Lenovo IdeaCentre K330 desktop

Lenovo intends to deliver both power and performance via their latest IdeaCentre K330 desktop, where it will carry the latest Intel Core i7 processors alongside Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, delivering exceptional performance with up to 16GB DDR3 memory which is accompanied by twin RAID0-configured hard disk drives and up to 4TB of hard drive storage. Harking back to the yesteryears where computers came with a "Turbo" button, the Power Control Switch does somewhat the same, allowing you to change between three convenient power modes for the fan and CPU speed, with Turbo Red for high speed and power performance, Auto Blue for regular operation and Cool Green for the silent, energy-saving mode. When it comes to entertainment, the K330 does not intend to disappoint either with an integrated DVD or Blu-ray Disc drive, an optional TV Tuner and HD graphics support. Doesn't seem to be a slouch on paper, and with prices starting from $699 upwards, you can be sure the IdeaCentre K300 might just do well when it is released early next year.

Eye Of The Storm Concept Watch Has No Face

We're used to seeing strange watches from the folks over at Tokyoflash but this one comes for a designer called Yiran Qian and is dubbed the Eye of the Storm. At a glance, you'll find the watch pretty strange, since it doesn't feature a face, but press a button and you'll see some LEDs light up to tell you the time in a similar manner to analog watches. It's a pretty daring design and it actually makes us wonder how important the face of the watch really is, since this watch seems to function perfectly well without it.

world's first dual screen laptop toshiba libretto w100

What’s better than a tablet with one touchscreen? A tablet with two touchscreens. That’s at least what Toshiba must have thought when they cooked up the Libretto W100 with its dual 7-inch multi-touch displays (1,024×600 resolution and LED backlighting for both). There’s no physical keyboard, but you’ll get a virtual one with haptic response.

Pitched as the “world’s first dual touch-screen Windows mini-notebook PC”, the device is sized at just 202×123×25.4mm and weighs 699g (battery included). It can be used both horizontally and vertically (thanks to the built-in accelerometer, it can be turned into an e-reader – as shown above). The battery life is pretty disappointing though (2 hours with standard battery, 4 hours with high-capacity battery).

Here are the main specs:

• Intel Pentium U5400 CPU (1.20GHz)
• 62GB SSD
• 2GB RAM
• WiMAX
• Bluetooth 2.1+EDR5
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n4
• MicroSD/SDHC card slot, USB port
• 1MP CMOS web cam
• Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit as the OS

CX Swiss Military Hurricane Watch

One of my favorite watches from last year. The titanium bubble cased watch was a hit for me, being over the top but totally a tool watch at the same time. While it is a behemoth to wear, it is fun, and well-done. Not to mention quite unique.
CX Swiss Military watches tend to be hit and miss for me, but I am usually impressed by their limited edition models. These are often much more interesting than their standard collection, and feature a lot more design and attention by CX. The newest limited edition watch that CX Swiss Military released after the 20,000 Feet diver is this Hurricane timepiece. Not a diving style watch, this one is pointed more at the skies. Aviator themed in most all regards, the watch once again is a little over the top, but in a fun way, and still has a lot of functional substance.

It is quite hard to sum up the watch in a few words. I see it as a different sort of "showy" pilot watch. Like a re-imagined Breitling or something. CX Swiss Military was careful to give the Hurricane some hallmark "pilot watch" features. These include a chronograph on a busy dial, large sized face, and of course, a rotating slide-rule bezel. My favorite design feature is the hand on the subsidiary seconds dial that is shaped like a propeller. Sure it doesn't spin very fast. but the effect is cool nonetheless.

The dial design is an interesting mix between busy and not too cluttered. CX uses a sort of "quilted texture" dial. In my opinion this looks nicest in black. Though the watch does come with three other colored dials and it is hard to say how the dial style looks on each of those. Detailing on the dial is pleasing. The large applied hour markers are easy to spot, and the polished metal rings around the subdials is attractive. The only two issues I have with the dial are the hands and the lume. Even CX admits that the hands are small. They aren't unreadable, but small. CX felt that hands this size would not interfere too much with reading the subdials. This is true, but to be honest you are going to be reading the time way more than you are going to be reading the chronograph. The lume on the dial is OK, but I think that CX could have put a bit more on there.


Around the dial is the slide-rule inner ring on the navigational bezel. The bezel is a bit tough to turn, but at least it doesn't slide around too easily. I like the design of it, being relatively thin in comparison to the size of the dial. It is also neat how the bezel tapers in, when looked at from the side.
The Hurricane is a large watch at 47mm wide in steel. Heavy feeling at 150 grams, but unweildly. Which is amusingly ironic as it is named after a nimble World War II era English fighter plane named the "Hurricane." The finishing and colors on the case are great though. CX Swiss Military uses a black DLC coating application over the steel that gives it a very hard surface and a nice glossy look. In there are also red colored elements. These include rings and segments on the crown and pusher, as well as red paint on the screws on the back of the case. Never seen red screws like that before. The case itself is water resistant to 200 meters, has screw in pushers, is anti-magnetic, and has a sapphire crystal.

This chronograph watch uses a COSC Chronometer certified Valjoux 7750 automatic movement. Not much more to say about that. Workhorse chronograph with the added value of the COSC certification. CX pairs the watch to a Swiss made treated leather strap (with sort of a suede like feel to it) that has red contrast stitching. The strap was a bit large for my smaller wrists. CX does however use special easy to remove pins to change out the strap. I had mine on a NATO strap for a while that had it looking quite cool.

Mini Bluetooth Keyboard With Laser Pointer

There are plenty of Bluetooth mini keyboards out there, but the question is: how many of them offer a built-in laser pointer? If you ever find yourself needing a wireless keyboard and laser pointer during your presentation, this device is probably what will help you close the deal. It features a 72-key QWERTY keyboard, a tiny touchpad and the aforementioned laser pointer. It apparently supports Windows, Mac OS, Linux, PlayStation 3, Android, Windows Mobile 5 and above, Symbian S60 and more. No mention if it'll work with your iPad,

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011

I believe the saying goes: "Another year, another Smackdown." Truly, this 365 is no different as it gives us WWE SmackDown Vs. Raw 2001, the latest in THQ's long line of pro wrestling video games. Last year, I thought the game breathed a newfound life into the genre, and this year I feel like Yuke's and THQ are just expanding on that formula. That's by no means bad -- I had a blast with WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 and really wish I was playing instead of writing right now -- but it's not groundbreaking like SVR '10.

This iteration of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw is delivering more than 70 Superstars, Divas and Legends, along with a plethora of match types and options. Most are things you should know from last time around -- Championship Scramble, Extreme Rules, and the ability to modify existing outfits in Superstar Threads -- but that doesn't mean WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 hasn't packed in a bunch of tweaks and additions.

For starters, there's a new mode called WWE Universe. This is basically the combination of the old career and exhibition modes. Here, the game is generating an infinite WWE calendar packed with Raws, SmackDowns, Superstars and pay-per-view shows. It plans the cards based on rivalries and rankings, and you pop in to play whatever match you want. If you don't dig a certain card, you're free to whip up a match of your own.

The only catch is, you can't just put a Superstar (created or otherwise) into a world title match -- that honor has to be earned by climbing the ranks and winning a No. 1 Contender match (or snatching the briefcase at WrestleMania's Money in the Bank match). You'll play as people, raise their rankings and earn your spots. Even better, the game is tracking rivalries and tossing in random cutscenes. Maybe Vince McMahon introduces another opponent after you've won a match or maybe your opponent attacks you during your entrance.

WWE Universe is undoubtedly cool. Basically, it's a never ending career mode where the game tracks feuds, Royal Rumble winners and more. When you create wrestlers -- whom you can now give all the attribute points you want to -- they're entered into the shows. You can simulate a decade and see how far they go or jump in and manage teams and rivalries so you can see the relationships unfold. WWE Universe is your SmackDown vs. Raw playset -- make some changes and see what develops.

The flipside to that freedom is Road to WrestleMania. On the surface, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011's Road looks like that of the past -- you choose one of five tales and play through the weeks leading up to that Superstar's appearance on the grandest stage of all in between watching a bunch of cutscenes. However, there's a twist here: this year's Road to WrestleMania has you wandering around backstage.

My dinner!

Now, most shows will require you to go talk to someone before a match can begin, but there are a bunch of side quests to engage in here. If you want, you can rush to the gorilla position and head out to that week's match, but if you're the "do everything person," there are conversations to listen in on, people to talk to, and fights to start. Now, picking backstage brawls might sound foolish (and in a way, I found it to be), but every match or fight you engage in rewards you with Superstar points that you can apply to your move damage and damage resistance -- it's like a mini-RPG in a way.

Trouble is, leveling up your attributes is a bit of a bitch and not worth it. I've done every Road to WrestleMania, and I didn't find the leveling process worth much -- you have to pick fights with every Superstar backstage to get enough points to really max out your character. On top of that and how cool it is to see free roaming return, there's definitely something to be desired here. Although all the Superstars are voiced, mouths flap like mad and there's no lip syncing to speak of. On top of that, the backstage environments are empty caverns and the brawls you get into seem to go on way too long.

Here's the thing, though: even with those stumbles, I dig this year's Road to WrestleMania. Sure, the free roaming can be really cheesy and almost seem low budget at times, but the stories themselves are rad. Who doesn't want to see Edge and Christian reeking of awesomeness, Jericho getting Pedigreed on a car, or John Cena dealing with Randy Orton's mind games? Toss in that the Undertaker's storyline takes WWE SmackDown vs. Raw to places I never thought THQ would, and you've got a truly unique mode. There are decisions to make and different paths to go down. Sure, it's really rough around the edges, but the characters you unlock and the stories you get to be a part of make it cool.