Answers to your Analog to Digital Transition questions, simple and EZ to understand. We have advice and free information about converter boxes and the latest in Digital Technology.

Combing through hundreds of blog posts and news articles daily, Dirk Klingner, our technology-trend watcher, sifts through the noise to bring you the tech news most important to consumers. If you have a tip on a story you want to share, leave a comment below.

Upload and store your files in the cloud with Google Docs (The Official Google Docs Blog)

We're happy to announce that over the next few weeks we will be rolling out the ability to upload, store and organize any type of file in Google Docs. With this change, you'll be able to upload and access your files from any computer — all you need is an Internet connection.

Facebook Payments Operation Could Rival Paypal (Adotas)

As it aims for a larger slice of the virtual goods pie and possibly step on PayPal’s turf, Facebook has put up notice that it is building a “payments operation” team and looking for a strategist and a payment and risks specialist.

iPhone as RFID Tag & Reader: Coming Soon (ReadWriteWeb)

…According to a number of believable blog reports, RFID is set to be a part of the as yet unannounced iPhone 4G. Apple holds a patent for a touch screen RFID tag reader and is said to be testing an RFID-enabled iPhone currently. So RFID could be a feature of the iPhone 4G as soon as Spring 2010.

Facebook: Replying to Comments through Email (Facebook Blog)

… Today, we're launching the ability for you to participate in these conversations by replying directly to these email notifications. When you receive an email notification about comments, you can just click "Reply" and start typing a comment at the top of the email. Then hit "Send" from your email and your reply will automatically be added as a comment on Facebook without you having to even log in.

McAfee in deal to power Facebook security ops (Cnet)

…"Facebook is applying all financial incentives from this partnership to the benefit of its users and will not be taking a share of any revenue from user subscriptions," a release explained. McAfee has also developed a free tool for Facebook users to clean their hard drives in the event that their Facebook accounts are compromised through a malicious attack.

Lighter Side: Animals Watch the Darndest Things (Urlesque)

…Dog Watching Cat-Buddy On YouTube Seriously, priceless. The doggie keeps checking back to make sure the cat is still on the couch in the same room, then returning to the video, then returning to the cat. Good boy!

Netflix streaming movies will soon be available on the Nintendo Wii, which will join Microsoft's Xbox 360 and the Sony Playstation 3 as video game consoles that can now double as movie machines. The deal was announced last night on the official Netflix blog.

We've seen reports suggesting that there are some 26 million Wii owners—more than any other game console—so this opens up a new market for Netflix. Streaming services will be available to Netflix subscribers with any $9-a-month and up unlimited plan. The Wii will need to be used with a special disc (available free from Netflix) to provide instant streaming. That's the same setup currently used with the PS3.

One drawback is that the Wii doesn't provide true HD. 480p, what we call DVD quality, is the highest resolution it can handle. But most streaming content isn't in HD yet, and much of the stuff that purports to be high-def looks more like DVD quality in our experience.

Netflix will be available on the Wii sometime this spring. There's no definite date yet, but you can sign up to be notified when it's here.

—Eileen McCooey

As Google battles new problems with its controversial Chinese service, it’s also facing unrest at home from owners of the new HTC Nexus One, its first smart phone.

The device is having problems with calls crashing as well as with holding data connections to T-Mobile's 3G network. And as I feared, the search giant’s inexperience with customer service—this is Google's first consumer device—is showing in how it’s choosing to handle the problems.

So far, only T-Mobile tepidly acknowledged there's a problem with the Nexus One on one of its forums, promising that both it and Google "are investigating this issue and hope to have more information soon." The only assistance the company provides is a rather Spartan tech-support page that lacks any link to a live help for technical assistance from Google. Your only complaint options are to send and e-mail to tech support, wander through Google's help forum, or link out to T-Mobile's and HTC's support sites. According to complaints on the Google support forum, neither HTC nor T-Mobile are much help, as they often bounce complainers to the other two parties.

My advice: If you're thinking of buying this impressive phone, wait until Google and T-Mobile resolve these technical issues and, more importantly, revamp their technical support infrastructure to better deal with such problems in the future. If you have a Nexus One with T-Mobile contract that’s acting up, try to return it as soon as possible because Google imposes a $350 early-termination fee (as many retailers do) on top of the $200 fee T-Mobile charges for phones returned after 14 days. 

That means that malfunctioning Nexus One could end up costing you an astounding $729.

—Mike Gikas

Update: We're currently testing an unlocked Nexus One running on the T-Mobile network. Our engineers report they haven't experienced any problems with the phone.

Sony's XBR LX900-series models are flagship
3D sets that come with two pairs of 3D glasses.
Photo: Sony

Although its biggest splash was reserved for 3D TVs, at CES Sony rolled out an extensive 38-model, 12-series Bravia LCD TV lineup for 2010, most with LED backlights, new video processing technology, and DLNA compliance, a standard that allows entertainment devices in the home to share content across a home network.

About a quarter of the sets sport a new “monolithic” design that features an unobstructed front panel (with no inputs and concealed touch sensors instead of buttons), a combination of matte and glossy finishes, and edge-to-edge front-panel glass. These models can be tilted back at a six-degree upward slant for a better viewing angle.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the new series, staring with the new XBR LX900 flagship model:

3D/3D-ready LED models
Bravia XBR-LX900: These flagship XBR sets, in 60-, 52-, 46-, and 40-inch screen sizes, are 3D models that come with two pairs of active 3D shutter glasses and a built-in 3D transmitter. Other features include the monolithic design, edge LED backlights, and Motionflow PRO 240Hz technology. These sets also have integrated Wi-Fi, and are DLNA compliant to work with other devices on a network. They’re also Internet models with access to Sony’s Bravia Internet Video and widget online services.

LX900 models also use Sony’s Intelligent Presence Sensor with face detection, a version of a technology we first saw on the company’s VE5-series of "eco" TVs. The feature can detect if you've stepped away from the TV or are not watching the screen and automatically dim the backlight. After an extended period, the TV will shut off completely if no motion is detected. In addition, a new “position-control” feature can determine a user’s viewing position and optimize the video/sound balance, while a Distance Alert feature is designed to keep small children at an eye-friendly distance, according to the company's literature.

Bravia XBR-HX900: These 3D-ready models (the active shutter glasses and transmitter are optional) are available in 52- and 46-inch screen sizes, and use a full-array LED backlight with local dimming. The sets also have the monolithic design, Motionflow PRO 240Hz, and an ambient sensor that optimizes the TV’s color and brightness according to the room lighting. The set is an Internet model with access to Bravia Internet Video and widget services, and is DLNA compliant.

Bravia KDL-HX800: Like the XBR sets, these TVs, in 55-, 46- and 40-inch screen sizes, will be available in the summer. The sets are 3D-ready, and have Motionflow PRO 240Hz, the ambient sensor, Sony’s online services, and are DLNA compliant.

Other LED models
Bravia KDL-NX800 sets, in 60- ($4,000), 52- ($3,200, and 46-inch ($2,800) screen sizes, are edge LED models that arrive in March with the monolithic design, Motionflow 240Hz technology, access to Sony’s online services for Smooth Motion, and integrated Wi-Fi wireless network capabilities. The sets are also DLNA compliant.

Bravia KDL-NX700: These models, in 46- ($2,600) and 40-inch ($2,100) screen sizes, are edge LED sets that are similar to above, but with Motionflow 120 technology.

BRAVIA KDL-EX700: These are edge LED backlit sets with Motionflow 120Hz technology, plus the presence and ambience sensors, access to Sony’s online services, and DLNA compliance, but not the integrated Wi-Fi. The sets are available in March in 60- ($3,900), 52- ($2,800), 46- ($2,200), 40- ($1,700), and 32-inch ($1,100) screen sizes.

Bravia KDL-EX600: These are entry-level LED-backlit models, which lack 120Hz technology and access to online content, but have the ambient sensor. The sets are also available in March, in 46- ($1,900), 40- ($1,400), and 32-inch ($800) screen sizes.

LCD TVs with fluorescent backlights
Bravia KDL-EX500: These CCFL backlit LCD TVs, available in February, have Motionflow 120Hz technology and the ambient sensor. They come in 60- ($3,300), 55- ($2,400), 46- ($1,600), 40- ($1,100), and 32-inch ($800) screen sizes.

Sony has four other series of CCFL-backlit models. The Bravia EX40B series, available in May in 40- ($1,000) and 32-inch ($800) screen sizes, is notable for its built-in Blu-ray disc player and access to online services. The Bravia EX 400 series, available next month in 46- ($1,200) 40- ($800), and 32-inch ($600) screen sizes, is Sony’s entry-level 1080p line.

Sony is offering 720p sets in two new series of smaller-sized sets that will be available in March. The Bravia EX308 series, in 32- ($530) and 22-inch ($380) screen sizes, has access to Sony’s online services and widgets, and its DLNA compliant. The entry-level Bravia BX300 series–$500 for a 32-inch model and $350 for a 22-inch set lacks both those features.

—James K. Willcox