content collectively. But [...]
The Mossberg Solution tries out the Sansa Connect, a new music player with built-in Wi-Fi. Despite some limitations, the portable player introduces the user to lots of songs, and may even make the iPod seem old-fashioned.
Digital cameras have evolved recently to include more capabilities, sharper, larger viewing screens and slimmer builds. The Mossberg Solution offers an overview of what you’ll need to know when buying a new camera.
A look at alternative keyboard options: two sets that operate wirelessly using Bluetooth, and a stand-alone wired ergonomic keyboard made for touch typists.
Microsoft hopes to simplify lives with a third release to replace Outlook Express. And judging by an early version of Windows Live Mail, which includes photo embedding and IM integration, the third time could be the charm.
Evite has long been the popular choice for electronic invitations. But MyPunchbowl — a younger competitor — has a cleaner interface and plans for improvements, which might make it an appealing alternative.
Edited by Walt and written by Katie Boehret, this is a guide to gadgets, web services and other consumer technologies.
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