Gadgets

Days after the release of the Lumia 928 on Verizon, Nokia introduced yet another premium flagship Windows Phone, the Nokia Lumia 925. The latest Lumia, available in gray and black metallic colors, replaces the plastic polycarbonate backing of its predecessors with a slim aluminum body that weighs just .3 pounds.

Like the 928, the Lumia 925's camera is the most standout feature, with some of the best specs on the market. But Nokia's new Windows Phone adds exclusive video photography apps in addition to its PureView camera lens technology to position the device as the ultimate mobile media creator.

Instagram is still missing from the budding Windows Phone OS platform — but can high-quality photo app alternatives and advanced camera technology make up for it? Meet the Lumia 925's built-in media apps and check out all the tech specs after the break.

Don't text and drive, but do tech and drive. We got behind the wheel of the new 2014 Lexus IS, which showed us how technology is making cars safer than ever. The biggest takeaway? Blind spots and backing up are no longer a driver's worst enemy.

Radars and intelligent cameras scan the road all around the Lexus IS, giving road warriors an extra set of eyes in hard-to-see areas. The sports sedan, which arrives this Summer, comes with a lot of bells and whistles, including the most comfortable seats we've ever sat in, subscription-free traffic and weather information, and a crazy-looking spindle grill — but it was these advanced safety features that caught our eye:

• Blind Spot Monitor System — Vehicles in adjacent lanes are detected using what's called a "quasi-millimeter wave radar," which sends out electromagnetic wavelengths to see if an approaching car is getting too close for comfort. As we cruised along the highway, an icon in the left and right rearview mirrors lit up every time another vehicle zoomed by. When the turn signal is activated, the mirror indicator will blink to catch the driver's attention.
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert — The same "quasi-millimeter wave radar" technology is used to sense oncoming vehicles when backing out of a parking space. But in addition to seeing the blinking mirror icon, an approaching car will set off an audio alert.
• Lane Departure Alert — Getting behind the wheel when you're tired can be just as dangerous as texting while driving. While the Lexus IS can't wake a driver up if he or she is dozing off, the sedan does have a lane departure alert system, which uses a front-facing camera on the dashboard to recognize where the lane begins and ends. If the vehicle appears to be deviating from the lane, then an icon flashes on the dashboard right in front of the driver and sounds off an alert tone. That same camera can detect oncoming cars at night and dim the high beams if they are already activated.

You know to drive cautiously, but it's nice to know that when our own senses fail, technology will be there to step in. The 2014 Lexus IS, which is considered an "entry-level luxury vehicle," is available in three different models: the IS 250 (starts at $35,950), the IS 350 (starts at around $39,465), and the IS 350 F-Sport RWD (around $50,000). Let us know if you'll be behind the wheel of the new Lexus IS this Summer, and check out the sporty, all-seeing sedan after the break.

If mom loves sinking into a good story, get her a gift that'll keep the pages turning time and time again. Bookworms and speed-readers have found literary nirvana in ereaders, which can store thousands of books, magazines, and various media (and then some).

Barnes and Noble's Nook HD and HD+ and Amazon's seven-inch Kindle Fire HD are now on sale through Mother's Day, May 12, which means that it may be the perfect opportunity to get your mum the ultimate tech companion for travel and downtime.

Check out the discounted prices for the three seven-inch tablet/ereaders after the break.

To the bona fide iPhonians who have held on to their original 2007 iPhones to present day, we applaud you. You are not easily distracted by shiny new toys, nor swayed by claims of "bigger, faster, stronger"! You remain steadfast in your commitment to use phones until they cease to work, and you have miraculously kept the phone in one piece for the past six years.

Unfortunately, Apple's very first mobile device, distinguished by its two-toned silver and black backing, will become obsolete on June 11. The first-generation iPhone has not been able to update to newer versions of iOS for years, but Apple is finally putting its foot down and deeming the iPhone 1 a "vintage" product, which means Apple retail stores will no longer service the original iPhone.

Just in case some unfortunate event befalls your ol' iPhone, there are plenty of ways to patch it up. After the original iPhone reaches totally hip "vintage" status this Summer, turn to one of these alternatives for repairs, or try your hand at a do-it-yourself fix!

• iFixit — With 12 different guides that cover everything from replacing the SIM card to swapping out the battery, iFixit is the most comprehensive online directory for DIY iPhone repairs. Each step-by-step guide also includes a list of tools specific to mobile repair and where to buy them.
• Mission Repair — This one-stop shop will fix hardware issues like cracked glass and perform full diagnostic repairs.
• Tech Restore — This warehouse offers screens, system repairs, and various replacement parts. Do your own fixin' with Tech Restore's PDF take-apart guides.
• iPhone4Parts — The site offers replacements for speakers, mics, and chassis. There's also a complete front glass assembly for cracked screens.

We've all been there: Game of Thrones season three leads to procrastination, procrastination leads to last-minute late-night cram sessions, which lead to frustration and anger, which leads to hate. But seriously, if you're in emergency finals study mode, we've got a pro tip to maximize your study time.

What you'll need:

• An iPad, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro (2011 or later), or iMac
• An Apple TV
• A big-screen TV
• An Internet connection

Use AirPlay Mirroring to display study guides with the group or put research and word documents side by side for a superproductive paper-writing session. Connect to AirPlay by turning on your Apple TV device and heading to System Preferences > Displays > Turn on mirroring. The Apple TV device will appear in the menu bar. Make sure your iOS device is running 4.3 or later and that both the laptop/iOS device and Apple TV are connected to the same WiFi network.

If you're reviewing material, then make sure that the audio is coming out of your HDTV by going to System Preferences > Sound > Output and selecting AirPlay.

Happy finals! Make sure you're eating right, getting plenty of sleep, and staying fit.

The next time you put on your headphones, take a break from the Billboard Top 100 and turn the dial to podcasts. Beyond a passing fad, this form of digital media offers audio and video episodes delivered to your device, often free of charge.

Whether you are new to the world of podcasts or an old pro, it can be both overwhelming and exciting to find a consistent favorite. Some podcasts are simply electronic companions to popular shows (NPR favorites, The Soup, etc.) while others exist only in the podcast medium, with cult-like followings. Follow these tips and tricks to navigate the sea of podcasts and uncover a treasure.

Your guide to podcasts after the break!