Keith Shaw’s Cool Tools Alert
* LATEST COOL TOOLS VIDEO:
Keith buys a new phone
After months of searching, Keith finds a replacement for his 4-year-old cell phone: LG’s Chocolate. Find out why in this edition of Cool Tools.
* LATEST COOL TOOLS COLUMN:
Bluetooth tools from Blue Ant
I’ve been intrigued by a couple of products from Australian company Blue Ant Wireless, which is launching a bunch of its Bluetooth-enabled devices in the United States. The X5 Stereo Bluetooth Headsetlets you listen to music or talk hands-free on a cell phone.
Plus: Sonic Bluetooth Portable Speakers
* PAST 7 DAYS ON THE COOL TOOLS BLOG:
Olympus launches 13 products
If you’re a digital photography fan then you’ll be happy with today’s news from Olympus – the company launched nine new digital cameras and four new digital voice recorders, ranging from a 10 megapixel digital camera to a $150 entry-level 6 megapixel “point and shoot” model. Wow.
Sony’s latest PC/TV combination
I’m a big fan of converged PCs with monitors (yes, I know Apple did it first), so was happy to see the latest TV/monitor/PC combination from Sony, the VAIO LS1. The system will be available in mid-September for about $2,100 at Sony Style stores and other retailers, but you can pre-order one today at the Sony Web site.
Vonage, D-Link team up on VoIP bundle
With a headline like that you want to keep reading, right? Vonage and D-Link today announced the VWR, a wireless 802.11b/g broadband Router with two phone ports and bundled Vonage VoIP service. The package is now available for $59.99 (after $40 instant rebate) at the Vonage Web site.
Iomega touts portable hard drives
Iomega this week announced two new portable hard drives with host-powered operation features and “Drop Shock” protection technology. The Iomega Portable Hard Drive 120GB Hi-Speed USB 2.0/FireWire drive ($219.95) and the Iomega Portable Hard Drive 80GB Hi-Speed USB 2.0/FireWire Drive ($169.96) are available now, the company says.
Lenovo to offer Cingular-enabled ThinkPad
Lenovo and Cingular Wireless today said select models of the ThinkPad T60 notebook, which features wide-area wireless connectivity to Cingular’s UMTS/HDSPA network (average download speeds between 400 and 700Kbps), are now available for business users in the U.S. Systems start at $1,899, with network connection service at $59.99 per month with a two-year and qualified voice contract.
Panasonic camcorder boosts 4GB capacity
The latest camcorder from Panasonic is the SDR-S150 SD, a compact device that can record onto a 4GB SDHC (Secure Digital High-Capacity) memory card, allowing for recording up to 3 hours, 20 minutes, Panasonic says. The system will come bundled with a 2GB memory card in September for $999.95.
TomTom gets slimmer
GPS vendor TomTom this week launched its TomTom ONE device in North America. The new slim GPS device comes with the TomTom software will be available at the end of August for $499.
Logitech updates iPod speaker systems
Logitech this week launched two new speaker systems designed for iPod users to let them listen to their digital music with more powerful sound. The AudioStation ($299.99, available in October) and AudioStation Express ($129.99, available in October) can become replacements for traditional living-room stereo systems or for use in an office or bedroom, Logitech says.
* COOL TOOLS SUMMER SPECIAL:
Toys of Summer product guide
If you didn’t think it was possible to stay connected to the network while on vacation, think again. Advances in networks and technologies make it possible for you to get away from the office yet still remain tethered to what’s going on. Our special Toys of Summer guide (compiled by Cool Tools guru Keith Shaw) will show you the best new devices that let you get away from the data center and onto a nice, sandy beach.
