Tech toys
Gannett News Service
Handheld device handles multimedia
Talk about an identity crisis! The Archos Jukebox Multimedia 20 weighs just 10 ounces, yet it comes with a PC-like 20-gigabyte hard drive. And for good reason. This portable entertainment center plays MP3 music and displays photos and videos on its 1.5-inch color liquid crystal display. Jukebox owners can transfer data to the device from a PC or Macintosh via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or FireWire port. The total package, including a Photo Module, costs $419.95. A unit without the Photo Module is $399.95. In September, an add-on 1.3-megapixel digital camera module will be available.
Kinderbot teaches preschool basics
Not only can Kasey the Kinderbot help preschoolers brush up on their ABCs and 1-2-3s, but the robotic pal even can help them mind their manners. Or at least that's what Fisher-Price, the maker of the $65 robotic toy, claims. Although the big-eyed creature with a green display screen on his belly can't walk, he can turn his head and swing his arms as he dances and sings. Kasey's main function, however, is to help kids ages 3 to 7 hone more than 40 skills, including counting, phonics and shape recognition. Additional software cartridges, priced at $14.99 each, provide basic lessons in Spanish, French, reading, math and science.
Put seal of approval on your documents
Even if you have never sealed a letter with wax, you can appreciate the fun of myeWax.com. This wistful site is chock-full of designs that mimic the look of wax seals that can be sent as e-mail signatures and posted on personal Web pages. Folks who sign up for the site's newsletter get a free seal. Those who pay $9.95 gain access to the site's 2,000-plus designs for a year.
Software reads your text files back to you
The latest article on Slate.com looks like a good read. So does the new piece on your favorite gossip site. With TextAloud MP3, you can listen to them instead. This program from Nextup turns text on a PC into MP3 files that can be downloaded and played back on an MP3 player or a personal digital assistant (PDA). You can download a free trial version at the company's Web site. If you like what you hear, the basic program, which works with several free downloadable speech engines, is $24.95. The TextAloud MP3 paired with the AT&T Natural Voices program costs $49.
Camcorder handles shooting after dark
Counting stars in the sky. Catching fireflies in the yard. Sipping iced tea on the porch. Without a doubt, some of the best parts of summer happen at night.
But good luck capturing these nighttime memories because most cameras simply aren't up to the task. One model that comes close is the GR-DVP7, a $1,500 digital camcorder from JVC. This sleek silver MiniDV camcorder with a 1.02-megapixel image sensor can record color images at night, even when you can barely make out the subject in its viewfinder. While the images aren't as vivid and colorful as those shot in better light, they are worth keeping, nonetheless.
The price is $1,500.
