Although Redmond's foray into retail bears a big resemblance to Apple's approach, Microsoft has added some distinctive features to draw casual PC buyers and techies alike.
Verizon and Motorola are spending big bucks--$100 million--on marketing the new smartphone, and it looks like it will pay off with 1 million devices sold by year's end.
The best things in tech are cheap. "The Cheapskate" scours the Web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets, and all the other tech stuff that makes life worth living. Send your own cheapskate tips to thecheapskate@gmail.com. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers.
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Business Tech
Sun takes big fall in server marketSun Microsystems clocks lowest revenue and shipment among global top 5 server vendors for third quarter of 2009, says Gartner.
Gallery
Apple
Psystar said to have deal with AppleDetails are sketchy and there's no confirmation from Apple, but Psystar claims in a filing that a partial settlement has been reached in the copyright infringement case, according to reports.
Beyond Binary
Using tunes to tout Windows 7Dubbed Section 7, Microsoft launches a site in conjunction with Live Nation that offers discount concert tickets and gear.
Video
A window into the Microsoft Store
Web Crawler
Comcast beta-launches bandwidth meterComcast's long-awaited bandwidth meter is finally here, though it will be limited to those in the Portland, Ore., area.
Video
Google Chrome OS demonstration
The Social
This year, you can stalk Santa from your carA partnership with OnStar means that the North American Aerospace Defense Command's annual Santa Claus tracker will now show up in some in-car GPS systems.
Crave
Coming soon: Recyclable mannequin robotsOsaka-based Eager Co. is developing corrugated cardboard mannequin robots for that can gracefully display clothing in retail displays.
Gallery
Digital cloud set to hover above 2012 Olympics (photos)
Crave
Red Scarlet 2/3 specifications, price revealedNow you don't have to fork out so much for a Red system. The company has just announced the availability of the Scarlet 2/3, an affordable 3k-resolution video camera.
Green Tech
Smart grid potential gated by broadbandThe intersection of broadband and energy can lead to efficiency and technology innovation. What's needed is wider access, standards, and right regulations, say execs and officials at an FCC hearing.