smooth

Android makes it very easy to add nearly any Google service to the platform, but when it comes to adding various other third-party services, such as an iCloud calendar, there really isn't an easy way of doing it.

If you're already entrenched in iCloud and sharing calendars with family members and colleagues who are using iOS and/or OS X, switching to Google Calendar may not be the easiest thing to do, for all involved. I'm not saying it isn't possible, but it won't be seamless for those who aren't switching devices. Thankfully, there'… Read more

There are several places where protective bumpers always belong: cars, children's bowling parties, and electronics cases.

Rubbery corners are a trademark feature in Ballistic's cases for a variety of smartphone makes and models. In its most recent line for the iPhone 4 and 4S, the Ballistic LifeStyle Smooth series, the case-maker brings the silicone inserts to a fairly fitted design for Apple's iconic phone.

How does the $30 case fare? Pretty well, actually. Check out the photos, the pros, and the cons in my full review of the Ballistic LifeStyle Smooth case, which will be available to … Read more

If you own an iPhone 4 (or 4S) you're probably already using a case. But if you're still looking for one, or want a new one, here's another to consider.

Ballistic announced today its latest case for the smartphone, called Ballistic LS Smooth. It "offers consumers an unparalleled protection" while remaining aesthetically appealing.

Similar to the original Ballistic LS cases, the new case is made of strong materials. It's now thinner and better-looking.

The LS Smooth has four removable Ballistic Corners that protect the mobile device from drops and allows for customization. The new … Read more

Smart Scroll is a handy preference pane that can give you much more flexibility with trackpad, mouse (and Magic Mouse), and keyboard scrolling, including coasting iPhone-style scrolling.

Smart Scroll works in the background, but its settings interface gives you extensive control over its five primary features: the iPhone-style "Super Scroll" that lets the content of a window continue scrolling even after you let go of your trackpad or mouse (you can easily control the speed and amount of "coasting," stop with two fingers, and even reverse the x and y axis to match the iPhone); the &… Read more

Silicon start-up Smooth-Stone has received $48 million from a syndicate of investors including ARM, Texas Instruments, and Highland Capital Ventures.

Smooth-Stone's goal is to bring the virtues of low-power cell phone technology to servers and, as a result, bring down the staggering power consumption at large data centers. Mega data centers can house tens of thousands of servers and the largest can use between 5 and 20 megawatts of power. One megawatt, equal to 1 million watts, can power about 1,000 homes.

Smooth-Stone joins other start-ups such as U.S. Department of Energy-backed SeaMicro, which is using Intel'… Read more

Chinese manufacturer ZTE is prepping for the release of no less than four Android smartphones later this year. Teased last month at Mobile World Congress, the details are now starting to spill out. The handsets will be called the Blade, the Racer, the Mercury, and the Smooth. Each appears to speak to a different demographic with various form factors and specs.

First up is the Blade, which comes with a 3.5-inch touch display with an 800x480 resolution, an FM radio, Wi-Fi, GPS, and Android 1.6. The Smooth bears more than a passing resemblance to the Palm Pre and … Read more

Face Smoother offers to help clear up blemishes and improve photo quality, especially with shots of people. While it provides all the proper tools to get this done, the program's limitations are frustrating.

The program's interface was its best attribute. Allowing us to learn onscreen with helpful command icons, we didn't need to utilize the program's slightly disorganized Help file. The program offers options to sharpen, adjust, smooth, rotate, and resize any photo. Rotate, Resize, and Adjust were the most user-friendly options, as they were able to be customized by sliders or entering in new dimensions. … Read more

It's day twenty-seven of our relationship. The Pre and I are getting along just swimmingly and I fall in love a little more each day...

I'm not the super geeky girl who can tell you how to install homebrew apps or hack your camera's default settings, but I've been around electronics long enough to tell you, the Palm Pre is one rockin' hot gadget.

I've been very impressed with the quality and sturdiness of the Pre. I'd originally looked at purchasing the Centro but was advised against it. Too many people told me it … Read more

Not every cell phone on Earth needs to pack in all the bells and whistles found on ultrahigh-end models like the iPhone. But for those who still want a fair amount of extras at an affordable price, there are handsets like the Samsung Smooth (aka the SCH-U350). This basic mobile for Verizon Wireless costs as little as $29.99 with a contract and comes with some handy extras, such as Bluetooth and a simple Web browser. It doesn't offer the best call quality, but budget-minded users with a hankering for something simple may be willing to overlook this drawback.… Read more