Three hours of prime television real estate reaching a global audience of up to a billion people, with guaranteed international press coverage and an Oscar-wining director in charge to boot is worth a lot.

BBC: Was the opening ceremony worth ?27m?

The political connections that earned Goldman the sobriquet Government Sachs have been loosened by the crisis. (Jon Corzine, pictured right above, who was appointed Goldman's CEO in 1994, was for a while governor of New Jersey and his successor, Henry Paulson, left, went on to become President George Bush's treasury secretary.) A press that once put Goldman on a pedestal prefers today to put the boot in.

ECONOMIST: The firm that came to dominate world finance

The backside has a rubbery, soft-touch finish that's easy to press your fingers up against. (It also hides fingerprints and looks good, to boot, so that's a plus.) Additionally, there's some slight beveling on the front side of the device around the display -- just enough that there's a little groove where you can rest your thumbs.

ENGADGET: Vizio Tablet PC hands-on (update: now with video) Hands-on