Editorial Review

Research in Motion's BlackBerry wireless handheld has been one of themost talked-about handhelds on the market recently--and the press coverage itreceived due to it being the communication gadgets of choice for Al Gore'spresidential campaign certainly didn't hurt. But thanks to its full-functionorganizer, synchronization with many popular desktop PIMs (personal informationmanagers), thumb-operated QWERTY keyboard, and, of course, wireless e-mail, theRIM 957 BlackBerry is more than just hype.

You won't receive instant wireless gratification right out of the box--you'llneed to juice up the internal rechargeable battery via the docking cradle (ACadapter included). Also, the activation process requires you to first registeronline and wait three to five business days for a confirmation e-mail.

The biggest challenges we faced, thanks to years of Palm usage, were thekeyboard and the trackwheel controller. There's no need for a stylus with theRIM 957--all text input is performed using the minikeyboard. At first we wereall thumbs, but we got the hang of it after a day's usage and could type away--evenhitting the ALT keys (which cover numbers and symbols)--like a pro. And forlonger e-mail messages, the RIM 957 is certainly easier and quicker than writingGraffiti characters with the Palm stylus.

And instead of tapping screen icons to access functions or scroll through ascreen (the RIM 957's screen is not touch sensitive), you use the trackwheel onthe right side of the device. Just roll to a desired item and press it in toselect it; this is also how you access menu items when in a list, such as theaddress book. To return to the previous screen (or get out of the menu), simplypress the Escape key below the trackwheel.

We easily synchronized the device with our Outlook contacts, to-do lists, andcalendar. The RIM 957's desktop software includes Intellisync, which cansynchronize the device with Microsoft Outlook and Schedule+, GroupWise, LotusOrganizer and Notes, Symantec ACT!, Goldmine, and Netscape.

Once out on the road, e-mailing was a breeze--we maximized our time by sendingmessages back to our office from New York taxis and while waiting for a delayedflight. With the device on, e-mail was received automatically, and we werenotified with a simple tone. You can also set the device to vibrate, which ishelpful when the RIM 957 is stored in the included belt-clip case.

The RIM 957 does have some shortcomings. There's no Web browsing, and you won'tbe able to use applications developed for the Palm OS, the predominant handheldplatform. Also, you will have to work with your company's system administratoror your ISP to receive messages from your company or other e-mail account.Finally, if you are in a rural area, you might not get any connection, as themonthly wireless service (provided through Aether Systems) is primarily focusedon larger metropolitan areas.

That said, if you're a modern-day road warrior who needs to be connected to e-mailat all times, the RIM 957 offers all the tools of a personal organizerwithout the hassle of having to jack into a modem or cell phone to get online.--Agen Schmitz

Pros:

• Wireless e-mail as easy as paging
• Typing long messages with built-in keyboard is easier than writing usingPalm Graffiti
• Full-function organizer and easy synchronization with desktop PIMs

• Not compatible with Palm OS applications
• Most rural areas won't receive service--be sure to check Aether Systems foravailability in your area
• Won't automatically connect to your company e-mail account

Editorial Review

Fuji's FinePix 40i is in a category of its own. Though several manufacturers are producing combination digital camera/MP3 players, all of the other cameras are extremely basic entry-level point-and-shoot models. In contrast, the Fuji 40i is a quality camera that would be worthy of praise even if it didn't feature an integrated MP3 player. Instead of thinking of it as a combination digital camera and MP3 player, it's more accurate to call the 40i a supercompact high-resolution digital camera that also happens to play MP3 files.

With the exception of the lens, the 40i is very similar to Fuji's other SuperCCD cameras (the FinePix 4700 and 4900, for example). Images are captured on a 2.4-megapixel SuperCCD sensor, which features octagonal pixels arrayed diagonally instead of traditional square pixels in a grid. Fuji claims that this system offers improved sensitivity and image detail over a standard CCD. To prove this point, the camera interpolates its 2.4-megapixel images up to 4.3 megapixels at the highest-quality setting. Independent tests typically place these interpolated images on a par with pictures from a 3.3-megapixel camera.

Featuring a brushed metal case with integrated sliding lens cap, the camera feels well made and sturdy. Its overall dimensions of 3.4 by 2.8 by 1.1 inches make it one of the smallest digital cameras on the market.

Our biggest disappointment with the camera is its lens. Virtually all digital cameras of this resolution and price feature zoom lenses; to cut back on size, weight, and price, Fuji has included only a nonzoom lens. The camera does feature a digital zoom, but this merely crops pixels from the edges of your photo and enlarges the remaining pixels, something you could do just as easily at home after transferring the images to your computer. If you're accustomed to having a zoom lens, you're likely to miss this feature. Otherwise, the 40i has all of the bells and whistles you'd expect in a quality point-and-shoot camera: multimode flash and white balance, self-timer, exposure compensation, macro, movie mode, and more. Some advanced camera features are missing--there's no shutter priority or aperture priority mode and no manual focus, but these features are often missing from all but the highest-end digital cameras.

As an MP3 player, the 40i is perfectly adequate, with good sound quality. You can't take pictures and listen to MP3 files simultaneously, and the included 16 MB SmartMedia card holds only around 15 minutes of music. If you're serious about using the camera as an MP3 player, you'll definitely want to invest in a larger memory card. A pair of AA batteries should power the player for nearly three hours.

To keep the record companies happy, Fuji has included a number of features designed to discourage users from sharing their memory cards. To transfer music to the camera, you'll need to use the included software, included USB cable, and the newer "ID" variety of SmartMedia card (look for an "ID" printed next to the card's capacity). Non-ID cards won't work for music, and you can't play cards recorded on another 40i, a Rio, or a card reader/writer. Like many personal audio products, the Fuji includes a wired remote that lets you control most music functions even when the camera is in a pocket, backpack, or briefcase. As a bonus, the remote also works with the camera, operating both the digital zoom and the shutter release.

If you're a gadget lover who always needs to have the coolest gizmos, the Fuji FinePix 40i is a great choice. Its combination of supercompact, high-quality digital camera and MP3 player is hard to beat.

Pros:

• Superbly detailed images from an ultracompact camera
• Durable, brushed-metal case with integrated lens cap
• Wired remote controls both MP3 and camera functions
• High-capacity batteries and charger included

Cons:

• No zoom lens
• Copy protection scheme adds complexity to MP3 download process
• Included 16 MB memory card too small for serious MP3 use

Editorial Review

When the Palm VII was first released, it garnered a lot of geek chic, thanks to it being the first handheld to include an integrated wireless modem. With more and more wireless handheld devices and peripherals entering the market (such as the RIM Blackberry and the OmniSky Minstrel modem for the Palm V), is Palm's wireless entry still a viable alternative? Definitely (but with a caveat or two).

The Palm VIIx handheld has had its memory bumped up to 8 MB (from only 2 MB in the original Palm VII), and it includes all the practical features we've come to expect from Palm--the easy-to-learn (and use) Palm OS, a sharp screen with contrast-variable backlighting, and infrared beaming of information.

But it's the wireless connectivity--and the ease and quickness of installation and connection--that really makes the Palm VIIx shine. You'll first need to add the Palm VIIx's two AAA batteries, which are also used to charge the modem's internal, rechargeable ni-cad battery. It takes about 70 minutes to fully charge the device. But that'll give you time to play around with the other Palm apps or practice your Graffiti writing skills.

Once charged, we simply flipped up the radio transceiver antenna (which also turns on the screen) and connected to the Palm.net network in seconds. Then we set up our account and chose a monthly service plan--which reminded us that wireless ease doesn't come cheap. These plans range from $9.99 for 50 KB of information downloaded (and $0.20 per additional KB) to $44.99 for unlimited usage. The Palm.net site estimates that 50 KB equals about 150 downloaded Palm screens of information--which isn't that much if you're doing a bit of online shopping or checking of sports scores.

The other important factor to remember is that you won't be able to view the entire Internet. The Palm VII connects only to certain sites that offer Palm Query Applications (or PQAs), which send Web Clippings instead of HTML. These Web Clippings are specially configured minipages that minimize both display requirements (to fit on the Palm VII's screen) and bandwidth usage. Thus, while we weren't able to view the day's English Premier League scores on Soccernet, we could read headlines at ABC News, get driving directions with MapQuest, and check airline flight status using Travelocity. (The Palm VII comes with 22 Web Clippings, but you can download more from www.palm.net/apps--from Merriam-Webster's online dictionary to a Starbucks locator.)

E-mail was a snap using the included iMessenger app and the Palm.net e-mail address that we set up. This account won't hook up with an existing POP account, but there are several good third-party apps on the market that you can install to grab e-mail from your regular accounts.

Editorial Review

With the Rio 600, Diamond adds customizable features and high-end audio you can't get from other players. Capture and play back up to a hour of digital-quality music from the Internet or your CDs. Seize your audio, master your mix, retool your memory, even select your faceplate color--it's complete freedom of choice.

Editorial Review

ReplayTV's 3060 server provides up to 60 hours of storage space and offers a host of upgrades, including an advanced programmable remote control with a ReplayZones button that makes it very easy to find the shows you want to record. In fact, it's almost too easy. Once we grew accustomed to recording shows in advance, we found ourselves watching three times as much TV as we had in the past.

For those unfamiliar with the concept of TV servers, ReplayTV records programs digitally and stores the information on a hard drive. Like with a VCR, if you want to record your favorite show while you're away from home, you can store it on the 3060's hard drive and watch it later. Unlike a VCR, the personal TV server doesn't require tapes or other external media to store programming.

It's important to point out that the actual amount of space available for storing programs can vary depending on the video-recording quality that you select. A higher-quality picture will take up more storage space than a lower-quality recording. At the lowest setting, the picture quality is still better than standard VHS. At the middle setting, the picture quality is better than an S-VHS VCR, but storage capacity decreases by approximately 40 percent. The highest-quality setting further reduces storage capacity, but the picture quality can approach 500 lines of resolution, depending on the source. We recommend using the highest setting for movies and the middle level for sporting events, sitcoms, and other programs, then erasing the content immediately after viewing it. However, you may want to consider taping the programs with a VCR before erasing them permanently.

One of the coolest features on the 3060 server is the ability to pause a live broadcast and resume watching it just like you would a recorded program. When you utilize this feature, ReplayTV acts as a time buffer by storing the show in memory so you can pick up the program from where you left off. A Return to Live button on the remote allows you to skip forward to real time, which is great if you're watching a sporting event and you wish to catch up to the live action.

There's also an Instant Replay button on the remote that allows you to rewatch portions of a show or sporting event in seven-second increments, so you're not limited to rewatching only a brief segment.

ReplayTV also allows you to personalize programming for a specific theme. For example, you can set ReplayTV to monitor TV listings for any program featuring a specific actor. You can also refine theme-based searches of programming. For instance if you wish to record Friends, you can limit your search to title only, so you won't waste time pulling up every movie and talk show that has the word "friends" in the description.

ReplayTV's onscreen guide appears with a blue background and white characters that are very readable, which is important since you'll be using the guide a lot to search for programs and to preview descriptions. ReplayTV's onscreen guide gets an A+ in this regard.

We also loved ReplayTV's QuickSkip feature, which allows you to instantly jump ahead 30 seconds, so you can skip through TV commercials on prerecorded programs. We also like the ReplayZones, which make it very easy to find programs that suit your tastes by searching according to genre. ReplayTV delineates programming into a wide variety of categories, from action and romance movies, to cooking and home-improvement shows--and everything in between. ReplayTV also offers a Search Zone that allows you to input words such as "love" or "vacation" using the remote control and an onscreen keypad.

If you wish to save a particular prerecorded show, you can record it on to a VCR using the back-panel outputs. We were impressed by ReplayTV's inclusion of two sets of audio-video inputs and outputs, as well an S-Video input and output. This enables users to hook up a DIRECTV receiver or other direct-broadcast satellite receiver to the 3060, along with a VCR as an output device.

You can watch one program while recording another by using a cable TV splitter. Simply connect the cable from the wall to the splitter's input line, then connect a spare coaxial cable from the splitter's output line to the 3060, and another from the splitter to the TV. To watch a show while recording another, use the TV button on the Replay remote to switch sources (assuming you've input your TV brand's infrared code into Replay's universal remote control).

One feature we really liked is the ability to place the 3060 into quiet mode simply by turning off the unit. This keeps the server from automatically recording shows to the hard drive, which conserves power and keeps the hard disk from spinning, thereby keeping the unit cool and noise free. If you happen to be recording a show when you turn the 3060 off, it will continue to record, then shut down once the show is finished and stored in the hard drive.

Connecting the 3060 to our home theater system took about 15 minutes. Replay Networks thoughtfully provides a poster-size chart to guide users through setup without opening the manual.

The 3060 uses a phone connection to get program information. If you have an open phone jack, we recommend using it. Otherwise, you can use the supplied splitter to connect the 3060 to an existing line. (You do not need a dedicated phone line, since ReplayTV's programming updates take place in the early morning hours, for only a few minutes each night.) Or you can purchase a 56 Kbps wireless transmitter/receiver, which plugs into a wall outlet and allows you to connect the 3060 to an existing phone line across the room or in another part of the house.

Dialing into ReplayTV to download the free programming guide was much easier than we expected. One major advantage to ReplayTV is that it doesn't charge any monthly service fee for downloading the program guide.

Ultimately, one of the best things about ReplayTV's service is that it's nonintrusive. After all, the whole concept of personal TV servers is to liberate viewers so they can watch the programs they prefer, whenever they feel like it. ReplayTV is designed to make it as easy as possible for customers to find the programs they like and to record them for future enjoyment.

Pros:

• 60-hour hard drive
• Easy-to-navigate onscreen guide
• Intuitive remote control
• Free programming guide

Cons:

• No internal fan to cool unit

Features

• 3-D luminance/color digital comb filter
• Vertical contour correction
• 16:9 aspect ratio with multiple wide-screen modes
• Progressive scanning
• Intelligent Digital Scan Conversion circuitry

Reviews (7)

Old model
This is a 2 year old model and the new model is $[money]less and is alot better. Model number on the new one is 65HX81, it is now called the cinema series, and it is toshibas top of the line. I own the 50 inch model and it is awesome. If you buy one, make sure you buy it from a dealer with ISF certification, that is needed to calibrate the set after a burn in time of 3 months. It is usually around $[money], but if the person you buy it from has the certification and the equipment, it might be free. Mine was. All projection tvs need to be calibrated after burn in, then every 1-2 years. Picture quality is greatly increased, and so is tv life. Only ISF trained people with the proper equipment can do this. ISF.com.

Worst brand and poor customer service
Toshiba Projection TVs are the worst in the market. And when calling their customer service, forget it.They are just too ignorant and clueless as to how to resolve any problem.

Bad quality and customer service
After the 6 month of possession, this TV went down miserably.Oneday, while I was watching the tv, I heard the 'pop' noise from the speaker and the picture went out.After a second or two, when the picture finally came back on, I noticed the semi-transparent vertical streaks across the screen.The artifact was like watching the tv through a screen door.The picture still goes out time to time but the vertical streaks remain the same.

Toshiba tried to have someone come out to repair the tv for 3 month without success (couldn't find a repair shop near by Topeka, KS).After I filed the complaint to AG's office and BBB, Toshiba finally decide to give me a refund but it will take another 4 more weeks.