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Second-gen ruggedized Latitude from Dell.

(Credit: Dell)

Dell is back with a slimmed down version of its fully rugged 14-inch laptop.

Like the company itself, the XFR's second-gen improvements on the device are incremental and in some cases, slightly experimental. The E6400 XFR is the name of what used to be the Latitude XFR D630. The laptop gets an internal tuneup, boasting better processing power (Intel Core2Duo), discrete graphics enabled by better cooling. The new XFR also keeps most of its original features: touch screen, a solid-state drive, mobile broadband, GPS, and long battery life. In this case, Dell says an additional battery pack will keep the laptops going for up to 13 hours.

The XFR is strengthened by a new exterior material the PC maker is calling Ballistic Armor, which replaces the magnesium alloy used in its other laptops. It's allowed the machine to be trimmed down--it's now 8.5 pounds instead of 9 pounds--and also strengthened: it meets military specifications for ruggedness and can withstand a 4-foot drop rather than 3.

Ballistic Armor was developed by a partner company and licensed exclusively to Dell. It's a hybrid, nonmetal polymer designed to better absorb shocks and withstand the elements. That Dell is experimenting with different materials is intended to signal its willingness to try new things and focus on creating different options for targeted customers.

In this case, that's military contractors, government, and utility company field workers, law enforcement, and other groups that are not known for being particularly gentle with their computers.

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(Credit: Sony)

It can't be avoided: any new MP3 player is in direct competition with the Apple iPod, and device manufacturers are well aware of this fact. Some pack their players with boatloads of extras, while others create unique and purportedly useful design elements. Some simply make a product that's just as easy to use, offers a similar array of features, and delivers great sound quality--but then charge less for it. Such is the case with the Sony E-Series Walkman, a flash player positioned to square off against the iPod Nano.

Unfortunately, the E-Series doesn't come in a 16GB model, but the 4GB and 8GB versions are priced to sell at $89.95 and $119.95, respectively.

Read the Sony E-Series Walkman review.

Sony S-Series Walkman

(Credit: Sony)

The first sign of fall in CNET's San Francisco office isn't the turning of leaves--it's the ever-increasing waves of new product announcements. MP3 players in particular start cropping up in late summer, perhaps in an attempt to get a jump on Apple's typical September iPod announcement.

Creative got an early start with its new Zen players a couple of weeks ago, and now Sony is joining the fray. Today, the company announced a rev to its Walkman line of MP3 players in the form of the B-Series, E-Series, and S-Series.

The S-Series represents the top of the line and is arguably the most exciting of the bunch. This new Walkman, which is available in a gunmetal black finish, comes with the integrated noise-canceling capability found on the Sony NWZ-S710.

A pair of complementing, high-end earphones are included in the package, along with an accessory cable that allows the player to be used as a standalone noise-canceling module for use with other audio devices--a unique feature that's ideal for use with in-flight entertainment systems.

Sony has also added support for WMV video (including DRM files from the likes of Amazon Unbox), an FM tuner, and a separate podcast menu item for easier management of the content. In addition, the S Series is the first Walkman to feature a customizable interface that includes a variety of themes and the ability to set personal photos as wallpaper.

Sony E-Series Walkman in red.

(Credit: Sony)

Perhaps the coolest feature, however, is the SensMe Channels function, which is a "smart" DJ that uses an algorithm to analyze songs in order to create custom playlists (up to 11) based on each track's speed, mood, and rhythm. Other features include a 2-inch color screen and a rated battery life of 40 hours for audio. The S Series, which is available in 4GB and 8GB capacities for $149.95 and $179.95 (respectively), is expected to hit online shelves in the next three to four weeks.

The Dell Latitude E6400

(Credit: Dell)

If you have a company laptop, chances are it's either a Lenovo ThinkPad or a Dell Latitude--both have universally recognizable designs, and are capable performers in both small and large businesses. This week, Dell is unveiling a fairly major revamp to the Latitude line with the new E series, anchored by the 15-inch Latitude E6500 and 14-inch E6400.

The most striking break from the traditional gray Latitude look is the new black brushed metal design, which promises to be thinner and lighter than the current versions. In a Latitude first, select models will also be available in Regatta Blue, Regal Red and Quartz Pink (but not at launch).

These new systems are powered by Intel's Centrino 2 platform, and also offer options such as backlit keyboards (an idea we heartily endorse), SSD hard drives (up to 64GB), and 7,200rpm hard drives with accelerometers, along with all the expected connectivity options, including mobile broadband, 802.11n Wi-Fi, and WiMAX. In addition to standard 6- and 9-cell batteries, Dell promises "all-day computing," with the optional 12-cell "battery slice"--essentially a giant battery that fits over the entire bottom of the system.

The new laptops will feature Dell's ControlPoint software.

The new Latitudes also feature Dell's ControlPoint software--the latest version of the catch-all apps found on almost any business laptop for easy access to power settings, security features, networking functions, diagnostics, and administrative controls. Business-friendly features include Intel's vPro platform, a TPM chip, fingerprint reader, and a contactless smart-card reader.

Dell is breaking its new Latitude line out into four categories:

Semi-Rugged - The 14.1-inch Latitude E6400 ATG starts at $2,399.

The Latitude E6500 and E6400 are available right away, along with the less-expensive E5500 and E5400 (which add some weight and lose the LED backlit displays, Display Port video output, and other high-end options). The 12-inch E4200 and 13-inch E4300 are arriving sometime in September.

The ATG version of the E6400 will ship in late August.

(Credit: Dell)

Also shipping starting next week is the E6400 ATG, which stands for all-terrain grade. It's essentially a version of the E6400 built into a new semirugged shell. We checked out the first ATG Dell last year, and this new version seems much more like it was built from the ground up as a rugged laptop, rather than just adding rubber bumpers to a standard Latitude.

Correction at 10 a.m. PDT: The story incorrectly listed which push e-mail solutions the E71 works with. It does not work with BlackBerry Connect or GoodLink.

Nokia E66

(Credit: Nokia)

It may be that the Nokia E series sometimes suffers from Jan Brady syndrome as it gets overshadowed by a flashier member of its family--the Nokia N series (aka Marcia Brady). But the E series is just as bright and deserves some recognition too.

Traditionally, the E series devices have been very corporate centric and serious in design, but now Nokia is updating the line with the introduction of the Nokia E66 and Nokia E71, bringing with them a modernized look and a fresh set of features. Here's the breakdown:

Nokia E66: The successor to the Nokia E65, the E66 continues to offer a cool slider design, but it's been trimmed down and comes in gray or white with steel accents. The smartphone also has "turn-to-full view," which is similar to the iPhone's accelerometer feature in that when you turn the device on its side, the screen orientation will automatically switch from portrait to landscape mode. You can also alternate between Business and Personal mode. In Business mode, you'll have all your productivity tools readily accessible on your home screen, such as e-mail, calendar, and documents. Meanwhile, when you switch to Personal view, you'll get access to your multimedia files, the Web, and so forth.

The Nokia E66 will continue to run the third edition of the S60 platform on the Symbian operating system and has integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 (with A2DP support). Plus, it now offers assisted GPS and U.S. 3G support (850/1900; HSDPA). Other goodies include a 3.2-megapixel camera, support for Nokia's Ovi Internet service, 110MB internal memory plus microSD slot (supports up to 8GB cards), and a 2.4-inch QVGA nontouch display.

Nokia E71

(Credit: Nokia)

Nokia E71: The E71 represents the more dramatic design makeover of the two. Taking over for the Nokia E61i, the E71 is still very much a messaging-centric device with its full QWERTY keyboard but it's not as bulky or dull-looking anymore. The smartphone measures 4.4 inches tall by 2.2 inches wide by 0.4 inch deep and weighs 4.4 ounces, compared with the E61i's dimensions of 4.6 inches tall by 2.7 inches wide by 0.5 inch deep and 5.3 ounces. The E71 will also come in gray or white, and have a 2.36-inch, 16 million-color QVGA display.

Feature wise, the Symbian smartphone supports Mail for Exchange, POP/IMAP accounts, and works with a number of push e-mail solutions, including Intellisync Wireless E-mail, Visto, and Seven Always-On Mail. The E71 will also have integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, HSDPA, assisted GPS, and the Business and Personal home screens.

Outlook: Both the Nokia E65 and E61i have a loyal following and have garnered good user reviews, so I'm sure current owners will be interested in the upgrade. However, as with Nokia's other high-end phones, the Nokia E66 and Nokia E71 have not been picked up by a U.S. carrier and will only be sold as unlocked handsets, meaning they'll carry a steep price tag (pricing has not been finalized but we suspect somewhere in the $300 to $500 range) and thus, limit the reach of the smartphones. Still, the E66 and E71 are shaping up to be some strong workhorses for the business community, and we'll, of course, give them a workout when we get them in for review. Both mobiles are slated to be available in the third quarter (around July/August) with the Nokia E71 expected to ship slightly ahead of the Nokia E66.

(Credit: Sony)

Sony has always been all about style (hence the name of its e-tail site). And even though it's been thoroughly trounced by the iPod, it's determined to keep the Walkman off the walker before it's too late, even in its smallest forms.

This is not to say, of course, that it's always successful--quite the opposite, actually. So for those who suffer from occasional lapses in aesthetic judgment, or just change their minds a lot, Sony is offering a version of its E Series MP3 stick players on the Japanese market that can be customized with swappable shells, according to Slippery Brick.

The shells, which cost about $12 apiece, come in a choice of about 20 colors and patterns. It's unclear if "Gachapin" made the cut.

(Credit: Sony)

As MP3 players continue their magic shrinking act, it's getting difficult even to identify what they are at first sight. The latest version of Sony's once-venerable Walkman making its Japan debut, for example, could be mistaken for a USB key or dongle, measuring just over 3 inches long and weighing only 1 ounce.

In fact, as Akibahara News notes, the E Series players can be used as a USB drive too. But that would make it a pretty expensive storage device, going for about $92 to $167 for versions ranging from 1GB to 4GB, providing up to 30 hours of playback. They also include a color OLED screen and come in various exterior hues as well. But if it's green you're after, you might have to search out one of the rare "Gachapin" special editions.