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Danger at Your Side
The 5-oz. Danger HipTop mobile service device delivers voice, Internet and multimedia features in a combination of phone, HTML-based Web browser, e-mail, instant messenger and digital camera. Its fold-away video screen and miniature keyboard perform laptop jobs in palm size. The device runs on a Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications network, but also runs on General Packet Radio Service (GPRS).
www.danger.com
Phone or Movie Star?
You may have seen the Nokia 9210i Communicator phone and PDA in Steven Spielberg’s most recent film, Minority Report. The phone case flips open into a screen and keypad with portable office accessory functions, like phone, fax and e-mail. Other features include calendar, contacts, word processor, spreadsheets, presentation viewer and built-in software from Lotus and Microsoft. All this and it looks cool, too!
www.nokia.com
HDTV for Everyone!
Well, not quite, but Samsung’s new DynaFlat TXM2796HF flat screen, direct-view HDTV monitor is going for a not-too-scary $799. The most affordable of nine new monitors recently shipped by Samsung (the line tops out at $1,499), it’s not only HD-ready, but also converts analog signals to digital (improving quality in the process), and provides progressive-scan playback for DVDs and analog. Samsung wants your mom, dad and bass-fishin’ neighbor to know that it’s just a much better version of the TV they’ve owned for years—and it won’t go dark in 2006, either.
www.samsungusa.com
Your New Audio Pal
From the makers of the retro-styled Model One tabletop radio comes a portable version with the same great sound and precision tuning. Called the Portable Audio Laboratory (PAL), this new radio comes in eight different color schemes and is weather-resistant. One of PAL’s coolest features is the built-in NiMH rechargeable battery, which lasts as long as 16 hours. Available for $129.
www.tivoliaudio.com
Fast and Portable CD-R
From TDK comes a portable CD burner, the Portable veloCD (model FP-241032). This drive writes at 24X, rewrites at 10X and reads at 32X, using a FireWire connection. For recording, it features buffer underrun protection, which helps to eliminate errors. Available for $199.
www.tdk.com
Directions and a Movie
Pioneer’s AVIC-90DVD in-car navigation system provides directions to any destination in the United States and Canada within seconds. Its voice recognition is a two-way street: the driver can bark-out orders to the system and associated components, and the system can respond with comments like “turn left.” DVD video and CD-audio playback is also possible. Movies can only be played when the vehicle is not in motion, which would seem to limit the feature’s applicability, but it’s a limitation for which fellow drivers and pedestrians surely will be grateful. Available for $1,900.
www.pioneerelectronics.com
DCM SlimsDown
They look different. Is it a new haircut? DCM’s new tower loudspeakers have just slimmed down significantly from previous versions. The DCM26 is 37 inches tall and 8 inches wide, and comes with two 6-inch woofers with lightweight fiber cones to improve transient response and extend high frequencies. The woofers also contain butyl-rubber surround to dampen high-frequency response. Finished in black ash, the speakers feature an internal shelf-bracing system to reduce standing waves and deaden vibrations for improved bass and vocal clarity. Their fluid-cooled tweeters and flared, 3-inch ports also help. Available for $249 each (single-woofer, 30-inch-tall DCM16, $199 each).
www.dcmspeakers.com
Camera Incognito
Casio has slimmed-down digital imaging with its newest camera, the EXILIUM EX-S1. This truly pocket-sized camera measures less than .5-inch thick, 3.46 inches wide and 2.16 inches high, and it weighs just over 3 oz. Built in is a 1.34-megapixel CCD, 12 MB of memory and a SD slot for SD or MMC memory cards. EX-S1 is priced at $299.99. A sister model, the EX-M1, is available for $349.99, and features a built-in MP3 player and the ability to capture short movies with sound.
www.casio.com
Build Your Confidence
Boost your home-entertainment esteem with Dynaudio’s Confidence Loudspeakers. These high-end tower speakers will catch your friends’ eyes, not to mention their ears. Some design highlights include: Esotar2 tweeters, which, according to Dynaudio, handle extremely high power, and Dynaudio Directivity Control (DDC), a technology that works to control dispersion on the vertical plane, so that reflection from ceilings and floors is reduced. Available for $12,000 (model C2) and $16,000 (model C4) per pair.
www.dynaudio.com
DVD-R/HDD Combo
Toshiba may have entered the DVD recorder market somewhat later than its rivals, but it has entered boldly. The RD-X2, which supports DVD-RAM and DVD-R recording, also features a built-in 80 GB hard drive. The hard drive can hold 36 to 75 hours of video. TV programs can be recorded onto the hard drive for time-shifting, and then moved to a DVD for permanent storage. It does not include a program guide for the hard drive or FireWire input for digital camcorders. Available this fall for $1,499.
www.toshiba.com
Belkin’s Bluetooth
Network your devices using Bluetooth, a short-range, wireless networking technology that connects PCs to PDAs to printers and more, allowing you to wirelessly share files or peripherals, like scanners and printers. Belkin’s lineup includes a Bluetooth USB adapter (F8T001, $69.95), a Bluetooth PC Card (F8T002, $79.99) and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) Adapter Card (F8T020, $79.99).
www.belkin.com
Big-Time Amplification
For lovers of separate audio components and home theater systems, Outlaw’s Model 770 seven-channel amplifier could be for you. It’s designed for use with the latest 6.1- and 7.1-surround modes, in conjunction with processors like Outlaw’s own Model 950. The company also has a five-channel version (Model 755). Both amplifiers use five pairs of high-power output devices for each channel to deliver 200 watts into 8 ohms (20 Hz to 20 kHz), at less than .05 percent Total Harmonic Distortion, all channels driven. The 770 costs $1,799; the 755 costs $1,299. Both are sold directly to consumers, these products are not sold in stores.
www.outlawaudio.com
Piano Plays Video
The PLUS Piano HE-3200 home theater video projector brings DLP projection to the home for a relatively low price. While many projectors cost over $10,000, this one goes for $3,299, and possesses many features similar to those of the big boys. This new model of Piano features HDTV compatibility, a zoom lens and progressive signal support. But its key differentiating feature is its portability; this 4.4-lb. Piano is easy to move around the house, turning any room into a potential theater.
www.plushometheater.com
Built-In DVD
RCA’s new Scenium HDTV monitors include the first rear-projection widescreens with integrated DVD players. The three sets, available in 40- (pictured), 52- and 61-inch models, also play audio CDs, CD-R and MP3 CDs. Models available for $2,399 to $3,299.
www.rca.com
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