Stories by Jared Newman

  • Microsoft Kin: What's cool, what's lame

    If Microsoft's Kin phones are supposed be for a younger audience, then we're busting out the antiquated lingo to judge what's cool and lame about the not-quite-smartphone. The main feature of these social phones is the way they stream updates and messages from friends, but there's more to watch for beyond that central concept. Here are some key points to help decide whether you're truly stoked for the Kin. Dude:

  • iPad as giant phone? Not with Skype

    So you're holding off on the iPad for the 3G version that arrives in a month, dreaming of placing VoIP calls from anywhere as an alternative to your phone. Just don't expect to do so with Skype, yet.

  • HP Slate: Why it's hot - and not

    With leaked specs and a new official video, the HP slate device is coming into focus. That means we can start mercilessly picking apart the things we like and don't like about it. Ah, tech punditry. Here's a short list of ways to justify anticipating or avoiding HP's upcoming slate, perhaps instead of an iPad:

  • iPad reviews: five things we've learned

    Reviews of Apple's iPad are rolling in, and boy, are they predictable. Pretty much everyone adores Apple's shiny new tablet. When they aren't heaping praise on its sleek design, brilliant screen, and awesome new apps, they're either hitting all the specs we've known about since January or casually mentioning the iPad's weaknesses: no camera, no Flash, no USB.