“With its enhanced iTunes video offerings, PC-free operation, and a lower price tag,” John P. Falcone (CNET) concludes that “the updated Apple TV is a compelling Internet-enabled entertainment device for the living room” and awards the product an Excellent 8.0 out of 10 rating.

Mike Wendland (Detroit Free Press) was “impressed but skeptical” at first. But the skepticism quickly passed after he had the opportunity to take MacBook Air out for a flight test. It’s “an absolute delight to look at and to use,” but it’s “the convenience of the MacBook Air that I think has been underreported,” Wendland observes. “For the corporate worker who runs from meeting to meeting, this is the gadget you want. It’s not much bigger than a legal pad in a binder. And, with Wi-Fi now being standard in most of the corporate world, you have full access to your calendar, your address book, e-mail and the Internet, so you’re never out of touch.”

Christopher Breen (macworld.com) takes us on a tour of Apple TV that begins with downloading the software update and ends with the big question—”How’s it look?” To which Breen responds, “Darned good.” After renting Live Free or Die Hard. Breen reports that “ the picture is great on my 42-inch Panasonic plasma display. With a digital audio cable connected to my AV receiver the movie caused the receiver’s 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio light to glow and the resulting sound was bigger than anything I’ve heard come out of the box previously.”

From Breakfast At Tiffany’s to Once to Shakespeare in Love, you’ll find plenty of perfectly romantic titles to rent from iTunes. And now that the Apple TV software update is available, you can browse, choose, and rent your Valentine’s evening movie right from a cozy corner of your sofa. Come see how easy it is to update your Apple TV.

Apple today introduced Aperture 2, the next major release of its groundbreaking photo editing and management software. Featuring an improved interface, faster browsing, and enhanced image processing, Aperture 2 delivers more than 100 new features that make it faster, easier to use, and more powerful than ever. Thanks to its new low price of $199, anyone can easily organize, edit, and publish photos like a pro. Owners of previous versions of the software can upgrade to Aperture 2 for just $99.

“Bento,” says Stephen H. Wildstrom (businessweek.com) “takes the essence of FileMaker Pro, a database-management program aimed at small- and midsize businesses, and marries it to Mac’s new Leopard operating system. The result is a powerful organizing tool anyone can use.”

“Even after being on the market for less than half a year,” reports Nancy Gohring (IDG News Service), “more iPhones sold in the fourth quarter than Windows Mobile phones in the U.S., according to research from Canalys.” The research suggest that “iPhone had 28 percent of the U.S. converged-device market in the fourth quarter of 2007” with Research in Motion coming in with 41% and Windows Mobile phones with a 21% share.

After months of silence, Bob Levitus (Houston Chronicle) wanted to “share my opinion of iPhone after seven months of heavy use.” After saying that he couldn’t “imagine living without one” way back in July, Levitus adds “that is still true today, as well.” Seven months later, he says, “I believe the iPhone is the best darn mobile phone money can buy.” “Where else,” he wonders, could “can you find a world-class phone, plus video, audio, Web and e-mail, all in a single hand-held device with an intuitive user interface?”

Customers who’d like to carry more music, photos, and videos with them now have new models of iPhone and iPod touch with double the memory from which to choose. The revolutionary iPhone now comes in a new 16GB model for $499. It joins the 8GB model for $399. And the iPod touch now comes in a new 32GB model for $499. It joins the 16GB and 8GB models for $399 and $299, respectively.

You have an upcoming meeting with a colleague who works clear across town. Wouldn’t it be great if you could get directions to her office in just a few seconds? Thanks to the tight integration between Address Book and Google Maps, you can. Find out how by watching the latest Quick Tip of the Week.