September 20, 2006

We’ve tried out several cool new technology products recently and think you’ll want to check out the following:

Roadmaster MP3 WMA FM Transmitter (Roadmaster, www.vr-3.com, $34.99) allows you to play MP3 or WMA music through your car’s FM radio--wirelessly. Connect either an MP3 Player to the device or plug in an USB thumb drive containing your MP3 or WMA music files, and the FM Transmitter will broadcast your tunes on one of fourteen selectable FM stereo frequencies. Tune your car radio to that frequency, and you’re good to go. The compact FM Transmitter plugs directly into a cigarette lighter, has a replaceable fuse and a control head that adjusts for the best position. Couldn’t be easier.

If you’re using an MP3 player, you’ll have control of playlists and selections from the MP3 player. If you plug in a USB thumb drive, since the unit will not recognize file structures or playlists, it will be necessary to have all your music files in the root directory of the thumb drive. The Roadmaster MP3 WMA FM Transmitter will play the files sequentially. But with a push of a button, you can advance to the next or previous track or play the files in random order.

The FM Transmitter will accept audio from any source, so you could play your portable CD player or a portable DVD player through the car’s FM radio or any FM radio within a 30-foot radius. A little nag about the device is that you have to remember to remove it from the cigarette lighter before starting the car or risk damaging the unit.

LaserShield Instant Security (LaserShield, www.lasershield.net, $199.95) is a plug-set-go wireless infrared motion detection system that you can set up quickly and easily. The system protects by detecting motion from any object moving within its field of view and sounding a 100 decibel warble alarm. If you’ve subscribed to the optional monitoring service ($19.95/month with no time commitment), the system dials the 24/7 monitoring service, who then calls the phone number you’ve provided. If no one answers or the answerer does not know the pass code, the service notifies the police and also calls the other phone numbers you have supplied to the service (such as your cell phone or work phone) to warn you of the intrusion. There is a twenty-second delay before the alarm sounds, allowing you time to disarm the system if you’ve just entered the house or room or have accidentally triggered the device.

The basic system consists of a master control unit housing the control electronics and siren, a remote wireless infrared sensor and two key-chain remote control fobs. These key-chain fobs are used to arm and disarm the system. The system can accommodate up to 12 remote sensor units ($64.95/each), and each unit can cover up to a 1,200 square foot area. The master control unit needs to be plugged into the phone line if the system is monitored. Both master and remote sensor require AC power, but battery backup insures operation in the event of power failure. The LaserShield Instant Security is a great way to protect against break-ins or intruders and is especially good for renters, college students, travelers and others who don’t want to invest in an installed wired system.

SeV Performance T-Shirt (ScottEvest, www.scottevest.com, short sleeve $29.99, long sleeve $34.99, black only) allows you to carry your MP3 music player in comfort. The shirts are designed so that you can place commonly used devices, such as Apple's Nano or iPod, in the sewn-in, specially configured zippered pocket near your left shoulder and not have the device pull on your neck or stretch your shirt.

The SeV T-Shirt also features the patented Personal Area Network, which uses a single loop and inside pathway for earphone cables. The metal pocket zipper pull sports a SeV logo identifying you as a "connected" person. The shirt is made of 3M Quick Dry fabric that’s designed to draw moisture away from your body, keeping you drier, cooler and more comfortable.

Freeplay EyeMax Radio (Freeplay, from Sharper Image, $49.95) is an AM/FM radio that will run on a variety of power sources. It can be run from rechargeable batteries, the included AC adapter, or you can let the solar panel power it (if placed in bright light, preferably sunlight). Or you can turn the crank on front of the radio for 30 seconds, for which you’ll get about 30 minutes of playing time. The crank actually turns a small alternator to produce its power. The Freeplay uses rechargeable batteries that can be charged from any of the above sources. A fully recharged battery will power the radio for up to 25 hours at normal volume.

Freeplay also has a built-in LED flashlight that is powered from the rechargeable batteries. The weather model version of the Freeplay also includes a NOAA weather radio that’s tunable to your local NOAA weather band. These features make the Freeplay an ideal emergency radio, suitable for power outages, or other disasters.

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