April 9, 2003

Today’s technology makes for some great toys and gadgets–some useful, some interesting and others just plain fun. Here are a few items we’ve had a chance to try recently:

Jukebox Multimedia 20 (Archos, $339; camera module $99) is a compact portable unit that has several uses: when connected to your computer, via USB 2.0 or 1.1, it becomes a removable storage device that gives you access to its built-in 20 GB hard drive (10 and 40 GB models available), where you can copy and manage files, folders and such.

When disconnected from the computer and powered from its rechargeable batteries or AC adapter, the Jukebox Multimedia 20 has several other functions: it plays MP3 music (up to eight hours’ worth) from MP3 format files on its hard drive. No speaker in the device, but spiffy headphones are included, and there are audio analog and digital out jacks. The device also records audio in an MP3 format on its hard drive, a feature that’s a terrific convenience, and the quality of the MP3 music it records exceeds that created by many of the computer MP3 formatting programs. Plug in stereo audio from your sound system, CD player, TV or any audio source and record away. Or record from the built-in microphone. All in MP3.

The Jukebox Multimedia 20 has a 1.5 inch color LCD display on which you can view JPG format pictures or MPG4 video, from files on its hard drive. A video out jack lets you see the still pictures or video on your TV with selectable NTSC or PAL format. The device holds up to 100,000 pictures and 25 hours of video. There’s more. An optional camera module that attaches directly to the device is available. The camera is used for taking digital still pictures at 1.3 Megapixel resolution or video at 352 x 200 pixels, 30 frames/second. All this packed in a 3 x 4 x 1" device.

The SCOTTeVEST Version 2.5 (SCOTTeVEST, $140 at www.scottevest.com), though not strictly an electronic device, is a jacket that lets us maximize the comfort and convenience of carrying around our techie tools: cell phone, Palm and accessory folding keyboard, digital camera with extra memory cards and spare batteries, portable CD player, and even sun glasses, a water bottle, gum and breath mints. There’s also a large pocket for documents, magazines or a small laptop, a hidden ID pocket and, if all else fails, a pocket for a pen. The jacket has 19 pockets, some zippered, some with Velcro closures and some hidden, to hold all these items and more. Don’t like the jacket style? Just unzip the sleeves to convert it to a vest.

Built in concealed conduits allowed us to run the ear piece wires from the pocketed cell phone and/or CD player up to our ears. There’s even a pocket to hold the ear pieces. The jacket comes in several colors and men’s and women’s sizes.

FingerWeights (FingerWeights, $40/set at www.fingerweights.com) provide an easy way to exercise your fingers to obtain better strength, flexibility and endurance and possibly to treat a variety of repetitive motion injuries. FingerWeights are a set of ten weighted one-size-fits-all rings, each with variable weights: 5, 10 or 15 gm per finger. Slide one on each finger and use the included booklet as a guide to put them to work. What does this have to do with computers? Well, using a keyboard sometimes produces hands and wrist problems, and a program of FingerWeight exercise may help. And you can comfortably wear the rings while you work, so you’ll get some "on the job" exercise as well. FingerWeights come in various colors too.

The Precision Mini Digital Camera (Precision, $30 from www.serif/store/partners/precisionminicam.asp) is a marvel because of its tiny size. The camera has a 100K pixel sensor, runs on a single AAA battery and holds, in its fixed internal memory, 20 pictures at standard resolution (352 x 288), 80 pictures at low resolution or 10 seconds of video (no sound). The camera includes a USB cable and appropriate drivers to download pictures or video to your computer, a photo editing program, a carrying case and a key ring.

This fixed focus camera has several modes of operation: standard resolution still photo, low resolution still photo, video, and self timer. When connected to your computer, the camera can also operate as a Web cam and be used in video conferencing or Instant Messaging. The viewfinder is a single lens affair and only approximates the field of view of the picture. While not a high resolution device, this mini camera is fun to use and good enough for many applications--as well as for attracting attention wherever you go.

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