Hewlett-Packard (HP) announced the release of several exciting new products today, including new desktops and notebooks for both professionals and consumers. Continuing in the direction in which the company has been going, these new models are sleek, stylish and equipped with many advanced features, such as Beats Audio, HP TrueVision webcams and a choice of Intel or AMD processors. Let’s take a look at some of the innovations HP has in store for the near future, beginning as soon as late October.

The HP Spectre is a very nice looking ultra-thin all-in-one desktop with a 23-inch flush glass display, 3rd Generation Intel processors and an optional solid-state drive. Perhaps most impressive of all, it features near field communication (NFC) technology that allows easy wireless sharing of photos, contacts, websites and more, all with a simple tap of the touch-sensitive screen. In fact, the Spectre can be used in conjunction with a user’s smartphone or tablet, which then becomes like a remote control for the computer’s operation. The Spectre is expected to be available in the United States on November 14, at a starting price of $1,299. The HP ENVY 20 and ENVY 23 TouchSmart PCs and the HP Pavilion 20 All-in-One PC also feature this technology, and will be available in the United States on October 23, at even lower starting prices. These devices are all a step up from traditional non-mobile units in that they provide connectivity with mobile devices the consumer may already have.

Some of the most impressive new devices announced by HP today are its notebooks, the HP ENVY m4 Notebook, and the HP Pavilion Sleekbook 14 and 15 PCs. The latter are especially nice-looking, in sparkling black or ruby red finishes, with super-slim, lightweight design. They each weigh under four pounds and measure only 21 mm thick, and at a starting price of under $500, they offer many of the same features as most $1,000+ models.

The HP ENVY m4 Notebook, on the other hand, features faster renders and more powerful graphics than the Sleekbook series, as well as a few very innovative HP exclusive features. CoolSense is a new development from HP that keeps the exterior of the notebook cool during extended use, and SimplePass is an extraordinary new security technology that uses fingerprint identification instead of typed passwords. In fact, each of a user’s fingers can be programmed to a different website, if the user so desires. For example, your index finger could bring up Facebook, while your middle finger accesses YouTube, etc. With these and other cutting-edge devices, it is easy to see why HP remains on top of the game for both professional and consumer electronics. 

We have been testing and enjoying wearing some spanking new RocSports Lite Slip Ons and this could the most comfortable shoe ever made! This new offering from Rockport has the latest technologies including a padded collar and tongue for comfort, full grain leather that is soft and durable, supple and flexible ETC that helps keep feet dry and helps reduce friction, and EVA which provides lightweight shock absorption to reduce foot and leg fatigue.

This is all part of the notable adiPRENE technology by adidas that incorporates highly shock absorbent cushioning to protect your heel at impact.

The RocSports Lite Slip On is also versatile and looks great with a business or casual look. To find the right pair for you, check out Nordstrom.com and improve your comfort and appearance with these stylish kicks from Rockport.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) previewed a number of exciting new products on the evening of Tuesday, August 27, most of which will be available in December of this year or January of next year. Unfortunately, there is a non-disclosure agreement in place until Thursday, September 20, for many of these products, so tune in on that day to find out more. For now, though, let’s take a look at three impressive new laptops offered by HP.

The HP Spectre TouchSmart Ultrabook is a sleek, stylish, 4.77 pound notebook with a 15.6-inch screen featuring edge-to-edge glass. It is a multitouch touchscreen device that also features a fully functioning keyboard and a full array of ports, including Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, and HDMI. It is also HP’s first notebook to feature Intel Thunderbolt technology, a new technology similar to FireWire, but not based on it. Also used by Apple, Intel Thunderbolt allows for high-speed connectivity and daisy chaining of multiple devices. The slightly smaller HP ENVY TouchSmart Ultrabook 4 features a 14-inch multitouch HD display with a backlit keyboard and a subwoofer featuring Beats Audio. It delivers up to eight hours of battery life and, like the Spectre Ultrabook, is expected to be available in the United States in December, with a starting price of $1,399.

The HP ENVY x2 takes the touchscreen and keyboard synergy of these devices to a whole new level. The ENVY x2 is a tablet and a laptop at the same time, with a detachable 11.6-inch diagonal HD touch display featuring IPS technology. It has a sleek aluminum finish and an innovative hinge system with magnets that smoothly guide the tablet portion into place with the keyboard, which, when opened, wedges up from the table or other surface on which it rests, providing a more convenient angle for typing. The ENVY x2 features Beats Audio, NFC technology and an optional stylus, as well as two different types of cameras for its two different operational modes: an HD webcam on the front and an 8.0 megapixel camera on the back. It is also expected to be available in December.

With these and other devices previewed recently, HP continues to move in the direction of thinner, lighter laptops without sacrificing its many innovative features. Don’t forget to check back with us on September 20 to see what other exciting new products HP has in store.

It may sound strange, but while I miss being a student, I don’t miss school.

I try to compensate for this by taking every opportunity presented to me to still learn, but there’s just some things that can’t be recreated outside of the school environment, one of which has to be the first day back to school. I know, I know, it means the end of summer and the beginning of classes again. But what if I could tell you that there were steps you could take to ensure that this is the best school year ever, and the year in which you really stand out and make a name for yourself? Even better, what if I told you that you could accomplish it, without any of that self improvement stuff, or without having to apply earnest effort?

I’m talking about coming back to school with the sweetest swag available. Not just any ordinary swag, though, but swag that will be easy to show off and actually aid you in the school year as well. It’s like having your cake and rubbing it in everyone’s face too.

Here are some gadgets and gear that no student should be without this school year.

Google Nexus 7

One day, perhaps, all schools will be able to provide tablets for their students for the ultimate learning experience (and to help create an awesome sci-fi learning environment). Until that glorious day, though, you’ll just have to supply your own.

While the iPad is still the overall better buy, the Nexus 7 gets the edge for a student. Why? Well, its $199 price tag doesn’t hurt, but it’s the Nexus 7’s smaller size that gives it the advantage for every day, on the go use. Plus, in the smaller tablet market, the Nexus 7 is far and away the best available spec-wise at the moment, as even trendsetter Amazon is having to update their Kindle Fire ahead of schedule in order to keep up.

The Nexus 7 features over 600,000 apps, incredibly long battery life (9 hours HD video, 10 hours web browsing), and all of the e-book, email, video download, and online services you would expect from a tablet. Put it all together, and you have a tablet that succeeds where Amazon failed, and manages to provide a true budget alternative to the iPad. It’s hard to imagine a more useful overall back to school device.

Bose MIE2i Mobile Headset

I know that the over-the-ear, in-ear headphone debate is an eternal one that has yet to claim a true victor. However, for whatever my two cents are truly worth, I personally side with in-ears. What you lose in style and comfort, you gain back tenfold in convenience and portability.

So let’s say you agree with me and have decided to finally invest in a set of in-ear headphones that don’t come with your iPhone or from the back counter of a convenience store. Let’s also say that you’re not into the Beat headphone mini-craze and want a set of true quality buds. If so, then I’d like to be the one millionth person to recommend you go with Bose.

For what Bose headphones lack in flash, they make up for everywhere else that matters. The MIE2i have always been one of their best sets as they feature the usual frighteningly good level of sound quality and noise cancellation you expect from Bose, but also offer unrivaled comfort (you hardly notice them, and they always stay in place) and sustainability in the in-ear field. If you’re looking to make an investment on a set of headphones that will actually last, and allow you to discretely listen to the Black Keys in class, look no further than these beauties.

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Just the Stats:

* Height – 20.5”

* Width – 14.0”

* Depth – 12” to 14”

* Made of 1680D Military Grade Ballistics Nylon that is puncture and waterproof

* Customizable/interchangeable faces

* A seemingly infinite amount of pockets and storage space

* MSRP $139.00

In case you couldn’t gather from some of our previous reviews, the fine folks at SLAPPA have managed to win fans on this site with their high quality bags, gear and cases over the years. Now, since I’ve been using one backpack or another since my days of arranging 16-player “Halo” LAN parties in high school, when I found out that it would be my turn to review SLAPPA’s newest line of backpack, I was excited, but also curious. After all, I’ve been going through backpacks of various makes for years now, and while some have admittedly held up and performed better than others, I’ve never owned one that generates such prolific levels of praise, like the SLAPPA models seem to. I just couldn’t imagine how a simple backpack could be such a big deal. It’s appropriate, then, that this new line of backpack is called the M.A.S.K. Jedi Mind Trix, because this wasn’t the backpack I was looking for, or expecting.

No, what I got was something else entirely. To call this stylishly designed bundle that contains a mini galaxy of storage options a backpack doesn’t conjure the necessary image that you need to fully appreciate it. In fact, calling it a backpack almost insults the efforts of other, lesser manufacturers that sell a product called a backpack, because despite their well intentioned efforts, they have no way to compete with the Jedi Mind Trix.

What makes it so great? Well, first you have to start with the storage capacity. I loaded this thing up with my PlayStation 3, my laptop, all the cords and controllers for both, two bottles of water, my sunglasses, my copy of “Broom of the System,” a notebook, pens, my iPod, a set of DJ headphones, and a light jacket held by the Jedi Mind Trix’s new exterior carry straps. When I was done, I swear that the backpack laughed at me. There was still an inconceivable amount of free space left that I couldn’t imagine uses for. Even better, when I put the backpack on, I immediately found out why there is a price jump from the standard packs I had used over the years, and this one. Thanks to the design of the M.A.S.K., neither myself nor the backpack suffered from any strain due to the weight. Not only were my shoulders supported comfortably by the cushioned straps, but the padded SLAPPA logo on the back actually worked to ease my burden. Thanks to the incredible level of internal cushioning, I also took additional comfort in knowing that everything I had just put into the backpack was equally protected as well.

Besides the practical features, the SLAPPA models are also known for their incredible style, and this one is no exception. It features the same customizable face, linings and graphics options as the other models in the M.A.S.K. line, and in many respects reminds me of the wide range of customization options available for the Alienware line of computers. What I mean is, it uses its sense of style not as an excuse to raise the price point, but rather as a natural extension, or warning even, to the superior product that lies underneath.

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The dream of motorcycling is an open road, a rumbling exhaust, and a supermodel on the back with flowing blonde hair. With this image in mind, you buy a bike and then go on the lookout for a companion for the back. Often times, you may be successful, but although your girl’s high heels and dress may be suitable for a night out, they aren’t for riding a bike. So, what’s a person to do? Icon has the solution. They make the gear that your girlfriend will not only want to wear, but will keep her safe too.

There is extra pressure when someone is your passenger, but that’s no excuse not to include them. Riding pillion opens your significant other to the why behind the ride. They can experience for themselves the rush of riding a bike. We don’t just buy bikes because they are good to look at, but others don’t understand how fun they can be if they don’t experience it for themselves. Plus, once your passenger is comfortable, there will be no need to take the car out. They’ll be begging for the bike. But first, make sure they’re properly geared up.

Helmets for Her

For helmets, they have a variety of liveries and designs with females in mind. For this test, we used an Alliance helmet. You may recognize this piece from the last article we did, reason being is that it is a perfect all-around helmet for street use. It’s cheap, it’s protective and it’s light. This time around, we picked an Alliance helmet that has been slathered in Barbie pink from front to back.

The design is Chrysalis, but from my girlfriend’s reaction, they should call it OMG PINK!!! If your girlfriend is the glitter and pink type, get the helmet. It’s Disney princess approved and offers the same protection and comfort as the helmet on your head too.

Plus, the design will make her want to wear a full-face helmet. No complaints about their hair getting messed up, or how hot it may be. Get a design they like, pink or not, and they will want to wear the lid. Girlfriend’s not a pink fan? Have her pick out a design from the dozen of choices Icon has.

Suit Her Up

Icon’s jacket choices take their female options past just making it pink, however. Case in point: the One Thousand Federal Jacket. Part of the One Thousand collection, this jacket leaves off flashy graphics and logos for a subdued, vintage vibe. All leather, this jacket is more Black Widow than Disney Princess. The best part is that the jacket has D3O armor in the shoulders, elbows and back.

For those unfamiliar, D3O is a special type of foam that is soft when at rest, but upon impact, firms up. Because of the dual nature of the material, the armor can be slimmer and more comfortable – just another example of form and function combining at last.

Remember to get you girlfriend involved in the decision process, though. For as much as I loved the jacket, my girlfriend found it heavy and ungainly. Forgetting that she isn’t used to motorcycle gear, it will take her some time to adjust, but comfort is a top priority in order to keep your passengers to feel confident on the bike. That’s why she loves her Contra jacket that is lighter, made of fabric, but does not offer the D3O.

The One Thousand Federal is a premier motorcycle jacket with a cost to match, but you don’t need to spend a lot to make your girlfriend happy. She’ll be happy with the gear she chooses rather than the choice you give her.

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Hewlett-Packard (HP) presented a product preview of several new professional and consumer desktop computers yesterday afternoon at the Edelman Offices in Manhattan. The presentation pointed to HP’s future, which seems to be streamlining its efforts toward more all-in-ones, as opposed to the more traditional tower and monitor design, in response to consumer demand. Many of the new products presented will not be available in the United States until August or September of this year, but one of the most interesting models is already on the market as of today.

The HP Passport 1912nm Internet Monitor is a relatively inexpensive option for direct access to online content without the use of a PC. Starting at $259, the monitor provides quick and easy internet service through its “plug-and-play” set-up, and is especially designed for consumer-oriented business environments such as lobbies, waiting rooms, cyber cafes, airports and conference centers. According to HP’s official press release, this monitor “delivers access to email, videos, images and music through an easy web interface with a locked-down operating system that prevents vulnerability to viruses. With an Ethernet input and plug-and-play connectivity options, the HP Passport 1912nm offers a four-in-one HP Media Card Reader and five USB ports to support digital cameras and other accessories.”

Also previewed yesterday, and expected to hit the U.S. market on June 24, was the new HP 2311xi IPS LED Backlit Monitor, which features a 23-inch diagonal full HD display in an ultra-slim chassis designed to fit into any environment without taking up too much space. Its IPS panel technology provides an exceptionally sharp, clear picture with rich, vibrant colors and wide viewing angles. Perhaps its most unique and exciting feature is its 178-degree viewing angle, which makes photo or video sharing, as well as gaming, much more convenient for large groups of people. With this monitor, even sitting far to the side of the screen allows for a comfortable and clear viewing experience, making any seat in the house as good as any other.

HP continues to be on the vanguard of exciting new professional and consumer products that make life easier in both business and pleasure settings. As Jun Kim, vice president and general manager of HP’s Display Business Unit, says, “The needs of customers continue to evolve, and HP is well-positioned to meet these new demands by expanding its award-winning display portfolio. HP’s new IPS monitors bring professional-grade technology directly to consumers, while our internet monitor serves as a new tool for businesses to engage with their patrons.”

With Euro 2012 in full swing, you’ve likely spotted some of the cool gear that the world’s biggest names have been showcasing at the tournament. Although the newest adiZero F50 has been out for a while now, they remain one of the most popular shoes in the game, worn by the likes of England’s Ashley Young, Spain’s David Silva and Portugal’s Nani. I was recently sent a pair of adiZero F50s in the Euro 2012 colorway for review, and as someone who’s always been more of a Nike guy when it comes to my soccer cleats, Adidas has really won me over with the latest incarnation of their signature line.

The first thing that you’ll notice about the new adiZero F50 (apart from the bright neon colorway) is how incredibly lightweight they are. Weighing in at a mere 5.8 ounces, these are some of the lightest cleats on the market. Using a SPRINTSKIN single-layer synthetic upper and SPRINTFRAME bottom, Adidas has created an almost feather-light boot that has a snug, glove-like fit but still offers the stability that you need. Additionally, the SPRINTWEB on the inside provides great support for making quick cuts, while the TRAXION FG outsole ensures maximum grip and acceleration on firm ground fields.

Because of how thin and lightweight the synthetic material is, however, there’s very little standing between your foot and the ball. Though that creates a much better touch as a result, it comes at the cost of the protection you’d get from wearing a thicker or leather shoe. It’s a compromise that will differ from player to player, but if you’re the kind of person that favors speed over protection, you really can’t go wrong with the adiZero F50. They’re not quite as light as advertised when using the thicker comfort insoles that are provided or adding the optional miCoach chip, but so much thought has clearly gone into the smart and stylish design that it’s easy to see why they’re so incredibly popular.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the F50 also happens to be the official shoe of three-time Player of the Year Lionel Messi, who absolutely lit up La Liga this year with 50 goals and a record-breaking 73 goals in all club competitions. More recently, Messi lit up the soccer world yet again, but this time as the focus of a massive digital protection in New York City in support of the new adiZero F50 and the Argentina vs. Brazil friendly, where he coincidentally bagged another hat trick. Check out footage from the campaign below.

The Adidas adiZero F50 TRX is available in a variety of colorways at soccer specialty stores and www.shopadidas.com, and in conjunction with our review, we’re giving away a pair to one lucky reader. Click here to enter for your chance to win, and be sure to include which size you’d prefer in the box marked “Additional Information.” Also, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates on all of our latest giveaways.

When #Adidas sent us a pair of the all new and super hyped Adidas adiZero Crazy Light 2 to review, we were thrilled to say the least. Reviewing men’s shoes is always cool, but these are one of those special shoe launches that are quickly turning into must-haves for those in the know of basketball kicks! The adiZero Crazy Light 2 are the WORLD’S LIGHTEST BASKETBALL SHOE, weighing in at 9.5 ounces, which is nearly 10 percent lighter than the nearest competitor’s basketball shoe. I swear these shoes were so light coming out of the box that you just shake your head and ask, “How do they do this”? If you play competitive basketball, the light construction means plenty, as NBA players have let their affection for the Adidas adiZero Crazy Light 2 be known, like this quote from NBA player Jrue Holiday: “In the league, every game matters, and you don’t want anything weighing you down on the court. Putting on the adiZero Crazy Light 2 gives me that speed and confidence I need when it counts.”

I’m watching the NBA playoffs closely and see the adiZero Crazy Light 2 on some of my favorite players. We also noticed how strong the new Crazy Light 2 felt once we started testing them on both indoor and outdoor courts. Per Adidas, “The increased strength of the adizero Crazy Light 2 comes from an enlarged asymmetrical SPRINTFRAME, allowing for maximum motion control. Designers added volume to the midsole for a more supportive base. The new aerodynamic three-layer SPRINTWEB is the thinnest ever, with a tighter web layout that gives players enhanced vertical and horizontal strength. Overall, the shoe’s new geometry allows for maximum weight savings, energy return and motion control.”

Of course, how the shoes look is just as important as how they function for plenty of folks looking for an edge. Our test pair was black with red trim, and the colors really pop off the sleek Crazy Light 2. The first adiZero Crazy Light 2 collection was off the charts good-looking, but these new ones appear to be more aerodynamic, which enhances the new offering from Adidas.

My game has jumped as well, and maybe it’s because I’m much more confident wearing the stronger and lighter Crazy Light 2 from Adidas. They’re now on sale and can be found on adidas.com as well as Foot Locker, Eastbay and other leading retailers. Check out the above pics and video below to see for yourself!

There is a certain inevitability that we as men must all face in our lives, and that is that, as much as most guys hate to shop, occasionally we have to buy new dress clothes.

That dress shirt you bought five years ago for your buddies wedding? It doesn’t fit anymore, and actually makes you look like Artie Lange in the movie “Dirty Work.”

Since it’s time to buy a new shirt anyway, why not do it from the comfort of your own computer chair and design a shirt that you like without anyone hassling you, and at an affordable price? www.ShirtsMyWay.com makes custom dress shirts that fit really well. Many men have the problem that normal shirts just don’t fit well in certain areas and custom shirts are the solution.

Do you even know how much a custom dress shirt typically costs? At your local tailor, you can bet it will be at least $200. Even if you attempt to purchase one online, you’re not going to spend less than $135, perhaps even more when you factor in shipping and handling. That is, unless you check out www.ShirtsMyWay.com.

I went to the site and created my own shirt. Even as a child of the internet age, at first, I was somewhat daunted. “How long will this take? What are the odds I screw this up?” These thoughts and more careened through my brain, like a pinball in an empty auditorium. But once I got started, it was easy — the entire process took less than five minutes, perhaps more if you don’t have your measurements handy? Don’t know your measurements? Go to the men’s department of any reputable clothing store in your area and they should measure you for free.

The site is straight forward and easy to navigate thanks to the “point and click” setup. First, I picked the color of my dress shirt (Atlantis L. Purple). From there, the customizing options were seemingly endless; you can customize everything from sleeve length (long), type of collar (classic), cuffs (1 button angle) to yoke (plain) and even the placket (seamless). One really cool feature is that you can actually combine different fabrics for your design, which is something I have never seen anywhere else.

With my custom shirt now completed, I proceeded to check out and see what kind of financial damage I had incurred. Even with a custom color, my total was just $85 dollars. And since www.ShirtsMyWay.com has free shipping and handling (if you choose Standard Delivery; $10 for Express), there were no additional hidden fees. There are also no extra charges for any extra options.

New to the idea of a custom dress shirt and curious to exactly what that entails? You can download the free Book of Dress Shirts for more inspiration and tips on designing your dress shirts. Check out the site and read more background info on the company here: http://www.shirtsmyway.com/about.php

If you’re looking for gift ideas for Father’s Day, consider a gift certificate from ShirtsMyWay. You can email them at support[AT]shirtsmyway.com to set it up.