giveaway

Crave giveaway: IoSafe Solo G3 external hard drive

Tomorrow, as we've mentioned, is known in some quarters as World Backup Day. While we at Crave like to think of every day as Backup Day, we also understand that life (in the form of laziness, procrastination, and lack of a backup device) can get in the way of even the best backup intentions. This week's giveaway is here to help.

The winner will score an IoSafe Solo G3 external hard drive. As CNET's storage and networking reviewer Dong Ngo has personally discovered, the disaster-proof SoloPro lineup can survive serious abuse. For its part, the Solo G3 is designed to withstand temperatures up to 1,550 degrees Fahrenheit, submersion in 10-foot-deep water for up to three days, and other extreme conditions (but, hey, don't get carried away).

The Solo G3, like its predecessor, houses just one 3.5-inch internal hard drive. However, unlike the previous version, it sports a fanless design, making for nearly silent operation. It measures 5 inches by 7.1 inches by 11 inches, weighs 15 pounds, and is compatible with Windows and Mac.

Normally, the IoSafe Solo G3 external hard drive would cost you $299.99, but you have the chance to score one free. So how do you go about trying to win? Please read carefully; there will be a test (and please, whatever you do, back up your answers). … Read more

Crave giveaway: Wahoo Run/Gym Pack for iPhone

Did you make a New Year's resolution to work out more? How's that going for you? Well, if you need a little help or extra motivation, then you'll love this week's giveaway.

Up for grabs is the Wahoo Run/Gym Pack for the iPhone. The fitness bundle includes a soft heart-rate monitor and a wireless Wahoo Key. The latter attaches to your iPhone via the 30-pin connector and wirelessly communicates with the monitor to read and record your heart rate.

The dongle features an ANT+ receiver, so it can work with other ANT+ fitness devices, such as a bike sensor, and is compatible with the iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4, 4S and iPad. Wahoo also offers a number of downloadable apps that you can use with the pack to track your workouts, calculate calories burned, and more.

Normally, the Wahoo Run/Gym Pack for the iPhone would run you $119.99, but you can get it for free. How? Well, there are a few rules, so please read carefully. … Read more

Crave giveaway: Cisco Linksys E4200 v2 dual-band N900 router

Congrats to Jake T. of Clinton, Utah, for winning a 16GB Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 Wi-Fi tablet in last week's giveaway. This week's prize might not be the most glamorous freebie we've ever offered, but it's definitely one of the most utilitarian.

We're giving away a Cisco Linksys E4200 v2 Maximum Performance Dual-Band N900 router. And as routers go, it's a mighty good one, says CNET's storage and networking reviewer Dong Ngo. He calls it a fast, feature-rich, advanced yet easy-to-use router for the home or small business--and one of the best routers of 2011 (if not the best). … Read more

Crave giveaway: Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 (16GB, Wi-Fi)

First, a big congrats to Felix C. of Parkville, Md., for winning a Grace Digital Audio Mondo in last week's giveaway. Felix beat out more than 1,300 other entrants to snag the Wi-Fi music player. Now, here's your chance to get a shiny, new gadget for free.

This week's Crave giveaway prize is the 16GB, Wi-Fi version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9. The Android Honeycomb tablet features an 8.9-inch touch screen with a 1,280x800-pixel resolution and comes with a 1GHz dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, a front-facing 2-megapixel camera, and a rear-facing 3-megapixel camera.

It's pretty much a more compact version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1, but as CNET Senior Editor Donald Bell points out in his review, the smaller design in many ways eases the user experience. … Read more

Crave giveaway: Grace Digital Mondo Wi-Fi music player

Congrats to Ning Z. of Elmhurst, N.Y., for winning a Samsung LN40D550 in last week's giveaway. Ning beat out more than 2,900 other entrants to score the 40-inch flat-panel TV.

This week, we have another great prize, a portable Internet radio from Grace Digital Audio. The Mondo Wi-Fi music player features a 3.5-inch color LCD display and comes equipped with more than 18,000 Internet radio stations and endless on-demand content from providers including NPR, BBC, iHeartRadio, and CBS (disclosure: CBS is the parent company of CNET).

You'll also get access to premium free music services such as Pandora, iHeartRadio, and Dar.fm, as well as premium pay services such as SiriusXM Internet Radio and Live365 VIP. Basically, you'll have loads to listen to--and wake up to (the radio also functions as an alarm clock).

The Mondo measures 3.5 inches by 9.75 inches by 5.75 inches, weighs 6 pounds, and works with any 802.11b/g/n wireless router with an Internet connection. The product can be powered by an AC adaptor or rechargeable battery that promises up to 13 hours of play at average volume levels. … Read more

Crave giveaway: Samsung LN40D550 flat-panel TV

First off, congrats to Rick S. of Wylie, Texas, for winning two LittleBits starter kits in last week's giveaway.

Now, how does a free 40-inch TV sound? Not bad, eh? This week, we're giving away a Samsung LN40D550, an entry-level non-LED TV that CNET reviewers say stands tall among budget TVs for its deep black levels, ample shadow detail, uniform screen, and stylish looks.

Note that this particular set has been lightly used during our review process, which also means you're getting a TV that's been touched by the very hands of CNET's David Katzmaier and/or Ty Pendlebury (never, ever clean it).

Normally, a Samsung LN40D550 flat-panel TV costs approximately $575, but you have the chance to get one gratis. How? Well, there are a few rules, so please put down the remote for a moment and read them carefully. There will be a test. … Read more

Crave giveaway: littleBits starter kits

First off, congrats to Robert C. of Atlanta for winning last week's prize, two DeskPets TankBots toy robots and a Griffin Helo TC remote-controlled helicopter.

Now, onto this week's giveaway. I had a blast last week creating a robot using littleBits, and now you have an opportunity to build a robot of your own, or whatever you please, with these magnetic circuit boards.

As promised, we're giving away two littleBits starter kits this week. There are 11 modules in a box, and each part has a specific function, such as power, motor, light, or switch. They snap together via magnets, so there's no need to solder or program anything, and all you need to create a working circuit board is a power source and some kind of output, which are all provided in the kit.

Since only one person can win this giveaway, be sure to register for CNET Exclusives and check this page next week to get littleBits for a special price.

littleBits was created by engineer and interactive artist Ayah Bdeir, who wanted to come up with a way to get kids (and adults) interested in learning how electronics work, so it's an educational tool, as well as a great source of fun.

Normally, a littleBits starter kit costs $89, but the winner will get two for free. How? Well, there are a few rules, so please read them carefully. There will be a test. And since only one reader can win this giveaway, be sure to register for CNET Exclusives and check this page next week to get littleBits for a special price.

… Read more

Crave giveaway: DeskPets TankBots and a Griffin Helo TC

First off, congratulations to Andrew S. of Champaign, Ill., for winning last week's freebie, a copy of Nuance Dragon Dictate 2.5 for Mac.

Now for this week's prize, which is all about app-controlled fun. For starters, you'll get two cute little TankBots remote-controlled toy robots, which you maneuver with your iOS or Android device and a corresponding free app.

The DeskPets device uses its built-in accelerometer as a steering mechanism, allowing you to drive the TankBot around, navigating mazes, avoiding obstacles, chasing pets, and scaring houseguests.

You'll also score a Griffin Helo TC, a remote-controlled helicopter flown via iOS and Android devices and a free app that transforms the multitouch display into flight controls. The Touch-to-Fly mode uses the multitouch display to control Helo TC's throttle and joystick, while the Tilt-to-Fly lets users tilt the iOS device to move the helicopter forward, backward, and side to side (but hopefully not straight into your forehead). … Read more

Crave giveaway: Nuance Dragon Dictate 2.5 for Mac

Speak now, or forever hold your chance to win this week's Crave giveaway. The prize: Nuance's Dragon Dictate 2.5 for Mac. The speech recognition software boasts some enhancements over earlier versions, including full support for Microsoft Word 2011 and new Facebook- and Twitter-sharing capabilities.

Dragon Dictate 2.5 also takes advantage of the recently introduced Dragon Remote Mic App, a free application that lets you use an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad as a wireless microphone for Dragon via Wi-Fi.

Normally, Dragon Dictate 2.5 would cost you $179.99, but you have the chance to get it for nada, nothing, zip, zilch. So how do you go about snagging this week's freebie? There are a few rules, so please take a moment to stop talking and read them carefully. … Read more