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3G phones allows for fast data speed and simultaneous data and voice connections.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET Networks)

ComScore, a global company that measures the world's digital usage, reported on Thursday that the U.S. is no longer trailing behind Western Europe in the adoption of 3G mobile devices.

3G is the third generation of mobile standards, used primarily in cell phones, that allows for fast cellular data speed and simultaneous data and voice connections.

After a slower start, 28.4 percent of American mobile subscribers now have 3G devices versus 28.3 percent in the largest countries in Europe. The report is based on the changes in 3G device penetration between June 2007 and June 2008. During this time, U.S. 3G subscribers increased by 80 percent to the current total of 64.2 million. The only European countries that still outdo the U.S. in 3D penetration are Italy and Spain.

The report credited the increase to the fact that mobile carriers in the U.S. have been rolling out their enhanced networks and new generation of 3G enabled devices.

It's important to note that the increase in device penetration doesn't necessarily translate into the same increase in 3G usage. Some users don't use the 3G features of their mobile device and others, like me, might not be able to use it as often as they can.

The One Laptop Per Child project is bringing back its two-for-one deal on its low-cost laptop.

It has tapped Amazon.com to handle its Give One, Get One program, launched initially last year. Through the program, anyone can pay for two XO laptops; one is shipped to the buyer, and the other is sent to a school kid in a developing nation. It will run from late November to late December this year.

(Credit: OLPC)

An OLPC official told PC World the group is working with Amazon because the nonprofit just doesn't have enough manpower to handle the program.

In other OLPC news, the nonprofit also said that the delayed dual-boot version of the XO should arrive next month. Originally expected in August or September, the delivery date was pushed back.

The device will come loaded with both Windows XP and the Linux-based Sugar operating system created for the XO. The inclusion of XP stemmed from pushback that OLPC got from developing nations that wouldn't buy the laptops for its classrooms without the world's dominant OS on it.

Looking ahead, the XO maker has also said that the next version of the low-cost laptop, the XO-2, will be available beginning in the second quarter of next year. The XO-2 will have a two touch screens, and no keyboard.

The Insight Concept represent's Honda's next attempt to dethrone the Toyota Prius.

(Credit: Honda)

Honda introduced the first gas-electric hybrid for purchase with the Insight in 1999, then came Toyota's Prius and everyone forgot about Honda's little hybrid that could. We all knew that Honda was working on a larger Prius-fighting, dedicated hybrid vehicle, but Honda has denied that they'd be reviving the Insight moniker for this new vehicle. On Thursday, Honda released the first official information and images of their Prius-killer concept and it's called, you guessed it, the Insight.

The Insight Concept carries over the styling cues of Honda's fuel cell vehicle, the FCX Clarity. It looks to us that Honda has been taking lessons from the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" school of thought, as the five-door, five-passenger hatchback configuration of the Insight is the same as that of the Prius. Squint your eyes and you'll see that the proportions from the a-pillar back are decidedly Prius-like. It's almost as though someone slapped the nose of the FCX Clarity onto Toyota's hybrid and called it a day.

Under the hood, the Insight will be powered by an evolution of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid technology, which powered the original Insight and the current Civic hybrid sedan. Honda is making almost as much of a big deal about the cost-efficiency of this power train as it is the fuel-efficiency and it's no secret that Honda is planning on winning the hybrid wars by undercutting the price of the incumbent Prius.

Honda will reveal a concept version of its new small hybrid vehicle at the 2008 Paris Motor Show and the production model is planned to go on sale in the U.S. next spring, the all-new purpose-built Insight will come to market at a price significantly below hybrids available today. Following the launch of the new Insight, Honda also plans to introduce another hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z, first shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

left to right: CR-Z concept, FCX Clarity, Insight concept

(Credit: Honda)

I used to be the biggest Sega fan. Starting way back in 1986 from the Sega Master System, all the way to the Dreamcast (yes, I'm that old), I've been a diehard Nintendo/NEC/Sony-hating Sega fanboy. After the Dreamcast, our 16-year relationship ended and now the reason why is painfully clear. The robots have taken over Sega, at least in Japan, and they've enacted their plan for world domination I first alluded to a few weeks back.

(Credit: Sega Toys)

Be afraid. Be very afraid. "Lucky" is coming, and I don't think he can be stopped. Just check out the video. Lucky is a fluffy little robot dog developed by Sega Toys. He's incredibly cute and obedient (for now at least). Lucky does tricks like handstands; he barks when spoken to; and he is subtlety racist ("herro"? come on!). All the while he is biding his time, I'm sure, until he gets the signal. A switch will go off in his head and we'll all be doomed.

Resistance is indeed futile. I mean, just look at him. How is anyone supposed to resist that? No word yet on when he'll make his debut in the U.S., but I'm sure he has a plan for us as well.

TechForward helps you secure the future upgrade of purchased electronics.

Packrats need not apply; for others I might have some good news.

TigerDirect and TechForward announced on Thursday their partnership to offer Guaranteed Buyback plans at TigerDirect and CompUSA retail stores for electronic products.

The plans lock in trade-in values for electronics at the point of sale for an additional fee, for up to two years. The fee is calculated based on specific model and configuration. In layman's terms, you pay a relatively small amount of money to ensure that you can sell back the purchased product within two years from the day you buy it, for a set price that varies depending how long you've had it. The longer you keep the product, the less credit you will get from it to use toward purchasing a more up-to-date device.

While trade-in services are not new, the Guaranteed Buyback service differs in one key point: TechForward guarantees the trade-in price of a product at the time you buy it, instead of simply giving you just the portion of whatever market value is left in your device at the moment you want to upgrade. This difference provides more certainty around resale values for those who upgrade their devices every year or two.

Considering the life cycles and how fast things get out of date in the world of high-tech gadgets such as MP3 players, digital cameras, and even laptop computers, two years actually gives you a rather large window of time to possibly get a good deal for the upgrade.

The Guaranteed Buyback plans also help make sure that used electronics are collected and disposed of properly. The plans will go into effect starting September 8 at TigerDirect and CompUSA stores, as well as online.

Sharp's LC-D85U series of LCDs feature a 120Hz refresh rate and a variable backlight to help save energy.

(Credit: Sharp)

Today at CEDIA, Sharp announced two new lines of flat-panel LCD HDTVs, one with a special energy-saver function and another with the company's first iteration of true 120Hz processing. Full details are available after the jump.... Read more

(Credit: PhotographyBay.com)

Pictures have surfaced of an ad in a Danish photography magazine for the Sony a900, the company's apparently forthcoming 25-megapixel full-frame dSLR camera.

Unfortunately that's about it for the information other than a couple of other basic specs including a 100 percent viewfinder, a 3.0-inch LCD, and a dual BIONZ Image Processing Engine.

PC World is reporting a suspected launch/announcement date of September 10.

All pertinent source links can be found at PhotographyBay.com.

(Credit: Hafsteinn Juliusson)

A laptop bag that doubles as a pillowcase...now there's an idea that rouses us from our dull-computer-case-induced stupor.

Unfortunately, the Napbook is currently only being sold in an Apple store in faraway Reykjavik, Iceland, the home of designer Hafsteinn Juliusson. But Juliusson does say he's in the process of getting the bag manufactured more widely--which is good, as it could be very useful for late nights at the office or lazy afternoons in the park. It's extra fluffy and fun to look at, too.

Plus, it definitely looks more comfortable than this designer briefcase that folds out into a stadium chair.

(Via Craziest Gadgets.com)

Get Dell's wee PC for just $99 when you buy a regular notebook.

(Credit: Dell)

Today, Dell launched the much-anticipated Inspiron Mini 9 netbook (a.k.a. mini-note, ultra-note, or whatever we're calling this category). Tomorrow, you'll be able to score one for just $99 with the purchase of a Studio 15, XPS M1530, or XPS M1330 notebook. This according to Dell's own blog.

The Mini joins teeny portables like the Asus Eee PC and Acer Aspire One in offering basic computing in an ultra-light, ultra-compact package. It's available exclusively with Windows XP or Ubuntu Linux and solid-state storage (up to 16GB). CNET hasn't done a full review yet, but gadget site Crave just posted some first impressions.

A few thoughts. First, this obviously isn't an impulse-buy deal, but if you happen to be in the market for a new notebook anyway, it's almost too good to pass up. The Mini starts at $349 (not sure which model is being offering at the $99 price point, but it's a good bet it's the 4GB Ubuntu version), while Dell's Studio line starts at $649. In theory, you can get out the door for as little as $748. Not interested in the Mini? Take it straight to eBay, where you'll probably be able to sell it for close to the list price. Or give it to the kids.

Second, I honestly don't understand the appeal of this whole netbook category. Much as I like to travel light, I don't like cramped keyboards, small screens, and slow performance. That said, for 99 bucks I'm willing to forgive all that. The Mini might be perfect for those times when I just want to do some "light" computing (pun intended).

According to the Dell blog, this deal kicks off at 6 a.m. CT Friday and runs through Tuesday. Think you'll take advantage of it? Hit the comments and tell me why or why not.

It happens every time. The mainsail cover is off, and it's freshening nicely. Then the boss calls begging you to get online and placate one of her key accounts. Luckily, she's seen fit to spring for the fully salt/fog-certified B300 ruggedized notebook.

What distinguishes this rugged, watertight, vibration- and drop-shock resistant PC--besides the sealed ports and connector cover--is the finish. According to manufacturer Getac, it protects everything from hinges to the keyboard to the electrical innards from salty corrosion, thus allowing you to telecommute from deck to dune.

(Credit: Getac)

The B300 was recently certified under standards set by the Department of Defense MIL-STD-810F - 509.4, according to Getac. Certification consists of 24 hours exposure to a 5 percent salt/fog mix, and 24 hours to dry off. Then it's back into the chamber for another 24 hours, 5 percent exposure, and so on for 4 days total. (Watch a video of a water sprinkler hosing down the keyboard.)

"Salt is one of the most aggressive chemical compounds in the world," said Getac President Jim Rimay. "Salt will quickly corrode a computer's exterior (and) impair vital electrical system functions. The B300 addresses these issues with its salt/fog certification and elevates it to an elite status among ruggedized computers for safe and uninterrupted operation in any location, especially in coastal regions of the world."

The B300 includes Giga LAN and 802.11a/g/n; Bluetooth 2.0, EV-DO and optional GPRS/EDGE networks, and integrated GPS, plus a number of security features like a fingerprint scanner and optional smart-card reader.

Also helpful for catching up--the B300's super-bright 1200 NITS screen with optional night vision and the 12 hour battery life.

At just over $3,000 retail you can pick up an extra one to stash in the trunk with your wetsuit.