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If you're still using a corded mouse, it's time to get with the 21st century. One-deal-a-day site Yugster has a Targus wireless rodent for just $6.95, plus five bucks for shipping. It's a refurb with a 90-day warranty.

This three-button optical scroll mouse relies on RF technology (meaning no line of sight required) to communicate with its USB dongle. When the rechargeable battery gets low, you simply connect the mouse to the dongle using the included cable. You can, of course, continue using it while it's charging. There's also a USB extension cable so desktop users don't have to reach behind their PCs every time they want to plug and unplug the dongle.

Of course, this is really more of a travel mouse, one for notebook users whose machines lack built-in Bluetooth. (If yours has built-in Bluetooth, look for a Bluetooth mouse instead, one that doesn't require a full-time dongle.) At $11.95 shipped, it's a hard bargain to beat (it sells new for $29.95). Act fast: The offer expires at midnight today.

Just in time for the holidays, TiVo's making some temporary changes to its service fee structure. For new TiVo buyers from now through February 2, 2008, service choices are as follows:

• 1 year monthly service: now $12.95/month (originally $16.95)
• 1 year prepay service: $129 (originally $179)
• 2 year prepay service: $249 (originally $279)
• 3 year prepay service: $299 (unchanged)

To reiterate: those pricing discounts apply only to new TiVo customers (including those who've purchased in the past 30 days); existing customers won't see any changes to their bill. However, TiVo does have an offer for current customers: the return of the lifetime service fee. Existing customers (who already own at least one TiVo DVR) who buy an additional TiVo on the same account can opt for a one-shot product lifetime service fee for that new DVR for $399. That's $100 more than the equivalent plan that was offered by the company until last year.

Additionally, TiVo is making what it calls a "permanent change" to its multiservice discount (the service price paid for up to five additional TiVos on the same account). Subscribers can choose between a $9.95 monthly charge or a $99 yearly prepay (per DVR).

I know that no one's going to be terribly shocked by this, but I thought I'd point it out, just in case you missed it. Engadget HD, after another stroll through AVS Forum's message boards, is reporting on how Circuit City, Wal-Mart Stores, and Amazon.com have reduced the price of Toshiba's HD-A2 HD DVD player to $198 (Amazon's deal includes free shipping).

This kind of price drop on standalone HD DVD players has been widely expected, and we think you may see $180 by Black Friday. Of course, if you're an Xbox 360 owner, you can pick up the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player for $180 right now. But we're talking standalone player here, and the HD-A2's as cheap as you get.

Other bloggers have pointed out that Toshiba's entry-level model only does 720p/1080i, not 1080p. But that's not really the end of the world, since it's really hard to tell the difference between 1080p and 720p/1080i, anyway, especially if your TV doesn't do 1080p (insert wink).

The big question is whether $200 (or $180, for that matter) is the magic price point that's going to make HD DVD players fly off the shelves this holiday season and leave Blu-ray Disc backers wondering how they squandered the big lead. Or can Sony hold its own with its $400 PlayStation 3 and watch as the price for HD DVD players erodes further? Who's holding out for $100? $79? $49? Free?

Despite the dream of an "ultimate handheld," it's really hard to get down to fewer than two portable devices. A Treo may do it all, but you still want an iPod; an iPhone is great, but you still need a BlackBerry for work; you like to listen to your iPod while playing your PSP or DS; and so on. Even those who do manage to get down to one super smart phone often have a Bluetooth headset to go along with it. And traveling with two devices means taking two power adapters along. Or at least it did--until the Belkin Dual USB Power Adapter came along.

Like a gaggle of other brands (Apple included), Belkin makes an iPod power adapter--basically just an AC transformer with a USB port on it. The company's Dual USB Power Adapter is essentially the same thing, but with a second USB port. As such, it can charge two USB-powered devices simultaneously. Belkin throws in an iPod-charging cable (with the standard 30-pin connector) as well as a second cable that terminates with a mini-USB jack. The latter one will work with a large range of smart phones--including most BlackBerry models--and other devices. For instance, I had no problems charging an iPod Nano along with a BlackBerry Pearl, Sprint Mogul, or Motorola H500 Bluetooth headset using both of Belkin's cables. Any other 5-volt USB-powered devices should work just as well, but it's up to you to provide your own cables if it doesn't have a mini-USB input. I was able to charge a Sprint VM-A680, Palm Treo 650, Sony PSP, and Nintendo DS Lite--two at a time--with a variety of third-party cables.

The Dual USB Power Adapter is about 1.5 times the size of the tiny Apple iPod USB adapter (MB051LL/A). It has the same folding power prongs as the familiar Apple model and weighs just 2.5 ounces, so it travels well in a suitcase or backpack. The Belkin is rated for international voltage standards (100-240v, 50-60Hz input), so it should work anywhere in the world--with the proper plug adapter, of course. About the only real problem with it is the blue indicator light--it's bright enough to double as a night-light in a darkened bedroom or hotel room. But that's easily corrected with a small bit of electrical tape.

Otherwise, the worst thing to be said about this power adapter is that it only has two USB ports--three, four, or even more would've been even better. But two ports is still twice as many as you'll find on any other AC adapter, and that makes the Belkin Dual USB Power Adapter a great buy--especially when you consider that it's widely available below its already modest $30 list price.

The Xbox 360 is getting to be a better deal all the time. Hot off the news of a price drop, Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox 360 Premium--which now retails for $350--now includes an HDMI output. The confirmation comes after Shacknews posted photos of a newly purchased Xbox 360 with the telltale port, essentially proving that the rumored upgrade was already available in stores.

So what's the big deal? HDMI provides a single-cable, all-digital connection to compatible HDTVs and AV receivers, delivering far fewer wires, higher quality, and better 1080p compatibility than the combination of component video and analog or digital audio cables. (More on component versus HDMI.) HDMI is available on all PlayStation 3 models, but Microsoft had previously made it a step-up feature, requiring users to purchase the more expensive Xbox 360 Elite, which debuted just a few months ago.

Do the new 360s also include the cooler-running 65nm CPUs and quieter DVD drives that have also been long-rumored? Microsoft isn't saying. When interviewed by GameSpot, the company representative said only, "We are constantly updating the console's more than 1,700 internal components and therefore will not comment on details of specific components or manufacturing processes." The new CPUs are a crucial detail: the current heat-intensive 90nm chips are said to be a major contributor to the Xbox 360's high failure rate, which has dogged the popular console with a high return rate and accompanying customer service headaches.

The HDMI-equipped 360s have already begun to hit the retail channel. They're distinguishable from their HDMI-less predecessors by an HDMI logo on the box. (Online shoppers, presumably, may need to haggle with their e-tailer of choice to guarantee an HDMI-enabled model.) Microsoft further stressed that it "has not announced any plans" to add HDMI to the $280 Xbox 360 Core system. That's yet another reason to avoid that entry-level model; unlike the other three Xbox 360 models (the $350 Xbox 360 Premium, $400 Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition (due in September), and the $450 Xbox 360 Elite), the Core system lacks a hard drive, wireless controller, and--now--HDMI output.

So, is it time for you to finally pick up an Xbox 360? The price drop and HDMI output is certainly a nice one-two incentive, especially with the likes of Bioshock and Halo 3 hitting in just a few weeks. But savvy shoppers looking for an even better deal might want to hold out until later this year, until we find out when (or if) we'll see that cooler--and presumably more stable--CPU.

After weeks of credible rumors, Microsoft finally made it official: the Xbox 360 will be cheaper as of August 8. The new price points are as follows:

• Xbox 360 Core: The cheapest 360 drops just $20, to $280. But since it still doesn't come with a hard drive--which will cost you at least $100--you're much better stepping up to the Premium version (see below).
• Xbox 360 Premium: The sweet spot in the Xbox 360 lineup drops $50, to $350. If you don't need HDMI output and you're not planning on downloading a lot of videos, this is the ideal version of the 360.
• Xbox 360 Elite: The flagship 360 version drops $30, to $450. It adds HDMI output, a larger 120GB hard drive, and it's finished in black (unlike its bone-white underlings).

In addition, Microsoft confirmed the details of the Halo 3 Special Edition Console announced at last month's E3. Available in September for $400, it's basically a green version of the Premium model (20GB hard drive, wireless controller, Xbox Live headset, Play & Charge Kit) that also supports HDMI output. But Halo 3 isn't included in the box--you'll need to purchase Master Chief's latest adventure separately when it hits stores on September 25.

For now, these pricing changes are only applicable in the U.S. The cuts come in advance of some hotly anticipated games for the late summer and fall, including Madden 08, Bioshock, Halo 3, and Mass Effect (the latter three being console exclusives to the 360). Simultaneously, Microsoft is on the defensive regarding continued reliability problems and repair snafus with its gaming hardware.

After months of breathless anticipation, it's finally here. Today marks the launch of Apple's vaunted new iPhone, the trifecta of mobile technology: a cell phone, iPod, and Internet communications device all in one. By now, some of you can probably recite the iPhone specs by heart, including the fact that you'll need an iTunes account to activate and sync your iPhone. However, if you're looking to get your hands on one of these beauties, you'll have to sign up for a two-year contract, shell out $499 for the 4GB version ($599 for the 8GB version), and fight the throngs of Apple fanboys at your local Apple Store or AT&T Store, as the iPhone won't be available for sale online in the initial launch period. Not to fret, though, check out our iPhone Hot Topic page for the latest news, blogs, and applications for the iPhone.

Digital picture frames have been around for a while, but they just don't seem to have taken off in the way I had expected. I suppose it can be chalked up to their seeming like more of a novelty than the sort of pragmatic sort of technology that one would think of, like an MP3 player, but one has to admit they're pretty darn cool. If you've been thinking about picking one of these up, now's your chance as you can get the Samsung SPF-72H Digital Picture Frame for only $129.99 after a $20 rebate from Buy.com.

Many years ago, I was unfortunate enough to experience one of life's grandest tragedies. Well worn, and battle scared my television decided to change occupations and become a paper weight. Almost immediately I noticed that my house had become engulfed in an eldritch silence. Emergency plans were created and deployed. I tried going outside, and even reading a book, but nothing could fill the void left by the loss of my glowing friend. I only wish I had an opportunity to replace it with one of the many, increasingly affordable, plasma TV delights such as the Pioneer PDP-5070HD. Fortunately, I can take solace in the knowledge that when my current TV take that trip to the next world, I'll have a plethora of options from which to choose.