Sometimes the simplest things in life are the most useful. This little device is simply two pieces of plastic that are joined together, but it is designed and implemented in a way that make it a useful item that many laptop owners will use daily. The device is the Laptop Desk by LapWorks.

When my colleague, Gabe Goldberg reviewed the Laptop Desk for Compu-KISS last year, both he and his wife loved it. So when LapWorks offered to send me their new model for review, I jumped at the chance. They sent me a Red Marble Painted Futura Laptop Desk.

This model is essentially the one that Gabe loved, with 2 additional features. They have added open ventilation slots to dissipate heat and they have used a special coloring technique to spruce up its looks. The regular Laptop Desk stands are black, but these new Painted Futura’s come in many bright colors and patterns, including Jungle Camou, Largely Leopard, and the American Flag that you see here. The colors are added using a heavy coat of industrial grade ink that is dried and hardened by exposure to a UV light. You can get either glossy or matt finish. The finish will not rub off or discolor. It can scratch, but it is not prone to scratching.

With the proliferation of wireless networks, more and more people are using laptop computers on a daily basis. Yet laptops have 3 problems when they are used:
1. A laptop set on a desk can be at the wrong height for proper ergonomic computer resulting in a real pain in the neck.
2. A laptop, in spite of its name, can be difficult to balance on your lap,
3. A laptop can generate a lot of heat, especially when used against clothing.

The Laptop Desk solves all of these problems. When it is folded in half it has five different inclines that can be used to set the laptop on a desk to position the screen at the proper viewing angle. It can be used to stabilize the laptop on your lap, and its open ventilation slots dissipate any heat buildup.

The Futura is small, thin, and light, but it is very sturdy so you can take it along when you travel. Rubber pads on the bottom help keep it in place on the desktop. When you use it in the open position on your lap with a 15” or smaller laptop, it provides enough room for a mouse.

If you use your laptop on a regular basis, this may be a good investment for you. While the painted Futuras are fun to look at and fun to use, you will have to decide if they are worth the extra $20.

Regular Futura Retail Price: $29.95
Painted Futura Retail Price: $49.95

I am as excited about the new iPhone as I was in 1981 when I bought my first IBM PC. Now that is a pretty strong statement, but this is a pretty spectacular device. Like the IBM PC, the iPhone has not only the hardware but also the software applications to make it a revolutionary device.

While Blackberries can already do much of what the iPhone can do, the big change here is that the iPhone is not just a business device. It is a device that everyone can use and enjoy. It is visual and tactile and that functionality make it easy to use. No nested menus — everything is easy to find.

It’s not perfect, but it has already changed my everyday life. I just posted my complete iPhone review with pictures and graphics at Hardware Secrets. Check it out to find out why the iPhone is not only the most famous smartphone, it is one that will be change the way we look at cell phones.

Studies indicate that 43% of computer users lose irreplaceable files each year. I know that is true because I have had clients who have paid thousands of dollars to retrieve their data and others who went home crying because they had lost all their financial records or years of work on a family tree. If you don’t want to be one of them, click on the ad below and try Carbonite or read on and find out why you should do just that!

Those of you who have followed my past articles and reviews know that I consider backing up important data an essential task for all computer owners.

I’ve also told you about the various backup techniques that you can use. Today, I’d like to give you a little more information about a backup methodology called “online backup”. I’ll also tell you why you should try it and which backup service you should use.

Online backup is one of the easiest ways to back up because you don’t have to think about it. Since the backup is done over the Internet, you will need to have a broadband connection. After you sign up with a reputable online company, your files are backed up automatically to one of their servers. Every time you change, add, or delete a file, the backup is also changed. You don’t have to do a thing. You can think of this type of backup as an insurance policy that gives you peace of mind. After you pay for it, you don’t have to think about it unless you have a catastrophic event. Then you simply cash in on your insurance policy, or in this case, restore your files from the backup servers to your computer.

There are many companies providing online backup. However, this is a good time to stick with a trusted name. At the current time, the company I recommend is Carbonite.

I have been using Carbonite for my own data and I have interviewed David Friend, the president of Carbonite on my podcast, so I can highly recommend them. Carbonite can be used for Windows XP and Windows Vista. A Mac version is due soon.

There are many things that I like about Carbonite. One is that they offer a 15-day free trial with no credit card necessary. So you can backup some of your files and even try to restore them to test the program and see how it works. The second thing that I like about Carbonite is that it is easy. They have spent a lot of time to develop a clear and clean interface that is extremely easy to use. Every step of the backup process is explained in plain English.

Here’s a brief overview of how Carbonite works. After you install the program, the default backup will choose all the files that it thinks are important including email, data files from applications like Quicken, as well as your personal documents and photos. You can then add any other files that you feel you want to backup.

Once the backup begins, it runs in the background and doesn’t interfere with your using your computer. If you have a lot of data, the initial backup can take a day or even several days. It is best to leave your computer on during this time so that the backup can be accomplished as quickly as possible. After that, every time you change or add a document to the desktop or a folder that is marked for backup, it will be backed up. This is done quickly while you are working on other things.

The beauty of online backup is that you don’t have to think about it. You don’t have to do anything. Everything is backed up as you go. Carbonite has no limit on the amount of data that can be backed up, so you can back up as much as you like.

Carbonite puts a small colored circle in front of any file to show that it is already backed up or is in the process of backing up. So you can always see at a glance that the backup is working properly and if the file in question has been chosen to be backed up. You can right-click on any file or folder in Windows Explorer or My Computer to add it to or remove it from you backup.

Carbonite encrypts your documents as they leave your computer, and stores them on encrypted servers, so you don’t have to worry about having your data vulnerable at any time during the backup process. Carbonite has proven itself to be a company that you can have confidence in. As of the beginning of 2008, they were storing over 3.1 billion files on 2.7 petabytes of disk. They receive more that 30 million new files every day. Their service is also trusted enough to be the built-in backup service used by Microsoft Money.

If you ever have a hard drive crash or a problem with your data, it is easy to restore any or all files. Carbonite also keeps several versions of every file, so if you happen to need a version that you previously created, but have overwritten, you can usually retrieve just what you need. You can restore one or two files or, if your computer crashes or is stolen, you can retrieve all your data to another computer.

The only downside to this type of backup is that if you need to restore everything and you have a lot of data, that restoration can take a day or more to complete.

That makes online backup unsuitable as the only backup for a business that needs to get up and running quickly. However, it is usually perfect for a home user.

Even if you have to replace your hard drive, you can quickly restore your email, financial data, and files that you may need immediately, while the program slowly restores your photos and other documents that you don’t need right away.

Carbonite charges $49.95 a year or 2 years for $89.95, if you prepay. If you are lackadaisical about backing up, compare that cost to the amount you pay for your home or car insurance, and consider it a cheap insurance policy.

In the first two weeks, my iPhone has behaved quite well. Although a few apps have occasionally misbehaved, there was nothing that a simple press of the home button couldn’t rectify.

I unsuspectingly put the iPhone processor to the test when I turned it on yesterday while I was listening to some music using the iPod function of the phone. An alert appeared that said there were updates for nine of the applications that I had downloaded. The iPhone gave me the option of updating all nine with one press of the finger. So I did. Quite soon after the download started the music started to hiccup and although the downloads proceeded properly, I could not access the iPod functions to stop it or lower the volume. Thankfully, after a few minutes, the music turned off and the download continued. Since the update of each application took about two minutes, the entire process took almost 20 minutes.

During this time, I received a phone call which was able to connect perfectly. Kudos to Apple for making the phone part of the iPhone the most important. If the glitches that I encounter with the iPhone remain this small, I’ll be one happy camper.

When the first generation iPod nano came out in 2005, I flew to the store to purchase one.  It was so small and thin….I was in love. I used it for several years, but, perhaps it was a little too small because I lost it. So I replaced that first nano with a 2nd generation nano, which was pretty much the same as the first one, but with a larger capacity.

Unfortunately, after about a year, I started having problems with that new nano. If you think that Microsoft is the only one who has software that freezes, think again. From day one, my 2nd generation nano froze occasionally, and eventually the freezes became so frequent that it was unusable.

Happily, because I had purchased a Sam’s Club insurance policy with that nano, it was replaced at no additional cost for a 3rd generation nano. Unlike the differences between the first 2 generations, this 3rd generation nano provided a great new look and some wonderful added functionality. I love the new “short” look, the ability to do videos, the new search feature, and the ability to view my music by album covers. While the Pros outweigh the Cons, this new nano is still not perfect. My full review is posted at Hardware Secrets.

Sandy’s Full Review at Hardware Secrets

Since ancient times, people have been struggling with the problem of how to carry their necessities with them when they are on the go. The Greeks and Romans used pouches. Modern day men use pockets and briefcases while most women carry a purse or pocketbook. In today’s fast-paced world, there are many times when you don’t want to weigh down your pockets, shoulders, or arms. Yet, you need to carry the essentials – especially that all-important cell phone.

The CellKeeper line of carry-alls is the perfect answer for when you are really on the go, walking, jogging, biking, or traveling. The CellKeeper looks like a small wallet that fits over a uniquely designed strap with a front belt closure. A slide on the strap allows you to adjust the size of the strap so you can wear the CellKeeper cross-body (over one shoulder) or around the waist. The CellKeeper can also be completely removed from the strap for times you want to throw it in a satchel or briefcase.

The CellKeeper has two sections. The first section is like a small wallet or billfold that holds an ID card and several credit cards. It also has several compartments for money, papers, and business cards. On the back of the wallet area is an attached pouch for holding a cell phone or other digital device. A small, but sturdy clip on the wallet section can used to attach the CellKeeper to the strap or the strap can be positioned across the inside of the wallet section to hold it securely in place. However you decide to wear it, the CellKeeper keeps your valuables safe while leaving your hands free.

The CellKeeper comes in three versions, the original (for smaller devices), the sport (washable nylon with nylon webbing strap with reflector band), and the professional which can accommodate larger devices like the iPhone. Each version comes in several colors and finishes. Depending on the version, you choices will include finishes like camel and orange herringbone, brown faux-alligator, and dimple brown faux-leather.

While perfect for a cell phone, the CellKeeper is also perfect for holding a small digital camera while at the theme park or on vacation. If your camera or digital device is a little larger like an iPhone, large iPod, or Pocket PC, be sure to purchase the Professional version which has a larger pouch. All sizes and finishes are $29.99 with free shipping in the US.

CellKeepers can be purchased at the CellKeeper website.

The more I use my new iPhone, the more impressed I am with its hardware and software design and its focus on ease of use. I have previously used more than ten cell phones from various manufacturers including Motorola, Samsung, Blackberry, Nokia, and Sony Ericsson. They all had small buttons and complex menu systems. While the young folks are happy to put up with these devices, the older generations find them extremely frustrating. We should not have to ask our children or grandchildren to program our cell phones.

With the iPhone, we won’t have to ask for help. The iPhone is very different. There is only one button on the face of the iPhone….the Home button. One press of that button brings up the icons needed to perform various tasks. The icons are all clear and bright and visually indicative of their use.

The touch screen is a joy to use. Just tap to make your choice. Move your finger across the screen to the left or right or up or down to see more on the screen when in an email or web page. Pinch two fingers together on the screen to make the information on the screen smaller. Push two fingers apart on the screen to make the information larger. For the most part, the choices are shown clearly on the screen. So finding everything is much easier than having it in layers of menus.

The iPhone also has the best audio clarity of any cell phone I’ve ever used…. a boon for those of us who have ruined our ears listening to loud music.

The recent price reduction of the iPhone makes it more accessible and more appealing to everyone. The only problem is the $30 monthly data access fee. Boomers and seniors who have worked for thirty years or more have a keen eye for the value of the dollar. No matter what our financial situation is, most of us hate to add any recurring fee to our cost of living.

I personally hesitated in getting an iPhone just because of that monthly fee. I didn’t want to add to my monthly bills. Although I had reviewed Blackberries and other phones that had Internet and email, I didn’t really feel that I needed online access my phone.

So far, however, I can honestly say that I think the iPhone is worth the fee. The iPhone makes email and Internet access so easy that it is truly valuable. In fact, having an iPhone is like having a computer in your hand…only it is easier to use than a computer. For many, the iPhone will be the only piece of equipment needed for access while traveling. They won’t have to drag a laptop along to access email and the Internet.

While the younger generation is flocking to the iPhone for its “cool” gadget value, many older folks are already finding it as a solution to the complexity problems caused by the current flock of cell phones by other manufacturers. I think that as more and more boomers and seniors realize the value and ease-of-use of the iPhone, they will also flock to it. At some point, many, like me, will be willing to pay the monthly fee for data access on the iPhone because, like the monthly fee for cell service and the fee to an ISP for Internet access, it will add real value to their lives. At that point the iPhone will become the cell phone of choice for boomers and beyond. And that may be sooner rather than later.

After a few weeks of using Firefox 3.0 on various computers, I am ready to declare it a winner! The best thing about it is that even though it has more features, it is faster than the previous version. In my unofficial tests, I believe that it is the fastest popular browser on the market right now. Microsoft ought to take a lesson from Mozilla…. create a new version with more features, but make it leaner and faster!

One of the best new features is the address bar which is called the Smart Location Bar. You type in just a few letters and Firefox will try to guess what address you want. It is uncanny in its accuracy and usefulness and as you use it, it learns and adapts to your preferences.

Firefox 3 also has a more intuitive interface, meaning that most users will find it easier to use. I considered the download manager in Firefox 2 to be one of the best, but in version 3, it is even better. They have also added more customization and organization options in the bookmark area.

All-in-all its quickness and new features Firefox 3 is excellent.

Now I have a special treat for you. Al Brown, aka Big Toe, one of the experts on the Compu-KISS message boards, has written about his experience with Firefox 3. Click here for Al’s Firefox 3 impressions.

Last Friday afternoon, I placed my order for an iPhone at the local AT&T store. There was no line and ordering the phone took about 5 minutes. AT&T said the phone would be delivered in about 7 days. I was surprised to get an email yesterday (Tuesday) saying that the iPhone had been delivered to the store. All I had to do was to come in to have it activated and take it home. So my iPhone took only two working days…. outstanding!

I went in to pick up the phone today. There were no lines and activation took only about 20 minutes. The nice folks at AT&T even gave me a personalized tour of the phone’s features.

In case you are interested, there are still no iPhones in stock at any of the stores that I checked. You can order one the way I did. But now they are now saying that it will take 7-21 days for delivery.

My shiny white iPhone is beautiful! Now to have fun checking out all the features. I’ll give you the pros and cons as soon as I can.

BTW Read the OakInnovations Blog for an interesting, detailed explanation of why Apple will not introduce a white iPhone….They just did!