touch

Get a Lenovo 13.3-inch touch-screen ultrabook for $599.99

My hunt for a new laptop continues. I definitely want an ultrabook, even if it means paying a premium for a thinner, lighter design, but I'd really like to keep the price under $600. Given that most ultrabooks start at $700, I'm having to marshal all my cheapskate powers.

The latest candidate: Newegg has the Lenovo IdeaPad U310 13.3-inch touch-screen ultrabook (model 59365302) for $599.99 shipped, along with a $50 Newegg gift card.

Staples is also selling the U310 for $599.99 shipped, but you'll probably be on the hook for sales tax. Plus, no … Read more

'Iron Man 3' will make you notice this phone, Alcatel hopes

Marvel character and billionaire entrepreneur Tony Stark loves his tech toys, most notably the glowing chemical core embedded in his chest and his supercharged flying suit. But starting May 3, he may show a little love for the Alcatel One Touch Idol smartphone.

First seen at CES 2013, and soon to be seen in the film "Iron Man 3," the One Touch Idol is part of an exclusive mobile phone partnership for the film.

Alcatel and Marvel aren't sharing how often Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., and other characters will hold the phone, or how … Read more

Prizefight: iOS 6 vs. Android Jelly Bean

It's a first time face-off between Apple and Google for smartphone operating system supremacy. New phones are being released every month, but one of the things that remains pretty constant are the operating systems they are running.

It's Apple's extremely popular iOS 6 taking on Android in its purest form with an unmodified Jelly Bean 4.2.2

iOS 6 brings its pick-up-and-play operating system, and the biggest and baddest ecosystem of content on a phone. Android brings its unmatched customization and more features than Panda Express has menu combinations

This one will always come down to … Read more

When will Apple kill the iPod?

Physical music formats were so 20th century, so we put our music on computers. But even that was too much of a burden, so music is going up, up, and away, into the cloud and streaming. The iPod Classic is firmly rooted to the ground, and I like it that way.

I can live without Siri, iCloud, a camera, iOS 6, a Lightning connector, Bluetooth, AirPlay, or any of that jazz to keep the Classic's 160GB storage capability, and the Classic's "classic" 30-pin connector that still works with gazillions of docks and accessories. Is there another … Read more

The Room you won't want to leave

The Room is an intensely challenging puzzle game with beautiful 3D graphics where the object is to unravel a mystery by opening steampunk-style boxes.

Though "opening boxes" may sound boring, with The Room, each box has several hidden secrets and clues that keep you engrossed, trying to find the right sequence of actions to open the box. There are dials to turn, complex safe combinations to figure out, hidden compartments that contain keys, and much more. You also have an inventory on the left where you store the various keys and other items you find as you search … Read more

How to put 1Password in 'Demo mode'

1Password does a superb job at keeping your private information organized, and your online accounts safe with completely random passwords. Using Dropbox or iCloud, you're able to keep your payment information, private notes, and passwords in sync across multiple devices.

Late last year the 1Password iOS app was updated with a completely revamped look and new features, such as URL schemes and a feature called "Demo mode."

Demo mode is a convenient way to show someone how the app works without revealing any of your personal information during an impromptu tutorial. Once it's activated, you only … Read more

Change trackpad gestures with BetterTouchTool for Mac

For average Mac users, the trackpad's default functioning can sometimes be frustrating. BetterTouchTool for Mac allows users to customize the trackpad operation for their whole system or individual applications.

Available as freeware, the program downloaded and installed quickly. After initial startup, BetterTouchTool for Mac attempted to access all of the computers on the test network, which is a strange function for the type of features offered. Lacking instructions, the program was difficult to interpret outside of the main menus, which were featured at the top of the window. The overall appearance of the program is very good, albeit a … Read more

T-Mobile's new twist on monthly plans

CNET Update can spare some change:

T-Mobile is ditching the typical contract and smartphone subsidy for a new plan. Pay full price for a phone, or pay it off over time with monthly payments -- and data plans start at $50 a month for 500 MB. Expect T-Mobile to release more details at a press announcement Tuesday morning.

Other stories featured in Monday's tech roundup:

- Barnes & Noble is working on incorporating in-app purchases for apps on the Nook tablets. And for those seeking an e-reader for their Easter basket, Barnes & Noble is giving a free Nook Simple Touch e-reader with the purchase of the Nook HD+ tablet. … Read more

B&N offers free e-reader with Nook HD+ for limited time

Over the last few months, Barnes & Noble has been running a number of special deals on the Nook HD+, the larger of its two tablets, including a free credit of $50 to spend on Nook content. But now the company is taking things a step further by throwing in a free Nook Simple Touch E Ink e-reader -- usually $79 -- with the purchase of Nook HD+, which starts at $269 for the 16GB model. The offer is available from March 24 to 30.

The deal comes at a turbulent time for the company. Much has been written lately … Read more

Hide posts from your Facebook feed on iOS, Android

"Name a movie that starts with R. It's harder than you think" seems to be a popular fad when looking at my Facebook feed. For the record, it's not that hard, there's plenty of movies that start with R -- or any other letter of the alphabet -- so just stop. Instead of scrolling through similar posts, be it e-cards or square counting contests, I've started hiding posts from my Facebook feed. You can do this on the Web or using either the iOS or Android app while on the go.

Using the latest … Read more