Tue Dec 4, 2007 3:38PM EST
See Comments (13)
Didn't I tell you that we would need your help? Time for you to voice your opinion on the Last Gadget Standing at the CES event. Ready to begin?
One of the biggest trends we're likely to see at the show is the growing sophistication of the wireless world. Wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and 802.11 spawn new types of gadgets from smart phones to printers and cameras that can bypass the PC.
Here's a look at a few of the wireless products that will take the wireless connection to the next level. Drop me a short answer and let me know which one of these really moves you.
Plantronics' Calisto: Handles VoIP, Landline, and Cellular Calls
The Plantronics Calisto is like buying three phones in one. It combines a wireless Bluetooth headset for VoIP and cellular calls with a DECT 6.0 phone for landline calls ($280).
Eye-Fi: Turn Any Camera Into a Wireless Wonder
This product launched just about a month ago. The Eye-Fi Card is the world's first wireless SD memory card for digital cameras. The Card uses your home Wi-Fi network to create an effortless and convenient way for users to send photographs directly from digital cameras to PCs, Macs, and online photo and social networking sites ($99).
ANYCOM Solar Car-Kit SCK-1: Bluetooth Plus Green Design
ANYCOM's Solar Car-Kit is a Bluetooth car-kit with an added solar panel. Don't chuck your batteries just yet, though. With sufficient sunlight, three hours of charging will provide 30 minutes of talk time, according to the company. Still, it's a start.
IOGEAR's Powerline Audio System lets you listen to music wirelessly throughout your home—even in hard-to-get-to places like outdoors or out in your shed. You'll be able to distribute music from up to three different sources throughout a home by simply plugging the IOGEAR unit into your electric outlet. By using the pre-existing electric lines in your home instead of wireless or radio frequencies, the IOGEAR Powerline Audio System can handle loseless audio without interference from architectural barriers or from other devices. The unit consists of a docking station that allows you to connect iPods, CD players, MP3 players, cell phones, and other audio devices to the dock and transmit sound via the powerlines. Each adapter is plugged directly into a power outlet and then to a pair of external speakers (purchased separately: $329.95).
Which of these appeals to you the most? Let me know in a quick note.
Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.
My favorites, from first to last: 1) The camera card. Although my favorite camera (Rebel XT) takes Compact Flash, I do have a couple SD based cameras. $99 is a reasonable price. 2)Plantronics' Calisto - if it works like the RCA base station, you use to able able to hook-up a cell phone and a land line to the base. Then you could answer either land line or cell phone calls from the handset. 3) IOGEAR - Pump music to the backyard through a powerline adapter - cool. Except for the price. 4) Solar bluetooth - not at any price. Not interested.
This just announced from Kodak and Belkin: Belkin Bluetooth USB Adapter with KODAK Picture Upload Technology Software, $49 will work camera phones that are enabled with Bluetooth technology - Transfers full-resolution images automatically when users walk into Bluetooth range of their PC - Also works with other devices enabled with Bluetooth technology such as PDAs, headsets, and printers - Bluetooth Standard: Version 2.0 +EDR - Compatible with Windows XP and Vista operating systems
I use a Calisto Pro and it really frees me up for hands free multitasking, like doing the dishes while talking. The noise-canceling microphone doesn't pick up the water noise so the calls are clear to the other party. Also, I'm much less lilely to miss a call.
I vote for the little orange card. It is really an amazing feat to get all that in such a small form factor and it is dead simple to set up and use!
Please enable your browser's cookies to activate the My Tech column.
| Computers | Home Office | Wi-Fi & Networking | Phones & PDAs | Cameras & Camcorders | TV & Home Theater | Portable Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Posted by mark_butler@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:08PM EDT Report Abuse
With the recent attention about the ease in hacking wireless keyboards, I hope the manufacturers will begin to think more seriously about security in their devices