The Bookstand offers the same versatility of a propped viewing angle for typing and the ability to stand the iPad in landscape, but it’s a much more stable solution. And instead of notched cut-outs for access to controls, the Macally Bookstand is open on three of the iPad’s four sides. Have a look-see in this short video and leave any questions in the comments — I’ll do my best to answer them.

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The Case for Removable Media on the iPad

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Flickr is a wonderful resource, with millions of images online. Like many vast resources, finding that perfect image can be a real challenge. I search for images of products on Flickr in the course of my work, and a utility I use to expedite those searches is Viewfinder for the Mac.

Viewfinder has a simple interface that allows me to find images that meet my needs. A few taps on the screen and a good search topic and in seconds I have lots of images from which to choose. I can then go straight to the image page on Flickr or download the image with a click of the mouse.

There is a free version of Viewfinder that is somewhat restricted. The full version is only £15 ($22) and is well worth the price. Take a look at the program in action and see if Viewfinder might work for you.

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• CPU: Intel Core i5, 2.53 GHz
• Memory: 2 GB
• Storage: 160 GB, 5,400 rpm
• Display: 12.1-inch, 1280×800, capacitive multitouch, active pen digitizer
• Ports: 3xUSB 2.0, Firewire, VGA out, audio in/out, power, RJ-11, RJ-45, SD/MMC slot, ExpressCard
• Communications: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1
• Webcam: 2 MP
• OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
• Battery: 6-cell, 2.0 Ah
• Dimensions and weight: 11.42 x 8.35 x 1.25 inches, 3.8 lbs.

In this video tour you get a complete walk around the notebook, with all ports and connectors demonstrated. You get a close-up look at the chiclet keyboard that is augmented with a touchpad and trackstick for input control. The swivel screen is demonstrated along with inking support.

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Hot Topic: Apple’s iPad

Hope you like our new video player that is being rolled out. This is our first one using the new system so let us know what you think of it in the comments.

So my son Tyler saved up, sold a gadget and did some extra chores for his Apple iPad. Somehow his arrived before mine last week — go figure. In any case, he’s got a week under his belt with Apple’s new device and wanted to share his thoughts, just like he reviewed the first netbook over two years ago.

Although I don’t think Tyler will convince anyone to buy (or not buy) an iPad, he offers an interesting perspective — he’s grown up in a world that’s always had personal computers. Plus he likes to be on camera. ;)

A YouTube version for non-Flash devices is here.

A lot of folks are interested in the apps I am using most on the iPad. There are already thousands of apps available in the App Store and I have been testing quite a few of them. There are 9 or 10 apps I am using the most on the iPad and in the video I show briefly what each one looks like while running.

I show how badly an iPhone-only app displays on the iPad, which is why I am sticking to iPad optimized versions. I also show how easy (and useful) it is to run a Mac and a Windows 7 PC using LogMeIn Ignition on the iPad.

Here’s a list of the programs you’ll see in the video:

• Twitteriffic
• NetNewsWire
• Kindle for iPad
• iBooks
• Browser Duo
• Zinio for iPad
• LogMeIn Ignition
• Mail
• Remember The Milk (iPhone only)
• NYT Editors’ Choice

For you iPad owners, here’s the YouTube version:

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Thousands of you will no doubt agree with me that this last week of waiting for the magic of the iPad is a horribly show time. It can be frustrating but we must remember that it won’t be long now. I shot this video to commiserate with those dealing with this unbearable waiting for the iPad to appear. Enjoy this tongue-in-cheek video.

The Viliv S10 Blade is a thin convertible netbook that redefines the term “sleek.” You’ll know what I mean once you view the video of the little tablet. Combining a multitouch swivel screen with augmented netbook components, Viliv has produced the smallest 10-inch netbook with a full keyboard. The 2 GHz Intel Atom processor coupled with the Solid State Disk drive provides decent performance.

This video walk around the S10 Blade demonstrates all of the special features crammed in the thin form. I also demonstrate hi-res Hulu video playback — don’t miss the easy battery replacement.

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Better Battery Life Motivates Mobile Chipmakers

I have been surprised at the level of interest that has been expressed since I’ve been covering the ThinkPad X100e. This budget ultraportable has captured the attention of quite a few, due no doubt to the reputation of the ThinkPad line. The 11.6-inch high-res screen is a nice touch for an ultra-portable, and the ThinkPad attention to detail is present throughout the design.

In the video you’ll get a walk around the X100e, showing just how small and light this notebook is. I discuss my thoughts on the inclusion of an AMD Neo processor instead of a more typical Intel offering, and what my findings have been due to that design choice. You also get a look at the performance of that processor.

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Like the original 5101, the refreshed HP Mini 5102 netbook is as good as any netbook available. The brushed metal casing and long battery life make the 5102 a great traveling companion. The requests for a video review of the Mini 5102 have been coming hot and heavy since the device arrived at Mobile Tech Manor. In the video you will have a tour around the device, including a good look at the superb keyboard that is as good as any found on any netbook.

The unit I am evaluating has the multitouch option from HP, and that is shown in operation. You also get a good look at the optional handle that HP aims at the student/ education market. Enjoy the video, and leave any questions you might have about the 5102 in the comments.

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Toshiba kindly sent not one, but two evaluation notebooks and today I’m sharing a short video look at the Satellite U505. This 13.3″ device runs $799 as configured and is powered by Intel Core i3 platform. Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium is included as is 4 GB of DDR3 memory and a 500 GB hard drive. Toshiba offers a nice complement of ports ranging from ExpressCard above the audio jack to a combo eSATA/USB interface, plus a Sleep-and-Charge function for external devices.

I find the multitouch trackpad to be a little small for my taste initially, but perhaps I’ll feel differently after using it for a few days. From a personal preference standpoint, I like the wireless radio switch. More to follow as I put the U505 through the paces, and stay tuned for an overview of the other evaluation notebook too.

You asked for it, and now you’ve got it! The Motorola Devour is the latest Android phone appearing on the Verizon network in the U.S. The Devour has a sliding QWERTY keyboard and a side-mounting battery. Motorola includes its Motoblur technology, a unique social network aggregator, on the phone as well.

The phone owner’s social networks are easily configured for Motoblur, and once that is done, all status updates appear on the home screen in real time. In the video I show how my friend’s Facebook and Twitter updates all pop onto the home screen as they occur. I also show how well the phone performs with all of this activity.

Our in-depth review contains the details and lots of photos of the Devour.

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Mobile OSs Are No Longer Just About Mobile

The Sleek Universal Cell Phone Signal Booster from Wilson Electronics debuted last month at the Consumer Electronics Show. I took a brief look at it then, but recently received a review unit. Unlike a similar model I tried last year, this new version is less expensive, smaller and works with a wide range of phones and carriers. That’s all great on paper, but how does it actually perform? I use an iPhone to test the signal boost in this video and show how to put your iPhone into Field Test mode for a more accurate signal measurement method than counting bars.

Although the Sleek is geared for automobile use, you could use the optional power adapter to gain a signal boost at home as well. Overall, I’m impressed with this $129 amplifier solution. Folks that travel in and out of coverage areas should definitely consider the Sleek due to it’s universal nature, multi-band frequency support and smaller size.

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Everybody Hertz: The Looming Spectrum Crisis

UPDATED. Google shipped my Nexus One Dock two days ago and it arrived this morning, even though I picked the free ground shipping. I’ll give them credit for the shopping experience — it was seamless and obviously the delivery was quick; on a Saturday morning, no less! The dock has a very minimal look and feel, which is good and bad. You’ll see why in the video — I’m not convinced the metal interfaces between dock and handset work consistently.

Then there’s the price question — is it worth $45? That’s a personal decision of course, but keep in mind that the dock includes a duplicate phone charger for the phone; so you’re getting both a dock and second charger.

And then there’s that wireless Bluetooth functionality to pipe music from the phone to external speakers that you provide. I initially wondered why Bluetooth would be used, but now I see why — without a USB interface between phone and dock, there’s no other way to get data or music between the two. About that Bluetooth — there’s a limitation that I didn’t expect.  I really like the “night mode” however — although I didn’t show it in the video, the phone displays the time in an old-school, green alarm clock color that’s not too bright.

Update: The dock actually is capable of streaming Bluetooth audio when the phone isn’t in the dock. Thanks to Josesxi for pointing out another review demonstrating it. Perhaps there’s an issue with my phone or dock because it’s a hit or miss type of function for me.

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Dell offered to loan me a Mini 10 netbook to see what the new Intel Atom N450 platform can do. Of course, I said yes and the device arrived earlier this morning. While the Mini line of netbooks isn’t new, I haven’t had any extended time with Dell’s netbook offerings. This particular unit includes the 1.66 GHz N450 Atom, 1 GB of memory, a 250 GB hard drive and 10″ display with a resolution of 1024 x 600.

Although I haven’t had time to put the netbook through the paces, here’s a short video unboxing and overview of the Mini 10. I like how the extended, or six-cell, battery doesn’t stick out from the device, but I’m already not so sure about the trackpad with integrated buttons. Stay tuned for some detailed thoughts after I get a few days with Microsoft Windows 7 Starter Edition under my belt on the Mini 10.

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