Listen to your e-mails on an iPod

Keith Shaw’s Cool Tools Alert

LATEST COOL TOOLS COLUMN: Listen to your e-mails on an iPod

* MT1 software , about $50, from MagneticTime.

This software is a plug-in for Outlook or Outlook Express that can convert the text from your e-mails into MP3 files. After the text-to-speech conversion is completed, you can transfer the MP3 files into a portable music player (such as an iPod), PDA or even a cell phone (any device that plays MP3 files, and these days pretty much every one does). The software can also convert the text in Word documents into MP3 files, so instead of reading that long report from marketing you can now listen to the long report on a mobile device. Rules can be set up to only copy specific e-mails (such as only from “Joe Smith” or e-mails that contain the phrases “top secret marketing project” or “paradigm shift”), so you can avoid copying all of your e-mails into the conversion folder.

Stocking stuffers!

We realize that there’s not much time left before the holidays, but if you’re looking for a stocking stuffer for your favorite network engineer, check out the SuperLooper Loopback Jack & Plugs and the Crossover Adapter from Smartronix ($6, available at the Smartronix Web site). The SuperLooper checks the RX/TX pairs of 10Base-T and 100Base-T network cables, while the Crossover Adapter converts any standard Ethernet patch cable to a crossover cable. These adapters are perfect for attaching to a key chain, a bag or just carrying in your pocket. Versions also are available for Gigabit, T-1/E-1 and ISDN networks, and Smartronix says these should be available in all Fry’s Electronics locations (if you’re looking for that last-minute stocking stuffer).

http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2005/121905cooltools.html?rl

THE PAST 7 DAYS ON THE COOL TOOLS HAPPY BLOG:

Convert movies for mobile device viewing

If you are hooked on watching TV shows and videos on a tiny video screen (such as the video iPod, or Sony PSP), getting existing videos onto the smaller screen can be a chore. InterVideo this week launched new software that aims to ease this conversion process.

http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/3919

Listen to your iPod on a new Boomtube

Think Outside Inc. today announced availability of its Boomtube H2O1, an iPod or other digital music player accessory speaker system with 40 watts, an integrated subwoofer, detachable satellites and an internal rechargeable lithium ion battery with up to five hours of life.

http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/3897

Toshiba launches new projectors

Toshiba’s digital products division this week launched two new projectors – the $799 TDP-S8U (pictured) and the $1,099 TDP-T9U models.

http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/3895

Put 8GB in your pocket

Nothing surprises me anymore in terms of storage capacities for USB Flash drives and other small storage form factors. If you enjoy following the evolution of higher capacities and lower prices, read on.

EDGE Tech Corp. this week announced its new 8GB DiskGo! USB 2.0 Flash Drive. The drive is “approximately the size of a thumb” and costs $599 through the company’s Web site. Included with the drive is SecureGuard software (for password protection), EasyBoot software and a built-in clip and removable cap. The drive will work with PCs from Windows 98 SE (driver required), ME, 2000, XP, and Mac OS 9x and later, and Linux 2.4x and later.

http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/3886

More movies to watch on your cell phone

MSpot and Sprint this week announced its MSpot Movies service, which streams full-length feature films to a mobile phone.

http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/3865

Speed up that Bluetooth link

IOGEAR this week launched new Bluetooth 2.0 USB adapters (Class 1 and 2) that aim to triple the speed of current Bluetooth adapters for desktop or notebook PCs (and Macintosh systems, too).

http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/3864

Bridging the worlds of video games and PCs

OK, so you’ve got a kick-ass new LCD monitor, but the monitor doesn’t have composite video or audio ports to let you connect a gaming console. You might need the new Adaptec GameBridge (AVC-1400) device, which connects to a game console and PC so you can play the games in real-time and display them on your PC monitor instead of a TV. The device is now available through the Adaptec Web site for $69.99.

http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/3854

NETWORK LIFE: The experts’ guide to the connected home – latest issue available for download

Home networks are great for sharing printers or an Internet connection, but what your users (friends, relatives and co-workers) really want to do with them is have some fun.

They¹re going to want to view digital photos on their TV, play music on their home stereo system or stream video wirelessly from one TV to another.

And they’re going to ask you to set it all up for them.

Luckily, you have your own Expert for the Connected Home to help you through any issues surrounding home networked entertainment. This issue of Network Life explores networked entertainment options, including looking at the ongoing battle for the living room and ways to avoid falling into the network home entertainment trap. James Gaskin, our Connection Coach, offers some LAN Party Planning tips (what’s a LAN party? Ask your 13-year-old son) as well as other entertainment-related network questions.

https://www.networklifemag.com/news/2005/120505ednote.html?nl

COOL YULE TOOLS 2005: What’s in Keith’s holiday gift sack?

We’ve been dreaming of the future, and it has arrived in the form of this year’s online holiday gift guide. We’ve got reviews and suggestions of more than 100 high-tech products that you’ll want to give to friends, family or yourself.http://www.networkworld.com/supp/2005/hgg/?nlhttp://www.networkworld.com/bg/gifts/2005/topic-r.jsp?nlhttp://www.networkworld.com/bg/gifts/2005/aftertopic.jsp?nl

Browse the gifts by topic:

See the complete list:

After Hours Gifts (games, games and more games):