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(Credit: CBS Interactive/Corinne Schulze)

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That has to be one of our favorite expressions here at CNET, and the hearing professionals who head up Westone clearly abide by it. In 2006, we got our hands on the company's only two pairs of consumer earphones--the UM1 and the UM2--both of which received high marks for their good looks, comfortable fit, and excellent sound quality. Rather than toy with two winning products, the company has added a third headphone to the lineup, the ultrahigh-end Westone 3 True Fit Earphones ($399). These super sweet-sounding headphones are pricey and a bit chunky for our liking, but their stellar audio performance more than makes up for any misgivings. Read the Westone 3 review.

I've remained steadfastly neutral on this whole iPod versus Zune thing. I use an iPhone, so it's easy for me to sit out, but before I got that, I had both a Zune and an iPod. I liked both quite a bit and still do. They both offer something the other doesn't. I won't go into details, as we've already done that today, but you should know something about your next president: He uses a Zune.

According to Clog, the blog of Philly's City Paper weekly, a writer was in a gym working out when the president-elect came in for his morning work out. And the president-elect, it seems, pulled out a Zune and listened to it while reading USA Today. And yes, that writer is sure of what he saw. (To be fair Obama's also been known to carry an iPod).

But still, I'm not sure how I feel about this. My first thoughts are that I'm glad we've got a tech-minded president-elect. He's one of us in that regard. But my second thoughts are, of course, why a Zune? I like the Zune. I have a Zune. I have many, many friends who work on the Zune team. I'm not saying it's a bad choice, I'm saying it's an interesting one. I wish I could ask the man himself.

NEW YORK--Nokia's new N97 smartphone is cool, but it's still no iPhone.

Nokia N97

(Credit: Mark Licea/CNET)

I got a chance to look at Nokia's latest smartphone, the N97, on Thursday at the company's annual Capital Markets Day here. While Nokia's marketing team wouldn't actually let me play with the phone, since it won't officially go on the market until 2009, I got a demonstration of some of the phone's features and functionality from Jukka Heiska, director of product management for the N97. A video of the phone demonstration will be posted Friday on CNET News as well as on CNET TV.

In some ways it's unfortunate that every touch-screen phone that comes out these days is compared to Apple's iPhone. But given the popularity of the iPhone, especially here in the U.S., it's difficult not to do the comparisons.

My first impression of the new N97 is that even though it has impressive specifications, like a total of 48 gigabytes of potential storage and a 5-megapixel camera and video recorder, the phone seems more like an evolution of Nokia's N-95 or N-96 smartphones rather than a ground-breaking new touch-screen device that could potentially be the next iPhone killer.

For one, the touch-screen wasn't terribly sophisticated. Icons could be dragged and dropped using a finger, but unlike the iPhone, which allows you to pinch text to magnify it or reduce it, or even the new BlackBerry Storm that allows you to double click on text or images to make them bigger, the N97 didn't offer these features.

Nokia N97

(Credit: Mark Licea/CNET)

Design-wise the phone looked more like Sony Ericsson's Xperia X1. It has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a tilted screen. In this way, it's an improvement over the N95 or the N96, which offer tons of features and functionality, but lack full QWERTY keyboards.

That said, there are a few key features that the N97 offers that the iPhone doesn't. For example, the Nokia Web browser on the N97 supports Flash and Flash video, something that Apple's Safari browser doesn't support. And of course, heavy texters and e-mail enthusiasts, will like the full QWERTY keypad. I've had several iPhone owners tell me that they still carry around a BlackBerry for sending e-mails on the go, because they don't like the iPhone's virtual keyboard for typing longer messages.

The phone, which Nokia's marketing team calls a "mobile computer" also offers a whopping 32GB of storage on the device with the option of adding up to another 16GB of storage through a microSD card. And then there is the 5-megapixel camera, which also records DVD-quality video.

By contrast, the iPhone only offers up to 16GB of storage and users are unable to add additional storage via microSD cards. Also, the iPhone's camera is only 2 megapixels, and it doesn't offer video recording.

The N97 also offers assisted-GPS services, which improves accuracy over regular GPS receivers, such as the one offered in the iPhone. The device also uses Nokia's mapping technology and virtual compass that allows the device to actually point users in the direction they need to go when they're using the turn-by-turn navigation.

Unfortunately for North American consumers, who might prefer the N97 over Apple's iPhone, they won't be able to get the phone on this side of the Atlantic for some time. Nokia will initially launch the device in Europe and then to the rest of the world beginning in the first half of 2009 for the unsubsidized price of 550 euros, or about $695. Heiska said the device would be offered in North America sometime after the first half of 2009, but he wouldn't specify when.

Smartphone enthusiasts here in the U.S. will likely find a way to buy unlocked N97s, but because the phone only supports 3G HSDPA wireless frequencies that are used in Europe and other parts of the world, they won't be able to access 3G service on either of the two U.S. carriers' networks that support HSDPA. AT&T and T-Mobile USA use different frequencies for their 3G service that are not yet supported by the N97. That said, users could still access AT&T's or T-Mobile's slower 2G networks.

All in all, the N97 is a very cool phone packed with lots of features. And I'm sure it will appeal to many consumers. But the lackluster touch screen didn't do much for me. As for its ease of use and Internet surfing capabilities, users will have to wait until the device is in full production mode to truly test those features.

Back in September, we introduced you to Logitech's newest diNovo Keyboard for Notebooks. CNET's Rich Brown expressed confusion as to why we actually need a "for Notebooks" model, and after doing a full-length review, I must agree. There's absolutely nothing about the diNovo for Notebooks that makes it strictly for laptops. Well, there is one tiny little key: the eject button. Although, that can still be used for desktops, so I guess that designator means nothing- it's all marketing.

That's not to say that we didn't like the keyboard itself, though. It looks and performance almost exactly the same as the Logitech diNovo Mac Edition, except for a few different shortcut and Windows keys. Both keyboards integrate Logitech's PerfectStroke key design that we're loving more and more as the days go on. The shortcut keys on the top row make it easy to open your most popular applications, and, of course, they're all reprogrammable thanks to Logitech's SetPoint desktop software. Unfortunately, both diNovos suffer from the same shortcomings as well. Neither give you control over angle ergonomics, nor do they include integrated USB ports or backlit keys. The diNovo for Notebooks also daringly boasts the same $100 price tag, which we think is a little too much to charge for a keyboard lacking so many extra features.

After reviewing the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard, the diNovo for Mac, and the diNovo for Notebooks, our day-to-day favorite by a long shot is the Illuminated Keyboard. The backlit keys are a huge help in the dark, two feet on the bottom let you adjust the angle of the keys, and the uniformly flat surface area makes things super comfortable on your wrists. Finally, the $80 price tag is easy on the wallet and helps us forget about its lack of USB extension ports.
Read our full review of the Logitech diNovo Illuminated Keyboard.

Amazon is selling the Vado HD for $200.

(Credit: Amazon)

Things are heating up in the HD mini camcorder space as Creative gets set to release its new Vado HD next week. The camcorder retains many of the design traits of the original Vado but it doesn't share the exact same body. However, it does have something that neither the Kodak Zi6 nor the Flip Video Mino HD has: an HDMI connection (plus an included cable) for outputting 1080i video to your HDTV. And it comes with 8GB of built-in memory--all for around $200.

In our review of the Vado, we knocked it a bit for being pretty no frills, and Creative seems to have taken that to heart. Along with the HDMI cable, it's throwing in a protective case and a real software package for tweaking your videos after you shoot them. Like the Mino HD, it captures H.264 AVI videos at 30fps with a 1280 x 720 CMOS sensor and gives you about two hours of battery life from its removable rechargeable battery. You can also shoot 640 x 480 VGA video if you want.

On paper, the Vado HD looks good, but the big question is, how will its video quality compare to that of the Mino HD and Zi6? We'll be getting a review sample shortly, so we'll hopefully have a full review up by early next week. The Vado HD lists for $229, but Amazon is taking preorders at $200 and we expect the price to stay there.

Comments anyone?

(Credit: Akibahara News)

Looks like Denon has beaten Oppo in launching what could be the world's first player that spins Blu-ray, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, and CD.

The new Denon DVD-A1UD is not only a "true" universal player, it's also fully equipped to unlock the full potential of Blu-ray. It's BD-Live-ready to support Web-based interactive features and decodes high-resolution Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks.

For hardcore enthusiasts with dual displays such as a separate projector and flat-panel TV, the DVD-A1UD's twin HDMI 1.3a terminals are sweet additions, while professional-grade balanced audio output will integrate effortlessly with any premium home theater system. As for pricing and availability, this player's Japan launch is scheduled for January and will be available for $3,800 in the U.S in February.

Via Crave Asia

Tiny bits of toner wafting from laser printers can't be blamed for polluting indoor air, according to research released this week.

In 2007, a study from Queensland University of Technology in Australia suggested that breathing toner particles from printers could hurt the lungs as much cigarette smoke.

Researchers examined laser printer emissions in an enclosed area.

(Credit: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft)

But researchers from that school and the Fraunhofer Wilhelm Klauditz Institute in Germany have found no evidence to support that claim, after examining the makeup of chemicals released from laser printers.

They determined that such airborne materials include paraffins and silicon oils that evaporate when a printer's fixing unit, which attaches dry toner ink to paper, reaches temperatures as high as 428 degrees Fahrenheit.

"One essential property of these ultra-fine particles is their volatility, which indicates that we are not looking at toner dust," said Tunga Salthammer, a professor who worked on the study, in a statement.

The study did not describe how breathing in the ultra-fine chemicals could affect human health. However, volatile organic compounds are a major source of pollution indoors, where they are found in the air at levels up to 10 times higher than outdoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

The nonprofit GreenGuard Environmental Institute offers a directory of electronics that emit relatively few of such chemicals, but that does not include printers. Last year's Australian study identified printer models with the highest emissions.

Add-on filters would do little to prevent printer emissions, according to researchers participating in the latest study, who noted that volatile organic substances are also released into the air from other household activities, such as toasting bread and cooking.

Printer makers belonging to the German Association for Information Technology partly funded the research.

German lawmakers plan to talk about the potential for laser printers to cause health problems at a meeting in January , according to Heise Online.

Black Friday retail results were a pleasant surprise for retailers this year, with sales inching up slightly from the same day last year. A big part of that was the heavy discounting designed to attract consumers.

This LG 32LG30 LCD TV was discounted 33 percent in the lead-up to the holiday shopping season.

(Credit: LG Electronics)

That's according to market research firm iSuppli, which reported Thursday that the top brands cut slashed prices on their LCD TV models on average of 23 percent for the holiday shopping weekend beginning on the day after Thanksgiving. The big guys cut their prices even more than lower-tier players like Vizio and Westinghouse, which dropped theirs by just 19 percent.

The top brands cut their prices so low that at one point the difference between a premium-brand 32-inch LCD TV and a value-brand version was just $61, according to iSuppli consumer electronics analyst Tina Tseng.

The lowest-priced 32-inch value brand LCD TV went for $388 over the weekend, while premium brands offered the same size for as low as $449. The lowest-priced value-brand 40-and 42-inch LCD TVs sold for about $598, while top-tier brands priced theirs at $798.

Even though Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over, iSuppli says shoppers should expect to continue to see these same prices on LCD TVs through the rest of the year as the TV makers and retailers look to entice shoppers in spite of the current recession.

Click to view more photos of the Fisker Karma.

(Credit: Fisker Automotive)

The world of plug-in hybrids is about to get a whole lot sexier when the production Fisker Karma debuts at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

Fisker has released early photos of the production version of the Karma, which isn't that much different from the concept revealed earlier this year at the 2008 Detroit Show.

Its mustachioed face has survived the jump to production essentially intact, although the lower grill opening has been enlarged a bit, to make it more practical for cooling we'd assume. Amber reflectors have been added to the leading edge of the wheel well and small fender vents have been added just aft of the front wheels. The LED tail lamps, huge 22-inch wheel and tire package, and (hooray!) solar-panel roof all look like they will see showroom floors.

The Karma concept debuted at last year's Detroit Auto Show.

(Credit: Fisker Automotive)

Under the Karma's swooping hood is a 22.6 kWh electric motor coupled with a GM-sourced turbocharged, direct-inject 2.0L four-cylinder Ecotec engine--the same fantastic mill that powers the Chevy Cobalt SS tested earlier. Together the two powerplants produce about 400 horsepower and a 5.8 second 0-60 time. Keep your foot planted and the Karma will eventually top out somewhere around 125 mph.

The driver will be able to select between two modes of driving. The first mode is Stealth Drive, which is the economy mode for quiet and efficient driving. By flipping the second paddle behind the steering wheel, the car will switch to Sport Drive, which will activate the full power of the vehicle.

Here's something else that's changed: the price. It appears that Fisker is bumping the asking price for the Karma up to about $87,000 (was $80,000). If that's not too rich for your blood, Fisker is taking pre-orders for late 2010 delivery.

View more photos of the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid.

Bluetooth 2.2 to debut next year.

(Credit: Bluetooth)

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) recently announced that it will release a new version of Bluetooth in mid-2009. Bluetooth 2.2 promises to be much faster than previous versions, allowing transfer rates at higher speeds.

According to the SIG, the new High Speed Bluetooth specification will work in conjunction with WLAN or USB for improved data rates, and will be known as Bluetooth 10x and Bluetooth 100x, respectively. It will hopefully allow for wireless video streaming, wireless printing, and more. For this to work, your cell phone will have to have WLAN or UWB radio. It's said that Bluetooth 10x will be used first, since a lot of handsets have Wi-Fi capabilities now.

Since we don't have any news of devices that will use this new Bluetooth specification, we can't tell if it delivers its promises. But once we have some compatible devices on hand, we'll try it out and let you know.