Laplink’s $30 utility is free, but only for today. (Credit: Laplink) Still plugging along with Windows XP or Vista? Dreading the prospect of upgrading to Windows 7 because Microsoft offers no direct upgrade path? (More on that in a bit.) Help is on the way. Today only, in honor of its 29th birthday, Laplink is [...]

The Handheld Items Multi Angle 360 Stand Up Case for Kindle Fire. (Credit: HandHeld Items) Much as I’m loathe to diminish the beauty of a tablet by wrapping it in a plastic or leather case, I recognize the necessity — not just for protection, but also for productivity. For example, as someone who routinely reads [...]

The Slingbox Solo. (Credit: Best Buy) As a self-employed guy who rarely leaves his basement, let alone his house, I’ve never had much need for a Slingbox. But, ho, boy, do some people love them. I’ve heard them discussed with the same kind of gushing admiration usually reserved for TiVos and Kindles. Curiously, although they’ve [...]

The Logitech Z515 Wireless Speaker is not only on sale for cheap, it also comes with a $30 Amazon MP3 credit. (Credit: Amazon) If you agreed with me a couple days ago when I professed my love for Bluetooth speakers (in favor of their AirPlay counterparts), you might just be thinking about buying one. Logitech [...]

The Freedom Sleeve case for iPhone 4/4S promises blazing broadband speeds. (Credit: FreedomPop) Back in February, wireless upstart FreedomPop made some bold promises about free mobile broadband service. Now it appears the company is getting ready to make good on at least one of them. As reported this morning by Apple news site TUAW, FreedomPop [...]

MacX DVD Ripper Pro is also available for Windows. And WinX DVD Ripper Platinum is also available for Mac. Ooookay. (Credit: Digiarty Software) As I’ve mentioned before, the makers of DVD rippers and video converters seem to offer a new giveaway every month or two — meaning there’s little point in actually buying their products. [...]

(Credit: Apple) For anyone interested in accessing awesome services like Netflix and Pandora on their TV, the choice usually boils down to a Roku box or an Apple TV. If you’re voting solely with your wallet, the choice might seem pretty easy: the Roku LT sells for $50, the Apple TV for $100. Ah, but [...]

Don’t spend $25 on a cable like this when you can get exactly the same thing for one-tenth the price. (Credit: Amazon) Buying an Apple TV or Roku box? A Blu-ray player? A $99 Xbox 360? These and other TV-centric devices have one thing in common: they don’t come with the HDMI cables necessary for [...]

The Acer Iconia A500. (Credit: CBS Interactive) Not sure what prompted this, but over the weekend I received a handful of really nice e-mails from readers. It’s deeply gratifying to know that you like what I’m doing here, and I offer my sincere thanks to everyone who’s written me to say so. You people are [...]

A 42-inch plasma HDTV for $299.99? That’s what I call a killer deal. (Credit: Best Buy) Recently, while shopping for a new TV, I found myself waffling between LCD and plasma. I’ve always chosen the former because they tend to pair better with PCs (and I’m a media-center guy), but because the TV in question [...]