Personal Technology Topic Center

Personal technology news, in-depth articles and more

Dell's thumb PC, Project Ophelia, to ship in July

Dell's thumb-sized PC called Project Ophelia, which is the size of a USB stick, will start shipping in July for around US$100.
Read more...

Early Google Glass users finding 'sense of freedom'

People new to wearing computers on their faces are walking around Google I/O, exaggeratedly nodding their heads to activate the devices, and taking pictures and video. They're also reading email, checking weather reports and reviewing flight schedules -- all without taking their smartphones out of their pockets.

At Google I/O, Glass wearers say 'trust us'

Google is facing some tough questions from Congress over the privacy concerns raised by Glass, its fledgling augmented reality system for recording and receiving information on the fly. But on the ground at the company's I/O conference for developers, attendees are largely enthusiastic about the technology.

Google Glass ecosystem grows with Twitter, Facebook and CNN apps

Google is working to build out the app ecosystem for its upcoming Glass, showing off work today at Google I/O from partners like Twitter, Facebook, CNN and Elle.

Now you can watch YouTube on Epson smart glasses with just a nod

Epson America is bringing hands-free interaction with YouTube to its smart glasses, which could set the stage for improved usability of applications like augmented reality.

SAP unveils 'consumer-friendly' Fiori app suite

SAP's software is known for its role running many of the world's largest companies, but not necessarily for its user-friendliness. As part of an ongoing effort to change this perception, SAP unveiled Fiori, a set of 25 lightweight "consumer-friendly" applications that can run on desktops, tablets and mobile devices, on Wednesday at the Sapphire conference in Orlando.

At Google I/O, attendees compete to save the world, virtually

Google I/O has not officially started, but the developers' show is already seeing some action. Two warring factions, the Resistance and the Enlightenment, are vying for control of various "portals" at key landmarks throughout San Francisco, which are leaking dangerous amounts of radioactive energy, to determine the fate of the city and ultimately the world.

Adaptive learning application lets parents track what kids have learned

A new feature released Tuesday from children's app maker Kidaptive lets parents track the progress of what their children are learning inside the company's first story and game application.

Nvidia's Shield gaming handheld to go on sale May 20 for $349

Nvidia's Project Shield handheld gaming device, now called simply Shield, will be available for pre-order on May 20 priced at US$349, though it won't ship to customers until the end of June.

Sony to launch super-thin, flexible e-reader for universities

Sony will soon launch a flexible e-reader device that is less than 7mm thick and weighs 358 grams, targeted for use in university classrooms.

Google Now, Hangouts feel here, there and everywhere

Google this week unleashed a blizzard of updates and improvements that fundamentally change -- and radically improve -- how we get information and communicate.

Tech Titans Talk: The IDG Enterprise Interview Series

In the IDG Enterprise Interview Series, you'll hear from technology CIOs and CEOs on today's burgeoning trends, ongoing headaches and upcoming product plans. Check out this informative series from IDG Enterprise Chief Content Officer John Gallant and his team of editors.

i-FlashDrive HD a flash drive for iPads, iPhones, and laptops

Wouldn't it be nice if you could just plug a flash drive into your iPhone or iPad when you want to transfer a file or you're short on storage? PhotoFast actually has one: The i-FlashDrive HD is a flash drive for the iPad, iPhone, and Mac.

7 cool consumer technologies coming soon to a cubicle near you

Move over, tablets and smartphones. Here are seven user technologies that are heading into the office.

Google Glass mysteries revealed!

Google made a long list of announcements and revelations about its cyborg eyewear Glass. Google is taking a very conservative, controlling approach to the platform, not unlike Apple's style.

Beacon Audio Phoenix is an unimpressive portable Bluetooth speaker

Beacon Audio's $100 Phoenix is a (very) portable Bluetooth speaker: It weighs less than half a pound, and is roughly equivalent in size to a three-inch cube. It's available in pink, yellow, red, blue, and black; my review unit was blue.

Why your clothes need a mobile upgrade

The clothing most of us wear hasn't changed to keep up with mobile technology. But there are apparel makers that are rising to the challenge.

Big Blue Media Tower mostly disappoints

Brookstone's $300 Big Blue Media Tower is an unusual entrant into the world of speaker bars. It's powerful, it offers pretty good audio quality, and it includes Bluetooth connectivity, but the speaker's design seems odd. It's meant to serve as both a music speaker and an entertainment-center audio hub, but it uses a tower design that presents a placement predicament: You don't want to put the Tower smack-dab in front of your TV, but if you place it off to the side instead, won't you be listening to off-center audio?

Zooka wireless speaker bar mostly disappoints

The Carbon Audio's $100 Zooka is a Bluetooth speaker available in black, green, gray, blue, pink, purple, red, or teal. My review unit is a color the company calls black, but it's a decidedly non-black dark gray.

Marley's Chant speaker sounds portable and inexpensive

House of Marley's $60 Chant Portable Audio System is a Bluetooth speaker that you can carry inside its own custom canvas case. If you prize affordability and portability over audio fidelity, the Chant is a fine option.