Ask Engadget: Best (useful) WiFi network detector?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Mitchell, who couldn’t care less if you have a problem with his question. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I just got a new laptop and am looking for a WiFi detector. The catch is that I want one that will tell me if the network it is detecting is open or not. I can’t fathom the point of one that doesn’t tell you that information. If posted, this will probably generate a lot of snark, but whatever, I just want to be able to find open networks!”

You know, we appreciate the honesty here. And we totally feel you. If anyone out there has found a fantastically useful WiFi detector, throw your recommendation(s) in comments below!

Ask Engadget: Best (useful) WiFi network detector? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best no-frills portable media player?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Cam, who don’t need no stinkin’ app store for his next digital audio player. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I’m getting quite sick of my Sansa Clip, with it deciding when and when it doesn’t want to work. I’m looking for a new PMP. The only requirement is that it has at least 4GB of storage, and supports FLAC files. Expandable memory would be cool too.”

We appreciate the brevity, Cam. In your spirit, we’ll skip the usual coaxing and just demand that those with lovable gym-certified PMPs drop some knowledge in comments below. And… go!

Ask Engadget: Best no-frills portable media player? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best USB / secondary monitor?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Corey, who needs a secondary display to run widgets, IM boxes and squashed YouTube clips while the real work goes down on the main screen. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“My laptop’s screen is feeling cramped these days, but since I mostly use it at a desk, I’m thinking of getting a USB monitor instead of a whole new rig. I know Mimo has a bunch of options, but has anyone used them? Are there any other companies out there making these USB-connected secondary displays? I know it’s a new industry, but hopefully someone has a first-hand perspective to share. Thanks!”

No worries Corey — we’ll point you to our own Mimo impressions, and then we’ll ask the readers to contribute from there. Any tips on which USB monitor is best? Any horror stories that we should all be aware of? Chime in below!

Ask Engadget: Best USB / secondary monitor? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best point and shoot camera that does RAW?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Jayson, who loves the flexibility of RAW but doesn’t always feel like lugging around a DSLR. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I’m wondering if there’s a point and shoot camera that would be recommended for shooting RAW. I have a DSLR , and as much as I love it, it’s not really fun to bring that when I go out in the evenings. I read somewhere that Canon has one available, but I can’t remember which model it is. I prefer to shoot in RAW to give me more options when editing them later. Thanks!”

We know there aren’t too many non-DSLR cameras that shoot in RAW, but for those out there crazy enough to own one or two, why not throw your impressions below? Go on — it’ll be fun, we promise.

Ask Engadget: Best point and shoot camera that does RAW? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best NAS / media streamer combo device?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Felix, who would feel a lot better about his situation in life if he had one certain gadget that could do two certain things. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

I am looking for a NAS — 1TB would be good — preferably with WLAN built in, and multi-download BitTorrent capabilities are a must. I’d like a unit that doubles as a media streamer (music and videos), and while I’d prefer to stream over WiFi, I definitely need an HDMI port. If there’s an option with a display on the unit itself, I would love to know about it. Thanks for any input!

We know these multifaceted devices exist, but we also know they aren’t exactly everywhere. For those who’ve bought in, we’d love to hear about your experiences. Do you prefer yours? Are you disappointed with its performance? Don’t lead our man astray, okay?

Ask Engadget: Best NAS / media streamer combo device? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best noise cancelling Bluetooth headset?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Jonathon, who’s currently preparing for a summer of fun with top dropped. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I’m looking for a Bluetooth headset with the best noise reduction. I’ve got a convertible and would like to be able to have a conversation with the top down (at least around town, highway would be fantastic but probably unrealistic). So, any thoughts and / or suggestions?”

BT headsets have come a long way since we first posted a similar question in 2005, so we suspect the answers here will be quite a bit different. Do you have a particular earpiece that you enjoy while cruising under the open skies? Don’t hold back on us, now.

Ask Engadget: Best noise cancelling Bluetooth headset? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best Skype phone for Europe?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Roland, who can’t wait to get his recently relocated sister some sort of phone with Skype capabilities.

“My sister recently moved to Belgium. She has access to WiFi at home, so I’d like to send her a mobile phone that can run a Skype client. Requirements are WiFi, can work on Belgian / European carriers, runs Skype, and has excellent battery life. Anyone have any suggestions?”

There’s nothing worse than not being able to communicate with someone when you desperately need to, so we’re hoping that our readers across the pond will be able to chime in here with a little advice. If you’ve got something productive to add, drop it down in comments below!

Ask Engadget: Best Skype phone for Europe? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best 13-inch laptop on the market?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Moe, who is dead-set on snagging a 13-inch machine just as soon as a model is decided upon. Help a brother out, won’t you?

“I’m in the market for a new laptop, and I want a 13-incher. I need something with a great keyboard for typing, as this will mostly be used for note taking in class. I am absolutely smitten with the XPS 13, but I’m afraid that with its age Dell is going to give it an update soon. Any advice for someone in my shoes? Thanks!”

There’s no doubt that an update is around the corner, but there’s no telling how far that corner is from being reached. USB 3.0 updates are unavoidable, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see a few new SSD options creep up, either. That said, there’s nothing quite like the here and now, so if any of you ultraportable owners wish to help out, you know where to head.

Ask Engadget: Best 13-inch laptop on the market? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best non-netbook laptop for around $400?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Todd, who’s looking to snap up a solid cheap laptop (for his father-in-law, no less!) before that fateful Friday in December. Have a look below and hand out some Christmas cheer, won’t you?

“My father-in-law is heading back to school in the spring and wants a laptop for Christmas. The only catch is their budget is around $400 and he does not want a netbook. He’s not very “tech savvy” at all and doesn’t need a hoss of a machine (not that $400 could get you one). We would like to get it for him as soon as possible and would love some input. Thanks for any help and Happy Holidays!”

We’ve already penned our laptop gift guide for 2009, but we understand the desire to get more input for this particular scenario. It’s tough to find a sub-$400 machine that’s not a netbook (and not a total heap), but we’re confident that one or two gems are out there. Spill it if you know it, cool?

Ask Engadget: Best non-netbook laptop for around $400? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best geotagging camera or solution?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from James, who needs more geotagging in his life for reasons that are far too personal to share. That said, we have to confess that we’re curious…

“I am looking for the best geotagging camera currently available. The most important feature for me is the accuracy of the GPS module, so any hard specs on satellite receiver would be really useful. Thanks for your time!”

Short and sweet, precisely how we like it. We’re also expanding the question to include geotagging accessories, being that it may actually be best to snag a well-respected standalone camera and then add something like the PhotoTrackr Mini — besides, this will ensure that you can upgrade cameras whenever you darn well please without losing the geotagging abilities. Shout out your recommendations in comments below!

Ask Engadget: Best geotagging camera or solution? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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