Tech Toys
Compiled by Gannett News Service
For gamer players who are all thumbs
Not every Sony PlayStation 2 fan has the nimble fingers needed to successfully execute a complex game move, such as a super fakey grind in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. Programmable shortcut keys on the new PX5000 control pad may give frustrated gamers a needed edge. A player can combine three moves into one Super Move executed with the push of one button. The PX5000 stores up to four Super Moves at one time. The $30 controller also sports an liquid crystal display (LCD), DoubleShock 2 vibration, four analog action buttons, four analog and two digital triggers and an 8-way analog D-pad.
Information: www.saitekusa.com
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Clocks keep you running in style
Watches that do more than tell time often are bulky and uncomfortable. Nike's Triax S-Series watches for runners are lighter than earlier models, and designers curved the entire watch, including its face plate and internal movements so that the whole watch encircles your wrist.
The Triax Stamina Super model, at 1.5 ounces, can store information for 100 laps, can display your best time, average time and total pace after a run. The $149 watch has a countdown repeat timer, an event counter, seven alarms, a lap/split time recall and can be programmed for two time zones. The Triax Speed Super model, (1.3 ounces, $135), can store information about 43 laps, including your best run, average run and pace.
Information: www.nike.com
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I Spy introduces treasure hunt for kids
Fans of the popular I Spy series of books and computer games can pretend to be pirates as they solve riddles, read maps and search for clues in the new I Spy Treasure Hunt game. The rhyming picture riddle game takes children ages 6 to 10 to mysterious and picturesque spots in Smuggler's Cove, including the ShipWreck Shore, Boat Shop Attic and Treasure Chest Store. The program's riddles, treasure hunts and pirate map games help children hone a variety of skills, including critical thinking, vocabulary, map-reading, logic and visual memory.
The Scholastic software program costs $29.95 and can run on both Windows and Mac computers.
Information: www.scholastic.com/ispy
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Sony makes a PDA for couch potatoes
Leave it to Sony to turn its latest personal digital assistant (PDA) into a device that doubles as a universal remote that can control your TV, DVD player and audio receiver through its infrared port. The Palm-based organizer comes with 8 megabytes of memory and costs $300. The slim 4.3-ounce device is 4.7 inches long, 2.8 inches wide and 0.4 inches high. It comes with a USB cradle, a jog dial navigation wheel, a Memory Stick expansion slot, Palm operating system 4.1 and a Motorola Dragonball VZ 33 MHz processor (which is speedy for a Palm device). Its monochrome display (sorry folks, this one doesn't have color) displays up to 320 by 320 pixels, twice the resolution of handhelds from Palm and Handspring.
Information: www.sonystyle.com/clie
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Maybe your PC needs a fall cleaning
If your computer moans and groans every time you turn it on, chances are it's overdue for a tune-up. One all-purpose program is Norton SystemWorks 2002. The $69.95 software package includes Norton AntiVirus 2002, which checks for viruses in both incoming and outgoing e-mails. Its "script-blocking" technology can detect virus-like activity on your computer. The software also includes a program that detects and repairs problems on hard drives; a tool for eliminating Internet temporary files and hard drive clutter, and a tool to retrieve lost or deleted files. The Symantec program runs on computers using Windows XP, Windows 98, NT, 2000 and ME.
Information: www.symantec.com
