Sears latest store chain to woo Amazon affiliates

Sears latest store chain to woo Amazon affiliates - Sears Holdings Corp sent an open letter on Thursday to independent Web operators affiliated with online retailer Amazon.com inviting them to join its network, becoming the second major U.S. store chain to go after key partners of the Web retailer in recent weeks.

Amazon last week said it may cut ties with its 10,000 California-based affiliates over new tax collection efforts being proposed by California.

The affiliates have found themselves in the middle of an escalating battle between Amazon and several U.S. states, which argue that Amazon must collect sales tax when its affiliates operate in their state.

The affiliates are paid a fee when they drive traffic to Amazon that yields a sale.

Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

U.S. bookstore chain Barnes & Noble Inc similarly approached Amazon's network affiliates last month, offering to collect and remit taxes due on Barnes & Noble Web sales on their behalf.

Sears said its affiliate network includes 6,500 partners.

Even at $150, Sony PSP Go Still Pricey

Even at $150, Sony PSP Go Still Pricey - Want a PSP Go for $150? Sony just dropped the price on the handheld's official website, and since the never-really-popular Go's probably on Sony's endangered gizmo list, now's the time to grab one, though if you want to pay what it's worth, the company's still charging about $20 too much.

That's because the Go's elder sibling, the PSP 3000, is still $20 cheaper. Sony dropped the price on the 3000 from $180 to $130 last week, and though I've said it before, I'll say it again: The 3000's the better buy, $20 difference or no.

Why? Because it plays UMDs, this you know. What you might not is that a considerable portion of Sony's PSP catalogue still isn't available online. You buy the Go, you won't be able to play stuff like Tactics Ogre, Crisis Core, or Final Fantasy Tactics (the PSP remake). If you want see what is available, Wikipedia has a relatively up to date list. Compare with the list of everything that's been released for the PSP to date before making a decision. Sure, the NGP (probably) won't allow UMD trade-ups, but if you want to play those games now, why buy a system you know with certainty won't let you?

There's the 3000's bigger screen to consider, which I'd rate a selling point if you intend to play older 4:3 PSOne games (you know, without ruining your eyes). The system also rests more comfortably in your hands (or at least my average-sized ones), and can do everything else the Go can, including store downloaded PlayStation Store games on memory cards.

If you're still determined to grab a Go, note that retailers haven't yet adjusted their prices. Amazon still has the go at $199.99, as do GameStop, Walmart, and Best Buy.

Android Devices Pull Ahead in U.S. Smartphone Race

Android Devices Pull Ahead in U.S. Smartphone Race - A new Nielsen survey of postpaid mobile subscribers released Thursday suggests that Google's Android platform may be pulling ahead of Apple's iOS and Research In Motion's BlackBerry OS in the U.S. smartphone race. Google held a 29 percent share of the mobile platform market in the three months through January, followed by Apple and RIM, which were tied at 27 percent. Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 platform trailed at 10 percent.

However, Android sales during the period were fractured among multiple vendors, including HTC, Motorola and Samsung as well as a growing list of new entrants. From the smartphone vendor perspective, Apple and RIM were tied for first place at 27 percent, followed by HTC at 19 percent (12 percent Android, seven percent WP7), Motorola at 11 percent (10 percent Android, one percent WP7) and Samsung at seven percent (five percent Android, two percent WP7).

Despite buy-one-get-one promotions at both AT&T and T-Mobile, NPD analysts noted that WP7 handsets entered the market with a lower share than either Android or webOS at their debuts. Still, Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 strategy should be viewed as a "long-term play which is still in the ecosystem-building phase," noted Al Hilwa, director of applications development software at IDC.

Off To a Good Start

Microsoft has made the case for WP7's differentiation and improved integration, noted Ross Rubin, executive director of industry analysis for NPD. "Now the company must close the feature gap, offer more exclusive capabilities, work with partners to deliver hardware with better differentiation, and leverage its extensive experience in driving developer communities to increase its app offerings," Ross said.

Hilwa thinks WP7 is off to a good start with Microsoft's app store being one of the most successful both in number buildup and the quality of the portfolio at this stage of the game. "Most importantly, the full weight of the ecosystem will probably not come to bear on this until Windows PCs themselves are brought into alignment with this when Windows for ARM ships, and some viable Microsoft-based tablets are in the market," Hilwa explained.

He also observed that the WP7 ecosystem scored a big win by bringing Nokia's manufacturing prowess into the fold. "But work is still ongoing in terms of bringing a new level of hardware to the platform, software updates to support other kinds of apps, upgrading the browser to an HTML5-capable one, and actually shipping Nokia phones, potentially by end of year," Hilwa added.

A Youthful Appeal

According to Nielsen's survey, Google's Android platform was a tad more popular among younger U.S. consumers aged 18-34, beating Apple by two percentage points and RIM by three percentage points. By contrast, RIM excelled by one percentage point over Android and Apple in the 45-54 age demographic, whereas Apple's popularity was actually one percentage point higher than rivals in the 65 and above demographic.

Though Google's Android platform is proving popular in the U.S. only some vendors have been able to fully leverage its appeal. For example, Samsung grew its global smartphone market share by a whopping 438.9 percent year over year in the fourth quarter, according to IDC, but the Korea-based vendor continues to trail far behind HTC and Motorola in the U.S. smartphone market.

Moreover, the competition is heating up with newcomers Dell, Huawei, Kyocera and Sanyo all launching their first U.S. smartphones at the end of last year. Though Gartner is forecasting that U.S. smartphone sales will grow from 67 million units in 2010 to 95 million in 2011, the firm's analysts believe the market's center of focus will be shifting to less-tech-savvy consumers.

A Tougher, Greener Battery Could Power Phones in Africa

A Tougher, Greener Battery Could Power Phones in Africa - One of the problems facing developing countries is that people in rural communities tend to walk around with dead cell phones. That is because mobile devices are cheaper than ever, but power plants are still expensive. But as a work-around in off-the-grid communities, phone owners have learned to run charge cords off of used car batteries.

Now, Fenix International, a San Francisco-based design firm, may have a better solution for these communities: a new ruggedized battery and generator system called ReadySet. The device, its designers believe, could put more electricity in off-the-grid homes, create jobs, reduce indoor air pollution by replacing kerosene lanterns with LEDs, and eliminate car battery acid leaks. Plus, the telecom industry is hooked on it. Network carriers can make 10 to 14 percent more money from users who can keep their phones charged, and an estimated 500 million cell phone users worldwide live off the grid, according to a report from the mobile communications group GSMA.

“Building upon the existing culture was the inspiration for this solution,” said Michael Lin, founder of Fenix. “People in developing communities have a variety of needs, of course, but access to electricity is exciting in that it empowers people to improve their lives in a number of areas.”

Ready, set…

ReadySet is a plastic-encased brick optimized for charging phones and powering electronics. It has USB and cigar-lighter ports to serve the chargers most commonly found in East Africa, and it can recharge in a standard electrical outlet, a solar panel or on a mount for a stationary bicycle called a “Velo.”

The device needs no assembly. Under its cute case, ReadySet is a lead-acid battery, so it shares the same guts that a car battery has. The difference is that because it is programmed to shut off before it is fully drained, this device retains its ability to charge for longer than a car battery does. It is also acid leak-resistant, unlike a car battery. Fenix's lab testers dropped the battery onto concrete from three feet above, sprayed it with salt water, blasted it UV rays, ran it through thousands of cycles — and it still stayed intact and leak free.

Will it sell?

Fenix is pilot-testing ReadySet in ten African markets. Retail sales should begin by June, and it may make its way to the developed world by the end of the year. The price for the kit should start at US $150, and the cost could fall if orders pick up.

That price, however, could be a sticking point for poor rural consumers, many of whom earn $2 to $4 per day. But in Lin's view, ReadySet could pay for itself by enabling business. In pilot tests, small business owners supplement their income by selling charges for $0.25 each. That is nothing new—people have paid for phone charges from car batteries for several years.

“We are working to distribute ReadySet with several large mobile phone network operators that have in excess of 100 million subscribers,” Lin said.

FCC Moves to Redirect Phone Subsidies for the Poor

FCC Moves to Redirect Phone Subsidies for the Poor - The U.S. Federal Communications Commission took the first step Thursday toward reworking two related programs that provide telephone subsidies for low-income residents, with commissioners calling for part of the funding to support broadband service.

The FCC's Lifeline Assistance and Link-Up America programs, in place since 1985, now subsidize monthly telephone service and installation for poor U.S. residents. The FCC voted to launch a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that asks for public comments on whether to include broadband and bundled telecom services in the programs.

The NPRM also looks for ways to eliminate waste and abuse in the programs, and questions if the programs' budgets should be capped. The budget for the Lifeline and Link-Up programs, part of the larger Universal Service Fund (USF), has grown from US$162 million in 1997 to $1.3 billion in 2010.

"This trend is unsustainable," said Robert McDowell, a Republican member of the commission.

Some critics have noted that prepaid mobile phone plans seem to be driving up the programs' budgets, which are supported by fees on traditional long-distance telephone service. But Democratic commissioners questioned a cap on the fund, saying it would be difficult for the FCC to support both phone service for low-income residents and expand the program to cover broadband with a cap in place.

"Many would go without phone service but for these programs," said Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. "Given the economic downturn over the last several years, it is not surprising that the fund has grown."

Broaband daccess has become an essential communications service to hunt for jobs or interact with government services, she added. "We would be on a fool's errand if we think we can address both the voice and the broadband requirements [of low-income residents] while simultaneously capping the fund," she said.

Clyburn said she hoped the NPRM's focus on eliminating waste and fraud in the programs would lead to cost savings that the FCC could apply to broadband subsidies.

The NPRM, part of a larger FCC effort to reform the USF, proposes a national database for eligibility in the programs, and it suggests that the programs end subsidies for services that aren't used for several months. The NPRM also proposes that one line per household be eligible for the subsidies.

The reforms will make the programs more "efficient and effective," said Julius Genachowski, chairman of the FCC.

The NPRM also proposes pilot programs for expanding Lifeline/Link-Up to broadband. In an NPRM, the FCC makes proposals and asks for public comment.

But some critics suggested the FCC's proposals didn't go far enough. The FCC should scrap Lifeline-Link-Up and start over with a new program, said Craig Settles, a community broadband consultant and founder of Successful.com. The FCC took little concrete action toward supporting broadband service with the programs, he said.

"If you listen to what was said, almost the whole focus was on ways to eliminate fraud and waste, which is great for budget management," Settles said. "But it does nothing to actually address broadband issues until the program saves enough money to fund pilot programs that gives us an idea how Lifeline can be modified to address broadband issues such as adoption."

The programs aren't likely to support broadband for a year or more, he added.

"There were lots of allusions to what Lifeline could potentially do to help people if it results in more people connecting to broadband, but nothing said today did more than paint nice pictures," Settles said. "There was nothing hard hitting to address issues such as, how do you take a $10 telephone subsidy and have it make a meaningful impact when the combined price of broadband and telephone service is likely to be $50 to $60?"

Riding in the Google Car That Drives Itself

Riding in the Google Car That Drives Itself - The self-driving car that Google revealed to the world last October made an appearance at TED on Thursday, with Sebastian Thrun, one of the developers of the project, speaking to the audience and then taking attendees for a test drive.

I got the opportunity to ride along as the car whipped around a test track set up outside the conference. Riding at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, the vehicle maneuvered its way between dozens of test cones that had been set up, making a combination of hard stops, tight turns and quick accelerations.

Not a single cone was hit, and I can verify that the driver did not touch the wheel until the very end to drop myself and two other passengers off (this was planned).

The car itself traveled from San Francisco to Long Beach, California, for the conference as part of Google’s ongoing tests. While Thrun tells me he thinks we’ll see self-driving cars in the hands of consumers within our lifetimes, he notes that at this time, “It’s really just a science project … pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. It’s clearly not something that’s going to make us money any time soon.”

Limitations of the vehicle currently include dealing with weather, as well as capturing the imagery and data necessary to allow the car to do things such as stop at red lights and observe speed limits (most of this work has been limited to the Bay Area for now).

Nonetheless, one can’t help be impressed by what Google has accomplished thus far, with its test drive clearly set up to show off just how far along the technology is (if not to make this blogger slightly nauseous after lunch).

Twitter co-founder says it prizes independence

Twitter co-founder says it prizes independence - South Korea – Twitter Inc. co-founder Biz Stone said his company wants to remain independent despite what he called "rumors" it could be acquired.

"I believe there is a lot of room for another Internet giant to succeed," Stone said Thursday. "So our goal with Twitter is, has been, and will continue to be to remain an independent company no matter what rumors are swirling."

Stone, who made the comments at a conference in the South Korean capital on the global economy and the future, was responding to a question from a participant about speculation in the media that Google Inc. or Facebook Inc. want to acquire the privately held social networking service.

"There's always another rumor that somebody's trying to acquire us," Stone said. "But our goal is to have a positive impact on the world, build a wonderful business on top of that and have a blast doing it. That's always been our goal. That's what we want to do."

The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Google and Facebook have both held talks with Twitter about a purchase.

Regarding the general issue of company acquisitions, Stone said that the key factor is for the larger company to respect the culture of the smaller one.

"I think Google did a really good job when they acquired YouTube because they allowed it to remain independent and they allowed that management structure and a lot of those things to stay in place that made YouTube great," he said.

Stone prefaced those comments, also in response to a question, by stressing that they were meant to be general in nature.

Cable company inserts ads as subscribers surf

Cable company inserts ads as subscribers surf

Mediacom Communications Corp., a cable company with more than 800,000 Internet subscribers, has tried something other U.S. Internet service providers have shied away from: It has inserted its own ads into Web pages as its subscribers surfed.

Ads for Mediacom's home phone service have shown up on the normally ad-free home pages of Google.com and Apple.com, according to subscribers.

There are only a few reports of the ads showing up, starting last week, and many Mediacom subscribers on Web forums said they had not seen any. That leaves the possibility that the ads were part of a test run rather than a full-fledged rollout.

The company won't say. Spokesman Thomas Larsen said the company's senior vice president of technology was unavailable for comment. On the company's Web forum, a complaining subscriber is told by a Mediacom representative that the issue has been "escalated to the corporate office and we are still investigating."

Mediacom, which is based in Middletown, N.Y., has subscribers in scattered areas, mainly in the Midwest and Southeast.

Matt Thomas, a Mediacom subscriber in Baldwin County, Ala., said he first saw an ad a week ago, on Apple.com. At first, he thought his computer might have been infected with some virus-like software that inserts ads. Then he realized it was coming from his Internet service provider, the cable company.

"I'm a designer and a creative director for a Web development company, so the idea of an ISP injecting ads onto a Web page is horrifying to me as a designer," Thomas said. "Especially with something like Apple.com, which never has ads on it. It's kind of like they're putting ads on HBO or Showtime, in my eyes."

He saw a button to decline ads in the future and clicked it. He hasn't seen one since. Because the company is silent, it's not known if it's planning to offer some sort of incentive to customers who agree to see ads.

Thomas and other users first reported their experiences on Broadbandreports.com.

PerfTech Inc., a company in San Antonio, Texas, sells a system that allows cable companies to insert messages in Web pages seen by subscribers. Besides serving ads, the system can alert subscribers to emergencies or let them know if they're approaching their data consumption limits, according to PerfTech's website. It says five of North America's top cable companies, unnamed, are customers. PerfTech officials were in a meeting and not immediately available to comment.

Acer announces Iconia Tab A500 10-inch Android tablet with LTE

Acer announces Iconia Tab A500 10-inch Android tablet with LTE

Acer just dropped news on a new Iconia device, except this one is all tablet. The Iconia Tab A500 has Android (no version specified) with the “Acer UI 4.5″ on top, and Verizon 4G LTE inside. There’s a 10.1-inch “10 point multitouch” screen, Tegra 2, and a gyroscope, which Acer claims should position the tablet perfectly for games. You can also output 1080p video over the built-in HDMI port, but there’s no word on the screen’s actual resolution. We also don’t have any word on a price or a release date, and Acer hasn’t even supplied any photos of the device yet , but we played with a 10.1-inch Android tablet from Acer back in November (pictured), and we have to assume this is the same one.
Show full PR text
Acer’s New ICONIA Tab A500 to Support Gamers and Mobile Consumers on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Network

LAS VEGAS and BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Acer announced today that the new Acer ICONIA Tab A500 will be showcased with Verizon Wireless at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), taking advantage of the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network.
Providing the backbone for the United States’ fastest, most advanced mobile network, Verizon Wireless 4G LTE ensures an improved end-user experience, including fast navigation and high-definition media streaming. The 4G LTE technology will be showcased on the ICONIA Tab A500 at the Verizon Wireless booth (#35216 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center) at CES with a live demo.

“Innovation is in our DNA,” said Campbell Kan, vice president of Acer’s Smart Handheld BU. “We are proud to once again offer users the most advanced technologies. With the ICONIA Tab A500 supporting 4G LTE, users will be able to wirelessly navigate, download or stream as seamlessly as they do with a wired connection. This is indeed another step toward a truly mobile Internet experience.”
Sleek, smart and full of innovative features, the ICONIA Tab A500 will be equipped with the latest highly intuitive Android OS and Acer UI 4.5 to reach a whole new level of interactivity. What’s more, the Clear.fi media sharing system will be preloaded on the device to easily access, play and share multimedia across the home network and to instantly publish updates to social media networks.
Designed for HD entertainment, this tablet comes with a high-resolution, high color contrast display, allowing users to play or share HD video with friends on the go. Complete with a built-in HDMI port and 1080p output, it may also be used to enjoy HD content in full HD on a big-screen TV or monitor.

The 10.1″ full capacitive touch screen ensures an optimal on-screen experience from every angle. Aluminum casing provides a cool look and feel, while its high-gloss finish decorated with an engraved pattern demonstrates subtle sophistication. Despite being just 13.3mm thick, it’s powerful enough to provide fun and productivity in any location.

One of the tablet’s most impressive features is its ability to run and play premium HD arcade games and complex online 3D games, thanks to the 10-point multi-touch and gyro meter control, which guarantees an entertainment experience on par with the best game consoles.

The ICONIA Tab A500 will be equipped with NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core 1.0Ghz processor with Flash 10.1 support for optimized HD Web experience, 3D gaming and multimedia playback anywhere. For seamless communication, it also features the SkyCross antenna and ZTE LTE wireless module.

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network, launched in December 2010, is the fastest, most advanced 4G network in the United States, providing speeds up to 10 times faster than Verizon Wireless’ 3G network. Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network currently reaches one-third of all Americans, with plans to expand the network to the company’s entire 3G coverage area over the next three years.

For more information about Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network, visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 80,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, Nasdaq: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Acer
Since its founding in 1976, Acer has achieved the goal of breaking the barriers between people and technology. Globally, Acer ranks No. 2 for total PCs and notebooks. A profitable and sustainable Channel Business Model is instrumental to the company’s continuing growth, while its multi-brand approach effectively integrates Acer, Gateway, Packard Bell, and eMachines brands in worldwide markets. Acer strives to design environmentally friendly products and establish a green supply chain through collaboration with suppliers. Acer is proud to be a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Movement, including the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter and London 2012 Olympic Games. The Acer Group employs 7,000 people worldwide. 2009 revenues reached US$17.9 billion. See www.acer-group.com for more information.

© 2009 Acer Inc. All rights reserved. Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Inc. Other trademarks, registered trademarks, and/or service marks, indicated or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners.

Toshiba Portege R705 Review

Toshiba Portege R705 Review

Before there were netbooks, Adamos, Timelines or even a MacBook Air, there was the Portege. Toshiba’s long-standing marquee for ultraportable notebooks never achieved the prominence of many of its more fashionable contemporaries, but the business-styled portable has always pressed the bounds of technology. Back in 2007, the Portege R500 actually took the title of the “world’s thinnest notebook with an optical drive.” The R705 continues the thin-and-light, business-centric traditions of its fore-bearers, but with a new emphasis on value; an exotic prepped for the mainstream market. To that end, the R705 is neither as thin or as light as the old R500, but Toshiba’s “no-compromises” 13.3-inch portable still manages to make very few for the price, producing an excellent value for budget-conscious consumers.
Hardware

Despite its netbook-worthy 3.2-pound carry weight, Toshiba’s Portege R705 packs a pedigree that’s less Chihuahua and more St. Bernard. That includes a full-speed (not ULV) Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of memory, a 500GB hard drive and a 13.3-inch screen with 1366 x 768 resolution. The machine also supports Intel’s WiDi wireless HD streaming technology, meaning it can push 1080p video to a remote monitor with an adapter like Netgear’s Push2TV.
GeForce GPU and you would have a certifiable gaming machine, but Toshiba omits the graphics muscle in favor of the lower weight and longer battery life from Intel HD graphics, leaving the Portege leaning more toward the coffee-and-suit demographic than the Mountain-Dew-and-t-shirt crowd.
Design

The styling, smartly enough, aligns with those conservative sensibilities. Unlike Toshiba’s occasionally gaudy Qosmio gaming notebooks, the Portege reverts to clean lines, matte colors (an inky navy blue on the lid) and a complete absence of neon anything. The magnesium alloy chassis gives it a rigid feel that says it’s made from metal, rather than plastic plastered with cut-apart soda cans like some of the budget notebooks sporting the brushed-aluminum look. The only exception comes from the lid, which lacks the rigidity of the chassis and flexes significantly under a firm press.

Don’t confuse solid-feeling with heavy, though. Spreading 3.2 pounds across a footprint this big almost makes the R705 feel almost hollow. With the lid open, you can grasp both front corners between thumb and forefinger and lift it effortlessly. At just one inch deep, no one will confuse it with a MacBook Air, but it still looks slim and slides into a crowded backpack or messenger bag easily thanks to tapered edges.
Though not outfitted for every imaginable scenario like business ‘books with four-digit price tags, the Portege offers no shortage of inputs striping the sides of its slender chassis. The left side offers both VGA and HDMI video outputs, along with both a USB 2.0 and combined eSATA-USB port for accessories. A dainty power cable connects at the far back, connected to a petite power supply that’s little bigger than what you might find with a standard netbook. The right side includes dedicated microphone and headphone jacks for analog sound, plus an Ethernet jack, another USB port, and perhaps most impressive, a DVD drive, which has become a rarity on notebooks this light. The Portege also includes an SD card reader notched into the right-hand side of the palm rest, an odd-but-practical location that actually makes it easier to pop cards in and out without leaning over to find the slot.
Software

True to its business roots Toshiba has gone light on the bloatware with the R705 – you won’t find any eBay links on the desktop. But in the name of convenience, you will find a heavy-handed smattering of preinstalled utilities. Toshiba’s hard drive protection, for instance, will warn you every time you so much as jostle the notebook that the hard drive head has been docked for your safety – but after 10 alerts in five minutes, any rational user will click the box to permanently disable this message. It’s almost like Toshiba left it enabled just to let us know it’s even there.

Perhaps a bigger irritation is Toshiba’s webcam dock, which peeks out from the side by a few pixels at all times and happily vaults out to greet you with options for settings, effects and facial recognition whenever you dare wag a cursor too close to the edge of the screen. We were happy to have the utilities, but puzzled by the prominent positioning. It’s as if Toshiba expects you to want to view different novelty frame options (heart, stars or bubbles?) at any time within seconds.

Toshiba Book Place and Toshiba Bulletin board both hang unobtrusively enough on the bottom dock, but both of them nagged us incessantly to update with the first run, and neither provided enough utility to make us happy we sat through the installers.

We might consider the entire software suite scrappable if not for Toshiba’s redeeming Eco Utility, which intelligently cinches down on notebook performance to wring extra minutes from the battery. Every notebook has something along these lines, but we we liked the instant graphing, real-time watt consumption, and the hard button above the keyboard Toshiba has tied it to, which flicks eco mode on and off near instantly.