Sun
KeyScan KS810, Keyscan
GrooveTooth Talk, Cygnett
W350 Walkman, Sony Ericsson
DS-61 digital voice recorder, Olympus
1. KeyScan KS810, Keyscan, $160
Clear some of the clutter from your desk with a keyboard that incorporates a full-page colour scanner. Taking the same space as a standard keyboard, it scans a full page when a document is inserted into its scanner slot. The document is automatically converted into a searchable PDF e-mail attachment. You can also use it to copy, fax or save documents as PDF, Word, JPG or other formats. Compatible with Windows XP-SP2 or higher and Vista 32. Check it out at www.keyscan.com.
2. GrooveTooth Talk, Cygnett, $80
A hands-free speaker system for Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, including Apple’s new iPhone 3G and BlackBerry devices, this is a useful gadget particularly with an increasing number of jurisdictions turning thumbs down on drivers who juggle a cellphone in one hand and the wheel in another. A rechargeable lithium polymer battery has seven hours of talk time and 460 hours on standby. With a magnetic clip that attaches to your car’s visor or air vent, it recharges with a car adaptor or via a USB cable to your computer. www.cygnett.com
3. W350 Walkman, Sony Ericsson, $30 with three-year plan from Rogers
For the student who changes phones as often as school binders, the latest music player phone from Sony Ericsson delivers the Walkman player with track recognition for songs combined with an FM radio and a 1.3 megapixel camera with a four times zoom. At just under 11 mm, it’s a slim player with dedicated music keys on the flip cover so you don’t have to open it to run your music. Combined with all the other necessities from SMS to e-mail, it’s a budget player that fits the bill for back to school. www.rogers.com
4. DS-61 digital voice recorder, Olympus, $320
Olympus has introduced its new DS-series recorders that include the DS-61 and DS-71 along with the DS-2300. The DS-61 and 71 come with expanded internal memory with the DS-61 at two gigabytes and the DS-71 at four gigs. Recording time is increased to 530 hours for the DS-61 and 1,062 hours for the DS-71. Both have an enhanced voice confirmation function that helps users through an automated voice guide that goes through onscreen menus and reports on how much battery life is left. Intro scan playback lets users scan long recordings quickly to find a file. www.olympuscanada.com
© The Vancouver Sun 2008
