gadget reviews

I test-drove Samsung's Galaxy Note II, a "phablet" (aka phone-tablet hybrid) that brings back a certain tech accessory, the stylus.

We'll see what the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas has in store for the phone industry next week, but until then, the Galaxy Note II is the leading (and so far, only) phablet in the market, having shipped 10 million units worldwide. The phone ($300 with a two-year contract on AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon; also available for varied prices on T-Mobile and US Cellular) has 4G LTE-capability, 1.6GHz quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, and up to 64GB user memory, which puts it on par with most smartphones — but it's the Galaxy Note II's larger-than-life 5.5-inch display that differentiates it from competitors.

At first glance, the phone looks huge. Samsung released a promo video of the device being used by LeBron James, whose giant pro-basketball-player hands don't exactly put things into perspective. But despite its large proportions, the phone was surprisingly easy to handle and slim enough to slip into most pockets and purses. Take a look at why we'd get the Samsung Galaxy Note II for ourselves and some thoughts on where the phablet needs improvement.

The tablet market is crowded, and with seemingly no slowdown to the quick pace that manufacturers churn out new gadgets, it's a confusing space to know where you're getting the most for your money. Hitting store shelves April 22, Samsung's new Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 is an almost perfect solution for a mix of Internet browsing, video watching, reading, and home entertainment control hub. For $250, the tablet comes with 8GB storage, dual-core processor, microSD card slot, and 3MP camera.

Compared to the high-quality cameras we've become used to on smartphones and the Apple iPad, the poor camera of this tablet might be a major point of contention for some. Still, after the week we spent with Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, there's a lot to love at a very attractive price point. Click through for our favorite features of Samsung's newest addition to their tablet family.

I couldn't get the Nokia Lumia 900 off my mind after getting a look at this year's CES, and now that I've spent a few days with it as my main device, it appears it was worth the wait. The Lumia 900 is a fantastic device for those who just can't get into Android and don't want to drop hundreds on an iPhone. The easy-to-use Windows OS is visually appealing, and paired with the Lumia 900's design, it's a match made in heaven.

Jumping on the Lumia 900 bandwagon is easy, but here are five features that will lure you in right off the bat.