Gillian Shaw
Sun
iF200 alarm clock and speaker system, Edifier
Messenger Fusion Laptop Cases, Targus
USB four-in-one Web Cam, Brando
1 iF200 alarm clock and speaker system, Edifier, $37
Edifier, which has its North American headquarters in Richmond, has several speaker systems that work with the new iPhone 3G, including this retro alarm clock version that comes in three colours — black, white and hot pink — and is selling at Wal-Mart and computer stores. It also works as a charging dock for your iPhone or iTouch. You’ll need special instructions to make it work with your iPhone or iTouch so check it out first at www.edifier.ca.
2 USB Docking Station with VGA, $135
We’re always in favour of clearing the computer clutter and this dock turns a single USB 2.0 port into a multiple connection point. Click in one connection and you get a VGA port, a 10/100 RJ45 network port, dual (3.5 mm phono) audio ports plus four more USB ports. Now instead of crawling around behind the computer to connect and reconnect every cable when it’s time to move it, or when you need to shift the printer or the scanner to another machine, all you have to do is go to this slim little box on the desktop where everything is neatly lined up. Nice. You can see it at www.startech.com.
3 Messenger Fusion Laptop Cases, Targus, $80
These laptop cases come with interchangeable shoulder straps to change their look. One comes with a combo of mushroom, burnt orange and khaki straps, another with grey, lime green and black. They protect from the rain and the padded laptop section fits computers with up to 15.4-inch screens www.targus.com/ca.
4 USB four-in-one Web Cam, Brando, $23
At this price, that’s US dollars, we’re not certain how long these four functions will keep it up but it’s a multi-tasking gadget that quadruples as a Web cam, microphone, fan and LED light. Plus it’s a space-age looking gadget that attaches to any surface with its flexible sucker. At http://www.brando.com.
© The Vancouver Sun 2008
