Take a high-performance PowerPC G4 processor, add a wide-screen display, and enclose it all in a lightweight titanium case. Apple has just created the PowerBook G4 - and redefined portable computing.

If you need the utmost power for creative design, education, or business, the PowerBook G4 is ready to provide it wherever you go. Making a notebook computer the slimmest and lightest in its category shouldn't have to mean making compromises in performance and functionality.

What makes a supercomputer "super" is its ability to execute at least one billion floating-point operations per second. It's a staggering measure of speed known as a "gigaflop". In addition, the PowerPC G4 can perform four (in some cases eight) 32-bit floating-point calculations in a single cycle - two to four times faster than traditional processors.

The PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine works with the PowerPC architecture to accelerate the data-intensive processing required by next-generation video, voice and graphics applications. Among the G4 key features is a vector permute function capable of rearranging data in the registers - a priceless benefit when converting data from one format to another (often necessary with voice, video and graphics applications, which typically need to save data in a number of different formats).

These vector-processing acceleration advantages give the G4 microprocessor a significant edge when it comes to fast visualization of large data sets and intensive math for real-time simulations, making the PowerPC G4 perfect for everything from digital video, graphics and 3D games to astronomy, the bio-sciences and predictive modeling.

The Averatec C3500 Series is an exciting new option for mobile computing. With its innovative design, it combines both Notebook and Tablet PC functionality into an ultra portable form factor. The C3500 provides the performance and features of today's notebooks with a built-in DVD+CD-RW drive and wireless mobility.

The Averatec has an AMD 1.66GHz mobile Athlon XP-M 2200+ processor with a 60GB hard drive, 512MB memory, a bright and contrasty screen with a wide viewing angle, built-in 802.11g wireless and ample ports. It runs Windows XP Tablet Edition and on top of that, has an integrated DVD+CD-RW optical drive. All that is packed into a reasonably compact weighs 5.5 lb. package.

Averatec has really helped change the notebook market with their extremely low prices. Their non-tablet notebooks offer great value for the price as we discovered in their ultralight product line review here. Their XP Tablet PC continues this tradition and delivers good value and quality at an affordable price.

The RIM BlackBerry Storm features an innovative touch screen that provides tactile feedback to confirm your selection. The Storm offers dual-mode functionality for world-roaming capabilities as well as EV-DO Rev. A and UMTS/HSDPA support. Other highlights include GPS and a 3.2-mega pixel camera.

We all knew it was approaching, but brace yourself, the Storm has made landfall. Tuesday night, Research In Motion and Verizon Wirelessofficially introduced the first touch-screen BlackBerry to the world: the RIM BlackBerry Storm.

Also known by its code name, BlackBerry Thunder, the Storm features a touch-sensitive display that's unlike that on any other touch-screen smartphoneavailable today, thanks to RIM's own twist (more on this below). There are plenty of other highlights as well, including dual-mode functionality, support for Verizon's EV-DO Rev. A, integrated GPS, BlackBerry OS 4.7, and more.

Now, before you run out to the nearest Verizon store, we've got some bad news. Unfortunately, you won't be able to get your hands on the BlackBerry Storm quite yet (groan). A specific release date and pricing were not announced, but Verizon said the Storm would be out by the holiday season with "competitive" pricing. Obviously, we're not fans (and we're guessing you're not either) of such vague answers, especially in light of the RIM BlackBerry Bold delay.

RIM and Verizon did come by our office to give us a full rundown on the features, as well as some brief hands-on time with the device, so without further ado, here are all the details and our impressions of the RIM BlackBerry Storm.

The Samsung Omnia features a spacious touch screen with customizable Home screen, haptic feedback, and accelerometer. The Windows Mobile smartphone also offers Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, and EV-DO Rev. A support, as well as a 5-megapixel camera and robust multimedia features.

Along with the RIM BlackBerry Bold and Sony Ericsson Xperia X1, the Samsung Omnia is one of the most requested and sought after smartphones of 2008. Why all the buzz? It's not so much the Omnia's touch screen that's drawing attention (after all, we've seen it in the Samsung Instinct), but rather Samsung's TouchWiz interface. It brings drag-and-drop widgets for the Today screen (a la LG Dare) and provides an extra level of device customization.

 Truthfully, it's not as slick as the Apple iPhone, but it does wonders to make the notoriously unintuitive Windows Mobile easier to use. Plus, the smartphone is loaded with productivity and multimedia features that truly make it an all-in-one device that will satisfy both consumers and mobile professionals.

Excellent photo quality for its class; optical image stabilization; pleasing interface and design; wide-angle lens.

Canon’s PowerShot SD880 combines a broad feature set into a pocket-sized package to let you capture the world around you. 10.0 mega pixels of imaging power give you the ability to create photos with incredible quality and clarity. The 28mm wide-angle lens lets you take in your surroundings with image area equal to a 35mm film camera. Use the 4x optical zoom to get closer to your subject and count on optical image stabilization to ensure sharp images even when you’re following the action. The 3-inch PureColor II LCD lets you see your image as the camera sees it – enabling you to catch the perfect moment.

Canon’s exclusive DIGIC 4 image processor takes most of the guesswork and luck out of getting a good picture. It offers faster, more accurate noise reduction at higher ISO speeds, and incorporates iSAPS technology to improve image focus along with color balance. The New Face Self-Timer allows you to get into the picture with the camera waiting until it recognizes an additional face before taking the shot.

Red-eye can be eliminated automatically or manually within the camera. Additional settings let you take control of the entire picture-taking process with 19 shooting modes including 16 special scene options. Printing straight from the camera on select SELPHY and PIXMA photo printers. Life happens – capture it with the PowerShot SD880.

The A2000 is a bit of a new departure for the A-series. Previous models in the range have been popular with hobbyists and more experienced photographers, thanks to their robust construction, excellent handling, limited but useful range of manual exposure controls and optical viewfinders. The A2000 has none of these things, and appears to be aimed at less ambitious photographers looking not for manual versatility but for a simple, easy-to-use general-purpose compact. If this represents a new direction for the A-series then there will be some disappointed customers.

The A2000 is an undemanding camera. It has large, clearly labelled controls that operate a range of simple automatic settings. Even the body shape is simpler than previous models, a rounded wedge shape thicker at the right-hand end where the two AA batteries live. The body is made of plastic, and although the camera does feel solidly weighty, the body panels seem to be thinner than previous A-series cameras and creak alarmingly when squeezed. There’s nothing really wrong with it, but it does feel more cheaply made than some previous models in the range.

The A2000 has no optical viewfinder, but it does have an enormous three-inch LCD monitor. However this too is not up to the high standard of previous A-series models. It has an extremely narrow viewing angle of only about 30-odd degrees vertically, making it difficult to use for over-the-head shots, and it is also highly reflective. It’s the first Canon monitor in a long time that I’ve actually had difficulty using outdoors.

The second-generation Apple iPod Touch has it all: music, videos, photos, podcasts, e-mail, Web browsing, Internet radio, games, Nike+, Wi-Fi music downloads, and an App Store for adding thousands of custom features.

Games designed for iPod touch technology are just a tap away. Browse hundreds of games from the App Store right on your iPod touch, download what you want, and you’re ready to play.

Flip through your library by album artwork. Create Genius Playlists on the go. And add to your collection by shopping the iTunes Music Store from any Wi-Fi hotspot.

Movies and TV shows pop off the 3.5-inch widescreen display. Choose from thousands at the iTunes Store and take them with you everywhere.

Browse the web with Wi-Fi. Get rich HTML email, including attachments. Get directions and live traffic reports. Feed your YouTube addiction.

Its advanced technologies enable iPod touch to respond to both touch and movement. It also finds wireless networks and connects you to the Internet.

The new, contoured design feels even better in your hand. The new Genius feature takes one song and creates perfect playlists. And the new volume controls and built-in speaker let you turn up the sound.

With the App Store on iPod touch, hundreds of exciting games and innovative applications are just a tap away.

iPod touch feels even better in your hand thanks to the stunningly thin, contoured enclosure made of polished stainless steel.

A built-in speaker lets you hear the music, dialogue, and action without headphones, perfect for casual listening.

iPod touch now includes built-in Nike + iPod support. Just slip the Nike + iPod Sensor (available separately) into your Nike+ shoe and start your run. The sensor communicates wirelessly with your iPod touch, tracking your time, distance, and calories burned. It even gives you voice feedback on your progress.

This feature also works with new cardio equipment available in many fitness centers. Just look for Nike + iPod compatible treadmills, ellipticals, stair steppers, and stationary bikes.

When you get back to your computer, sync your iPod touch via iTunes and transfer your exercise data to nikeplus.com, where you can track your workouts, set goals, and challenge friends.

Capacity

• 8GB or 16GB flash drive²

• Holds up to 2,000 or 4,000 songs in 128-Kbps AAC format³

• Holds up to 7,000 or 14,000 iPod-viewable photos⁴

• Holds up to 8 hours or 16 hours of video⁵

• Stores data via USB flash drive

Accessibility

• Spoken menus allow listeners to hear many of the names of menus, song titles, and artists without viewing the screen.
• An alternative large font can make menus easier to read.
• A high-resolution LCD display with adjustable contrast and backlight settings makes it easier to read in low light.
• Captions in video are displayed when they are present using a legible, high-contrast white-on-black font.