Barbara Fullerton, Manager of Library Services, Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP and Jenny Levine (The Shifted Librarian)

At the recent Internet Librarian 2002 in Palm Springs, CA, a session on gadgets was presented to an audience of information professionals. These small novelties and electronic devices were introduced for the work, home and play environments. Included in this presentation were also some cool gadget ideas for holiday presents. These new gadgets, along with a few old “friends” were shown at the conference. NOTE: Special thanks to Brian Neale, Brian Roberts and Roger Skalbeck of “And you thought gadgets were only for the kitchen!” presentations.

OQO’s Ultra-Personal PC CellSocket http://www.oqo.com

Full Windows XP PC Size of a PDA Run any Windows XP application 4″ LCD Touchscreen 10gb HDD 256mb RAM 800mhz Crusoe Processor Wireless Networking 9 ½ hr. Battery Dock as Laptop or Desktop Estimated Price: $1,000 4th Quarter 2002

Cell Socket http://www.cellsocket.com

Cell phone cradle that connects to your home phone network Lets you make and receive cellular calls on a standard telephone Cradle doubles as a charger Antenna that boosts the cellular signal Currently works only with some Nokia phone models $99 – $129 Available now

Orbitor Electronic Listening http://www.gadgetuniverse.com

Hear conversations from 300′ Record up to 12 seconds on the digital chip for playback The viewfinder has a 10 X prism optical system to observe Full size headphones included Price: $69.99

Logitech KeyCase http://www.logitech.com

Functions as a PDA case and a keyboard Made out of fabric, so it’s spill proof Right now, only works with: Palm m500, m505, m515, m125, m135, and i705 Price: $99 Available now

Phaser Laser Pointer & Wireless Mouse http://www.iogear.com

50 ft. range Work at any location, from any direction Built-in laser pointer Track ball 3 year warranty Price: $39.99

The Rise Alarm Clock http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2269144.stm

Connects to the Internet to retrieve traffic information Owner programs wake-up time, destination, and arrival time via a Web site Clock adjusts wake-up time based on traffic patterns Developed by a student at Brunel University in England Possible development 2003

Dual Screen 2-VU http://dualscreen.com/

Two touch screens Screens 12″ or 15″ View 2 different documents at the same time! Windows XP or 2000 30 GB hard drive or higher; P4 processor On-screen keyboard or wireless keyboard Wireless network Coming Winter 2002

Sony Clie Game Controller GC10 http://www.sonystyle.com/

Attaches to serial port on Sony Clie PDAs Functions as a game pad/joystick for full-fledged gaming Weighs one ounce $40 Available now

Site Gadgets http://www.sitegadgets.com

23 gadgets to liven up your website Customizable Register to use the scripts Message boards, voting ideas, postcards, counters, top news, etc. Price: No charge

The Cubik Digital Camera http://www.dynamism.com/cubik/

World’s smallest one megapixel camera Captures movies & functions as a webcam 16MB memory 640 x 480 resolution $169 Available now

A/B Cable Switch with Remote http://www.radioshack.com

Two-way switch for cable 23’ wireless remote Switch between games, video, stereo, camera Price: $30

Wherify Personal Locator http://www.wherifywireless.com

Wrist device with embedded GPS for locating/tracking children Built-in pager & “Request 911” button Synchronizes with atomic clock Water resistant Alarm sounds if tampered with $399 plus service plan

Bullet-proof Vest http://www.wired.com/news/gizmos/0,1452,55764,00.html

Computerized fabric Seven integrated sensors that can detect sounds from distant Small circuit board attached to the fabric compares the sounds from each microphone Uses algorithms to compute sound up to 100 meters away Coming 2003

Soundbug http://www.soundbug-us.com

Portable sound system that turns any window or tabletop into a speaker Generates sound from any smooth, hard surface Plugs into any standard headphone socket Attaches to surface with a suction cup $30 Available now

Do You Remember the CueCat? see //www.llrx.com/columns/notes35.htm for a refresher

Doorstop Alarm http://www.gizmos-uk.com/DoorAlarm.htm

9V battery Sounds when door is being closed 118 decibel alarm Can also use it against closed doors for intruders Price: 15 pounds

Apriva x57 http://www.apriva.com

Add-on sled for the RIM Blackberry 857/957 Reads smartcards Swipes credit cards and processes transactions Includes a barcode scanner Adds an infrared (IR) port that can be used for printing $226 (or $725 for a Blackberry & Apriva)

Windows XP Tablet PC http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/

Interacts with other PCs (plays well) Mobile & wireless Use with other Window applications Screen rotation Slim and weightless Attachable keyboards and docking stations Coming Nov. 7th

Hello Kitty USB Hub & FireDino http://www.dreamkitty.com/ http://www.charismac.com/Products/firedino/

2-port USB hub Responds to your keyboard motion by talking and moving Talks in both English and Japanese $89 Available now 4-port Firewire hub Red eyes and blue mouth light up $75 Taking pre-orders

Samsung SPH-A500 Cell Phone http://www.epinions.com/Samsung_SPH_A500_Cellular_Phones

Text messaging Color display Camera sold separately Games & applications sold separately Web surfing Low battery life Cool design Price: $300

Hokey Spokes http://www.hokeyspokes.com/

Transparent blades that attach to bicycle spokes Internal LED lights display images, designs, and/or text Fit most road and mountain bikes with a wheel diameter of 24” or greater Can attach up to six blades per wheel $30 per blade Available now

Portable Key Katcher http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/5a05

Connect to a keyboard to record strokes Captures 65,000 strokes No software required Plugs in between your keyboard and computer Retains info even in power shortages 64K memory Price: $79.99

Magnavox MobilePal http://www.safetyproductsunlimited.com/

Cell-phone like device that contacts MobilePal service only provides access to 911 network, Roadside Assistance, and directions to the nearest hospital or veterinary facility Uses GPS to determine your exact location Has a single “CALL” button Embedded 95 dB siren $99 to $299 plus service plan Available now

Web TrackerPod http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/netcams/5b05

For WebCam Control camera movement Motion tracking Remote monitoring Video Conferencing Price: $129.99 w/o camera Camera: $30-$40

Qcast Tuner for PlayStation 2 http://www.broadq.com/

Allows PlayStation 2 owners to use their game consoles as digital media centers Using an ethernet network adapter, allows you to play digital audio and video files anywhere on your network $50 Available now

PAC MATE http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/PACMate.asp

PDA for visually impaired Windows CE platform Pocket PC applications Wear device while accessing applications Battery lasts 36 hours QWERTY keyboard or standard 8-dot Braille keyboard Price: $2,595 w/o modem

Samsonite Hardlite 625 http://www.samsonite.com/hardlite

Laptop and gadget carrying case Bluetooth is embedded in the case itself The case carries information and synchronizes it with devices inside it Anti-theft technology automatically notifies the owner if the case is being removed $99 Available 2003

Fire Bible http://ship-of-fools.com/Gadgets/New/121.html

Scorching translation Battery operated system Open the book and see real flames Lighter fluid not included Price: $44.95

Roomba http://www.roombavac.com/

Robot that vacuums floors and rugs in a spiral motion Runs up to 90 minutes per charge Works on hardwood, linoleum, tile, and low- to medium-pile carpets $199 Available now

M-Systems DiskOnKey http://www.diskonkey.com

Keychain USB storage device 8MB-1GB No separate power supply or battery required Security support options Price: $39-$800

SplashPad and Mobilewise http://www.mobilewise.com http://www.splashpower.com/

Recharge devices simply by laying them down on the pad Portable flat surface SplashPad can be built into device carrying cases Mobilewise reduces number of power adapters needed Available 2003

Triple Car Socket http://www.sharperimage.com

Powers three electronic devices at once Compact, adjustable unit tilt 180° Includes vent to keep unit cool when in use Concurrent use of cell phone, laptop, massage cushion, TV, etc. Plugs into vehicle’s 12v power socket Price: $19.95

Kyocera 7135 Smartphone http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/

Combination cell phone and Palm PDA with a color screen 16MB internal memory + an expansion slot (SD and MMC) Plays MP3s and videos Support for (high speed) 3G CDMA 2000 1X networks Synchronizes with Outlook Built-in speakerphone Embedded GPS locator $499 End of 2002

RIM Blackberry 5810 http://www.blackberry.net

Wireless Email with PDA Calendar/Contacts/Notes Syncs with PDA and ISP, Enterprise or Handheld Email accounts Palm Size – 4.7 oz. Backlit QWERTY keyboard Optional GSM Voice services (cell phone) 8mb RAM Price: $499 +service

VKB Virtual Keyboard http://www.vkb.co.il/

Laser projects keyboard or mouse onto a surface Includes an infrared (IR) mechanism for detecting user keystrokes Expect to integrate it into PDAs, cell phones, tablet PCs, etc. Full size keyboard supports range of typing speeds Can change keyboard language on the fly Integration into PDAs, cell phones, etc. in 2003

Do you remember?

Archos 20GB MP3 Player http://www.archos.com/lang=en/products/prw_500375.html?country=us

330 hours of music Converts to a full stereo with speakers Holds =500 CDs Speakers optional Includes hard drive & USB port Travel kit not included Price: $249.95

Odyssey 100 http://www.edig.com/

20GB hard drive for data storage, plays MP3s and WMA audio files USB 2.0 connection transfers an entire CD in 5 seconds Uses e.Digital’s VoiceNav interface for voice navigation Includes an FM tuner “Drag ‘n Rip” software moves music directly to player Built-in microphone for voice recording $349 Available now

Palm History

Is your Palm history? HANDHELD HALL OF FAME http://www.palm.com/products/handhelds/other/

Linksys Wireless Ethernet Bridge http://www.linksys.com/

Lets any device with an ethernet port join a wireless network Makes your Playstation 2, ReplayTV, printer, scanner, etc. wireless! Completely driver free, so works on any operating system and on any platform Easily configurable through a Web browser $110 Available now