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Congrats to Matthew S. of Stamford, Conn., for winning a Super Mario Bros. gift pack in last week’s giveaway. This week, we’ve got a hot one for you. OK, so it’s not a huge 3D TV, but it’s still a 3D TV — the 42-inch Vizio E3D420VX from Vizio.

I should also point out that this is a review sample, so it’s slightly used, but it was fully checked out by our TV guru David Katzmaier, who had some good things to say about the set. While its 2D picture quality was only OK, he said the Vizio E3D0VX series “has excellent features for the price, including 3D and robust streaming.” (Read the full review here).

Post a comment — and only one — for a chance to win this 42-inch Vizio 3D TV.

(Credit:
Vizio)

Normally, it would cost you about $599 to buy this TV (or only $510 for a refurbished model), but one lucky winner will get it for free. How? There are a few rules, so please listen up. There will be a test.

• Register as a CNET user. Go to the top of this page and hit the Join CNET link to start the registration process. If you’re already registered, there’s no need to register again.
• Leave a comment below. You can leave whatever comment you want. If it’s funny or insightful, it won’t help you win, but we’re trying to have fun here,… [Read more]
  
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RunKeeper is about to be attached to Pebble at the wrist.

(Credit:
Kickstarter / Pebble)

The Pebble smartwatch is the hottest thing going…that no one can get their hands on yet. The “e-paper watch for iPhone and Android” won’t even be available in prototype form until August, but already it’s landed its first partner — the fitness tracking app RunKeeper.

According to a post on the RunKeeper blog, the app’s users had been clamoring for Pebble support, so when RunKeepers creators were approached about a partnership, they jumped at the chance:

With Pebble integration, you won’t ever have to pull the phone out of your pocket or armband — you can just see and do everything you need right from your watch (which connects with the phone via bluetooth).

Pebble has become a phenomenon in recent weeks; its Kickstarter project has raised more than $8 million in just 15 days, shattering the previ… [Read more]

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(Credit:
Tmo News)

How does T-Mobile follow up its most powerful Android smartphone to date? With a budget-friendly 3G handset right out of 2009, of course!

According to details passed to TmoNews, the carrier is on the verge of announcing the T-Mobile Prism 3G for Sunday.

Aimed squarely at first-time smartphone buyers, the Prism is expected to run Android 2.3 Gingerbread and feature a 600MHz processor. Additional specs include a 3.5-inch (480×320) display, a 3.2-megapixel camera, 2GB RAM, and 512MB ROM. As the name suggests, the Huawei-manufactured Prism 3G works on T-Mobile’s 3G network. Incidentally, Nokia made a Prism a few years back, but it never made it to a U.S. carrier.

The leaked information indicates that the smartphone will initially be available in Best Buy on May 6, expanding to Wal-Mart later in the week. Pricing for the handset has yet to surface, but I’d hope to see $50 or less with contract.

[Read more]

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(Credit:
Brian Bennett/CNET)

Despite it claims about being all business here at BlackBerry World 2012, RIM also showcased an accessory that’s definitely made just for fun. The tiny $49.99 BlackBerry Music Gateway has a long name but does one simple task — streaming music to audio devices over Bluetooth.

A small and unassuming black box, the Music Gateway sits within your home theater and attaches to audio components using a wired RCA stereo connection. It then links to BlackBerry handsets or PlayBook tablets without the hassle of cords via Bluetooth wireless technology.

On back of the BlackBerry Music Gateway is an analog wired connection and USB power port.

(Credit:
Brian Bennett/CNET)

More interesting is how the product’s integrated NFC chip will automatically configure compatible RIM products such as the BlackBerry Bold 9900. Just tap the phone against the Music Gateway and all necessary configuration data is transferred instantly, no PINs or codes required. I also appreciate that the Gateway supports any gadget that meets the Bluetooth standard so Android phones won’t feel left out. No word yet on whether NFC support is as universal.

[Read more]

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It appears there will be no new BlackBerry phones coming out of Research In Motion’s annual smartphone shindig, BlackBerry World, this week, but Google could be looking to pick up some of that slack very soon if a new patent filing is any indication.

The patent application, published late last week, gives top billing to Android chief Andy Rubin and details a design for a smartphone with a slide-out keyboard. A hard keyboard would be a first for Google’s trademark line of Nexus phones, if that is what this application actually portends.

There’s a few hints that the filing is serious business, namely that Rubin’s name is on it and that it went from submission in January to being published this month — much faster than the typical 18-month turn-around time.

Much of the patent filing details the actual slide-out mechanism, including a few different options, but they’d all look more or less the same to the user. Google stresses the benefits of the mechanisms, noting that the configurations allow for a significant amount of keyboard space with room for larger keys or even the inclusion of a mouse or a trackpad on the hard keyboard itself.

Google's latest patent application cou… [Read more]

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(Credit:
Origin)

The 11-inch gaming laptop is the textbook definition of a niche product. In fact, up until now, there’s really only been one serious entry in that category, Dell’s Alienware M11x. Origin (coincidentally co-founded by some former Alienware employees) is now getting into the game, with the Eon 11-S, which the company calls a “compact high-performance laptop.”

Interestingly, this new model won’t actually double the number of 11-inch gaming laptops available, as the Alienware model is being quietly discontinued. That’s a shame, as we liked the M11x, even if it wasn’t the most practical for either serious PC gamers, or portability obsessed travellers.

Taking a bit of a shot at the current trend for slim ultrabook-style laptops, Origin CEO and co-founder Kevin Wasielewski says, “Everyone dreams of a laptop that is smaller, lighter, has a longer battery life and has the ability to play all of the latest PC games well. The EON11-S makes that dream a reality and without making any ‘ultra-sacrifices.’”

(Credit:
Origin)

The new Origin Eon 11-S will debut with… [Read more]

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(Credit:
CNET)

Spring has finally sprung here in Northern California, and with the nice weather and everything in bloom, it’s the perfect time to check out some new photo apps.

We all know about apps like Instagram, and I’ve talked about effects apps like PhotoToaster here before. But I have come across some new (or new to me) photo apps recently that are great for playing with your images and sharing them with friends.

This week’s iOS apps are perfect for snapping pictures of springtime (or really, any time). The first is a social photo app like Instagram with a nice layout and excellent sharing options. The second offers a unique and elegant minimalist interface for adding effects to your photos. The third is a fun app that offers features that let you add your photos into premade scenes.

Browse through photos other people have taken based on topics and locations.

(Credit:
Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)

EyeEm (free) is a photo app that’s similar to Instagram, but I really like the layout and photos that are categorized by location, making it easy to both browse and add your own shots to collecti… [Read more]

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(Credit:
Goldie International)

First off, congrats to David G. of Seattle for winning an Aperion Audio Zona Wireless Surround Speaker System in last week’s giveaway!

Super Mario Bros. fans, this week’s giveaway’s for you. We’ve got a collection of Super Mario 2-inch mini figurines that includes Daisy, Lakitu, Mario, Luigi, Koopa Troopa, and Shy Guy. We also have two battery-operated radio-controlled Karts for the taking — one with Mario in the driver’s seat and another with Yoshi at the wheel.

(Credit:
Goldie International)

Normally, it would cost you $75.99 to load up on all this Mario fun, but you have a chance to get it for free. How? Well, there are a few rules, so please put down those Koopa Troopa shells for a moment and listen up. There will be a test.

• Register as a CNET user. Go to the top of this page and hit the Join CNET link to start the registration process. If you’re already registered, there’s no need to register again.
• Leave a comment below. You can leave whatever comment you want. If it’s funny or insightful, it won’t help you win, but we’re trying to have fun here, so anything entertaining is appreciated.
• Leave only one comment. You may enter for this specific giveaway only once. If you enter more than one comment, you will b… [Read more]
  
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You can download Skype for PlayStation Vita from the PlayStation Store for free.

(Credit:
Sony Computer Entertainment)

Skype for PlayStation Vita essentially works just like any other smartphone version of the software, providing a comprehensive set of features, free Skype-to-Skype voice, and high-quality video calls. Also, gabbers can choose between the rear and front-facing Vita cameras during video communication. The aesthetics of the Skype client seem tailored to blend in with the overall tone of the Vita user interface, which I consider a nice touch.

Using Skype on the Vita will not interrupt any record-breaking gaming sessions, as the app runs in background mode.

“You have the capability to pause a game, conduct a call, and then return to a previous activity,” Manrique Brenes, a senior director at Skype, said in a blog post. “Plus, with a little Skype credit you can make low-cost calls to landlines and mobile directly from your PS Vita.”

Does that make the Vita the Zack Morris cell phone of this decade, or did we already … [Read more]

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Habanero orange outshines the Golden Gate Bridge's International Orange paint job.

(Credit:
Wayne Cunningham/CNET)

It seems like the Prius C model should come after the Prius B, and before the Prius D. But Toyota shows no interest in alphabetical naming when it comes to its Prius lineup. Toyota recently expanded the cars it calls Prius, adding to the standard model the Prius V, a plug-in version, and now the C.

The C means City, which explains the smaller dimensions of the car. The Prius C is a nice, modern little hatchback a foot and half shorter than the standard Prius. Its size makes it easy to park and maneuver through narrow lanes.

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But its real virtue is fuel economy.