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Add more USB ports to your laptop with style

With every new USB device I acquire, my desire for my Dell XPS M1330 laptop to have more than just two USB ports grows stronger. Perhaps now I can finally get my wish.

Tuesday, LaCie introduced two stylish USB 2.0 hubs, the Core4 and Core7, which seem like they will work well with laptops. Designed by Sam Hecht--an award-winning, U.K.-based, industrial designer--these two hubs offer functionality, portability, and style. Both come in a compact form factor, with cables tucked away when not in use.

The Core4 supports up to four USB devices, while the Core7 can … Read more

Work your lazy bum off on these USB couches

As the Google campuses proved long ago, employee productivity depends largely on comfort and morale. While I've given up on begging human resources at CNET to hire an in-house chef, maybe they'll front the bill for a set of USB sofas.

A concept design by Cabracega for OFFF Lisbon 2008, they might look like your average La-Z-Boy, but each one functions as its own autonomous USB hub with seven cables that stick out of the cushions and allow the lounger to plug in multiple peripherals or store content.

The real appeal, though, is that you can also connect … Read more

In light of earnings, is eBay operating smarter?

This was originally posted at ZDNet's Between the Lines.

eBay's first-quarter results were better than expected, and the company argued that it is operating with more discipline and smarter.

For the quarter ended March 31 (statement), the company reported net income of $357.1 million, or 28 cents a share, on revenue of $2.02 billion, down $171.6 million from a year ago due to poor performance in its marketplaces unit. On a non-GAAP basis, eBay reported first-quarter earnings of $499.9 million, or 39 cents a share.

Wall Street was expecting earnings of 33 cents a … Read more

Verizon updates VoIP phone

Verizon Communications is trying to keep customers tied to the old idea of a home phone with updates to its new Verizon Hub.

The Verizon Hub, which was introduced earlier this year, is essentially a souped-up voice-over IP handset. It's designed to be the main phone and communication "hub" for the household, providing not only phone service, but also sports, weather, and other news.

But given the device's hefty price tag of $199 with a two-year contract, it seems a bit steep for consumers who can already get that information and functionality from their cell phones. … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 954: Sext cells

Maggie Reardon from News.com joins Natali and me to talk about a host of cell phone news, including new iPhone patents, legislation around sexting, and of course, courier pigeons that deliver contraband cell phones to inmates. I mean, we all saw that last one coming...right?

Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 954

eBay buys Gmarket http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/04/16/technology/business-us-gmarket-ebay.html

Apple iPhone patents http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10220939-37.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0

PC sales are down but it is not that bad http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10220392-92.html http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/15/dell-still-struggles-hp-and-acer-grow/… Read more

eBay selling Madoff's Mets tickets ($2,900, anyone?)

It seems that Bernie Madoff, the Fonzi of the Ponzi, had little use for technology for much of his life. He may not have even bothered making any online trades, for example.

However, he (or rather the trustees of whatever there is left of his swindling) has resorted to eBay to sell a couple of rather fine tickets to the New York Mets' opening day game.

These tickets--conveniently situated near the Mets dugout--are not the actual tickets that might have been graced with Madoff's behind. His trustees exchanged his chosen tickets for these in a deal with the Mets. … Read more

Webware Radar: Yapta tracks hotels so you don't have to

Online travel shopping service, Yapta, announced Friday that it has launched a new hotel price tool that will allow users to track and compare pricing on national and international hotel rooms. According to the company, users will be able to choose the hotel they're interested in and then sign up to be alerted when rates drop. The site checks the hotel prices daily and compares them to find similar properties. Once a customer's specified threshold of affordability is reached, they can be alerted to the price drop and acquire a room. The tool is available now.

StrikeIron, a … Read more

Guide to sports stats sites, just in time for Super Bowl

It's a fun time for sports fans. There's the Super Bowl extravaganza on Sunday, and a few days after that, Major League Baseball's spring training starts up. March Madness is right around the corner and in a couple of months, all our favorite sporting pastimes will be in full swing.

Because of that, I've found four relatively unknown sports statistics sites that will provide you with all the sports research you need to make more informed decisions in your fantasy baseball league or make you look smarter with your friends.

Sports Data Hub isn't just … Read more