Marguerite Reardon on Nov 21, 2008 07:13AM

Apple releases iPhone 2.2 update

Apple released a hefty update for the iPhone on Thursday night.

The 2.2 software update is available through iTunes, and it's packed with lots of goodies. Apple released its 2.1 software update in September.

Some of the highlights of the update center on GPS and ...

Originally posted at News - Apple

Candace Lombardi on Nov 21, 2008 06:13AM

iRobot holding three one-day sales

Many CNET readers have been complaining that they're not seeing the major deals they thought the economy would encourage in electronics.

I ...

Originally posted at Planetary Gear

Eric Franklin on Nov 21, 2008 05:30AM

Answer calls on your motorcycle without dying (maybe)

I don't ride a motorcycle, but if I did, I'd probably be in a motorcycle gang, and if so I'd definitely want to be able to communicate with my fellow gang members quickly. If a guy's coming from behind me with a chain, ready to take ...

Crave staff on Nov 21, 2008 05:15AM

Photos: Gadgets we're thankful for, part 2

We ...

Eric Franklin on Nov 21, 2008 05:00AM

A kinder, gentler headphone

When earbuds just aren't enough to keep the distracting masses from interrupting whatever it is you're preoccupied with at the time, portable headphones are the next step.

On Thursday, Ultrasone announced the HFI-15G headphones. Deemed the smallest headphones in Ultrasone's line--although exactly how small is ...

Antuan Goodwin on Nov 21, 2008 01:13AM

Photos: New models at the LA Auto Show

It seems like every year vehicles get bigger and more powerful, but recently we've been seeing a trend of smaller and more efficient. While new models are still getting their ...

Originally posted at The Car Tech blog

CNET Download Music staff on Nov 21, 2008 01:01AM

SoulStice, 'Crash The Party': Free MP3 of the Day

SoulStice is not your average emcee. Not only does he have a master's degree in engineering, but he's also a very skilled lyricist. His new single, "Crash the Party," breaks new ground as the first to be released in three different languages.

Download free MP3 now!

 

Originally posted at Crossfade

Wayne Cunningham on Nov 20, 2008 11:25PM

Photos: Luxury cars over 200 grand

There are luxury brands, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus come to mind, then there are luxury brands, cars with the leather from a herd of cows and wood from a whole forest. Spyker, Ferrari, and Bentley all showed off hand-crafted cars at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto ...

Originally posted at The Car Tech blog

Donald Bell on Nov 20, 2008 10:16PM

Creative Moo a surefire way to insult girlfriend

It's called the Creative Zen Moo, folks, and it's for real. The cow-shaped line of MP3 players was unveiled this week at a technology conference showcasing a handful of Creative's upcoming products.

The ...

Stephen Shankland on Nov 20, 2008 06:33PM

Economy takes bite out of electronics show

The Consumer Electronics Show has become a mammoth event every January in Las Vegas, but the down economy is paring it back as Cisco Systems, Yahoo, and other companies scale back their presence.

CES remains a useful way for technology companies to meet with retailers, press, and the media. But for some in the current economic climate, it's not useful enough to pay $35 per square foot for a sprawling booth on the Las Vegas Convention Center's cavernous interior.

"This was to have been Cisco's first time as a formal exhibitor," said spokesman Jim Brady. "Given (Cisco's) focus on reducing costs, the company has decided to scale down its participation in CES in Las Vegas in January 2009." Instead, the networking giant is sticking with a more modest space rented at the Venetian Hotel supplemented with videoconferencing technology.

Cisco isn't the only one to scale back. Also on the list are Yahoo, Seagate, Logitech, and Belkin, company representatives confirmed. Philips won't have a space on the CES show floor, either, though Funai, which has taken over manufacturing and selling TVs under the Philips brand in the United States, will pick up some of the slack.

The Consumer Electronics Association, which runs the show, said the show will be the third largest in terms of floor space, shrinking from its size the peak years of 2007 and 2008.

"The economy is causing some companies that may have had booths to say, 'Maybe we want to be in a meeting room instead,'" said association spokeswoman Tara Dunion. Despite it, the total number of exhibitors is level from 2008's show at about 2,700. "We're also seeing companies on the show floor for first time," including Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Iomega, and Mattel, she said.

News.com Poll

Spooked about CES?
The economy is in the tank. Are you planning to go to CES in January?

Yes
Yes, but only attending meetings in hotel suites.
No. I have to watch my pennies.
No. My company canceled my trip.
No. I wasn't planning to in the first place.

View results

And there's a silver lining, too. "Vegas hotel rates are coming down because tourism travel to Vegas is slower than it's been in years. That provides an opportunity for business professionals," she said.

Incentives to show
But the organizers are working hard to keep the show as lively as possible. One promotion is aimed at technology buyers--the middlemen who buy all those TVs, gadgets, cameras, and other devices before selling them to ordinary folks.

...