|
They say the only
difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys, but the
toys for gadget-geeks of any age or gender just keep getting better
and, surprisingly, cheaper.
USB Flash Drive: These tiny
solid-state devices are quickly replacing diskettes as the cheap and
easy method for transporting or backing up data. A 256-megabyte flash
drive will hold the equivalent of about 175 diskettes. That's about 3
hours of music or 1000 photographs, or thousands of common business
documents--all in a $40 device the size of a Bic lighter.
Flash Watch: These watches include a
built-in flash drive device. Just connect the watch to your USB drive
via a built-in cable. Cost: under $100. Cool-factor: priceless.
Camera Phone: The trend these days
are to go totally cellular. My new Motorola flip-phone (about $80 after
rebate) has a camera, calculator, appointment book, voice recorder,
alarm clock, text messaging, wireless web, games, and email. The sleek
profile fits in any pocket or bag easily. Cellular coverage is getting
better every year and service is becoming increasingly affordable.
Handheld Computer: Pocket PCs and
Palms have been around for a long time, but the newest generation of
both devices are slicker than ever. More than just a personal
information manager, these tiny computers now include word processing
and spreadsheet capabilities, play MP3 music files, handle multimedia
and Internet connections, in some cases even play full-length movies.
You'll pay about $200 at the low end and over $1,000 at the high end for
a computer more powerful than the desktop of a few years ago that fits
in your pocket.
Digital Camera: The novelty has
worn off digital photography now. These cameras have improved so
dramatically in quality and have become so affordable that they barely
qualify as gadgets. The average digital camera today has 3-4 megapixel
quality with 3X-5X optical zoom and will cost under $300. Mine goes
everywhere with me. Within a minute of snapping a shot I can email it to
a friend or upload it to my favorite photo-sharing website.
|
Satellite Radio:
There are two flavors - XM Radio and Sirius. I've only tried XM, but
all I can say is, "Wow!" Commercial-free music of any genre you desire -
any time you want it. A scrolling digital display tell the title and
artist of each tune, so no more sleepless nights trying to remember who
sang that song that's been rattling around in your head all day. You can
install XM Radio in your car and have an optional cradle in the house,
making one subscription portable from home to road. Hardware is around
$100.
MP3 Player: These music machines,
of which the Apple iPod ($200-300) is the most recognizable brand, allow
you to store many hours of music in a tiny portable device.
GPS: Portable global positioning
systems use satellites to pinpoint your location to within one meter.
Handheld devices are available or you can buy GPS add-ons to handheld
computers. These are popular with hikers and sailors, but are also fun
when traveling by car or to use in hobbies such as geocaching. A decent
recreational GPS device can be purchased for $100-200.
Wireless Laptop: Intel's new
Centrino technology combines integrated wireless LAN capability,
improved battery life, and thinner, lighter design to make laptop
computing what I always dreamed it would be. Imagine a laptop computer
less than an inch thick and weighing less than 3 pounds. Add to that the
ability to connect wirelessly to the Internet from thousands of
"hotspots" around the country, including airports, coffee shops, even
downtown Baton Rouge. That's a laptop to love, priced between $1,000 and
$3,000.
No matter your age, gender, interests, or
budget, there's a gadget somewhere for you to drool over. It's never
too early to start making your Christmas wish list.
Sherry Zorzi is Secretary of Cajun Clickers
Computer Club and host of "The Cajun Clickers Computer Show" heard
every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. on WJBO Radio.
|
