. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
Portable
Media Players
 If
your family photos are all digital, you’ve learned that it’s
somewhat awkward to gather everyone around a PC to look at
baby pictures. And while photo albums are nice, they tend to
be a little inflexible.
To bridge this gap, Intel and Microsoft are working on a new
breed of portable media players that can store and display
photos, videos and music. Think of it as an MP3 player with
built-in video.
Intel made the announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show
in Las Vegas. Along with chip-maker Intel, hardware companies
Samsung and ViewSonic will be manufacturing the hardware.
Based on Microsoft’s Media2Go software platform, the devices
will be able to connect to a PC or other USB-equipped device
and store the data using powerful MPEG-4 compression. The
pocket-sized units will emphasise battery life and
portability. |
| |
Device Lets
You Add Musical Memories to Visual Ones
 Reminiscing
over your glory days is more portable than ever and now it can
come with a soundtrack.
With Bantam’s sleek and tiny BA800, your
visual memories can be set to your favourite tunes with a
handy MP3/digital image hybrid device. At 2.8 ounces, the
BA800 weighs about as much as a cookie, but don’t let its
meagre mass fool you.
The 3.5 in. x 2.8 in. x 1.6 in. device
comes with 256 MB of installed memory (with a slot for
additional storage capacity) and is capable of 12 hours of
playback. Its 1.8 in. colour LCD screen displays not only JPEG
and TIFF formats, but BMP and GIF files as well.
When set in its cradle and downloading
images, the BA800 recharges its built-in lithium ion battery.
And if it wasn’t cool enough, users can change the colour of
BA800’s light-up casing in any of 256 available hues, keeping
musical memories wrapped up in their favorite colour. |
|
Simulated
Security Camera
 Include
all required batteries $4.00 Nothing deters thieves like the
feeling they’re being watched. For a fraction of the cost of a
real security camera, you can discourage thieves with this
remarkably lifelike simulated system. The camera features a
flashing indicator light and authentic cable, just like the real
thing. Yet it’s inexpensive and incredibly simple to install -
just insert two C-sized batteries and mount it to your wall.
|
|
Telephone-controlled Personal Robot
 Looking
for a way to really creep out the babysitter when you call to
check up? Instead of just calling, use Fujitsu’s new MARON-1
phone-controlled robot.
Think of MARON-1 as a combination spycam and
universal remote on wheels. Fully-programmable, you can order
the device to make regular rounds through your home taking
pictures and turning remote-controlled devices on and off with
its infrared port. Or it can act as a sentry by watching a
location for activity and sounding an alert or calling a preset
phone number if an intruder appears.
But the coolness really kicks in when you use
an image-capable cell phone to operate the robot directly. Sure,
you can drive it around using the phone’s keypad, and use the
big googly eyeball-looking cameras on top to check your
progress. Or you can program in the layout of your home and
simply order it to self-navigate from one destination to
another. Imagine the photos of your babysitter’s confused
discomfort when the MARON-1 trundles up to peer at her. You can
bet that will keep her from raiding the fridge — though you
might have trouble hiring her again.
While not yet available commercially, Fujitsu
premiered the robotic appliance at the Japan Robot Conference at
Osaka University. |
|
|
Digital
Caller ID Globe with Clock
 Know who’s calling from across the room - before
you get up to grab the phone! If you have Caller ID, the
caller’s name and the phone number scroll brilliantly inside
this globe - almost as if it’s floating in space. Read easily
from across the room, with just a glance - and decide whether or
not to answer the call without leaving your chair. This
innovative design also displays the time, date and other text
messages you choose - from holiday greetings to personal
messages and reminders.
Features:
· Caller ID memory stores up to 76 records
· Time and date display
· Display holiday greetings, daily messages or personal
greetings
· 100-year calendar
· Three user-programmable alert messages
· Visible night or day
· Automatic daylight savings time adjustment
· Battery back-up
Thanks to this easy-to-read display, you can enjoy your time at
home with fewer interruptions from unwanted calls. Memory backup
runs on one 9V battery (included). 7" diameter. |
|
Rechargeable
Table Lamp
 Enjoy the warm glow of a table lamp when you dine
outdoors. This rechargeable lamp powers and recharges from any
standard household outlet. Once fully charged, you can take it
outdoors, away from the outlet and enjoy up to eight hours of
light - or use it indoors as a desk lamp. A dimmer switch lets
you control the ambience- from bright and cheerful to cozy and
romantic! |
|
|
