Glow

Best tech: Cheap speakers, hot cameras, and Wi-Fi scales

Memorial Day is considered the traditional start of summer here in the U.S., and we noticed the streets, subways, and elevators getting less and less populated as the week wore on. But it was another full week for the CNET Reviews team, who cranked out more than 20 tech product reviews -- including a few items that are beyond our usual purview.

Hot cameras We sampled only two cameras this week, but both were four-star winners.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V is camera royalty, of sorts: the compact megazoom model is the successor to 2011's DSC-HX9V, an Editors' Choice … Read more

iHome iP76: Chameleon LED Bluetooth tower for your iPhone

This one's for the kiddies, tweens, or anybody who wants to go clubbing at home.

Yes, iHome's upcoming iP76 LED Color Changing Speaker Tower with Bluetooth has 16 multicolor LED clusters that do all kinds of fun stuff. That's right, this pedestal-style iPhone/iPod speaker dock can be customized to feature your favorite color and includes such options as color fade, pulse to music, and strobe effect for the "ultimate light show."

Time to fire up Pink Floyd. I mean Bieber.

Oh, and the tower also charges your iPod or iPhone and has a component … Read more

Report: Front-lit Kindle coming in July

When Barnes & Noble launched a Nook e-reader with an integrated light last month, many speculated that it was only a matter of time before Amazon would release a new front-lit version of its monochrome Kindle e-ink e-reader. Well, according to an unnamed Reuter's source who's allegedly seen a prototype of the product, Amazon is aiming to have that new Kindle in stores by July.

Barnes & Noble's began shipping its $139 Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight at the end of April in time for Mother's Day. The e-reader received a CNET Editors' Choice and Barnes & Noble says that sales have been brisk. … Read more

Best tech: Ivy Bridge rigs, slim iPad keyboard case

Sometimes, CNET goes weeks without bestowing an Editors' Choice award. We give the badges only to tech that we love so much, we'd personally buy these devices. There must be some magic in the air (or our drinks) this week, because we doled out not one, but three CNET Editors' Choice awards.

But before I walk you through our award winners (a surprising and diverse group in their own right), I'd like to point out two non-winners that deserve your attention. These two four-star computers, the Origin Genesis and the Origin EON17-S are a desktop and a laptop … Read more

CISPA debate heats up

Every weekday afternoon, CNET Update delivers the top tech stories of the day, exploring why it matters and how it impacts your life. The show keeps a close eye on emerging trends, hot devices and new apps.

And it's all in less than three minutes. Watch today's show:

Stories from Wednesday's CNET Update:

CISPA up for vote Apple's strong iPhone sales in Q1 2012 Apple's WWDC event sells out Sprint: Unlimited data for next iPhone Glowing Nook starts shipping Today's App to Watch: Hollaback!

Subscribe: iTunes (HD) | iTunes (320x180) | iTunes (640x360)… Read more

Barnes & Noble shipping GlowLight Nook ahead of schedule (full review)

With previous product launches, Barnes & Noble has made a habit of underpromising and overdelivering, so it's no surprise that it's shipping its new e-reader, the $139 Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight, a couple of weeks earlier than it previously said it would.

The company says that, "Beginning this week, ahead of schedule, Barnes & Noble will begin shipping units to customers who preordered the device" and that preorders will "ship throughout the month."

We have no way to know what Barnes & Noble's expectations for preorders were, but the company says it'… Read more

Barnes & Noble beats Amazon to the punch with lighted e-ink Nook (hands-on)

What's the No. 1 requested feature people want in an e-ink e-reader?

According to Barnes & Noble, it's an integrated light, which is why the company spent the last two years developing the new $139 Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight, available today for preorder and shipping in early May.

I had a chance to play around with the new Nook at a launch event in New York and, as you can see from the pictures, except for the gray border around the edge, it looks identical to the standard $99 Nook Simple Touch, which remains on the market. … Read more

Zooka: Glow-in-the-dark iPad speaker for tablet raves

I see lots of iPad speakers out there. With several options currently being promoted on Kickstarter alone, it can be hard to get noticed among all the competition. That's probably why the Zooka speaker now glows.

The wireless Zooka has a tough silicone sound bar design that slips onto the edge of your iPad, or connects via Bluetooth or audio jack to other devices.

Regular Zookas are available in a small rainbow of colors for $89. Pitch in at the $149 level on Kickstarter and you'll get an iPad speaker that will match your Tron costume.… Read more

Acer reveals sexy Liquid Glow ICS smartphone

If you've been eagerly waiting for a gluttonous helping of Ice Cream Sandwich, prepare to tuck in. The new Acer Liquid Glow smartphone is the latest in what is sure to be a parade of devices running Android 4.0 announced at Mobile World Congress.

While I'm not exactly sure why this phone is called Liquid Glow, Acer does say the gadget is targeted at, "today's fun-seeking, social-networking youth." I suppose that's apparent from the Liquid Glow's three snazzy hues; Sakura Pink, Alpine White, and Cat's Eye Black. Funny, I thought cat's eyes were wildly colored. … Read more

Stupid iPad 2 trick: Make your white bezel glow

Chalk this one up as a stupid iPad 2 trick, but it's just another thing Apple fanboys (and fangirls) can crow about. That's right, the iPad 2's bezel glows when you hold a light up to it, which makes for an interesting "Tron" effect when you turn the lights out. A colored laser pointer can also spice things up a bit with a green or red hue.