Keyboard links to multiple Bluetooth devices; a lightweight PC headset system

The scoop: Multi-Link Bluetooth Keyboard with Touchpad (GKM611B), by Iogear, about $80.

What is it? This full-size Bluetooth keyboard lets you connect up to six different Bluetooth-enabled devices, including PCs, Macs, Media Center PC systems (connected to a TV), smartphones, game consoles and tablets. The connections are not simultaneous -- you need to hit a function key and number (from 1-6) to connect to the device that you want to control. A small touchpad on the right side of the keyboard provides mousing capabilities, handy for the computer-based devices. If you have a Windows Media Center machine, special buttons let you do things like access the My Videos, My Music, RecordTV and change the volume, etc.

QUIZ: Wireless networks and mobility

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The scoop: Multi-Link Bluetooth Keyboard with Touchpad (GKM611B), by Iogear, about $80.

What is it? This full-size Bluetooth keyboard lets you connect up to six different Bluetooth-enabled devices, including PCs, Macs, Media Center PC systems (connected to a TV), smartphones, game consoles and tablets. The connections are not simultaneous -- you need to hit a function key and number (from 1-6) to connect to the device that you want to control. A small touchpad on the right side of the keyboard provides mousing capabilities, handy for the computer-based devices. If you have a Windows Media Center machine, special buttons let you do things like access the My Videos, My Music, RecordTV and change the volume, etc.

QUIZ: Wireless networks and mobility

Why it's cool: If you find yourself acquiring many different devices that could potentially benefit from an external keyboard (including an iPad, smartphone and media center/game console), then using one keyboard to control everything instead of purchasing multiple keyboards could save you a ton of money in the long run. For the office, using one keyboard to control different PCs saves space in addition to money. I also liked the full-size nature of the keyboard, especially for typing on things like my smartphone (an iPhone 4) and the iPad -- smaller iPad keyboards cause me to make more typing mistakes.

Some caveats: Because it's a larger-size keyboard, you might not want to travel with it (Iogear makes an alternative travel keyboard); the media center keys aren't helpful if you don't have a media center system. The touchpad area on the keyboard may be too small for some users -- in that case, I'd recommend just using a mouse.

Grade: 4 stars (out of five)

The scoop: Savi 440, by Plantronics, about $280.

What is it? The unit is a USB-connected wireless headset for use with voice applications on PCs and Macs, including Skype, Web chat (Facebook, Google+ hangouts, etc.), as well as unified communications software packages from Avaya, Cisco, Microsoft Lync and Shore Tel. The headset also lets you listen to music via iTunes, Winamp and Windows Media Player.

Why it's cool: The Savi 440 utilizes DECT wireless technology, similar to that in cordless phone systems, letting the user walk up to 300 feet away from the USB transmitter/dongle. For home office workers, this means they can walk around during a call a lot easier than with a Bluetooth adapter or other non-DECT headset. The noise-canceling microphone provides great audio quality for the recipient on the other end of the call, which can be a great benefit when doing things like Skype Web chats.

The system also provides three different wearing styles -- on the ear, over-the-head or behind-the-head, with different ear loops to get the correct fit. The system comes with a very nice magnetic docking station to recharge the headset, which Plantronics says gets up to seven hours of talk time (narrowband mode; in wideband mode, up to four hours), and the battery can be hot-swapped during a phone call if you need it. Additional software from Plantronics allows for multimedia pause (when a call comes in, the music pauses and then resumes upon call completion), headset battery status, and presence status (with Skype/Lync). The light weight of the headset (21 grams) can be a benefit compared with bulkier headphone/microphone combinations for the PC.