review

iPad Mini, fourth-generation iPad reviews arrive

Just a week after both devices were announced, the first crop of iPad Mini and fourth-generation iPad reviews are out of the gate.

The general consensus is that reviewers like the smaller form factor of the Mini for most tasks, but yearn for the Retina Display found on Apple's other devices, like the normal-size iPad, iPod Touch, and iPhone.

For the fourth-generation iPad, most reviewers say it's zippier, but that it's also difficult to tell how much zippier, since developers haven't done anything to push it to the limit. Reviewers also suggest that owners of the … Read more

This week in Crave: The puzzling edition

Too busy being peeved about the fourth-generation iPad this week to keep up with Crave? These stories will catch you up -- and lower your blood pressure.

- The blood brain barrier has never looked so beautiful.

- Best home decor ever: Iron Man stained glass windows!

- Ever seen a bipedal robot walk a tightrope? Now you have.

- Robot Hall of Fame: Wall-E, BigDog, Nao, PackBot, come on down!

- A hoodie jacket with built-in goggles: Nope, that's not creepy at all.

- Full bladder? App pinpoints the best time to go mid-movie.

- "Star Wars" and My Little Pony, together at last! … Read more

Apple thinks smaller with iPad Mini

Confirming one of its worst-kept secrets, Apple took the wraps off the iPad Mini during a press event on Tuesday.

The new device, a 7.9-inch version of its 10-inch iPad tablet, comes in six pricing configurations. In addition to the 16GB tablet with Wi-Fi at $329, the 32GB tablet with Wi-Fi is $429, and the 64BG version is $529. For devices with Wi-Fi and 4G cellular connections, the 16GB tablet is $459, the 32GB is $559, and the 64GB is $659. These devices are shipping two weeks after their Wi-Fi-only counterparts.

The iPad Mini could prove to dramatically expand the base of customers for Apple, … Read more

Get prepared for Windows 8

Thursday's CNET Update prepares for a new era:

Windows 8 arrives at 12:01 a.m. local time Friday -- are you ready? CNET has everything you need to prepare for the new system, including a buying guide, as well as tips and tricks to navigating the new interface.

Microsoft's Surface RT tablet also arrives Friday, but Surface is just the start of a new line of devices from Microsoft. CEO Steve Ballmer has said Microsoft will build more devices under its name. So maybe we'll see a Surface Mini someday, or even a Microsoft Phone.

Google … Read more

Digging deep into Microsoft's Surface

Wednesday's CNET Update covers the Surface:

Microsoft's Surface RT tablet hits stores Friday, but CNET has the full review here. Today's tech news roundup also goes over the differences in Windows RT and Windows 8.

If phablets are more your style, CNET also has the review of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, now available at T-Mobile for $370 after a rebate and two-year contract. AT&T will sell it for less, at $300, when preorders begin Thursday.

Ready for shopping on Instagram? A new service called Chirpify gives users on Twitter and Instagram the ability to … Read more

The 404 1,153: Where we're not yelling (podcast)

Enter our week-long Threadless contest for a chance to win one of three Threadless T-shirts -- one lucky winner will receive a $30 gift certificate to the Threadless Web Store. Just follow us on Twitter and @reply us a photo of your favorite T-shirt along with the hash tag #404Threadless. We'll select the winners next Monday. Good luck!… Read more

This week in Crave: The great-heights edition

Bust out the boogie shoes! It's time to do everyone's favorite new dance: "Evolution of nanostructural architecture in 7000 series aluminum alloys during strengthening by age-hardening and severe plastic deformation." Through mixing it like metal? Read on to catch up on the Craviness you might have missed this week.

- See the big 24-mile dive -- from Fearless Felix's point of view. And, of course, in Lego form.

- Big step in wheelchair innovation: a stair-climbing model.

- Could you be holding an iPad Mini by November 2?

- This license plate frame outwits red light cameras. Must-have accessory or cheating? … Read more

A tempest brewing over tablets

Microsoft and Apple are at it again -- this time over tablets.

Four months after the company unveiled its Surface tablet, Microsoft has finally announced a price and date for the RT version of the device. After an apparent accidental self-out, Microsoft began taking preorders for the Windows RT version of Surface with an actual release date set on October 26 this year. On the same date, Microsoft's brick-and-mortar stores also will begin selling the device; however, preorders are only available online. $499 nets you the 32GB version only, while $599 gets you the 32GB version with a Touch … Read more

AOL's twist on e-mail: You've got stacks

Thursday's CNET Update is checking your away message:

Just when you've given up all hope of having an organized inbox, along comes AOL with a new e-mail client called Alto. Today's tech news roundup looks at how Alto manages multiple accounts and sorts messages into stacks. The service is in beta test now (so you have to sign up for an invite to try it), but it could be open to everyone by February.

In other news, Yelp is cracking down on companies that pay for reviews. If Yelp sees that a business is trying to inflate … Read more

Yelp clamps down on paid reviews with new 'consumer alert'

Yelp is taking aim at business owners that try to artificially inflate their reviews on the site.

The user-reviews site today announced today that it has launched a new initiative to root out companies that have made "significant attempts to pay for reviews." In the event it finds such attempts, Yelp will post a "consumer alert" on a company posting alerting users to the violation.

"We caught someone red-handed trying to buy reviews for this business," the alert reads. "We weren't fooled, but wanted you to know because buying reviews not only … Read more