I could not have received my Black Powerbag Deluxe at a more opportune time.  It was the start of kickoff for CES, and things were closing up for the night when I received this wonderful gift.  Having just gotten off a long flight, being jetlagged from a long trip west I broke off from the group to call it a night early and rest up for what was assured to be a busy week – and in the mean time, get my Powerbag set up for the following day – which ended up being a much needed Powerbag. The first thing I noticed was the ease of the power chord.  From its small tuck away beside the battery, it is easily confined, and hidden from view when not in use, and when needed, is as accessible as one might hope – a person can get it plugged in and charging in about 15 seconds.  I then started to pack the bag – and Panic set it.  How would it all fit?  A laptop, 3 cameras, pencils, pens, monopod… it seemed too daunting a task to possibly work.  However, within 10 Min I had everything packed away with room to spare – the notebooks, pens and a few business cards fit easily up in the space above the battery/charger; all cameras, monopod, a large box of cards, and all associated cables, chargers and such fit into the largest opening of the bag with room to spare.

The most valuable parts were the small pockets we used on the sides to charge our iPods, phones, WIFI port, and Camera.   Never throughout the time we had the bag with us did we suffer through a dead camera or Cell, and with them being in the small side pockets, they were of quick access to us; with the need to film and catch pictures of video at a moments notice,  this was of extreme value.  The pockets that do not have power (the side pocket on its own, and the small front pocket) were perfect for holding small items that we might need frequently, like a tin of mints, aspirin, and 5 hour energy drinks. With 3 of our group of 5 utilizing FUL bags of one type or another, it was of a need to have the backpack for 3 of us to share; at one point or another throughout the week each and every one of us used this bag to keep our electronic equipment alive while away from our rooms for long periods.  The spaciousness and padded back gave me comfort even while carrying heavy amounts, and the long last battery offered us quick charges for our small sized electronic devices.  Plus, with a price point around $170, it is in line with some of the top bags around.

From the first moment I opened the box, I didn’t expect what I found inside. Within an elegant black box, just like I was receiving high-end jewelry, there was my new Lyla; it was extremely well laid out with the grace and elegance that you rarely find in a personal massager. I found two items before me; a round diskette controller and an oval shaped wireless massager with a removable silver tip for charging.

Upon picking them up, they were light and smooth to hold; the soft silicone-like material that covers the massagers are extremely soft. I charged the oval massager and put two AAA batteries (included) into the controller. While waiting, I began to read the manual to familiarize myself with my new Lyla. Once charged, `I began to experiment with Lyla; syncing can be tricky, but once you get the hang of it, its not too bad and can be activated with relative ease.

The sense motion on Lyla allows the one holding the controller to understand what the other party is feeling and experiencing. Furthermore, the one in charge of the controller can control the strength of the vibrations by tilting the disc; they can also shake it for intense pulse. The range of the Lyla is fantastic; enough for you to be in the opposite side of the room, yet still share the experience. Although it can be slightly loud at times (especially with the disc), the vibrations on it are magnificent, both in strength and intensity. There are multiple settings you can experiment with to find your preference. The toy is also a heaven to clean, due to its smooth surface. Overall, our experience was absolutely marvelous and every time I use it I find something else new about it.

This is the perfect gift for your partner for every occasion and situation, especially with Valentines Day quickly approaching. Although it does not sparkle like jewelry, but just as stylish and elegant, it certainly brings its own sense of grace and personality; unlike jewelry, it is something both you and your partner can enjoy everyday.

LELO Lyla VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

At CES 2012 we got a hands-on look ta the GoPro HD Hero2 camera during CEs 2012. this new camera sports an 11 megapixel sensor and can record at 1080p @ 30fps.  A totally redesigned wide-angle lens was required to take full advantage of the HD HERO2′s increased image-processing, resulting in a lens that’s twice as sharp as the previous model. And with the arrival of GoPro’s new Wi-Fi BacPac™ and Wi-Fi Remote products slated for release this winter, the HD HERO2 will enable video remote control via the Wi-Fi Remote, smartphones and devices, tablets and computers as well as enabling live GoPro video broadcast from anywhere there is Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot. We can’t wait to try it out ourselves and see how well it works. Till then enjoy our hands-on video

List of HD HERO2 Feature Enhancements:

• Professional 11MP Sensor
• 2x Faster Image Processor
• 2x Sharper Glass Lens
• Professional Low Light Performance
• Full 170º, Medium 127º, Narrow 90º FOV in 1080p and 720p Video
• 120 fps WVGA, 60 fps 720p, 48 fps 960p, 30 fps 1080p Video
• Full 170º and Medium 127º FOV Photos
• 10 11MP Photos Per Second Burst
• 1 11MP Photo Every 0.5 Sec Timelapse Mode
• 3.5mm External Stereo Microphone Input
• Simple Language-based User Interface
• Compatible with Wi-Fi BacPac™ and Wi-Fi Remote™
• Long Range Remote Control of up to 50 GoPro Cameras per Wifi Remote
• Wi-Fi Video/Photo Preview, Playback and Control via GoPro App
• Live Streaming Video and Photos to the Web

 The same Epic 4G Touch you loved last year is coming out in all white glory on Jan 8th on Sprint Network. This Highly praised Samsung Galaxy S2 variant will be available for $199 with a two year contract. Hit the press release below for more details.

Nokia has fired its press guns and will be having its CES 2012 Press event on Jan 9th from 3pm PST. We hope to see their full line of US devices, from the Rumor Nokia 900 to LTE version of the Lumia line for AT&T and Version. Maybe the Nokia Lumia 610 goes to Sprint and hopefully a faster HSPA+ device coming to T-Mobile. We have to wait. but stay tuned and also stay glued for our Liveblog of Nokia’s Press conference as well as the other big companies

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus 4G has Android 3.2 preinstalled, runs on a 1.2GHz Exynos CPU, has 16GB of internal storage and takes advantage of a 3MP rear-facing camera and 2MP front-facing cam for video chat. Not sure what HSPA+ speeds it comes with, hopefully its 42Mbps. But check out the Press release below for  more info

PRESS RELEASE

T-Mobile Completes Holiday 4G Tablet Portfolio With the Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 7.0 Plus

T-Mobile’s newest ultra-mobile 4G tablet delivers a rich entertainment experience anywhere on America’s Largest 4G Network.
BELLEVUE, Wash. – Nov. 8, 2011 – T-Mobile USA, Inc. today unveiled the ultra-mobile Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 7.0 Plus, the latest to join the company’s portfolio of 7-, 9- and 10-inch 4G-enabled* tablets. Featuring a brilliant 7-inch multitouch display and weighing just 0.77 lbs., less than a can of soda, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus is one of the thinnest and lightest 7-inch tablets on the market, making it easy to watch popular TV shows and movies, download full-color magazines, compete in multi-player gaming and more – all while on the go.

“Consumers want a selection of affordable, highly mobile tablets that can deliver the content they want virtually anywhere they go,” said Jeremy Korst, vice president of mobile broadband and emerging devices, T-Mobile USA. “The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus is a perfectly sized, ultra-thin and lightweight 4G tablet that easily fits in a coat pocket or purse and delivers a rich on-the-go entertainment experience.”
Offering a premium, ultra-mobile entertainment experience, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus from T-Mobile comes with a variety of pre-installed premium content, including the Samsung Media Hub so customers can rent or purchase movies and purchase TV programs and share that content on up to five compatible devices on the same account. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus also comes pre-loaded with WildTangent®, so customers can play premium games for free, as well as rent or purchase games.

The Android™ 3.2 (Honeycomb) Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus is equipped with a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 16 GB of internal memory and a micro SD card slot that supports up to an additional 32 GB of expandable memory for easy storage of documents, movies, books and more. In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus makes it quick and easy to browse rich Web content with support for Adobe® Flash® Player and read books and magazines though services like Zinio®, which offers more than 5,000 full color magazines to browse, and Blio® eReader, which shows eBooks in full color on the brilliant 7-inch screen.

Equipped with a 3-megapixel rear-facing camera with flash for photo, and Mobile HD video capture and playback in 720p** as well as a 2-megapixel front-facing camera which can be used to connect with friends and family via Video Chat, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus makes it possible to connect and share life’s most important moments while on the go.

vailability
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus will join the recently announced T-Mobile® SpringBoard™ with Google™ and Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 10.1, as well as the T-Mobile G-Slate™ with Google, to offer an affordable and compelling portfolio of 7-, 9- and 10-inch 4G tablets with down payments ranging from $179.99 to $399.99***.
Beginning Nov. 16, customers can purchase the T-Mobile SpringBoard for a $179.99 down payment and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus for a $249.99 down payment at T-Mobile retail stores. Each require a $50 mail-in rebate, with a T-Mobile Value Mobile Broadband plan, two-year service agreement, and 20 interest free monthly payments of $10 on approved credit. Overage-free Mobile Broadband Value plans start at $29.99 per month, and T-Mobile postpaid voice customers enjoy $10 off their monthly mobile broadband service. For more information, visit http://mobile-broadband.t-mobile.com/tablets.

*T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 4G network not available everywhere. See coverage details at http://www.t-mobile.com. 4G used in connection with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus product refers to the fact that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus is designed with HSPA+ technology.

**Playback on device limited to WSVGA (1024×600)
***After mail-in rebate card with a T-Mobile Value Mobile Broadband plan, two year service agreement and 20 interest free monthly payments of $10 on approved credit.

This is an Android 2.3 tablet at 6-inches with a 400omAh battery, with wi-fi and IR control and RF4CE, a ZigBee-based RF control protocol. This is billed as a controller tablet by Motorola; with the ability to control you TV and more. The folks at The Verge got their hands on some leaked images and claim to know that the device is already being tested by cable providers.

The packaging calls the device a “dedicated controller,” but at the same time shows the tablet’s UI on the TV screen, leading us to believe it can be used to watch and stream media all the while functioning as a universal remote. Motorola has been making cable boxes for a while now and maybe this is the ultimate way to interact with them

This looks like something that will ship with cable boxes and maybe packaged for Christmas with your Comcast, Verizon or dish network packages.

Razer just unveiled at PAX Prime what is dubbed the first true gaming laptop “The Razer Blade”. This 17.3 laptop weighs 6.9lbs and is 088” thick. comes with 8GB of ram, core i7 processor, 2GB of dedicated video memory , 320GB & HD Webcam. All for around $2799.99 , coming out this fall

Born for the Razer Switchblade concept first showcased at CES 2011. The Razer Blade, does sport programmable LED keys with an LCD track pad situated on the right hand side of the keyboard. any interesting design choice. we hopefully will see more of the Razer Blade before its fall launch. Press Release Below

SPECS

Product Specifications:

·2.8GHz Intel® Core™ i7 2640M Processor

·8GB 1333MHz DDR3 Memory

·17.3″ LED Backlit Display (1920×1080)

·NVIDIA GeForce® GT 555M with NVIDIA®Optimus™ Technology

2GB Dedicated GDDR5 Video Memory

·Built-in HD Webcam

·Integrated 60Wh Battery

·320GB 7200rpm SATA HDD

·Wireless Network 802.11 b/g/n Compatible

·16.81″ (Width) x 10.9″ (Depth) x 0.88″ (Height); 6.97lbs (Weight)

PRESS RELEASE

RAZER UNVEILS THE WORLD’S FIRST TRUE GAMING LAPTOP

 

Razer launches the Razer Blade at PAX Prime featuring
true portability, incredible performance, and a revolutionary user interface

 

PAX Prime, Seattle – August 26^th, 2011 – The PC industry today has never looked bleaker.  The world’s largest PC-maker Hewlett-Packard just announced their intention to explore the separation of its PC business.With PC manufacturers increasingly abandoning design and technology in lieu of outsourcing and cost-cutting, the PC industry has seen a severe dearth of innovation in recent years. Gaming consoles have also taken advantage of this innovation slump in the PC industry to garner attention from game developers and gamers alike, to the extent that now PC versions of cross-platform games are often sub-par ports of their console counterparts.

 

Razer, the world leader in high performance gaming hardware, introduces the Razer Blade – a full aluminum chassis gaming laptop featuring true portability, incredible performance, and an all-new revolutionary user interface.  With the introduction of the Razer Blade – a feat of modern-day systems engineering and technology, Razer is reinvigorating technological and design innovation for the entire PC industry, and encouraging gamers and developers to return to the PC as the primary gaming platform of choice.

 

Mobile systems developed for gaming today compromise on portability and form factor for game performance.  While such machines run games well, they are over 2 inches thick and can weigh more than 10lbs.  The Razer Blade measures 0.88 inches thin, less than half that of current mobile gaming systems, and weighs only 6.97lbs, achieving a balance between portability and performance – making it the world’s first true gaming laptop.

 

Developed in partnership with Intel, the Razer Blade features a fast Intel® Core™ i7 processor and a high performance NVIDIA GeForce® graphics processor.  The hardware was designed to run the most demanding games of today without sacrificing the laptop’s portable form factor.  The Razer Blade also does not compromise on screen size as it comes with an incredible LED-backlit high-definition 17” display.

 

The Razer Blade features the Switchblade User Interface – Razer’s multi-award winning, highly intuitive interface technology. The interface is comprised of 10 dynamic adaptive tactile keys for easier access of in-game commands, and an LCD capable of two modes: one mode that displays in-game information when a mouse is in use; and another mode that functions as an ultra-sensitive, multi-touch panel designed for gaming on the go.

 

“The Razer Blade was designed to give gamers a laptop they could truly use on the go,” said Min-Liang Tan, CEO and Creative Director, Razer.  “Its sleek, lightweight aluminum construction makes it the thinnest 17-inch gaming laptop available today.”

 

“We’re proud to co-develop this revolutionary gaming laptop with Razer,” said Mooly Eden, VP and General Manager of the PC Client Group, Intel. “Utilizing our fast Intel® Core™ i7 processor, the Razer Blade delivers top-class gaming performance in a portable form factor.”

 

“Powered by an advanced NVIDIA GeForce® GPU with award winning NVIDIA® Optimus™ technology, the Razer Blade has the muscle to run cutting edge games with intense graphics while still offering amazing portability,” said Rene Haas, General Manager of Notebook Products, NVIDIA.

 

“The Switchblade User Interface on the Razer Blade is a revolutionary innovation that truly defines the new standard for gaming experiences on a laptop,” said Min-Liang Tan.

 

Watch the “Introducing the new Razer Blade” video at www.razerzone.com/blade

 

About the Razer Blade gaming laptop

 

The Razer Blade is a 17” gaming laptop that delivers incredible performance and a revolutionary user interface in a sleek, portable form factor.  It features a fast Intel® Core™ i7 processor and a high performance NVIDIA GeForce® graphics processor designed in a lightweight aluminum chassis.  The revolutionary Switchblade User Interface, found next to a full-size keyboard, was designed from the ground up to enhance gaming experiences and provide more control at the gamer’s fingertips.  It features 10 adaptive tactile keys and a multi-touch LCD panel that can also display in-game information.  And at just 0.88 inches thin and only weighing 6.97lbs, the Razer Blade is the world’s first true gaming laptop.

 

Price: US$2799.99

 

Availability:
North America Q4 2011

 

Product Specifications:

·2.8GHz Intel® Core™ i7 2640M Processor

·8GB 1333MHz DDR3 Memory

·17.3″ LED Backlit Display (1920×1080)

·NVIDIA GeForce® GT 555M with NVIDIA®Optimus™ Technology

2GB Dedicated GDDR5 Video Memory

·Built-in HD Webcam

·Integrated 60Wh Battery

·320GB 7200rpm SATA HDD

·Wireless Network 802.11 b/g/n Compatible

·16.81″ (Width) x 10.9″ (Depth) x 0.88″ (Height); 6.97lbs (Weight)

 

For more information, please visitwww.razerzone.com/blade

About the Razer Group:

 

Razer™ is the world leader in high performance gaming hardware. Founded in 1998, with its headquarters in Carlsbad, California, the company has offices in nine cities around the globe.  Used by the most demanding professional gamers who compete in global tournaments, Razer provides gamers with the unfair advantage of cutting-edge technology and award-winning design. We live by our motto: For Gamers. By Gamers.

 

The Razer Blade VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The Razer Tiamat is  the first true 7.1 surround sound headset, per Razer claims. Dude to the fact it is the world’s first headset with 10 discrete drivers,—that’s 5 in each ear. It comes with an in-line remote that allows you to adjust each channel individually. The Razer Tiamat will cost $180 in Q4.

Razer Announces The World’s First True 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset
Wednesday, 17 August 2011

RAZER ANNOUNCES THE WORLD’S FIRST TRUE 7.1 SURROUND SOUND GAMING HEADSET
The Razer Tiamat 7.1 brings true-to-life pinpoint positional gaming audio with up to 10 discrete speaker drivers in each headset

Gamescom, Cologne – August 17th, 2011 –Razer, the world’s leading high-end precision gaming brand, brings true pinpoint positional audio to hardcore gamers everywhere with the Razer Tiamat headset range – the world’s first discrete 7.1 surround sound and 2.2 stereo gaming headsets. Get the tactical advantage in combat when you can hear and react to every gunfire, explosion and voice realistically all around you. And with bass so powerful, the Razer Tiamat will blow you away.

“The Razer Tiamat headset range is the pride of our audio engineering, the world’s first 10 driver headset, built to deliver the most powerful, clear and accurately produced positional audio gamers will ever need for the competitive edge,” said Robert “RazerGuy” Krakoff, President, Razer USA. “Surprise the enemy trying to creep up for a stealth kill, when you can hear their footsteps loud and clear behind you.”
The Razer Tiamat headset range includes the Razer Tiamat 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset and the Razer Tiamat 2.2 Stereo Gaming Headset.

The Razer Tiamat 7.1 packs a total of 10 discrete drivers, 5 in each circumaural ear cup to give you true pinpoint positional surround sound – a one-up on your enemies when you can hear everything around you with three-dimensional clarity. The 10 drivers represent the 7 surround sound channels plus subwoofer; 2 for center, 1 each for the left and right, surround sound left and right, surround back left and right, and 2 for the subwoofer. All drivers work in unison to produce a true surround sound experience.

The Razer Tiamat 7.1 also gives gamers maximum customizability of their audio experience adjustable on a sleek control unit. You can precisely fine-tune the volume of every audio channel, position, and bass depth, as well as conveniently toggle between the headset’s 7.1 surround sound mode, 2.0 stereo mode or external speakers as long as they are also hooked up to the unit, so you’ll have the right setup for your entertainment at all times.

The Razer Tiamat 2.2 is outfitted with a total of 4 discrete drivers, 2 dedicated especially to bass to give your head that rumbling sensation every time you calmly walk away from an in-game explosion.
Both versions of the Razer Tiamat come with leatherette ear cushions to keep you comfortable during long-haul gaming marathons, and a precise, unidirectional noise-cancelling microphone so your battle chatter stays as sharp as your audio.

The “Experience the Power of 7 – with the Razer Tiamat 7.1″ Contest at Gamescom 2011
In line with Razer’s announcement of their new Razer Tiamat headset range, the world’s first 7 Razer Tiamat 7.1 gaming headsets are to be given away to 7 lucky winners.
The Razer Tiamat 7.1, the world’s first true 7.1 surround sound gaming headset, awaits contestants at www.razerzone.com/Powerof7.

About the Razer Tiamat 7.1

True pinpoint positional audio for the tactical advantage is the only way to go for victorious gaming, and that’s what the Razer Tiamat 7.1 was built for. 10 discrete drivers, 5 in each ear cup produce 360 degrees true surround sound so you can hear and react to everything around you with three-dimensional clarity.

The versatile control unit lets you tweak every audio channel’s volume and positioning, as well as bass depth to your exact preference. With a single button press, toggle between the headset’s 7.1 surround sound, 2.0 stereo and external speakers when both are connected to the unit to have the right audio setup for your specific entertainment needs at all times. Packed with so many features in one device, the Razer Tiamat 7.1 is the ultimate beast of gaming audio.

Price: US $179.99 / EU €179.99

Availability:
Razerzone.com – Q4 2011
Worldwide – Q4 2011

Product Features:
True-to-life pinpoint positional 7.1 surround sound from 10 discrete drivers
All-in-one volume control unit for multi-channel adjustment, personalization and toggling between headset and speakers
Comfortable, snug fit for extended play
Retractable, noise-filtering unidirectional mic
Interchangeable ear cup covers
Replaceable soft-touch leatherette ear cushions
Braided fibre cable
For more information about the Razer Tiamat 7.1 Gaming Headset, please visit www.razerzone.com/tiamat-7-1

About the Razer Tiamat 2.2

The Razer Tiamat 2.2 comes with 4 discrete drivers in the headset, 2 dedicated to bass to give gamers double the bass for double the impact. Chuck a grenade, launch a missile, detonate a nuke; everything from a simple explosion to an apocalyptic end-of-the-world type destruction is reproduced with amazing booming power. Throw in a sturdy build, exceptionally comfortable leatherette ear cups for wear over extended gameplay, and a precise unidirectional microphone for leading your team to victory – the Razer Tiamat 2.2 makes sure your epic gaming domination is aurally reproduced in all its glory.
Price: US $99.99 / EU €99.99

Availability:
Razerzone.com – Q4 2011
Worldwide – Q4 2011
Product Features:
Optimized positional audio for immersive gameplay
Dual bass drivers for deep, thumping bass
Comfortable, snug fit for extended play
Precise, noise-filtering unidirectional mic
Slim, easy-to-use in-line remote
Replaceable soft-touch leatherette ear cushions
Braided fibre cable
For more information about the Razer Tiamat 2.2 Gaming Headset, visit www.razerzone.com/tiamat-2-2

About the Razer Group:

Razer™ is the world leader in high performance gaming hardware. Founded in 1998, with its headquarters in Carlsbad, California, the company has offices in nine cities around the globe. Used by the most demanding professional gamers who compete in global tournaments, Razer provides gamers with the unfair advantage of cutting-edge technology and award-winning design. We live by our motto: For Gamers. By Gamers.™
Learn more at www.razerzone.com

  The HTC Evo View 4G is the first Android powered tablet from HTC, which runs Android 2.3 and not Honeycomb; but with an overlay of Sense 3.0. All under a 7’ captive touch screen. The Evo View 4G comes with 32GB of storage on the device, a 5MP rear camera and a front facing camera for video chat. Touch sensitive button on either landscape and portrait viewing angles on the device But what makes the EVO view 4G special is the Scribe pen and the ability to use a stylus on a Captive touch screen. So is the scribe pen worth it?

HTC Scribe Pen

The pen feels like a large ball point pen, with two button , that act as an activator to write and an eraser. The Pen works effectively and you can chose a plethora of different pen styles , pencils, sizes, colors and fills. To use in either writing or sketching, for a stylus on a captive surface it is very responsive and easy to maneuver.  You can write on the home screen, on pictures and on the note pad. To activate writing with  scribe pen. Just hit the scribe pen button on the lower right-hand corner of the tablet and you are good to go. They are some draw backs to the pen. It is rather larger and there is no storage compartments on the View 4G to hold your scribe pen. At $50 dollars it is a steep price for a stylus.

No Honeycomb

Yep the HTC EVO View 4G does not run Android 3.0 but Android 2.3 with Sense 3.0, and I must say it is very effective. Sense runs very well on the device , with no hiccups or slow downs. The Addition of hub bar on the bottom of the screen for quick access to movies, music and books add to the overall feel of providing a tablet experience with the device.  They are no issues with loading apps or running them on the 7” screen. I dare say HTC has created and effective tablet experience out side of Honeycomb with the addition OS Sense UI.

Conclusion

The HTC EVO View 4G comes in as one of the better 7’ tablets on the market, running Android 2.3 with sense 3.0 overlay. it does an effective job at bringing in a richer Android experience in a tablet form. The scribe pen is an interesting additive, in the fact that it works well and does what an stylus should do, write. But they are draw-backs to its use. You can not scribe on emails and send them of as writing text, so it feels like something to play with than actually use. The pen as cost $50 as a separate purchase, which makes it an extensive additional cost.  Aldo the is no holding area for the scribe on the Evo  View 4G; so you can easily lose you $50 scribe in an instant. If it where bundled with the device at purchase and $50 an extra pair, I could live with that.

I do like what the HTC view EVO 4G brings to the table, with its almost 10hrs battery life, its easy and familiar interface and size for portability compared to larger tablets. Even though they are some short comings. its still a solid device and with sprints 4G and added bonus of having wireless connectivity where ever you go plus the ability to create a mobile hotspot for up to 8 devices is a nice thing to have on the road.

HTC EVO View 4G Unboxing VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Sex and Zen 3-D: Extreme Ecstasy is supposedly the first erotic movie made in 3-D, which in its  opening week, has beaten Avatar‘s record for one-day box office in Hong Kong.Trailer is Below as well as the Red brand trailer

Sex and Zen 3-D is a remake of Sex and Zen, the classic (?) 1991 film that remains the highest-grossing Hong Kong movie of all time. They’re both based on the 17th century novelThe Carnal Prayer Mat (Rou Pu Tuan) by Li Yu

As the very public meltdown of Sheen continues to unfold, the powers that be behind TV’s top-rated sitcom have decided that the actor has done irreparable harm to the show. As a result, CBS, Warner Bros. TV and executive producer Chuck Lorre announced Monday that they were pulling the plug on the actor for good.

The decision gives the network and studio more time to plot out a future without Sheen — if there is a future at all. Firing Sheen rather than canceling Two and a Half Men opens up the possibility of a new star. CBS and Warner Bros. earlier shot down rumors that John Stamos was a candidate, but all options would appear to be on the table. The network and studio already have a deal in place for the 2011-2012 TV season.

The news comes after another busy weekend for Sheen, who launched a live webcast on Saturday night (attracting more than 333,000 unique viewers, according to Ustream).

The webcast, dubbed Sheen’s Korner, was a dud with critics and even Sheen himself, who apologized for it on another, shorter webcast Sunday. Sheen has dubbed his web series “a violent torpedo of truth.” He is also in discussions with Mark Cuban to star in a reality show for Cuban’s HDnet cable channel.

Meanwhile, Warner Bros. hired power attorneys Ron Olson and John Spiegel late last week to oversee the studio’s crumbling relationship with the star and to represent them as Sheen, who’s got another power attorney in his corner (Marty Singer), threatens to sue.

Now that he’s been terminated, a Sheen suit is very likely. But despite talk of a suit, Sheen has yet to file anything — which may be a sign that the actor was still looking for a more amicable solution to the crisis

Via Yahoo.

Boston seems to be a hot area for Oscar nominated films their year (and in recent years).  The Fighter, The Social Network, and The Town were – at least partially – filmed in the greater Boston area.  That last, is a star-studded crime caper in the same vein as Mamet’s “Heist”.  Adapted from the Chuck Hogan novel Prince of Thieves, it tells the story of best friend career criminals, and their crew of bank robbers.

Jem Coughlin (Jeremy Renner) plays the more loose, more willing to kill without restraint best friend of Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) who has already done serious time.  Jeremy Renner plays this to a T, angry and cold, but always with a rational reason behind his moves.  He is a wildman and a wild card; unpredictable in his moves, actions, and reactions.  Smart and somewhat sadistic, he is always on for the next gig, and the next, always pushing for more and more.

As I said last year with his Best Actor nomination (for A Hurt Locker), he doesn’t change roles very much, or very often.  Dahmer, S.W.A.T, A Hurt Locker, The Town – all representative of cold, calculating people.  Though good, he shows remarkably little range or stretch in characters, relying on people who are more on the slightly sick and demented side.  And while I did enjoy her performance, in my cut I found nothing in it that separated him from the Jeremy Renner of last year.  Once he finds range, something different, unusual – he will then be a danger on the award circuit.  Until then – he will always be one step behind award glory.

And Lastly: Animal Kingdom

After reading up on Blue Valentine, it was one of those movies I circled as a “must watch” after hearing it was a compelling, emotional performance by both Ryan Gossling and Academy Nominee Michelle Williams.  Watching the frustrations of a failing marriage that may or may not have been based on love at first sight is a hard, sad film.  Shot non-linear, we start the film at the potential of the beginning of the end for them, and jump back to the beginning, seeing how they got where they are, and where they are going from here.

Cindy Heller (Michelle Williams) is an emotionally turbulent young mother, married when pregnant to Dean Pereira (Ryan Gossling).  Her emotions slide the gamut from fear of her father to rage for her husband, reacting to a husband who is subtly sliding into her father’s likeness.  While Michelle William’s character gets stronger throughout the film, she shows subtly more and more range – though it can be hard to see at times.  It is more of a woman coming into her own, and learning to stand on her own two feet rather then leaning on or being supported by a man.

While her performance is strong and commendable, I found myself enjoying Ryan Gossling’s performance much more.  He exhibited more range and clout with a character that easily could have been one dimensional.  While Michelle Williams’ performance garnered her an Academy nomination, she is very much in the shallow end of a deeper pool this year.

(Thunder E’s Thoughts) Blue Valentine was movie, with the words disaster written on it before the credits began to roll. Michelle Williams nomination for best actress in this role was not deserving. Yes I hated here character, same as Nathalie Portman’s in Black Swan. But there I was taken on a journey by the actress and watched i her character grow. Her Michelle Williams complains from the get go and does stop, doesn’t learn and doesn’t understand where here character is going.

I felt Ryan Gossling gave a better performance which brought out the strengthens and weakness of his character and though the film was told in a non-linear fashion. You saw his subtle growth.

Up Next:  The Town

On December 25th, after a day trapped indoors with the family and little else to do but eat, sleep and watch television, I decided to venture out with my friend, LOS, and catch a film.  Since I rarely make it to Maine, and since LOS is a huge (Huge is an understatement for this – monumental or colossal would be much truer in this context) fan of John Wayne films, and I am a consummate fan of the Coen Brothers, we decided that there was only one film we could settle on to watch and enjoy – True Grit.  As we seated ourselves without snacks in a row 3/4 of the way back, dead in the middle of the row, a group of late teens situated themselves behind us, and pontificated about the Coens for no less then 20 minutes, while Los and I laughed at the conversation; half was false insight, the rest was just dead wrong.  But then the lights dimmed, the teens quieted and the film began.  At the end, I knew for certain there were no less then 3 Oscar noms coming for this piece; in reality, there were 8 – but according to the rules, I must write about 5 of them.

Starting with last year’s winner for Best Actor, Jeff Bridges puts the grit into True Grit.  Only twice as a Best Actor winner repeated the following year – Spencer Tracy (for Captains Courageous and Boys Town) and Tom Hanks (for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump), so Jeff Bridges is staring into history just by being nominated for this role.  As Rooster Cogburn (Immortalized by John Wayne in the 1969 film True Grit) he brings the look of Bad Blake from last years win into a period piece with slightly less drunkeness and much more humor then I thought.  His comedic timing and down and dirty attitude anchored the film; his timing and humor gave levity at just the right moments.  It was amazing to sit in a 2/3 full theatre and laugh my ass off at some of the one liners he dropped, that the majority of people missed.  Even now, re-watching it – the humor and hilarity is there, in a dry way.  Be careful not to miss it.

The humor is in no part helped by the Coen’s Adaptation of the screenplay from the 1968 novel that bears the same name.  The Coen’s do have a way with the word, and from all accounts I have seen, this is a much more accurate adaptation from the novel then the 1969 John Wayne film was.  Taken – and narrated – from the female character’s point of view, it helps give us – the outsiders – a feel as an outsider should feel when embarking on an adventure such as this.  Combined with the intelligence of the Coen’s, the snappy dialogue and the little bits of humor gently sprinkled throughout makes this piece not only thoroughly enjoyable, but it subtly finds a way to keep you wrapped up and in non-stop.

By using the feminine perspective, they needed a strong female to lead the charge throughout this piece.  This is where Hailee Steinfeld comes in, the 14 year old protagonist who give us the perspective of the entire film.  The Coen’s settled on her, leaving the bulk of the film heaped upon her shoulders.  While I respect the choice, and understand the limitations of having a child to lead 2 past Oscar winners (Bridges, and Matt Damon) as directed by 2 time Oscar winners (The Coen’s won for Fargo and No Country for Old Men) her nomination is peculiar, as she really did not act much in the course of the film.  Yes, she said the lines, and pleaded at points, and panicked at others – but none of it felt particularly strong.  Though capably acted, there wasn’t anything of exception in the delivery.

Unlike last years product (A Serious Man) which only garnered a nod for Best Picture, this year the Coen’s have also gathered a nom for Best Director.  To me, that shows the measure of how serious and good a film really is in the age of 10 Best Picture nominees.  And the Coen’s shoot grand outdoor shots as good – if not better – then anyone in Hollywood.  They are very comfortable shooting in a landscape that is both grandiose and breathtaking all at once, plus when they are writing or adapting the script – you get a sense they are planning the film as they are writing it.  As they did with Fargo, and No Country for Old Men, you get a sense of comfort within them of the subject matter at hand that they have not had for their last few films.  Now, an adaptation of a novel that had previously been adapted and filmed 42 years earlier does not bode well for the Coen’s – but none the less, they have yet again created a masterpiece that is both visually and intellectually stunning.  It might not win a lot of awards – but it should win something along the line.

Next up: Winter’s Bone