Marc Saltzman
Sun

Cordless home phones may not be as sexy as high-definition televisions, digital cameras or sleek laptops, but makers continue to make improvements that fuse function and fashion, offer stronger and farther wireless reception and allow you to make calls over the Internet.

Browse the new cordless phones at your favourite electronics retailer and you’ll likely see the words “DECT” splashed across the boxes. DECT 6.0 — which stands for Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology, now in its sixth generation — is an increasingly popular wireless platform for communicating between handsets and base. Unlike cordless phones on the 2.4Ghz or 5.8Ghz frequency, DECT 6.0 phones do not interfere with other wireless signals beaming throughout your home, such as Wi-Fi (802.11) networks, microwave ovens, baby monitors and wireless game controllers. It also offers clearer call quality, works far from its base (up to 50 metres indoors, 300 metres outdoors) and provides a secure connection to prevent eavesdropping.

We like: The Sanyo Touch cordless phone system (model # CLT-D6620; $109.99), which sports DECT 6.0 technology and features an illuminated touchpad display, speakerphone, and more. A two-handset system (model # CLT-D6622) sells for $159.99. The super-thin Vtech DECT 6.0 Digital Dual Handset Cordless Phones (model # 6041; $116.99) resemble Motorola RAZR flip cellphones.

Sometimes, more is better: Why have one cordless phone when you can have four? Perfect for larger homes, many family members or houses with multiple floors, one of the latest trends is multiple handsets on one phone line, but requiring only one phone jack. The others are usually accompanied by a wireless base that plugs into the wall (to keep the phone upright and charged) and communicates with the main base.

When a call comes in you can pick up any of the two, three or four handsets to accept the call. As an added bonus, a convenient secondary feature available on most multi-phone solutions is the ability to use one phone to call another inside the home like a paging system. You can often find these phones bundled together in one box, and with the option to add additional phones.

We like: The Panasonic DECT 6.0 Digital Multi Handset ($179.99) with four phones and three bases, which is also expandable up to six phones. GE also offers 5.8GHz Multi-Handset Cordless Phone (model # TC25952EE3; $129.99) with three handsets.

Thanks to VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) technology, you no longer have to pay long distance fees to your telco. VoIP lets you make free PC-to-PC calls over the Internet to anyone in the world using services such as Windows Live Messenger (formerly MSN Messenger), Yahoo! Messenger or Skype. But instead of being tethered to your computer with a wired headset, the latest cordless phones can double as VoIP phones, allowing you to toggle between a regular landline call and wirelessly communicating over a broadband Internet connection.

Simply plug the base of this hybrid phone into a regular telephone jack and a PC’s USB port (or in some cases, a modem/router’s Ethernet jack) and you’re good to go. Now you can walk in or around your home while chatting with friends and family on another continent — and not spend a dime in the process — and then push a button to call a local number through your regular telephone company.

We like: the Vtech Skype-Enabled 2.4GHz Cordless Phone ($96.99), which can even display your Skype contacts on the phone’s LCD screen; this hybrid phone will also work with non-Skype software. While pricey, we also like the Philips VolP841 Telephone ($299.99), the winner of a 2007 CES Innovation Award for its attractive design and impressive feature set.

Other cordless phone trends to watch for include Wi-Fi calling, Bluetooth support (wirelessly communicates with a nearby cellphone) and integrated voice recorders to archive a phone conversation.

© The Vancouver Sun 2007

 

Marc Saltzman
Sun

It’s no wonder laptop computers have eclipsed the sale of desktop computers: there’s no longer a sacrifice in power for portability, they’ve dropped in price to be nearly on par with desktops, and inexpensive Wi-Fi networks mean users are no longer tethered to the wall to access the Internet at high speeds.

Once intended primarily for the business crowd — say, mobile executives who needed to crunch numbers at 30,000 feet — laptops are now in demand as a consumer product designed for virtually everyone, from the student to the homemaker and the retiree.

In fact, laptops are a hot commodity as we approach the holidays: a recent survey commissioned by the U.S-based Consumer Electronics Association found that a new computer outranked peace, happiness and clothes as the most wished-for gifts.

Looking for recommendations? Whether you’re planning on buying one for yourself or a loved one dropping serious hints, here are a few laptops ideal for use in and around the home.

THIN IS IN

At just 0.9 inches and under four pounds, the Dell Inspiron XPS M1330 (starts at $1,399; www.dell.ca) is one of the thinnest and lightest 13.3-inch laptops on the market. But it’s no slouch under the hood thanks to an Intel Core 2 Duo (up to 2.4Ghz, 800Mhz) processor, up to 4GB of system memory (“RAM”), slot-load DVD burner (with dual-layer support, for up to 8.5GB of data per disc), 8-in-1 memory card reader and up to 250GB of hard drive space. Built-in Wi-Fi is standard, but optional extras include Bluetooth and a webcam. The “MicroSatin” paint looks and feels great, and is available in one of three colours: Alpine White, Crimson Red or Tuxedo Black.

BIGGER IS BETTER

Those who rely on their computer for their entertainment needs — such as DVD movies, computer games and video editing — will love the 17-inch glossy high-definition screen on the HP Pavilion dv9615ca Entertainment Notebook PC (from $1079.99; www.hp.ca). Powering this 7.7-pound laptop is an Intel Core 2 Duo processor T5250 (1.50GHz); 200GB hard drive (two combined); 1GB of system memory; Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 and integrated Wi-Fi. And when you’re ready to create a custom music or movie disc on this dual-layer DVD burner, you can design and print text or graphics with the built-in LightScribe labelling technology (special CDs or DVDs required).

MEDIA HOUND, FOR LESS

Kick back on your couch, bed or kitchen table to watch movies — even high-definition ones — on the Toshiba Satellite P200 (from $899.00; www.toshiba.ca), offering a superb value for what you get including a 17-inch widescreen, integrated HD DVD drive (with dual-layer DVD burning), powerful Intel Core 2 Duo processor T5450 (1.66GHz); 2GB of system memory (up to 4GB) and a 200MB hard drive. If you don’t want to wear headphones, you can use the Harmon/Kardon stereo speakers. Convenient extras include a built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam, Bluetooth v2.0, microphone, 5-in-1 media card reader and Wi-Fi.

COOL TO THE CORE

While the three aforementioned laptops run on the Windows Vista operating system, Mac enthusiasts can turn to the new Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard and its 300-plus new features, which debuted at the end of October (more info is at www.apple.com/ca/macosx). While pricey, we like the 15-inch MacBook Pro ($2,799.00; apple.ca) with a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of system memory; 160GB hard drive; dual-layer DVD burner, fast 802.11n Wi-Fi and impressive graphics performance with its NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 256MB SDRAM. You can run Windows on this MacBook Pro using a program like BootCamp or Parallels.

© The Vancouver Sun 2007

Marc Saltzman
Sun

It’s the hub of your home theatre. Nope, not your television — it’s your audio-video (AV) receiver. That box does all the work to manage your sound by bringing in audio from multiple sources, decoding and amplifying it, and pushing it through to your surround-sound speakers, as well as taking in video from various components and routing it all to your TV.

What’s that? You don’t have one? You simply plug all of your home theatre components into the back of your television? Oh my.

With all the attention on high-definition displays, many consumers are forgetting or forgoing an AV receiver. And it’s a shame, as it’s one of the most important pieces of equipment to replicate the movie theatre experience in your home.

Setting up the receiver is no more difficult than any other component and will make a huge difference in your home entertainment. Whether you’re in the market for your first (or next) AV receiver, the following are a handful of new features you might want to look for and some receiver recommendations.

SAY HI TO HDMI

HDMI offers the highest quality compared to older cable technologies, such as component, S-Video and composite, and is capable of delivering 1080p resolution to a compatible high-definition television — meaning all 1,080 lines of resolution are shown “progressively” (i.e. simultaneously), instead of the older “interlaced” (or alternating) method that quickly alternates between even and odd lines. HDMI carries audio, too.

Not only will a single HDMI cable leading to your TV be a cleaner solution than a mess of spaghetti wiring but you can use your AV receiver remote to easily cycle between all of your video sources. This is called HDMI switching and is ideal for those who have a TV with only, say, two HDMI input jacks but who might own four HDMI-based components.

Another benefit of the technology is HDMI upconverting. Some receivers will take an older component, such as a VCR or DVD player connected to the receiver with the red, yellow and white composite (“RCA”) cables, and output the video to the television in much better quality thanks to the HDMI cable.

The latest HDMI is version 1.3, which offers more bandwidth for higher quality audio and video.

We like: Denon AVR-3808CI ($1,949; www.denon.ca)

MULTICHANNEL MADNESS

Many high-definition movies and video games today have been recorded or remastered in 7.1 surround sound.

You’ve probably heard of 5.1 surround sound: two left and right front speakers, a centre channel that sits just below or above your television (where up to 80 per cent of a movie’s dialogue comes from) and two left and right rear speakers. The “.1” in the equation is reserved for the multidirectional subwoofer, which sites on the floor, and delivers the booming bass. A different audio track is played through each of these six channels.

While it might sound like overkill, many home theatre enthusiasts have set up a 6.1 or 7.1 surround-sound room, which adds one or two additional rear speakers.

There are a number of new 7.1 audio technologies on various high-definition discs, such as DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD, so audiophiles will make sure their AV receiver has these audio decoders built-in.

We like: Yamaha RX-V1800 ($1,399; www.yamaha.ca/av)

NETWORKS, IPODS AND MORE

Many current AV receivers allow you to link your home theatre to your computer — via an Ethernet cable (wired) or 802.11 Wi-Fi (wireless) connection — enabling you to access all the music (and, in some cases, photos and videos) stored on a PC in another room.

An onscreen interface will let you navigate through your media library and select files to play. Often this networked AV receiver can also play music streaming from the Internet from online radio stations and other sources.

On a related note, the iPod has grown into such a cultural phenomenon many AV receivers include an iPod docking station (or sell it as an accessory). Now when you come home from work you can plop your digital music player in a dock, which also starts to recharge the iPod’s battery, and you can hear your favourite songs through your home theatre and in some instances view photos and videos on your television.

Many AV receivers also offer satellite radio support, letting subscribers to XM Satellite Radio or Sirius Satellite Radio hear CD-quality, commercial-free stations in the best possible sound.

We like: Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH ($1,899.99; www.pioneerelectronics.ca)

© The Vancouver Sun 2007

Jim Jamieson
Province

What is it? HP MediaSmart Server/Windows Home Server

Price: $$749 (one terabyte) or $599 (500GB)

Why you need it: You’re a high- volume consumer and collector of digital media, but you’re running out of room to store it.

in the house is more than enough for you.

OUR RATING: RATING 3

Anyone who has a digital camera or a teenager (or two) knows the impact both have on the computer.

Before you know it, you have 10,000 photos and enough songs on your hard drive to slow down the NASA mainframe.

It’s great to have all that content at your fingertips, but what happens if you have a system crash? Sure, regular backups. We’ll get to that right after we rotate our tires.

With the sheer volume of digital data skyrocketing, Microsoft has launched Windows Home Server, a new solution to help families easily protect, connect and share their digital media and documents.

The concept is to create a user-friendly way for consumers to take advantage of server technology — the HP MediaSmart Server — in the home.

Windows Home Server automatically backs up Windows XP-based and Windows Vista-based home computers each night, provides a central place to organize digital documents and media, and includes a Windows Live Internet address so the home server can be accessed remotely to share content.

It also monitors the health and security status of home computers and can stream media to other devices in the home, such as the television.

The package will be available on Nov. 26 online via Future Shop and Best Buy and is coming to other retailers in January.

© The Vancouver Province 2007

 

Sun

Lightning-Strike Personal Protection System, $80

From Brite-Strike, the makers of powerful flashlights that double as defence products comes a model designed for women. While we are not advocating you rely on its patented tri-strike crown as a weapon to fend off attackers, it can shine a brilliant white light and sound a 100-decibel alarm. With a glow-in-the-dark switch taking it from high to low to strobe functions, it’s tailored for the finest of manicures with a special cutaway to allow women with long nails to operate it. At 10 centimetres, it’s small enough to slip in a pocket or purse and works on one AA battery. www.brite-strike.com.

Energizer Energi To Go Instant Cellphone Charger, $28

For those times when the lights go out just as your cellphone battery dies. Or for other off-the-grid emergencies, these cellphone chargers come in various versions to power-up a range of cellphones including most Nokia, Palm Treo, Motorola, Sanyo, LG and Samsung. Two lithium AA batteries provide automatic power to run your dead phone, with most ready to operate within 30 seconds of plugging them in. The price includes the reusable charger, the phone tip connector and two Energizer e2 lithium AA batteries.

StealthSurfer, $150

Surf the Web anonymously with this mini flash drive that works even over a WiFi connection. The drive lets surfers browse the Web with encryption masking their IP address and protecting their data from interception. Billed as an identify theft protection tool, it is aimed at protecting users from increasing attacks in which Web predators try to cash in by collecting personal information and financial data like passwords and credit card numbers. Key-sized, it plugs into a USB port and can be used when you’re surfing and shopping on any computer.

Dell XPS M1730: The Beast, from $3,000

When money is no object in your virtual gaming world, go for “the Beast” billed as Dell’s “mobile gaming stud.” We’re guessing that puts it in the testosterone division of the 2007 gift guide. If you count yourself as a gaming stud, you’ll appreciate the AGEIA PhysX Accelerator and the next-generation NVIDIA SLI technology with two x16 graphics channels for the latest 3D experience. All with a 17-inch widescreen UltraSharp WUXGA display with high resolution (1920×1200) and full high-definition 1080p support. Otherwise, may we direct you to a tamer, more basic notebook starting at a fraction of the price.

© The Vancouver Sun 2007

 

You’ll never run out of juice again

Jim Jamieson
Province

What is it? Energizer Energi To Go mobile-phone charger Price: $27.99 Why you need it: You’re a high-use cellular phone yakker who’s always on the go.

Why you don’t: Your phone’s battery will last more than a week on standby, and that’s plenty long enough for you to remember to plug it in.

Our rating: Sometimes the lower-tech route is the best.

Energizer’s Energi To Go cellphone charger is nothing fancy, but it does the job for those who might run out of juice at a crucial time.

It’s also handy for those who want to pack a separate power source away for emergency kits or when off the beaten track.

This reusable cellphone power pack is simply that — a small, pod-shaped unit containing two AA batteries that is connected to your cellphone when its internal battery is taking a time out at an awkward time.

The beauty of this device is it doesn’t require much wait time after you plug it in to get your communications gadget back up and running.

A call can be placed within 30 seconds of activating the Energi To Go on some cellphones with a completely discharged battery.

However, some other, more powerful multimedia-type smart phones may take a few minutes to get booted up.

Compatibility includes most common models, such as Nokia, Palm Treo, Motorola, Sanyo, LG, Samsung cellular phones and mini USB devices, including Razr, Slvr and the BlackBerry.

Energizer says the battery pack will provide up to nine hours of usage with GSM phones and up to three hours with CDMA-type handsets.

Available at most electronics stores.

© The Vancouver Province 2007

New site allows you to plan your commute, and weigh driving against transit trips

Frank Luba
Province

It seems like you can Google anything and, in Metro Vancouver, that now includes transit directions.

TransLink already has a transit trip planner on its website, www.translink.bc.ca.

Yesterday the metropolitan transportation authority and Google announced that Metro Vancouver has become the first region in Canada to be linked to the transit side of Google Maps.

A beta or introductory version of the site is available at www.google.ca/transit. A fully functional site is likely to be operating within a month.

“We want people to play with it and get used to it,” TransLink spokesman Ken Hardie said of the new Google feature.

Google Maps already provides driving instructions. The new transit site, in addition to telling you when and where to wait for what, allows you to compare the driving trip with the transit trips.

It includes street maps, satellite image maps and maps that combine streets with satellite images. Users can even zoom in a location to make sure they’re in the right spot.

Google’s Joe Hughes said a key to the system was designing it in an open format so information from other similarly formatted systems could be shared.

“We’re basically trying to create the best information sites we can,” said Hughes.

The site is a particular boon for tourists, who might not be aware of the TransLink trip planner, as well as the visually disabled because the TransLink site doesn’t work with programs that read out what’s on your computer screen.

Metro Vancouver is the 22nd Google Transit site in North America.

© The Vancouver Province 2007

 

Helps Mac user back up data, multitask and even use Windows

Jim Jamieson
Province

What is it? Mac OS X version 10.5 (Leopard)

Price: $129.99

Rating 4 out of 5

Why you need it: You love your Mac and can’t bear to do without new wrinkles from the wizards at Apple.

Why you don’t: You use your computer for e-mail, web surfing and not much else, so your operating system has enough bells and whistles.

Our rating:

Apple’s OS X operating system, launched Friday, took a little longer to release — 30 months — than previous upgrades, but it was worth waiting for.

This fourth upgrade offers no fewer than 300 new features, as tallied by Apple, so it’s difficult to do justice to more than the highlights.

Suffice it to say that Leopard brings some major changes to the Mac interface’s look and feel, improvements in productivity programs, beefed-up security and a whole array of goodies throughout the operating system.

Here are some of the more interesting features:

– Time Machine: This seems to be Apple’s way to encourage users to back up their data on a regular basis. Time Machine automatically backs up every file on a Mac to a separate hard drive or another machine on a network running Leopard. The setup and usage of this solution is very easy and — although it requires you to purchase the extra hard drive (costs are reasonable these days) — it really leaves no excuse for losing data owing to a drive failure.

– Spaces: A welcome development for those of us who multi-task and love to have different projects on the go at the same time. Spaces let you switch between different collections of application windows and avoid having to sort through layers of clutter on your desktop.

– Quick Look: This allows you to view the contents of a document’s icon at full size, right on the desktop, without having to open the file or the program used to create it. Quick Look is

available throughout Leopard, so you can also use it with a movie, which will expand and begin to play.

– Boot Camp: The program that allows users to run Microsoft Windows — and Windows-based programs — on their Intel-based Macs is now built into the Mac OS. It just makes it easier and will certainly attract those Windows types who might consider switching to the Mac universe.

– Parental Controls: A big step forward on this front. Leopard allows you to set time limits for your kids’ computer use and even lock up the computer when it’s bedtime.

Leopard doesn’t require a top-end machine, either. The minimum requirements are just 512 megabytes of RAM and an 867-megahertz processor.

© The Vancouver Province 2007

 

Sun

1. ASUS Eee PC, $300 to $400

The name refers to the concept behind this PC which is ‘easy to work, easy to learn and easy to play.’ This ultra portable weighs just under a kilogram and comes with an intuitive one-click graphic design so even the most technologically challenged can make it work. At 18 centimetres, it is designed as a first time mobile internet gadget for youngsters, the elderly and all those in between who want to have mobile web surfing at their fingertips. The price depends on storage capacity, memory and built-in webcam. Every model has three USB ports for external storage and expansion.

2. Oticon Epoq and Epoq Streamer, Epoq approximately $3,600 per ear; $560 for the Streamer

A hearing device with Bluetooth technology, the Epoq is designed for people who need to boost their hearing, especially in noisy environments. It minimizes background noise and makes voices clearer. And it eliminates a common problem with traditional hearing devices that may leave the user with difficulty locating the source of sounds. When a user is wearing an Epoq on each ear they communicate with each other, acting as a single unit, improving the ability to locate sounds as well as stepping up the overall sound quality. The Streamer uses wireless Bluetooth connectivity to allow audio streaming from Bluetooth enabled mobile phones, MP3 players, GPS systems and CD and DVD players. Available only from audiologists and hearing clinics.

3. Saitek Photo Mouse, $20

If covering your computer screen with your favourite photo isn’t enough to personalize your workspace, add this mouse that doubles as a picture frame. Trim a photo to fit using the template that comes with this mouse and in no time you can have your vacation snapshot, your boyfriend’s smiling face, or any other photo of your choice, right at hand. When the Photo Mouse is plugged into your PC or Mac, it’s illuminated by a white spotlight.

4. Überclok PC, $1,500

For gamers who don’t want to be left dawdling in the slow lane, Überclok promises to deliver computing performance comparable to that of high end systems from major computer manufacturers that come with a much higher price tag. The overclocked gaming PC comes with a 30-day return policy in case you remain unimpressed and they have a three-year warranty. At www.uberclock.com.

© The Vancouver Sun 2007

 

WebTech, Tranzeo and Ascalade are among the fastest growing on continent

Michael Kane
Sun

British Columbia‘s status as a hotbed of wireless technology was confirmed Wednesday when three Vancouver-area firms were named among the 50 fastest growing in North America.

All the more remarkable is that the three managed to outpace many U.S. rivals when the Canadian dollar was much weaker than it is today, said Fraser Liptrot, a partner in the technology practice at consultants Deloitte in Vancouver.

The first-ever Deloitte Wireless Fast 50, compiled in the U.S, identifies North America’s fastest-growing wireless companies based on five years of fiscal year revenue growth between 2002 and 2006.

Wireless Inc. of Burnaby, Tranzeo Wireless Technologies Inc. of Pitt Meadows, and Ascalade Communications of Richmond.

“I think it is fantastic for companies in B.C. to compete against much larger and well-financed neighbours in this industry and to grow as much as they have,” Liptrot said in an interview.

“The thing that strike me about all of these companies is their global reach. We should be proud that Vancouver has companies that compete with the U.S. and have far-flung operations.”

According to the Wireless Innovation Network of British Columbia, the industry employs more than 5,500 people and generates revenues in excess of $1 billion.

To qualify for the Fast 50 list, companies must have grown operating revenues from at least $50,000 US in 2002 to more than $5 million US in 2006. They must also own proprietary wireless technology or intellectual property.

WebTech Wireless, ranked 18th with growth of 1,888 per cent, is a leading provider of wireless tracking devices for the transportation industry.

With about 130 employees, it sells in 41 countries around the world. Development takes place in Burnaby while most manufacturing is outsourced to China.

“This recognition tell us that we’re doing the right things,” said CEO and co-founder Anwar Sukkarie. “We’re executing very well in our business plan. This tells us that our customers really put value in our products and services, and investors trust in our outlook and vision.”

Tranzeo Wireless, ranked 23rd with growth of 1,072 per cent, employs about 110 people to develop and manufacture high-performance wireless network equipment.

It operates a distribution centre in San Diego and recently opened an office in Shannon, Ireland, to serve a growing base of customers and distributors throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

“It is very exciting to be named to the Deloitte Fast 50,” said Tony Kot, vice-president of sales and marketing.

“One of the beauties of Tanzeo is we do all of our own design, development and manufacturing in-house. We’re not working with third-party product that we get from Taiwan or a trade show.”

Ascalade Communications Inc., ranked 31st with growth of 503 per cent, designs, develops and manufactures digital wireless and communication products, including digital cordless phones and digital wireless baby monitors.

Thirteen Canadian companies made the inaugural Top 50, including Ottawa‘s BTI Systems Inc. which tied for fourth place with Toronto‘s Tira Wireless Inc. at 16,610 per cent growth, and Toronto‘s MyThum Interactive which placed sixth with 13,900 per cent growth.

© The Vancouver Sun 2007