Bad news for Verizon customers.  Sometime this summer, Verizon will discontinue unlimited data plans for those that were grandfathered into the service, that is if they want to upgrade their hardware.  That means that when the iPhone 5 comes out, or a brand new shiny Android, you’ll have to wave goodbye to unlimited data and switch to one of Verizon’s tiered plans.

AT&T made a similar move last year, but hasn’t indicated whether or not they’ll follow suit.  Nonetheless, carriers have been known to mimic one and other, especially if it means making more money, which is surely the motive behind discontinuing the unlimited data plans for those that we’re grandfathered in.  However, Sprint continues to offer an unlimited data plan for all new customers, which is probably the carrier’s biggest draw when it comes to competing with AT&T and Verizon in terms of iPhone sales.

“As you come through an upgrade cycle and you upgrade in the future, you will have to go onto the data-share plan and mov[e] away from, if you will, the unlimited world,” Verizon Communications CFO Fran Shammo said.

That all being said, Verizon says they’ll introduce “shared data plans” around the same time they discontinue unlimited data plans for those that upgrade.  That means a family of 5 could share one data plan and ostensibly save a fair bit of cash, even if they do collectively experience overages.

This is the beginning of the end of unlimited data plans.

Keeping the iPad out of harms way in the kitchen isn’t just as simple as adorning a case or placing it on the opposing counter. Chances are you’ll spill, drip or straight knock it off leading to the tablet’s demise. Additionally, if you’re one to utilize the iPad for recipes you won’t want to smear your chicken laden hands all over the iPad screen, since odds are that will result in not just a broken tablet but a case of e-coli that will leave you bed ridden, if not toilet ridden for a few day’s time.

Belkin, has slowly added a wide array of home oriented products. Logical, since they produce a wide array of network devices that are applicable for anyone’s abode. And while we’re still waiting on their wireless products that can control everything from your garage door to a light switch, we’ll have to settle on looking at two kitchen products designed specifically for the iPad.

The Chef Stand + Stylus is the perfect complement to those that use their iPad to source recipes and cook while they touch. Included is a stylus that is completely washable and is oversized so fiddling is all but negated. It’s tip is designed to work specifically with the tablet’s screen and fits back into an oversize rubber grommet when not in use. There is also a stand which can hold the iPad in either orientation and is compatible with all versions of the iPad as well as other tablets provided they’re not any fatter than the slot. While the stylus and rubber grommet can stand alone, it also fits neatly into the back of the stand allowing you to neatly tuck the stylus away when not in use. When needed it just pops out of the back of the stand and can, well stand alone. That said, the iPad is never locked into place, which means it could be easily knocked over and although it’s not touching the counter it’s less than an inch above, meaning it could still be on there receiving end of a spill. Finally, if you so wanted to do, you can lay the iPad flat onto the circular, rubber part of the Chef Stand and mitigate some of your risk.  Nevertheless, the Chef Stand from Belkin serves a fair bit of utility and requires no installation making it a great complement to any chef or occasional cook’s arsenal..

For those of you looking to turn your iPad into a media device in the kitchen, or really any where there are eye level cabinets, there is the Kitchen Cabinet Mount. Unlike other mounts this one requires no screws and tightens into place thanks to an adjustable arm. Needless to say, installation takes a matter of minutes, though you’ll want to ensure that things are secure before you add your iPad. This product is also compatible with other tablets and the full range of iPads thanks to an adjustable slot that slides up and down with the push of the button. And while the fit isn’t as secure as screwing a mount into a cabinet, it suffices, unless you’re very aggressive with your screen taps, which could dislodge the iPad from it’s hold. I tested this with the first iPad, so it stands to reason that the iPad 2 or 3 could be a more snug fit. It’s also worth noting, that you’ll lose access to some of the counter space underneath the mount since it leaves about 10-inches of clearance between it and the countertop.  That all being said, the Belkin Kitchen Cabinet Mount is single handily the best alternative for those that want an iPad integrated into their kitchen cabinets, but don’t want to deal with what usually is an extensive install.

Bottom line: Belkin kitchen products offer exceptional utility with a low barrier for entry from both a cost and installation stand point.

Editor’s Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

Very Good

Some of the world’s greatest inventions include the airplane, fire, alcohol (our personal favorite), proton therapy machines and many more.  But those all suddenly seem so trivial and trite, especially after getting wind of the Pint Lock from Ben and Jerry’s.

That’s right, you can now lock down your pint of ice cream from hoarding spouses and roommates much like you’d lock up a gun or thousands of dollars in jewels.  The Pint Lock fits over the top of the pint and locks into place until the ice cream owner dials in the 3 digit pin.  We can’t say for certain, but we’re assuming the Pint Lock comes in two pieces, with the bottom portion slipping over the bottom of the pint and the locking portion over the top.  Once the two pieces are clipped into place it can’t be removed, unless you know the pin (no duh).    To help remove some of the shock and awe from the would thief’s experience, they’ve included a message on the side of the Pint Lock that reads I’m terrible sorry, but their is no “u” in “my pint”.

The Pint Lock sells directly on Ben and Jerry’s website for $6.64 (random pricing).

The snorkel to a large degree hasn’t change much since the products invention.  Sure, there are now versions that include an apparatus to help clear the tube of water, but to a large degree the function and the form has remained the same.  And hence why we can’t over look the Powerbreather Snorkel.

At first blush, it resembles a contraption that would be found in a Star Wars movie, or some forward thinking scifi flick.  But it’s actually a very simple design that allows swimmers to inhale and exhale without the fear of water entering their lungs at anytime, at least according to the company.  This is accomplished using a set of of what is presumably a proprietary placed valve system.  Needless to say, this is contrary to traditional snorkels.  That being said, the Powerbreather adheres to the head using an elastic design and ensures that even when you dip below the water’s surface it stays on the head and doesn’t shift around.

So why would you get one of these?  Apparently, rotating the neck during swimming can cause injury and also inhibits the swimmers ability to reach their max potential.  The Powerbreather is said to resolve this quandary.  It’s also ideal for kids or people who are learning how to swim.

Summer is practically upon us and forget and what better way to entertain yourself than with a Barnes & Noble NOOK Color eBook Reader? Today’s deal features the NOOK Color, model no. BNRV200, for $149 with free shipping thanks to a great eBay deal. You’ll save $50 off its original price of $199.99. The deal ends May 17, so you better hurry and buy it now!

The eBook Reader from Barnes & Noble is a 7-inch tablet PC that keeps you entertained and allows you to be productive when on the go! The a 7″ 1024×600 LED-backlit color touchscreen LCD display with extra-wide viewing angles for reading books, magazines, and newspapers in color provides vivid content. You can also opt to get me storage for your music, moves or pictures since it allows you to increase the expandable memory via a microSD card slot up to 32 GB since it comes with 8 GB internal memory.

The Barnes & Noble NOOK supports Wi-Fi to allow you to browse the Internet wirelessly. The Barnes & Noble NOOK 7-inch tablet PC is fully laminated, with no air gaps, to minimize reflection and glare so that you can read without any eye strain. Other features include: eBook lending, MP3 audio and MP4 video playback, Pandora, and more.

If 60-Inches is a too big for you than don’t worry, Buydig has multiple sales ongoing and this time it’s on this new 47-Inch LG 47LM7600 LED with 6 Pairs of 3D Glasses for $1204 after coupon! That’s right, not only does this TV sport an LED lighting source for a super clear and realistic image but also a 1080p HD Resolution and full 3D support with glasses to boot. Other features of this TV include its 240Hz refresh rate which smooths out the most intense of action scenes and its 9,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast ratio which creates picture perfect color from black to white. It also has Smart TV functionality and with Wi-Fi you can stream content from video and music sites like Youtube, Netflix, Hulu, Pandora and more but also freely browse the Web the way you want to without having to leave the comfort of your living room.

Use code BGSAVEINMAY25 and the price becomes $1204 with free S&H

If you’ve been in search of a huge TV than here’s the deal for you! Brand new from LG’s lineup and fresh onto Buydig’s roster of coupon deals comes this 60-Inch 60PM6700 Plasma Screen HDTV for only $1304! This TV screams to life with a full 1080p High Definition resolution which is nested in a very thin bezel which gives you more screen to look at. It also comes with full support for 3D as well and therefore provides the ultimate in home theater quality. It’s Plasma technology also provides a super fast response time which eliminates blur along with a 600Hz Sub-Field drive which smooths out all the action in even the most intense scenes. Smart TV technology is also built in and with a Wi-FI connection straight to the TV you can stream popular content online from sites like YouTube, Netflix, Pandora and more.

Use coupon code BGSAVEINMAY25 to cut it to $1304. S&H included

Marc Witt’s Project Sea Lion has been named the world’s fastest amphibian vehicle after he entered it in an unofficial competition for the world’s fastest amphibious “land speed” vehicle. The idea for the prototype first came about in 2006 and was designed using CAD software and various and spread sheet calculations. The design is created from a clean sheet of paper, and was calculated to exceed previous speed records. Back in 2006 when the project was first started, its top water speed was 45 mph, while its land speed was 125 mph.

Built from,TIG welded 5052 Aluminum constructed from CNC plasma burned shapes and other CNC milled components, the winning prototype has the same land speed from 2006, but its water speed has risen to 60 mph. It features an integrated monocoque welded uni-body center section, some removable side pod and front and rear fenders.

Sony has announced two new model additions to its VAIO E lineup with the VAIO E Series 15 and 17, which are two larger models than its previously released VAIO E Series 14p. These two new additions don’t come with Ivy Bridge power, but do feature larger displays (15.5 inches and 17.3 inches) and have an optional Blu-ray player on the larger model, making them more entertainment focused. Both new VAIO E Series models run Intel Core i5-2450M CPUS and handle graphics with an AMD Radeon 7650M GPU and either 1GB or 2GB of VRAM depending on the model and include a 750GB hard drive spinning at 5,400 RPM, plus a built-in webcam, USB 3.0 with a sleep-charge feature, HDMI, Bluetooth and WiFi.

Sony also announced that their business-focused VAIO S and VAIO Z lines will be upgraded to include Ivy Bridge processing power. The VAIO S will be available in 13.5- and 15.5-inch models that have backlit keyboards and a thin design featuring aluminum, magnesium or carbon fiber (depending on the model). The VAIO S 13 will come with a choice of Core i5 or Core i7 processors, while the VAIO S 15 runs an Intel Core i7-3612QM with 8GB of RAM and an NVIDIA GT640M LE GPU (along with an integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 chip). Both will feature SSD options.

The VAIO Z will also come in 13-and 15-inch versions, with the 13.1-inch model featuring Core i7 CPU and 8GB of RAM, while the bigger one switches out the 1TB hard drive for a 256GB SSD. This model is supposed to be Sony’s fastest notebook ever, and certain configurations will offer 3G/LTE connectivity. The optional Power Media Dock will add an optical drive an AMD Radeon HD 7670M graphics (the notebook itself is limited to Intel HD Graphics 4000).

The most popular commericals tend to feature what?  If you answered animals and babies then you’d be correct.  Sex surely must run a close second to one of those, but that’s a moot concern for the sake of this post.

GoPro, at least from where we sit, teamed up with film maker Jeremiah Warren.  He strapped a GoPro camera to, you guessed it, a bunch of puppies.  It also doesn’t hurt that the video contains probably the world’s most playful music that without a doubt will have you saying “ahhhhhhhhhhh.”  Our favorite part?  The puppy with the flip flop in his mouth.  That’s oh-so puppy!

Burton’s Sleeper Hoodie is no longer a new idea, but this year the company has decided t up the ante by refreshing the product with a whole new host of features that might actually make you consider upgrading or all together buying the sweatshirt.

The biggest feature to be added to this year’s Sleeper Zip Hoodie is an integrated neck pillow that can be blown up at a moments notice.  That means no more carrying around those dorky airplane pillows or fumbling through your carry on as you board the plane. Complementing that feature is the eye mask, which we saw in the last iteration, though this time around they’ve added ports for your earbuds allowing you to easily fall asleep to music and cut yourself off from the outside world.  They’ve also added an internal passport pocket, custom luggage tag, thumb holes in the cuffs, ear plugs and a toothbrush.  It’s just too bad they’ve slapped the Burton logo on the front.

You can get one for $99.

We’re not sure how we could have possible missed these sneakers last year, but alas, we did.  These are the real Iron Man Dunk sneakers.  Which is to say, don’t mistake them for those off the shelf Iron Man Dunks, which are simply painted in the Iron Man colors.

In addition to packing a whole host of LED lights, which can be found on the rear of the sneakers as well as the tongue, included is your very own Tony Stark Iron Man suitcase.  With the sneakers inside and the case open, the shoes are lit up by a life sized Arc Reactor that can be removed and worn.  Factor this into the Arc Reactors found on the tongues of the sneaker and we’re looking at a total of 3 Arc Reactors – even Tony Stark the man himself would be envious, provided of course he actually existed beyond the silver screen.  If you look really close, you’ll notice that the laces have been adorned with an Iron Man helmet – a nice touch.

Unfortunately, we don’t know where you can buy these.  But odds are if you do find them, they’ll cost you a pretty penny.

Straight from our friends over at Buydig comes a brand new discount offer for this Samsung DV300F Digital Camera with Dual View! DualView is provided by a front mounted LCD in addition to its normal viewfinder which makes it super easy to make the best self portraits. This camera also includes a high resolution 16 Megapixel CMOS sensor for large photos and 720p High Definition video capture at 30 frames per second. It’s slick and compact which makes it easy to take on any journey and for a limited time at sale you can also receive a free 8GB SD Card which can store a few thousand photos in addition to a handy carrying case!

After some big savings displayed at final checkout it’s $135!

So you can’t decide between Sony’s RDP-X500IP and Altec Lansing’s InAir 5000.  Sure, they’re similar in terms of looks, but how they play music is where their similarities end.  That said, both boast premium sound and along with it a premium price.

Design

Both speakers sport a cone shaped like profile, though the InAir 5000 is the larger of the two, weighing 8.5lbs, 2.5lbs more than Sony’s.  At a glance they’re both very similar looking thanks to the black mesh covering and silver accent that runs along the top.  However, the Sony’s RDP-X500IP controls are perched up top with an AUX input found at the rear.  The InAir 5000′s volume controls are located on the left side of the speaker, while the right side houses the aux input, the would be power switch and aux source button.  And although the InAir 5000 doesn’t sport a 30-pin dock for all things iOS, it does have a USB port at the rear which is complemented by an Ethernet plug – both of these are not found on Sony’s RDP-X500IP dock.

Winner: This is a tough one, but we’re gonna give it to Sony for the quick and easy access to the controls.

Size

Sony’s RDP-X500IP measures 15.9 x 6.4 x 7 inches and weighs 6lbs.  Atec Lansing’s InAir 5000 is 7.5″ by 19″ by 7.8″ and weighs 8.5lbs.

Winner:  Sony’s speaker is smaller yet still packs a punch

Features

It’s arguable which of these docks is more versatile since they’re delivery systems are both vastly different.  The InAir 5000 receives music either over your home’s WiFi connection (ala Airplay) or if you plug in your iOS device into its AUX or USB port.  Sony’s RDP-X500IP on the other hand sports a built-in 30-pin dock that hides away in a spring loaded drawer system. Alternatively, it has a AUX input but lacks Bluetooth or any sort of wireless connectivity.  Both include remotes and while the InAir 5000′s looks more opulent, the Sony remote provides more control, though by necessity.  In terms of speakers Sony’s RDP-X500IP boasts two sets of woofers and a sub with a total power output of 45w.  Altec’s offering sports a more powerful setup, which includes the same amount of speakers but a total of 8ow of power.

Winner: Altec Lansing’s InAir 5000 since it boasts wireless connectivity along with a wired connection of two different types as well as far more power.

Performance

All things relative – which is to say putting aside price for now – the InAir 5000 rocks some serious bass and is delightfully clean despite the music arriving via Apple’s Airplay.  That said, Altec Lansing utilizes some DSP (digital signal processing) to minimize distortion at high volume – it reduces bass quite significantly.  Conversely, the RDP-X500IP lacks the same gusto, as in amplitude as the InAir 5000, though the sound signature is still clean and full despite its smaller size.  Now, keep in mind both units have stand alone subwoofers, though the InAir 5000 was a bit too heavy at low volumes.

Winner: The InAir 5000 achieves a higher amplitude and equally good sound quality to that of the RDP-X500IP.  Though, keep in mind the InAir 5000 costs far more.

Price:

Sony’s RDP-X500IP costs about $240, though the original price for the unit was $300.  Altec Lansing’s InAir 5000 will cost $499 when it goes on sale.

Winner: Bang for buck, the RDP-X500IP wins.

Overall Winner

Needless to say this was a close one.  At the end of the day the deciding factor was the size of the device.  While it’s not the most important of categories that we evaluate it’s still a factor and a factor you can’t help but ignore objectively.

Upgrade the way you watch movies with the Panasonic DMPBD755 Blu-ray Disc Player with HDMI cable in the box for only $59.99, down from the original price of $99.99. You’ll also enjoy streaming movies, shows and other content since it’s Netflix, Cinemanow, VUDU compatible.

With the Panasonic Blu-ray player, launching the menu to playing a disc is much shorter than in conventional models so that you can start viewing the movie or content ultra fast. Starting and loading the disc from standby is also quick, for more comfortable movie viewing.

It also features a stylish and simple menu design is achieved by using large menu icons and illustrations. Operation is also easier for the player, which features a simple menu, thanks to its one-click action, you simply place the remote control cursor onto the menu item that you want to choose, and the menu proceeds smoothly to the next screen. Its SD Card functionality allows you to show video and photos from your camera’s SD cars and the quality and ease of it all is great.

Over at Amazon, the SanDisk Extreme 32GB 45MB/s SDHC Flash Memory Card SDSDX-032G-X46 in black is on sale for only $34.99, which is down from the originally listed price of $147.99, so you’ll be saving a whopping $113! It’s great for those who want to get more from their DSLR or HD camcorder and is an ideal choice for photo enthusiasts, pro photographers, or anyone wanting to capture precise shots and Full HD video. The card delivers read and write speeds of up to 45 MB/s, so you’ll spend less time waiting for photos to load and more time capturing the perfect shot. It also offers Class 10 and U1 (UHS Speed Class 1) speed class ratings for high video performance. And thanks to the memory card’s 32 GB of storage space, you can keep your camera rolling without having to switch to another card.

Dare we say that the jury is still out for us on “The Amazing Spiderman?”  It’s actually probably not the first time we’ve said it, especially given the last few iterations of the comic book movie.  That said, this 4-minute trailer is definitely swaying us in the opposite direction.  No doubt the movie will be jam packed with action, though there doesn’t seem to be a chance in hell that it will be on par with C. Nolan’s Batman movies, at least visually.  In our astute opinion they need to drop the brightly colored suit and craft a movie that caters to an older generation.  Sure, they might alienate the most lucrative of audiences (the tweens) but the pay off would probably come in the long term.  And by that we mean Blu-ray sales, merchandise and adoring fans that will continue to watch the series with the same insatiable thirst that we’ve seen with all things Dark Knight.  By no means are we suggesting that the films take on an R rating, but it would be nice to see a grimness that hasn’t long been addressed in the Spiderman series.

The “Amazing Spiderman” will hit theater July 3rd.

The inherent problem with most coffee shops is the crappy WiFi.  Believe us, we know best, as in first hand.  The alternative is to invest in a Mifi, otherwise known as a portable, battery powered router that connects with one of the many cell phone service provider’s network.  Course, this will cost you on average about $50 a month and with most networks, except for Sprint and Virgin America (one in the same). you’ll only get 5GB of bandwidth.  After that you’ll start to pay overage fees.

The Freedom Sleeve for the iPhone liberates you from the tyranny of cellular service providers and hooks you up with 1GB of 4G wirelessly connectivity completely free (we’re hearing that amount will be reduced by 50% once the product begins to ship).  So what’s the catch?  There doesn’t seem to be one, with the exception that you’ll have to pay $99 for their iPhone sleeve, which can share it’s wireless connection with up to 8 WiFi devices and purportedly extends the iPhone’s battery life by up to 6 hours. And once you burn through your allowed bandwidth you can add more for $10 a GB, which effectively puts you back on par, at least in terms of pricing, with the majors.  That said, you can supposedly gift unused bandwidth to other Freedom Pop users, though we can’t confirm that at this time.

So we’re not sure how the company can afford to do this, unless of course the promise of free Internet is for a finite period of time.  It would seem that their device is both WiMax and LTE compatible, since they say they’ve “partnered with leading wholesale 4G Wimax and 4G LTE mobile broadband networks.”  Nonetheless, details are scant on their website, so expect more info to trickle out over the next few days as the product gains momentum in the webosphere.

Sometimes your regular gaming console can’t totally immerse you in the action, which is where the Motion Simulation TL1 simulator comes in pretty handy. Motion Simulation products provide an unrivaled, immersive and unique experience that really brings gaming to life. Housing the world’s first 180-degree spherical projector screen and variable driving cockpit, Motion Simulations products are used by a variety of people, including ncluding professional race drivers, gaming enthusiasts and those seeking the ultimate and most realistic simulation experience available.

The video above was filmed at the Gadget Show Live and features onboard footage footage from the Motion Simulation TL1 simulator, driving a V8 Touring car at Oulton Park. By the video alone, it feels as if you’re really on the track thanks to its three ultra high definition projectors with a single, seamless 7 million pixel image on a wrap-around screen. Measuring over 2 metres wide and providing 180 degree vision, total realism is guaranteed, in any game setting.

In the current world of tablets two camps have emerged; in one, you have the companies that are directly trying to compete with the iPad.  These are your Samsung Galaxy Tabs, your Acer Iconia Tabs, and your Asus Transformers.  In the other group are the tablets that are on the budget side – not quite as robust as the iPad, but still useful.  Just look at my review of the Archos G9 for a great example of this tablet.  While there might be a big profit margin on the larger, more powerful tablets with each one sold, it is these budget models that are the “bread and butter” of some companies because of just how many people will buy them – after all it is easier to convince someone to drop $199 on a tablet if they are an average user, rather than hoping they bankroll your $500 tablet with no real reason.  With the IdeaPad A1, Lenovo has chosen to enter that budget conscious market, but in the world where the Kindle Fire is the king of the hill, can it compete?

Unfortunately the answer might not be what the world’s second biggest computer manufacturer would hope.

One of the big problems with the IdeaPad A1 is the OS that it runs – while Gingerbread 2.3 is a fully competent OS in its own right, with Ice Cream Sandwich coming out on so many devices stock (and others easily upgradeable to it), it is a travesty to see something so new running something so old.  It would be the equivalent of building a nice computer for productivity and then putting Windows 98 on it for no other reason that “just because”.  Yes, other tablets DO successfully run Gingerbread, including the much lauded Kindle fire, bu these other tablets generally run heavily modified versions of the OS.  Lenovo has made extremely minor UI changes on the Gingerbread they are packing though, equating to a home page app launcher and a shortcut to the Lenovo App Store.  The Lenovo storefront has the problems that other company specific stores have, where it is hard to tell if an app is for tablets or phones.  This might not be a problem for the A1 as the 7 inch screen scales properly, but on a larger model I could see it being a real issue.

I wouldn’t expect one of the leaders in the computer market to use old or aging components in their tablet offering, but that is exactly what Lenovo chose to do here.  Maybe that explains why they stuck with Gingerbread 2.3 tough, because it ran with more stability on the platform they chose to use than any other OS.  The IdeaPad A1 is sporting a single core processor – a 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 – along with 512 megs of RAM, and 16 GB of internal storage.  This wasn’t enough to give it a score on Antutu better than 2,401, which is very unimpressive to say the least – especially when compared to the Kindle Fire, which reportedly scores more than double on the same test (I say reportedly as I have not reviewed the Fire).  On top of that, if you look at the lineup of tablets coming out later this year, it is easy to see that the A1 will unfortunately feel old before its time.

If it wasn’t for the underpowered hardware inside, the IdeaPad A1 might actually have been something really special, and you can see this in some of the design aspects.  Lenovo chose to use a physical rocker switch for volume control, something I have seen that the Fire does not employ.  If you have used an iPad for any period of time you are sure to be thankful for this (some other tablets chose not to use this, and it baffles me at to why not).  The A1 also has expandable storage thanks to a micro-SD card slot – something I have wished for countless times on my Verizon Samsung Galaxy.  Another great feature is that unlike the Toshiba Thrive, you can charge the A1 with a simple micro USB connection.  This is really a convenience thing, but anyone who has followed some of my other reviews will know how much I despise when companies decide to use proprietary cables for charging their things, as losing one (or having a puppy chew off the end) can be disastrous.

The cameras (front and rear) on the A1 might not be anything to write home about, but the fact that Lenovo decided to even include them when the Fire does not have any cameras is at least a bonus for them.  Only slightly though, because the quality leaves much to be desired.  You could basically equivocate the technology of the cameras to the rest of the technology in the A1 – dated.  Maybe they would seem better if the screen wasn’t so crappy on the A1, but trying to use them for much is somewhat difficult.  The rear camera can take video at 480p, however it comes out pretty choppy (like a dated web cam almost), and I can not see any instance where it would be useful to have.  Maybe if you were in desperate need of a short video and you had no smartphone, but even then using it would be questionable.  The IdeaPad A1 has a decent GPS system on it (it locked on as fast as my iPhone 4S, and faster than my aforementioned Galaxy Tab), but being WiFi only it wouldn’t do you any good when traveling.

Had Lenovo made a deal with a cell provider, the A1 would have at least been a bit more useful, but as it stands, the A1 is a very hard sell.  Not only is the Kindle Fire cheaper, but the screen resolution is so much better (from the time I spent with a friend’s) that unless you were a die hard Lenovo fan you would easily pass the A1 up.  The thing is though that the IdeaPad A1 isn’t a bad system.  This is where reviewing tablets causes problems; yes, it has issues, and using underpowered and dated hardware is a poor choice on Lenovo’s part, but if you ignore that and look at what it does have you will see that it isn’t all bad.  The screen might be bad, but you can crank the brightness up enough that it is easily viewable even in full daylight.  During my entire time testing the A1, I didn’t experience a single crash – something I can’t say about my Galaxy, my wife’s Iconia, or my daughter’s EVO.  Yes, this is attributed to the older OS being more stable, but I also have to give Lenovo credit for doing their part.

Editor’s Rating:

2.5 out of 5 stars

Fair

The Bottom Line:  While the IdeaPad A1 isn’t a horrible system, it also doesn’t do anything to set it apart from the growing crowd of other low end tablets – that and the fact that it is $50 more expensive than the more impressive Kindle Fire makes it a very hard sell.

Pros:

• Unlike the Fire, the A1 comes with both front and rear facing cameras
• Expandable memory through the micro SD slot is a huge boon
• The battery life is pretty good, lasting about six hours when being constantly used at full brightness

Cons:

• The screen is not good at all, and it has bad viewing angles
• Dated software running on dated hardware makes the experience feel “meh”
• Overall design feels clunky at best

You can pick up an IdeaPad A1 by Lenovo from Lenovo’s site for $199