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22 Gadgets in 25 Paragraphs

Barbara Fullerton
and
Jenny Levine

Library Hi Tech News

ISSN: 0741-9058

Article publication date: 1 June 2003

401
Article view Figure view Cited (19) cite article

Citation

Fullerton, B. and Levine, J. (2003), "22 Gadgets in 25 Paragraphs", Library Hi Tech News, Vol. 20 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/lhtn.2003.23920faf.001

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited

22 Gadgets in 25 Paragraphs

Barbara Fullerton and Jenny Levine

What gadgets affect your life? What gadgets can make your life simpler? Are you gadget-phobic? Aren't there too many gadgets already? How can you keep up with gadgets that are on the markets and the differences in versions? These are just some of the positive and negative questions that are asked about technology gadgets. However, you have to decide for yourself what gadgets you need to create a "user-friendly" atmosphere, whether it be at the office or home. Which gadgets can you do without? Which gadgets do you need that are relevant to your lifestyle? Once we purchased the Disk-on-a-key, we found it made life easier in the workplace and when we give presentations. The gadget helps move soft files from one computer to another computer. For home life, I enjoy the Go Video DVR. I can watch a CD and record a video at the same time. The following gadgets are examples of what could be used to help you maintain a "perceived lifestyle".

These days, when you hear the word "gadgets" you most likely think of PDAs, so let's start there. Never used a PDA or Pocket PC but would like to try it? The Toshiba Pocket PC e335 might be for you. This PDA provides high performance at a low price. Besides a calendar and address book, this color 64MB PDA has features to help you stay organized. Equipped with Windows Pocket PC 2002 operating system, this powerful PDA has Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer, and an e-book reader. It can also play audio and video files, and there is a USB port for plugging in a full size keyboard (www.csd.toshiba.com, $250).

PDAs are becoming mini-computers so when evaluating new ones, it is almost easier to ask what a specific model "doesn't" do, rather than what it "does" do. For example, the Garmin iQue 3600 combines Palm PDA capabilities with Garmin's specialty, Global Positioning System (GPS) functionality. What does that mean? Most PDAs can tell you something about the spot where you are standing, but only after you tell it where your two feet are planted. The iQue, however, already knows your approximate location because the embedded GPS receiver checks in with a satellite in Earth's orbit to find out. That also means you get full color maps for walking tours and voice-prompted driving directions so you can keep your eyes on the road. And while you're checking information about local restaurants, services, plays, or historic points of interest, you can listen to music because the iQue is also an MP3 player (www.garmin.com/products/iQue3600/, $589).

With these types of functionality built right into the device, PDAs are beginning to rival laptops because they are easier to store and carry. You can type letters, take notes, and write e-mail messages (even with graphics) using most PDAs these days, but now you can make them truly emulate laptops and even desktop computers. The Pitch Solo (Figure 1) lets you do this by acting as a gateway between your Pocket PC, Sony Clie, or Nokia Series 60 cell phone and a monitor, mouse, and keyboard. You can plug your PDA into it at the office and use it like a regular PC, then unplug your PDA and use it with just a keyboard on the train, then put it in your pocket for reading at the doctor's office. It is also handy for giving presentations because you can store the file on the Pitch Solo itself, without having to worry about connecting your PDA or laptop to someone else's projector. There's also a Pitch Duo version that uses Bluetooth to wirelessly connect your PDA so you don't have to worry about having the right cables (www.portsmith.com/products/presentation.shtml, $249 for the Solo, $279 for the Duo).

Figure 1 The Pitch Solo

These days you can get PDA-like functionality in cell phones, too. When companies combine these two devices in one, they like to call them "smartphones" and charge more money for them. Of course, you do get more for that heftier price tag. For example, the Nokia 3650 Smartphone (Figure 2) is one of the first smartphones available in the USA that includes multimedia software that allows the user to exchange photos, play music, and watch digital videos. It also has a built-in camera to capture and send images, as well as video capture and playback. A RealOne player provides streaming and downloaded media files with RealAudio and Real Video. The user sends pictures, video, and sound with Internet access via e-mail or MMS (multimedia messaging service). The smartphone has 4MB RAM, wireless messaging capability, speakers, and an XTML browser (www.nokia.com/nokia/0,,2273,00.html, $299).

Figure 2 Nokia 3650 Smartphone

Multimedia is already a big selling point for smartphones, in Asia and Europe. For example, the same company that makes the 3650 has also come up with the Nokia 6800 (Figure 3), a smartphone that concentrates more on texting than photos or video. This unique device flips open to reveal a full keyboard that lets you type long e-mails, instant message, write memos, or take notes much more efficiently. You can also listen to music while doing all of this using the built-in FM radio (www.nokia.com/nokia/0,,4486,00.html, price not set yet).

Figure 3 Nokia 6800

For a true combination PDA-slash-cell-phone, though, check out the forthcoming Hitachi Multimedia Communicator (Figure 4), a Pocket PC that incorporates cell phone functionality. You can place and receive phone calls using it, look up dates and addresses, take pictures with the integrated digital camera, or use the built-in, thumb-size keyboard to type messages. Although there is no music, it is the best of both worlds in terms of practicality. At least until the next latest and greatest model comes out next week (www.hitachi.com/, price not set yet).

Figure 4 Hitachi Multimedia Communicator

Multimedia gadgets are becoming popular in other areas besides PDAs and cell phones. How many people do you know who suddenly have DVD players? One of the next steps beyond simple DVD players is the Go Video DVR-5100, a DVD plus VCR combination that has a commercia- free recording feature. It plays videos, CDs, MP3s, CD-Rs and has Dolby digital sound output. It even lets you record a TV show while watching a DVD. Another feature is the ability to duplicate non-copy-protected DVDs to VHS in one easy step. It also has a child-lock to prevent unwanted changes in your programming, and the Go-Port for external serial connectivity to other devices like home controllers. It also has the ability to connect with PCs and other networked components. A cheaper version is the Model DVR-4300, although it does not have the ability to skip commercials or the ability to connect with PCs. And as of April 2003 Go-Video, established in 1984, officially separated from its parent, Sonicblue (www.govideo.com, $269 for the 5100, $199 for the 4300).

But what if you want to take your video with you? Several companies are gearing up to accommodate just such a wish. The Archos Multimedia Jukebox already plays MP3s and video on a handheld device (with up to a 20GB hard drive), but the color screen comes in at just 1.5 inches, too small for people who already have trouble reading tiny screens. RCA thinks its come up with a better solution, the RD2780 RCA LYRA Audio/Video Jukebox (Figure 5). Its main selling point is its 3.5-inch color screen, about the size of many PDA screens, except the viewing area is wider because you hold it horizontally rather than vertically. The 20GB hard drive will let you watch about 80 hours of TV shows, movies, or home videos, not to mention the photo album feature that lets you take thousands of pictures of your kids with you on business trips. You can even add more multimedia goodies on a CompactFlash card if 20GB just is not enough for the audio-video junkie in you (www.rca.com/) $399.

Figure 5 RD2780 RCA LYRA Audio/Video Jukebox

For those of us that want to take gigabytes of audio and video on the go but also create our own movies, Panasonic tries to grab our attention with the SV-AV30 (Figure 6). It lets you watch MPEG movies, play MP3 audio, and record voice memos while also letting you shoot digital pictures (640 480 resolution) and MPEG-4 videos. It even sports a two-inch color LCD screen that flips up to let you watch your videos and pictures. Alternatively, you can plug it into a regular television and show your masterpieces to others. All of this comes in a very small package, too – its dimensions are actually less than that of a business card, and it weighs just 3.5 ounces (without its battery) (www.panasonic.com/, $399).

Figure 6 SV-AV30

If all you want to do is shoot video and you do not want it to be obvious that this is what you are doing, then you may want to consider the Wireless Pencam (Figure 7). It looks like a regular pen but it transmits color video wirelessly to a receiver that can be plugged into a TV, VCR, or security monitor up to 200 feet away. Just click the top of the pen to turn it on and off, and voila – you have become an official spy. Of course, this could be a very bad thing in a library so use this one at your own risk (www.swann.com.au/products/security/pencam/pencam.htm, $330).

Figure 7 Wireless Pencam

If you do not need quite that much entertainment, you can dial back on the video and take audio with you in new and interesting ways. Take the Ideao WF-200 Wireless MP3 Player (Figure 8). Literally, take it … because you are going to need something to listen to music anyway, so why not just embed the MP3 player in the headphones anyway? It comes in two flavors – 64MB and 128MB, depending on how much music you want to carry with you. Of course, the big draw is the fact that the player and headphones are in the same package, so there is no annoying cord to get in your way (especially helpful for those who listen to music while working out and exercising) (www.ideao.com/wfmp3/, $129 for 64MB and $169 for $128MB).

Figure 8 Ideo WF-200 Wireless MP3 player

If listening to the radio is more your thing, Pogo wants to let you do just that in ways you have never been able to until now. Their new AM/FM YourWay Radio Recorder lets you record any broadcast and listen to it later. It looks like a standard MP3 player and you can use it like one, but for those people that miss their favorite news, sports, or talk radio shows, this handy, little gadget fills a big need. You can manually record your favorite shows, or you can program the Recorder to automatically grab daily or weekly programs. Then you can listen to them whenever you want or transfer them to your PC. Oh, and in an attempt to handle all of your audio needs, it is a voice recorder, too (www.pogoproducts.com/radio_yourway.html, $149/).

If you are reading this you are probably a librarian, and that means you love books. When we talk about gadgets and books, it is usually under the umbrella term "e-books," although we have not been talking about them as much lately. "Why" is a debate for a different article, but two companies are taking new shots at improving e-book hardware.

How about a computer with a dual screen? Created by Estari, Inc., the Dual Screen 2-VU (Figure 9) computer has been in creation for over four years. It has two full color screens (12 inch or 15 inch), runs on Microsoft Windows XP or 2000, a 30GB hard drive or higher, a Pentium4 processor, and a digital document management software package to manage data in any file format. This small laptop opens like a book, and allows you to view two files or documents simultaneously. The installed software is smart enough to know when the computer is in portrait mode to read like a book or in landscape mode to use like a traditional laptop. You can input text by using a virtual keyboard on the screen or connecting an actual keyboard. This computer will be expensive – $4,000 for a 13-inch screen or $6,000 for a 15-inch screen – but Estari is working on an inexpensive consumer version with 10-inch screens. Stay tuned and watch for this one! (www.estari.com/).

Figure 9 Dual Screen 2-VU

Matsushita, on the other hand, is trying to solve the problem of battery life that usually plagues hardware e-book readers. The company is introducing the Sigma in China later this year, a cheaper reader that runs for up to six months on just two AA-size batteries. Of course, that means no color screen and no bells and whistles, but how many of these do you really need on an e-book reader? The bigger question is how comfortable will it be to read blue text on a white screen. The Sigma also opens in a clamshell design to reveal two side-by-side screens (like the 2-VU), but it drains far less battery power because it only refreshes the screen when you "turn" the page, not every second like most other hardware devices with LCD screens. The whole thing only weighs 1lb, and it will include a secure digital (SD) card slot for adding content (www.mew.co.jp/, $250).

Another type of new laptop is the Tablet PC, and the Compaq Tablet TC 1000 is one of the first inexpensive versions introduced to the technology market. These tablets run on Windows XP and are very flexible. The Compaq's speed is about 1GHz with a hard drive memory of 30-60GB, and a long-life battery. The magic of the Tablet is that it contains a "digital ink" for writing directly on the screen, and it works as a laptop computer. The digital ink understands your handwriting and can then be transferred to a text document. Think of the tablet as the future Etch-a-Sketch. If you ever thought about wanting to write on your computer, this would be for you! (http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/tabletpc, price runs around $1,700).

And do not forget about digital cameras! Are you looking for a good digital camera without a lot of bells and whistles? When you are looking for one, check the specs from a variety of different brands. My search lead to the Canon family, specifically the family of models called the PowerShot. You can choose from a variety of models that will fit your needs, from the high end to the "point and shoot" cameras. Regardless of how you use the camera, each one produces a high quality photo. Even the lower megapixel versions give the user a nice photo (remember, the higher the pixel the better the quality of the photo). All cameras have a direct print mode and digital zoom lenses. I love the slick body and the G&A Series have a wonderful hand grip. The high-end cameras will be the most expensive product, but you can compare prices at http://cnet.shopper.com (www.powershot.com).

Then there is all of the smaller gadgets that can be considered just plain fun, depending on how much of a gadget geek you are. For example, the flexible S-shaped product called the Flylight plugs into the USB port of a laptop and provides extra illumination while operating on less than 90 seconds per hour of battery. The LED lasts more than 100,000 hours and it comes with a five-year warranty. Available at most computer stores (www.kensington.com/, $19).

Need extra storage space? By plugging in these devices to the USB port on your computer, these storage keys from Disk on a Key (Figure 10) create a virtual drive that looks just like your regular hard drive. You will be able to download any documents or applications to this gadget and use it as a storage device, with no separate power supply or battery required. There are also some security support options, including high end versions that incorporate fingerprint readers! Each version's price is based on the amount of storage space and any accompanying bells and whistles. For example: a 128MB key is about $92 and a 512MB is about $250. The devices fit in the palm of your hand or on your keychain. With a simple copy and paste, the user can move files from one computer to the other. Caution: if you are still using Windows '98 you will need to download the application from Disk-on-Key to create a compatible driver on your computer before using the device (www.diskonakey.com).

Figure 10 Disk on a Key

Another handy little gadget is BoxWave's MiniSync PDA charger (Figure 11) and synchronizing cable. One end of it is a familiar USB connector, while the other end can be fitted with a series of adapters that allow it to plug into almost 30 different PDAs (including PocketPCs and Palms) and a few cell phones. For users, that means you do not need the cradle anymore, especially when you are traveling, because the MiniSync fits in your hand when not in use, weighing less than one ounce. The really neat part is that the two plugs are connected in the middle by a spindle that allows you to extend the cord up to 35 inches. Because it plugs into the USB port on your computer, it can also recharge your handheld. When you are done, just retract the cords back into the spindle and tuck the MiniSync away in a pocket (www.boxwave.com/, $25).

Figure 11 BoxWave's MiniSync PDA charger

Are you tired of graffiti writing or thumb typing on your gadget? The virtual Canesta Keyboard (Figure 12) projects a "laser keyboard" on any surface and interacts with smartphones, Pocket PCs, or Palm PDAs. By tracking your finger movements, the "thin air keying" is projected from the laser keyboard to your device. The full size keyboard is perfect for someone who dislikes thumb typing or graffiti writing. The laser device is small, easy to use, and includes a mouse. Eventually, these types of keyboards will be embedded on the gadgets themselves so you will not have to carry two devices with you (www.canesta.com, price not available).

Figure 12 Canesta Keyboard

Then there is the CoolPad, a soft rubber pad made of Teflon that helps keep your laptop running cool. Place it under your laptop to allow better heat dissipation and your lap will not get so hot from your laptop. It works with all laptops and pivots 360 degrees but will not pivot while you are typing. When used on airplanes, the CoolPad grabs on the slick tray tables for a more stable typing experience. It weighs just nine ounces and can be stored easily in your laptop case. It comes with a lifetime guarantee and can be purchased at most computer stores (www.roadtools.com, $20-$30).

If you find yourself away from a computer but you need to take notes, you could use the Logitech IO Digital Personal Pen to record everything you write. It handles like a regular ballpoint pen but records up to 40 pages before needing to be docked via a USB cradle. It automatically saves all your notes, each of which you can then transfer to your computer in order to copy and paste certain portions into Microsoft Outlook, Word, etc. The IO Digital Pen is compatible with Windows 98, ME 2000, and XP, however one major concern is that it works only with special electronic pads marked with the "Anoto Functionality" logo (www.logitech.com, $200).

Yes, gadgets can be fun and geeky, but the great thing about them is that you can usually find at least one that truly will make you more efficient – either at work or at play. Just remember to go outside and enjoy the sunshine once in a while (without taking pictures or listening to music or writing memos or …)! And, these devices are easy to locate and purchase. Here are some of our favorite places to shop for them. We hope you enjoyed this article and have fun choosing the gadgets that fit your needs!

Barbara Fullerton(bfullerton@lockeliddell.com) is the Manager of Library Services for Locke, Liddell & Sapp LLP in Dallas, Texas, USA andJenny Levine (Jenny@theshiftedlibrarian.com) is the Shifted Librarian and the Internet Development Specialist at the Suburban Library System, Burr Ridge, Illinois, USA.

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