Brian Dunn, who is set to become Best Buy’s CEO next week, has his own example of what it means to be connected in today’s digital age.

When he was visiting London a few weeks ago, Dunn watched the L.A. Lakers take on the Utah Jazz in the NBA playoffs on his notebook computer.  His three sons, who are also big basketball fans, were watching the game on TV at home, Dunn said.  They kept in touch using Skype to have a video chat.

As Dunn told Reuters, the boys were whispering to him, worried that their mother would hear that they were up too late.

“I’m across the Atlantic, but I’m connected to my sons, watching the game.  It’s like the most pristine example I have right now of what this connected world means for people.”

Maybe if more people tried to stay connected it could drive sales at Best Buy.  The retailer’s first-quarter revenue rose less than Wall Street expected and its shares fell on Tuesday.

(Reuters photo)

Best Buy is looking to lure more consumers with a “Blue Label” series of products that initially includes laptops and is expected to expand to other product lines.

The retailer has started selling two notebook computers made by Hewlett-Packard and Toshiba that include features consumers had asked for, such as a lighter-weight design, backlit keyboard and longer warranty.

Specifically, the two new notebooks are thinner than 1.5 inches, weigh less than five pounds and come with a two-year warranty.

Best Buy worked directly with Hewlett and Toshiba (whose computer is pictured) in developing the products, which are primarily intended for the second- or third-time laptop buyer. Both notebooks retail for $1,199 and are only available at Best Buy.

“This is definitely something that we want to have a broader footprint across our store,” said Jason Bonfig, Best Buy vice president of notebook computing. He said it was too early to say what other electronics categories could get Blue Label products.

(Photo: Best Buy)

Check out how designers at New York’s Fashion Week are using technology for inspiration, on the runway, behind the scenes and for business.

In its most obvious cameo, technology showed up at Vivienne Tam’s Spring 2009 show on Tuesday, where models sashayed down the runway clutching slim, red HP notebook computers instead of evening bags.

The limited-edition computer, which she called a “digital clutch,” featured the Tam collection’s signature red peony print on its cover. It will be available early next year, sometime around the Chinese New Year, Tam told a Reuters reporter backstage before her show Tuesday night.

She added that the peony’s petals on the laptop cover symbolize multi-tasking, which is synonymous with being a woman in today’s tech-oriented society she said.

HP said it’s the first time a fashion designer has partnered with a computer company, though others are teaming up with mobile phone companies.

LG Mobile Phones said on Thursday it is partnering with budding fashion designer Christian Siriano, who made the media spotlight for winning Season Four of Bravo television’s popular reality show “Project Runway”.

At Siriano’s fashion show on Thursday, he will show a scarf designed for LG’s newest phone, the LG Lotus.

Polo Ralph Lauren Corp recently unveiled a mobile phone technology that allows consumers to scan barcodes found in magazine ads and shop from their phones.

Other designer houses, including Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, and Zac Posen, are now using technology offered by Fashion GPS, which uses global positioning technology to keep track of inventory and samples. DKNY also used a barcode technology for invitations and seating for its fashion show, asking guests to r.s.v.p. on line and then scanning their invites at the show.

But Karan did have some uninvited guests, so maybe the system is still evolving.

Depending on how you look at it, technological advances can both help and hurt our free time. On one hand, it gives us more time to do the things we love, like shopping and going to fashion shows. But it also means we can now work from cocktail parties and black-tie events without toting a clunky computer.

(With reporting by Jan Paschal and Michelle Nichols)

Also in the basket:

Accessories playing big at New York’s Fashion Week

Walgreen sues San Francisco over tobacco sale ban

Designers say “green” fashion sustainable

 Retailers reprogram workers in efficiency push — WSJ (subscription required)

(Photo: Courtesy of HP/Vivienne Tam)